Griswold's Birding Year 2014 (1 Viewer)

ClarkWGriswold · Jan 29, 2014

Sorry. Fell asleep whilst writing the last post. It's a Diesel:smoke:

Spent some time with my 6 year old who's off school with conjunctivitis. I know he likes seafood so we headed down to Castellamare in The Mumbles. He really enjoyed the King Prawns, Langoustines and Mussels whilst I got to add:

88. Kittiwake
89. Shag
90. Mediterranean Gull

Rich

ClarkWGriswold · Feb 12, 2014

Certainly could have picked a better day to look for a rare gull (or BWJ) than today. Apparently the Ross's Gull had been seen briefly 40 minutes earlier. I gave it 30 minutes but with the wind speed rising and the jetty/ pier getting more slippery I decided enough was enough.

Did manage a great view of:

91. Purple Sandpiper (+) Lifer # 1 B B B

And:

92. Little Gull (+) Lifer# 2 B B B

Had a quick chat whilst walking back along the river with a birder from Hertfordshire. Good luck and hopefully the gull sticks around for you:t:

Rich

PS should add that this was at Aberavon this morning.

ClarkWGriswold · Feb 16, 2014

Spent a couple of hours in Port Toilet looking for the Ross' Gull to no avail.

Did add the following though:

93. Turnstone

ClarkWGriswold · Feb 19, 2014

Another grotty day here. Added

94. Skylark (on Mynydd Illtyd)

And

95. Pheasant

ClarkWGriswold · Feb 26, 2014

Quiet hour at Kenfig Pool this morning. Couple of Goldeneye on the pond along with four Great Crested Grebes. Cettis heard but not seen.

ClarkWGriswold · Mar 1, 2014

Arrived at Goldcliff this morning and thought I'd made an absolute stinker of a rookie error. On checking my bag my bins were nowhere to be found. Decided to go back to the car and see if I could hire a pair from the RSPB reserve at Newport Wetlands. On returning to the car though my Leicas were in the front footwell - phew:king:

This is a lovely little reserve for a wander round. Unfortunately the Little Owls were nowhere to be seen. Cetti's were heard but not seen. A Green Woodpecker again, was heard but not seen:-C

Did add the following:

96. Reed Bunting

Have to say the reserve was very busy today with plenty of people taking advantage of the weather.

From here I decided to head home. En route however I stopped off at the Knapp (Barry) to have a look for the long(ish) staying female Long Tailed Duck. Sure enough, there she was. Looking a little incongruous in the middle of the boating lake. Must say I prefer seeing these on the Moray Firth.

97. Long Tailed Duck

ClarkWGriswold · Mar 8, 2014

Really enjoyable days birding today. Given the first decent weather and the time of the year, it was time to hit Mid Wales. I can't remember seeing so many Common Buzzards, Kite, Ravens etc. along with Dipper, Sparrowhawk and finally:

98. Goshawk(+) - Undisclosed site.

Rich

ClarkWGriswold · Mar 8, 2014

Congestion on the roads around Mid Wales

ClarkWGriswold · Mar 8, 2014

One of the many Red Kites and looking for Gos(not where I saw one btw)

ClarkWGriswold · Mar 9, 2014

Another beautiful day here. Went with the boys for a couple of hours before the game to Penclacwydd. Nice adult Med Gull in front of British Steel Hide. Cetti's heard but not seen.

99. Water Rail (ppv)

ClarkWGriswold · Mar 12, 2014

Not a bad bird (shame about the photo:eek!

to bring up the hundred. Went back to Llangasty with my youngest for an hour this afternoon. Cetti's heard but once again, not seen. Plenty of Goldeneye in front of the hide. By the church was a:

100. Great White EgretB

ClarkWGriswold · Mar 15, 2014

A few Goldfinches in the garden this morning and then at Goldcliff added the following:

101. Avocet
102. Pintail (at last!)

Edit forgot to add that vehicle of the day was a H2 van - superb!

ClarkWGriswold · Mar 16, 2014

Went for a wander with the children today. Shags were around along with Oystercatchers.

ClarkWGriswold · Mar 16, 2014

Next were 2 Dartford Warblers. Including one handsome male. I tried to get an image but only succeeded in getting empty gorse bushes.

103. Dartford Warbler (+)Lifer#3B B B :king:

Car of the day was this SLS. Closely followed by a lovely MGA and a Morgan Aero.

ClarkWGriswold · Mar 19, 2014

Had a brief visit to Penclacwydd this afternoon. Iolo was there with the cameras but I'm not sure what he was filming. Spoke to some of the WWT staff who said he was an absolutely top bloke - very genuine.

Added the following to the year list:

104. Spoonbill

ClarkWGriswold · Mar 19, 2014

On our way home we made a quick stop at Fendrod Lake. A big thank you to the birders present for getting me onto this bird. It's been noted a few times recently here:

www.glamorganbirds.org.uk

105. Kumlien's Gull Lifer(+) #4 B B B :t:

Attached are some crummy photos. The bird was seen from the car park opposite the Honda dealership.

ClarkWGriswold · Mar 22, 2014

Decentish day out today inbetween snow and hail showers. Male Sparrowhawk seemed a little out of place on the mountain road plus plenty of Kites and Buzzards around. No Wheatears seen. Stopped off at bridge just outside Llangadog. No Sand Martins but a couple of Grey and Pied Wagtails. Looking back toward Llangadog also gave a distant:

106. Green Woodpecker

Rich

ClarkWGriswold · Mar 29, 2014

Had a day out with the family today. A pair of beautifully behaved Weimaraners were in the Greyhound Inn when we had lunch. From here it was over to Rhossili.

Nothing new to add species wise but enjoyed watching a female Stonechat busy building her nest and this little fella running around trying to catch insects.

PS Hope everyone has a great Mothers Day tomorrow:t:

ClarkWGriswold · Apr 6, 2014

Despite the weather the birding has been quite good today. Male Bullfinch in the garden, Goldfinches on the lane and a Green Woodpecker yaffling behind the house.

As we're dog sitting for a few days Maddie needed to stretch her legs so it was off up to Usk Reservoir. Lovely to hear the Blackbirds and Song Thrushes belting out their songs. Plenty of Wagtails along the dam but all Pied to my eyes. Did add the following:

107. Swallow (1 week earlier than last year)
108. Linnet

Then decided to head down to Dryslwyn Bridge with the aim of picking up some bird seed from the garden centre in Llandeilo on the way. Unfortunately the garden centre was closed. Some swans were in the distance but too far away for me to identify. A constant, drizzly rain was also in the air. The river level was very high and I decided I didn't want to carry the girl over the fences to get a closer look. I should add that she is permanently on the lead when she is with me. As such, no Sand Martins were noted either. A single Little Egret was on the other side of the river however.

Below are a couple of pics of my companion today:

ClarkWGriswold · Apr 9, 2014

Well, the girl has gone back to Exmouth so I decided to take my youngest for a run after nursery. Had a stunning view of a Skylark on the post alongside the car with its crest up. Plenty of Stonechats and Meadow Pipits as well.

Added the following:

109 Wheatear (at last!!)

Below is one of my favourite views anywhere though my camera skills do not do it any justice. The valley below is a great place for Redstarts.

Rich

Griswold's Birding Year 2014 (1 Viewer)

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