This week
after a short discussion Chew Valley Lake was decided to be the place to visit as Bryan needed to be back by mid-afternoon and other sites being further
away would be a rush to be home by that time. Nothing unusual was seen on the
journey to Chew so I didn’t start my list until we reached Herriotts. Here the
1st thing we noticed was with all the rain the water level was much higher but
still well below normal levels. Herriotts was very busy with many species of
waterfowl including, Mallard. Moorhen, Canada Goose,
Mute Swan and Shelduck. Black Headed and
Common Gulls were plentiful.
 |
| Common Gull - Herriotts (Bath Birdwatcher) |
Scanning the
pond with the telescopes we also spotted Shelduck,
Shoveler, Teal and Pintail. David
spotted 4 flyover Egyptian Geese. Also seen
were Tufted Duck, Grey Heron, Coot and Herring Gull. Across the road looking over the
main lake, a Great White Egret was in the
channel also here was a Cormorant that
caught a Perch and swallowed it whole. Bryan then found a Kingfisher as it flew up the channel and landed on
the bank before flying up onto a reed stem. A Marsh
Harrier was seen on a kill with a Carrion
Crow close by. A flock of Lapwings were
seen flying in the distance. Time to move on, heading for Stratford adding Rook, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon and Magpie. As we drove down Stratford Lane Robin, Dunnock and Chaffinch
were seen on the ground. Walking from the car park a Wren was in the hedgerow and a Blackbird flew in the woods. A Great Spotted Woodpecker called and David found it
running up a tree he then found the 2 Tawny Owls that
we have previously seen but in a completely different place. Once in the hide 4
female Pheasants appeared from out of the
reeds. A Male and several female Goldeneye were out on the lake and David spotted a
flock of small birds which kept flying around and settled where we were able to
identify them as mainly Linnets with a few Starlings mixed in. A Little
Egret showed in amongst the Great White
Egrets and Pochard and Great Crested Grebe were out on the lake. As we
searched the lake side we found many Pied Wagtails and
then I remembered the previous week that we had seen Cattle
Egrets on the hillside by a farm and although they were not by the farm
they were in a nearby field with cattle double figure count was visible. A Raven was heard as it flew low over the lake, this
was the last new sighting from the hide so we left and walking back to the car
and a short walk along the lane towards Moreton we added Long Tailed Tits. Blue Tit, Goldcrest and a male Blackcap. Next stop Moreton and driving to the car
park we disturbed at least 1 and maybe 2 Green
Woodpeckers and from the hide we added Little
Grebe, Gadwall and a probable White Wagtail.
A flock of gulls and Teal took flight and a large female Peregrine was the culprit but as it flew down the
lake it was being chased by angry gulls. Lunch time so we drove to Herons Green
and as we approached we discovered that the heavy rain of the previous few days
had flooded the surrounding field making it look more like a lake. On the main
lake were what seems to be now resident 7 Whooper
Swans with a Great Black Back Gull on
the water’s edge, and 3 House Sparrows in a
hedge. While eating lunch a Sparrowhawk flew over and a Lesser Black Back Gull flew onto the lake. After
lunch we set up the telescopes and found Wigeon on
the far bank and a Kestrel flew fast towards
us being chased by a Crow, it landed close under a hedge while the crow flew up
over and away. Last stop the lodge to walk towards the dam but shortly after we
set off it started spitting with rain but we did continue with David finding a
single Redwing eating berries. The rain
started to get heavier so having seen 60 species we decided to call it a day
and head home. |
| Common Gull - CVL (Bath Birdwatcher) |
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