August 2005

An early evening trip to Chew Valley Lake on 10 August. The water level is very low now. At Stratford I saw 4 little egrets (below) and a goldeneye. At Heron's Green Pool there were 4 green sandpipers and a water rail. I also photographed this heron fishing there.

little egretgrey heron

We processed 138 greater horseshoe bats at Woodchester on 14 August. Adult and juvenile below.

adult greater horseshoe bat juvenile greater horseshoe bat

Baloons from the baloon festival flew over Chew Valley lake. Although they looked pretty, they caused pandemonium among the birds there.

baloons over Chew Valley Lake baloons spooking birds

Waders were starting to move towards the end of the month. Highlights included 4 ruff, 14 ringed plover, dunlin, common sandpiper and an adult pectoral sandpiper at Meare Heath on 20th. Lots of interesting waders at Newport Wetlands Goldcliff on 21st, including 2 wood sandpipers, 2 green sandpipers, 2 little ringed plover, 2 greenshank, 3 avocets, 3 curlew sandpipers. Two yellow wagtail also seen, and a lot of sand martins moved through.

I was in Galway, Ireland for the 10th European Bat Research Symposium between 21-26 August. I travelled around the Burren on the rest day.

rainbow on the burren

Fanore beach, Clare Cliffs of Moher, Clare

The Burren, Co Clare near Black Head, Co Clare

Ballyvaughan, Co Clare Ballyvaughan, Co Clare

Megalithic tomb, Burren Ballyvaughan, Co Clare

Hooded crows were widespread, with some hybrids with carrion crows also present. The bird highlight was the first LAUGHING GULL that I've seen this side of the Atlantic. The bird is in moult between first summer and second winter plumages, and was providing good views at Waterside in Galway on 23 August.

laughing, common and black-headed gulls

laughing gull laughing gull