Bath Birdwatcher

  Another Tuesday and this week the 3 Amigos were all together and this week we decided on another visit to Chew Valley Lake mainly because lots of good birds had been seen in the last week. Our 1 st port of call was Herriotts and as we arrived an Osprey was flying over the pool and made an unsuccessful plunge into the water before flying off. A few other birders we know were also watching and assured us that in about half an hour it would be back again. While waiting we spotted Jackdaw, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Cormorant, Teal, Green Sandpiper, Black Tailed Godwit, Woodpigeon and Black Headed Gull. As we waited and chatted David spotted a Kingfisher that flew over the lake and landed on a dead branch on the far side. Looking over the main lake we added Mute Swan, Black Swan, Great White Egret and Little Egret plus a few hundred House and Sand Martins flying over the lake. Gadwall, Grey Heron and Great Crested Grebe were also found. Back on the pool a flock of Canada Geese drifted ...

  This week was the turn of Bryan and Tony to go bird spotting as David is away. Like last week we only had a morning to spare so it was another trip to Chew Valley Lake mainly as Bryan wanted to catch up with the Ruddy Ducks that we found last week. On the way to our first stop we noted Swallow, Raven, House Martin and Magpie. Our first stop was Herriotts but as we were approaching Chew it started to rain so birding from the car we spotted Mallard, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Coot, Canada Goose, Black Headed Gull, Great White Egret, Jackdaw and Cormorant. The rain turned into fine drizzle but blown along by a brisk wind, but we decided to shelter behind the car with the tailgate open and from here we were able to add Black Tailed Godwit and Teal. At this point all the birds took flight, ducks, gulls and waders, seems a bird of prey was about but not seen by us. Things settled down slightly and some of the gulls returned Herring and Lesser Black Back being new for the day. Behind us on t...

Just David and Tony today and a half day birding trip, so Chew was the chosen site as a Caspian Gull had been seen there and would be a lifer for both of us. On the way we spotted Magpie and Collared Dove. Our first stop was Herriot's where the Caspian had been seen but we were out of luck as birders who were already there confirmed that it was not about, Mallard, Black Headed Gull, Coot Moorhen were soon logged also seen were at least 6 Green Sandpipers, and a single Common Sandpiper. Teal, Black Tailed Godwit, Herring Gull, Great Black Back Gull and Gadwall were also found. Then another birder shouted from over the road Ruddy Duck so we all went over, and on the main lake were 2 pair of them. Also seen on the lake were Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck and Cormorant, David spotted a Marsh Harrier on the far side of the lake followed by a Buzzard, Back on the lake were Canada Goose, Little and Great White Egret plus a Grey Heron, House Martins were flying over the reeds and a few C...