Friday 11th November 2022 - Newton St Loe

 Went to Newton St Loe this morning and met one of Mary’s friends. Because of all the rain we have had recently we decided to walk up the Drive to the University to miss the bottom lake which we thought would be muddy after all the recent rain. In the first field to the left as we entered the drive, it was full of cows with their calves and where they had turned the edge of the field to mud were at least 20 Pied Wagtails with a similar quantity of Meadow Pipits although these were harder to count as they flew away as we moved towards them, also with them were a few Goldfinch. We continued up the drive and approaching the first set of cattle grids a flock of about 30 Starlings flew from the field and headed for the village. In the field were a large corvid flock mainly Rooks but also a scattering of Jackdaws and the odd Carrion Crow, also with them was a fair count of Woodpigeons. A large flock of gulls were circling over the field mainly Black Headed but also a few Common. Nothing new until the top lake which was approached from the top end and here in the tall trees was a flock of Redwing and at least 2 Mistle Thrushes. On the lake I counted 69 Mallard but as they were in the water and on the bank some under the tree’s I bet I missed a few.

Mallards-NSL (Bath Birdwatcher)

With them were 3 Little Grebe and a female Tufted Duck. A single Male Teal was sat on the far bank with the Mallards.

Record shot of a Teal at NSL (Bath Birdwatcher)

The resident pair of Mute Swans were feeding at the dam end and around the lake were 6 or 7 Moorhens. As I scanned the lake from the dam end a male Kestrel flew over doing several circuits before flying off. Walking back around the lake a Stock Dove flew into the trees on the opposite bank and walking back down the drive a flock of Long Tailed Tit’s were in the trees.