Tuesday 30th May 2023 - Stockhill & Chew Valley Lake

 

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 was seen passing. 2 more gulls flew over this time Herring Gulls. Walking on a Skylark lifted up from the grass singing as it went up and 2 Linnets flew by.  Reaching a damp wooded area a Wren was seen at the bottom of a bush. We had been hearing singing Willow Warblers that we had been unable to find but this one was singing from a bush right next to the footpath so an easy find, as was a Whitethroat doing its parachute flight. Ravens could be heard calling then a pair flew up from behind the trees. On reaching the pond I was the only one not to see a singing Reed Warbler but I did see a male Pheasant that flew by. House Martins were flying down to the pond to drink as were some Swallows. For a while we could hear a calling Reed Bunting and scanning around I spotted it sitting on the top of a dead branch, The 1st Butterfly of the day was a Small Heath my first of the year. A Chaffinch was our next sighting followed by a Red Kite that drifted past over the hills, a Great Tit flew over as did another small bird that we could not identify luckily it stopped fight in the top of a small tree and Tom was able to get the telescope on it to confirm it was a Spotted Flycatcher. This was a circular walk but needed a short walk on the main road to continue and as we left the road a Pied Wagtail was on a roof. A small moth flew by that I was able to catch just to identify than let go it was a Clouded Border another year first. 

Clouded Border - Bath Birdwatcher

Goldfinch and Chiffchaff were added to our lists and an unidentified Skipper butterfly was seen but flew off before it could be identified but 2 Green Hairstreak butterflies were a good find another year first. Back to the cars for a bite to eat and while eating lunch a Robin was seen also an Orange Tip butterfly. As we set off for a walk in the wooded area we noticed a bird fly into the fir trees close by it was a Siskin, the woodlands were full of song mostly Blackcap, Wren and Chiffchaff but we did find 2 more Tree Pipits and new for the day Jay, Song Thrush and Speckled Wood Butterflies. A first moth for me was seen on a leaf and from the picture I was able to take Wayne of NSL birding fame was able to confirm it was a Spruce Carpet. 

Spruce Carpet - Bath Birdwatcher

Nothing extra was located by the time we got back to the cars so we decided to call it a day and set off back home but via Chew Valley Lake. Herons Green was our first stop and here Canada Geese, Mallard, Mute Swans and Great Black Back Gull were all quickly ticked, as I looked along the dam wall I spotted a Common Sandpiper, my last year tick of the day. Also seen were Gadwall, Little Grebe, Coot, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe and Swift. Our last stop was Herriotts here Black Headed Gull, Moorhen, Shelduck, Shoveler, Pochard and Kingfisher.

We all  had a good day with enough good sightings that will hopefully mean we will have plenty to see come Saturday’s RSPB field trip.


Mute Swan & Cygnets - Bath Birdwatcher


 

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