Wednesday 26th August 2026 - Chew Valley Lake

 

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 Pied Wagtail was on the end of the island with a Herring Gull on the water outlet. Looking over the main lake Great White Egret and Great Crested Grebes were seen also a Little Egret on the far bank. A Clouded Yellow butterfly flew over the reedbed being the first of many we saw during the day, this must be the best year for this species in a long while as in previous years you are lucky to see one or two. All the wildfowl  were then put up in a frenzy so we knew a bird of prey was about and David spotted a Marsh Harrier drifting by. Tufted Ducks were in the middle of the lake and a Cormorant flew over, back looking over the pool 2 Carrion Crows were on the island. Next stop Stratford Hide, driving down the lane Swallows were in a tree along with several House Sparrows, walking to the hide I spotted a Stock Dove in the distance and Blue Tits and a Robin in the trees In the hide we met Wayne and Andy who were down in the mouth about the lack of bird species but we did add Shoveler and Great Black Back Gull. The best bird here was a Hobby sat in a tree out to our right. With nothing more about we decided to give Blagdon a go, walking back to the car we turned up a Chiffchaff along with a flyover Woodpigeon. On the way to Blagdon, we ticked Jackdaw and Rook. From the hide Bryan spotted 2 waders a Ruff and a Greenshank, A few Grey Herons  were around the top end of the lake and a group of Little Grebe were added. Walking back to the car David spotted a pair of Chaffinch. Back to Chew to Herons Green for lunch and here we added 2 more species Cattle Egret and Lesser Black Back Gull and a flock of Black Headed Gulls very interested in what we were having for lunch. 

Black Headed Gulls - Herons Green
(Bath Birdwatcher)

Next stop picnic area 1 to search for the Glossy Ibis, like last week it was not to be but we did add  Egyptian and Greylag Goose to our day list. On the drive back to Bath a Red Kite near Corston was our last new sighting of the day.

Single Lesser Black Back Gull with the Black Headed
Gulls-Herons Green (Bath Birdwatcher)