Tuesday 18th July 2023 - Newton St Loe


Just the two of us today Bryan and Tony as David is on holiday in France. We decided to go to Newton St Loe as its been a couple of months since our last visit. On the way I spotted some Swifts although we did see a few later from the lanes. We parked by the farm shop and headed for the lanes as a starting point, while walking we saw Swallow, House Martin and Goldfinch and in the lanes we added Jackdaw, Blackbird, Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon and Lesser Black Back Gull. As you will see during the morning we saw lots of butterflies and started with Meadow Brown. A Dunnock flew along in front of us I then spotted a moth in the hedgerow a Scorched Carpet followed by our second butterfly a Gatekeeper.

Scorched Carpet Moth - Bath Birdwatcher

Walking towards seven acre wood Carrion Crows flew by and Skylarks sang overhead. As we continued a Yellowhammer flew onto the top of the telegraph pole. 

Yellowhammer - Bath Birdwatcher

Our next sighting was a Buzzard calling from the top of a tree. Next more butterflies Peacock and Green Veined White. 

Peacock - Bath Birdwatcher

Wren and Stock Doves were our next sightings. Even more butterflies with Red Admiral, Large White, and White Letter Hairstreak all seen.

Red Admiral - Bath Birdwatcher

A Magpie was followed by a Mute Swan seen in the distance on the river Avon. Walking back through the wood Nuthatch, Coal Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Blue Tit were all day ticks. Back in the village House Sparrows were on a rooftop. Time was getting on so we drove to the church to save some time before setting off towards the lakes, a Chiffchaff was see in the lane and in Butterfly Alley many of the species seen before were present in numbers but a Marbled White was new for the day. On the bottom lake a Kingfisher flew by and 17 Mallard, Moorhen and  a Black Headed Gull were added. As we walked up from the bottom to the top lake we logged Great Tit, Blackcap and Robin. On the top lake Coot, Little Grebe and Grey Wagtail were our final sightings here but on the return walk a Rook was our last sighting of the day.

 

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