Newton-St-Loe Birding: November 2020

Date:

15th- 3rd November

Location:

Newton st Loe, Chew Valley Lake, Somerset Levels

Species Highlights:

Stonechat, Green Woodpecker, Grey Plover, Lesser Yellowlegs, Cattle Egret, Bittern, Greenfinch, Sparrowhawk, Red Kite

Observation:

Newton St Loe and a normal patch walk, for pictures it was a bit slow going but with 20+ Skylark and 10 Meadow Pipit on top fields. Teal numbers building slowing up tp 7 birds, Kingfisher, Little Grebe, and Kingfisher being the best on Top Lake.

Elsewhere on patch 2 pairs of Stonechat, 2 at Park Farm, and 2 at ClaysEnd.

The best photo opportunities happened just 30ft from my from the door, this Jay was searching the manicured grass of Bath Mill.

Then flew up into a tree and started to make the most convincing buzzard call, I've ever heard!

18th October

A Trip to Chew valley lake, This Grey Plover was giving good views from Stratford hide, looking almost golden in the sunlight.

In-case there was any doubt, a few flaps of his wings showing the underwing. Spotted Redshank was still about and the Lesser Yellowlegs but both proving elusive.

As I stood up to leave the Lesser Yellowlegs landed walked a few paces then disappeared!

It's been present here for just over a month now.

A wander around to Villace hide and along Stratford lane, Cattle feeding amongst the cows.

At Villace, Egrets and Herons dominated as the normal there.

Always makes me chuckle how the Grey Heron thinks they own the fishing grounds constantly chasing off the intruders.

While the Heron chases the Little Egret catches.

I've so many pictures of Little, Great, Grey Herons from this hide, just can't help taking pictures of them.

20th October

I took a trip down to Westhay but on arrival, the Car Park was not as full as my last visit but after walking around for a few hours, not too much to show for my efforts. This Bittern a bit distant, so a big crop but was good to see.

The always distant Marsh Harrier was my only other shot of the day, a few Bearded Reedling could be heard pinging through the reeds but no pictures this time.

26 October

Another trip down to Chew , unfortunately, it seemed the everyone had the same ideal, 10 cars at Stratford hide, no space for me so walked to Morton hide catching this Pied Wagtail.

Returning back to Stratford hoping for some space, nope still full so headed around to Villace. It seemed birders from Suffolk and even further afield were trying to get there scopes on the Lesser Scaup, I saw the bird from Morton but so distant, no tick for me. At Villace was joined by Penny & Anne and we watched yet more Egret in perfect light.

While we watched Penny spotted The Lesser Yellowlegs a bird that some in the other hides were waiting to see, too distant but a great spot.

Most Lesser Yelows show very well, the Lodmoor Bird I was used to seeing that one down to a few inches and even the Cheddar bird, this one seems a little shy.

29th October

Another patch walk and a new addition to the top lake 2 Canada goose, 4 visits this year, and only the 5th record since their first visit in 06/12/2018 ( Probs not same ones but who knows?)

From lakeside, I spotted some small birds buzzing around Yew tree near Keep, on further investigation saw they were Greenfinch but at least 20 birds a real treat and I think the most I've ever seen, anywhere

Scanned flock hoping for a Hawfinch, but not this time.

As I returned through Village I spotted this Green Woodpecker feeding, with my stealthiest approach I managed a few shots before it flew off, returning to the same spot as left it in peace.

2nd November

My photo of the month was this stunning sparrowhawk from Chew Valley and Stratford hide, sat there chatting listening to the Bearded Reedling for a few hours when he landed, had a think, and carried on his hunting.

A Water Pipit was seen just before he landed but as expected it didn't hang around with this Fierce beauty about

A rainbow to end the day.

3rd November

A second lockdown has been announced so with no work for me the next few weeks I starting checking around the patch for something good, a 10-mile walk taking in Stanton Prior, Priston.

Newton top lake,

The 2 Canada geese have now departed but now 2 Tufted duck plus 2 Little grebes have taken their place. It was a long walk with me wondering why I was carrying my camera, I sat on a hillside overlooking Priston and spotted 3 of 7 Roe Deer.

Gulls were in good numbers feeding on the fields I passed,

50 Lesser Black-Backed,175 Black-headed,150 Common gulls,s and 4 Herring Gull.