Wednesday 19th October 2022 - Chew Valley Lake.

 

This week’s birding trip was a visit to Chew Valley Lake unfortunately Bryan was unable to come so it was just David and Tony. Spotting started as soon as we set off with Kestrel, Collared Dove and Woodpigeon seen in transit. First stopping place at Chew was Herriotts where we firstly covered the pond and here were Canada Geese, Black Headed Gulls, Shoveler, Teal, Common Gull, Mallard, a single Shelduck, Black Tailed Godwit, 1 Snipe, Lapwing,1 Green Sandpiper, and a Grey Wagtail. Then all the gulls took off and we suspected a bird of prey was about and yes, a Peregrine flew through. A cracking male Pintail was upending, and a Stonechat landed on top of a patch of tall weeds right in front of us but flew off before I could get the camera out. On the main lake which is the lowest I can remember a Great White Egret was stood on the mud, but most birds were so far away even with a telescope it was hard to identify the smaller ones. A flock of tits flew over the reeds from one tree to another these included Blue, Great and Long Tailed Tits as well as a Cetti’s Warbler. In the channel were lots of Moorhens and while we were looking David spotted a Water Rail creeping through the reeds. Carrion Crow, Magpie and Pied Wagtail flew over. On the lake we did manage to identify Wigeon and Great Crested Grebe. Next stop Stratford here a Great Spotted Woodpecker was in a tall tree by the car park.

Great Spotted Woodpecker - Bath Birdwatcher

Walking to the hide a female Chaffinch was in a bush. From the hide we found a small flock of Ruff and scanning the lake Pochard, Tufted Duck and Little Egret were observed. A Red Kite was seen towards Herriotts end of the lake and a large flock of mainly Coot was towards the Lodge. Great Black Back and Lesser Black Back Gulls were flying mid lake and Mute Swan were on the far bank. Next stop Moreton here one of the day's highlights was seen a female Scaup, we also caught up with Gadwall and Cormorant that we missed earlier. Walking along Moreton Lane we added Buzzard, Raven and Jay to out day total. On to Herons Green here we stopped for lunch and managed a few more day tick, Grey Heron, Jackdaw, Little Grebe and Skylark. On to the picnic area here we added Egyptian Goose and Starling to our lists. 

Egyptian Geese - Bath Birdwatcher

Final stop was the Bittern Trail here the days second highlight was seen again found by David, a pair of Lesser Redpoll, we also added Chiffchaff, Herring Gull and Blackbird. The best day for numbers for a long time with 58 species seen. A few butterflies are still on the wing including this great Red Admiral

Red Admiral - Bath Birdwatcher


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