Tuesday 20th August 2024 - Chew Valley Lake

 

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 the main lake Bryan spotted a Marsh Harrier and while looking at it a Woodpigeon flew past. The rain started to get heavier so we decided to move on and maybe come back later in the morning hoping the waders might return. Next stop Stratford where from the hide we added Grey Heron, Little Egret several Gadwall and a few Sand Martins flying over the lake with more House Martins. A Shoveler swam out from behind the reeds followed a little later by a Greenshank, this bird being a year tick for us both.

Greenshank - Stratford (Bath Birdwatcher)

2 or 3 Hobbies were flying around, and several Great Black Back Gulls were floating around in the middle of the lake. Time to make another move and driving back up the lane we added a Blackbird to our lists. Next stop Moreton adding Carrion Crow and Robin as we walked to the hide. From the hide I spotted the bird that Bryan had come to see in fact there was a pair of Ruddy Ducks, also seen from the hide to our right was a Reed Bunting sat on top of a reed stem. 

Reed Bunting - Moreton (Bath Birdwatcher)

We were about to leave when Bryan spotted a small duck behind some ducks that were sat on the bank, when it came out into the open, we were able to identify it as a Garganey. Moving on we added a Jay while driving out from Moreton. Next stop Herons Green where a Pied Wagtail was on the dam wall and a Little Grebe was on the pond, and while scoping right down to the right corner I found a Green Sandpiper The only one of the day. As time was not on our side, we decided to drive back to Herriotts but the waders had not returned except for a single Lapwing and we also added a single fly over Buzzard.

Great White Egret - Stratford (Bath Birdwatcher)


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