Trip reports

Cheddar Reservoir and Chew Valley - 24 November 2007

Friday, 30 November 2007

Fortunately the rain cleared quickly and there was an unexpectedly light wind - not always the case at the very exposed reservoir.
From the concrete wall immediately above the car park there were good views across the wide expanse of water. Plainly visible was the usual large raft of vocal coot that always hug the leeward shore of the reservoir bank.
Much more interesting were three splendid goldeneye. Very handsome birds in their striking black and white plumage and distinctive white face blotch. Also in view were several much larger male goosanders, equally attractive with their white bodies and dark heads that glow with a green sheen in the correct light.
Although there seemed to be fewer than normal wildfowl on the reservoir, there were good views of a mallard, plenty of pochard and tufted duck but, surprisingly, no wigeon.
Other birds seen included several great crested grebes, grey and pied wagtail, a great spotted woodpecker, a single fieldfare and a group of redwing in a field.
The party then moved on to the Chew Valley Reservoir, another favourite venue. First stop was at Herriott's Bridge where views are available over the water on both sides of the road.
More wildfowl were seen, including a couple of graceful pintail, some teal, several shovelers, a goldeneye and one or two the the infamous Chew ruddy ducks.
The small island on the main reservoir, as usual, held a large group of cormorants and several different species of gull were noted, including herring, common, black headed and lesser black back.
Moving around to the other end of the reservoir, the group headed out onto the Bittern Trail. There was a distinct lack of small birds, which is very unusual for the wooded area round the trail. Highlight, however, was the group of some twenty goosanders, among which were some grey females with their distinctive "red heads".
Final stop was at Heron's Green where one is almost guaranteed to find some of the more unusual water birds such as smew. This time, however, there were no smew but enough wildfowl to keep the observers searching until the light faded quickly in the early afternoon