Patch Walk In Drizzle

Date: 22/12/2015

Location: Newton St Loe - Patch

Weather: Grey, No Light, Drizzle

Other Species:

Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Goldfinch,

Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Black Headed Gull, Crow, Raven, Jackdaw, Rook, Magpie, Jay, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird, Meadow Pipit, Greater-Spotted Woodpecker,

Green Woodpecker, Linnet, Goldcrest, Robin, Redwing, Treecreeper, Siskin,

Goosander, Mute Swan, Grey Heron, Coot, Moorhen, Teal, Mallard, Long Tailed Tits, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Bullfinch,

Pheasant, Mistle Thrush, House Sparrow - 42 Species

Observation:

Headed out through Bath Mill with grey skies, Jackdaw first spot, unusual as normally see Jackdaws at Lakes but seem to be seeing more over Bath Mill and not as many on Lakes?

Anyway not much else through, up on to fields saw 2 Meadow Pipits briefly then 4 Linnet being blown across the landscape. Not seen Buzzard over Seven Acre for a few walks now. Down on Lower Fields by Globe Inn there were at least 300 Gulls assorted.

Out through Village drizzle now rain ! 

After Church noticed another large amount of Gulls on Newton Park drive fields counted 100 Common Gulls mixed with a few Black Headed Gulls.

On to Lower Lake and a group of 10+ Siskin and Goldcrest feeding in Alder 

terrible light and wet !

Upper Lake we had 10 Goosander now 1 ! 

Don't think he stay long as Black Headed Gulls on Lake keep pestering him :(

Teal numbers have risen to 14.

Also on banks of Lake spotted a Primrose! #Springtime

Despite the rain carried on out through college up towards Home Farm.

Across from College football pitches more large groups of Gulls 200+ again Common Gulls mixed with Lesser and Black Headed plus a few Herring Gulls.

Higher up field a group of Redwing feeding, Llight still not improved. Heading on across Conservation Path and down past Pennsylvania Farm, Bullfinch and Mistle Thrush being the last spot.

A nice but wet walk :)

Thanks For Looking :)

Newton Park Lake + Hirundinidaes

Date: 2nd August 2015 - Mid-Afternoon

Location:  Newton Park Lake - Circular (5 Miles)

Birds: 2 Buzzard, 7 Mute Swan, Crow, Jackdaw, Coot, Moorhen, 2 Grey Heron, 2 LBBG, 10+ House Sparrow, 10 Pied Wagtail (2 Broods), 50+ Barn Swallow, 5+ House Martin, Wood Pigeon, 2 Green Woodpecker, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Goldfinch  - Of Note

Butterflies + Dragonflies: Comma, Large White, Small White, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Common Darter, Migrant Hawker.

Mammal: 1 Roe Deer

Observation:  Realised haven't gone out to the Lake for around 4 weeks. Had a quick wander out through the Bath Mill (Campsite) the site is due to open 2 weeks today, so they have cracked on since our last visit and re-surfaced the road, finished planting all the flowers and laying the grass. Particularly quiet wildlife wise through the site due to ongoing work. Onto the Dog Walk a lovely 2-3 year old Male Roe Deer, bounded across in front of us. Moving around a lovely Common Darter perched on dried Cow Parsley.

Around the corner was a Holly Blue, closer than normal (normally Seven Acre Woods). At the Village, there were a surge of Barn Swallows and House Martin's flying around! Mostly this years young all waiting on wires in a line! At the Church, 2 Green Woodpeckers, were heard calling but we couldn't locate. Onto the Lake, still no Little Owls, getting concerned as haven't seen/heard since 16th April, they normally re-appear with chicks around July/August, but nothing yet, hopefully they will re-appear soon! Mute Swan and the 4 cygnets doing extremely well, and have moved to Bottom Lake, we weren't sure why!

Upon walking up to Top Lake, we counted 41 Mallard, but no doubt there were more hidden, it's safe to say the Mallard's have had a successful year this year on our patch!

2 Grey Heron (1 Juvenile) on the Shallows stalking in the mud. We walked back along the College Drive, lots of Crows and Jackdaw about in the fields. At the end of the Drive, we heard a Juvenile Buzzard calling, we couldn't locate him in the trees but Mum was soaring overhead. Back into the Village, we had another look at the House Martin's and Barn Swallows, they were all up this time, lovely to see the skies still full of Hirundinidaes. Perched on the wires we also counted 10! Pied Wagtails, looks like 2 separate broods, most we have ever seen at one time.

Weather:  Blue Sky, Sunny + Humid - 24°

Thanks For Looking !

Botanical Gardens, Bath

Date: 08/01/2015

Location: Botanical Gardens, Bath 

Observation: On way back from Dentist walked up to Botanical Gardens at Victoria
Park, Bath. A Kingfisher has been showing well recently. On entering park Grey Squirrels were everywhere with at least 15 spotted on walk round very small park, 

Wood Pigeons numerous too.

A Jay flew in to nearby trees and 3 Bullfinch - 2 female + 1 male was spotted. No sign of Kingfisher at park walked round 3 times. Headed down to other pond 20+ Mallards, 20 Black Headed and more Squirrels.

Pigeon @ Botanical

Magpie Strutting

 Theres a Great Reflection on Duck Pond 

Left Victoria Park headed home along River Avon by old gas board bridge I had seen a Kingfisher here once before, sure enough Kingfisher resting on perch 2 dives underwater and off, didn't catch nothing.

Weather: Blue Skies - With some cloud

Other Species: Goldcrest, Moorhen, Coot, Jay, Crow, Raven, Mute Swan, Mallard, Black Headed Gull, Kingfisher, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit,Bullfinch, Magpie.

Thanks For Looking !

My Patch

Date: 04/08/2014
Location: Zone 1-4+5 Newton St Loe 
Observation: Not been on patch for a while, slightly distracted by Butterflies! So headed out through campsite, not much about until seven acre wood, a Buzzard mewing from tree took off in a circle around me and landed hidden in tree! Carried on to village a few Barn Swallow only around 15 though so carried onto lake a Goldcrest by weir and a few dragonflies about ,which were not stopping for a photoshoot ;(. Seen a Jackdaw thought it was dead but lead wings out in the sun ,think anting,it got up with a shake and flew off. Seen 2 Little Owls also female Kestrel on way back.
Weather: Warm, Cloudy, Rain Alarms but none
Other Species: 3 Buzzard (one Very pale phase), Kestrel, 2 Little Owl, Goldcrest, 3 Mute Swan + 3 Cygnets, Coal Tit, Cormorant, 2 Kingfisher flypasts, House Sparrow, 20 Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Robin, Blackbird, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull.

 Its a good job there aren't any more cows, don't think they'd fit in the shadow !!

Different Tactics

Date: 31/07/2014
Location: River Avon & Bannerdown
Observation: Went for a paddle in canoe started at Batheaston and headed up to Limply Stoke. A very quite stretch of river no boats at all! We saw at least 8 Kingfishers, Hundreds of Demoiselles and Dragonflies, Grey Herons at very close range seem to be able to sneak up pretty close only had iPhone camera maybe that's why !? Also at the viaduct bridge at Dundas (Kennet & Avon Canal) saw an amazing bit of predation, a Lesser Black Backed Gull spotted 3 Moorhen chicks swooped in took one looped around,GULP! picked other up GULP! swooped around again only to take all 3 chicks 30ft in front of boat! Gull then sat on bridge in front of us and with 3rd chick still in mouth sat admiring the view of the adult Moorhens looking for any survivors, there were none !
2nd Day went to Bannerdown parked at top to look for Purple Hairstreaks weather was cloudy. Spotted only about 11 butterflies in whole walk! No Purple-hairstreaks !! :( but just as I was getting back to van a nice Yellowhammer appeared took a couple of shots and was gone.
Weather: Blue Sky, Warm, Sunny
Other Species: Kingfisher, Cormorant, Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Moorhen, Coot, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Buzzards, Crow, Grey Heron, Yellowhammer.

Dundas Aqueduct

                                                

                                                     Amazon no River Avon !

View from Midford Brook towards Conkwell

 Purple Loosestrife

Yellowhammer @ Bannerdown

Green Woodpecker - Picus viridis

Date: 11th July - 6PM

Location:  Newton Park Lake - Zones 1,2+5

Observation:  We decided to go for a quick walk out the lanes after dinner, first we seen 1 Bat (not sure what type) hunting and catching flies, before flying off into the trees. Onto the dog walk in the campsite there were 2 juvenile Green Woodpeckers and 1 female Blackcap, all of which we got fairly close to without disturbing them! At Seven Acre, there was a small group/family of Kestrels hunting together and diving down into the corn field, nothing was successful caught whilst we were there, before they all flew into the trees as a fly-over Sparrowhawk passed by with a catch (possibly Blue/Great Tit). In NSL Village there was a dead Sparrowhawk, with no obvious injury's, possibly hit and moved out of road by passer-by. Nothing more to note at lake apart from the 1 Little Owl hunting down opposite end to normal (due to loud sheep) and 2 VERY loud Grey Heron squawking away! On the return journey, was much of the same, with 4 Kestrels in the village sat high in trees possibly the same as earlier and just resting. A very nice walk with some nice pictures, so very successful! First time in a good while that not 1 Buzzard was heard or seen though!

Weather:  Some Cloud, Sunset, Warm

Other Species: 4 Kestrel, 4 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk (one also unfortunately found dead), 50+ Swallow, 10+ House Martin, 4 Mute Swan, 2 Grey Heron, 5+ Song Thrush, 1 Blackcap, 1 Little Owl, 2 Jay, Wren, Dunnock, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Crow, Jackdaw

Grey Wagtail, Kestrel + Heron's

Date: 25th March - Afternoon

Location:  Newton Park Lake - Zones 1,2,4+5

Observation:  Went for a quick walk before the rain set in, very deserted walk with only the usual suspects around. Highlights were Grey Heron who was nest building, a nesting pair of Grey Wagtail, a total of 3 Kestrels, and a cute little Pheasant who thought we couldn't see him!

 Weather:  Overcast + Cold Wind

Other Species: Goldfinch, Wren, Buzzard, Kestrel, Pheasant, Cormorant, Mute Swan, Moorhen, Grey Heron, Coal Tit, Grey Wagtail

First Trip to Slimbridge of 2014!

 Date spotted: 10th March - All Day

Location: Marshfield (Shire Valley) + Slimbridge (Gloucester)

Observation: We planned a day at Slimbridge today, but decided to stop in and get some better picture and another view of the Red-Flanked Bluetail at Shire Valley, we were there from 11-11.50am, and it wasn't seen, upon talking to other birders who had been there all morning, they had all been and seen it before but it hadn't been seen at all today, so hopefully its finding its way home! Sow e moved onto Slimbridge, this must be the emptiest we've seen it of birds, in-between seasons I suppose, highlight today was the Kingfisher, but typical was hiding right behind a bramble, so no decent pictures! Quite a few more birds on the feeders around the reserve which is a bonus! Only a small amount of Bewick Swan's left on the reserve!

Weather: Broken Cloud, Sunny + Warm

Other Species: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Pheasant, Goldfinch, Kingfisher, Moorhen, Black-Headed Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Gadwall, Grey Heron, Buzzard, Kestrel, Long-Tailed Tit, Mute Swan, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Bewick Swan, Teal, Shelduck, Shoveler, Black-Tailed Godwit

 

Goldeneye + Greater Black-Backed Gull

Date spotted: 29th Jan - 2PM

Location: Chew Valley Lake - Herriotts Pool - Heron's Bay

Observation: Not much to report today, spent a few hours at Chew Valley Lake, highlight was probably a 1st winter Greater Black Backed Gull around at Heron's Bay with 2 Male Goldeneye otherwise just the normal suspects!

Weather: Cloudy, Some Wind, Cold

Other Species: 

Herriotts Pool - 34 Mute Swan, 4 Domestic Duck, 51 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 8 Jackdaw, 2 Canada Goose, 158 Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 62 Black-Headed Gull, 8 Lesser Black-Backed Gull, 4 Common Gull

Heron's Green Bay - 2 Mute Swan, 34 Coot, 39 Mallard, 2 Canada Goose, 2 Goldeneye, 3 Common Gull, 3 Tufted Duck, 38 Black-Headed Gull, 2 Lesser Black-Backed Gull, 1 Greater Black-Backed Gull

 

Black-Throated Diver - Gavia arctica

     
Date spotted: 17th Nov - 3PM

Location: Woodford Lodge - Chew Valley Lake

Observation: Visited Woodford Lodge in hope to see the Black-Throated Diver, proved to be very successful we got there to find it about 60 feet out amongst the fishing boats, we waited hoping for it to come closer, which luckily it did! Come within 10 feet at times, a very obliging bird!

Weather: Cloudy, Misty, Cold

Other Species: Black-Throated Diver, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Meadow Pipit, Mute Swan, Robin

 

Species Count - 29 Species

Date spotted: 1st October 2013 - 1PM

Location: Newton Park Lake - Zones 1,2+5

Weather: Cloudy, Some Haze, Warm

Other Species: 3 Greenfinch, 10 Wood Pigeon, 45 Crow, 3 Magpie, 16 Blue Tit, 6 Robin, 1 Blackbird, 3 Buzzard, 1 Mistle Thrush, 6 Jackdaw, 32 Starling, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 6 Great Tit, 6 House Sparrow, 1 Feral Pigeon, 2 Lesser Black-Backed Gull, 1 Dunnock, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 9 Long tailed Tit, 1 Moorhen, 18 Mallard, 7 Mute Swan, 1 Wren, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 1 Rook, 20+ Possible Corn Bunting (To Be Confirmed)

 

Marsh Harrier - Circus Aeruginosus

Date spotted: 8th May 2012 - 3pm

Location: Ham Wall + Shapwick Heath

Observation: Sat in the hide overlooking the two Marsh Harrier nests. Watched the Harriers for over thirty minutes hunting and feeding. Came within 150 feet of hide before flying to  Noahs Lake to feed second female in a third nest.

Weather: Light Rain, Overcast, Warm

Other Species: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Crow, Jackdaw, Blackcap, Reed Warbler, Cettis Warbler, 2X Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Grey Heron, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard and ducklings, Great Crested Grebe, Comorant and young, Mute Swan, Bittern (in flight and heard booming) , Cuckoo (possible on way down), Swift, House Swallows, Black-Headed Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Starlings.

 

Sparrowhawk - Accipiter Nisus

 

Date spotted: 2nd May 2012 - 1pm

Location: Newton Park Lake/Seven Acre Wood - Zone 1,2+5

Observation: Male 'Sparrowhawk' sat in puddle, walked towards him, he flew off and landed in nearby tree (shown in picture). 

Weather: Cloudy, Some Wind, Warm

Other Species: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, Whitethroat, Blackbird, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Sparrowhawk, Long-Tailed Tit, Buzzard, Skylark, Crow, Little Owls, Grey Heron, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Barn Swallows, Starling, Collared Dove, Pheasant.

 

Tawny Owl - Strix Aluco

Date spotted: 24th April 2012 - 1pm 
Location: Newton Park Lake - Zone 1 +2 

Observation: First time ever seeing a Tawny Owl in this area. Tawny Owl sat in low tree, flew off when I walked a little closer. Best picture I could take due to distance away.  
Weather: Cloudy, Some light Rain, 12c. 
Other Species: Magpie, Crow, Jackdaw, Buzzard, 1X Tawny Owl, Linnet, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Dunnock, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Mallard (now only 2 ducklings, were six!), Jay, Leser Black-Backed Gull, Barn Swallow, Wood Pigeon, Green Woodpecker, House Sparrow, Yellowhammer, Mistle Thrush, Wren.