Bath Birdwatcher

  This week’s birding adventure took the 3 Amigos to Nagshead in the Forest of Dean in search of a bird that we are unlikely to see anywhere else that we bird spot. The forecast was for a very hot day so armed with plenty of drinks we set off, I waited until we arrived before I started my day list. On arrival we were greeted by several House Martins flying over and as we set off towards the lower hide a pair of Mallards were in the top pond. The water level was very low and we were told that it completely dried out last year. Continuing our walk we soon added Robin and Blackbird to our lists. David then spotted movement by a nest box and found a male Pied Flycatcher shortly after the female appeared and as we watch both visited the nest box, these birds were the reason we were   as they abandon the nesting area as soon as the chicks fledge and start the long trip back to Africa. After watching for a long time, we moved on towards the hide only to be stopped in our tracks by a ...

  Midford Castle - (Bath Birdwatcher) Bird spotting is a strange pastime not strange peculiar, but strange in a way that some days you hear and see all the species that call or sing but not today. It was just Bryan and Tony and we went to Monkton Combe to walk to Tucking Mill and back. We parked at the bottom of Combe Hay Lane and here the day started with Magpies in the fields and Jackdaws flying around, as we started the walk a Lesser Black Back Gull flew high over and a Green Woodpecker called in the distance with another calling later in the walk but neither showed. Plenty of Pheasants were in the fields with some only showing their heads in the long grass, As we walked along the lane towards Tucking Mill Woodpigeons flew out from the hedgerow in front of us, a singing Robin was our next find and Carrion Crows in a field of cows soon followed. At Tucking Mill a Nuthatch visited the feeders and walking up to the Pond an Orange Tip butterfly flew past. Nothing was found on the po...

  Bath RSPB,s monthly field trip was a visit to Martin Down National Nature Reserve 13 members arrived and we were led by Glen who knows the area well. While waiting in the car park for everyone to arrive Whitethroats and Skylarks were calling and in the end we all managed good sightings of both, We also heard the never to be forgotten call of the Cuckoo calling from a wooded area next to the car park but not showing, as we were there we set off in the hope of finding the Cuckoo, walking down a footpath to the open area of the reserve several members managed a glimpse of the bird but the majority missed it so we set off hoping to find it later. We soon added Carrion Crow and Woodpigeon then as luck would have it the Cuckoo flew past us heading in the direction we were going. Next our 1 st butterfly of the day was seen a Small Copper. As we continued a Red Kite was spotted in the distance, we later saw 2 more but this time much closer. Our 2 nd butterfly soon followed a Grizzled S...

  Sister-in-law (Yvonne) suggested that 4 of us could have a day out together (that’s Bryan, Mary and Tony plus Yvonne) she suggested Chew Valley Lake where we could have fish and chips for lunch and afternoon tea at Woodford Lodge, and Thursday turned out to be the best day as it suited everyone. We took coffee with us to have during the morning. We decided to start the day at Herons Green as its very picturesque and a good place for coffee and a biscuit. Obviously Bryan and I took our binoculars to do a bit of bird spotting and from the car we spotted Mute Swan, Mallard, Coot and Canada Goose. Coffee drunk we crossed the road to look over the pond where another birder was stood at the right beyond the pond so we wandered up and had a chat and he had found a Sedge Warbler that was sat on a patch of brambles and he let us view it through his telescope (a year tick for us both). While standing their Reed Warblers were singing some flying from cover to another spot. Several Sand M...

  This month’s outdoor trip was a joint RSPB/Bath Nats to Hengistbury Head. 33 people came and once at the coach drop off point we had a comfort break before all assembling. At this point we were overlooking mainly a bushy and grass area here Starlings, Woodpigeon and Carrion Crows were all noted. Walking closer to the fence line a Swallow whizzed by and a Black Headed Gull also seen. Sand Martins in small groups flew through for most of the day, Mute Swans were seen in Christchurch Harbour on a sand bar with several Cormorants. We then heard the call of Sandwich Terns when 2 flew over and a Blackbird flew into a bush. As we stood looking 2 large waders flew in and landed in the long grass   which we took as being Curlews but on seeing a photograph that Andrew had taken we realised they were 2 Whimbrel. As we walked on a Great Black Back Gull was seen in flight, then another call was heard which we recognised as a Whitethroat which we found singing from the top of a bush and ...

  This time of the year can be quiet with most of the winter visitors having departed and the arrival of summer visitors still not in full swing, and having consulted the local birding news, and nothing special reported anywhere, we chose another day at Chew Valley Lake, if something is likely to turn up then Chew is as good as anywhere. Binoculars scopes and the all-important food and drink we set off. On the way to Herriotts our spotting started almost immediately with Woodpigeon, Rook, Jackdaw, Buzzard and Collared Dove all seen. At Herriotts as we climbed out of the car a Common Sandpiper flew along the wall a great start as it was a year tick. On the pool were Mute Swans, Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Black Headed Gull. along with both Great and Lesser Black Gulls. Shelduck were on the far side of the pool along with Canada Geese. 2 bird spotters we know were over the road searching the main lake so we joined them and we could all hear Reed Warblers singing from deep inside the ree...

  The last day of March so it was decided a return trip to Chew Valley Lake would be the ideal venue especially a couple of duck species have been spotted and they would be year ticks. Instead of starting at Herriotts we went to Picnic area 2 to walk the Bittern Trail hoping it would be quieter earlier in the day which proved the correct decision. After parking the car, we immediately spotted a Grey Heron and Cormorant flying over, as we set off a Wren sang from a bush and as we looked David spotted a Treecreeper on a Silver Birch Tree and a Chiffchaff was singing in a bush close by. As we continued we soon added Robin, Great and Blue Tit. Next sighting was a Cetti’s Warbler as it flew in the undergrowth but just a few yards away we found another singing in the open which is very unusual. Mute Swans were in the reeds and a Woodpigeon was sat in a tree and a Blackbird flew across the path. A Coal Tit was in a fir tree and 2 Mallards flew towards the lake. 2 Carrion Crows were in the...

  Dower House (Bath Birdwatcher) Another Tuesday and this week just David and Tony. We chose to do a morning in North Bristol starting at Snuff Mills where we park the car then a walk up the hill to Duchess Pond and finally a walk to Eastville Park. At Snuff Mills the 1 st bird of the day was a Moorhen on the river Frome then a Sparrowhawk high in the sky, walking up the river I spotted 2 Grey Wagtails wandering over a gravel bed. Carrion Crows were our next sighting followed by both Blue and Great Tits, a Mallard was stood on a log in the river.  Mallard - Snuff Mills (Bath Birdwatcher) Several Blackbirds were in an ivy-covered tree we then heard the call of a Kingfisher that flew into a tree on the far side of the river.  Kingfisher(m) - Snuff Mills (Bath Birdwatcher) Nothing more was seen so we walked back to the car park and on towards Duchess pond adding a Jackdaws sat on chimneys and   a Dunnock singing in a bush. As we entered Stoke Park 2 Magpies were in the...

  Top Lake - Newton St Loe (Bath Birdwatcher) The 1 st of August 2025 was the last time Mary and I went for a walk at Newton St Loe together so today we packed up 2 coffees with a bun to eat and set off we parked by the church and made our way through the churchyard into the field beyond and here I saw my 1 st birds of the day Woodpigeon and Carrion Crow in the grass with Rook and Jackdaw in the field by Send a Cow. Walking down the footpath through the wooded area 2 Blue Tits were   in a sapling and I could hear the call of a Greenfinch which I found in the top of a tree. Mary spotted a Robin singing in a bush and while looking a Wren flew away from us. In butterfly alley most of the footpath has been covered with chippings, much better than it was previously, and in the field to the left was a male Pheasant. On the bottom lake were 6 Mallard and 2 Moorhens.  Moorhen - NSL (Bath Birdwatcher) In the wooded area between the lakes were 2 Long Tailed Tits. On the top lake ...

  Somewhere a little different was chosen for this week’s birding trip, Uphill as it’s been many years since our last visit. The 3 Amigos were back together for this visit, as we have to pass Chew Valley Lake it would be rude not to stop for a quick scan, but before that we did see a Red Kite on the way. At Chew we saw Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, Shelduck, Black Headed Gull, Teal, Gadwall, Lesser Black Back Gull, Coot, Cormorant, Herring Gull, Tufted Duck and Great Crested Grebe. As we continued we pass 2 small ponds and on one we saw a Moorhen, a few roofs and chimneys hosted Jackdaw and Woodpigeons were a regular sighting. A male Pheasant was spotted in a field as we passed. Parking at Uphill House Sparrows were chirping in the bushes , we walked along the sand to the Axe estuary where Bryan found a Little Egret that disappeared up a channel before we could see it but it did reappear shortly after, a Common Gull was resting on the beach and 2 Oystercatchers were seen on the...

  This week’s birding trip was a half day visit to Newton St Loe, only our second visit of the year. Today it was just Bryan and Tony as David was away. On the short journey there we spotted Buzzard, Red Kite and Magpie. We parked by the farm shop where a Carrion Crow was calling and a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over, walking towards the church we added Jackdaw and Woodpigeon and making a slight detour to look over the Globe we saw Goldfinch, Robin and both Great and Blue Tit. As   we continued, in the tall trees with the mistletoe was a Mistle Thrush. Mistle Thrush - NSL (Bath Birdwatcher)  Nothing more was seen even after checking the Yew trees in the churchyard   until the field beyond where 2 Jays flew past, these turned out to be year ticks. At the bottom of the field a Blackbird flew off and a Lesser Black Back Gull circled overhead. In the field by what was Send a Cow were Rooks and a Green Woodpecker flew towards the village landing in the top of a tall t...

  Acres Down was the destination for this months Bath RSPB field trip but as we were hoping to find Lesser Spotted Woodpecker we had been advised to get there as early as possible so 8.45 was when we were to meet which meant a 6.35 start, a long time since I have been awake and out this early. On the journey to our meeting point we noted 3 birds we thought were unlikely to see there,  Red Kite, Pheasant and Mute Swan. When we arrived, Tom was already there so while waiting for the whole group to arrive we spotted Blackbird, Chaffinch, Robin, Raven and Blue Tit. We all set off and the first birds we found were 3 Redpolls feeding in a tree with a couple of Blue Tits. As we continued movement was seen up in a tree which turned out to be a Marsh Tit, 2 good birds to start the day. We arrived at a point where the woodpecker had been seen in previous years but nothing was seen so we waited adding Goldcrest, Song Thrush, Stock Dove and Long Tailed Tit. Other birders were all searchin...

  Bryan and Tony were just 2 of the 3 Amigos as David was away opening up his caravan. As its now March we needed to buy our new Birding Permit for Chew Valley Lake so that was todays destination. We headed straight for the lodge and 1 st thing was go and pay for the new permit as we intended visiting the hides during the morning. Permits purchased we did a short walk towards the dam where a Collared Dove was cooing from the top of a tree. Collared Dove - CVL (Bath Birdwatcher) Woodpigeon and Carrion Crow flew over and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming in a tree which we did find, Jackdaw, Blue Tit and Blackbird were soon spotted. Canada Geese we spotted as we looked out over the lake and a Great Tit flew into a bush and 2 Magpies were in a field. Robins were in full song and a Redwing flew out of an ivy-covered tree. Several Chiffchaffs were found some in song as was a Wren booming out its song. Again, looking over the lake lots of Black Headed Gulls maybe in there 100’s we...