Sightings

Main sighting: Grey Phalarope

The Grey Phalarope was showing well today at mid-day, from the Marsh viewing platform. It looked very settled spinning on the water and feeding. Also Southern and Migrant Hawkers along the rheen and Common Darter everywhere.

Main sighting: little egrets

2 egrets fishing just below Monnow bridge at 0730 hrs, also small passage of house martins over st arvans on Saturday and Sunday @ 15 birds both days

Main sighting: Ring-knecked parakeet

I ring-knecked parakeet heard and observed flying between trees from 2.00 pm – 5.45 pm when I arrived at and left the car park.

Main sighting: Spotted Redshank

Snipe platform – 2 kestrels, robin, crows, herring gulls, mallards, grey phalarope showing well, 5 little egrets, water rail (seen and heard), moorhens, 2 pairs stonechats in the reeds, 6 grey plover on the mud, pied wagtails, 80 black-tailed godwits had a spotted redshank mixed in, all took off and flew high at 0755, 43 redshanks, chaffinch, meadow pipits, cettis warbler, raven, 65 lapwing, wren, male phesant, woodpigeons, magpies. Marsh platofrm – shoveler, teal, 2 ringed plovers, 1 heron, chiffchaff in the reeds, 16 skylarks over calling. Seawall – 15 curlew only, good mix of waders on the waters edge included 2 knot, 1 bar-tailed godwit, oystercatchers, 103 dunlin and 46 grey plovers. Wheatear in the grass by the gate, 1 gt black-backed gull, black headed gulls and a siskin over calling. Back at snipe platform – 62 house martins feeding and 5 swallows mixed in, 2 snipe. Hedge line down to hide – 2 goldcrests, 5 chiffchaffs, dunnock, blue tits. Hide 1 – male marsh harrier and 11 greylags passing. Green woodpecker, starlings and jackdaws by the entrance.

Main sighting: Kingfisher

Not much else, but KF was where it should be 😉

Main sighting: Avian Flu

4 mute swans have died in recent weeks in the reedbeds at Uskmouth, Newport Wetlands. Two were collected last Thursday, 29th September by DEFRA for testing for Avian Flu. The results may take up to 2 weeks.
Please keep an eye out for dead birds. You should call the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77) if you find:
one or more dead bird of prey or owl;
3 or more dead gulls or wild waterfowl (swans, geese and ducks);
5 or more dead birds of any species.
Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick wild birds that you find. Please also notify NRW by calling 0300 065 3000.
For further information please visit the Welsh Government website:
https://gov.wales/avian-influenza-bird-flu-latest-update

Main sighting: Shelduck

At least 772-Shelducks on the foreshore,also 4-Grey Plovers and 73+Oystercatchers.12h00-12h45.

Main sighting: Grey Phalarope

Grey Phalarope from Snipe Platform. Also Marsh Harrier

Main sighting: House Martin & Cormorants

Long walk from the dam to the north end of the reservoir. Lots of mallards together with 50+ Canada geese and a single male tufted duck, 2 ravens, single juvenile house martin, at least 15-20 cormorants with many juveniles and adults present, 2 pied wagtail. The water level in the reservoir is still extremely low and, through my binoculars, the hides appeared to be quite a distance from the water and any birds.

Main sighting: red grouse

Moors above the British – 6 red grouse; also skylarks, meadow pipits, linnets and stonechats

Main sighting: Curlew Sandpipers

A max of 11 Curlew Sandpipers over the high tide, also 2 Little Stint, 4 Male ruff, Green Sandpiper, male Marsh Harrier, juv Peregrine, small flock of Knot.

Main sighting: Little egrets

14 little egrets, 73 dunlin, 5 shovelers, 44 teal, 27 blackwits, 35 redshank, 6 knot, a little stint, 2 stonechat, 3 chiffchaff, 2 goldfinch, 6 pied wagtail, 2 cettis heard calling