Tuesday 23 September – Blagdon Lake.

Little Egret (at long range)

Little Egret (at long range)

 A fine day saw 25 members meet at the Causeway to get good views of a Common Sandpiper in amongst the Gulls. A walk to the lodge saw a division of watchers, with 17 opting for the far side and eight the Lodge side, the £3.50 charge for the walk may have been a factor for those without permits. The far side was fairly quiet with Mistle Thrush and Nuthatch being viewed with the Greylag/Bar-headed hybrid Goose in with the Canada Geese and the other lake regulars. There were no Buzzards until the last five minutes of the walk when six turned up. The Lodge side had more luck with a Marsh Harrier, probably juvenile, Little Egret, Raven and Kestrel and Blackcap. Most of the small birds showed but Greenfinch and Chaffinch were conspicuous by their absence. Margaret Swatton  (Thank you Margaret for leading.)