Brown Hares, undisclosed site © Nigel Milbourne 2026
Tuesday 31st March [Warm & fairly sunny]
I was at the lake during the late afternoon with Mark H. doing some work to secure a structure we’ve built for amphibians/reptiles to use for egg laying and/or as an hibernaculum. While I was there I saw four Egyptian Geese, two Little Egrets, a Red Kite and a Peregrine, of note. There’s been no sighting of the Ring-necked Duck since Andy M. reported it on Saturday morning as far as I know.
Monday 30th March [Breezy & slightly warmer. Dry.]
I had a slow drive through at lunchtime, but I didn’t see a great deal of note, apart from two male Siskins on the feeder, three Egyptian Geese, and this released Red-legged Partridge wandering across the south side road. 33 spp.
Red-legged Partridge, Blagdon Lake © Nigel Milbourne 2026
Sunday 29th March [A cold breeze again. The weather deteriorated during the day].
Andy M. saw the drake RING-NECKED DUCK this morning, and Chris P. sent me a link to his impressive day list accrued during a walk from the Lodge to Top End and back. He noted the five Egyptian Geese, two Collared Doves (first of the year), and House Martin in a list of 48 spp.
My morning was spent over breakfast with Mark H. and Ken A., then putting up the first four of a new bat box scheme on a Somerset Wildlife Trust site.
Saturday 28th March [A cold breeze & sunshine]
After a run this morning I went out and about, starting at Blagdon. There was no sign of the Osprey I saw yesterday, but I did see five Egyptian Geese and a Great White Egret. I drove over to Heron’s Green at Chew Valley Lake just as the drake Lesser Scaup came in close enough to be photographed:
Lesser Scaup, Chew Valley Lake © Nigel Milbourne 2026
I went over to Herriott’s to see if the Osprey that had been showing at the lake today might put in an appearance over the pool, but it didn’t while I was there, unfortunately. So, I made my way back to Blagdon, where I found the drake RING-NECKED DUCK off Rainbow Point, and came across this Muntjac that I managed to get a couple of less than ideal pictures of before it walked off into the undergrowth. Back at the Lodge I spent quite a while going through the hirundines feeding over the water at dam end. I saw lots of Sand Martins, and one each of House Martin and Swallow – there may have been others but I had to get back for tea as I was already over half an hour late! 40spp. at Blagdon.
Muntjac, Blagdon Lake © Nigel Milbourne 2026
Friday 27th March [Mist & drizzle early in the day & mainly overcast thereafter]
I had a quick peek at Blagdon, on the way to lunch with two former work colleagues, and saw the drake RING-NECKED DUCK in Wood Bay late morning then, on the way back, I stopped off at Herriott’s, Chew Valley Lake, and watched an Osprey hovering over the pool for nearly quarter of an hour at 1550 hrs, before it flew off along the main reed bed out of sight. When I left there, I decided to drop in to Blagdon on the way home, and saw yet another Osprey hunting over the dam end of the lake at 1615 hrs before it flew up the lake towards Top End. It’s been quite an eventful 24 hours!
Thursday 26th March [A more pleasant day than yesterday, though the breeze was still cold.]
Ospreys were the order of the day today. I had an appointment at Chew Valley Lake this morning, and saw an Osprey fly from Denny Island while I was there then, after another meeting at a nearby cafe, I stopped off at Herriott’s to chat to some friends and saw one, possibly two, more. I just squeezed in a brief visit to Blagdon at 1800 hrs, where I saw the drake RING-NECKED DUCK with the gathering Tufted Ducks.
Wednesday 25th March [Windy & cold with sunny spells]
The drake RING-NECKED DUCK had made the short hop from Chew again, and was with a flock of Tufted Ducks at Holt Bay this lunchtime:
Drake Ring-necked Duck, Holt Bay © Nigel Milbourne 2026
When I arrived at the dam there was a large flock of Sand Martins over the water, comfortably more than 300, and among them I spotted a single Swallow, my first of the year. There have been several Swallows reported in the area today. Aside from that bit of news there wasn’t much else to report due to the strong wind blowing up (and across) the lake. 32 spp.
If you didn’t see it, I can heartily recommend ‘My Garden of a Thousand Bees’ filmed by Martin Dohrn and shown on BBC4 this evening. It was absolutely fascinating, and took me back to the many hours I sat with Robin Williams in Heath House, Wedmore, watching and photographing the comings and goings of bees and their parasites at the bee city he created in his and Romey’s beautiful garden. Check it out on iPlayer or click link to watch.
Tuesday 24th March [Overcast & windy with some late drizzle]
I had a slow drive along the lakeside this afternoon birding as I went, but as you will have noticed from yesterdays WeBS count, it was very quiet. I saw the Common Sandpiper, but the Ring-necked Duck had gone back to Chew again. There was a flock of 150, or so, Sand Martins feeding between the dam and the Fishing Lodge, but they circled up high and left shortly after I’d gone through them looking for carrier species. The four Egyptian Geese were still present, and I had a close encounter with a Muntjac that shot out of a hedge in front of me. The only other notable bird was a Little Egret at Burmah Road again. It wasn’t a day for butterflies! 32 spp.
Monday 23rd March [Still & mainly sunny]
Phil D., Skip H., Dave P. and I carried out the WeBS count this morning from 0944-1251hrs. The lake was 100% full. Some Egyptian Geese had come in since yesterday, but the Little Gulls had moved on. The drake RING-NECKED DUCK was off Wood Bay Point and, as we made our way back to the Lodge, three Great White Egrets had arrived at Bell’s Bush, unseen. Count details as follows: Canada Goose 55, hybrid Canada x Greylag Goose 3, Mute Swan 18, Egyptian Goose 4, Shoveler 10, Gadwall 7, Mallard 54, Teal 21, Ring-necked Duck 1, Tufted Duck 111, Goldeneye 1, Moorhen 2 (u/count), Coot 75 (probable u/count), Little Grebe 2 (u/count), Great Crested Grebe 12, Snipe 50+, Common Sandpiper 1, Cormorant 3, Great White Egret 3, Grey Heron 6, Red Kite 1, Buzzard 6, Cetti’s Warbler 1, Grey Wagtail 1. Brimstone 2, Comma 1 & Small Tortoiseshell 1. 44 spp.
Later in the day, when I went for a run after my gym session, I spotted a Wheatear in a field beside Rhodyate, in the village.
Sunday 22nd March [Light cloud & a bit cooler]
I grabbed a couple of hours this afternoon to bird from the Lodge to Top End gate & back. There were a couple of Little Gulls feeding over Tiny’s Shallow from the Lodge, and the drake RING-NECKED DUCK was in Wood Bay with a small flock of Tufted Ducks. I heard two Blackcaps singing well away from Top End, where some over-wintered, but there weren’t many Chiffchaffs in song. Other notables included two Red Kites, a Little Egret, and a small flock of ten Fieldfares. 40 spp. Tomorrow is WeBS count day.
Saturday 21st March [Wall-to-wall sunshine & little wind]
A perfect day, so I spent it doing a bit of running speed work. After a shower mid-afternoon, I went to the lake hoping the Bonaparte’s Gull that was at Cheddar might have flown north over the hill and be feeding over the water. If it was, I didn’t manage to pick it out. There were six Little Gulls over Tiny’s Shallow in front of the Lodge with Black-headed Gulls hawking emerging midges. I took some pictures of the 1st-winter gulls, and was surprised to see that in two of them I caught images of an Otter – presumably the same one that has been showing regularly late in the afternoons from the dam. I understand that Ali (Bristol Water) saw the Dipper again today. 22 spp.
Friday 20th March [Sunny, but not not quite so warm as yesterday.] Spring Equinox
My plans for today changed at the last minute, which resulted in me having some time this afternoon at the lake. I didn’t see the Common Sandpiper, but Mark H. told me the Green Sandpiper, that has been present since the start of the year, was still at the bottom of the Spillway today. Also appearing overhead, while we were chatting, were two Red Kites and five Buzzards. I spent ages looking through the few small groups of Tufted Duck but there was no sign of the Ring-necked Duck. There was one Canada x Greylag Goose hybrid with the Canada flock, and a single Sand Martin flew north over the lake as I made my way to Top End. When I got to the hide there were two Goldeneye off Bell’s Bush, and two Snipe rose up from the flooded grass nearby. The Rooks have built 17 nests at Hellfire Corner, and I was surprised to come across a Raven on the ground feeding by the road at Long Bay. Finally, a Siskin came to the feeder when I stopped there briefly on the way home. 46 spp.
Thursday 19th March [Warm & sunny]
Another beautiful sunny day. I enjoyed a walk with friends this morning doing a loop from Compton Dando to Pensford along the Chew and back through Lord’s Wood. There were lots of Buzzards on the mid-morning thermals, and we saw a single Red Kite near Pensford. After a cuppa, when I got back home, I spent the late afternoon at the lake. The Common Sandpiper was on the dam wall, and there were three adult, winter, Little Gulls feeding among some Black-headed Gulls towards Top End. As I arrived, it looked like a fishing competition had just finished, and there were very few duck to be seen. A Little Egret flew up the lake towards Chew, just before I left, as the sun went behind the hill. 34 spp.
Wednesday 18th March [Warm sunshine – it felt like the first day of Spring]
I went to Top End hide at lunchtime, and found the drake RING-NECKED DUCK back at Top End. I was in the hide for about 40 minutes but couldn’t see the drake Common Scoter there, or anywhere else, along the south shore on the way back home. I kept my eyes skyward on and off looking for migrants, hoping for an Osprey but it wasn’t to be. I met Merv P. who told me he’d seen the Common Sandpiper at the south end of the dam, but I didn’t have time to look for it as I had to leave in a hurry for a meeting. I noted single pairs of Gadwall and Pintail, and singletons of Pochard and Goldeneye. On the way back to the Lodge I came across a Cattle Egret, assuming breeding plumage, feeding in the meadow at Holt Bay/Green Lawn, and saw Brimstone and Peacock butterflies on the wing in the sunshine. 33 spp.
Cattle Egret, Green Lawn © Nigel Milbourne 2026
Tuesday 17th March [Sunny, though cool.]
The Common Scoter was reportedly still present at the lake today, but the drake Ring-necked Duck had gone back to Chew. It’s worth having a look at the Avon Birds blog to see a very nice photo taken by Dave Hughes of a Cormorant trying to swallow a pretty big Eel at Blagdon.
I was at Chew for much of the day with the regular crew checking and cleaning bat boxes. We found about 40, or so, Soprano Pipistrelles between us, but got everything ready for them to move into the boxes during the year, as things warm up. When we drove around to Moreton there were just over 60 Cattle Egrets feeding in the meadows on the south side of Heron’s Green Bay – it was quite a sight.
Monday 16th March [Overcast]
News from Raoul C. this morning to say the drake Common Scoter was at Top End, as were two Red Kites. There was no news about the drake Ring-necked Duck.
Sunday 15th March [Sunny to start then showers, some wintery.]
Both drake Common Scoter and RING-NECKED DUCK were still at the lake today. The Common Scoter was along the south shore west of the Top End hide from Flower Corner to Holt Copse while I was there this afternoon. The Ringer had moved from Burmah Road to Wood Bay with most of the Tufted Ducks.
Drake Ring-necked Duck, Wood Bay © Nigel Milbourne 2026
There was a small flock of Sand Martins feeding between the Fishing Lodge and the dam, and the Common Sandpiper was on the dam wall when I arrived. I had a look at the feeder while I was on the way home and saw a couple of Siskins coming in, among the usual regulars.
Saturday 14th March [Sunny]
Andy M. was first on site this morning and found a drake Common Scoter at Top End. I spent the middle of the day with Brian T. trying to get some pictures of it, but it wasn’t an easy subject. It did spend some time feeding in front of Top End hide which gave us a few opportunities for some shots albeit a little distant and in difficult strong light. It’s clearly not a juvenile, and I didn’t see a wing flap, although Bri might have some shots of wings and belly that might help differentiate an adult from a second winter. My shots suggest a yellow eye ring (at least under the eye) which hints that it’s an adult. However, if we get better shots, or views, we might be able to rule out a second winter. The drake RING-NECKED DUCK was also in the usual place despite a fishing boat going in almost on top of it. I noted 34 spp.
Drake Common Scoter, Top End © Nigel Milbourne 2026
Friday 13th March [Decent sunny spells with occasional showers. A cold wind.]
Nick P. contacted me to say he’d seen 40 or so Sand Martins over the dam end, just as I was going out the door to spend three hours at the lake this afternoon. When I got there I saw a few – I counted six feeding high up, well above the gulls that were picking food items off the water. Aside from the gulls, there was a small increase in the number of Tufted Duck on the lake, and the drake RING-NECKED DUCK was still present. I had a brief look at Bell’s Bush barrier for the chiffchaffs and saw one Common and one SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF, and heard a Cetti’s Warbler singing there too. At Top End there were two Gadwall and four Goldeneye, and I heard a Blackcap singing from the Ubley gate. While walking I saw three Meadow Pipits and four Linnets feeding on weeds along the line of the new sewer pipe on Lag/Holt Farm and two Greylag x Canada Goose hybrids in the Canada Goose flock. Siskins were on the bird feeder again today. 47 spp.
On the matter of the hybrid geese, I was puzzled by the pink bill (see photo on 27th February). Many of the online photos labelled as Canada x Greylag hybrids show individuals with orange bills, although a smaller percentage have pink bills, many of which were photographed in Germany. Could the bill colour reflect hybridisation of Canada x Eastern Greylag Goose? More research is required I think.
Wednesday 11th March [Some welcome sunshine]
Late this morning I saw the drake RING-NECKED DUCK still at the lake, and was surprised to see a pair of Wigeon at Green Lawn. There were lots of Black-headed and Common Gulls feeding over the water of the dam basin, seemingly picking hatching insects off the water. A Red Kite spent a few minutes checking over Top End, and a Little Grebe that has been associating with a flock of Tufted Duck for the last few weeks, was still with them in Wood Bay. A very busy bird feeder was host to at least three different Siskins (two females) at Lodge Copse while I watched it for a few minutes. Work continues by the team who have been laying the hedges, planting more shrubs alongside the old hedge, and in the gaps exposed by their work. Hopefully, in a year or two, we’ll see some blooming Blackthorn, like that in other areas that aren’t flayed, providing early insects with a welcome food source early in the spring season. Hawthorn is also starting to burst into leaf and will, eventually, provide shelter. Day list 39 spp.
Today, I received a report ‘Avalon Marshes, New Colonists Monitoring, Group Report 2025.’ Compiled by Dr. Alison Morgan. It’s a fascinating read about the colonisation of herons and egrets, with lots of information about their spread across the UK from Somerset. Ringed birds seen at Blagdon and Chew are among those featured. Be sure to have a look at ‘The full 2025 Nesting & Colour Ringing Report for the Great White Egret’ by clicking on the link provided on page 4 too.
Tuesday 10th March [Dry in the morning with some showers later.]
I spent an hour or so at the lake at lunchtime, walking from home to Holt Copse and back. I saw the drake RING-NECKED DUCK, but no hirundines yet. There was quite a lot of Sweet Violet flowering (white form) along Park Lane and at the lakeside. 25 spp.
Monday 9th March [Damp & overcast. Fog on the hills. Clearing in the afternoon.]
Late this afternoon I eventually spotted a distant drake RING-NECKED DUCK among the gathering Tufteds at dusk, and was a bit taken aback to see nine Goldeneye (four drakes) after only spotting four recently, and the Common Sandpiper was on the dam wall. 30 spp.
I was thrilled to see a piece in the BBC Local News for Somerset about the hedge laying work that is being done at the lake this morning, and have posted it on my Blog (see main menu, or, click here). Mike Reed and the team have been hard at work for the last few weeks, as I’ve posted previously. I met Kirsty Dunford, Bristol Water Conservation, Access and Recreations Manager, on Saturday and she was telling me that the hedge cuttings are also benefitting the giraffes at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm at Failand. A win-win scenario if ever there was one. Due to the very poor state of the hedges that are being restored, BW have also facilitated planting of new shrubs to add diversity, thicken the hedges and also had trees planted at intervals along the hedgelines to improve their value as wildlife corridors. I’m really looking forward to seeing what impact the laid hedges bring to the wildlife at the lake. Bird species such as Reed Bunting, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Chaffinch, Long-tailed Tit, Dunnock etc. should all be attracted back into the hedges it is hoped. I’ve been carrying out breeding bird surveys around the lake for over 30 years, and my information database will be invaluable in helping to prove what we hope will be positive change for the lakeside breeding birds in the new hedges over the next few years.
Sunday 8th March [Overcast, damp & foggy]
I spent a couple of hours at the lake this afternoon hoping I might see my first Sand Martins of the year there (I’d already seen some at Chew last month), but it wasn’t to be. The drake RING-NECKED DUCK was still present, although he took a bit of finding, and there were two Canada x Greylag hybrid geese among the Canada flock. On the water I saw four Goldeneye (one drake) and just a single Pochard of note, and there was a small flock of large gulls bathing, again, presumably migrants passing through. 38 spp.
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.
I noted Cuckooflower (aka Lady’s Smock) and Early Dog Violet in bloom for the first time today.
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.
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