Bath Birdwatcher

  This week the 3 Amigos settled for a Monday, day out, unusual I know, but it was the only day the three of us could make and the 1 st time this month we have been out together. Slimbridge was chosen as lots of passage waders had been reported which gave us a chance of a year tick. Driving over Lansdown a Red Kite flew over the car but as I was in the back I missed it, but I did see 2 Pheasants that the 2 in the front missed and we all spotted a field full of Rooks and Woodpigeon in flight. Walking from the car park to the reception area we noted Robin, Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Moorhen and Collared Dove. Once in the grounds we headed for the Peng Observatory and on the way noted some of the feral  Greylag Geese loads were seen during the day, we also saw a Grey Wagtail on the café roof. The observatory overlooks a large area of open water with many small islands along with areas of grass and is on 2 levels the higher level in front and the lower level to our left. Lapwing,...

  Bottom Lake NSL (Bath Birdwatcher) This is the 1 st time in over 2 weeks that I have been out doing some bird spotting, so today Mary and myself drove to Newton St Loe our first visit for several weeks. We parked by the church and as we were changing our footwear a Robin flew up on a wall in front of us and a Chiffchaff that was singing in a small tree flew across the road. Walking through the church yard and down the field beyond we only saw a few fly over Rooks. Down to the road by the cottages we noted a few Swallows quartering the fields, a Woodpigeon flew past, and House Sparrows were in the hedgerow. On the feeders by the cottages, we spotted both Blue and Great Tits, with Jackdaws calling as they flew over. Nothing more until we reached the bottom lake and here were just a single Moorhen and 4 Mallards plus one Wren. On the top lake were 7 more Mallards and 6 Moorhens plus 6 Coot and at least 9 Little Grebe. The resident pair of Mute Swans with their 3 large cygnets were...