Tuesday 3rd December 2024 - Newton St Loe

 

Most of you probably know that the 3 Amigos will temporarily down to 2 David and Tony as Bryan will be unavailable for a while, Best wishes to you Brov and get well soon.

This week we paid another visit to Newton St Loe as Hawfinches had been found there this week, this being the first time since 2017/18 when the country had the last big influx of these birds. We parked by the farm shop and set off towards the church spotting Magpie, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Woodpigeon and Robin as we walked. In the field beyond the church Jackdaw and Lesser Black Back Gull flew over and a Buzzard was found sat on a post. Walking down to the road several Rooks flew over as did a Mistle Thrush. Towards the cottages a Blackbird was in a garden and a small flock of Stock Doves flew past. Goldfinch, Blue Great and Coal Tits were all in and out of the feeders, and as we walked closer a Dunnock flew away. Walking down the footpath we added Nuthatch and Goldcrest and as went down butterfly alley a Grey Heron was in the bottom of the field and a single calling Raven flew over. Walking up to the bottom lake a Song Thrush flew away, and on the lake were 3 Mallard and 1 Black Headed Gull, between the lakes was a Moorhen, Chaffinch and a Wren. On the top lake was at least 3 Little Grebes, 57 Mallards, 20 Black Headed Gulls and 3 Common Gulls. Also seen were just 2 Coots the female Tufted Duck. 3 Teal and the resident pair of Mute Swans with just one of their young still in tow. We walked up to the Keep which is a good vantage point to see the Hawfinches where we met another birder who was also looking for the finches, we did see a lot of Redwings I estimate 50+ birds also a Grey and Pied Wagtail, But no sign of the Hawfinches, These birds like to eat the berries on Yew Trees and there are lots of these trees so we moved on to check out other Yews but no luck, we also met 2 other birders who were also out of luck, so in the end we had to give up as it was time to get back we did add Collared Dove as we waked down the drive. The Hawfinches have been seen since so hopefully they will stay put and we will catch up with them on another visit.

Common Gull - NSL (Bath Birdwatcher)

Rook - NSL (Bath Birdwatcher)

 

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