Kestrel
One day i'll get a permit to visit some of the hides at Chew Valley Lake! Without one, viewing (although quite good) is restricted to Herriott's Bridge, Herons Green Bay and the visitor centre area. The problems I find watching large lakes is the distance that the birds are away from you and large amounts of vegetation obsuring that view (my excuses!). The day started at Herriotts Bridge, where the main lake can be viewed (in a fashion) plus a quiter, smaller pool. The small pool held most of the usual wildfowl and gulls, all keen to be fed by the obliging public! Under the overhanging branches, five female Red Crested Pochards were found. The small island had a juvenile Ruff and at least seven Black Tailed Godwits. Overhead, a Raven honked its presence. The almost obscured mudflats on the main lake produced several Little Ringed Plovers, Green Sandpipers and Greenshank. The channel between the pools gave brief views of a Kingfisher.
With rain threatening, we moved on to Heron's Green Bay where the low water levels were very obvious. Here again, a small pool on one side is separated by a very fast and busy road. It was here that the rain came, necessitating shelter in the car. Very little was found other than eight Little Egrets, five Green Sandpipers and a Greenshank.
On to the visitor centre to use the facilities and a chat with the Lakeside Optics chap who tried to sell me a new tripod (mines broken). A short walk along the bank enabled a few butterflies to be photographed, but bird wise, little of note.
Speckled Wood
Small Tortoiseshell
Small Tortoiseshell
The Bee
Small Tortoiseshell
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