Sightings

Main sighting: Wood Warbler

Several territories of Wood Warbler, Tawny Owl, numerous Tree Creepers, Song Thrush and Mistle, many Gt Spotted Woodpeckers. Far too many Squirrels, and surprisingly 2 Roe Deer. On the Rholben ridge, Cuckoo, Willow Warbler, Common Redstart, Skylark, Tree Pipit. I used to see Yellowhammer here.

Main sighting: Grasshopper Warbler

Pair of Cuckoos and a pair of Grasshopper Warblers seen in the area above Garn Lakes over a 2 hr period early this morning.
Other sightings included: Willow Warbler, Wheatear, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Crow, Magpie, Raven, Blackbird, Goldfinch, Canada Goose, Swallow, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Wren, Herring Gull, Robin, Stonechat, Starling, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Grey Heron.

Main sighting: Swift

3 birds – first in the village this year. A few Swallows but haven’t seen a House Martin yet. Lesser Whitethroat singing about 2 miles SW of village a couple of days ago.

Main sighting: Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher in the garden this morning – my first of the year. Such a joy to have them back.

Main sighting: Great White Egret

First hide visited only. En-route to hide – chiffchaffs, pheasant, collard dove, gt spotted woodpecker, 9 swallows, raven, reed warbler singing and lesser whitethroat. Hide – skylarks, Canada goose (goslings seen), mallards, 16 avocet, 3 oystercatchers, ls black-backed gulls harassing the avocets, coot, 8 male and 1 female teal, 6 gadwall, herring gulls, 8 redshanks, 2 lapwing, 1 shelduck, 231 black-tailed godwits, 2 lt egrets, greylags, linnets, magpie, blackbird, blackcap, fem marsh harrier, 5 mute swans, meadow pipits, pair stonechats, woodpigeons, moorhen, jackdaw, 5 sand martins and a buzzard.

Main sighting: Whimbrel

11-Whimbrels and 3-Turnstones in BP.Otherwise pretty quiet.14h30-15h15

Main sighting: Swift

Two birds seen overhead whist driving along dual carriageway towards Risca .

Main sighting: Late Swift sighting entry

Late entry sighting for May 1st – single Swift over Ystrad Mynach around 1645 hrs. Also, Machen on May 4th, Tawny Owl calling around 1045hrs.

Main sighting: Whimbrel

Whimbrel 8; Little Egret; Shelduck 40; Greylag Geese 2; Cetti’s Warbler; Reed Warbler; Sedge Warbler; Lesser Whitethroat; Common Whitethroat; Swallow 5; Sand Martin 2; Wheatear 2; Song Thrush; Blackcap; Linnets; Goldfinches; Chaffinch; Chiffchaffs; Skylarks; Wrens; Dunnock; Robins; Blackbirds; Long Tailed Tit; Pheasant; Woodpigeons, Carrion Crows; LBB Gull; Magpie; Mallard.

Main sighting: Cetti's Warbler

Heard and seen at midday on 1 May, a singing Cetti’s Warbler in vegetation on the bank of the Wye near Monmouth boathouse. First discovered by Hugo Perks who lives close by.

Main sighting: Wood warbler

Wood Warbler calling + Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler.

Main sighting: Firecrest

Singing bird heard (then seen) from mixed belt of trees along roadside, at edge of reserve. Third firecrest found this spring in different parts of Gwent, a species appearing to be spreading rapidly.