Tuesday 19th August 2025 - Chew Valley Lake

 

Little Grebe - Herons Green (Bath Birdwatcher)

This week the 3 Amigos decided on a day’s field trip to Chew Valley Lake as we would be more likely to find more bird species there this time of the year. We started our bird list at Bishops Sutton with House Martins and Collared Doves, next stop Herriotts Bridge where Mute Swan, Mallard, Black Headed Gull, Coot and Canada Goose were all seen as we parked. Looking out over the pool we were amazed by the number of Great White and Little Egrets along with several Grey Herons. On the island were 8 Lapwing , Moorhen, Herring Gull and at least 12 Green Sandpipers with 2 Snipe also seen. Rook, Grey Wagtail and Sand Martins were all seen in the air, and Gadwall were found at the back of the pool. A few other birders we know were looking out over the main lake when they called us over to see a female Peregrine sat on a stump close to the now low waters edge, we were told the level is only 45% of full. Pied Wagtail and Carrion Crow were on the mud and Great Crested Grebe were out on the lake, a Marsh Harrier was spotted flying on the far side of the lake. Amongst the gulls on the waters edge were Lesser and Great Black Back Gulls, a Tufted Duck was also found. Back on the pool we were scanning with the telescope the far side of the pool where 4 ducks were feeding and these ducks were in eclipse plumage making it more difficult to identify but size and general jizz indicated that they were all Garganey. Also found during the scan were Teal and a group of Swallows zooming down over the water. Time to move on to Stratford where we were able to squeeze into a very full hide and we were told a Wheatear was showing very well next to and on top of a very large stone slab, there had also been 3 Yellow Wagtails in the same area but on searching we were only able to find the Wheatear. A group of Shoveler was our next new sighting and with the aid of my telescope I found 3 Black Tailed Godwits and a single Greenshank, and a Magpie was on the now bone-dry mud. When we had finished in the hide we did a short walk along the lane towards Moreton adding a Robin and a few flyover Swifts these are becoming hard to find as their migration is well underway. Moving on to Moreton a Buzzard and Jackdaw were sighted. From Moreton hide a Common Sandpiper was found but nothing else new but returning to the car a Chiffchaff and a fly past Stock Dove were noted. We stopped at  Herons Green for lunch and after we crossed over the road to look at the pond where we saw several Little Grebe. 

Little Grebe - CVL (Bath Birdwatcher)

while back at the main lake a male Chaffinch was on the wall with many Pied Wagtails. 

Pied Wagtail - CVL (Bath Birdwatcher)

Finally, we drove to the Lodge for our final stop of the day here as we got out of the car a Comma butterfly was on a buddleia bush.

Comma Butterfly - CVL (Bath Birdwatcher)

Long Tailed Tits were calling and as we searched for them they kindly flew over our heads. As we walked to the dam we added Blue Tits and a female Sparrowhawk. On reaching the dam David spotted 2 Egyptian Geese on the bank with a third close by and at least two others over by the picnic area. 

Egyptian Geese - CVL (Bath Birdwatcher)

On the return to the car, we added Dunnock and Great Tit.

An enjoyable day birding and chatting to fellow birders and 52 species seen was a good total for this time of the year.