Diary - Blagdon Lake Birds

Recent Site Updates:

I’ve added a Nathusius’ Pipistrelle page, linked from the Wildlife > Mammals pages. Whilst it includes general information about the species, I’m currently adding records of those Nathusius’ we’ve caught locally since we started in 2011. I’m sharing ring details in the public domain, for future reference, and have annotated captures of special significance. I’m including the Bat Diary I wrote between 2014-2019 while we took part in the build up to, and running of, the BCT National Nathusius’ Pipistrelle Project as well.
I’ve completed revising the Birds List in line with the latest update to the BOU British List, which reflects the new AviList v2025 of birds of the world.
I’m gradually getting on with re-installing photographs into the diary since the new website came into being, and have completed the years back to October 2015 so far.

Last update: 23rd February 2026

Diary: Click on the Main Menu to bring up this page, which will show news and sightings for the current month below. To see archived news, click on the year from the Main Menu Diary drop down to access news month by month. News is archived back to 2011 currently. I hope it provides a valuable resource to those of you interested in the birds and wildlife of the lake. Have fun exploring, there are nearly 500 pages and over 2000 photos.

March 2026

Brown Hares, undisclosed site © Nigel Milbourne 2026

Friday 6th March [Dry & overcast with a cold N to NE breeze]

I spent the afternoon at the lake and birded on foot from the Lodge to Top End gate and back. I heard two singing Chiffchaffs again, although there were at least six more at Bell’s Bush that I assume were the wintering birds. There may have been a single Siberian Chiffchaff too, but it was difficult to get definitive plumage details as it was feeding high on the opposite side of a tall bush. On the way along the road I was pleased to see the drake RING-NECKED DUCK back in one of its usual wintering spots at the lake. I counted 53 Canada Geese and a single Canada x Greylag hybrid. At Top End two Snipe flew up as I passed by, and while I was in the hide I counted at least 75 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the water, although there were more steadily coming in – I guess migration is underway, and these birds were dropping in on their way north. Day list 44 spp.

Wednesday 4th March [Sunny but there was a cool breeze blowing over the lake from the south east]

My lunchtime visit didn’t see me turn up anything unexpected, although I did hear my first two newly-arrived Chiffchaffs singing. With the sun shining, it was quite noticeable how many of the open Lesser Celandine flowers had hoverflies or bees visiting them, a sure sign things are warming up. I didn’t see any butterflies on the wing though. 35 spp.

Tuesday 3rd March [Mainly sunny & warm]

I walked from home to Bell’s Bush and back, birding along the way, this afternoon. I wanted to see if there were any migrants around and have another look at the Chiffchaffs. The bank anglers were out, mainly on the north shore with the north-east breeze blowing, and catching lots of good fish according to Jeff and Malcolm. I didn’t find any new migrants, but saw at least two Common Chiffchaffs, and at least two of the three SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFFS that have been present for the last few weeks. The small groups of Tufted Duck were noted from the dam and up to Top End, and the four (one drake) Goldeneye had become five today with the addition of another drake. Five ‘cronking’ Ravens were a welcome addition to the day list. 42 spp.

Monday 2nd March [A mild, sunny, Spring-like day.]

Today’s visit was notable by the almost complete lack of water birds on the lake. I saw the Common Sandpiper, four Goldeneye, a few Tufted Ducks, Mallard and Coots, a handful of Great Crested and two Little Grebes, plus a few gulls. There were two Egyptian Geese, some Canada Geese and Mute Swans on the lakeside fields. I heard a Cetti’s Warbler singing, and saw one of the Stonechats, but didn’t stop to look for the Chiffchaffs. I should have time for a good look around tomorrow, and have a chat to some of the regular anglers I know. 37 spp.

Tomorrow, is season ticket holders day for bank anglers at Chew and Blagdon, before bank angling commences in earnest on 5th March. Boat angling will commence on 12th March at Blagdon.

February 2026

Saturday 28th February [Mild and sunny]

This morning I met up with Mark H., Ken A., and some members of Avon Bat Group to check and clean the bat boxes ahead of the new season. We found a few Soprano Pipistrelles and a couple of Natterer’s Bats. I kept an eye out for migrant birds but didn’t see any while we were there.

Friday 27th February [A mixed bag of a day]

I popped down to the lake during the afternoon to fill the feeder and have a quick look around. I didn’t see too much of interest except for two of the Canada x Greylag Geese – I wondered where the third had gone but I couldn’t see it. 26 spp.

Canada x Greylag Goose hybrid © Nigel Milbourne 2026

Thursday 26th February [Overcast with rain eventually coming in late afternoon]

I met up with fellow birders Mark P., Sid M., Andy M., Brian L., and Alan B. this morning at Herriott’s, Chew Valley Lake, where among the first birds I saw were two Sand Martins, two Marsh Harriers, and a 2nd-winter Mediterranean Gull. We had a look around for a while before succumbing to the call of some New Manor Farm tea and cake. We spent far too long reminiscing about the many escapades we’ve shared and experienced in many parts of the world. Eventually, the guys decided it was time to go for some lunch, at which point I excused myself so that I could go home, via the lake, in order to get to my assignation with the gym. It was only a drive through, stopping at various points, but I didn’t see anything worthy of sharing, I’m sorry to say. 25 spp.

Wednesday 25th February [Mild & mainly overcast]

I called in to the lake on the way home from Chew Magna this morning, and had a slow drive through birding as I went. I noted a Great White Egret, the Common Sandpiper, three Greylag x Canada Goose hybrids (that have been reported in several places around the area), and as I left at the Lodge gate, a Brimstone Butterfly. 30 spp.

Monday 23rd February [Dry for the count but drizzle spread in as we left]

Phil D., Dave P. and I did the WeBS count this morning from 0950-1308 hrs. The lake is still full and going down the Spillway. As I’ve been reporting, there isn’t a great deal on the lake, although we did have large numbers of Common Gulls dropping in and leaving all the while, among which we found three adult Mediterranean Gulls. Also, of note, we saw two Red Kites, two small groups of Siskin, four Common Chiffchaffs, and heard a Blackcap singing. The count was as follows: Canada Goose 50, Mute Swan 14, Shoveler 15, Mallard 62, Teal 10+ (a likely undercount), Pochard 1, Tufted Duck 143, Goldeneye 9 (3 drakes), Moorhen 2, Coot 163, Little Grebe 2, Great Crested Grebe 7, Snipe 45+, Common Sandpiper 1, Mediterranean Gull 3, Common Gull 400+, Cormorant 15, Great White Egret 1, Grey Heron 1, Sparrowhawk 1, Red Kite 2, Buzzard 4, and Grey Wagtail 3. Day list 52 spp.

Sunday 22nd February [Mild with sunny spells]

I was down at the dam last night for an easy run back and forth and along Park Lane, during which I picked up six Toads migrating to the lake, and released them through the hedge to make their way to the water. Quite a few, sadly, had already been run over though. When I first arrived, there were three people on ‘Toad Patrol’ but they left before I’d completed my run – whoever you are, well done and thank you for your efforts. While running, I heard a Tawny Owl calling.

This afternoon, I took a walk from the house to the Hatchery and back, birding as I went. I met Chris P. at Top End hide, so we walked together back to the dam. It was quite a nice afternoon, and the birding was easier than it has been throughout the previous month in the wind and rain. I logged 53 spp, among which were 15 Mute Swans, two Egyptian Geese, seven Shoveler, two Gadwall, one Pochard, three Goldeneye drakes, two Great Crested Grebes, a Common Sndapiper, a Grey Heron, a Sparrowhawk, a Red Kite, four Buzzards, two Cetti’s Warblers, five Common Chiffcaffs, one SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF, one singing Blackcap, a Treecreeper, three Stonechats, three Siskins, and a Reed Bunting. As I left, I met Martin K. fresh back from a few weeks in New Zealand where he managed to add a few to his world list, as well as in Singapore on the way over. It felt like Spring was just around the corner. 53 spp.

Wednesday 18th February [Gloomy with drizzle & rain in the afternoon]

This morning my visit was thwarted somewhat by the Ubley entrance being blocked for ~~tree work (I think)~~ repairs to holes in the road. I drove back to Blagdon and put the cleaned and disinfected bird feeder back up, which was immediately surrounded by birds after a cold night. I moved on past the hedge-layers who were continuing with the work along the south side of the lake at Holt Bay, and went to Top End hide. There was no sign of the Ring-necked Duck which, it later transpired, had gone back to Chew again. I counted 84 Canada Geese, plus the same 16 Mute Swans and five Goldeneye I saw yesterday. With Ubley gate still blocked, I had to drive the long way back to Blagdon to go and pick Ce up from Compton Martin. On the way home, I saw a Red Kite over Ubley. 27 spp.

Tuesday 17th February [Mainly sunny & dry but noticeably colder]

I had half an hour or so at the lake this afternoon and connected with three new species for the year, the drake RING-NECKED DUCK (thanks for the tip-off Nick P.), a Reed Bunting, and a Kingfisher that flew from Cheddar Water over the dam towards the Pumping Station. I counted 16 Mute Swans, two Egyptian Geese, five Goldeneye, three Great Crested Grebes, the Common Sandpiper, a Great White Egret, and four Stonechats. 37 spp.

Monday 16th February [Bright & sunny with a few wintery showers in the afternoon]

I spent an hour at the lake late afternoon for a quick look around, and to collect the bird feeder in order to clean and disinfect it overnight. There wasn’t a great deal to see out on the water – three small groups of Tufted Duck and a few Coots. The Mute Swan herd on the fields was up to 16, and the Canada Goose flock was also on surrounding fields. At Bell’s Bush I saw five Common Chiffchaffs from the car, a Great White Egret and a flock of at least 150 Woodpigeons that were coming in to roost. 26 spp.

Saturday 14th February [Cold, sunny & still early morning. A lovely afternoon clouding over late on.]

I was up early this morning and, finally, I connected with a Dipper at Blagdon – whoop, whoop! It was such a beautiful morning that I decided to try for the Marsh Tit seen by Skip on Thursday along Butcombe Bank, but I didn’t get a sniff of that. However, it was great to hear some birds singing, and I also saw the Common Sandpiper on the dam before leaving. 28 spp.

Friday 13th February [Pleasant early doors but blustery conditions brought rain later]

Mark H. texted me this morning to say he was watching a Dipper! The best of the weather coincided with a trip to the physio after pulling a hamstring, and I didn’t fancy a gentle walk in the rain afterward. Hopefully I’ll have a chance to try and see the Dipper, if it sticks, and Marsh Tit tomorrow.

Thursday 12th February [Windy & mild]

I had a two hour walk birding my way from the Lodge to Top End gate and back this afternoon. It’s still pretty quiet with nine Mute Swans on the farm fields, three each of Shoveler and Goldeneye, and just one each of Great White Egret and Stonechat. The Chiffchaffs were on the leeward side of the copse at Bell’s Bush today, where I saw at least six Common Chiffs and one SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF during a short stop to watch them feeding. At Top End gate I heard a Blackcap and Nuthatch singing, before turning back for the Lodge. 39 spp.

Skip H. did his Winter Bird Survey this morning, part of which is along Butcombe shore, and he texted me afterward to tell me he saw a Marsh Tit – something of a rarity at the lake in recent years. Richard M. reported six Chiffs and two SIBERIAN CHIFFS today.

Monday 9th February [Mainly dry & mild]

My old mate Sid came over today because he wanted to see the SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFFS that have been at the lake. We went down late in the morning and met Rich M. who was just leaving, having been watching the three that were present. We spent a couple of hours watching them, alongside the accompanying Common Chiffchaffs, three or four Goldcrests, and a few Long-tailed Tits that were also working the bushes. Although I took my camera, I didn’t spend any time seriously trying to capture more images in the poor light, having already taken several hundred of the birds since 10th January. The Common Sandpiper was on the dam despite the waves breaking up the wall. 35 spp.

Sunday 8th February [Mainly dry & mild]

Chris P. kindly picked me up this morning for a trip over to Cheddar Reservoir where we hoped to get a look at the Red-necked Grebe, but it wasn’t to be – it seems to have moved on. We saw two Black-necked Grebes and three Scaup while we were there though.

With a degree of hope, and a little tingle of excitement, we came back over the hill to check Blagdon, but there was no sign of the missing grebe there either – we counted five Great Crested and one Little. Most of the Pochard have moved on, and we saw just a single pair of Goldeneye, some Tufteds, a pair of Shoveler, and some Teal, Coots and Mallard. There were eight Mute Swans and the small flock of Canada Geese on the farm fields, and we saw two SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFFS, a handful of Common Chiffs, heard a singing Cetti’s Warbler, and noted two Great White Egrets, a Lapwing and the regular Common Sandpiper, in a list of 41 spp.

Saturday 7th February [Showers & milder than of late]

I didn’t visit the lake today but learned later that Brian T. came over with his camera to photograph SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF(S). He certainly saw one, but I don’t know what else he saw. I’ll be there tomorrow, weather permitting.

Friday 6th February [Heavy showers & very wet]

During a couple of hours by the lake this afternoon, I heard two, possibly three, Blackcaps singing from the Top End gate – no doubt the wintering birds that have been enjoying the mistletoe berries at the Hatchery. There was little change on the water, apart from my seeing four Shoveler that I didn’t yesterday. The Mute Swan count was twelve today, although the seven I saw yesterday were still feeding in the field, and the Great White Egret was at Long Bay when I came back through on the way home. 38 spp. The hedge laying is coming on apace, and it was good to see a row of new hedging planted beside the laid hedges, including some standard trees at intervals. I’ve been pondering on the lack of waterfowl, and wonder if it is down to a lack of available food after the very low water conditions last summer. There will have been a major impact on damselfy and chironomid midge larvae which will have been hammered by dabbling duck as the water level dropped, and the ferocious onslaught of Cormorants in the autumn will have depleted the fish stock dramatically, as evidenced by the almost complete lack of piscivorous species such as Great Crested Grebe and Goosander since then.

Thursday 5th February [Gloomy & wet for much of the day]

I had a drive around at lunchtime, and spent some time in the Top End hide, but there was very little to see. The flock of Pochard numbered around 150, and a Great White Egret was stalking the lakeside meadows. At Long Bay, I saw a very pale Buzzard with another darker individual, so one to be aware of when you visit. Seven Mute Swans were out on the meadow next to Park Batch. As it was raining steadily, I decided not to spend any time looking for the Chiffchaffs, but one was reportedly present this afternoon. 28 spp.

Wednesday 4th February [Blustery, but dry & sunny.]

I had a text from Rich M. again today, telling me he’d been back to the lake again this morning and seen three SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFFS and five Common Chiffchaffs in the Bell’s Bush area. I had a morning appointment, from which I went to Cheddar Reservoir to see the Red-necked Grebe, and also caught up with a Black-necked Grebe while I was there. It was really blowing a gale across the water, so I abandoned any thoughts of trying to get some photographs. I hope to get a few minutes at Blagdon after a meeting with Bristol Water mid-afternoon – I did, but only really had time to refill the bird feeder and scan the dam end, which was very sparsely populated with waterfowl to say the least.

Tuesday 3rd February [Wet & misty]

I didn’t get to the lake today, but had occasion to drive past Heron’s Green at Chew, where I saw the drake Ring-necked Duck just off the causeway wall at around 1230 hrs.

Monday 2nd February

I had a message from Rich M., who visited with Andy D., to tell me they’d seen both of the SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFFS today at Bell’s Bush barrier, which is where we’d seen them originally. They also recorded a singing Cetti’s Warbler. There was no sign of the Ring-necked Duck at Blagdon today, it was back at Heron’s Green, Chew Valley Lake. I’m home from Scotland today, so hope it pops back to the lake for my year list, before it leaves for the summer.

Sunday 1st February

Nick P. reported that the drake RING-NECKED DUCK was back at Blagdon again today (apparently, there was no sign of a RND at CVL), and showing in the central basin between Wood Bay and Rugmoor Point, east of Rainbow Point, and while he was there he listed, among others, 308 Pochard, 100 Redwing, 45 Fieldfare and a Great White Egret. Thanks Nick.