Saturday 13th December 2025 - Bath RSPB trip to West Harptree Woods/ Chew Valley Lake

 

Chew Valley Lake from West Harptree Wood (Bath Birdwatcher)

For this months Bath RSPB field trip, a new site was chosen with a half day at West Harptree Woods followed by an afternoon at Chew Valley Lake. This is my account of the day and birds I saw although many did see the same  but some saw less and others saw some birds I missed. The day started by picking up one of our members in Saltford before setting off, the traffic was quite light for a Saturday morning so we were well ahead of schedule meaning we were able to made a short stop at Herriotts, here we noted Mallard, Black Headed Gull, Coot, Moorhen, Shelduck, Great White Egret, Canada Goose and Mute Swan. Moving on to the woods we spotted Magpie, Jackdaw and Collared Dove. On arrival at our destination Tom was already there and while waiting for others to arrive we added Robin and Chaffinch to the days list. Once all 16 of us arrived we set off but at first it was very quiet with not a bird call heard. Soon we were walking through pine woods and here we started hearing Goldcrests  and Coal Tits that were feeding in trees that were in the sun which picked out the birds nicely, we also found the odd Blue Tit, and while I was talking to Robert (all the rest had moved on) I found a Treecreeper, I believe some of the group found another later and also saw a Firecrest but all I saw was many Goldcrests. We then moved to an open spot that overlooked a valley with Chew Valley Lake away to our right and we immediately spotted a male Red Kite being mobbed by 2 Carrion Crows, A flock of Goldfinches flew over and 3 Pheasants were on the opposite side of the valley by a hedge. Walking back to the cars we passed a tall chimney (Smitham Chimney) a relic of the Mendip’s industrial past.

Smitham Chimney - West Harptree Wood (Bath Birdwatcher)

The only new bird for the day was a Wren, Back at the cars we had a chat with everyone telling them to head for the Lodge at Chew where we would have lunch. Driving back, we saw a Buzzard sat on a post. After lunch we all reassembled and watched a Red Admiral Butterfly basking in the December sun. 

Red Admiral Butterfly - Chew (Bath Birdwatcher)

Then we all set off to walk to the dam a Blackbird being our 1^st sighting, this walk is usually good for small birds but not today but we did find Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe and Cormorant from a vantage point that overlooked the lake.  I was well behind the group who had stopped and were looking at something and when I got to them they had found a female Goosander, as we continued a Little Egret flew past and a single Raven flew over. At the dam looking through many Black Headed Gulls for something different David found a Common Gull and Anne was using her telescope and found a female Goldeneye close to the reeds below picnic area 1. The last bird here was a Grey Wagtail on the outlet before flying off. On the walk back to the car Pied Wagtail and Great Tit were seen. Next Stop Herons Green here several more ducks were added Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal and Gadwall, plus a Little Grebe on the pool, as we were about to move on a flock of House Sparrows flew onto the dam wall and an equally small flock of Starlings flew past. Last stop Herriotts the only new bird for the day seen here was a Lesser Black Back Gull. Everyone said how much they had enjoyed the day and the birds we were able to show them although David and I were disappointed that there was no Crossbills or Siskins in the woods but we suspect that the pinecones are not yet ripe enough hence no Crossbills that does not explain the lack of Siskins as their favourite trees were in abundance.