Avon and around about - best places? (2 Viewers)

turkish van

Number 1 celebrity badger

• Apr 27, 2006

• #1

Hi,

We'll be in Bath near the end of next month, but are fairly clueless as to what's around the area. Can travel for 1-2 hours if it's worth it, so into Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and north Somerset.

It's only for a few days, so any recommendations on the best places?

Thanks... :t:

 

Jos Stratford

Eastern Exile

Staff member

• Apr 27, 2006

• #2

Chew Valley lake is not so far, nor is a quick pop over the Severn Bridge into Gwent - plenty there, the Newport Wetland Centre amongst the highlights I would guess

 

Andrew Rowlands

Well-known member

• Apr 27, 2006

• #3

Cotswold Water Park should be within striking distance, too.

Might be easier if you were to give us an idea of what you'd like to see, Laura - what's your birding 'style'?

Cheers,

Andy.

 

Andrew Whitehouse

Professor of Listening

Supporter

• Apr 27, 2006

• #4

The Forest of Dean should be good then e.g. Nagshead RSPB with Pied Flys, Redstarts, Wood Warblers, Hawfinches etc.

 

turkish van

Number 1 celebrity badger

• Apr 27, 2006

• #5

That's great, thanks for the replies.

Forest of Dean sounds good Andrew ta, I love old woodland. Even if I don't see much! But the bird list in the directory is amazing - this one's definitely on the shortlist!

Chew Valley lake is tempting too.....desperately need to brush up on the old quackers (ducks), and gulls...if I have to! Looks like there's a few of everything there, on a lucky day at least.

As for my birding 'style', other Andrew, unhelpfully I have to say pretty much anything. Oh, except seawatching (unless the reality is different from my presumption of sitting on a cliff, trying to stop your eyes watering whilst staring through a scope and stuggling with the effects of a constant sea gale). And I'm not overly keen on sitting in a hide for too long - I can deal with an hour or two, obviously if there's something to keep my attention. But I'm not one for sitting for hours waiting for a glimpse of a bittern. Much more patient in a wood or something, where I can sit for ages watching spiders if nothing else! Ideally though, I like to be up and about walking (or, more likely, meandering).

Thanks again,

 

Jos Stratford

Eastern Exile

Staff member

• Apr 27, 2006

• #6

Reading your reply above I reckon the entire Wye Valley would also be right up your street, cracking woodland (but would not add many additional species to the Nag's Head area) - if you were still in the area at dusk, you could go to a site for Nightjars, they're real corkers

 

turkish van

Number 1 celebrity badger

• Apr 27, 2006

• #7

sounds perfect.

Might just take a tent!

 

Colin

Axeman (Retired)

• Apr 27, 2006

• #8

Hi Laura,
If you want any specific information on the Forest of Dean area especially Nagshead and possible Nightjar sites, drop me a pm - I live within scoping distance of Nagshead.

 

S

Stranger

Well-known member

• Apr 28, 2006

• #9

Hi
Shapwick,Westhay and Catcott Lows are within easy travelling distance.
Species around at the moment include Garganey,Hobby and Yellow Wagtail.
Access to Chew is limited unless you have a permit.This also gives access to Blagdon Lakes.Details on their website
Cheddar Reservoir is also worth a look as are Sandbay Point and Brean Down.

 

turkish van

Number 1 celebrity badger

• Apr 28, 2006

• #10

Thanks Colin, I might just do that.

I'll check out those others later Stranger, thanks for the suggestions.

Think it's gonna be a busy few days!

 

abagguley

Well-known member

• Apr 28, 2006

• #11

Colin said:

I live within scoping distance of Nagshead.

Click to expand...

Just out of interest, Colin: I went to Nagshead last summer, on a Saturday afternoon. The RSPB building was shut (which surprised ma a bit) and every car in the car park had been broken into. Do thieves target this place a lot, or was that a one-off? (It didn't exactly seem like a rough area.)

Adrian

 

trealawboy

Well-known member

• Apr 28, 2006

• #12

There's lots of good advice on here, but I would add that its worth checking the excellent Gloster Birder website nearer your visit.

 

Colin

Axeman (Retired)

• Apr 28, 2006

• #13

abagguley said:

Just out of interest, Colin: I went to Nagshead last summer, on a Saturday afternoon. The RSPB building was shut (which surprised ma a bit) and every car in the car park had been broken into. Do thieves target this place a lot, or was that a one-off? (It didn't exactly seem like a rough area.)

Adrian

Click to expand...

Last year, the RSPB had difficulty in getting volunteers to man the centre but this year it seems that the situation is easier. They plan to be open every Sat and Sun until the end of August - times - I cannot remember exactly but roughly 11 til 4 or 4.30. Two years ago was very good, both days every weekend and many days of the school hols.

Vandalism. Not a great problem. I have never seen any done to cars. Last year the solar panels were wrecked but that was done late at night so I understand but a metal barrier near the road has helped as the yobs don't seem to like to walk a quarter mile of rough track in the dark in their expensive trainers.

It is not a rough area. The village is amazingly quiet especially at night. Last winter I only saw people on the street twice the whole winter when walking to the pub.

 

turkish van

Number 1 celebrity badger

• Jul 20, 2007

• #14

Just to resurrect this old thread... I'm off to Bath next week with 3 days to fill - all of which I want to be spent watching wildlife (though admittedly one day may be sacrificed for shopping). My legs and public transport are the only options, so I'm looking for suggestions of good spots in/around Bath itself. Birds, beasties and some nice orchids if possible are my main targets. A quick search has come up with the Avon Wildlife Trust reserve Tucking Mill, which looks promising - anyone have any experience of this? Any other suggestions please?

Thanks in advance