Gwent birding (1 Viewer)

[mike from ebbw]

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

A very warm welcome John.Watch out though `cos you will be a daily visitor to the Birdforum like the rest of us before long lol.

 

[luke]

I ain't been down the wetlands in a while so had a wander around the whole reserve today which resulted in some good birds. First at uskmouth i had a flyover Water Pipit which flew out onto the foreshore, there was also plenty of cetti's warbler, reed buntings and water rails in the reedbeds. Dunlin were plentyful on the mud flats, probably over a 1000, along with a few curlew and grey plover. In the copse at uskmouth there was a Mealy Redpoll (i think) with a few lesser redpoll, siskin, and goldfinch.

Over to Boat lane next where there were thousands of birds!! Didn't do any counts but there was over 1500 lapwing, 1000ish wigeon along with a few less teal. Also 150+ Black tailed godwit. Best of all though was a bewick swan which is my first in Gwent!

Finally, over to Goldcliff pool where 8 avocet, 1 turnstone, 1 spotted redshank, 1 greylag goose along with usual few ducks including 4 pintail until a male peregrine came and sat on the island.

 

[Darryl]

flammea Redpoll

Luke, did you manage to get photos of your possible flammea Redpoll? I might be wrong, but this is potentially the first record of this species for the county.

PS. 'Mealy' is now 'Common' and the old common one (cabaret) is now 'Lesser' at least until they lump them again,... all as clear as mud.

 

[luke]

didnt get shot as it kept moving, light was appauling and it was raining, plus the bird was obscured by branches, but the bird was larger than a lesser that the near, plus i larger bill, slightly paler, obvious wingbar, alot of black around the bill, throat and up onto the red forehead. Just seemed different, if you know what i mean.

 

[Darryl]

Thanks for the quick reply Luke, I'll have a look tomorrow.

 

[The Valley Walker]

Cardi walking the dog earlier turned up 15+ BH Gulls, couple of BB Gulls, 3 Mallards. The woods around had great & blue tit, 20+ goldfinch, couple of bullfinch then lots of crwo & magpie. Had the bins on a treecreeper then had great views of 2 female GS Woodpeckers and then a couple of birds I am not totally sure of but believe to be Blackcap and I reckon I saw a goldcrest in some pines but could not get a good enough look at it....just checked the books and pretty sure it was goldcrest.

Right, now off without the dog.....bet I don't see owt!!

 

[luke]

Slavonian Grebe found at Llandegfeth this morning on GOS Walk, not a bad start to year aye?

 

[The Valley Walker]

Went up St James midday....big mistake - as I was driving up the clouds were coming over....saw a solitary chaffinch as I was walking down the path...then nothing !! Walked for 15 mins before the rain started and by the time I got back to the car I was VERY wet. Think it's a bit hit and miss with that place....next time I might drive to the pond and walk from that end?

Went to Panteg this afternoon and on the way home drove back via Pantygasseg...Jack was the 1st to ask what "all those birds were" and as I glanced right I could see 100's of birds flying towards the village...then the trees in front of me started emptying and joining the mass to our right....I stopped the car and put the bins on them...yep Brambling - most I have seen at one time...I was down there a week or so ago and there were quite a few but not like this. It was nearing 4 oclock and I supposed they were getting ready to roost...great sight.

 

[mike from ebbw]

Popped down to SV to fill the feeders with the dog.All the usual suspects present.I then walked up through the woods above the landfill site along the new path that goes to the top of the valley.Plenty of Ravens,Crows and Gulls including two reasonably fresh raptor Gull pluckings.Looks like that Gos is still about.Also saw a couple of Buzzard,Pied Wagtails and a couple of Brambling.

 

[The Valley Walker]

Popped down to SV to fill the feeders with the dog..

Is this a new mix we are trying???

 

[mike from ebbw]

Is this a new mix we are trying???

Certainly is!
The bones broke the wifes new food processor though lol!

 

[mike from ebbw]

Couple of shots from the feeders this morning.

 

[luke]

Newport Wetlands today didn't produce a Mealy/common redpoll in the shelter belt after a two hour search, infact no redpoll at all! But there were plenty of siskin, chaffinch and a brambling. Also at uskmouth 1 Male Bearded tit showed from the veiwing area in the copse, plus there were water rail shouting everywhere!

Boat lane produced the usual thousands of waders which included 2000+ lapwing, 80+ black tailed godwit, 5 redshank, few curlew, 9 pintail which was nice to see. there was also large flocks of knot and dunlin probably into the thousands outon the estuary, it looked like Snettisham!!

Goldcliff produced just 8 avocet and a few ducks including 6 pochard.

 

[The Valley Walker]

Went out of county this morning to Llangorse Lake...quiet to be honest nothing really to report. Spent 30 mins down the feeder on my return. Mike you have some nice new perches n stuff down there - the chaffinches certainly seem to like them.

|:d|

 

[luke]

llangors is usually a good spot especially in winter, did you go to the hide?? There has been a few water rails showing well from there.

 

[The Valley Walker]

llangors is usually a good spot especially in winter, did you go to the hide?? There has been a few water rails showing well from there.

Hi Luke,

Ye, parked up at the Church and walked to the hide...on the way a man stopped to tell us he had just seen two lesser spotted woodies, we didn't get to see them though. Saw some siskin & bullfinch. There was a wren and some tits around the feeder but nowt else....did catch a glimpse of a water rail on the way back though.

Lots of birds on the water but they were on the other side.

 

[luke]

I've had one of those day when everything goes great but everything happens at once. I went down to Kenfig (i know, not in gwent) this afternoon after news of a grey phalarope broke around midday, so i've been meaning to get down there because there a siberian chiffchaff and bittern showing well, so off i went. Within two hours i got all my target species!!! The phalarope showed off really well as did bitterns which showed 5 time throughout the afternoon!!! Plus the chiffchaff was heard calling and had reasonable veiws, so theres two lifers there!

BUT, When i got back to the car, realised that i left my phone in the car. Looked at it, and there a text saying theres a adult drake Fudge duck at Llandegfeth!!!!! Damn! I will try and get the finder to pop a few pics on here later if i can. Hope it sticks around, but i know need to sulk and have a drink. B

 

[luke]

If anyones interested, there will be a few of us at first light going to have a look for the Fudge duck. The gates at the fishermans carpark should be open.

 

[luke]

Just got a pic of the duck, so here it is!

Also, i just heard that the gates at the fishermans carpark were locked this morning, so 'birdbloke' has a key and other GOS mambers should, so there shouldn't be a problem.

 

[GaryH]

Within two hours i got all my target species!!! The phalarope showed off really well B

Great photos of the Phalarope Luke, what a stunning bird! You must have got pretty close to get that first shot!

Gary