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Showing posts from December, 2022

My Birding Year 2022 Part 1 - January to June

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  Top Lake - Newton St Loe (Bath Birdwatcher) The year started well with 20 species seen in the 1 st 3 days but nothing unexpected. On the 4 th of January the 3 Amigos had a Trip to Weston Super Mare as a Penduline Tit had been seen at the old Airfield and as it would be a lifer for the three of us we decided to go for it and on the way our 1 st Red Kite of the year was seen, We stopped at Herriotts at Chew Valley Lake and year ticked all the usual suspects which included a Great White Egret. Between Chew and Weston   more usual fare was logged including a nice Kestrel. At Weston we soon found where the Penduline was by the number of people looking for it, and talking to the 1 st person we met, he said it had been seen earlier but he had not seen it, so we stood and waited but no sign so we decided to wander along the reedbed to a different viewing point but again nothing but Meadow Pipits so another move which this time proved fruitful when we found 2 Penduline Tits feedi...

Tuesday 21st December 2022 - Chew Valley Lake

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  This week as it was likely to be the final bird trip of the year the 3 Amigos decided to have a day trip to Chew Valley Lake as a few decent birds had been reported from there over the last week or so. With sandwiches and hot drinks to hand we set off and reaching Herriotts the spotting began with Mallard, Coot, Tufted Duck, Grey Wagtail quickly found. As we watched a few of our Bath RSPB group arrived and after a chat it was back to spotting with Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Pochard,   and Goldeneye all seen on the main lake. A male Pheasant was seen towards the ringing station, and back on the pond was a small flock of Shoveler and a Shelduck. In the left hand corner of the pond was a Moorhen, with a Chaffinch walking on some floating debris. Out on the pond were a few Mute Swans and a large quantity of Black Headed Gull and a single Common Gull, before we moved on a Woodpigeon and a Gadwall were added to our tally. Next stop Stratford hide, on the way we added Rooks, an...

Tuesday 13th December 2022 - Newton St Loe

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  Today the 3 Amigos made visit to Newton St Loe parking by the farm shop and here before we set of, we noted many Redwings flying over and during the morning saw in excess of 100 and may have been over 200 birds. Carrion Crows were sat in a nearby tree and Jackdaws flew over. Walking towards the church we saw a few Blackbirds, and a Fieldfare while in the tall mistletoe covered trees seen from the road to the church was a Mistle Thrush the first of several we were to see or hear. Blue Tits were in the same rank of trees with several Woodpigeons. A Black Headed Gull flew over the field beyond the church and 2 Magpies were in the field and some Rooks flew over. A Robin was sat on the fence at the bottom of the field with Chaffinches seen before we reached the road to Send a Cow. On the wires by Send a Cow were many Goldfinches and in the hedgerow were House Sparrows cheeping as they tend to do year-round . Great Tits were beyond Send a Cow, and a Nuthatch was fou...

Saturday 10th December 2022 - Oldbury Power Station

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  Map of the Oldbury Power Station Area The final RSPB field trip of the year was to Oldbury Power Station where 12 members turned out on a cold and frosty day but the sun did shine all day. On the way to Oldbury the following were seen, a flock of Golden Plover on Lansdown, Carrion Crow, Lapwing, Buzzard and Blackbird. As we approached the power station a Jay flew down the road in front of us and Magpies flew across the road. When we reached the car park while waiting for others to arrive a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew into the top of a nearby tree and Redwings were flying in and out of the Orchard. When we started the walk Long Tailed Tit, Great Tit, Jackdaw and Woodpigeon were soon noted. It was then quite a while before our next sighting a flyover Mistle Thrush. Nothing more until we reached the river and here were lots of waders including, Redshank, Dunlin, Grey Plover, Curlew, Turnstone and Ringed Plover.  While watching the flocks of waders Bryan spotted a single Black...

Wednesday 7th December 2022 - Somerset Levels.

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  For this week’s day out the 3 Amigos were invited to join the Bath Nats field trip to the Somerset Levels meeting at Ham Wall car park at 10.30. Birding started as we travelled to our destination and the first birds we saw were 2 birds of prey as we drove through Pensford, a Buzzard sat in a field was 1 st then a Red Kite in flight. Blackbird and Rook were soon added. Dropping down the hill into Wells a few male Pheasants were seen, this species was also seen at Ham Wall with 1 in the car park. A flyover Raven was next   with Magpie, Starling and Great Tit also seen. As we approached Ham Wall a Little Egret was stood by one of the drainage channels. In the car park while waiting for the rest of the party we spotted a Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Jay and a Chaffinch plus a very friendly Robin. Very friendly Robin - Ham Wall (Bath Birdwatcher) 9 of us turned out on a very cold day and it was decided to start our day walking towards Noah’s hide as a special bird had been se...