Roe Deer - Capreolus Capreolus

Date spotted: 28th April - 3PM

Location: Newton Park Lake - Zones 1,2+5

Observation: Walked through the woods to find a Roe Deer, which was feeding on the shoots from the trees, it seen us but didn't really seem bothered about us watching him. He then slowly walked off to the right into the hedges. It was pretty deserted for birds today apart from Blackbirds and Green Woodpecker there were plenty of them around! No sign of the Buzzard or Little Owls which are normally spotted on EVERY trip out to the Lake, so a little worrying so will visit again and look out for them! On the Top Lake, the nesting Mute Swans were there still. The female sat on the nest, no eggs or cygnets yet though, some weird behaviour from a Male and Female Mallard, it seemed to be stealing part of the nest and eating it, the Female tried her best to get rid of them but they kept returning!

Weather: Cloudy, Light Rain, Warm

Other Species: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Crow, Jackdaw, Mute Swan, Moorhen, Coot, Green Woodpecker, Chaffinch, House Sparrow, Barn Swallow, Linnet, Starling, Skylark, Mallard, Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird, Roe Deer

 

Kingfisher, Warblers + Waders!

Date spotted: 25th April - All Day

Location: WWT - Slimbridge

Observation: Visited Slimbridge to try and photograph the Kingfishers. That was a success, bit cloudy so hard to get a sharp shot, we only seen one but the 2 were back and forth al day according to other birders! On the Knott Pool feeders there were lots of Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Blue Tits and a Lesser Redpoll feeding. A sedge warbler was also spotted in the hedges to the right.

Oppisite in the Robbie Garnet hide, there was a Little Egret showing EXTEREMELY WELL feeding right in front the hide it then flew around 30 feet into the middle of the pool but still showing well. There was also 1 Black-Tailed Godwit feeding in front the hide in front the egret. Great day which was successful!

Weather: Cloudy but Sunny, Warm

Other Species: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Kingfisher, Little Egret, Black-Tailed Godwit, Canada Goose, Lesser Redpoll, Goldfinch, Pied Wagtail, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Goldeneye, Reed Bunting, Robin, House Sparrow + more!

Mammals: Water Vole

3 New Species - Not Bad!

Date spotted: 21st April 2013 - All Day

Location: Cheddar Reservoir - Apex Leisure Park

Observation: Visited Cheddar Reservoir in hunt of the Arctic Terns and hoping for some record shots, but couldn't have asked for more! Arrived and walked anti-clockwise around the Reservoir, around 20 minutes into the walk, a Common Sandpiper was around 15 feet away from us feeding on the shoreline, so we sat and took some pictures, it got spooked and then flew off west across the Reservoir. Around the North side of the Reservoir, there were a small group (15+) Great-Crested Grebe feeding and around a bit more were a small group of Arctic Terns (12+) sat on the steps. We slowly creeped up to take some pictures and sat and watched for a while, weren't fussed by our presence but we left them to it after getting some flight and perched pictures and some video footage. Very pleased with this. Lots of Swallows and House Martins flying around aswell! We then drove down to Apex Leisure Park and walked around, there were quite a few (25+) Arctic Terns diving in the ponds there and not really fussed by people walking past! Amazing little birds! We walked out to the Estruary but only Redshank (80+) there. Back by the first pond, were Willow Warblers and Reed Warblers in Alder tree during rain shower. Rosy-Billed Pochard (escaped species) showing very well in first pond. Very successful day with 3 new species to add to the list! 

Weather: Cloudy, Little Wind, Sun Appearing Throughout

Other Species: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Black-Headed Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Arctic Tern, Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Coot, Moorhen, Hybrid Mallard, Great-Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Common Sandpiper, Cormorant, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Artic Skua, Mistle Thrush, Grey Heron, Rosy-Billed Pochard (Escaped Species)

 

First Blogging Year Results

This blog was started on 1st April 2012,

Exactly one year later the results show:



57 different species of birds

26 different species of Dragonflies + butterflies

3 different species of Mammals

1 different specie of Reptile

Pied Flycatcher - Ficedula Hypoleuca

Date spotted: 15th April - 2PM

Location: 12 O'Clock Lanes - Zones 1+4

Observation: Went on a short wander through the lanes and along 12 O'Clock before returning back down through Newton St Loe village. A bit deserted with the odd Blue Tit or Pigeon, flying past. A buzzard being mobbed by crows whilst trying to eat a Fox that had been hit by car. We spotted 2 Roe Deer and 1 Stag, at the bottom of the valley/field, sunning themselves. Walked on a bit further to see another 3 Roe Deer (again 1 stag) They were feeding in amongst the forest before running off over to meet the the 3 Deer. We were watching the Buzzard was sat in tree overlooking the valley when we noticed a bird very like a Pied Wagtail, we looked again to see it was a Pied Flycatcher! A first for this area, only ever seen a Spotted Flycatcher at the Lake so this was a nice bonus, got within 20 feet of it watched it for a few minutes, it got chased off by another bird possibly a Chiffchaff or Female Pied Flycatcher and didn't return. A small group of Chiffchaff posing in the sun also. Turned out to be a very nice and successful walk with a new bird for the local area!

Weather: Cloudy, Warm, Some Sun.

Other Species: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Chiffchaff, Wood Pigeon, Buzzard, Blackcap, Barn Swallow, Goldfinch, Skylark, House Sparrow, Red-Legged Partridge, Roe Deer, Peacock Butterfly

 

Barn Swallow + Wheatear !

Date spotted: 14th April - 2PM

Location: Severn Beach Walk

Observation: Quick wonder as started raining, so walked from new bridge to the Aust end. Seen a couple of Wheatear, first of summer for us this year. Also a big flock of House Martin, Sand Martin and Swallow, again all first of the Spring/Summer for us, so successfull but wet trip!

Weather: Raining and Cloudy. Warm but Windy

Other Species: Wheatear, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Buzzard, House Sparrow, Blackbird, Robin, House Martin, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow

 

Lesser Redpoll - Carduelis Cabaret !

Date spotted: 9th April - 1.45pm

Location: Newton Park Lake - Zones 1,2,4,5

Observation: Flock of 15+ redwing sat in tree singing with Wood Pigeons and Magpie.
2+ Chiffchaff feeding on flies in the trees.
Unknown bird but could be Stock Dove, there was two of them flying from grass field into trees. Never seen them before.
Small group (5+) Lesser Redpoll feeding on Alder tree seeds next to Lake. Nice record as never seen Redpoll on lake let alone Lesser!

Weather: Cloudy and Light Rain but Warm

Other Species: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Magpie, Crow, Jackdaw, Mallard, Coot, Mute Swan, Treecreeper, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Redwing, Wood Pigeon, Redpoll, Chiffchaff, Moorhen, Collared Dove, Buzzard, Wren, Robin, Lesser-Black-Backed Gull, Starling, Grey Heron

 

Short Walk to Newton Mill

Date spotted: 8th April - 3PM

Location: Zone 1

Observation: Sat and watched three little Wrens feeding on local brook and then disappearing into little holes in the brook bank.

Weather: Cloudy and Warm

Other Species: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Crow, Jackdaw, Wood Pigeon, Chaffinch

 

Sunday Walk To Lake!

Date spotted: 7th April - 3PM

Location: Newton Park Lake - Zones 1,2+5

Observation: We seen a very tame Grey Heron and Pheasant who lets you get within a close distance for photographs before flying off. The two Little Owls were sat together in a different tree due to lots of fishermen on lake. Treecreeper is back where it was last spring, first time seeing it this year which is nice. Spoke to walker who said he seen a Dipper on the bottom lake last Friday, so will keep an eye out for that! Mute Swan still sat on nest but no eggs yet!

Weather: Cloudy, Warm with Little Wind

Other Species: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Goldcrest, Green Woodpecker, Pheasant, Roe Deer, Grey Heron, Mallard, Mute Swan, Moorhen, Coot, Squirrel,  Robin, Blackbird, Crow, Jackdaw, Wren, Treecreeper, Little Owl, Buzzard.

 

Osprey - Pandion Haliaetus - Catching Trout!!

Date spotted: 2nd April 2013 - Early Afternoon

Location: Blagdon Lake - Chew Valley Lake

Observation: We visited Blagdon at lunch-time today to try and find the Ospreys to get some nice pictures and watch them for a few hours. There was on in the far trees but disappeared towards Chew Valley Lake for over an hour so we moved on to Chew Valley Lake. We sat experimenting with settings and looked across Herriotts Pool to find the Osprey hovering over the Pool, it then got pestered by gulls and got chased off 'East'. We carried on looking for him/her. We thought about packing up and leaving when The Osprey again appeared it hovered over the Pool, and it dived into the water it flapped around in the water for around 45 seconds before taking off into the air with a trout around 1lb in size. It was being chased by gulls and started to the lose the grip on the Trout. It regained the grip and flew feet over our heads! It couldn't find a perch to eat the fish so circled around looking for a suitable tree it then disappeared over towards Moreton and didn't reappear, must have enjoyed its dinner !! Amazing sight, always wanted to see this but on home ground makes it 100 times better!

Weather: Blue Sky with the Odd Clouds. Warm without the wind!

Other Species: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Crow, Jackdaw, Rook, Buzzard, Mallard, Domestic Duck, Coot, Moorhen, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Black-Headed Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Great-Crested Grebe, Comorant, OSPREY, Goldeneye + More!