Sightings

Main sighting: E. Woodcock

Woodcock was flushed from the stream, flew into the tunnel under the canal, walked further into the tunnel, but then turned around and flew out.

Main sighting: Barn Owl, Pintail and Spotted Redshank

Dawn visit – Barn Owl showing well in near darkness throughout reserve.
92 x Curlews roosting on Monks Lagoon ( unable to see if any colour ringed).
A single Pintail duck was in with the Wigeon on Becs Lagoon.
Marsh Harrier( female) quartering reed beds regularly.
Afternoon visit – highlights were a Spotted Redshank on Monks Lagoon and Kestrel showing.
Other – Black Tailed Godwits ( 20+) Dunlin x 2 , Wigeon, Mallard, Tufted, Shelduck and Teal Ducks. Cormorant, Starlings , Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Robin,Magpie, Carrion Crow, Little Egret,Grey Heron,Greylag Goose, Moorhen, Canada Geese. Lesser Black Backed, Black Headed and Herring Gulls.

Main sighting: Barn Owl

My garden trail cam is regularly picking up a Barn Owl flying up from the winter seed crop and perching on a fence post; a second bird flew past a few nights ago. Always exciting to check the camera in the morning!

Main sighting: Redwings

Approx 15-20 birds feeding on plentiful hawthorn berries at the roadside between Blaenavon town and Keepers Pond.

Main sighting: Fieldfare & redwings

hundreds of fieldfares and redwings (both) still at The British, Abersychan.

Main sighting: Common Crane

Out of County – outdoor programme walk at WWT Slimbridge provided the usual range of subjects including White-fronted Goose, Greylag Goose, Lapwing, Dunlin, Teal, Wigeon etc. Also Bittern from the Kingfisher Hide and two Common Crane from the Tower Hide. Water Rail feeding beneath feeders. Thanks to the five members who joined the walk.

Main sighting: Common Snipe

Common Snipe 5; Widgeon 110; Teal 40; Herring Gull; BH Gulls; Dabchick; Heron 2; Mallard 30; Buzzard; Long Tail Tit; Song Thrush; Chaffinch; Great Tit; Blue Tit; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Jay.

Main sighting: Goldcrest

Goldcrest actively feeding with Blue Tits in Scots Pine in front garden. Presumed female due to bright yellow crown stripe with no orange mixed in. First this year.

Main sighting: Goldcrest

Goldcrest in Scots Pine in front garden. Presumed female as bright yellow crown stripe had no orange mixed in. First this year.

Main sighting: Waders

With more mud showing on Monks there were a few small waders Ringed Plover 12 Dunlin2 Curlew 40 Black-tailed Godwit 1 with good numbers of Teal, Shoveler and a flock of 250 Wigeon also Stonechat 4 Wren 4 Blue Tit Great Tit Dunnock Marsh Harrier 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Kestrel 1

Main sighting: Marsh Harrier

1female Marsh Harrier this morning.Also,yesterday at Goldcliff late afternoon a Short Eared Owl on a fence post.

Main sighting: Water rail

2 water rails – sighted both of them briefly as they scampered back into the reeds. Both birds were loudly calling back and forth from then on.