Gwent birding (1 Viewer)

[Darryl]

NWR hides, etc.

"all i saw were people covering the entire reedbed...."

Luke,
Whilst I think the above might be the slightest of exaggerations , the disturbance at the Uskmouth end of the reserve is often noticeable at weekends. I don't expect the RSPB to make it any better either, if anything I'd expect that end to become ever more dude infested with the RSPB on board not less.

"I said all this to the RSPB reserve manager and he said that the current plans are to close certain paths through the reedbed to create a larger quieter reedbed...."

This has been planned by the CCW team for some time (I think the floaty-bridgey thing is part of the same plan). Were you talking to the centre manager(?), I think reserve management will still be headed-up by CCW (i.e. Tom and Kevin).

"We also talked about hides and he said that once the centre is open, the next magor work to go on will be on hides!! YEH!!"

Let's hope we get one or two well positioned hides/viewing platforms down Boat Lane or maybe the far lagoon at Goldcliff (preferably without a roof, or with a viewing platform on top, to negate the chance of missing flyovers). The last thing we need is a series of cosy WWT-esque sheds dotted around.

Anyway, I'm sure the next few months/years will be interesting down at the reserve, we will have to see how it goes,

Cheers,
Darryl

 

[GaryH]

There's a male Gadwall showing well at Cwmtillery Lake today (1:00pm).....didn't have my flippin camera though!

Gary

 

[luke]

Darryl: Ok maybe a slight exaggeration, but there were people everywhere around reedbeds, but i hardly ever go there on weekends, only if i have too. It was a chap called Lewis James, btw.

Gary: looks like we are getting invaded by gadwall!

 

[Corax67]

The last thing we need is a series of cosy WWT-esque sheds dotted around

I don't think so - surely such hides would be where the "dude" birders would choose to congregate rather than inconveniencing the proper birders who prefer to suffer in all weathers.

 

[Jos Stratford]

The last thing we need is a series of cosy WWT-esque sheds dotted around.

Oh dear, here speaks one ex-Gwent birder, the pride and joy of my land is a woodland 'hide' that overlooks my feeding stations - not only does it sport a comfy chair and gas heating, but nice panelled walls, two rooms and even skirting boards round the insulated floor 3 Clearly those Gwent days left me all too soft

 

[luke]

Something Lewis james said, was that one reason hides havnt been put in yet is that hides need to have plenty of things to see from them. So careful consideration must be made as to where the hides are placed. But i can see darryls point, an awful lot of birds are missed because they fly over and are not always sitting in front of a hide. but on the other hand, a nice warm, dry hide would be most welcome on the reserve!

 

[mike from ebbw]

Flushed a Woodcock this evening whilst walking the dog up the Cardiff pond.It was in the wooded area just West of the pond itself.Flew off in the direction of St James`.

 

[luke]

St James forestry this morning produced 6 crossbills, my frst for the year. Also a number of reed buntings have arrived in the forestry, about 5 seen but more heard. there were also 7 goosander on the pond.

This afternoon, spent a few hours watching nothing on the Llangatwg moor until the most distant hen harrier you could ever imagine flew from the moor over the forestry at 3:20pm. It was only IDable on jizz, it was that far away. Nice to finally see something instead of watching crows up there. Got a few pics of a dot in the distance but i think i could make out black wing tips, making this a male.

On a sader note, i have lost my gull roost!!!! Still a few hundred black headed gulls, but only 20 herrings and a few lesser black backed. If anyone finds them, please point them back towards garnlydan. REWARD if found and returned safely, lol

 

[luke]

heres an incredible pic of the harrier!!!

 

[mike from ebbw]

heres an incredible pic of the harrier!!!

Thats a Woodpigeon!


Seriously,nice one Luke!Glad you got a pic of it.May be the same one I saw up St James`the other week.Hope he hangs around!

 

[luke]

Probably is the same one, a male was seen at the start of December up there. They are easily overlooked. i have spent hours parked in one of the laybys and not seen anything and suddenly you see one. I think the Male harriers wander alot more, the ring tail back a few months ago was fairly consistant.

 

[Corax67]

i have spent hours parked in one of the laybys

That sort of behaviour can get you into serious trouble young man |:d|


Reckon your gull roost has moved over to Silent Valley tip judging by the size of the flocks over there today - going to pop over to the feeding station inn the morning then give the tip a once over for an hour.

 

[luke]

That sort of behaviour can get you into serious trouble young man |:d|


Reckon your gull roost has moved over to Silent Valley tip judging by the size of the flocks over there today - going to pop over to the feeding station inn the morning then give the tip a once over for an hour.

my gull roost comes from the tip. The tip birds usually spit themselves between, garnlydan, llandegfeth and some merthyr reserviors like pontic res. Might join you at the tip. Been meaning to try and veiw it for ages. never get around to it. I never thought i'd be visiting tips when i started birding!!

 

[mike from ebbw]

That sort of behaviour can get you into serious trouble young man |:d|


Reckon your gull roost has moved over to Silent Valley tip judging by the size of the flocks over there today - going to pop over to the feeding station inn the morning then give the tip a once over for an hour.

There is a new footpath that runs all the way to the top of the valley now Karl.It goes between the Beechwood and the tip itself.There has been a juvi Goshawk hanging around that wood for a while now.Found a few kills (gulls) along it a few weeks back.

 

[luke]

but that path doesnt give good veiws of the gulls. I went up there looking a while back and you couldnt see anything. But its a lovely bit of woodland!

 

[mike from ebbw]

but that path doesnt give good veiws of the gulls. I went up there looking a while back and you couldnt see anything. But its a lovely bit of woodland!

Go up the one side for the Gos (hopefully) Brambling and other woodland species all the way to the top and come back down the other side of the tip for the Gulls etc.Do a circular back to the car.

 

[luke]

Go up the one side for the Gos (hopefully) Brambling and other woodland species all the way to the top and come back down the other side of the tip for the Gulls etc.Do a circular back to the car.

good point, didnt realise that you can go right around the tip.

 

[luke]

Just seen a HARE on Rhyd y blew!! First time i've seen there. although Garys saw one a while back on Bryn serth, i think?

 

[GaryH]

Just seen a HARE on Rhyd y blew!! First time i've seen there. although Garys saw one a while back on Bryn serth, i think?

Excellent sighting Luke.

The last Hare I saw in that area was in 2006 so it's really good to know they are still there as we thought they had gone. Make sure Biodiversity and Rod know as it gives us more clout to save Rhyd Y Blew and Bryn Serth from development!

Here's my Leverett photo from 1996.

Did you see any Lapwing or Snipe ?

Gary

 

[luke]

no lapwing nor snipe, but i wasnt didnt walk the whole site.