Friday 1st August 2025 - Newton St Loe

 

Today Mary and I visited Newton St Loe for a walk to the top lake and back the weather was almost perfect overcast but not cold, ideal walking conditions, although the sun did come through on our return walk. Armed with coffee we set off from the church and immediately started finding birds with both Wood Pigeon and Lesser Black Back Gulls flying past, in the field were Carrion Crows and on the wires by the cottages were a few Goldfinches while lots of House Sparrows were visiting the feeders, seems they have had a good breeding season as there seemed to be more about than usual. I notice Ripple Effect, previously Send a Cow is again empty and the large model of a cow has been removed. Walking down the footpath we noted Blue Tit, Chiffchaff and Blackbird. Nothing more until we reached the bottom lake where half a dozen Mallards were spread over the lake and a Grey Heron was on the bank. 

Grey Heron - NSL (Bath Birdwatcher)

I could hear the call of a Kingfisher then 2 flew from the near bank, the lake is lower than I can ever remember and they must have been perched on tree roots. On the top lake the 3 Mute Swans 2 adults plus last year’s cygnet are still together. The Coots and Moorhens had a good year as there were lots of this year’s young about. 

Baby Coot - NSL (Bath Birdwatcher)

Moorhen with a baby - NSL (Bath Birdwatcher)

Little Grebes are still plentiful with one still sat on a nest in the middle of the lake. As we sat on a bench drinking our coffee a Wren flew into the reeds and a Robin flew onto the path. Coffee finished we started to make our way back and walking by the bottom lake 2 Collared Doves flew past and a Dunnock was on the top of a bush. By this time the sun was shining and had brought out the butterflies in Butterfly Alley with Gatekeeper, Green Veined White  in abundance and Speckled Wood as we walked back up the footpath. 2 Red Admirals were on the buddleia in a garden as we passed. House Martins swooped overhead and c8 Swallows were flying low over the field opposite the cottages. Rook and Jackdaw were added as we walked back up the field to the church, as was a Large White butterfly. Our last sighting of the morning was a Magpie as we drove back through the village.

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