Gwent birding (1 Viewer)

[The Valley Walker]

Also, just a reminder to everyone that theres to Pub Gathering this evening.

Sorry matey not going to be able to make tonight - I have a few things to do tonight as I have an early start (4am) tomorrow.

Have a good time...I would be sh**e at the quiz anyway :-C

 

[The Valley Walker]

Newtown - Sun 10th May 2009

Took the dog over Newtown this morning, nice calm day. Loads of willow warbler about, also got to see a whitethroat in the 1st 100 yards, was happy at that. Further along I caught sight of a couple of goldies then some linnets. Further along the track I had a wren sitting on a post which was nice, even if I didn't have the camera. Song thrush next. Then a bird flew past me which I initially thought was a sparrowhawk then I heard it "cuckoo". Turned and watched a cuckoo on a post for a good couple of minutes - brilliant stuff. Walked up to the top level and soon had a couple of male wheatear in the field below me. This was followed by excellent views of a male & female stonechat. No buzzard on the nest but a pair were circling at the far end of the pond. Good views of a willow warbler on the way completed a good stroll over there - last couple of times previous it had been rubbish and I was nearly going to give up on the place but when you have days walks like that it is all worth it.
The house has been very quiet today, typical really as Gary has been up to see the redpolls, and they haven't shown, 1st time I have not seen one in ages...perhaps today is the day they disappear until the next winter time? He did see a male & female siskin come in and a couple of greenfinch, some - nay LOADS of spadgers and a couple of Starlings, one even perched up for him! Magpie came close but didn't land. That apart, blue tit, dunnock , coal tit and great tit and that's that - oh and a blackbird.

I need to cut the grass, perhaps the redpolls are hiding in the long grass...rofl.

 

[luke]

I had a Whitethroat singing about a week or so ago further along the track so good to know theres a few there this year.

 

[theMusicMan]

Was out at a rugby tournament with Heather yesterday and between games I found a smashing walk I never knew existed. It's adjacent to the Afon Llwyd at NHSOB rugby club.

Spotted over half a dozen wren, what I thought might have been a Dipper (not too sure though so won't claim it definitely was), and a few Blackcap in the treetops. managed a very poor photo that I had to crop to death and adjust in CS3 to get anything lookable so won't post it here, there's waaaay to may super togs on here and I aint one of 'em ...

Here's the area I walked though in case anyone else fancies a look at some point.

 

[theMusicMan]

Went for a stroll yesterday evening from the parking space at the end of Farmfield Lane, down to the sea wall and along towards Uskmouth to the woods adjacent to the RSPB reserve.

Loads of Chiffchaff about, Reed Warblers and Cetti Warblers in 'Warbler Alley', plus the usual selection of Shellduck and waders on the mudflats, but the highlight were up to three Cuckoos - 2 heard and one seen. One was heard in the woods by the pylons, another was heard in a tree as I walked back along the sea wall, and the final one was seen in 'Warbler Alley' - for those who know the area, in the tree where the path turns 70deg.

It was too quick for me to get a shot of it, as it flew off over the reeds then settled out of sight and started calling again.

Only managed this grab shot of a Chiffchaff... http://www.reflectingme.com/img/v2/p1043711489-4.jpg

Had planned to go to Skomer on Friday but the forecast looks so horrendous I might reconsider.

 

[GaryH]

The house has been very quiet today, typical really as Gary has been up to see the redpolls, and they haven't shown, 1st time I have not seen one in ages...perhaps today is the day they disappear until the next winter time? He did see a male & female siskin come in and a couple of greenfinch, some - nay LOADS of spadgers and a couple of Starlings, one even perched up for him! Magpie came close but didn't land. That apart, blue tit, dunnock , coal tit and great tit and that's that - oh and a blackbird.

I need to cut the grass, perhaps the redpolls are hiding in the long grass...rofl.

Despite a poor show of Redpoll (none to be exact) I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to your garden Al, and here's the Starling that obliged for a few seconds....quite like it though!
Cheers
GaryB

 

[The Valley Walker]

Redpoll - Friday 15th May 2009

Just a quick update...this week has been very quiet for redpolls but this morning I was watching one from my bathroom window - they are still about!!

Siskins : Abt 4/5 have been in and out of the feeder all week including what I believe to be one youngster.

Deb says she has been watching the spadgers feeding their young in the garden but I haven't managed to see it yet.

Blue & Great Tits seem to have found the garden again after a little absence.

Had a magpie sitting on the feeder twice this week!

Both Male & Female Bullfinch have been spotted in the garden this week.

A pair of coal tits have been the most frequent visitors, in pick up food and away!!

Rain forecast for the weekend so I will be window watching to see what comes in.

Have a good one all.

 

[The Valley Walker]

Forgot to add quite a few greenfinch around this week to...

Saturday update:
Just watched two males bullfinch at the feeder together, well one was on the feeder and the other sat patiently in the tree and then on the perch - each attempt to join the other for grub was knocked back by the other feeding bully!!

Siskins galore this morning, 6/7 ...raining hard atm so the patio door is staying shut !!

 

[The Valley Walker]

Despite a poor show of Redpoll (none to be exact) I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to your garden Al, and here's the Starling that obliged for a few seconds....quite like it though!
Cheers
GaryB

Cracking shot matey....I have booked you a spot for next winter when hopefully the redpolls will be in the dozens...lol

 

[luke]

Done the bird race yesturday and had a reasonable day including some fantastic birds. Havnt totalled up properly yet (i've only just woken up!) but highlights included superb views of Nightjar, Spoonbill at Newport Wetlands, sea watching produced just Kittiwake for the team total but also an Arctic Skua for me and another team member, two Hobby together circling over the river Usk and Bearded tit despite the weather. A real highlight for me was loads of Wood Warbler singing in St Mary's Vale, i dont see or hear these things often enough, (note to self: must try harder.) Unfotunatly the weather really affected the total as some species just weren't showing and also we had at least 4 hours of rain during the day which meant 4 hours less birding time.

l'll post a total species list when i get it!

 

[The Valley Walker]

My own bird race

Probably not as grand as yours Luke but it was a dry one....lol !!

 

[luke]

i think mine was better though.

Forgot to mention that we found Spotted Flycatcher at Priory Wood nr usk along with Pied Flycatcher and Marsh tit. Didn't have any luck in finding spot fly before hand so this was a pleasant suprise.

 

[The Valley Walker]

i think mine was better though.

.

Um, I have no doubt young Luke and my comments were purely tongue in cheek...that's why I put a little laugh at the end of it - I was using quick reply or I would have put a little wink there for you just to make sure you got as humour !!

3

Mike, are you kerb crawling later? (psst, this is humour also :t

 

[luke]

i picked the humour element, i should have probably used a 'Lol' thingy. A lesson for us all though, use smilies.

Kerb Crawing! :eek!:

 

[mike from ebbw]

Mike, are you kerb crawling later? (psst, this is humour also :t

A bit late in answering I am afraid.Yes I did go kerb crawling Al but didnt pick up any birds.I got a couple of little crackers this morning though!:t:

 

[The Valley Walker]

Kerb Crawling & Newtown

A bit late in answering I am afraid.Yes I did go kerb crawling Al but didnt pick up any birds.I got a couple of little crackers this morning though!:t:

nice to hear it !!

Went over Newtown with casper this evening. Had good views of wood warbler and whitethroat - only know because heard them 1st then saw them !! Also heard willow warbler in abundance, saw a smallish warbler like bird that flew into a bush but wouldnt come out - no sound so not a clue what it was but I reckon it went into a nest. Buzzrds hovering, that apart nothing until I got back to the car where a couple was openly having it away in a car by the far banking !! :eek!:

 

[luke]

I would very much doubt you had Wood Warbler at newtown, did you get a picture?

 

[The Valley Walker]

I would very much doubt you had Wood Warbler at newtown, did you get a picture?

Never take a camera when I am walking the dog these days Luke...too much hassle so no picture. I deffo heard a wood warbler in the past few days because I came home and id'd it on opus but I admit I might have got mixed up on my locations...age does not come by itself!! The whitethroat I am 100% sure of though. Wish I could recall where I heard it then....not out the back of my house surely? |:S|

 

[mike from ebbw]

Silent Valley

Best place in Ebbw for Wood Warbler is the Oaks on the hill above the Pigeon lofts in Cwm,Silent Valley side IMO.

Silent Valley this evening had all the usual Gulls,Ravens etc.A pair of Linnet were nest building in some Gorse.A pair of Stonechat were taking food back and forth a nest.One Buzzard,Magpie,Woodpigeon,Blackcap and two male Redstarts singing.Also of note were at least two Cuckoos singing.
This Vixen took an interest in my Dog from the tip and must have thought he was a Fox as she kept coming closer.Eventually she came so close she made a great subject to test my new lens.She soon scarpered after seeing he was actually a Dog!

 

[luke]

Could anyone seeing wood warbler make sure that the records go to the county recorder, we havn't really got an awful lot of records from our area in recent years, also GWT might be interested in records from their reserves.