Thursday 23rd April 2026 - Chew Valley Lake.
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 Martins flew low past with an odd Swallow with them. House Sparrows were flying in and out of nest boxes on the end of a building. Next stop was Woodford lodge where we parked to walk to the Picnic Area here we soon spotted Robin, Magpie and Woodpigeon plus a Jay that flew across the footpath in front of us. A singing Blackcap showed well as well as a shyer female. A Blackbird was grubbing on the ground and a pair of Long Tailed Tits were high in a bush along with a singing Chiffchaff. While walking several spots overlook the lake and in one of these we found a Black Headed Gull while out on the lake were s few Great Black Back Gulls. As we walked across the dam we heard a Pied Wagtail and found it walking over the spillway, as we continued a Herring Gull was flying over the lake. At the picnic area I went with Yvonne to get the fish & chips but while there Bryan heard and found a Garden Warbler that was still singing when I returned but decided chips came first but by the time I had eaten them the warbler had gone a year 1st for Bryan but a dip for me. We did search the area but found just a Dunnock and 2 Common Sandpipers.
Lesser Black Back
Gull and Buzzard flew over as we sat
having a rest, Walking back to the car a Gadwall and
Great Crested Grebe were by the dam and as
we neared the car park a Song Thrush was sat
sunning itself with all its feathers fluffed up an unusual sight. Time for a
nice cup of tea overlooking the lake. Last stop was Herriotts where we were
hoping the ice cream van would be there, it was so we all had a lovely whippy
one. We could not leave without have a birdwatch and wow was it worth it we
started with a few common birds Cormorant, Carrion
Crow Grey Heron and Little Egret. Chatting
to another birder he asked if we had seen the Black
Necked Grebes showing well on the main lake, well no we hadn’t but soon
went to look for them and yes there were 2 swimming and diving just over the
reeds, another birder asked if the grebes were showing so we pointed them out
to him, and he asked if we had seen the Wood
Sandpiper on the pool, obviously not so it was back across the road to
look for it, luckily Bryan had taken his telescope so we both had a good view
but while looking I found a Ruff and someone
else pointed out a Greenshank. 
Common Sandpiper (Library Photo) Bath Birdwatcher
 |
| Greenshank (library Photo) Bath Birdwatcher |
Just a
little footnote the following day I was sat in the garden with a cup of tea
when 4 Swifts flew over with 2 more some 10
minutes later (another year tick).
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