Tuesday 17 December – “Between the Lakes Walk”

 We were lucky to enjoy a fine bright morning for our walk from Heron’s Green at CVL over Breach Hill past Ubley Hatchery and back along the lanes to CVL, a total distance of nearly five miles. The views over Blagdon Lake were lovely and the mixed habitats of water, fields and woods made for a good range of birds. All the usual ducks, swans, Coots, herons and Little Egrets were at Heron’s Green. As we climbed the hills the hedges and fields held Woodpigeons, Crows, Blue Tits, Chaffinches, Robins and, at the farms, Pied Wagtails and Sparrows. We saw one Sparrow taking a long piece of grass into a hole in the wall – a bit early for nesting? We heard a Raven croaking and saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker fly to a tree. There were a few Redwings and Fieldfares about and at one wooded stop we had Treecreeper and two Goldcrests along with Long-tailed Tits. At Ubley Hatchery there was another Treecreeper and a Coal Tit with good views of two more Goldcrests. Along the stream we noted Goldfinch, Siskin and a Grey wagtail. On the return route we saw another Great Spotted Woodpecker, Bullfinch, Common Buzzard and a field of Common Gulls. Back at CVL there were two female Goosanders. The walk produced a total of 43 species seen by 28 walkers. It was an excellent morning with good conditions underfoot and the country lanes were quiet.