Newton-St-Loe Birding: Patch Birding

14 May 2017

Patch Birding - Newton St Loe

Date: 14/05/2017

Location: Newton St Loe Patch

Weather: Blue, but turning to Rain

Species:
Yellowhammer, House Martins, Whitethroat, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Blackcap, Barn Swallow, Swift, Buzzard.
Spreadsheet

Observation:
Been so long since last patch walk did a small one on the 5th May, been busy getting those Butterflies of which i'm now at 23 Species. I've had to put on hold now as Mallorca trip is in 3 days so a full patch was in order today.
A few Chiffchaff and a single Willow Warbler out through Bath Mill along brook, the normal songs from Robin, Wren and Blackbirds too. On up to fields and Skylark singing with Whitethroat singing from deep in cover of the hedgerows. The seeding I've been doing is definitely making a difference at crossroads, seeing more birds around that area including Yellowhammer, although not close views.

A few more Whitethroat along byway and a burnt out car that was on the side of Seven Acre has been moved to Pennyquick now, hopefully to be removed. Along with Buzzards overhead and 20+ Lesser Black Backed and 4 Herring Gulls on lower fields by Globe the was it, now in Village.

Really nice to see more Barn Swallows, House Martins and a few Swift now over village.

In Farm shop, which is bringing so much traffic into and around village this Pied Wagtail didn't mind the steady flow of traffic, Barn Swallows nesting in normal spots by farm shop.

But the House Martins numbers have at least doubled with them swarming overhead looking for nesting spots and collecting nesting materials.

This Pair have nested here for the last few years, with last year the nest collapsing and falling to ground with youngster inside! Hope this year they have better fixing mud!

Busy Busy collecting muds and grass's from around the Village.

In the 10 minutes watching he/she must have made 10 visits back to nest.

On giving me the evils i decided to leave them to it, when i come back in 10 days it should be finished with hopefully a little one inside.

Mostly quiet until Send a Cow woodland, Blackcaps and 2 Song Thrush having a singing battle!

I think the Song Thrush Won a great song, going through his whole repertoire.

Last time i checked on the Heron's could only see 7 chicks now 9 could be seen, the main tree seemed full of Heron's. I'm doing the Heron Census this year for BTO.

On to Lakes and lower lake a few more Mallards all male sitting on banks with the single Mute Swan still present, but little else.

On top Lake very quiet with Moorhen, coot on nests and The resident Mutes tending nest. On looking at nest, from Path! Could only see one egg, saw 3 eggs 2 weeks ago so not sure whats going on this year.

If any ones goes out would appreciate keeping me up to Date with progress while i'm away, via Twitter or Email.

More sad news the Normal Blue Tit nest in tree by lake has a casualty hanging out, gruesome i know and to make it worse took picture and didn't see until i got home ! i must be blind.