Newton-St-Loe Birding

1 November 2019

Whooper Good Week

Date:
28th - 31st October

Location:
Westhay, Lords Wood, Stourhead, Newton St Loe.

Weather:
Mostly Grey, Drizzle

Species Highlights:
WHOOPER SWAN (on Patch), Bearded Reedling

Observation:

With a few Bearded Reedlings showing on Twitter, thought it was time to try again, my failed trip a couple of weeks ago, after a hour or so waiting a single male showed nicely on the boardwalk.

Always aiming for them to be on reeds rather than boardwalk but alas he popped up and disappeared in to the reeds not to be seen again.

Walked around Reserve stopping at the North Hide, 5 Great White Egret were to the left of hide including this bird, ringed in Somerset, May 2016.

Grey skies and no light but this Marsh Harrier came fairly close to hide.

While watching I spotted a Bittern distantly out in front, always a treat.

Leaving the reserve I drove around the back along North chine Drove, a group of 5 Cattle Egrets we amongst the cow, as they do.

Nothing happening at Chew Valley lake on way home but stopped in Lords Wood for some mushroom foraging.

Amethyst Deceiver

A few macro shots but not many mushrooms or fungus about.

Puffball

Shaggy Inkcap

The reason I dropped in was the Magpie Inkcap a new fungi for my list.

Wednesday popped over to Stourhead parked in King Alfred's car park and wandered down to Stourhead following footpath you can get in for free but a 6 mile walk is required.

Think I may have missed the best of it, and it was full of kids, half term.

Still a lovely afternoon was had, blue skies would have been better but you cant have it all.

A walk back to van, no shrooms to snap.

Thursday and as normal patch walk, grey skies and drizzle and not mush to see until church where 2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker were drumming.

A very empty Bottom Lake apart from the Kingfisher.
On approaching the Top Lake I spotted a 3rd adult swan weird, I thought then seeing the yellow bill, couldn't believe it!

It then left the far bank and swam across lake. It was a Whooper Swan all the way from Iceland and above.

The male Mute didn't seem bothered by it either.

I took quite a few photos after sending the news out to other patch birders.

No rings on bird

This bird take our patch ticks to 103 birds.

2 Cormorants, Kingfisher, 6 Mute Swans, Coot, Moorhen plus 9 Grey Herons around lake and 15 or so Mallard were also present.

25+ Fieldfare and 40+ Redwing were over looking the lake we others around the grounds.

But the star was the Whooper Swan and with 5 other birders watching the Swan was a great day that couldn't get much better, you'd think!

Walked up and around top woodland stopping at the Keep and heard 2 Great White Egret flying over! Two ticks in the same day amazing!!

They didn't land but it all counts.

Our Patch count now stands at 104 Species, who would have thought it, and I wonder what the next tick will be??

Wayne Year Bird List: 198
Lauren Year Bird List: 185

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26 October 2019

Snow Bunting to Cirl Bunting

Date:
19th-24th October

Location:
Sandbay, Lyme Regis, Broadsands, Berry Head, Blorenge, Newton St Loe

Weather:
Overcast cloudy some sunshine.

Species Highlights:
Cirl bunting, Eider, Gannet,Snow Bunting.

Observation:

Me at work but Lauren always staring out our window to catch that Collared Dove again on our still present Scaffolding.

Goldfinches, Great, Coal, Long Tailed and this beautiful Blue Tit present every day.

Sunday morning a Pallas Leaf Warbler and Yellow-browed had been at Sandbay but not by us, we looked for over a hour with Goldcrests and tit flock only birds of note. So Monday morning and still trying for that 200 we headed down to Dorset, Devon. First off was Lyme Regis and this long staying Eider, almost in full plumage, happily floating around the harbour.

Next was Broadsands our go-to spot for Cirl Bunting, it seems the old beach huts have been removed but after searching along the hedge row I came across just two birds, just visible by standing on rubbish bin!

The Steam train "Lydham Manor" puffed it way over the viaduct making a grand sight.
Great Western Railway 7800 Class No. 7827 Lydham Manor is a preserved British steam locomotive. It is currently owned by and based on the Dartmouth Steam Railway. The locomotive was built in December 1950. wiki

Another drive, next to Brixham Breakwater because you never know! In fact most photos were taking here with 4 Grey Seal playing at very close range.

The star of the Breakwater was this little Turnstone coming so close i had to run just to get a picture of him, full frame no crop.

10 or so birds were along the breakwater.

Purple Sandpipers were also feeding along the rocks but a bit more tricky as constantly moving from the incoming tide.

A short drive to Berry head didn't produce anything to add, we walked down to quarry but could only add Gannets to our day list.
Next off a mistake we drove past Bowling Green Marshes this morning thinking the tide would be better on return but as usual tide times are so confusing and we got there at very low tide, missing the Long Billed Dowitcher everything else was too far out to even ID. The Long Billed Dowitcher was spotted this morning, should have dropped in. Arrgg. A nice male Shoveler was the only consolation.