Bath Birdwatcher

  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,...

  Bottom Lake NSL (Bath Birdwatcher) This is the 1 st time in over 2 weeks that I have been out doing some bird spotting, so today Mary and myself drove to Newton St Loe our first visit for several weeks. We parked by the church and as we were changing our footwear a Robin flew up on a wall in front of us and a Chiffchaff that was singing in a small tree flew across the road. Walking through the church yard and down the field beyond we only saw a few fly over Rooks. Down to the road by the cottages we noted a few Swallows quartering the fields, a Woodpigeon flew past, and House Sparrows were in the hedgerow. On the feeders by the cottages, we spotted both Blue and Great Tits, with Jackdaws calling as they flew over. Nothing more until we reached the bottom lake and here were just a single Moorhen and 4 Mallards plus one Wren. On the top lake were 7 more Mallards and 6 Moorhens plus 6 Coot and at least 9 Little Grebe. The resident pair of Mute Swans with their 3 large cygnets were...

  Another Tuesday and this week the 3 Amigos were all together and this week we decided on another visit to Chew Valley Lake mainly because lots of good birds had been seen in the last week. Our 1 st port of call was Herriotts and as we arrived an Osprey was flying over the pool and made an unsuccessful plunge into the water before flying off. A few other birders we know were also watching and assured us that in about half an hour it would be back again. While waiting we spotted Jackdaw, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Cormorant, Teal, Green Sandpiper, Black Tailed Godwit, Woodpigeon and Black Headed Gull. As we waited and chatted David spotted a Kingfisher that flew over the lake and landed on a dead branch on the far side. Looking over the main lake we added Mute Swan, Black Swan, Great White Egret and Little Egret plus a few hundred House and Sand Martins flying over the lake. Gadwall, Grey Heron and Great Crested Grebe were also found. Back on the pool a flock of Canada Geese drifted ...

  This week was the turn of Bryan and Tony to go bird spotting as David is away. Like last week we only had a morning to spare so it was another trip to Chew Valley Lake mainly as Bryan wanted to catch up with the Ruddy Ducks that we found last week. On the way to our first stop we noted Swallow, Raven, House Martin and Magpie. Our first stop was Herriotts but as we were approaching Chew it started to rain so birding from the car we spotted Mallard, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Coot, Canada Goose, Black Headed Gull, Great White Egret, Jackdaw and Cormorant. The rain turned into fine drizzle but blown along by a brisk wind, but we decided to shelter behind the car with the tailgate open and from here we were able to add Black Tailed Godwit and Teal. At this point all the birds took flight, ducks, gulls and waders, seems a bird of prey was about but not seen by us. Things settled down slightly and some of the gulls returned Herring and Lesser Black Back being new for the day. Behind us on t...

Just David and Tony today and a half day birding trip, so Chew was the chosen site as a Caspian Gull had been seen there and would be a lifer for both of us. On the way we spotted Magpie and Collared Dove. Our first stop was Herriot's where the Caspian had been seen but we were out of luck as birders who were already there confirmed that it was not about, Mallard, Black Headed Gull, Coot Moorhen were soon logged also seen were at least 6 Green Sandpipers, and a single Common Sandpiper. Teal, Black Tailed Godwit, Herring Gull, Great Black Back Gull and Gadwall were also found. Then another birder shouted from over the road Ruddy Duck so we all went over, and on the main lake were 2 pair of them. Also seen on the lake were Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck and Cormorant, David spotted a Marsh Harrier on the far side of the lake followed by a Buzzard, Back on the lake were Canada Goose, Little and Great White Egret plus a Grey Heron, House Martins were flying over the reeds and a few C...

After getting over my illness it was back too Tuesday birding and this week it was a morning at NSL. After picking up Bryan and David  the 3 Amigos drove to the village finding a soaring Buzzard as we drove in. Parking by the farm shop Swallows were on the wires with young being fed by their parents and lots of Jackdaws around. Greenfinch could be heard calling, and 2 flew over along with House Martins. We started our walk in the lanes where a Lesser Black Back Gull was flying in the distance and several Woodpigeons were flying around and we must have disturbed a Green Woodpecker as it flew away low over the fields, also as we walked up the lane a small bird flew away in front of us and landed a few yards away where we were able to get a good view of it, a Whitethroat. Our first butterfly of the day a Gatekeeper was on a leaf with it's wings fully open. Bryan then spotted a distant Herring Gull followed by our 1st Large White butterfly. At 7 Acre Wood we were hoping for more butter...

Portland Harbour (Bath Birdwatcher) Mary and Tony have recently returned from a few days in Weymouth staying with our best friends David and Hazel, in their caravan close to Ferrybridge. Although they have a sea view of sorts you need to walk 50yards up the site for views over the fleet and from here you can see the Little Tern colony, gulls and larger waders but its such a short walk to a point where you get perfect views of the Fleet and also Portland Harbour that it's not worth spotting from this point. After arriving and unloading the car we had lunch and after we did some spotting from the caravan and Little Terns were flying noisily around along with 2 Ravens and lots of passing Herring Gulls and Starlings. We then drove to Portland for a walk around the harbour spotting  Mediterranean Gulls at Ferrybridge. Walking around the harbour we added Carrion Crow, Oystercatcher, and Little Egret to the weeks list. It was very chilly and silly me didn't take warm enough clothing ...