Tuesday 10th June 2025 - Chew Valley Lake

 

Yesterday the 3 Amigos paid another visit to Chew as the weather was not good (raining when we set off). We had intended to go to Pilning Wetlands but as there in no shelter that idea was shelved and Chew was chosen. Driving to Chew a Red Kite was our 1st sighting of the day followed by House Martin, Woodpigeon and Jackdaw all before we arrived at Herriotts. On arrival 2 Egyptian Geese with 3 goslings were in the outflow with some Canada Geese close by. Lots of Mute Swans were on the far side of the pond and Gadwall were spread all over the pond. 

Gadwall - CVL (Bath Birdwatcher)

A male Garganey was wading through the mud and a pair of Mallard were upending. Swifts and House Martins were circling overhead, Moorhen, Coot and Tufted Duck were also seen. Black Headed, Lesser Black Back and Herring were the only species of gull seen. 

Lesser Black Back Gull - CVL (Bath Birdwatcher)

A Marsh Harrier was over the main lake and Cormorants were flying about. Back on the pond Bryan found a Shoveler and a Great White Egret was fishing, Pied Wagtails were on the wall and a male Spotted Redshank in full summer plumage was in the water and a Ringed Plover was on the mud.

Spotted Redshank - CVL (Bath Birdwatcher)

 Nothing more could be found so we moved on to Stratford and while driving down the lane a pair of Bullfinches were feeding by the side of the lane, as we drove down the lane a Blackbird and a Robin flew up and a Rook was in a field. In the field behind the car park Carrion Crows were in a field of cows. We heard the call of a Cuckoo so decided to wander along the lane towards Moreton and found Dunnock, Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff and a female Pheasant with 10 young. Walking to the hide a Tawny Owl was roosting in its usual tree and from the hide we saw lots of Great Crested Grebe a Kingfisher flew past and a Stock Dove flew into a bush close to the hide. 2 Grey Herons flew up the lake but nothing else new was seen so we moved on to Moreton with just a Magpie seen. We stopped at Herons Green for lunch where we added Buzzard and House Sparrow to our list and after lunch we crossed the road where a Little Grebe,  5 Reed Buntings and a Chaffinch were seen. Next stop the Lodge where we did a short walk along Denny Bank here we spotted Great Tit, Blackcap, Blut Tit, Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Treecreeper and Wren. Next stop the picnic area but nothing new was found here so we headed off to picnic area 2 for a walk along the Bittern Trail as far as the bridge and although we did see and hear lots of birds the only new sighting was a fly by Little Egret although I did find another Treecreeper at the bridge. Driving home Starling, Jay and Collared Dove were seen making it 57 species in the day a very good total.

In the afternoon lots of butterflies (mostly Meadow Brown ) were seen with a few 5-Spot Burnet moths and 2 unidentified Skipper Moths.

Meadow Brown - CVL (Bath Birdwatcher)
5 Spot Burnett Moth - CVL
(Bath Birdwatcher)

There were also many hoverflies seen but this Syrphus spec was the only one I was able to photograph

Syrphus spec Hoverfly - CVL
(Bath Birdwatcher)


 

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