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Chew Valley Lake is a semi-natural reservoir ten miles south of Bristol, and is the largest lake in south-west England. This website contains news and information on its birds and wildlife, access, maps, photos, WeBS counts and the definitive Chew bird list.
AUGUST at Chew Usually one of the best months of the year, with big flocks of wildfowl, grebes and Coots moving through or moulting at the lake.
You might see these: Black-necked Grebe - More frequent in recent years; normally one or two can be found, best chance is amongst the masses of Coots in Stratford Bay. Little Egret - Now usually a few birds around, most likely in one of the more sheltered bays or Heron's Green Pool. Garganey - Check the Teal. Red-crested Pochard - Much maligned quacker that often seems to turn up in late summer. Marsh Harrier - One or two usually pass through, although they rarely linger and are difficult to catch up with. Osprey - See previous species (although we may get lucky and have one stay a few days). Little Gull - The first of the autumn should appear this month; look in the centre of the lake off Nunnery Point for birds in flight. Mediterranean Gull - Perhaps surprisingly, can be easier to find than Common Gull in August. Check late evening as the roosting flocks of Black-headed build up on Herriott's Pool, Stratford and the main dam. Black Tern - Usually small groups (single figures) but occasionally a big flock appears. Look towards the centre of the lake - one of the classic birding sights of autumn at Chew. Check them all, as were're overdue another White-winged Black! Kingfisher - As young from nearby nest sites start to disperse this can be quite a reliable bird if you spend any amount of time at the lake. Know the call. Whinchat- Check Moreton Bank and Heron's Green Pool for this species. Sometimes small numbers occur together.
