Newton St. Loe & Wilmington, Saturday 26 November 2022

Leader: Richard Bottle

Eight of us met on a mild but overcast day at Newton St. Loe Parish Church for a walk through the lovely grounds of Newton Park, now the home of Bath Spa University. The day was quite a contrast from our previous walk during the July heatwave. Our route again took us along the Newton Park Lakes, through Melancholy Wood and up to the Wilmington ridge, down to Wilmingon village and then along Twelve O’clock Lane, through Whistling Copse and back to the village of Newton St. Loe.

In the churchyard, we spotted Mistle Thrush, Greenfinch, Collared Dove, Jackdaw and Common Crow. Passing along the wooded path towards Newton Park we passed the attractive berries of a spindle tree – I was interested to learn the word derives from the use of its very hard wood to make spindles for wool-spinning.

Arriving at the lakes, the weirs were in full spate following recent heavy rainfall. We spotted Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gull, Blackbird, Moorhen and Mallard. A Kingfisher flew past, and two Cormorants in statuesque pose on a dead tree provided a great photo-opportunity.

Reaching the upper lake, we saw more Gulls as well as Mute Swan, Little Grebe and a Wigeon. The Grey Wagtail which often frequent the top end of the lake were missing on this occasion.

Emerged from Melancholy Wood we heard the mew of Buzzards. In the Bath Spa car park we came across an attractive mixed colony of Velvet Shank and Silverleaf fungi growing on a log. Climbing out of Newton Park onto the Wilmington ridge we saw Red Kite, and Pied Wagtail on the roof of some barns.

At our Wilmington lunch spot we saw a Kestrel hovering over the valley, and also a Sparrowhawk. We also saw a Raven in flight being mobbed by Common Crows, and a Wood Pigeon.

Walking along the lane from Wilmington village to Whistling Copse, we enjoyed extensive views of the countryside from Englishcombe, to Inglesbatch and Priston, and the plentiful and varied ferns in the verges of Twelve O’Clock Lane.

In Whistling Copse we admired the impressive Wellingtonia tree, and spotted Great Tit and Goldfinch. A Peziza Cup fungus was growing on some logs. Returning to Newton St. Loe we were pleased to see a Harris Hawk being exercised by West of England Falconry, who are based in the village farm.

Richard Bottle