Sightings

Main sighting: Wildfowl

Sor Bay to Green Pool .45 LBBGull inc.peregrine Kill ..6 Goldeneye 140 wigeon 14 goosander (3red heads ) 43 teal mostly fem. 14 mute swan 4cormorant 112 canada goose 300 plus BHGull 1 little egret 3 grey heron Raven displaying 5 moorhen 15 coot .Blackcap singing near green pool hide 4 GBBGull male sparrowhawk pair buzzard . 2 meadow pipit (I hope ) ..30 linnet and a very Ill chaffinch .

Main sighting: Goosander

Male and Female goosander head in water looking for fish ,also 2 Female goosander flying past up river ,

Main sighting: Smew

drake seen well eventually south of Usk late afternoon between Craig Olway farm and next layby from town.

Main sighting: Goldeneye and Glossy Ibis

A very quiet high tide at Goldcliff Lagoons. I would advise wearing some wellies as the reserve is very muddy underfoot. The lagoons are full to thr brim. Only wader species of note were 21 Curlews ( no rings observed) feeding on edges of Becs. A flock of Lapwing flew over Becs and headed off to the Saltmarshes. Duck species seen were Goldeneye ( priors), Tufted Duck, Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Shoveler, Mallard and Shelduck. Glossy Ibis on Becs and flew off. 2 x Little Grebe on Priors.
Kestrel was hunting near entrance to reserve.

Main sighting: Various

48 shoveler 8 mute swan 24 mallard 34 teal 2 pochard 18 coot 2 snipe 12 shelduck Canada Goose Wigeon in low numbers LBBGull Marsh Harrier Male Raven Fem Kestrel

Main sighting: Drake Smew

I got to the previously reported site at Llanlowell at about 1:30 and had missed seeing the Smew by about 30 minutes, waited for another 30 minutes and decided to try another day. On the way back to Caerleon I thought I’d check the river by Llanbadoc Church where I’ve often seen Goosanders. As I drove down the track that runs along the river bank I must have flushed the Smew as I saw it flying past me and down the river towards the trees in the next field, having been there before i know that it’s possible to get down to the river bank there and duly made my way over but as I went down the bank it must have been under the overhanging branches behind me and took off back towards Usk.Access was easier than previously as the car park was freshly resurfaced and the track free of potholes.

Main sighting: Smew

Still there. Upriver of lay-bys towards town.

Main sighting: Muskovy Duck

The bird stayed around the car park all morning until Caerphilly bird rescue was called and they took it away. Photos on their website.

Main sighting: Kestrel

Very active Kestel hovering over Machen Mountain. Also, a Goosander duck in the nearby River Rhymney at Draethen.

Main sighting: Water Rail

Water Rail seen and heard squealing at dusk – first time at this location. Wigeon heard and 8 Snipe flushed.

Main sighting: Raptors

A number of red grouse pellets / droppings found. Also of note, good flocks of fieldfares around the hawthorns near the escarpment. 1 buzzard, 1 kestrel, 1 male peregrine, 3 red kites and 5 jays.

Main sighting: Avocet

36-Avocets on the tidal mud,1f-Goldeneye on priors and a Glossy Ibis showing well alongside priors.1-Peregrine perched on a fencepost for my entire visit.
Also, not bird related,a mole hill but more a mole ridge about eight feet long and two inches high near to the sea-wall.Not seen anything like this before.11h10-13h00.