Tuesday 17th June 2025 - Chew Valley Lake

 

For this week’s birding trip, it was just David and Tony, and we could only make it a half day, so it was again Chew Valley Lake. Driving there we spotted Woodpigeon, Buzzard, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Magpie and House Martin. At Herriotts we started by scanning the pool and here was Grey Heron and Mute Swan.

Mute Swan - CVL (Bath Birdwatcher)

Also on the pool were Mallard, Coot, Canada Geese and Tufted Duck. On the far side beyond the area of mud was a Great White and Little Egret along with Teal and Mallards. 4 species of Gull were on the mud, Black Headed, Great Black Back, Lesser Black Back and a single immature Common. 2 birding palls were over the road looking out over the main lake, so we joined them finding Great Crested Grebe and Reed Bunting. Nothing more so we all walked back to the pool where I spotted 2 Little Ringed Plovers and Ian pointed out a male Garganey. 

Garganey - CVL (Bath Birdwatcher)

As we chatted a Swallow flew over and 2 Pied Wagtails were on the lakeside wall. As nothing new could be found we moved on the Stratford where we found the Tawny Owl roosting in its usual tree. Just one new bird from the hide a Cormorant so we left the hide and ran into Ian again and the 3 of us walked the track towards Moreton and here we spotted Great, Blue and Long Tailed Tits also a singing Chiffchaff. 

Chiffchaff - CVL (Bath Birdwatcher)

Walking back to the cars we added a male Chaffinch and a Comma Butterfly to the morning list. 

Comma - CVL (Bath Birdwatcher)

Next stop Herons Green where a Herring Gull was flying over the lake and on the pond was a Little Grebe and as we watched a Cattle Egret flew by. David spotted a male and female Pheasant in a distant field and a Red Kite that drifted past. Last stop the Lodge here a short walk towards the dam gave us Blackbird, Wren and 2 Song Thrush. We did drive into the picnic area but nothing new was seen there but  on the way home we added Collared Dove

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