Wednesday 3rd January 2024 - Chew Valley Lake.

 

David and Tony but no Bryan had  free morning  so Chew Valley lake was chosen mainly as 2 special bird species have been seen over the last few days and also as the weather was again so bad. It’s been nothing but rain rain rain and the amount of water on the roads was amazing, either running down the side of the road or over the road causing flooding in places. We stopped at Herriotts where Mallard, Coot, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Cormorant and Teal were all seen in the pool and in a tree on the main lake was a Great White Egret. While looking Black Headed Gull and Carrion Crow flew over. The rain was so bad it was impossible to get out of the car and when we did, when the rain abated it soon started again forcing us back into the car, so we moved on to Herons Green and here still spotting from the car we added Canada Goose, Pochard, Moorhen and Herring Gull. Nothing more was seen from the car so on to the Lodge and here we hoped to see Waxwing that had been seen here for the last 3 days and 2 guys were looking, talking to them we were told that nothing had been seen today. While waiting we did see Dunnock and Blue Tit in the car park. As the Waxwing was not about we decided to walk to the dam as 2 Firecrest had been seen, Bullfinch, Great Tit, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, and Robin were soon ticked. David spotted a small bird in the top of a tree could it be a Firecrest but no it was a Goldcrest. As we continued Magpie, Wren, Long Tailed Tit, Goldfinch and another Goldcrest were found. As we approached the end of the footpath a Kingfisher flew past and landed in a tree by the edge of the lake and while we were watching it a Jay flew up from the ground and the Kingfisher dived and caught a fish. Out on the lake were a few Great Crested Grebe, and a Mistle Thrush  was in the top of a tree. Walking back to the Lodge I found a Treecreeper always a good bird to find. Back in the car park a Chaffinch flew over but still no Waxwing and we didn’t find the Firecrest either. Driving back to Bath Starling and Collared Dove were added to the mornings list.

library photo of a Kingfisher taken on the 5th of December
2023 - (Bath Birdwatcher)



 

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