| Keith Jones |
Monday 08-Feb-2010 |
Llandevaud |
|
My error Peter it was ST39B I visited. This monring completed my second winter visit for ST39V but little out of the ordinary. |
| Allan Dowson |
Monday 08-Feb-2010 |
Goldcliff |
| Birds of note,11h00-12h00;1-fem.Smew,1-Spotted Redshank,19-Gadwall all from 1st. platform. |
| Peter O'Duffy |
Monday 08-Feb-2010 |
Wales |
| Att.KeithJones:The walk you did is in ST239B. |
| Steve Williams |
Sunday 07-Feb-2010 |
Bryn Bach Park |
| Good numbers of wildfowl included 7 Mute Swan, 60 Coot, 50 Mallard, 11 Pochard, 11 Tufted Duck, 32 Canada Goose and a hybrid Canada x Greylag Goose (photos on valleynaturalist.blogspot.com. Also 22 Goosander at Machine Pond. |
| mark davies |
Sunday 07-Feb-2010 |
River Usk |
| 30+ flock of goldfinches , redpoll & a couple of siskens in alders just below the llanwenarth arms |
| Mike Warburton |
Sunday 07-Feb-2010 |
Waunafon bog |
| 16.30pm.One Short Eared Owl observed on/off through the fog for about tem minutes on the Western side of the mountain road near the cattle grid.Be aware for anyone planning a visit that the mountain road gate is now locked at 2pm. |
| John Bennett |
Sunday 07-Feb-2010 |
LLanllowell |
| Llanllowel 7th February 2010.
A female Scaup on the river Usk from the siding just south of Usk opposite the Craig Olway Farm . Be careful to climb the bank so as not to flush the birds . The Scaup was on the river bend and there were about 20 Goldeneye towards Usk . Also 2+ Little Grebe and 3 Goosander. |
| Keith Jones |
Sunday 07-Feb-2010 |
Ponthir Reservoir |
|
Not a lot about mid afternoon but 1 Great Crested Grebe, 22 Tufted Duck, and 1 Goosander. |
| mark davies |
Saturday 06-Feb-2010 |
Sugar Loaf |
| 4 red grouse on side of sugar loaf this afternoon |
| Nathan Casburn |
Saturday 06-Feb-2010 |
Wentwood |
| Willow Tit,Brambling and good numbers of Crossbills |
| Brian Thomas |
Saturday 06-Feb-2010 |
Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff |
| 9.45 - 11.45:Female smew on back lagoon after visiting the other ones. Greenshank, spotted redshank from 1st platform. |
| Keith Jones |
Saturday 06-Feb-2010 |
Cwmbran boating lake . |
|
Completed second Winter Atlas visit for ST39C, Walked (Two hours) early morning from Cwmbran Boating Lake following the SE river – railway line footpath to Rose Cottage, then NE to finish walk at Llanfrechfa Church. High-lights include 14 Goosander, 2 Dipper, 1 drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 1 Nuthatch. Birds singing include Wood Pigeon, Wren, Mistle Thrush, Coal Tit, Greenfinch, and 13 Dunnock.
|
| Lee Parsons |
Friday 05-Feb-2010 |
Brynithel |
| 30+ Siskin; Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Chaffinch; Greenfinch; Great, Blue and Coal Tit; Treecreeper; three Buzzard and all the usual corvids. |
| Keith Roylance & Arthur Pitcher |
Friday 05-Feb-2010 |
Wentwood |
| Flock of 40+ Crossbill at Cadira Beeches. Also Redpoll, Goshawk, Buzzard, Blue, Great & Coal Tits. Willow Tit heard.
Out of County - Great White Egret at Hendre Lake, St. Mellons this morning. Flew from its roost at 08:00 westward. Also 5 Little Egret. |
| Keith Jones |
Friday 05-Feb-2010 |
Uskmouth |
|
A count early morning from Power Station entrance followed the western footpath to west R4, then walked to east R 8 & 9 via Pontoon Bridge, completing walk from west R11 to the visitors centre. Numbers rather low with 4 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Canada Geese, 14 Shelduck, 132 Wigeon (Foreshore) 44 Teal (Foreshore), 32 Mallard, 18 Tufted Duck, 7 Pochard, 2 Pheasant, 5 Water Rail, 9 Moorhen, 38 Coot, 40 Curlew, 1 Green Woodpecker, 19 Cetti’s Warbler, 34 Greenfinch, 10 Linnet, 21 Reed Bunting, 5 Raven. Among the birds singing Song Thrush, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Greenfinch.
|
| David Hathaway |
Thursday 04-Feb-2010 |
A465 Abergavenny - Hereford |
| Red Grouse calling near Offa Dyke Path close to Hay Bluff.
Could not see it as it was full cloud cover.I walked through heather but they did not get up. |
| Mike Warburton |
Thursday 04-Feb-2010 |
Garnlydan Reservoir |
| 15.45-17.00.There were 12 Goosander on the res (7 female) along with 7 Pochard and about 20 BH Gulls.Around the res were 3 C Crows,1 Buzzard,3 Mistle Thrush but the highlight was a male Peregrine having a go at 4 Starlings.The Starlings used the Skylark trick of gaining height but the Peregrine easily matched them.One Starling broke away and the Peregrine had a go but missed.He then went after the three but they all dropped out of sight behind a hill so couldnt see if he made a kill. |
| Alice |
Thursday 04-Feb-2010 |
Abersychan |
| 1 Lesser Redpoll feeding on niger in garden (first sighting here!). Also female sparrowhawk sitting at end of garden watching over feeders, eventually seen off by two crows and a magpie. A good day of firsts for the garden (also a treecreeper last week). |
| Neil Hempstead |
Wednesday 03-Feb-2010 |
maesycwmmer |
| A pair of goldcrests, firstly feeding at some old Christmas pudding on our feeders, then each in turn lurking in our window boxes (managed to get deveral photos of one on my phone) |
| steve howcroft |
Wednesday 03-Feb-2010 |
lakeside pond |
| 5m goosander 9 redheads 1 gbb gull |
| Sheila, Kevin,Jo, Max and Claudia Dupe |
Wednesday 03-Feb-2010 |
Hendre Lake |
| Great white egret flew in to roost at exactlly 5pm from south. Soon after bittern seen from 20m climb up into reeds and preen for 10 minutes. Also water rail heard. |
| Gray |
Wednesday 03-Feb-2010 |
Goldcliff Lagoons |
| Lagoons very quite at 3.30pm today, with poor visibility. Sprinkling of mallard, wigeon, pochard, tufted duck, shoveler, teal, canada geese, lapwing and little egret. Birds of note were four pintail, two males and two females, viewed from the first platform. Didn't walk to third platform or seawall as mist was descending. |
| Mathew Meehan |
Wednesday 03-Feb-2010 |
Newport Wetlands RSPB |
| 1 Green Sandpiper on the scrape outside the visitor centre. Also the a Little Egret. |
| Keith Jones |
Wednesday 03-Feb-2010 |
Moorings Fields Newport |
|
Walked part of the loop of the River Usk north ofChichester Close at high tide this morning. No doubt missed some birds due to poor visibility, but through the murk did make out 2 Mute Swan, 9 Wigeon, 16 Teal, 6 Mallard, 1 female Sparrow Hawk, 20 Common Redshanks, 1 Greenshanks, 2 Common Snipe, 230 Black Headed Gulls, 40 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Long Tailed Tit, 2 Jay. A Little later at the flooded field 2 Mute Swan, 4 Mallard, 2 Teal, 102 Lapwing, 400 Black Headed Gull, 60 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 120 Jackdaw. Also of note Dunnock, Great and Blue Tits singing.
|
| Keith Jones |
Monday 01-Feb-2010 |
PEN Y FAN |
|
Most of the pond was frozen over late afternoon of 31st January with just 3 Lesser Black Backed, and 2 Black Headed Gulls, and 2 Mallard. More luck on the feeding station in the lower car park with 2 male and 1 female Bullfinch, and also a single Yellowhammer. The latter my first for this location and never seen them coming to feeding station before, but read they are known to.
|
| Neil Hempstead |
Sunday 31-Jan-2010 |
Ystrad Mynach By-pass |
| Cormorant on a power line pole close to river Rhymney at Llanbradach, a short distance from the fishing lakes |
| Neil Hempstead |
Sunday 31-Jan-2010 |
Maesycwmmer |
| a pair of greater spotted woodpeckers at our feeders, but the female also came down onto the patio to snack on biscuits and wet bread / cake |
| Chris Jones / Nathan Casburn |
Sunday 31-Jan-2010 |
Llandegfedd Reservoir |
| In the gull roost late pm today a 1st winter immature Little Gull was the only gull of interest. Otherwise 65 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Little Grebes, 480 Teal, 28 Goosander and a female Goldeneye. |
|
Sunday 31-Jan-2010 |
Pen y lan (above Bassaleg) |
| very quiet on the hill this afternoon although 7 Grey Partridge a nice surprise. |
| Nicholas Beswick |
Sunday 31-Jan-2010 |
hafod farm,brynmawr |
| Two Ravens feeding on a dead sheep, after which one had a "snow bath", rubbing against the sprinkling of snow on the ground, even rolling right over on to its back with feet in the air. This morning there was an adult Great Black-backed Gull on the ice at the Asda (aka Dunlop Semtex) Pond, a very occasional visitor in these parts. |
| Mike and Jackie Pointon |
Sunday 31-Jan-2010 |
St. Brides Wentlooge foreshore |
| Shelduck 150 Shoveler 12 Canada Goose 54 Redshank 60 Dunlin 600 Oystercatcher 6 Buzzard 4 Reed Bunting 1 Goldfinch 20 Woodpigeon 40 Magpie 20 Jackdaw 60
Grey and Pied Wagtail 1. Surprise of the day was Goshawk seen mobbed by Jackdaws.
|
| Adrian Plant |
Sunday 31-Jan-2010 |
Sluice Farm |
| Two short-eared owls and at least 7 water pipit among a myriad of mippits this morning at 08:00 |
| Steve Williams |
Sunday 31-Jan-2010 |
Lasgarn Wood, Abersychan |
| A couple of hours around my local patch produced a nice mixed flock of around 100 birds feeding high in larch, including 3 crossbill, 30 siskin, 40 goldfinch, plus a few coal, great and blue tit. Also great spotted woodpecker and flyover raven. |
| Celia Randerson |
Sunday 31-Jan-2010 |
Tredegar House Park |
| 1 hour walk around the park and parts of the lake produced 28 species including - Bullfinch (4); Redwing (50+); Kingfisher (1) - Showing well; Treecreeper (1); Nuthatch (2); Buzzard (1); Golcrest (1) |
| Martyn Jones |
Sunday 31-Jan-2010 |
Hendre Lake, St Mellons |
| Just out of county. 07.45.
Crippling views of GWE for almost half an hour as it warmed itself in the early morning sunshine prior to flying of west.
Several L.Egret
2 Woodcock. |
| Keith Jones |
Saturday 30-Jan-2010 |
Wentwood Reservoir |
|
A brief visit late morning produced 8 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe (posture including neck position suggested diver at distance), 1 Cormorant, 10 Canada Geese, 14 Mallard, 94 Tufted Duck, 24 Pochard, 1 female Goldeneye, 1 Moorhen, 21 Coot, 1 Great Black Backed Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 1 Raven.
|
| KJK |
Friday 29-Jan-2010 |
Machen |
| Pair of Bullfinches seen in garden for first time yesterday near top of tall tree. Buzzard flying over garden today being mobbed by 15 jackdaws. |
| HADYN JONES |
Friday 29-Jan-2010 |
Slade Woods |
| This afternoon 2 male and 1 female Crossbill showing well. |
| Ed Stevens |
Friday 29-Jan-2010 |
Black Rock |
| This morning at Black Rock 1 male bullfinch, 1 great spotted woodpecker and 1 little egret. Tonyr there has been a quite dark buzzard spending quite a lot of time in Sudbrook in the last month or so, but the possibility of red kite can not be disscounted. I have not seen one in Sudbrook but did see one last year over Caldicot. |
| Gray |
Friday 29-Jan-2010 |
Hendre Lake, St Mellons |
| (Out of County). Today, at 7:35am the Great White Egret and sixteen little egret lifted from a roost on the lake island and landed again, alongside the reeds on the railway side of the island. Good views for about ten minutes until the flock dispersed, with the Great White disappearing over the railway track. |
| JillyJ |
Thursday 28-Jan-2010 |
Handpost, Newport |
| I looked out of the window yesterday to see a small hawk sitting quietly on top of the lilac bush where all my feeders are sited - about the size of a wood pigeon. It had a white stripe over the eye, a grey back with a number of white 'spots'. Would it have been a female sparrow hawk? She disappeared when I dashed for the binoculars so I missed her in flight and was unable to get a better look. My black cap has also returned and is in permanent residence. Saw a wren for the first time earlier in the week. |
| John Bennett |
Thursday 28-Jan-2010 |
Usk Valley |
| About 7 Bewick Swans with 25 Mute Swans seen from layby just north of Llangybi but viewing difficult through the trees. |
| tonyr |
Thursday 28-Jan-2010 |
Sudbrook |
| First time on this site (or any other) so this covers more than one date.
Green woodpecker in garden today, fed for over one hour alongside garden path. I would guess from the rapidity of pecks that it was feeding on ants, there are several ant nests under my path although I didn't know they were active in winter. Have only seen a green woodpecker in this area once before, about six months ago in my next door neighbours garden.
Sparrow hawk taking birds in and around village on a fairly regular basis.
Lots of buzzards, most I have seen together overhead, middle of last year is nine feeding on flying insects I assumed.
Week commencing 11/01/10 arriving home I turned into camp lane and saw something with an enormous wing span flying very low away from me. I first thought a buzzard but the buzzards in this area are quite pale, this was a dark brown on top. Wing movement similar to heron's. Is it possible it was a red kite? Have they made it this far yet?
|
| Maurice Chown |
Thursday 28-Jan-2010 |
Hendre Lake |
| The G W Egret left the roost at 7.40 this morning and flew west. At about 9.30 I relocated it about 1 mile west north of the railway along with the bittern and both birds flew south and appeared to land on the other side of the railway. It may come back to the roost this evening. Probably best to get there no later than 4.30pm. |
| Lee Parsons |
Wednesday 27-Jan-2010 |
rogerstone |
| Magpies nest building at the medical centre and also opposite the recycling area ! |
| Tom Chinnick |
Wednesday 27-Jan-2010 |
Hendre Lake, St Mellons |
| Glamorgan/Gwent Great-White Egret flew ESE from Hendre lake @ 7:40 appeared to land in nearby fields. |
| Tom Dalrymple |
Tuesday 26-Jan-2010 |
Goldcliff Lagoons |
| We will be repairing the fox fence between 8:30 and lunch time tomorrow (27th). I'm sorry if this causes inconvenience. |
| Keith Jones |
Tuesday 26-Jan-2010 |
Bulmore Lakes |
|
Walked late morning from Ultra Pontem Caerleon along the Bulmore road to the lakes. Just 27 species noted including 1 Little Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 304 Canada Geese, 6 Wigeon, 43 Teal, 57 Mallard, 5 Goosander 3 Buzzard, 5 Coot, 1 Great Black Backed Gull, 72 Black Headed Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay. The Moorings visit listed for 26th January should read 25th January.
|
| Keith Jones |
Tuesday 26-Jan-2010 |
Moorings Fields Newport |
|
A count one hour following high tide in the afternoon produced 15 Wigeon, 29 Teal, 4 Mallard, 2 Goosander, 1 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 5 Lapwing, 10 Common Redshanks, 1 Green Sandpiper, 38 Black Headed Gull, 1 Stonechat.
|
| Keith Jones |
Monday 25-Jan-2010 |
Ynysyfro Reservoir |
|
A late morning count produced 4 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 15 Canada Geese, 9 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 49 Tufted Duck, 13 Pochard, 1 male Goosander 4 Moorhen, 232 Coot, 2 Great Black Backed Gull, 7 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 10 Herring Gull, 119 Black Headed Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull. During week days construction continues at entrance to south reservoir, so access possible. Please call in at site office prior to visit.
|
| KJK |
Monday 25-Jan-2010 |
Machen |
| Same stretch of Rhymney as before: Female Goosander in river again and Cormorant flying. |
| mike tidley |
Monday 25-Jan-2010 |
Itton |
| Two woodcock feeding in garden 7pm |
| Barry Ingram |
Sunday 24-Jan-2010 |
Dewstow Golf Club, Caldicot |
| Good to have you back Keith.
Played golf today at Dewstow on the old course. Two birdies and a lot of singing birds, blackbirds, robins and several I can't identify by their song but finches perhaps, everal different songs. Also the usual suspects, crows, rooks, jackdaws and magpies. One green woodpecker and a brief glimpse of, perhaps, a sparrowhawk. No sign of any buzzards which was a surprise but rabbits appear to be in decline so maybe they've moved away. |
| Bryn Burgess |
Sunday 24-Jan-2010 |
Neddern |
| Earleir entry is for the Neddern |
| Bryn Burgess |
Sunday 24-Jan-2010 |
United Kingdom |
| 1105 - 1215 Bewick Swans 2Ad + 21st years and 2 female golden Eye still present. 4 Little Grebe, 148 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 3 Shoveler, 8 Mute Swan, 13 Coot. No Wigeon or Teal present may have been disturbed earlier |
| Keith Jones |
Sunday 24-Jan-2010 |
Goldcliff Lagoons |
|
A walk to the sea wall mid morning produced a count of 40 species including 2 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron 3 Little Egret, 4 Mute Swan, 83 Shelduck, 91 Canada Geese, 120 Wigeon, 109 Teal, 162 Mallard, 15 Shoveler, 11 Gadwall, 11 Pintail, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 female Smew (On Becs), 1 Merlin, 2 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 780 Lapwing, 9 Ringed Plover, 5 Grey Plover, 1 Greenshanks, 1 Spotted Redshanks (these two extreme NE corner of Monks), 500 Dunlin, 400 Knot, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 13 Carrion Crow, and 1 Raven. Later at Ponthir Reservoir 1330 – 1345hrs 22 Tufted Duck, 3 Goosander, 12 Black Headed Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Grey Wagtail.
|
| John Bennett |
Saturday 23-Jan-2010 |
Goldcliff Lagoons |
| Redhead Smew from the seawall also Greenshank and Spotted Redshank from No 1 platform .
Garden
Blackcap feeding on a fatball . |
| D.Hutton |
Saturday 23-Jan-2010 |
Newport Wetlands |
| firstly-good to know your back keith.a nice afternoon produced the usual big flocks of waders and wildfowl-even more spectacular when in flight-put up by a quartering ringtail h.harrier,olso a single woodcock low overhead. |
| David Hathaway |
Saturday 23-Jan-2010 |
Gigrin Farm |
| Black Kite at feeding station today,1st one I have seen very exciting. |
| Roo |
Saturday 23-Jan-2010 |
Pentrepiod, Pontypool |
| Garden birds coming back, 40 Chaffinch, 7 Brambling and a male Siskin, plus the now resident Blackcap (she rarely leaves the bush with the sunflower feeders). |
| Keith Jones |
Saturday 23-Jan-2010 |
Caerleon |
| Hi thanks for the concern Barry, but I’ve been out of action from the 21st December with a rather serious case of Cellulititis from a routine blood test. Was admitted to hospital from 26th December for 19 days. Rather weak and shaky from the whole experience at the moment, but it’s a matter of building up strength again. Did have a quick look at the Great Northern Diver at Llandegfedd Reservoir last weekend, and the central area of Uskmouth also. Didn't report it alrady had been. Plan a short trip this Sunday. So watch this space. |
| KJK |
Friday 22-Jan-2010 |
Machen |
| Saw female goosander in River Rhymney from footpath between Tyn y Waun Road and Forge Road. Have never seen goosander in Machen before, but have only just started walking by the river every day as usual dog walking field is full of cows at the moment. Also dipper and young cormorant flew along river opposite rugby club. |
| Nathan Casburn |
Friday 22-Jan-2010 |
Llandegfedd Res |
| Great Northern Diver still this afternoon.Gulls came in very late. |
| Hadyn Jones |
Friday 22-Jan-2010 |
Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth |
| This afternoon one Ring-Tailed Hen Harrier observed several times-at Farmfield lane,at Dry reed bed, and at east side of main reed bed. Also Barn Owl quartering sedgy field near Farmfield Lane. |
| Mark Dutfield,Matt Evans, Rob Gaze. |
Friday 22-Jan-2010 |
Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff |
| Female Smew viewed from the sea wall,Dunlin,Grey Plover,Teal,Wigeon,Little Egret,Shovelor,Curlew,Redshank,Heron,Gadwall,Lapwing(500+),Pintail(5 male,3 fem),Greenshank and Spotted Redshank (last two birds viewed from the second platform)far right of the lagoon. |
| Brian Thomas |
Friday 22-Jan-2010 |
Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff |
| 15.00 - 16.30: Godd views of smew from sea-wall and platforms 2 and 3. Pair whooper reported. |
| Barry Ingram |
Thursday 21-Jan-2010 |
|
| Where's Keith Jones? No sightings from him since well before Christmas? |
| Warren Payne |
Thursday 21-Jan-2010 |
cefn mabley |
| On Wednesday 16th December whilst fishing at Cefn Mably lakes between Newport and Cardiff at about 3.30pm I noticed a single red kite soaring above me.It was there for about five minutes before heading towards the mountains by Machen.What a fantastic sight it was ,on first sight I thought it was a Buzzard as it was about the same size however on further viewing I could see the distinctive red plumage and pointed v shaped tail.I didn't catch any fish that day but that sighting more than made up for it!
Regards Warren Payne.
|
| Alan C |
Thursday 21-Jan-2010 |
Ebbw Vale |
| Just saw a Red Kite flying quite low over Harcourt Street in Ebbw Vale - this is virtually the Town Centre.
Now seeing one regularly over Newtown (opposite town) so guess it the same one?
|
|
Wednesday 20-Jan-2010 |
Hendre Lake |
| HEADS UP!!!
There was a report of a colour-ringed Great White Egret, which was observed in the fields east of Hendre Lake, St. Mellons yesterday [19/01 at 13.30]. It was there for approx 5 mins.No Sign today.This is just outside Gwent.
May be hiding in Gwent somewhere.
|
| Daniel Jenkins-Jones |
Tuesday 19-Jan-2010 |
Neddern Brook Flood |
| Late morning 2 adult and 2 1st yr Bewick Swans still present on Caerwent side of the flood |
| KJK |
Tuesday 19-Jan-2010 |
Machen |
| Dog walk on same stretch of river as yesterday: Pair of dippers. Two juvenile cormorants landed nearby that were paler than any I'd seen before. When they saw me and the dog one took off again in the same direction, but the other was so spooked it flew back the way it had come. |
| timberbear |
Tuesday 19-Jan-2010 |
Leechpool, Portskewett |
| One lone Twite feeding with Chaffinch and Goldfinch in a nearby neighbours garden. Neighbour rang me to ask me to confirm it was a Twite. The first Ive seen in this area. One Yellowhammer in our own field feeding with large numbers of Chaff and Greenfinch. Barn Owls calling early evening. |
| John Evans |
Tuesday 19-Jan-2010 |
GLWR Goldcliff |
| Smew still present early afternoon. |
| mark davies |
Tuesday 19-Jan-2010 |
Llanwenarth |
| flock of 10+ redpolls along with several goldfinches feeding in alders by the river |
| John Edwards |
Tuesday 19-Jan-2010 |
rogerstone |
| TRee pipit and several redwing in front garden |
| KJK |
Monday 18-Jan-2010 |
Machen |
| Dog walk this morning along river footpath between Tyn y Waun and Forge Road: Bullfinch, Dipper preening itself on very steep rock slope near Spar and Squirrel carrying most of an apple in its mouth (mistook it for something more exotic at first!). |
| Tom Chinnick |
Monday 18-Jan-2010 |
Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff |
| Redhead Smew still present early morning from seawall and 2/3 Platforms. |
| John Clark |
Sunday 17-Jan-2010 |
Goldcliff Lagoons |
| Hello. Redhead smew - I noticed that Craig has put this up on the sightings forum. Just to let you know that I spotted the bird during a WeBS count at 8:15. Mentioned it to a couple of birders on my way back (perhaps Craig was one of them?) so glad others managed to see it.
I was on the seawall, beyond the fenced off section, so had very good views of Lagoon 2.
|
| Hadyn Jones |
Sunday 17-Jan-2010 |
Neddern Brook Flood |
| Late morning 2 adult and 2 1st yr Bewick Swans still present on Caerwent side of the flood.
Anyone lost a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo as there was one flying around the Undy levels this morning?...Honest! |
| mark davies |
Sunday 17-Jan-2010 |
Llanwenarth |
| 5 greylag geese in field behind church - also 11 lapwing |
| Roo |
Sunday 17-Jan-2010 |
Llandegfedd Reservoir |
| Further to Craig (nice to meet you) - GN Diver literally vanished as I watched it, dived and never showed again despite a 30 minute scan, but guess its out there somewhere! Also 16 Goosander, 8 Goldeneye and total of 67 GC Grebes. |
| David Hathaway |
Sunday 17-Jan-2010 |
Newport Wetlands |
| Walk toward power station. Pair goldcrests and hen merlin hunting on foreshore. Helen I asked the staff for a GOS brochure. They said they were out of stock,but would like some more posted or handed in. I asked them to encourage people to join GOS |
| tony & jan jenkins |
Sunday 17-Jan-2010 |
Cobblers Plain & Lower Hale |
| Near New Inn barn, where the stream crosses under the road, 4m & 1f yellowhammers feeding in adjacent field and then 4m bullfinches flying to alders nearby, Lower Hale to Piercefield, a total of 7 nuthatches & 2 gsws drumming. |
| Craig Constance |
Sunday 17-Jan-2010 |
(Various) |
| 11am.Red head Smew showing on back far pool from sea wall.Llandegfedd Res 12pm,1 Great Northern Diver near Osprey pole,5 Goldeneye(2m)13 Goosander and 1 Lesser spotted Woodpecker near water tower at dam end(first light 8am)also a few Skylark going over. |
| Lynn |
Sunday 17-Jan-2010 |
rogerstone |
| 12 Fieldfare observed in neighbouring garden striped a tree of it's berries. A Kingfisher while walking the canal in Rogerstone. A Grebe on the River Ebbw at Afon Village. |
| David Hathaway |
Saturday 16-Jan-2010 |
Goetre |
| On my way home from AGM,about 5 minutes from The Village Hall I had a Barn Owl fly across the road in front of me. I had taken the back lanes towards Usk. |
| Simon Harrison |
Saturday 16-Jan-2010 |
Coed Eva, Cwmbran |
| On the feeders today : My 1st pair of siskin, along with the usual flock of goldfinch which has now grown to 25+ birds. |
| M Jenkin & Msuller |
Saturday 16-Jan-2010 |
Goldcliff |
| Morning visit to the lagoons and sea wall produced a good variety of duck (100's of wigeon and teal and a few shovellor, pintail and gadwall) and waders (Lapwing, dunlin, redshank, curlew, snipe, oystercatcher, ringed plover, turnstone, grey plover including one individual in full summer plumage). Hi-light was a female merlin low across the sea wall. Uskmoth produced 2 male and 3 female goldeneye on pool 4. |
| Roo |
Saturday 16-Jan-2010 |
Cwmbran boating lake |
| Ta Craig, pulled my lazy finger out and googled it last night, went today but lots of disturbance, ice breaking by staff for fisherman _ only species present, Mallard. Garden gone very quiet as per other reports below, 3 Brambling, 10 Chaffinch and usual common stuff. |
| John Bennett |
Saturday 16-Jan-2010 |
Llandegfedd Reservoir |
| Great Northern Diver still present showing well from the Dam . |
| Jeff Hall |
Saturday 16-Jan-2010 |
Magor Marsh Reserve |
| The first thing we saw today on entering the reserve was a fox. There were quite a lot of teal on the pool but they all flew up as soon as we entered the "hide" (must remember to crawl in on all fours next time!). Also on the pool about 10 gadwall and 4 shovelers and,in the trees, a treecreeper, redwings and a kingfisher (3rd sighting in three successive visits). Garden birds have mostly disappeared with the snow, just one redwing, a songthrush and a male blackcap today. |
| mark davies |
Saturday 16-Jan-2010 |
Llanwenarth |
| In first flooded field off the brecon road towards llanwenarth one little grebe and in the second field eight lapwing |
| Machen and Newport Wetlands |
Saturday 16-Jan-2010 |
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| Sorry, posting below should be titled as above. |
| KJK |
Saturday 16-Jan-2010 |
Machen and Nash Rd |
| All back to normal in Machen, except fewer birds than before snow. Bird feeders abandoned and apple left for Redwing is untouched. Only 1 each of Great and Blue Tit and faithful Robin, 5 House Sparrows and what sounds like huge numbers of Goldfinch making a din out of sight in neighbouring gardens. Jackdaws have reclaimed field opposite and no Redwings in sight. Would be depressed if not for fact that this means good news for birds. Hoped to get some Blackcap but even less reason now for them to leave small wood on other side of field where I've seen a few. And a Treecreeper, living on a main road as we do, probably an impossible dream, so I am very envious!
Mike- saw a Song Thrush behave in exactly the same way as the Redwing
you describe on A468 nr Trethomas petrol station. Not sure if car in front drove over it, but it didn't fly off and wasn't injured.
Didn't see it myself, but Red Kite landed at Newport Wetlands last Saturday after being mobbed (not sure by what). Easily seen from main building windows. Might be same one seen at Rhiwderin.
Also, just been told by a friend who is a proper birder, that there were male and female Sparrowhawks and Hen Harrier yesterday at Wetlands and a Merlin over M4 nr junction 30.
Didn't mean to write so much. I promise I won't do it again! |
| Steven Millard |
Saturday 16-Jan-2010 |
Festival Park, Ebbw Vale |
| Charm of 18 goldfinches today; most in last couple of days was 24, atttracted to nyjer seed in the garden. |
| Iain Stuart |
Saturday 16-Jan-2010 |
Thornhill, Cardiff |
| I know it's not Gwent but thought I would post up my back garden observations anyway.
Just noticed a small flock of around 9 Goldfinches on garden feeders - normally only get a single Goldfinch with other species. Also had first ever Fieldfare (greedily feeding on apples put out) and a Redwing over the last few days - must be due to snowy weather. Other first spots in garden over the last few weeks are Blackcaps (two - now very regular visitors)and Treecreeper. Sadly regular Nuthatch visitors have disappeared.
The extra food I've been putting out over the last few weeks due to the cold and snow has really been attacked with relish from all bird species as well as the odd very small Woodmouse.
Now off to Newport Wetlands for a stroll to see what's about. |
| KJK |
Friday 15-Jan-2010 |
Machen and Nash Rd?, Newport |
| Saw single redwing in garden for first time yesterday, first eating the berry treats I'd put out on the ground,then sharing a fallen fat ball with a blackbird at my mother's next door. Sat in a laburnum bush by her back door after this watching me watching it for five minutes.
Today: 15 redwing in the field opposite house feeding on newly thawed ground (on main Caerphilly to Newport road just before Royal Oak turn). Watched them for 10 mins and still there when I left.
Also glad to see 6 long-tailed tits in garden on Wednesday after a long absence.
Mistle thrush currently a near permanent guard of bird feeder in a garden up the road. Grey wagtails also visiting there and generally more of these around the houses than usual (one at the end of our drive last week).
Also, saw dipper on stone in river opposite rugby club. Usually seen most days on this stretch of river.
Over last two weeks in garden: frequently seen coal, blue and great tits, 2 blackbirds, 2 robins, dunnock and always a small flock of sparrows. Occasional magpie, thrush, wren and nuthatch. Large flock of goldfinch regularly high in tree at bottom of garden and up to 20 jackdaw often there too.
Only 2 chaffinch seen in 2 weeks and no greenfinch, which is unusual.
Nearly forgot, saw a kingfisher very closely today perching on a branch by ditch just past Newport Ford garage on what I think must be Nash road. Stopped the car to look at him and he stayed there. Never seen a kingfisher so closely in Britain!
Sorry this is so long, but Machen doesn't feature here much. |
| Nathan Casburn |
Friday 15-Jan-2010 |
Llandegfedd Reservoir |
| Great Northern Diver still over towards Pettingale Point. |
| John Bennett |
Friday 15-Jan-2010 |
Usk |
| About 18 Goldeneye , 6 Goosander and 2 Little Grebe on river just south of Usk. |
| Craig Constance |
Friday 15-Jan-2010 |
Cwmbran boating lake . |
| In reply to Roo. Llanyrafon, Llanyravon Boating Lake, NP44 8,.Its on Google map if thats any help. |
| Roo Perkins |
Friday 15-Jan-2010 |
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| After 5 days away was worried the garden birds would have moved on, re-stocked the feeders and Blackcap, 4 Brambling, 3 LT Tits and the usuals all in within 20 mins.
r.e. Cwmbran boating lake, where abouts is it in Cwmbran please? |
| Chris West and Digger |
Thursday 14-Jan-2010 |
Oxbow and R Usk, Gobion |
| 3.00pm to 5.00pm. 1000 starlings heading north west then 400 rooks came in noisely from south east to rookery. 9 goldfinch, buzzard, 6 mute swan, cormorant,kingfisher,6 pochard,9 mallard. |
| Mick Bailey |
Thursday 14-Jan-2010 |
Cwmbran |
| Just noticed that my submission last week was ascribed to United Kingdom! Should have been Cwmbran, in fact the Greenmeadow area thereof. Had another Redwing observation today at the bus stop at the top of Ty Gwyn Road, only 300 meters from the earlier site. This time a lone bird showed very dopy behaviour. It stood on the snowy kerb while I stood only 5 meters away and watched it. It then moved into the middle of the snow-free road. Then it moved further across the road, right into the path of a car which duly went over it. The bird was left rolling over, but got to its feet, apparently uninjured. Only then did it hop/fly on to the far verge - as it would normally have done in the first place. |
| Steve Williams |
Thursday 14-Jan-2010 |
Cwmbran boating lake . |
| Note Craig's entry, Red Crested Pochard was still present at first light. |
| Gray |
Thursday 14-Jan-2010 |
Allt-yr-yn |
| A feast of birds in the garden today. Magpie, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Feral Pigeon, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Redwing, Starling, Robin, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch and male Blackcap - a first for the garden. |
| Craig Constance |
Thursday 14-Jan-2010 |
Cwmbran boating lake . |
| 4.25pm. No sign of the Red-crested Pochard sadly. |
| Craig Constance |
Thursday 14-Jan-2010 |
Cwmbran boating lake . |
| 4.25pm. No sign of the Red-crested Potchard sadly. |
| Simon Harrison |
Thursday 14-Jan-2010 |
Coed Eva, Cwmbran |
| On the feeders today - 2 Redpoll first time seen this winter. Also 1 Greenfinch, 1 Dunnock & 11 Goldfinch. |
| Lynn |
Wednesday 13-Jan-2010 |
rogerstone |
| The sightings below were on the 13th January. Today a solitary Fieldfare is still visiting the tree which is totallt bare of berries. |
| Craig Constance |
Wednesday 13-Jan-2010 |
(Various) |
| In garden today,4 Siskin(2 m singing),13 Lesser Redpoll,5 Greenfinch,15+ Chaffinch,4 Blackbirds and a few Common Gull flying about including 1 landing on my house (thats a first!).At Cwmbran Boating lake, the Red-crested Pochard showed well and a few Common Gull in with Black-headed Gulls on the ice. |
| John Evans |
Wednesday 13-Jan-2010 |
The Moorings, Newport |
| 2m 1f Goosander on the Usk adjacent to the Moorings, also 1m 1f Wigeon, several Lapwing, Heron, Redshank and a Raven over. |
| Simon Harrison |
Wednesday 13-Jan-2010 |
Cwmbran boating lake . |
| 12:45-1:00pm Red Crested Pochard still present - Next to boat hut in the unfrozen part of the lake |
| Tony McGowan |
Wednesday 13-Jan-2010 |
Cwmbran boating lake . |
| Drake Red Crested Pochard |
| David Hathaway |
Tuesday 12-Jan-2010 |
Newport Wetlands |
| 2 or 3 kestrals,small number of fieldfares,pair bullfinches,
Marsh Harrier(appeared to be hen) in sunflower field and possibly a short eared,but it was flying high,which is somewhat unsual. |
| Keith Roylance |
Tuesday 12-Jan-2010 |
Llandegfedd Reservoir |
| Great Northern Diver still visible from Dam this morning. |
| John Harper |
Monday 11-Jan-2010 |
Bryn to Gobion |
| As I rarely look at this site, and spend what little birdwatching I do in Brecknockshire, I don't know if anyone is interested in roosting Starlings in Gwent. At 1600hr this afternoon two large (5000ish) flocks of Starlings flew over north-ish, one over Gobion and t'other over The Bryn. I didn't get decent bearings on them as I was driving (between the two places as it happens) so can't triangulate accurately on an intersection point. Possibly Llanthewy Wood is a candidate, or further north. |
| John Harper |
Monday 11-Jan-2010 |
Bryn to Gobion |
| As I rarely look at this site, and spend what little birdwatching I do in Brecknockshire, I don't know if anyone is interested in roosting Starlings. At 1600hr this afternoon two large (5000ish) flocks of Starlings flew over north-ish, one over Gobion and t'other over The Bryn. I didn't get decent bearings on them as I was driving (between the two places as it happens) so can't triangulate accurately on an intersection point. Possibly Llanthewy Wood is a candidate, or further north. |
| Matt Broome |
Monday 11-Jan-2010 |
Llandegfedd Reservoir |
| Viewed from dam end, Diver still present up until 4.05p.m, spending time out in middle of Res & below Pentingale wood. |
| Verity Picken |
Monday 11-Jan-2010 |
Llandegfedd Reservoir |
| Great Northern Diver still present at the dam end this morning. |
| Steven Millard |
Monday 11-Jan-2010 |
Festival Park, Ebbw Vale |
| Cold weather making life difficult. At garden feeders, 8 goldfinch, 7 bullfinch, 9 long tail tit, blue tits, coal tits, great tits, chaffinch, greenfinch, song thrush, 4 blackbird, 3 robin, 4 dunnock, 4 magpie, 6 jackdaw and surprisingly a buzzard who has been hanging around the back garden eating bits of fat on the patio! |
| Peter Blackaby |
Monday 11-Jan-2010 |
Magor |
| Couple of new ones to the bird table this cold weather including male and female black cap,wood pigeon,female bull finch and nuthatch. Four lapwing all day on unfrozen part of nabours lawn under Plantation Saturday and two Sunday leaving at dusk. |
| Martyn Jones |
Sunday 10-Jan-2010 |
Peterstone Wentlooge |
| Mid Day. At least 165 Wigeon in Gout + 134 Teal+ Grey Heron Buzzard, Kestrel.
On mudlflat sveeral more Wigeon, Teal etc. Very good numbers of Pintail, at least 156 and 42 Shovler. Large wader flock inc Dunlin and Knot at 1000+ each.
9 Cormorants on pylons in Marshfield and Little Egret over Masons Arms pub at 3.00pm.
Good selection of birds in garden (Marshfield) over last 5 days inc female Blackcap, male Bullfinch, 8 Fieldfare,sev Redwing. Most feeding well on scraps,seeds etc but Fieldfares spend some much time being aggresive to everything else they have much less time to feed and then the local Song Thursh kicks the S**t out of them. Karma. |
| John O'Sullivan |
Sunday 10-Jan-2010 |
Bassaleg |
| Two female/imm teal a snipe and a common sand on the river between pye corner and the footbridge north of here.
Snipe and Teal new for my regular dog walk.
Noticed regular common gull over the garden today no Med Gull despite checking the blackheads for one.
The common sand wasn't spotted either. |
| d. hutton |
Sunday 10-Jan-2010 |
LLiswerry |
| despite having the worst cold in 2 decades,I managed to scrape myself of the bed and peer out the window...good job i did as my seen from garden/bedroom list had some lifers today.apart from the 3 regular gull species patrolling the skies,common gulls were almost equal in numbers as b.heads,first time i have seen them in numbers above built up areas of Lliswerry,an adult med gull seen on and off throughout the afternoon was a bigger suprise,2 lapwing(heading north),6+fieldfares traversing back and forth complete the window ticks.olso 1 buzzard seen off by pair of c.crows,2 redwing,1 bullfinch+others heard,1 s.hawk olso seen off by same c.crows,6 cormorant.(perhaps i should call it death-bed birding)! |
| Hadyn Jones |
Sunday 10-Jan-2010 |
West Pill,Undy |
| Scoping from West Pill there were up to 250 Lapwing strung out along the tideline an hour or two before high tide with more in distance at Collister Pill, obviously displaced from the frozen fields. 6 Tufted Duck flew east. |
| Craig Constance & Nathan Casburn |
Sunday 10-Jan-2010 |
Llandegfedd Res |
| 2-4pm.1 Great Northern Diver from dam end this afternoon!I have posted 2 video grabs on you tube under "Great Northern Diver, Llandegfedd Res" photos and a link will appear on Weekend Birder in due course.Nice start to the year. |
| tony & jan jenkins |
Sunday 10-Jan-2010 |
(Various) |
| Walk along wye valley from chepstow to st arvans, ravens, buzzard,plenty of individual song thrushes,marsh tits,long t.tits,4 nuthatch, 2 gsw and 1 green woodie, over the fields to howick and in long orchard good nmbers of siskin feeding on the tall larch, 3 flocks of @25 and one of 50,light to poor to i.d. any redpolls, gsw and a kingfisher on mounton brook. |
| John Evans |
Sunday 10-Jan-2010 |
The Moorings, Newport |
| Water Rail in the garden this morning for a full ten minutes under the bird feeders and along the fence line. |
| Bryn Burgess |
Sunday 10-Jan-2010 |
United Kingdom |
| 1110-1245. Still 80% frozen. Good selection of birds with high number of Wigeon 193 & Teal 404 highest count of this species in nearly 15yrs + birding at this site. Highlight 2 AD & 2 1st year Bewick Swans. Also present Gadwall, Shoveler, Coot, Snipe, Pochard, Lapwing,Mallard & Moorhen |
| Matt Broome |
Sunday 10-Jan-2010 |
Rhiwderin/Coc-y-north rd |
| Single Red Kite over the fields along the lane this morning. Drifted off into the valley below towards Lower Machen. Snipe overhead, few Redwing & Fieldfare dotted around, few Bullfinch heard along the way. |
| Gray |
Sunday 10-Jan-2010 |
Allt-yr-yn |
| Amazing how the makeup of birds coming to the garden and feeders has change during the last week or so. There has been a marked increase in blackbirds and thrushes in particular. Looking out yesterday and today there were a couple of redwing, a mistle thrush and a party of six to eight starling. A group of eight long-tailed tits has also been in backwards and forwards but tit numbers in general have fallen. A dozen fieldfare flew low over the house yesterday. Strange, the nuthatch who generally visit everyday have not shown for some two weeks. |
| Alice |
Sunday 10-Jan-2010 |
Garndiffaith |
| 5 fieldfare came through garden today |
| John O'Sullivan |
Sunday 10-Jan-2010 |
Pen y lan |
| No reed bunting, Lapwing or Golden Plover at Pen y lan now in fact the fields almost devoid of birds. Similarly my garden. Despite enough food having been provided to feed an avian army I have one very territorial (fat) Mistle thrush. Everything else is sent packing as soon as it arives. |
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