Tuesday 18th April 2023 - Chew Valley Lake & Blagdon.

 

It’s been a while since the 3 Amigos had the opportunity for the 3 of us to get out together for our regular Tuesday birding session, but this week we were able to make it, and a day at Chew Valley Lake and a visit to Blagdon was decided upon. As is often the case bird spotting began as we were driving with Rook, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Blackbird, Jackdaw and House Sparrow all seen before we reached Herriotts. As we pulled in to park we could already see Mute Swan, Mallard and Canada Goose, and before we got out of the car Tufted Duck and Coot were added. Spread around the pool were 10 + Shelduck a species we do not usually see in these numbers. A flock of hirundine were flying over the pool mostly Swallows but with a few House Martins with them, which was a year tick for me. Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal and a single male Goldeneye were also seen. A Cormorant flew over and a Moorhen was in the top corner of the pool. 2 gull species were also seen Herring and Lesser Black Back. The only addition to our list on the main lake were Great Crested Grebe. Moving on the Stratford we noted in transit Robin and Pied Wagtail. At Stratford we found Dunnock, Blue Tit, Treecreeper, Long Tailed Tit and Goldfinch plus a flyover Grey Heron. Nothing extra was seen from inside the hide which was hardly expected with the wind making the lake rather choppy. From here we headed for Blagdon lake another reservoir just a few miles from Chew, and driving there a Green Woodpecker flew along the road in front of us. We always park by the hatchery when we visit here and walk down the lake and as we were entering the lake an Orange Tip butterfly flew past, our 1st of the year. A pair of Chaffinch and a Great Black Back Gull plus 2 birds of prey Buzzard and Kestrel were added to the days list as we walked towards the hide. As we approached the hide a Wren, Chiffchaff and Great Tit were all new day sightings. The reason for the visit to Blagdon was to try and find a scarce duck that has been here for a few months but so far no luck in trying to track it down, and talking to a couple who were also searching for it they had also drawn a blank farther down the lake, but undeterred we walked on right to the end of a wooded area and here a group of ducks were swimming and Bryan scanning through them exclaimed its here, the duck in question a Ring Necked Duck was with them. This duck it a North American species which turns up over here fairly regularly but the last one I saw was at Radipole Lake in Weymouth in 2019. Another year tick as you have probably guessed.

Ring Necked Duck - Blagdon (Bath Birdwatcher)

Heading back to the car a Kingfisher flew by but unfortunately Bryan missed it. Next stop Nunnery point at Chew here a Grasshopper Warbler had been seen on Monday but it had probably moved on as there was no sign of it today but we did add Jay and Raven to our lists plus 2 more Butterflies Brimstone and Peacock. From here we headed to the lodge for a walk on the new cycle/footpath where 4 more species were ticked, Blackcap, Sand Martin, Pheasant and Willow Warbler. A Starling on our homeward journey was our final sighting of the day.

Gadwall - Blagdon (Bath Birdwatcher)

Ring Necked & Tufted Duck - Blagdon (Bath Birdwatcher)


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