Date: 28th November 2016
Location: Brean Down → Chew Valley Lake
Weather: Blue Sky, Sunny with Cold Wind
Other Species: 6+ Stonechat, 2 Black Redstart, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Kestrel, 5+ Goldfinch, 10+ House Sparrow, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Common Gull, Tufted Duck, 500+ Dunlin -
Of Note
Of Note
Observation: A sunny day forecast so we headed down to try and photograph the Black Redstart at Brean Down. We had a quick look in the Cove, but with no sign apart from Stonechat, Dunnock, Wren and Robin's. We walked up the many steps to the Fort.
At the Fort, there was a bitter cold wind, but there weren't alot of birds there. Until a huge flock of 500+ Dunlin flew past shortly followed by a Peregrine Falcon. After a further 10 minutes of searching for the Black Redstart, there were no signs so we returned via the lower path. As we returned to the steps this Raven flew along the hill top giving us some lovely views.
Near the bottom of the steps, 1 of 3 Meadow Pipit were present scurrying around.
We tried our luck at looking back in the Cove for the Black Redstart, as we turned to return to the Van, we spotted a distant Black Redstart! Within minutes the second Female was spotted. Fairly jumpy to start with but after around 20 minutes, the Black Redstart started coming close to us in perfect light!
What a bird!! Unfortunately no Male present but the 2 females were just as welcome!
We had a short stop off at Chew Valley Lake, and the Lake was in a stunning golden light.
At the Fort, there was a bitter cold wind, but there weren't alot of birds there. Until a huge flock of 500+ Dunlin flew past shortly followed by a Peregrine Falcon. After a further 10 minutes of searching for the Black Redstart, there were no signs so we returned via the lower path. As we returned to the steps this Raven flew along the hill top giving us some lovely views.
Near the bottom of the steps, 1 of 3 Meadow Pipit were present scurrying around.
We tried our luck at looking back in the Cove for the Black Redstart, as we turned to return to the Van, we spotted a distant Black Redstart! Within minutes the second Female was spotted. Fairly jumpy to start with but after around 20 minutes, the Black Redstart started coming close to us in perfect light!
She even had a good clean after some rapid fly-catching.
What a bird!! Unfortunately no Male present but the 2 females were just as welcome!
We had a short stop off at Chew Valley Lake, and the Lake was in a stunning golden light.
Thanks For Looking !
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