Newton St Loe patch news, plus.

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.

Birds of prey as well 5+ Buzzard were seen in the clear blue skies, never seen one with such ragged wing and tail feathers!

The biggest surprise of the day was this Red Kite, terrible picture I know but this bird has been seen before in fact in March! 

Two yellow wing tags identify it and if correct this bird was ringed in Spain between 2005-16.

Have emailed ring details will update.

This bird continued to hunt and cruise the hillside, looking like it was at home?

Quick as a flash, a Sparrowhawk whizzed through my 3 for the day, all Male.

Watched the Kite for some time and it landed in trees, maybe home? Going back tomorrow to check, I'll let you know

A few of the beautiful Buteo's I saw.

The 10-mile walk produced 45 species,934 birds in total..

7 Roe Deer, 

1 Rabbit, 

2 Migrant Dragonflies 

no butterflies

25 Pheasant it seems the Duchy estate is getting ready for a shoot, such a good-looking bird and such a shame they are released and then shot.

Wayne Year Bird List: 210
Lauren Year Bird List: 203

Patch Total Stands At 80

Thanks For Looking! 

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May- June 2020

Date: 
May- June 2020

Location:
Lockdown to short distances

Species Highlights: 

Butterflies, Collared Pratincole, Bittern, Spotted Flycatcher, Honey Buzzard, Red-footed Falcon

Observation: 

It's amazing how far behind we've got with Blog, been snapping so many things and what with Butterfly season and Mothing it all taken over!
But I'll start with some garden macro and this.

Blue Mason Bee in my Bee hotel.

Not just Bee's have been moving in a Zebra Spiders too, a pair has moved into the lower ground apartment!

A no-drive Lockdown walk to Lansdown, just a couple of miles away from Home and some decent birds were seen, Linnet

With Lesser Whitethroat, Wheatear, and even a number of Garden Warbler.

I mentioned the Moth'ing it very addictive and it giving me plenty to photograph the moths, well some are real poser! 

Muslin Moth

Macro work in itself is great, you really get to see many unseen features, Wasp.

Still getting around the patch, but major works on the top lake have stopped most birds breeding this year, its even affected the Dragonflies, these taken and top little ponds, Large Red Damselflies

Really liked this shot, the plant has many names including Geranium robertianum, Herb-Robert, Red Robin, Storksbill, Fox geranium, Stinking Bob, Squinter-pip , Crow's foot, or Roberts geranium but the name I like for this beautiful little flower is Death comes quickly.

The patch is looking great even if the birdlife is a bit scarce.

 On 07/05/2020 I decided on a change of walk and walked down past Pheasantre wood and look what I found a Spotted Flycatcher, it seemed to be around a hole in tree so would keep an eye on him.

Butterflies starting to emerge and Common Blue on Sunnybank despite them cutting the plant life back to within a 00.5 of its life!

My crawling around on Sunnybank was rewarded with a Tick!

So tiny but the macro lens making them look as scary as they are!!

The Moth Trap filling up with Cockchafers, when they pose like this you gotta love them

The Day lockdown ended and everyone was allowed to travel I made the most of it and a trip to Bentley woods for the Pearl Bordered Fritillary, it showed very well, temperature was cold and I was surprised how many I saw.

From here I travelled to Fovant Badges a new spot but a great spot, again weather was cold, cloudy and very windy but the Duke of Burgundy gave me great views.

On a roll, Cotley Hill on way Home and this my favorite hill racking up a few more species including Marsh Fritillary.

Butterfly season well underway and next day Axebridge hill, Cheddar for Small Pearls and Green Hairstreak.

Back to birding a trip to the Somerset Level
the always present Marsh Harrier.

Then like buses two Bittern scrambling for position! it was a bit misty.

Back into the garden so much to see, this cracking Ruby-tailed Wasp.

An unexpected twitch, while out butterflying I looked at my phone and noticed 50 unread WhatsApp messages!! Collared Pratincole at Pilling Wetlands, quick dash home to get Lauren a lifer for Lauren!

More garden critters and another Jumping spider this one is Pseudeuophrys Lanigera.

Another Patch walk and  Butterfly alley has been cut down but this Blackcap didn't seem to mind.

The Spotted Flycatcher has a family 2/3 birds seen positive all darting around the small woodland. A totally different nest site for them, not seen any around lakes this year but with disturbance its no surprise.

A trip for Silver Studded Blue, in Dorset and Yellowhammer, singing away, I'll do a Butterfly Blog with all the ones I've managed this year, a surprising year!

From here it would be rude not pop into Portland and were glad we did, a UK life tick for us both a Honey Buzzard high over the Bill.

Even made a mention on Rare bird alert!

Back home a  Greater Spotted Woodpecker has been visiting every 20 mins a fine looking chap.

Little Owl very close to Home, not a Newton St Loe bird, but close.

More macro and a beautiful Elephant Hawk Moth, one of Uk most colorful.

Even flies look great under the Macro lens.

A couple of weeks past and Radipole lakes for a Norfolk Hawker in Dorset 3/4 spotted here, a species normally only seen in Norfolk, on the move?

Radipole still and the lovely Mute Swan family.

Gotta be one of the strangest moth the Buff Tip, at first thought kids had been chucking ammo at trap but no a true beauty.

I was back at work now, a few hours sleep after a strange weekend back and Sunday Morning this Red-footed Falcon was down near Minehead, we couldn't miss this cracker.

It gave us amazing views zipping past and at times just feet above our heads.

A UK lifer for us both.

In the Garden we've got a couple of cheap webcams a look Hedgehog, not one or Two but Three seen, with mating behavior seen.

A rare sunny afternoon and arrival of Greenfinch with youngsters in tow.

Bullfinch making regular visits too.

Very Smart birds.

Another Patch Walk a Swifts over Top Lake open briefly, before it shut again for tree felling!!

Good Numbers of Whitethroat around the patch this year with at least 5 pairs scattered around.

 So that was May and June plenty to see eh! 

Join us again soon for the rest of the Summer months and eventually, it'll be up to date, I'll add a Butterfly Link and Moth links to the righthand side when I've caught up.

Thanks For Looking! 

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  Thanks For All Your Support!

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