Barn Swallow - Hirundo Rustica

Date spotted: 29th April 2012 - 3pm

Location: A quick wander - Zone 1+ a quick drive to Saltford Shallows

Observation: Group of ten to fifteen 'Barn Swallows' feeding low over the flooded field. Found five Swallows sat on fence, captured with 55mm lens!

Weather: Light rain, localised flooding, Cold due to wind.

Other Species: Barn Swallows, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Crow, Mute Swan, Mallard, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, 1X Green Woodpecker, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Robin, Blackbird.

 

Tawny Owl - Strix Aluco

Date spotted: 24th April 2012 - 1pm 
Location: Newton Park Lake - Zone 1 +2 

Observation: First time ever seeing a Tawny Owl in this area. Tawny Owl sat in low tree, flew off when I walked a little closer. Best picture I could take due to distance away.  
Weather: Cloudy, Some light Rain, 12c. 
Other Species: Magpie, Crow, Jackdaw, Buzzard, 1X Tawny Owl, Linnet, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Dunnock, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Mallard (now only 2 ducklings, were six!), Jay, Leser Black-Backed Gull, Barn Swallow, Wood Pigeon, Green Woodpecker, House Sparrow, Yellowhammer, Mistle Thrush, Wren.

Peregrine Falcon - Falco Peregrinus

Date Spotted: 22nd April 2012 - 4.30pm.
Location: St John's Church, Bath.

Observation: Watched the 2 adults and 1 youngster from last year hunting. Currently have three eggs in the nest box which are due to hatch in the next few days! 

Weather: Quite cold due to wind, Cloudy but sunny.

Other Species: Grey Wagtail, 3X Peregrine, Greylag X Canada Goose, Blue Tits, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Pigeons, Pied Wagtail, Mallard.

 

Mistle Thrush - Turdus Viscivorus

Date spotted: 17th April 2012

Location: River Avon Loop - Zone 3+5

Observation:  Mistle Thrush was spotted feeding after light rain shower in local field. This is the first one seen since June 2011! Also seen the first Kestrel hovering in flight since Feb 2012! 

Weather: Blue sky slowly changing to overcast and light rain. Cold due to wind.

Other Species: Kestrel, 1+ Mistle Thrush, Skylark, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Mute Swan, Barn Swallow, Mallard, Buzzard, Crow, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock

 

Magpie - Pica Pica

Date spotted: 16th April 2012

Location: Newton St Loe - Zone 1+5

Observation: A male magpie sat feeding some homemade fatballs. Local magpies are currently building a nest opposite the feeder tree.

More barn swallows have now arrived (Approx. 10).

Group of at least 40 wood pigeons feeding in grass field. 

Weather: Blue sky slowly changing to overcast. Quite cold due to wind.

Other Species: Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Blackbird, Buzzard, Crow, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Pheasant, Linnet, Goldfinch, Pied Wagtail, Jackdaw, Yellowhammer, Blackcap, House Sparrow, Barn Swallow, Chaffinch, 2+ Chiffchaff, Skylark.

Common Lizard - Lacerta Vivipara

Date Spotted: 10th April 2012 - 1PM

Location: Newton Park Lake- Zones 1+2

Observation: Two 'Common Lizards' (Possibly one male and one female).
Sun-basking on usual log.

Weather: Blue Sky, Sunny, Warm

Other Species: Wood Pigeons, Crows, Jackdaws, Green Woodpeckers, Pheasants, Little Owl, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 1 Barn Swallow, House Sparrows, Mute Swans, Mallards (+7 Ducklings), Heron, Coot, Grey Wagtail, Linnets (Male + Female), Chaffinchs

Mute Swan - Cygnus Olor

Date spotted: 4th April 2012 - 2PM

Location: Newton Park Lake - Top Lake - Zones 1+2

Observation: Male 'Mute Swan' protecting Female in nest by chasing all wildlife off the lake!

Weather: Cloudy, Cold and Light Rain.

Other Species: Great Tits, Robins, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Dunnocks, House Sparrows, 1X Little Owl (Male) and Mute Swans

Little Owl - Athene Noctua

Date spotted: 1st April 2012 - 4pm

Location: Newton Park Lake - Bottom Lake - Zones 1+2

Observation: Male + Female (Female pictured, spotted hunting) Sat watching for around 15 minutes, Male landed in the tree to the right a few minutes later.

Weather: Sunny, Blue Sky, Warm

Other Species: 2X Little Owls, Goldcrest, Wrens, Dunnocks, Grey Herons (one sat in tree, other in flight over lake), Great Tits, Blue Tits, Mute Swans (sat in nest), Mallards (swimming around with 6 ducklings).