Monday 21st August 2023 Langford Lakes and Westbury White Horse

 

On Monday the 3 Amigos joined Bath Nats for a field trip to Langford Lakes followed by a visit to Westbury White Horse. On the way we spotted a few Red Legged Partridge at the edge of a roadside field. At Langford we started off by walking on the main path and stopping at the first lake on our left, and on the way noted Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Swallow, Lesser Black Back Gull. On the lake we saw almost 100 Canada Geese with a few Cormorant on the dead branches on the far side of the lake, a few Mallard and a pair of Mute Swans were also seen. We then spotted a flock of Lapwing in flight and these, a Coot appeared to our left. Someone then spotted a Kingfisher on a branch on the far bank and while watching, it made 2 successful fishing dives coming up with a small fish. Walking on a Grey Heron was on the corner of the lake and several Rooks flew over. On another lake a single Tufted Duck was spotted lots of Woodpigeons were seen in flight. As we approached the far hide we passed an area of wild grassland with lots of wild flowers and here we logged our first butterflies of the day Common Blue, Brown Argus and Red Admiral. In the hide we added Gadwall and Moorhen and on one of the small islands we found a single Oystercatcher while around the edge of the lake was a Common and Green Sandpiper just one of each. 3 Red Kites were seen flying past and a Little Grebe one of this years young was watched. As we walked back Buzzard, Kestrel and Stock Dove added to the days list. Returning via the left hand path I spotted a strange looking fly on a leaf which luckily stayed while I took a photo and it turned out to be a Tiger Marsh Fly.

Tiger Marsh Fly - Bath Birdwatcher

Next we almost stood on a caterpillar walking across the path an Elephant Hawk-Moth caterpillar. 

Elephant Hawk-Moth caterpillar - Bath Birdwatcher

We soon came upon a mixed flock of birds containing Blue Tit, Goldcrest, Long Tailed Tit, Willow Warbler, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Spotted Flycatcher and Great Tit. The last sighting of the morning was a Raven. We then all had lunch before moving on to Westbury While Horse, here our main focus was butterflies and Small Heath and Gatekeeper were soon found. Continuing a Skylark flew over and as we walked this footpath with banks on both sided we found lots of butterflies with Wall and Meadow Brown seen but blue butterflies were very abundant with lots of Common Blues but even more beautiful Adonis Blues. Walking back to the cars we added Linnet and Magpie. Driving back to Bath Collared Doves was the days last sighting. Many botanical items were seen but these 2 one very common and one less usual.

Clustered Bellflower - Bath Birdwatcher

Rose-Bedeguar Gall - Bath Birdwatcher