Bath Birdwatcher

The 3 Amigos were back together for todays walk from Monkton Combe to Midford following Midford Brook. We parked at the bottom of Summer Lane and while changing footwear found our first sightings of the day, Buzzard, Swallow and Goldfinch. A house on the edge of the village has bird feeders and here we added Woodpigeon, Blue Great and Coal Tits. Walking through the village Swift and House Martin were flying over the rooftops . Walking towards the brook House Sparrow and Blackbird were found along with several Rabbit's Walking through the fields Carrion Crows were in with the cows and 2 Jay's flew away as we were walking flying into a tree that already contained several Magpie's. A Lesser Black Back Gull flew over and a Tiger Moth that I think was a Garden Tiger flew quickly past. A Kingfisher that zipped past down the stream was our next sighting followed by calling Nuthatches that we think was a family party. Meadow Brown Butterflies were everywhere far to many to count b...

  Bryan, Yvonne, Mary and Tony had a weeks holiday in North Devon staying in a house in Morthoe, and what a great property it was, set about a mile from the coast on a hill giving great views over the Bristol Channel to the south coast of Wales. Our sightings started as soon as we left Bath and including a lunch stop near Barnstaple we logged all the following Buzzard, Jay, Rook, Collared Dove, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, House Sparrow, Blackbird, Goldfinch, Kestrel, Swallow, House Martin, Magpie, Herring Gull, Pied Wagtail, Wood Pigeon and Dunnock these sightings also include anything flying around our accommodation during the first day. Day 2  from the house we were able to see Gannets  and as we walked into Morthoe Greenfinch were singing from the top of a tree next to our house. In Morthoe we walked around to see what was available pubs shops etc. We did a short stroll finding Stonechat and flyover Ravens. Stonechat - Bath Birdwatcher Then to the local carav...

  Nagshead RSPB - Bath Birdwatcher On Tuesday the 4th of June the 3 Amigos finally were able to visit Nagshead an RSPB nature reserve in the Forest Of Dean. Our first stop was at Parkend where we parked on the road adjacent to the cricket ground, here we had a short walk along the stream hoping for a Dipper but no luck but during the stop we did spot House Martin, Swift, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Long Tailed Tit, Blackbird and Carrion Crow. And after a bit of a search a singing Goldcrest, and while looking over the cricket ground we added Buzzard, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail and Mistle Thrush. As we were about to leave a Lesser Black Back Gull flew over. At Nagshead our first sighting was a calling Wren and a Mallard by the 1st pond. As we continued towards the lower pond we heard a singing Garden Warbler which showed very well on a branch in a bush. Blue and Great Tit were quickly added to the days list. Next was one of the highlights of the day when we spotted our first Pied F...

  This week’s field trip was going to be a day trip to Nags Head in the Forest of Dean but Bryan could not make Tuesday and I was not free Wednesday or Thursday so Friday it had to be BUT on Friday morning Yvonne called me all in a panic as water was running through a kitchen light from the bathroom above so I made my way to their house and when I arrived they had managed to turn off the water but as the leak was in the floor with little or no access there was nothing I could do, but it meant that Bryan was unable to join us as an emergency plumber was required. Well David and myself decided not to go to Nags Head instead we went to Chew Valley Lake and on arrival at Herriotts Mute Swan. Mallard and Coot were all by the dam wall. When we scanned around we added Tufted Duck, Shelduck with 5 ducklings, Canada Goose and a single Shoveler by the lefthand reed bed. Jackdaw and Lesser Black Back Gull were flying over the pool and a Buzzard was soaring in the distance. On the lake was a G...

  Saturday was our Bath RSPB’s monthly field trip and this time it was too the Somerset Levels. Our meeting point was the RSPB Ham Wall carpark. 16 members arrived and we all set off starting at Ham Wall. Lucy our leader is great at bird song and after seeing Magpie, Robin, Cormorant, and   Goldfinch while we waited for everyone to arrive, we set off and soon saw Mallard, Woodpigeon, Grey Heron and Buzzard. Lucy then asked us to keep quiet as a Reed Warbler was singing in front of us and she explained to those who did not know, how to tell it was a Reed Warbler. As we continued another warbler called out, or in the case of this bird shouted, it was a Cetti’s Warbler and very unusually was calling from an exposed perch giving everyone great views of a normally very secretive bird. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over and several Mute Swans were on an area of open water. Rook, Chaffinch and Great White Egret were all seen as we approached viewing platform 1, here we added Canada...

  This morning Mary and Tony decided to visit Newton St Loe for a walk, and of course some birding. We parked at the church and walked into the churchyard and here a Blackbird was our first sighting and as we entered the field beyond a Green Woodpecker flew over the herd of cows. As we continued to the road Jackdaw and Carrion Crows were flying over. A Blue Tit called and flew into the tree above our head and a Goldfinch was on the wires. Approaching the cottages Woodpigeon and Rooks flew over and a female Sparrowhawk flew from the fields and disappeared behind the cottages. The only bird seen down the woodland footpath was a Robin although many other species were singing from deep cover, never to be seen. Nothing new until the bottom lake where a Grey Heron was sat on a tree stump at the dam end of the lake and 13 Mallard were on the lake including a female with 9 ducklings (not included in the count). A Moorhen ran along the bank in front of us and at least 2 more were seen on th...

  This week’s birding trip was a morning visit to Newton St Loe but with just 2 of the 3 Amigos , Bryan and Tony as David had a previous arrangement. Parking by the Farm Shop a Swallow was calling from the wires and stayed long enough for me to get this picture. Swallow - NSL (Bath Birdwatcher) Also seen before we set off towards the lanes were Blue Tit, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon and Goldfinch. Walking towards the lanes we heard the call of a Greenfinch which Bryan found on the top of a tree and also a House Sparrow on a rooftop. A Pied Wagtail flew past and Magpie, Dunnock and Robin were also seen. From the lanes Lesser Black Back and Herring Gulls were flying in the distance. From the lookout point a pair of Pheasants were in the field immediately in front of us and a Buzzard was soaring in the 7 Acre area. As we continued up the lane we could hear Skylarks and as I scanned the sky I luckily found 2 Swifts but was unable to get Bryan on them but we did find the singing Skylark the 1 ...