Tuesday 16th December 2025 - Newton St Loe

 

Lots of water flowing off the lakes (Bath Birdwatcher)

Bird spotting this week was a half day visit to Newton St Loe, a favourite place of mine but one we have not visited since July. It was just the two brothers as David had other things to do. We parked outside the farm shop and set off walking towards the church and soon spotted Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Blue Tit, Collared Dove and Jackdaw. As we turned into the road leading to the church I spotted a Mistle Thrush in the tall trees covered with mistletoe, it was the 1st of many we saw during the walk also in the same trees were at least 2 Blackbirds. Nothing mote until we entered the field beyond the church here were several Carrion Crows and a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over. Walking down towards the main road a Goldcrest and Robin were in a fir tree and at the main road some House Sparrows were by the roadside. In the field to the side of the footpath were lots of corvids in the distance but too far away for them to be identified but while looking I spotted a Green Woodpecker but was unable get Bryan on it as it flew past. Nothing seen as we walked down the footpath but from Butterfly Alley a Raven flew over and a Grey Heron was besides the stream. The bottom lake was almost bird less with just a single Black Headed Gull on the water and 2 Moorhens at the top end. As we walked along the bank a female Kestrel flew from a tree landing in another tree along the lakeside, as we approached it flew off only the land on a tree trunk behind us.

Kestrel - NSL (Bath Birdwatcher)

A Wren was in some tree roots beside the lake as we passed by. The top lake was much busier as it usually is with 20+ Mallards mostly on the bank under the trees with 2 female Tufted Ducks feeding at the dam end along with more Moorhens and a Coot with more at the top end. A Common Gull was bathing with at least 7 Little Grebes spread around the lake. A single Cormorant was sat in its usual tree. 

Cormorant - NSL (Bath Birdwatcher)

The 3 Mute Swans are still together and as we drank our coffee a Buzzard drifted past. Walking on around the lake and up to the University Bryan spotted a Lesser Black Back Gull on the lake that must have flown in after we left. Nothing more until we walked back down the drive to the village here were 50+ Rooks with a smaller number of Jackdaws plus another species of gull Herring. As we approached the village a small flock of Redwings flew past and walking back to the car the last new bird for the day was a Great Tit.

Kestrel (Bath Birdwatcher)


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