February 2025 - Blagdon Lake Birds

Friday 28th February [Light frost overnight, then warm & sunny.]

I birded my way from Lodge Copse to Top End and back over lunchtime. The Siberian Chiffchaff was still present and feeding with Common Chiffchaffs, and I counted at least 16 Great Black-backed Gulls on the lake, as well as four Great White Egrets. I couldn’t see any Gadwall, Shoveler or Wigeon, which I think moved on after the downpour on Wednesday night. Nevertheless, I notched up 40 spp.

Tomorrow, Bristol Water have invited me to join them for a talk on Beavers, so that we are better prepared to look out for signs of their presence on the lakes I already know of two sightings at Chew Valley Lake, which isn’t surprising as they’re fairly well established in the Bristol Avon catchment. Hopefully we might see them at Blagdon in the not too distant future, although that might have to be the result of an introduction rather than them spreading naturally.

Thursday 27th February [Bright & sunny turning cloudy at lunchtime.]

I went out and about with my camera this morning before going to the lake. I caught this picture of a couple of Brown Hares just as they finished a bout of boxing, so Spring must be upon us:

Brown Hares facing off © Nigel Milbourne 2025

Then, I had a look around at the lake. I didn’t see the Common Sandpiper, Ring-necked Duck or any Sand Martins, but I did see 4 Great White Egrets, 3 Chiffchaffs and the Siberian Chiffchaff again. 38 spp.

Siberian Chiffchaff, Flower Corner © Nigel Milbourne 2025

Wednesday 26th February [Heavy overnight rain, turned into a sunny, but cool, afternoon.]

It was very wet and muddy around the lake this afternoon, and I chose to bird from the car to start with. The Common Sandpiper was on the dam and there was little else of note, so I went back to where I thought I may have seen a Siberian Chiffchaff yesterday. Sure enough I spotted the same very pale grey bird again and there is little doubt that’s what it was, so I got out my camera and got the shots below. My day list was 40 spp.

Siberian Chiffchaff, Flower Corner © Nigel Milbourne 2025

Tuesday 25th February [Mainly bright & sunny. Cooler.]

I birded from Lodge Copse to Flower Corner and back, having filled the feeder and watched it for a while. A pair of Siskins and a Jay came in to join the Blue, Great and Coal Tits, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Robins and Dunnocks (& Philip, of course). There was no sign of the Ring-necked Duck, but at Flower Corner I came across at least four Chiffchaffs feeding in a hedge with a Goldcrest. Three Great White Egrets were present too. 38 spp.

Common Chiffchaff, Flower Corner © Nigel Milbourne 2025

Monday 24th February [Very wet overnight, but it turned out nice.]

I only had time for an hour late morning, but saw the Greylag at Rainbow Point, a Water Rail at Flower Corner, four Great White Egrets, and five Great Black-backed Gulls of note. Then, as dusk fell I walked down the hill and over the dam and back. I met Christine O’C. who had her bins with her and saw three pairs of Goosanders off the dam. I pointed out the Common Sandpiper as it flew along the dam while we were chatting. 39 spp.

Adult Greylag Goose, Rainbow Point © Nigel Milbourne 2025

Sunday 23rd February [Gales & rain. Horrible out there.]

I drove down to the lake just before midday when the rain eased slightly. There’s not much to report back I’m afraid. List 28 spp. I didn’t find the drake Ring-necked Duck, but counted six Great White Egrets, and saw a female Scaup which was with the Aythya hybrid / 1-w Scaup. I want the male bird to be a Scaup, but it’s moult is exceedingly slow, almost suspended during December and January. It may have hatched quite late in the breeding season perhaps? What I find a bit puzzling is that the head moult, superficially at least, is nowhere near complete even though it is normally one of the first parts of the plumage to be moulted in the first pre-breeding moult – there are still creamy patches at the base of the bill, and today, in less than ideal conditions, the head still appeared to be brown. Also, the head shape appeared quite angular while I watched it preening. The slow, delayed, moult and a possible late hatching date might be a factor in confusion over it’s appearance and identity. Could it even be an example of the subspecies nearctica? They are generally slightly smaller than ssp. marila with a different head shape and have a different moult strategy. If it sticks around, we might get an idea, but it may depart smartly around the end of March / beginning of April now it’s in company with the female. I’ll try and get some more pictures of it alongside the female Scaup and Tufted Ducks tomorrow if I can.

Saturday 22nd February [A lovely warm & sunny day – is Spring around the corner?]

I met Mark and Ken to check, rehang, and clean some of the Blagdon Lake bat boxes late this morning. We had a great time in the warm sunshine, found quite a few Soprano Pipistrelles and, for the first time, two Noctules together in one of the boxes. While doing the bat work we heard two Cetti’s Warblers singing (one each at Pipe and Home Bays), a Water Rail squealing at Home Bay, and a Greylag with Canada Geese at Rainbow Point. Then, when we’d finished I got back in my car and had a quick look for the drake Ring-necked Duck – I didn’t find him though. There were at least six Great White Egrets at the lake today. List was 37 bird spp.

Noctule Bats, Blagdon Lake © Nigel Milbourne 2025

This is a phone picture taken to help us identify the bats without the need to handle them, thereby minimising disturbance. The bat on the left has got bird poo on it suggesting they have roosted with a bird, probably a Blue Tit. We were worried it might be a fungal infection – happily it wasn’t.

Friday 21st February [Mild. Windy. Drizzle at times.]

The drake Ring-necked duck was still in residence today, and I heard a (wintering) Chiffchaff calling but, unlike Shapwick Heath where there was a Sand Martin reported, I didn’t see or here anything new. There were eight Goldeneye at Top End, and seven Great White Egrets around the lake. I’m pleased to report that the screen that blew down next to Top End hide has been replaced this week, and an extra one put up on the right side too. This makes a stealthy approach a little less likely to spook birds close by. Day list 42 spp.

I was saddened to learn that Steve Hale passed away last night. He birded BL a bit when he lived in the area and was always happy to share his sightings. He also set up and managed the Avon Birds blog in the early years, before moving away to Norfolk. RIP Steve.

Thursday 20th February [Overcast with periods of drizzle. Warmer than of late.]

I wasn’t expecting much when I birded my way from Lodge Copse to Top End gate and back but, although not entirely unexpected, what should I spot feeding on his lonesome in Long Bay, but the drake Ring-necked Duck. The rest of my walk was pretty uneventful to honest, as the wind got up and the drizzle set in. There were at least five Great White Egrets moving around the waterside, 40+ Redwings, a few Fieldfares, and 7+ Goldeneye still at Top End. I saw my first Lesser Celandine flower of the year, and noticed that the Primroses are beginning to show themselves more widely as well, although I saw my first of the year at least a fortnight ago. Day list 43 spp.

Wednesday 19th February [Mixed weather, some drizzle.]

I spent an hour at the lake mid-afternoon. There was no sign of the Ring-necked Duck or Scaup again, but I saw a Marsh Harrier and four Great White Egrets of note in a list of 41 spp.

Great White Egret, Wood Bay © Nigel Milbourne 2025

Tuesday 18th February [A beautiful day – out of the wind]

I went walking with friends Ann and Trevor today. I didn’t get back until mid-afternoon and was at the lake from 1630-1730 hrs. There was no sign of the Ring-necked Duck again, athough I was birding mainly from my car. I didn’t see the pair of Scaup either, but I’ll have a walk tomorrow with my scope. My best sightings were 13 Lapwings on Green Lawn, and six Great White Egrets, in a list of 36 spp. The first Wheatear arrived in the area at Northwick Warth today – stand by your beds!

Monday 17th February [A chilly start with some intermittent sunshine later]

I met Phil at the dam at 0920 hrs to do the WeBS count. We started as usual along Butcome Bank, with the easterly wind blowing straight down the lake into our faces. Phil reckoned it was 1°C and it certainly felt a little fresh. We saw the Common Sandpiper below the overspill, but couldn’t locate the Ring-necked Duck at all. New in was an adult drake Scaup which was with the adult female off Rugmoor Point, and seven Great White and one Little Egret were the best of the rest. Counts were as follows: Canada Goose 61, Mute Swan 15 adults, Shoveler 32, Gadwall 8, Wigeon 5, Mallard 48, Teal 21, Pochard 22, Tufted Duck 450, Scaup 2, Aythya hybrid 1, Goldeneye 13 (6 drakes), Moorhen 19, Coot 710, Little Grebe 8, Great Crested Grebe 19, Snipe 34, Common Sandpiper 1, Black-headed Gull 20+, Common Gull 20, Herring Gull 2, Great Black-backed Gull 6, Cormorant 55, Little Egret 1, Great White Egret 7, Grey Heron 4, Sparrowhawk 1, Red Kite 1, Buzzard 3. I noted 47 spp.

Sunday 16th February [Quite a pleasant day, if a little cool in the breeze.]

My day started with an easy run across the fields and through the woods, walking up the steeper slopes to prevent hurting my dodgy achilles tendon. It went okay, although the ankle stiffened up later. After a shower it was off into Bristol to the Bristol Moth Group annual meeting at the Museum. As usual, there were some fascinating and inspiring talks. This spring we’re going to have a daytime meeting at the lake, porbably on 11th May, and may have a night moth & bat meeting, either the same weekend, or,+ a little later in the year. Details haven’t been finalised just yet though. More immediate is the monthly WeBS count tomorrow morning with Phil. I got back from Bristol a little too late to go to the lake for a look around. I’m not aware of any reports from there today.

Saturday 15th February [Near flat calm though drizzly until late afternoon]

I spent some time along the south side of the lake with my camera using the car rather than stalking on foot. The drake Ring-necked Duck was in Long Bay but, once again, there was no sign of the female Scaup. I saw six Great White Egrets, three Grey Herons and a Little Egret. Some of the Great White’s are starting to attain breeding plumage with green lores, yellow bills darkening, long whispy aigrettes, and reddish thighs. They have yet to breed at Blagdon, but I suppose they might do, if they choose to use trees rather than on the ground in marginal vegetation where they’d likely be predated or disturbed by humans. Generally, they attain breeding plumage and leave the lake, presumably to fly over the Mendips to the the Somerset Levels. Grey Herons, on the other hand, start to nest in March and breed earlier than the GWE. There are a few local, very old, heronries and I remember watching herons flying to and fro over our house in Cleeve, between Brockley and the North Somerset Levels when I were a lad in the sixties. Herons have bred at Blagdon on and off over the years – it would be good if a heronry really became established at the lake, it might just attract egrets too.

Friday 14th February [Another mainly grey day with a biting easterly breeze]

I birded on foot from Home Bay to Top End gate & back this afternoon. I saw the drake Ring-necked Duck in Long Bay, six Great White Egrets, one Little Egret, and quite a lot of large gulls, especially Lesser Black-backed, in the evening roost. There were no Goosanders at the dam end, or sightings of the female Scaup at the Top End before I left for home. Waterfowl numbers are generally falling away now, as winter visitors leave, but with warmer weather and southerly winds forecast for the end of next week, perhaps a few spring migrants might start to appear in southern England. May be some more birdsong will be in the air too. I noticed that conservation work has commenced in the recently felled areas, with a number of native trees/shrubs having already been planted in Holt Copse. I will take some fixed point photographs, for as long as I’m able, so we can see how things develop over the coming years. My day list was just 39 spp.

Wednesday 12th February [Overcast]

I had time for an hour at the lake over lunchtime today and saw the drake Ring-necked Duck back in Long Bay, but there was no sign of the female Scaup at Top End, although the water was fairly coloured after recent rain, so she may have moved back along the south side somewhere. The drake Aythya hybrid / Scaup was still at the dam end with Tufties, and there were nine Great White Egrets, but I didn’t see anything else worthy of comment in a list of 37 spp.

Sunday 9th February [Mainly overcast & a bit warmer]

I couldn’t face the lake yesterday, in the dismal and freezing conditions, so after breakfast with mates Mark H. and Ken A., who I met with for a catch up and to discuss bat plans for the year, I plonked myself in my armchair and watched the rugby. Feeling a bit guilty this morning, I decided I had to get back down there. I topped-up the feeder, having already been ambushed by Phil the Pheasant, and set out for Rainbow Point in my car. I received a text from Ross F. who’d seen a Marsh Harrier at Pipe Bay reeds 25 minutes earlier. There was no sign of the drake Ring-necked Duck in Long Bay or the harrier, but I came across a parked car at Rainbow Point, so drove on to catch up with the occupants and met Jean and Rodger S. They had already met someone who said the RND was near the Top End hide and they were looking for it at Flower Corner. We spotted it sitting quietly on the water in the flooded trees, but it quickly moved out of sight. We went and found the female Scaup at Top End and looked again for the RND but Rodger didn’t get the scope view he’d hoped for. I walked back to Rainbow Point with them but still no luck, so I headed back to Top End on my own and there it was asleep in full view where we’d first glimpsed it, at Flower Corner (sorry Rodge). I saw a calling Chiffchaff at Bell’s Bush barrier, nine Great White Egrets, a Little Egret, and heard a Tawny Owl call, in a list of 47 spp. before heading home to watch Scotland v Ireland in the Six Nations. After the rugby I went for a short run through the woods and back home across the fields where I saw a Barn Owl hunting near Yeo Valley HQ.

Friday 7th February [A dull day with a bitterly cold north easterly wind, and sleet later in the afternoon.]

I got down to the lake at midday and filled the feeder. I also put some food on the ground for ‘Phillip the Pheasant’ who was running around my feet! I got back in the car and loads of Coal, Blue and Great Tits flooded in to get at the sunflower hearts in the feeder, and on the ground there were lots of Chaffinches, at least six Dunnocks, and several Robins squabbling for the hearts Phil hadn’t eaten yet. Marc H. had already been at the lake since early morning, hoping to see the Grey Partridges, but sadly they didn’t put in an appearance. He also missed the drake Ring-necked Duck, as I did on the way to Top End. However, when I got there I spotted the adult female Scaup, and on the way back with a last look from the bridge, I saw the Ring-necked Duck swim into view at the mouth of the bay. I counted five Great White Egrets in a list of 39 spp. noted from my car. I also met Simon H. of BW at Holt Copse and had an interesting chat with him about his plans for the tree work. We discussed things he might do to improve the woodland for bats and birds, and how he might measure, into the future, the hoped for benefits of the work that is being carried out. There are at least a couple of notable species that I’ll be looking out for each year that may well benefit from the changes, and Simon is especially interested in seeing how the fungi flourish. So, if you think it looks like a scene of destruction now, be aware, that dead wood is being left on the ground, some trunks will be left standing and modified to provide homes for wildlife, and new native tree planting, it is hoped, should begin in the next couple of weeks, including Oak, Hazel, and Field Maple. Although, I won’t witness the improvement in the woodland structure for wildlife that is being carried out by Simon and BW now, I sincerely hope the legacy of his vision will bear fruit in 40-50 years. After all, the impoverished biodiversity of our little island needs all the help it can get. Chapeau that man!

Thursday 6th February [Bright blue sky & sunshine, with a piercing easterly wind]

I walked from home to Top End and back again today. The Ring-necked Duck was in Long Bay, but I couldn’t find the female Scaup at Top End. Perhaps, it was in the flooded trees keeping a low profile. More interestingly, l came upon a covey of at least seven Grey Partridges (a first at the lake for me – although almost certainly released locally). Three Great White and one Little Egret were stalking the lakeside margins as usual, and 17+ Snipe were visible from the Top End hide, in a day list of 52 spp. I haven’t seen the Common Sandpiper since I got back from Scotland, but it’s probably still around the Spillway, and Mark H. told me there is a Green Sandpiper at the Pumping Station, which in all probability is the same bird that spent last winter there too.

Wednesday 5th February [A lovely day]

I enjoyed a cracking walk from home to Top End gate and back birding my way as I went. It was great to hear a few birds singing, including Robin, Great Tit, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, and Chaffinch. I didn’t see the drake Ring-necked Duck on the way out, but it was in Long Bay, as usual, on the way back. Also, at Top End, the adult female Scaup was still present after all. I counted four Great White Egrets, a Little Egret, five Snipe, and the same 26 Canada Geese as yesterday, in a list of 45 spp.

Tuesday 4th February [A bit wet & windy during my afternoon visit]

It’s good to be back home although, apart from the tree work, not too much appears to have changed. I saw four Goosanders, 15 Snipe, 26 Canada Geese, and the adult drake Ring-necked Duck, and although I looked through the water fowl fairly carefully, I didn’t spot the adult female Scaup at Top End. Also noted were three Great White and one Little Egret. I only noted 38 spp.

Sunday 2nd February

News from Andy M. that the drake Ring-necked Duck is still in Long Bay today. My quest for the White-winged Scoter in the Firth of Forth continues, but with the way things are going, I’m likely to call it a day very soon. I went to Gullane Bay where the bird in Lothian was seen late morning, but nearly all the 2000+ Scoter were a long way off and in poor light there was very little chance of picking out the White-winged Scoter in the throng. There were a few Long-tailed Ducks and Red-breasted Mergansers in a bit closer, with a small group of Velvet Scoter.