Goosanders
There were 5 there on Friday but I couldn’t see any on Sunday only a cormorant taking off. I spoke to the owners of the old sawmill last week. She was very interested but they don’t own the lake. Its owned by the big house (north of the track) where there’s always a large dog barking! There was a chap cutting logs there one day & he said I could go down but they flew as soon as I got there. Not sure if they flew because of me but to save disturbing them I now view from the path. I walk that way most days and I’ll post if they return.
I heard the dog (repeatedly!)
The people from Rosemary Cottage, Chipley drove past me when I was walking down the bridleway and they mentioned having had a little egret in their garden over the previous few days. Saw a Green Woodpecker on the path between Langford and Chipley plus, amongst other things, lots of Fieldfare and Redwing and a Goldcrest at the old gates to Chipley House that are on Chipley Road (to Nynehead). I didn’t dare try and head down to the lake through the field on that side, as my colleague suggested, nevertheless those gates and the avenue of trees are a pretty enigmatic spot.
Do you know much about the Hobby Pond wetland near the railway line/Longforth? I didn’t know it was there till taking a detour on my way home from a walk recently. There is a half-hearted attempt at a fence at one end so I’m not sure what the access is like. It was after 5pm so dark and all I could see where Coots, Swans and Mallards but I did hear what I thought might be a Water Rail?
https://archive.org/details/water-rail-possible-hobby-pond-wellington-somerset-170700-20210102
Edit: I went down there this afternoon and I can see that it is all open. With the ponds and wetland, wood and fields it’s a lovely area just on the edge of town.
No sign of the 9 Goosanders on Bickley Fm lake this morning but there were 5 Canada Geese on the island. Decided to walk on around to Chipley lake and the Goosanders were there. I counted 10 today including the Drake so I guess this confirms the group uses both lakes. Also a Peregrine on the pylon just east of Chipley by Daniels Cottage where I’ve seen it a number of times.
Yes, that’s the one. In the spring, it had several pairs of Canada geese breed, three successfully. I’ll have to head there looking for the goosanders in the next few days - it is full of fish.
If you mean the lake just south of Bickley Farm near Milverton on the footpath to Nynehead then yes I think you are right. As it happens I walked that way today about 3pm. Although the lake always looks promising I hadn’t seen much there until today. A Cormorant flew in from a nearby pylon (where there are usually 2 or 3 perched) there was also a Heron, a Moorhen, 4 Mallards & 9 Goosanders including 1 Drake. Its only about a mile East from the lake at Chipley although I haven’t seen the Drake at Chipley.
No goosanders, or indeed any birds, on the lake at lunchtime today? I wonder if they use the similar lake north of Nynehead at all? I haven’t been for a while, apart from last week when it was frozen, but it normally has mallards and sometimes tufted duck. A grey wagtail by the old mill was a nice bonus instead, along with plenty of redwings and fieldfare.
There were 5 there on Friday but I couldn’t see any on Sunday only a cormorant taking off. I spoke to the owners of the old sawmill last week. She was very interested but they don’t own the lake. Its owned by the big house (north of the track) where there’s always a large dog barking! There was a chap cutting logs there one day & he said I could go down but they flew as soon as I got there. Not sure if they flew because of me but to save disturbing them I now view from the path. I walk that way most days and I’ll post if they return.
The lake is at Chipley. Restricted views from the Bridleway that runs East from the sharp left hand bend travelling towards Milverton. The only time I went down to the lake (with permission) they flew so now I view from the Bridleway. There were 3 or 4 most days during December increasing to at least 12 on the 19th. Although I often checked I didn’t see any from the 19th onwards until this Monday, hence my post. Today at 1pm there were 7, as far as I could see all Brownheads
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Thanks Stephen, I took a wander down there on Saturday but couldn’t see anything, it is quite restricted as you say. I work with someone who until recently lived in the big house on Chipley corner, just opposite the entrance to the bridleway, old family home afaik. She said it could well be possible to gain a better view by asking at Chipley sawmill and approaching from the far end, she also said that she could see no reason who would be bothered by going through the field at on the opposite side, off the Nynehead Road, but I didn’t fancy it!
3 female and 1 male Goosander on the Brue near Westhay bridge this morning. They often move there when the local lakes are frozen over.
That’s a nice find, Stephen. One brownhead Goosander flying in the distance south of Chipstable, yesterday (7th). Towards Chipley, as it happens. From Wimbleball Lake direction.
The lake is at Chipley. Restricted views from the Bridleway that runs East from the sharp left hand bend travelling towards Milverton. The only time I went down to the lake (with permission) they flew so now I view from the Bridleway. There were 3 or 4 most days during December increasing to at least 12 on the 19th. Although I often checked I didn’t see any from the 19th onwards until this Monday, hence my post. Today at 1pm there were 7, as far as I could see all Brownheads
Though private is the lake visible to the public or do you have access? I pass near/through Langford every day.
Pleased to see 4 Goosanders back on a private lake near Langford Budville at 1.30pm today.