Saturday 16 December – Chew Valley Lake Leader: Alan Daniels

Eight members met at Herriotts Bridge on an overcast day, about 10c with a south-westerly breeze. The water was quite high with few if any waders about. 27 species were present on the pool and the lake including four Egyptian Geese, Great White Egret, a Goldeneye and an unusual Tufted Duck with a bright blue stripe across its bill. Moving on to Stratford Hide, we were greeted by a Sparrowhawk which flew over as we approached the hide. A Kingfisher flew by as we entered and we were treated to views of two Marsh Harrier, the sound of Water Rail and large rafts of waterfowl. At Moreton we picked out one female and one 1st year male Scaup amongst a raft of ducks including several Goldeneyes, along with Tufted Duck and Pochard. At Heron’s Green we saw the Egyptian Geese again. There was a Little Grebe and a Little Egret on the pool and we added Wigeon to the list on the lake. A single Common Sandpiper was working its way along the lake edge. We moved to Woodford Lodge in the hope of finding the Firecrest which had been reported, but no such luck. We did manage to find Goldcrest, Bullfinch and Treecreeper along the Recreational Trail between the Lodge and the Dam, with more Goldeneye and a large (c200) raft of Common Gulls at the Dam. . 63 species seen or heard in all. (Thanks to Alan for leading ) Alan Daniels