Tuesday 27th August 2024 - Chew Valley Lake.

 

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 1st 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 in, a Stock Dove flew over and a few Shovelers were on the far side of the pool between the trees. As I looked out over the pool, I spotted the returning Osprey that circled around the pool coming almost overhead giving us some spectacular views. Well worth the trip alone. An adult Herring Gull flew over the pool and a Peregrine was spotted flying over the trees on the far side of the pool. We were thinking it was time to move on but before we went, we added Swallow, Collared Dove and Carrion Crow. Next stop Stratford and while driving down the lane David noticed a Sparrowhawk sat in the middle of the lane. From the hide a guy who was already there pointed out 2 Garganey that were close to the shore with Tufted Ducks. Bryan found a Marsh Harrier flying over the far reedbed and a Reed Warbler flew in front of the hide. Our next sighting was 4 Common Terns flying in the centre of the lake with Black Headed Gulls. 

Black Headed Gull - Herons Green (Bath Birdwatcher)

A Lesser Black Back Gull was stood on the shore with a few Great Black Back Gulls out on the lake. The guy in the hide gave us a lesson how to tell the difference between Garganey and Tufted Ducks when only the rear or restricted views of the bird were available, very interesting and I think we all learnt something. A Hobby flew past, the only one of the day. Next stop Moreton but nothing new for the day was seen but it was lunch time so the drove to Herons Green. After lunch we found Pied Wagtail, Pochard and Magpie, A Little Grebe was on the pond and Bryan spotted a Buzzard over the hills. As we were out longer than usual, we decided to try Villace and walking down the lane we found Great Tit, Goldcrest and 2 Spotted Flycatchers one was a youngster as we watched it was fed by a parent bird. Lots of birds were heard or flew from side to side but not seen long enough to be identified so we moved on to the lodge. At the lodge we did the walk to the dam at first all was very quiet, and our first new daily sighting was a Coal Tit and as we got closer to the dam a Rook flew over and a Great Spotted Woodpecker called which David found in the top of a tree. Walking back towards the lodge I could hear the contact call of a Chiffchaff which was in a shrubby area, it was eventually seen but as we watched we realised that there was more than one chasing each other and we guessed there was at least 10 birds that were joined by Long Tailed Tits as we watched. Bryan noticed 2 birds fly to the near shore but were partially hidden by vegetation but were able to see their heads, Egyptian Geese. The last bird on the walk was a Blackbird, but not the last bird of the day as driving home we saw a flock of Starlings and when I got home House Sparrows were visiting my feeders. A great days birding with over 50 species seen with Osprey, Common Tern, Garganey and Spotted Flycatcher being the stand out birds. The only disappointments was we were unable to find a Wryneck that had been seen a few days earlier and that would have been a very special bird.


2 more pictures of the Black Headed Gull
at Herons Green (Bath Birdwatcher)


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