Monday 17th October 2022 - Newton St Loe.

 I expect you are all wondering where I have gone with no blog since our South Devon holiday at the end of September. Well, on our return it was covid booster time on the following Thursday. In the past the jab has gone well with no after affects and so it appeared this time until Saturday PM when I came down with a very heavy cold, something I do not usually suffer with, I am sure I picked it up at the vaccination center where we had to queue, and quite a long wait. The cold has over the weekend finally gone and I feel more like my usual self, so when Mary suggested a walk at Newton St Loe, I jumped at it. 

Parking at the church we walked through the churchyard and into the field here I saw Herring Gull, Magpie and Rook. On the road by send a cow Goldfinch were on the wires, down the footpath where Wood Pigeon and a Jay was added. Several were heard during the morning, but this was the only one seen. On the Bottom Lake were 16 Mallard and fly over Jackdaws and a Grey Wagtail. The top lake was more productive with a Little Grebe the 1st new sighting, we did find 2 while there. A Mistle Thrush flew up the lake and landed in the top of the tallest fir tree. We sat in the Temple for a coffee and here I noted at least 50 Mallard but six had flown in, possibly from the bottom lake, so between the 2 lakes probably at least 60. 6 Coot were counted along with the female Tufted and 5 Moorhen. 21 Black Headed Gulls were on the water but soon flew off leaving just 2  

birds. The resident pair of Mute Swans were also seen. 

Resident pair of Mute Swans-NSL (Bath Birdwatcher)

 In the University ground by the Keep was a large flock of birds with 25+ being Long Tailed Tits along with a few Blue Tits and a single Coal Tit. Walking back down the drive we saw a lot of Carrion Crows and just one Meadow Pipit. A poor morning for bird numbers but it was nice to get out for a walk in the lovely weather.