Tuesday 6th January 2026 - Newton St Loe.

 

Today was the 3 Amigos first trip of the year the weather was freezing cold but not to mis out on an opportunity to bird spot we decided on a local half day outing to either Saltford or Newton St Loe. In the end we chose Newton St Loe mainly because it was closer and we had a better chance to start the year with more species than at Saltford.

Waterfall NSL note the lack of water (see previous photo's)
also the icicles hanging from the tree on the left.
(Bath Birdwatcher)

We parked in the village where we spotted Carrion Crow, Jackdaw and Woodpigeon. As we continued heading for the church lots of Redwings were flying over, we must have seen many 100’s during the morning. Making a short detour to look over fields a Robin was on a gate and Rooks and Magpies flew past. A Tit flock flew by including Blue, Great and Long Tailed, and in the tall trees covered in Mistletoe we found a Mistle and Song Thrush. In the Churchyard at the rear in the Yew trees were several Coal Tits and Goldcrests. Walking through the field beyond the church a flock of Lapwings were seen flying in the direction of the lakes but nothing was found later, as we walked down the field a flock of Lesser Black Back Gulls flew over and a Green Woodpecker  flew by towards the church, we did see another later flying over the bottom lake. Down to the main road where a Common Gull was flying over the field and a Wren and House Sparrows were in the hedges. Walking down the footpath nothing was seen mainly because trees were being felled. In Butterfly Alley a flock of Goldfinch flew over and in the stream we found a Grey Heron and a single male Mallard. The bottom lake was frozen over with just a few small areas of open water and at first nothing was seen except a couple of Black Headed Gulls flying around and in the end 2 Moorhens swam across one on the open water areas. Walking by the alders David spotted Goldfinches in one of the trees and as we searched the treetop we also found some Siskins which do seem to like these trees to feed in. Up to the top lake where Goldcrests were in the Yews and while searching for them I spotted a Nuthatch on the trunk and managed to get Bryan on it but David failed to see it. The top lake was also frozen over with just a few areas of open water the largest being in the top left-hand corner and here were the 3 resident Mute Swans along with 3 Coot. We stopped at the Temple for a warming coffee and from here we were able to count the Little Grebes with at least 9 present and also a single Tufted Duck and more Mallard.

Female Tufted Duck - NSL (Bath Birdwatcher)

We were about to move on when Bryan found 2 Teal tucked in the vegetation. At this point someone in a high viz jacket walked down to the waters edge to feed the swans frightening some of the ducks. Continuing on was another area of open water containing another 3 Teal with a few more Mallard. As we continued a female Kestrel flew away in front of us moving on as we moved closer.  In the small pond To the right of the bridge were more Mallards and 1 more Teal but it may have been spooked by the swan feeder. 

Female Teal - NSL (Bath Birdwatcher)

Nothing more until we started the climb up to the Keep when Bryan spotted a Brown Hare  on the grass bank above the top lake, a Pied Wagtail flew onto one of the university buildings and walking through the university grounds I spotted a Treecreeper doing as its name suggests. Walking back to the car a Herring Gull was in the fields, and back in the village Chaffinches were visiting a garden feeder. A good morning to start the year with 40+ species seen giving me a 47-year total so far.