heron

short-eared owl © Darin Smith

What to watch out for in February

Grey herons returning to their nests can be seen at Cleeve Heronry. Over 40 pairs of this large wetland bird nest high in the treetops of this small woodland on the edge of the North Somerset Levels. Displaying birds will clatter their bills and fluff out their crests and throat feathers in an attempt to attract mates. The more dominant and successful pairs will nest towards the top of the heronry with the younger and less experienced birds finding a nesting place lower down. Young birds can be seen in the their nests up until April when the leaf cover begins to obstruct the views.

In recent years this month has been the coldest with clear blue skies, subtle sunlight and crisp frost, but early signs of spring are already beginning to show. In the sheltered wooded valleys of Goblin Combe and Monk Woods, primroses and daffodils are beginning to grow. Carpets of lesser celendine and dogs mercury begin to wake up as daylight hours increase. Hares can  be seen across the levels and at Puxton and Weston Moors these magnificent mammals can be observed during the early hours of dawn as they lark about, fighting and showing off to potential mates

Down on the coast the bleak openness of the Severn Estuary can be quite daunting. However, on a late afternoon the thrill of seeing a short-eared owl quartering the saltmarsh at Walborough or at Blake’s Pool will make the day worthwhile. Flocks of meadow pipit can be encountered as they move in and out with the tide and at Clapton Moor these birds can be seen alongside stonechats as they feed on invertebrates in the grass.

Reserve of the Month 

heron's green at Chew Valley Lake

Chew Valley Lake, owned by Bristol Water is the largest inland water body in the South West.

Thousands of visitors arrive at the lakeshores every year, but this impressive number is dwarfed by the huge numbers of birds that live around or passes through Chew during every season of the year.

Public access to the lake is restricted to the north-eastern shore where two easily accessible trails lead to a bird hide that gives impressive views across the water. It is here at the northern of the two picnic areas that the walk begins, taking in a flavour of the habitats and species that can be found elsewhere around the shore...

common darter © Darin Smith

sedge warbler © Arthur Grosset

From the café and picnic area near the northern dam, take the path that leads south along the reed-fringed shore. Here you are able to get elevated views across North Shore towards Denny Island. At this point during the late winter and early spring grey herons can be seen constructing stick-nests high in the canopy of the small copse. This magnificent bird is commonly seen throughout the year along the shoreline of the lake and a few breed in a small heronry found on this island. The dark silhouettes of the great cormorant give an almost primeval feel to the banks and trees of the island as this bird sits with its wings half open waiting for them to dry.

The path leads down towards the car park of the second picnic area and along the reed-fringed shore. This is the beginning of the Grebe Trail and where a surfaced path allows people with disabilities or with pushchairs a chance to experience the wildlife delights of the lake. During the spring and summer the reed is alive with a cacophony of birdsong. In April reed and sedge warblers arrive from African wintering grounds and join resident reed buntings in this area. They busily set up territories and attract mates for their short breeding season before they fly off south again. In the winter this habitat can look like a soulless place but the patient observer may be rewarded with glimpses of water rail darting amongst the leaf litter or a flock of long tailed tits noisily patrolling the reed. Also in the winter parts of the reed-bed are cut and the reed removed. This drastic looking management is a critical part of the lakeside management, keeping the reed-bed free from scrub and in the correct condition for our summer visitors.

Follow the path through grassland where black knapweed and devil's-bit scabious flowers into the late summer. Meadowsweet also grows here in the wetter areas. Its creamy rich flowers give off a heavily scented perfume which attracts beetles and hoverflies to the rich nectar. Dragonflies, with their marvellous shapes echoing prehistory can also be found in abundance along this stretch. The blue and green of the Emperor dragonfly gets brighter as the temperature rises throughout the day, and the orangey red of the common darter blends in well with the rich colours of the summer's end.

At a bridge you can either cross over to the less surfaced Bittern Trail or loop back along another path back to the start. Along this stretch you will pass through woodland copse where our two smallest birds, the coal tit and goldcrest, can be heard calling. The scrub is also home to garden warblers whose song - which has been likened to bag of grinding marbles - can be heard in the spring. At the Bernard King hide there are splendid views of the eastern shore of the lake. These waters offer a safe haven to wintering duck when strong westerlies blow, and often rafts of coot and tufted duck can be seen close to the shore. Gadwall, shoveler, mallard and pochard are also found in this area throughout the year and are often joined with goosander and goldeneye during the winter. Following the path takes you back to the bridge and then back onto the Glebe Trail and on to the start. From the serious birder to the family day out there is always something to see at any time of the year.

Note: Other good bird watching points include Herriots Bridge and Herons Green, see here for our guide to spotting winter water birds.

For more information on this reserve click here...

Offers

Special permission!
If you enjoyed reading about Chew Valley Lake on this month’s Member’s Page you can make your visit even more special by obtaining a permit to the bird hides that are scattered through the reserve. Visit www.bristol-water.co.uk/leisure/bird-info.htm for further information.

And as a Trust member you can get closer to wildlife on our other reserves where access is restricted because of their sensitivity or for health and safety reasons, by applying for a permit. Application forms are available by contacting Kirsty Forsberg on 0117 917 7270 or email kirstyforsberg@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk.

Permits are needed to visit

Avonmouth Pools
Bathamption Oxbow
Blake’s Pools
Clapton Moor (part)
Cleeve Heronry
Littleton Brick Pits
Max Bog
Monk Woods
Priory Farm
Tickenham Hill (part)
Weston Moor (part)