Sightings

Main sighting: Water Rail

Productive walk around Castle Meadows. On the Usk: Kingfisher, Goosander, Grey Wagtail, two Little Grebes and a massive domestic duck. Water Rail on the margins of the Gavenny just below the footbridge.

Main sighting: Blackcap

2 male and one female blackcap are overwintering on garden feeders in St Julian’s, Newport.

Main sighting: Blackcaps

Female blackcap on the feeders two days ago and this morning a pair of female blackcaps present (no sign of a male yet).

Main sighting: Various

The GOS trip to Tregaron, Ynys-Las, Borth & Aberystwyth provided a mix of species totaling 50 by the end of the day. Species: Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Common Scoter, Goosander, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Red Kite, Buzzard, Merlin, Coot, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Knot, Purple Sandpiper, Snipe, Curlew, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Wren, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Willow Tit, Blue Tit, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Raven, Starling, Chaffinch & Reed Bunting.

Main sighting: Goldeneye

5f-Goldeneyes on Priors,1-Black Necked Grebe,25-Avocets on tideline,35+Grey Plovers and the usual Peregrine on first island.10h00-12h00.

Main sighting: Snipe

10 Snipe, 3 great crested grebe, kingfisher
Grey heron, and the usuals.

Main sighting: Glossy Ibis

Glossy Ibis on island straight out from Marsh Viewing screen. Also Snipe from snipe screen and Black Necked Grebe at far back.

Main sighting: Ravens and Pied Wagtails

Further to Nevs post – 2 x Ravens and 2 x Pied Wagtails warly on at dawn.

Main sighting: Black-Necked Grebe, and Waders

Lots on offer at the reserve but very boggy – wellies advisable. Monks – Peregrine Falcon in its usual spot on the island. Priors – 2 x Goldeneye, 1 x Pintail, 2 x Snipe in front of the “snipe platform”. Black- Necked Grebe showing very well. Other – Tufted Ducks, Teal, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Redshank, Glossy Ibis, Mute Swans, Greylags, Canada Geese, Wigeon, Shovelers and Shelduck. Good flock of 20+ Curlews. STone Chats and Meadow Pipits. Marsh Harrier quartered Priors early on.
Becs – was quiet. Mainly Shelduck.
Foreshore mud ( from the seawall) – Nice flock of Dunlins 100+, c20 Grey Plover, 14 Avocets, 10+ Knot, Curlews 30+, Pintail Flock c10. Great Black Backed Gull x 2 . Oystercatchers 30+.
Buzzards x 2 and Carrion Crows. Large numbers of Wigeon. Lapwing seen towards Saltmarsh c100.
Hedgerows full of Fieldfae and Redwings.

Main sighting: Blair Jones

Afternoon visit to Uskmouth through sunset to dusk. Waders observed on the mud – flock of Dunlins, Knot and Grey Plover ( c80 birds in total). Big flock of 300+ Dunlins. Curlews 30+, Wigeon 100 +. Flock of c15 Linnet 1 x Buzzard. Water Rails calling regularly in reeds leading to Saltmarsh Lane.
Dusk – Hen Harrier ( Ringtail) quartering the reeds.

Main sighting: Hen Harrier

Afternoon visit to Uskmouth through sunset to dusk. Waders observed on the mud – flock of Dunlins, Knot and Grey Plover ( c80 birds in total). Big flock of 300+ Dunlins. Curlews 30+, Wigeon 100 +. Flock of c15 Linnet 1 x Buzzard. Water Rails calling regularly in reeds leading to Saltmarsh Lane.
Dusk – Hen Harrier ( Ringtail) quartering the reeds.

Main sighting: Fieldfare

200+ fieldfare (on golf course fairways) with 30 starlings and 20 redwings; 2 stonechat (1m 1f) 50 redshank, 30 oystercatchers, 20 curlew. Teal and wigeon, shelduck, 2 sanderling, 2 pied wagtail, 2 cormorant.