Bath Birdwatcher

  This coming Saturday Bath branch of the RSPB are running a field trip to Stockhill on the Mendips and David is leading the visit, so today the 3 Amigos plus Tom did a recce to assess the best places to go to look for different species that will be of interest to all. The 3 Amigos set off at 9am to meet Tom at 10am, on the way we noted Buzzard, Magpie, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, House Sparrow and Rook. Tom was waiting as we arrived so after a quick chat we decided that the open grassland area with small trees, shrubs and a pond was the best area to start and our first sighting here was 2 Mistle Thrushes that flew up from the ground as we passed. We were then aware of a bird singing from a nearby tree which we knew from the song was a Tree Pipit which Bryan found and Tom was able to get it in his telescope so we all had good views (a year tick for us all), while looking a Sparrowhawk flew over along with Carrion Crows and Lesser Black Back Gulls. As we continued a Hobby wa...

  Today my wife and myself were invited to my sone for a lunch time barbeque so we decided to start the day with a walk at Newton St Loe as its been a while since the two of us had visited together. We needed to visit the garden center plus go to my parents grave and check the flowers. This meant that our visit was a flying one so a few birds I recognised by their call were missed, Wren, Robin, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Goldcrest being just 5. In the field beyond the church was a Lesser Black Back Gull and on the road to Ripple Effect a Rook flew over and House Sparrows were in the hedges and Goldfinches were on the feeders. Nothing more was seen although in the woodlands Wren, Blackcap and Chiffchaff could be heard. Butterfly alley was devoid of butterflies but a Blackbird was on the footpath and Woodpigeons were in the trees above the stream. The fishing lake was closed as the fish are spawning so the 9 Mallard and a single Moorhen had the lake to themselves, a Grey Heron was on t...

  Another week and no 3 Amigos but this week Bryan and Tony plus our wives Yvonne and Mary had an awayday to Seaton and Beer. The day was a mixture of birding and a coastal visit. Setting off at 8.45 our first stop was Cartgate picnic area where we had a coffee break, and after it was off to Seaton while driving obviously we were spotting and the following were seen, Starling, Swift, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Great White Egret, (unusual to see this species from a moving car) Blackbird, Swallow, Buzzard, Rook, Kestrel and Goldfinch. Seaton Wetlands was our next stop and here we started the visit with Blackcap and Great Tit and also a lovely singing Whitethroat.   From the viewing platform which had a Robin on the ground, we overlooked an open body of water where we noted Shelduck, Great Black Back Gull, and Herring Gull. Walking towards the visitors center a Dunnock was on the footpath and a Moorhen was on another small pond. We then stopped for coffee and wer...

  Sometimes when birding you can have good and bad days, a few weeks ago we had a day to remember when we visited the Somerset Levels and this week we made a return visit to the same place and to say we had another good day is an understatement. Bryan was unable to join us having only returned from a week’s holiday the previous evening. We were hoping for a few summer visitors that in past years the Somerset Levels have proved to be a reliable place to see them. On the way to Westhay our first stop we started our lists with Blackbird, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Starling, Rook, Lesser Black Back Gull, Collared Dove, and Pheasant. Driving across the levels we added Swallow, Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Magpie and Kestrel. Also 4 Cattle Egrets in the same place as we saw double figures on our last visit. Walking along Dagg’s Lane Drove Mallard, Buzzard and Chiffchaff were quickly logged, then David spotted a bird in the distance only having the briefest of views   before flying behind ...

  As I mentioned last week, this week I was all alone with the other Amigos on holiday so I decided to spend a morning at Newton St Loe. Being just me I was able to get away a little earlier than normal, not that it made any difference to what I saw. On the way I did see a few species, Herring Gull, Jackdaw, Magpie, Wood Pigeon and Carrion Crow. I parked by the church and set off through the church yard and the field beyond, Nothing in the field as there was 4 lots of dog walkers. On the road to Ripple Effect a Blackbird was in the road and a couple of Rooks flew over, in the hedgerow was 2 Blue Tits, Dunnock and a small flock of House Sparrows. Goldfinches were in and out of the feeders and a swallow was quartering the fields in front of Ripple Effect and 2 male Mallards were in the field. A Robin was in a bush by the footpath and towards the bottom of the path I spotted a Treecreeper scampering up a tree before flying to the next. A Stock Dove flew into the top of one of the tall...

  As I mentioned last week there is no 3 Amigos this week as David is in Spain and next week Bryan will be on the Isle of Man. But this week Bryan his wife and Myself with my wife had a walk to Newton St Loe, not a bird spotting trip but a walk to enjoy the weather and scenery but with an eye out for birds so some were seen as you will see below. The walk started with flyover Woodpigeon and Swallow followed by Jackdaw and Rook. In the bushes were House Sparrows and in the church grounds was a single Magpie. In the field were a few Carrion Crows and as we reached the road a Blackbird flew past. As we reached the road to Send a Cow (which by the way no longer exists and is now called Ripple Effect) a Goldfinch was singing from the very top of a tree with more singing close by. A Grey Heron flew over and a Chiffchaff was seen singing by the side of the footpath. A Speckled Wood butterfly was on the wing along with Orange Tips. A bird flew over the footpath in front of us which Bryan...