Bath Birdwatcher

  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...

  For this week’s bird spotting day out, we decided to pay a visit to WWT Slimbridge where we are all members. Our last visit was back on the 15 th of July so we were overdue a visit. The drive was very fraught as the road through Dursley was closed and the detour was badly signed so Bryan used directions on his phone to guide us in. We arrived some 20 minutes later than usual but once in the car park spotting could commence here we saw Woodpigeon, Jackdaw and Cormorant all fly overs Rooks huddled together in the top of a tree, and a Blue Tit in bushes by the entrance. Once inside we headed for Peng Observatory finding Moorhen, Collared Dove and Shelduck on the way. Once inside there were 100’s of birds to work through with Mute and Bewick’s Swans standing out from the rest.  Bewick's Swan - Slimbridge (Bath Birdwatcher) There were also many Tufted Ducks, Pochard plus a few beautiful Pintail. There must have been 100+ Lapwing that were everywhere you looked with smaller numbe...

  Mute Swan - Ham Wall (Bath Birdwatcher) This week David and Tony visited The Somerset Levels where we were to start at Westhay. On the way we started with several Pheasants in the fields approaching Wells, nothing more until we drove along the road from Fenny Castle to Westhay where we spotted Goldfinch, Rook and Little Egret, we also passed 2 fields that were full of Cattle Egrets which must have numbered in excess of 100 birds, I have never seen so many of these birds together. Approaching Westhay we added Mute Swan and Cattle Egret. From the car park we followed the Drove which runs through the middle of the reserve and here our 1 st sightings were a pair of Gadwall and a Coot as we walked on a singing Blue Tit and a Raven calling and doing aerobatics were soon logged along with a Robin and a Cormorant.  Coot - Somerset Levels (Bath Birdwatcher) From the beginning of the walk, we could hear calling Canada Geese but not seen until a few flew over along with a Woodpigeon. ...

  This week the 3 Amigos settled for a Monday, day out, unusual I know, but it was the only day the three of us could make and the 1 st time this month we have been out together. Slimbridge was chosen as lots of passage waders had been reported which gave us a chance of a year tick. Driving over Lansdown a Red Kite flew over the car but as I was in the back I missed it, but I did see 2 Pheasants that the 2 in the front missed and we all spotted a field full of Rooks and Woodpigeon in flight. Walking from the car park to the reception area we noted Robin, Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Moorhen and Collared Dove. Once in the grounds we headed for the Peng Observatory and on the way noted some of the feral  Greylag Geese loads were seen during the day, we also saw a Grey Wagtail on the café roof. The observatory overlooks a large area of open water with many small islands along with areas of grass and is on 2 levels the higher level in front and the lower level to our left. Lapwing,...

  This week’s birding trip was a return to Chew Valley Lake as our Bristol Water permits that give us access to the hides and free car parking in the picnic areas are due to run out at the end of the month. Heading for Herriotts we spotted a Red Kite, Buzzard, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon and Carrion Crow. On arrival before getting out of the car Mute Swan, Moorhen, Mallard and Coot were seen. As we set up the telescopes Tufted Duck, Black Headed, Common and Herring Gulls were all logged. As we scanned the pool Shelduck, Teal, Cormorant, Shoveler and Canada Goose were all day ticks. On the main lake we added Great Crested Grebe and a Chaffinch that was on the waters edge. Nothing extra seen here so we moved on to Stratford, and in the lane were Dunnock, Robin and Redwing.  Redwing - CVL (Bath Birdwatcher) In the car park a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew into the top of a tree. At the feeders Coal, Blue and Great Tits were all seen plus Blackbird and Song Thrush. As we approached the hid...

  Great Crested Grebe in front of Stratford Hide - (Bath Birdwatcher) After yet another wet weekend and a very wet Monday it was again, where can we go, with fields and muddy footpaths out of the question, it needs to be made up footpaths so yet again good old Chew Valley Lake came to the rescue for the 3 Amigos. Starting at Herriotts we had already logged Jackdaw and Pheasant on the way. On the pond were Mute Swan, Mallard, Coot, Tufted Duck, Shelduck, Teal and Cormorant, plus Pied Wagtail and 4 species of gull, Great and Lesser Black Back, Black Headed and Common. Jay, Little Egret and a small flock of Starlings all flew over. On the main lake we added Great Crested Grebe and Pochard with fly over Blue Tit, Carrion Crow and Great White Egret. We walked to the left hand end of the pond and here we were treated to a lovely view of a bird you hear more often than see a Cetti’s Warbler which was on the edge of the reedbed we also added Moorhen, Canada Goose and Grey Wagtail. Back o...

  This week as it was likely to be the final bird trip of the year the 3 Amigos decided to have a day trip to Chew Valley Lake as a few decent birds had been reported from there over the last week or so. With sandwiches and hot drinks to hand we set off and reaching Herriotts the spotting began with Mallard, Coot, Tufted Duck, Grey Wagtail quickly found. As we watched a few of our Bath RSPB group arrived and after a chat it was back to spotting with Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Pochard,   and Goldeneye all seen on the main lake. A male Pheasant was seen towards the ringing station, and back on the pond was a small flock of Shoveler and a Shelduck. In the left hand corner of the pond was a Moorhen, with a Chaffinch walking on some floating debris. Out on the pond were a few Mute Swans and a large quantity of Black Headed Gull and a single Common Gull, before we moved on a Woodpigeon and a Gadwall were added to our tally. Next stop Stratford hide, on the way we added Rooks, an...

  Again this week the 3 Amigos were down to two as Bryan is on holiday in Devon. Chew Valley Lake and Blagdon was the choice of venue. We decided to start the day at picnic area no2 as it would be quieter therefore we hoped more birds would be seen. Setting off via The Globe Rooks were in the rookery then as we drove through Corston we spotted 3 Skylarks. Our next sightings were Collared Dove and Woodpigeon, A Buzzard drifted across the road and a single Swallow was sat on the wires we spotted 2 more during the day both sat on wires. A Great Tit was the last bird we saw on the journey. Parking in the picnic area a Dunnock was in the reeds in front of us and a Great Black Back Gull flew over. As I have mentioned before Cetti’s Warbler seen to fly after they sing and this again proved true as we could hear one singing and while looking in the direction of the song it broke from cover and flew away to our right,   but a few paces further on another was seen singing from an expose...

  This week’s bird spotting day out took us to the Somerset Levels but only 2 of the 3 Amigos were able to go. Bryan was unable to come so David and myself set off just before 9am and the bird sightings started almost immediately with Magpie, Woodpigeon, Starling and Lesser Black Back Gull all seen before we reached Radstock. Here we would normally turn right and head for Midsomer Norton but the road was closed so we had to go via the White Post pub and take the Wells road, we continued adding to the days list with Collared Dove, Blackbird, Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Buzzard all ticked before we turned off the B3139 onto Leaze Drove   and followed the lanes all the way to Westhay. Again as we drove across the moors we added Carrion Crow, My 1 st 2 Swallows of the year sat on wires, Little Egret, Kestrel, Stock Dove, Pheasant, Herring Gull, Blue Tit, Robin, Chaffinch, Mallard and Mute Swan. After parking in the carpark I spotted 2 Jays flying over, we started the walk along Dagg’s La...