Tuesday 20th September 2022 - Brean Down.


Today the 3 Amigos went on a recce to Brean Down as Bath RSPB local group are having a field Trip there on Saturday, making as sure as possible that roads are open and access to the site is not restricted. As it was an all-day trip lunch needed to be carried. We were to pass Chew Valley Lake on our journey so stopped for a quick look. On the way we noted Buzzard and Collared Dove. At Chew we ticked Mallard, Shoveler, Gadwall, Lapwing, Black Headed Gull, Teal, Pintail, Shelduck Green Sandpiper and Coot, all these being on the pond while on the main lake Carrion Crow, Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Moorhen, and Great Tit were seen. Driving from Chew to Brean Rook, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw and Herring Gull added to the days total. Parking in the National Trust car park we started our walk making our way towards the river Axe estuary on the way Magpie, House Sparrow, Swallow, Starling, Mute Swan, Lesser Black Back Gull Goldfinch, Robin and Little Egret were seen. Scanning the Axe estuary Bryan spotted a Curlew, but other waders were too far away to identify. Turning back towards the path that takes you on to Brean Down we added Dunnock, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit and David found a Kestrel sitting on a bush. As we walked up the path a male Blackcap was seen and looking back towards the estuary a Cormorant noted. When we got to the top of the Down, we witnessed I would guess many 100's of Hirundine heading south mostly Swallow but with a few House and Sand Martin’s. Birds on the Down were few and far between, but we did add Raven and Wren. Stopping for lunch after a walk of about a mile and a half just before the end of the down a Rock Pipit flew around and landed on the Fort Buildings and shortly after a Sparrowhawk also landed on the same building. After lunch as we started the long walk back, I saw a bird on a wall and upon investigation it was a lovely Wheatear a bird I expected to see but this was the only one seen. Walking back, we were seeing lots of common warblers but in one bush a Chiff Chaff flew in only to be seen off by another bird which flew to the edge of the bush a Dartford Warbler this is the 1st time we have seen one here and the closest one seen to Bath. The final sighting of the day was a flock of Oystercatchers which flew around the end of Brean Down towards Weston Super Mare. During the walk 2 new butterflies for the year were seen a single Small Copper and 2 Clouded Yellow’s. A species of moth that seemed very abundant was the Rush Veneer with many disturbed as we walked over the down.

Rush Veneer Moth - (Bath Birdwatcher)

Clouded Yellow Butterfly - (Bath Birdwatcher)





 

Location: 8XFG+FC Burnham-on-Sea, UK

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