Tuesday 10th December 2024 - Chew Valley Lake

 

For this week’s trip out, it was again just 2 Amigos and likely to be for many weeks until Bryan is not only better but feels up to it. Chew Valley Lake was chosen as a few good birds had been reported during the last week and they would be year ticks for me. We set off at the usual time heading for Herriotts and whilst in transit noted Magpie, Buzzard and Carrion Crow. On arrival the 1st thing that struck me was the lack of birds on the pool Mute Swans sticking out being white against the dark colour of the water. Once out of the car searching with binoculars we added Mallard, Shelduck and a Great White Egret the 1st of many we were to come across during the day. Also found were Teal, Tufted Duck, Pintail a Grey Wagtail and a Moorhen. David then spotted a Marsh Harrier gliding over the reed bed where it disturbed a Grey Heron that quickly flew off. Ravens made their presence known by calling as they flew over, we also saw a Woodpigeon in flight Cormorants have become very common with birds perched in many trees plus a large gathering on the lake close to Denny Island, I think over 400 have been counted. Back looking over the pool where some Stock Doves flew over and Common Gulls were in the Black Headed Gull flock with a couple of Great Black Gulls for company. A few small flocks of Starlings were seen along with a single Jackdaw. The weather was reasonable, but a very cold northerly wind was blowing making it feel bitter, so we decided to move to the shelter of Stratford Hide. Walking to the hide we spotted a Blue Tit but once in the hide we realised it was a big mistake as when we opened the wooden flaps in the hide we had the full force of the wind straight in our faces making it impossible to look straight out so we could only scan sideways sheltering behind the next flap. Here we only added Pochard, Great Crested Grebe and a female Goldeneye although we did find a male later in the day.  Next stop Moreton and driving in added a Robin, Blackbird and a Song Thrush, A small flock of Canada Geese were in the field to the right of the road. 

Canada Geese - Chew (Bath Birdwatcher)

Nothing new was seen from the hide but we did see a male Roe Deer sat at the edge of a field and 3 females as we walked along the road. 

Roe Deer - Chew (Bath Birdwatcher)

A Wren was our only other sighting. Time for lunch so we drove to Herons Green where we could birdwatch from the car eating lunch but nothing new was seen until we crossed the road to look at the pond where we found a Little Grebe. Last stop of the day was the Lodge and driving in past the orchard we spotted a Mistle Thrush sat in a tree. From here we walk to the main dam and back here it was more sheltered than where we had visited earlier, and more birds were in evidence a lot we had seen earlier but we did add Great Tit, Redwing, Dunnock, Little Egret, Long Tailed Tit and Dunnock. By this time, we were starting to feel the cold so decided to call it a day, but I did add Red Kite on the drive home, unfortunately David missed it as it was on the wrong side of the car. None of the birds we were hoping to see showed up, Ring Necked Duck and Lesser Scaup would have been year ticks, so we hope they will hang around for a while.

 

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