Friday 30th May 2025 - Newton St Loe

 

Water Lillie's - NSL (Bath Birdwatcher)

On Friday my wife and I decided to go for a walk at Newton St Loe, so coffee and a bun prepared we set off and as we entered the village a Blackbird flew across the road. We parked by the church and walked through a quiet churchyard to the field beyond where Carrion Crows and Woodpigeons were on the ground and a Magpie flew over, walking to the road a Robin was on  the ground and on the wires by the cottages were Goldfinches. A House Sparrow was in the hedgerow and as we walked past Ripple Effect Jackdaws and Rooks flew by. The footpath through the trees was full of birdsong but with the trees now in full leaf birds were very hard to spot, we did find a Blue Tit and a Blackcap. As we approached the fisherman’s car park a bird moved in the bush in front of us and I could make out a small warbler that constantly dipped its tail a Chiffchaff, I was also aware of movement to my left where a Treecreeper was climbing a small tree just a few feet in front of us. Walking through Butterfly Alley a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over, on reaching the bottom lake I noticed 6+ House Martins flying low and drinking. A female Mallard with 3 ducklings swam by and a Moorhen was at the top end. 

Mallard with ducklings - NSL (Bath Birdwatcher)
On the top lake was a few more Mallards and Moorhens along with Coot, Little Grebe a Grey Heron flew up to one of the nests in the trees on the left, it looked to me that it was the only nest still occupied. 

Grey Heron - NSL (Bath Birdwatcher)

2 Stock Doves flew past and the 3 Mute Swans were still all together at the top end of the lake.

Mute Swan - NSL (Bath Birdwatcher)

 Walking back down the lake a Grey Wagtail flew in the direction of the bottom lake. A Lesser Black Back Gull and a Long-Tailed Tit were seen was we walked back to the car.

 

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