Sightings

Main sighting: Snipe

2 chiffchaffs, 1 blackcap and a male stonechat. Redshank platform – 9 shelduck, skylark singing, 11 redshanks, 7 ringed plovers, 7 teal, 2 shoveler, 2 herons, 4 avocets, 1 cormorant, 7 lapwing, female kestrel, single snipe feeding and the spotted redshank going into partial breeding plumage. Snipe platform – pair of mute swans only. Seawall – oystercatchers and curlew on the saltings and the brent goose. Hide three – 4 wigeon only, 8 more shoveler, 4 gadwall, 3 more avocets, marsh harriers, red bunting, and the 22 curlew I counted earlier came in to the lagoon with the pale-bellied brent goose with them giving great views. Other: small tortoiseshell butterfly.

Main sighting: Red Kite

Single bird over the road, significantly exactly the same patch as one seen a couple of weeks ago.

Main sighting: Possible Merlin

Seen by the lighthouse sweeping low and fast across the salt marsh in pursuit of a bird and then landed before flying up high and away over the reedbeds. Clear view of face on the ground and no cheeks to rule out hobby and peregrine. Very distinctive small falcon shape in flight and darker coloured rather than chestnut and hunting behaviour suggested merlin rather than kestrel. Also pair of Marsh Harriers over the reedbeds and good numbers of Cetti Warblers.

Main sighting: Possible osprey

Possible osprey high up heading towards direction of Penarth / Lavernock. Could not quite get a positive ID though due to the height and distance (approx 1450hrs). Other highlights: 3 swallows aerial feeding over the pool, 1 chiffchaff, rooks, 1 blackcap, 14 teal, 13 shelduck, 2 little egrets, 2 grey herons, 2 mute swans, 2 cormorants, 3 lapwing (pair chasing off a female marsh harrier), 2 gadwall, 1 cettis calling, buzzard, single redshank and a distant pheasant calling.

Main sighting: Gannets

Three birds(adults) found approx 1.30pm still present at least 5pm sometimes sat on water

Main sighting: Osprey

Osprey flew north lowish over Mynydd Maen at 11:25 am.

Main sighting: Mandarin

Pair of mandarin ducks.

Main sighting: Swallow

Single bird flying North ovwr Village .

Main sighting: Waders and Wheatear

HT visit just after dawn. Becs was the busiest lagoon again.
The big Black Tailed Godwit flock was on the far side of the island. 1 x Ruff seen and at least 3 x Dunlin. Large numbers of redshank and 12 x Avocet.
Wheatear was showing well on the Seawall hide path and seawall.
Kestrel was hunting near Hide 1.
Blackcaps and Chiff Chaffs calling near car park.

Main sighting: Glossy Ibis

1-Glossy Ibis flew over the Gout from a westerly direction before flying east towards Newport.09h30.

Main sighting: Waders

Becs Lagoon viewed from the Seawall was the busiest of the lagoons at high tide.
500+ Black Tailed Godwits. 2 x Grey Plovers, 1 x Knot ( when reviewing flock shots). 20+ Curlews and 12 x Avocet. Lots of Redshanks now throughout the reserve.
Kestrel , Buzzard and Marsh Harrier were the raptors seen.

Main sighting: Sparrowhawks

Leading a guided walk with 41 species seen highlights included 2 cettis, 1 blackcap, 3 chiffchaffs, gadwall, little grebe, teal, little egret (pair nesting), grey herons (2 pairs nesting), buzzard, male kestrel, goldcrest and 3 sparrowhawks.