Bath Birdwatcher

  This months Bath RSPB field trip was a morning visit to Langford Lakes followed by a PM visit to Winterbourne Down being led by Glen Maddison. The day started well with both Pheasant and lots of Red Legged Partridge being seen including one on the grass verge by the car. When we arrived at Langford waiting for the group to assemble Blackcap and Woodpigeon were seen. We were pleased to see a few new members and after introductions we made our way and while looking over the 1 st body of water a flock of Long Tailed Tits flew overhead and most of the group saw a Kingfisher that flew into a bush. While here we also found Mallard, Black Headed Gull, Cormorant and a single Little Egret. Walking on a Red Kite floated over plus a Lesser Black Back Gull. From the platform by the café Coot, Gadwall, Grey Heron, Tufted Duck and Mute Swan were all pointed out. As we continued along the path towards the end hide we came across Magpie, Chaffinch and Robin. I could hear a Great Spotted Woodpec...

  Another trip to Chew Valley Lake as this time of the year lots of migratory birds can appear anywhere and at any time, and a few species seen in the last week would be year ticks for one or more of us. We took lunch as we expected to be there for six hours and taking lunch means we don’t have to rush around. Driving to Chew we spotted Red Kite, Blackbird and Collared Doves, arriving at Herriotts there were lots of birders already there so we were hopeful that something special was about. Mallard, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Moorhen and Coot were all seen as we set up the telescopes. Looking around Gadwall and Shoveler were spotted with a Grey Heron on the island. Another birder called us over to the other side of the road where he pointed out   Water Rail a bird that had eluded us all year. Little Egret, Teal and Great White Egret were also seen in the channel. Back on the pool I searched the Black Headed Gulls but nothing unusual was found, then David spotted the Glossy Ibis t...

  Today someone had a birthday so to celebrate it he (well me) took his wife Mary to Chew Valley lake for a fish and chip lunch at Salt And Malt, well it would be rude going there and not do some bird spotting as a birthday treat. As well as a treat it was to drive our new car as far as I have driven it so far. I lost my nerve in the past and would only drive short distances but this car is a hybrid and so easy to drive and my confidence is slowly returning. I’m hoping to be able to drive to Devon soon so keep reading future blogs. Well Chew was reached stopping at Herriotts where we had our coffee that we took with us and with it finished it was time for some spotting. Setting up the telescope Mute Swans were easy to see and through the scope Lapwing, Mallard and Black Headed Gulls were found plus a Green Sandpiper. Scanning the edge of the island Moorhen, Gadwall, Teal and Shoveler were sighted then probably the most exciting bird of the day was found a Lesser Yellowlegs a Nort...

  This past Tuesday was Bath RSPB’s monthly field trip, this time we visited Avalon Marshes and RSPB Ham Wall. Glen was our leader and   we all met at the Marshes Hub Tea Shop for a 10am start but before setting off some members sampled the hot drinks and cake and while waiting the day list started with Magpie, Carrion Crow, Canada Goose and Pied Wagtail all noted. As we walked to the South Drain Swallows flew over containing just a few House Martins, also a Grey Wagtail flew past. Walking along besides the drain several Mallards and Woodpigeons were seen, and in a field of cows 12 Cattle Egrets were found.  A Goldcrest in the bushes was next plus a flyover Cormorant. Several family groups of Mute Swans were swimming in the drain.  Mute Swan - Avalon Marshes (Bath Birdwatcher) Next we came across a flock of Long Tailed Tits with a Chiffchaff amongst them. A large flock of Lapwings in flight were spotted probably c100 birds. A group of Jackdaws flew past calling jack ...

  Well, what a day, sometimes you go out hoping to find birds that have been seen where you are going, but they never seem to appear although you do see things that are totally unexpected. Today was one of those days as you will see later. David was away so it was Bryan and Tony and yet again it was Chew Valley Lake as a Lesser Yellowlegs had been reported up to yesterday so hopes were high it might still be present along with the Glossy Ibis that we have searched for on our last 2 visits to Chew but on both occasions have failed to find it. As usual 1 st stop Herriotts on the way spotting a Red Kite which although we see them fairly regularly they are not as common as in some parts of the country. At Herriotts were a lot more birders than usual so we had high hopes that the Yellowlegs was about as we readied ourselves we noted Mute Swan, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen and Teal along with Shoveler and Gadwall. Telescope set up I started searching for waders and soon spotted a couple of Gr...

  Portland Bill (Bath Birdwatcher) For the next 7 days 4 of us Bryan, Yvonne, Mary and Tony were spending a week in Hazel and David's caravan on the outskirts of Weymouth close to Ferrybridge. Wednesday Car packed we set off heading to Cartgate for a coffee break but when we finished and set off again the driver unfortunately set off in the wrong direction but it was a good, bad choice because while driving along the A35 I spotted a very late Swift but as it passed so quickly the driver missed it. I hasten to add it was the only one of the week. Thursday In the morning Bryan and Tony walked to Ferrybridge it was a very breezy day and it was high tide so birding was hard. We did see many 100’s of Starlings that seem to be everywhere including a Rosy Starling, that had been reported at Portland so we had to try and check starling flocks in case the rosy had moved on. A Great Black Back Gull flew past as did a small flock of Linnets. The chance of seeing much due to high tide ...

  Another week has come and gone in fact 8 days as this week its Wednesday and the 3 Amigos have been out bird spotting and like last week another visit to Chew Valley Lake trying to find the elusive Glossy Ibis and any other goodies that may turn up. Buzzard, Magpie and House Martin were seen in transit, and at Herriotts the first bird seen was a Common Sandpiper   on the wall close to the outlet. On the pool were Teal and Gadwall with lots of Lapwing flying around or on the island, also on the island or wading in the shallow water were 10+ Green Sandpipers plus at least 3 Snipe. Moorhen were very common both in the pool or on the island. Mallard were not as plentiful as they are at certain times of the year and Sand Martin were overhead, occasionally dropping down for a drink. Coots were next to be seen plus a large flock of Black Headed Gulls that we carefully studied but no other gull species were seen. A few small flocks of Canada Geese flew in joining the Mute Swans, a P...

  LBB Gull - CVL (Bath Birdwatcher) Like last week Bryan and Tony spent 6 hours at Chew for the same reasons as before. Unlike last week I started my list at Herriotts where there were no birds on the wall of the pool as grass cutting was taking place, but birds were out on the pool, Coot, Mallard, Canada Geese and Teal found along with Moorhen, Gadwall and lots of Black Headed Gulls that we checked to see if anything unusual were amongst them, but with no luck. Lapwing, Green Sandpiper and Snipe were the only waders we could find. Several Mute Swans were spread out over the pool and House Martins were flying overhead. On the pool other gulls included Herring and Lesser Black Back were spotted. Several Pied Wagtails were on the mud along with a Carrion Crow, Woodpigeons flew over the pool and some Shovelers were feeding at the back of the pool between the islands. On the main lake were many Great Crested Grebe but nothing else that we hadn’t seen on the pool. Time to move on to St...

  Little Egret - Herons Green (Bath Birdwatcher) Despite the continuing hot weather, the 3 Musketeers were going to keep bird spotting even though at this time of the year the quantity of birds is low, so it had to be Chew Valley Lake as we are more likely to see a wider range of species there. We started our list from the start with Collared Dove, House Martin, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw and Carrion Crow all seen as we headed for our 1 st stop at Herriotts. On the pool was a large head of Gadwall and Teal with Moorhens showing in good numbers. Lapwing were on the mud and a female Mandarin was with the Teal. Coot, Mute Swan and Canada Geese were all noted and a Great White Egret flew across the pool. Green Sandpiper numbers were low with just 2 seen along with a Pied Wagtail. Black Headed Gull numbers were high with just a Lesser Black Back Gull with them. On the main lake we added Great Black Back Gull, Herring Gull, Grey Heron, Little Egret and Tufted Duck. Next stop Stratford where a ...

Gadwall - CVL (library Picture)  Another half day is all we could spare this week so Chew was chosen as the chance of seeing something different is greater here. Just two of us David and Tony. Setting off heading for our 1 st stop at Herriotts we spotted Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Blackbird and Jackdaw on the journey. At Herriotts Mute Swans stood out against the dark water, Lots of Black Headed Gulls were in the water by the island but checking through them no other species of gull was found. Coot, Gadwall and Teal were spotted and 11 Green Sandpipers were counted along with 3 Lapwings. Mallards in eclipse plumage plus a single Cattle Egret in full summer plumage were noted. Moorhen, Little Egret, Grey Wagtail and Dunnock soon followed. On the main lake a Great Black Back Gull flew away in the distance and a flock of House Martins circled high above us. On the side of the lake, we noted Great White Egret and Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe were the only other water birds we could...

  Monday 13 th July The first of a few days at Ferrybridge with my wife Mary, David and Hazel in their caravan at Ferrybridge. When we arrived we were greeted by Cheryl, David and Hazel’s daughter who had been staying over the weekend and stayed to welcome us, a lovely thought and great to see her. Car unpacked and lunch eaten we took Cheryl to the station for her train home. The four of us then drove to Lodmoor for a walk and a spot of birding. We parked at the far side of the reserve and walked down the left-hand side Swallow being the first birds we saw lined up on overhead wires, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon and Black Headed Gull were all seen flying over the reserve. Reaching the bottom of the footpath at the open water a Moorhen was our 1 st sighting and a Blackbird flew past into cover, an Oystercatcher was standing on the bridge and a Little Egret was at the back of the pond and a Herring Gull was stood in the water and a flock of Starlings flew past. Mediterranean Gulls we...