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

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From Wilsons Phalarope to Great Bustard

Date: 

September- October 15th

Location:

Somerset Levels, Chew Valley Lake, Cheddar, Newton St Loe, Keyhaven Marshes, Sailsbury Plain.

Weather: 

Mixed Bag

Species Highlights: 
Grass Snake, Cattle Egret, Kingfishers, Spotted Redshank, Hobby, Lesser Yellowlegs, Hedgehog, Wilson's Phalarope, Grey Phalarope, Great Bustard, Red Kite, Hen Harrier.

Observation: 

Took a wander down to the Somerset Levels mainly to see the Spotted Crake, which had been seen from there, but the Car Park was full, so many people, I normally go and 2 or 3 cars maximum, I took the decision to avoid the Island Hide and walked around to other hides. Spotted this tiny Grass snake, must have been newly hatched5/6" inches long, and my first time of seeing a Grass snake in the UK.

Bearded Reedling, Bittern, and Great White Egrets were seen and heard as I walked around the reserve, I returned back to the Island hide where the crowds had now gone sat in the hide for an hour but no sign of the Crake.

Plenty of Common Darter along the Path back to the car park.

The following day me & Lauren visited Chew Valley Lake, from the hides we had Spotted Redshank, Lesser Yellowlegs plus other Waders and lots of Great White Egrets. Taking Lauren to her #200 bird of the Year and her first time of achieving this!

We left the hide and tried for the Cattle Egrets, it didn't take long to find them and had great views.

6 Birds fed amongst the Cattle.

Amazing to see so close and they carried on feeding while we watched.

Thursday I did my normal patch walk, 3 roe deer were wandering up the Byway from Bath Mill, I continued to walk towards them and they disappeared into the hedgerow.

Meadow Pipits and Skylark on top fields but not much else to report, until the Lake where not one Kingfisher or 2 but 3 Kingfishers, these 2 I think were Juveniles seem to be fighting and at one point disappeared into bushes with frantic calling and wing flaps.

Then the rain started, the top lake has been almost empty, with Mallard numbers very low also Herons seems very sparse this year, maybe the University works have had something to do with this? ...Well Yes !!

Cormorant braving the rain shower.

Walking back home this Kestrel was searching for food in its normal spot. 

We've had reports of 3 Barn Owls this year hunting regularly too, we popped out and saw one almost immediately a great sight, almost dark so no pictures, unfortunately.

While watching the Kestrel I saw 2 Stonechat catching flies. First of the year.

The following Monday we went to Cheddar, Red Crested Pochard, and Red Necked Grebe were seen, all a bit distant for our 400mm lens, on the way back it was Chew Valley again. Spotted Redshank

Kingfisher Landed briefly in the front hide but the pool was so low it flew off after a photo stop.

From our home feeders, Goldfinches have brought their young, and Goldfinch wars have started!

Blue tits were wondering what all the fuss was about!

Not much going on so Chew Valley again 3 Grey Plover from Stratford hide.

Was very surprised to see a very late Hobby fly past.

Was a good day even got a picture of the distant Lesser yellowlegs....just!

Still doing moth traps but weather not playing ball but still getting a few autumn/winter moths, more on a special blog soon. Our Hedgehog has returned, looking weel.

A few days previous to the 12th October a Wilson's Phalarope was found at Keyhaven Marshes so a lifer for us both we had to go for it! After a 2 hour drive our twitching limit we arrived and a short walk later it was inches in front of us.

So close, Phalaropes just don't seem to care.

Keyhaven is a great reserve and well worth a visit, Black-tailed godwit plus many other species were seen.

Almost forgot 2 Grey Phalarope also there, coming as close as they do!

Peregrine Falcon too scaring the Waders from the estuary.

Stonechat along the path back to the car park and while photographing this one a real treat popped up.

A Dartford Warbler, in perfect light and perfect pose.

at least 2 seen and could be heard calling.

Redshanks also, it was a fabulous day and one to remember.

14th October I went for a walk on Sailsbury Plain, looking for Great Bustard, I had a tip-off.

Found the Compound and was happy with my view from Byway and continued to walk up checking out the many Jackdaw, Crow & Rooks with Stonechats and Red Kite to accompany them.

Then spotted A Great Bustard stretching it'ds wings giving me great views of these massive birds.

A real treat, the light could not have been better.

Buzzard, Kestrel were common along the path.

I moved on to another spot and saw a bird that I knew wasn't a Kite or Buzzard and when I got home to edit images found it was a Hen Harrier, ring-tailed! my first since 2014 Norfolk. Purely a record shot.

While chatting to a Bee Farmer not Bee Keeper he was adamant about this! This Red Kite hovered into Sunlight but over our heads, I stopped talking and started to take photos.

He was still talking, no ideal what about as the Red Kite was a beauty!

To finish the day just got a view of a tree sparrow, saw many more but very flighty.

A bit of a jump on the birding totals my best and Laurens best-ever year.

Wayne Year Bird List: 209
Lauren Year Bird List: 203

Patch Total Stands At 80

Thanks For Looking! 

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  Thanks For All Your Support!

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