Gwent birding (1 Viewer)

[The Valley Walker]

I am just happy to keep on seeing new birds, don't think I am up for competition at the moment!

Due to unforeseen circumstances was unable to get a good look at a Jay this year...did see one fly in front of me over Pontsticill one day but wanted to get a good look at one. Ken has kindly invited me down to his place but I have been unable to get down there as yet - that is one of "must do's" for 2008.

|=)|

 

[luke]

just noticed that we've hit 500 posts on this thread!

Alan, i am sure you'll see a jay this year, but they are very difficult to get a good look at them. I think i've only had a really good veiw twice, all the rest have been in flight.

 

[luke]

heres a few superb pics of the gadwall and pochard from today in the glorious weather.

 

[mike from ebbw]

Just had a look on the gallery and you was spot on Luke....just thinking Mike I was looking through the bins and I could have got the size wrong but this was deffo the bird I saw...http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=141859

Now the question I would ask...no reeds that I know of out the back but it is pretty boggy in places - not the normal habitat for the said bird?

Thanks again for iding it - was driving me nuts !!

Thats a great garden tick Alan.They use the feeders down Llandegfedd regularly so why not in a garden.

 

[The Valley Walker]

I can't help but think I have seen the bird before but not sure where? I hope the New Year starts as this one ended - my garden had so many visitors.

I am up for a stroll in the morning I reckon, what time you walking the dog?

 

[mike from ebbw]

I can't help but think I have seen the bird before but not sure where? I hope the New Year starts as this one ended - my garden had so many visitors.

I am up for a stroll in the morning I reckon, what time you walking the dog?

I will be leaving very shortlywithoutthe dog though for a few hours down the feeders.

 

[spartacus mills]

j
Alan, i am sure you'll see a jay this year, but they are very difficult to get a good look at them. I think i've only had a really good veiw twice, all the rest have been in flight.

Yeah! Usually you see them as they're flying away from you, nevertheless, I've been lucky to have some great views of jays over the last month or two. There seems to be alot around this winter. Hopefully you'll see one soon.

Anyway, 'happy new year' you lot! I'm going back to lurking...

 

[luke]

just had a text from 'birdbloke' saying theres a brent goose at bulmore lakes. If anyones doing a gwent year listm this can be a really tricky species. I am too hungover to bother atm and it will be gone by tommororow, so there....

 

[GaryH]

unable to get a good look at a Jay this year...did see one fly in front of me over Pontsticill one day but wanted to get a good look at one.
|=)|

I've had some good views of Jay recently at St James forestry Alan, there's a clearing near the large pond with the car park. They were 4 of them making a hell of a racket but I suppose they also move around quite a bit . Still unlucky with the Crossbill though but I'm determined to get good views in 2008!!

Happy New year to everyone and hope to meet up "out there" soon!

Bye the way, my mate sent me a photo he took in his friends garden in Cwm on Christmas day. I was very surprised when I saw it (attached), the house is fairly near Silent Valley so check those leaves near the hide very closely!!

Now where's my glass?B

 

[mike from ebbw]

I've had some good views of Jay recently at St James forestry Alan, there's a clearing near the large pond with the car park. They were 4 of them making a hell of a racket but I suppose they also move around quite a bit . Still unlucky with the Crossbill though but I'm determined to get good views in 2008!!

Happy New year to everyone and hope to meet up "out there" soon!

Bye the way, my mate sent me a photo he took in his friends garden in Cwm on Christmas day. I was very surprised when I saw it (attached), the house is fairly near Silent Valley so check those leaves near the hide very closely!!

Now where's my glass?B

WOW!
Thats a hell of a garden tick!Happy New Year Gary.

 

[luke]

Jack Snipe reported from st james area, apparently next to the track next to the picnic area? the message said just east of goergetown, tredegar. So thats St James' right???

 

[mike from ebbw]

Jack Snipe reported from st james area, apparently next to the track next to the picnic area? the message said just east of goergetown, tredegar. So thats St James' right???

I cant remember seeing a picnic area up there Luke.Bear in mind that Georgetown goes all the way to the Hilltop road.You know the one that comes over the top from Hilltop and down Georgetown hill with the bad bends.It could be East of this road.

 

[The Valley Walker]

Could it be around the pond, think there are some tables that could be classed as a picnic area?

 

[luke]

i thought i could remember seeing a table or two but the thing that made me think it was there was that the report said that there were 7 goosanders on the pond aswell..

I wonder who reported it?

 

[mike from ebbw]

The tables were probably ripped out for someones garden when I went there last lol!

 

[luke]

An Extremely cold Garnlydan Reservoir this evening produced 2 Ad Yellow Legged gull & 1 pos 1st winter, 1 Argentatus Herring gull, 2 Intermedius Lesser black backed gull. 3000+ gulls came in this evening. Also on the res, 4 wigeon and 5 goosander.

 

[GaryH]

8 Gadwall present at Machine Pond (which I think is now poshly called Parc Nant y Waen) Brynmawr at 12:15 today, also a pair of Goosander, which never cease to impress me! Thanks for the easy ID method on the Gadwall Luke, they are also very weary as you said.
Also if anyone pops into Walters Ebbw Vale take a look at the photo of a Heron on the new Epson Printer, allegedly (could have been winding me up) taken at the garden festival Pond this year.......looks to me like a Purple Heron or something rarer!!!!
Gary

 

[luke]

I wonder if those gadwall are the ones from beaufort ponds??

 

[The Valley Walker]

Went up throught the Beaufort ponds on Sunday enroute to Garnlydan Res and must say it has been cleaned up no end - lots of bird life around including reed buntings, typical see one then a few come along. On the way up saw a couple of mistle thrush. Res had Grey Heron (2) 6 Pochard and lots of gulls. Red kite was spotted on the Brecon side of the wires that apart little else. Buzzrd on one of the lamp posts as we crossed back over. A new birder to this site Jonny Bonkers (school teacher in same school as oldgiteggy) lives on Highland road and I walked the route with him. His garden backs onto the trees behind and I reckon he got a perfect spot for some nice spotting...look forward to a few trips up there in future.

 

[Jonny Bonkers]

You forgot to mention the pair of Goosander Al! Male one too, well that's what my new book says.
Nice to be able to enjoy a good forum, I hope to contribute more as time permits.
Anyway hello all, hope to meet you all in the near future. Happy twitching

John H