Bath Birdwatcher

  Top Lake - Newton St Loe (Bath Birdwatcher) The year started well with 20 species seen in the 1 st 3 days but nothing unexpected. On the 4 th of January the 3 Amigos had a Trip to Weston Super Mare as a Penduline Tit had been seen at the old Airfield and as it would be a lifer for the three of us we decided to go for it and on the way our 1 st Red Kite of the year was seen, We stopped at Herriotts at Chew Valley Lake and year ticked all the usual suspects which included a Great White Egret. Between Chew and Weston   more usual fare was logged including a nice Kestrel. At Weston we soon found where the Penduline was by the number of people looking for it, and talking to the 1 st person we met, he said it had been seen earlier but he had not seen it, so we stood and waited but no sign so we decided to wander along the reedbed to a different viewing point but again nothing but Meadow Pipits so another move which this time proved fruitful when we found 2 Penduline Tits feedi...

Today the 3 Amigos went on a recce to Brean Down as Bath RSPB local group are having a field Trip there on Saturday, making as sure as possible that roads are open and access to the site is not restricted. As it was an all-day trip lunch needed to be carried. We were to pass Chew Valley Lake on our journey so stopped for a quick look. On the way we noted Buzzard and Collared Dove. At Chew we ticked Mallard, Shoveler, Gadwall, Lapwing, Black Headed Gull, Teal, Pintail, Shelduck Green Sandpiper and Coot, all these being on the pond while on the main lake Carrion Crow, Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Moorhen, and Great Tit were seen. Driving from Chew to Brean Rook, Woodpigeon,   Jackdaw and Herring Gull added to the days total. Parking in the National Trust car park we started our walk making our way towards the river Axe estuary on the way Magpie, House Sparrow, Swallow, Starling, Mute Swan, Lesser Black Back Gull Goldfinch, Robin and Little Egret were seen. Scanning the Axe estuary ...

  Today was the local RSPB’s field trip to the Quantocks following the recee the 3 Amigos plus one did last Monday. Bryan was not able to come but Kirsty a fairly new and young member came with us. Its so good to find someone of her age so   enthusiastic about birds and was a pleasure to help with identification. We set off at 7.55 and even before we met Kirsty a Jay was spotted and as we had to pass Chew Valley Lake we intended to stop at Herriotts for a quick look, whilst in transit we added Buzzard, Starling, House Martin, Goldfinch and Collared Dove . At Chew we ticked  Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, Coot, Shelduck, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Herring Gull, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Black Back Gull, and Swifts, All to soon we had to move on adding Moorhen, Swallow and Pied Wagtail to the days list before we arrived at Bowling Green car park in Holford where we met up with 5 other members, not a big turnout but with a small group most would be able to see any sigh...