Saturday 15th March 2025 - Snuff Mills / Eastville Park

 

This month’s Bath RSPB’s field trip was a visit to Snuff Mill and Eastville Park 13 members were in attendance meeting at Snuff Mill and from here we did a short walk up the river Frome spotting Blackbird, Blue Tit, Magpie and Herring Gull. A few pairs of Mallard were on the river with the odd Moorhen. David our leader spotted a Jay but it flew over and was missed by some, but a singing Great Tit was easy to see as were 2 Stock Doves in a tree with a Wood Pigeon, so we were able to point out the main differences between the 2 species. We set off to walk to Eastville Park and at the bridge where the river goes under the main road a Grey Wagtail flew over, as we continued I heard the call of a Kingfisher, so we walked back to the bridge where I found it sat on a branch growing out from a brick wall. 

Kingfisher - Eastville Park (Bath Birdwatcher)

As we walked into Eastville Park a Carrion Crow called from a tree, but I was very quiet until we came across 2 Long Tailed Tits and I think it was Tom who found a male Sparrowhawk sat in a tree and through the telescope all who wanted had a very close view. A Cormorant and Jackdaw were our next new sightings and on reaching the ponds we added Mute Swan, Coot, Canada Goose. A Chiffchaff called from a bush and a Pink Footed Goose of unknown origin was also seen. 

Pink Footed Goose - Eastville Park (Bath Birdwatcher)

Also on the lake was 2 species of gull Black Headed and Lesser Black Back, walking back to the cars a Grey Heron flew over. Back at the cars we decided to walk up the river Frome as we had finished earlier than expected. We all enjoyed fantastic views of a Goldcrest which was in a bush below us so we could view it from above. A Great Spotted Woodpecker called from the top of a tree and as we searched for it we also found a Nuthatch and a Redwing and as we walked back to the cars a single Raven flew over calling. I’m sure everyone enjoyed the morning with some having their best views of both Kingfisher and Sparrowhawk.

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