Bath Birdwatcher

  David and Tony today visited Slimbridge as over the weekend Whooper Swan and Little Stint had been reported. Both would have been year ticks. I didn’t start logging species until we got into the grounds and walking to the Peng Observatory Greylag Goose, Coot and Moorhen were our 1 st three sightings. From the Peng lots of wildfowl were seen including Shelduck, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Bewick’s Swan, Mallard and Teal. While we were looking out something put up a huge cloud of waders including many hundreds of Lapwings and Golden Plover along with smaller numbers of Dunlin. A Carrion Crow was by the water and a Redshank was on an island on the lower pond, a Mute Swan and Canada Goose were in the duck trap and a few Pintails were scattered around the bank. A small flock of Starlings and a few Jackdaws and Rooks flew over. Moving on to Martin Smith hide Wigeon were on the bank in front of the hide. Wigeon - Slimbridge (Bath Birdwatcher) Shoveler were also seen and on the Tack Piece w...

  For this week’s trip out, it was again just 2 Amigos and likely to be for many weeks until Bryan is not only better but feels up to it. Chew Valley Lake was chosen as a few good birds had been reported during the last week and they would be year ticks for me. We set off at the usual time heading for Herriotts and whilst in transit noted Magpie, Buzzard and Carrion Crow. On arrival the 1 st thing that struck me was the lack of birds on the pool Mute Swans sticking out being white against the dark colour of the water. Once out of the car searching with binoculars we added Mallard, Shelduck and a Great White Egret the 1 st of many we were to come across during the day. Also found were Teal, Tufted Duck, Pintail a Grey Wagtail and a Moorhen. David then spotted a Marsh Harrier gliding over the reed bed where it disturbed a Grey Heron that quickly flew off. Ravens made their presence known by calling as they flew over, we also saw a Woodpigeon in flight Cormorants have become very co...

  Most of you probably know that the 3 Amigos will temporarily down to 2 David and Tony as Bryan will be unavailable for a while, Best wishes to you Brov and get well soon. This week we paid another visit to Newton St Loe as Hawfinches had been found there this week, this being the first time since 2017/18 when the country had the last big influx of these birds. We parked by the farm shop and set off towards the church spotting Magpie, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Woodpigeon and Robin as we walked. In the field beyond the church Jackdaw and Lesser Black Back Gull flew over and a Buzzard was found sat on a post. Walking down to the road several Rooks flew over as did a Mistle Thrush. Towards the cottages a Blackbird was in a garden and a small flock of Stock Doves flew past. Goldfinch, Blue Great and Coal Tits were all in and out of the feeders, and as we walked closer a Dunnock flew away. Walking down the footpath we added Nuthatch and Goldcrest and as went down butterfly alley a Grey...

  This week the 3Amigos decided to re-visit East Harptree Woods as on our last visit it was so foggy that we were unable to find any of the species we were hoping to see, so as the weather was perfect, we were giving it another go. To get to the woods we had to pass Chew Valley Lake so our first point to stop was Herriotts. On the drive to Chew we spotted Jackdaw, Collared Dove, and Wood Pigeon. At Herriotts were Mute Swan, Mallard, Moorhen, Teal, Shelduck and 3 species of gull Black Headed, Common and Herring. A Grey Wagtail flew in and landed on a railing by the outlet. On the main lake we added Coot, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Great Crested Grebe and Great Black Back Gull. In the trees on the far side of the lake were in excess of 40 Cormorants, and at least 6 Great White Egrets seen. A small flock of Goldeneye were in with the Coot and Tufties, 3 Canada Geese flew in, and Bryan spotted a Marsh Harrier flying over the reeds. A Grey Heron was by the far side reeds and a Carrion Crow ...

  This months Bath Branch RSPB field trip was a visit to Newton St Loe and was organised as 2 visits Saturday the 15 th and Tuesday the 19 th of November. We hoped by visiting twice it would allow more people to attend. I was coming home from Devon on Saturday so was only able to join todays visit but what awful weather we had wet all morning with rain sleet and at times wet snow, if it had been a 3 Amigos day out, we would have cancelled or visited Chew because of the bird hides. The visit was arranged for a 9.30 start at the farm shop and while waiting for others to arrive we started the day with a Pied Wagtail and a Woodpigeon sitting on various rooftops. We set off through the village heading for the church and in the garden opposite the village store we found Blue Tit, Robin, House Sparrow, Great Tit and Coal Tit. In one of the trees smothered in mistletoe was a single Mistle Thrush a Dunnock flew onto the top of a wall. Walking through the church yard a Magpie flew throug...

  On Friday all 4 of us visited Berry Head for me it was a chance to spend 90 minutes bird spotting while the others visited the café for coffee. While getting a parking ticket a Robin was running under cars while a Carrion Crow was shouting its call from a large lump of rock. Leaving the others I walked towards the warden’s cottage and looking along the footpath opposite I noticed a Dunnock and Chaffinch in amongst my prize find 6 Cirl Buntings I knew there was a good chance they would be there as seed is put out for them and I have seen them many times in the past but even so they are always good to see as they are not seen where we live.  Cirl Bunting - Berry Head (Bath Birdwatcher) Walking on I met another birder and while chatting saw a Blackbird eating berries and a flock of Long Tailed Tits that flew through with a single Goldcrest. Time to get to the café and meet up with the other 3 but as I arrived, they were still chatting, so I walked to look at the cliffs and here...

  Torquay from Broadsands (Bath Birdwatcher) J ust spent a few days in South Devon staying with Mary’s sister and brother-in-law in their lodge on a site between Brixham and Paignton here I spent many hours watching Gannets plunge diving for fish. On Friday the 13 th of November I walked from their site along the coast path to Broadsands and on the way I found Magpie, Oystercatcher, Gannet, Herring Gull, Carrion Crow, Kestrel, Robin, Dunnock and Blue and Great Tit. Once at Broadsands the lack of birds on the beach was noticeable probably due to the number of dogs, in fact a Carrion Crow was the only bird on the beach. Walking around the unused car parks it was very quiet perhaps due to an easterly breeze blowing straight in off the sea, I did find a small flock of House Sparrows with a Chiffchaff in the same bushes. As I walked around for the second time a Grey Wagtail flew onto the ground, a Stock Dove was sat in a tree and several Woodpigeons flew over with a flock of Jackdaws...