Friday 24th May 2024 - Newton St Loe.

 

This morning Mary and Tony decided to visit Newton St Loe for a walk, and of course some birding. We parked at the church and walked into the churchyard and here a Blackbird was our first sighting and as we entered the field beyond a Green Woodpecker flew over the herd of cows. As we continued to the road Jackdaw and Carrion Crows were flying over. A Blue Tit called and flew into the tree above our head and a Goldfinch was on the wires. Approaching the cottages Woodpigeon and Rooks flew over and a female Sparrowhawk flew from the fields and disappeared behind the cottages. The only bird seen down the woodland footpath was a Robin although many other species were singing from deep cover, never to be seen. Nothing new until the bottom lake where a Grey Heron was sat on a tree stump at the dam end of the lake and 13 Mallard were on the lake including a female with 9 ducklings (not included in the count). A Moorhen ran along the bank in front of us and at least 2 more were seen on the top lake. Up to the top lake and here one of the Mute Swans was at the bottom of the lake. 

Mute Swan - Top Lake NSL (Bath Birdwatcher)

Also seen were 3 Coot, 2 Little Grebe a single Lesser Black Back Gull, but not a single Mallard. Grey Herons were in the nests as they could be heard but with all the leaf on the trees not seen. A single Stock Dove called from the top of a tree. 

Stock Dove - NSL (Bath Birdwatcher)

But the highlight of the morning was 7 Ravens flying together over the lake. While sitting drinking coffee a Swallow flew from the direction of the bottom lake and did a swift about turn flying back from where it came. Also a Grey Wagtail flew up the lake and a large flock of Long Tailed Tits were heard before they were seen. We walked as far as the stream but nothing new was found, but on the way back a Blackcap sang and this time I was able to find it, in fact 2 with male and female together. A Magpie flew over the bottom lake and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was on the ground in the field to the right of Butterfly Alley seeming to be after ants.

Great Spotted Woodpecker - NSL (Bath Birdwatcher)

 A Great Tit and a Buzzard was seen as we walked to the car, and the last sighting of the morning was a Collared Dove seen as we drove out of the village.

 

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