Please do not post reports of nesting birds or sightings of rare or Schedule 1 breeders. Sightings which might lead to disturbance will be removed.

Sightings

Bob Potter

Goldcliff

Mon 5th Apr 2021

Main sighting: Merlin

0725, shortly after arriving at first (Greenshank) hide, a small group of Redshank took to the air as a Peregrine flew in chasing a Redshank (which it subsequently missed) , followed closely by a Merlin (female). Both flew off beyond the sea wall. Other sightings: Swallows (3); Gadwall; Widgeon; a few Teal; Tufted Duck; Dabchick; Black Tailed Godwit (250+), Avocet (50+); single Curlew (no leg rings); Ruff (2); Little Ringed Plover; Bean Goose and White Front Goose sat together in adjacent field; Reed Bunting; Skylark singing. Rather cold and windy.

Chris Stone

Sudbrook

Mon 5th Apr 2021

Main sighting: Brent goose

regarding report of Brent goose at Sudbrook, date should have read 1st April, sorry

Verity Picken

Gwent

Mon 5th Apr 2021

Main sighting: Curlew request

Please go to the Home page to see details of GOS’s request for all inland Curlew sightings in Gwent. It’s essential to know where they might be breeding if we’re to do anything to prevent the appalling decline in numbers of this lovely bird.

Bob Potter

Sudbrook

Sun 4th Apr 2021

Main sighting: Swallow

Single Swallow (male). First this year for me.

Verity Picken

Llangybi

Sun 4th Apr 2021

Main sighting: White Stork

Stunning views of a White Stork low overheard just north of Llangybi. Refound on the deck, following the plough and scoped through a bit of a heat haze. It took off flying northwards but I was unable to relocate it.

Bob Potter

Caldicot

Sun 4th Apr 2021

Main sighting: Lesser Redpoll

Lesser Redpoll visiting on a daily basis for the last 14 days, feeding on sunflower hearts feeder in my garden. (I have photo). One or two birds frequently seen. Is this unusual? Also regular visits by up to four Greenfinch, the occasional Chaffinch and many Goldfinch.

Adrian & Charlotte Edwards

Gwent

Sat 3rd Apr 2021

Main sighting: Firecrest

Our first self found firecrest yesterday! Can’t say where here, have informed county recorder. Also many migrants – chiffchaffs, willow warblers, blackcaps

Neville Davies

Goldcliff Lagoons

Sat 3rd Apr 2021

Main sighting: White Wagtail

I have checked my pictures against the books and had a credible friend / birder check the images, but of the 5 pieds along the seawall, as thought, 2 were white wagtails. Amendment to yesterday’s post also, should read ‘no sign of the garganey today’ (not gadwall as listed).

Chris Stone + Theresa Stone

Sudbrook

Sat 3rd Apr 2021

Main sighting: Red kite

Kite flew over garden today n/e – I see there was a Brent goose at Golcliffe, there was one at Sudbrook on Thursday 1/2. Also approx 9 Sand martins n/e yesterday

Neville Davies

Goldcliff Lagoons

Sat 3rd Apr 2021

Main sighting: Ruff

In relation to Stewart Hovey’s sighting yesterday, the Brent Goose was today feeding on the saltings from the seawall and did appear very dark, also wondering dark-bellied race? Also of note dawn to mid-morning: Blackcap singing and chiffchaffs singing, cettis heard calling.
Several pheasants about. Redshank Platform – 19 shelduck, 2 lt egrets, 12 avocet, 29 dunlin, 18 common redshanks, 1 lt ringed plover, skylark singing and 1 willow warbler singing from the hedge line. Snipe Platform – 19 mute swans (adults and last year’s cygnets), 18 tufted ducks, shoveler, teal, pair of little grebes, 12 gadwall, 2 grey herons, 2 cormorants and the white-fronted goose showing well (no sign of either the bean goose or gadwall today). Hide 3 – fem marsh harrier, 1 buzzard circling, female merlin made an appearance close to the hide, 51 avocet including the ringed bird, good count of 324 black-tailed godwits, pair of lt ringed plovers on the island, single ruff feeding on the bank, 21 ringed plovers, 2 oystercatchers, pair of pintail roosting on the far bank and a male reed bunting feeding. Seawall – brent goose, wheatear along the seawall, 4 pied wagtails may have had a white mixed in (tbc from photos).

Stewart Hovey

Goldcliff Lagoons

Fri 2nd Apr 2021

Main sighting: Brent Goose

Brent Goose flew over the sea wall and landed to the left of the Sea Wall hide. In flight it appeared totally black. In the water there was a very little contrast between the head, neck and the flank. However, it did have a quite thin white neck stripe. I didn’t see it out of the water. I watched it in the lagoon for about 10 mins. I concluded that it was a juvenile Dark-Bellied Brent Goose. I’m happy to be corrected. It was exciting as I have only ever previously seen Brent Geese in Norfolk. Sorry, I didn’t have a camera with me, I really hope other birders saw it!! But I then went off to see the 3 Garganey, Bean and White fronted geese. A great morning! It pays to be early!

Mike Rees

Mounton

Fri 2nd Apr 2021

Main sighting: Swallow

Single swallow hawking for insects above the Linnetts

Next event

Apr
1
Mon
2024
9:00 am Change of Date:- Outdoor meeting... @ Mynynedd Llangatog
Change of Date:- Outdoor meeting... @ Mynynedd Llangatog
Apr 1 @ 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
Due to unforeseen circumstances the date of tis walk has had to be changed. It will now occur on Monday April 1st.[...]