Saturday 3rd October 2026 Langford Lakes/Winterbourne Down.

 

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 1st 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 Woodpecker which was found on top of a rather spindly tree. From the hide we soon added 3 species of wader Green Sandpiper, Lapwing and Snipe. Moorhen was the only other species that we had not already seen. Walking back to the car we found a Chiffchaff and several Meadow Pipits. The mornings highlight was a Bird Ringer who let us watch him ring 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Wrens and a Blue tit, but its not until you see them in hand you realise how small these birds are with most weighing below 9 grams. I thought the whole thing was fascinating

Ringing a Blue Tit - Langford
(Bath Birdwatcher)
As we watched the ringing a Raven flew over and we also saw Blue Tit and Wren. Lunch finished we set off to Winterbourne Down on the way adding Jackdaw and Rook to the days total. At Winterbourne we walked to a viewing screen overlooking a field that had been specially prepared for our target species Stone Curlew and much to our delight they were still here, They are a migratory species only visiting us to breed and their needs are so precise that they are a rare breeder so we are very lucky to have them here. One of our group managed to count 14.

Stone Curlew-Winterbourne Down
(Bath Birdwatcher)
 Later I spotted 3 Stock Doves in a tree and managed to get some of the group to see them through the telescope. With the day over walking back to the car our final hoorah was the sightings of Blackbird, Willow Warbler and a charm of Goldfinches. We all had a great day and thanked Glen our leader for laying on the Curlew’s a species many of the group had never seen before.

Ringing a Chiffchaff - Langford
(Bath Birdwatcher)


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