| allan dowson |
Tuesday 07-Oct-2008 |
Peterstone Wentlooge |
| 51-Brents,all pale-bellied i think,on the shore at 12h00.Also up to about 20-swallows. |
| Luke Phillips |
Monday 06-Oct-2008 |
Abergavenny |
| Craig - i had a few Redwing on Saturday in abergavenny, and i know a few birders saw some the previous day and when looking for the shrike on saturday. So theres a few about. |
| John O'Sullivan |
Monday 06-Oct-2008 |
Uskmouth |
| Couple of hours at western end of reserve early this a.m. peering into/on top of bushes and trees produced 6 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Blackcap, 2 Great spotted woodpecker, 3 Coal tit, 12 Siskin, 4 Stonechat. |
| Craig Constance |
Monday 06-Oct-2008 |
Cwmbran-Holybush |
| 4 Redwing feeding on berries then flying off calling.First sighting in the county this winter? |
| Keith Jones |
Monday 06-Oct-2008 |
GLWR Goldcliff |
| Walked to the sea wall (0934 – 1135hrs), count included 4 Grey Heron, 4 Little Egret, 4 Mute Swan, 28 Shelduck, 81 Teal, 81 Wigeon, 62 Mallard, 23 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 6 Pintail, 1 Buzzard, 1 Pheasant, 10 Avocet, 48 Lapwing, 1 Black Tailed Godwit, 40 Curlew, 1 Common Snipe, 1 Knot, 1 or 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 Raven, and about 40 or so Skylark drifting over westerly in small groups.. |
| Maurice Chown |
Monday 06-Oct-2008 |
Peterstone Gout |
| Counted 49 Brent Geese this morning of which 1 was dark Bellied and all the rest apparently pale. Apart from 6 House Martins very much a winter aspect with good numbers of Wigeon. Shoveller and Pintail |
| Ruth Brown |
Monday 06-Oct-2008 |
Llanwenarth |
| c 150 House Martin travelling downriver. They settled briefly in a tall willow tree at one point ( about 9.00 a.m ). Weather was reasonable at the time. There are 2 Little Owls around again: they have been conspicuously absent for about 10 months.Still some Swallows around. |
| Hadyn Jones |
Sunday 05-Oct-2008 |
West Pill,Undy |
| Early afternoon 2 Little Stints(juvs)among the 2000 Dunlin plus over 1000 Knot.Also 2 Bar-Tailed Godwit,350 Wigeon, 16 Turnstone being the more notable birds. |
| Angus Scott |
Sunday 05-Oct-2008 |
Llandogo |
| We've still got at least one Housemartin in the nest and being fed by an adult. I think its going to be touch and go whether it makes it, although judging by its condition it must be close to fledging. |
| Ian Smith |
Sunday 05-Oct-2008 |
Our Shared Environment |
| For the future of future sightings - Something that would destroy the location of Gwent's latest Y-b Warbler sighting and the remaining site for Variable Damselfly in SE Wales. Please take a moment to read about the proposed 15 miles of new M4 motorway madness & sign the petition. Then forward this on to anyone & everyone that you know any where in the world. You know it makes sense - unlike the motorway !
Sign the online petition at all the w's gopetition.com/petitions/no-new-m4.html
Thanks - from all sentient beings.
Oh yes, Local House Martins still around today in Monmouth, along with plenty of Goldcrests and some Mipit movement.
|
| Keith Jones |
Sunday 05-Oct-2008 |
Ynysyfro Reservoir |
| A mid afternoon count produced 2 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Cormorant, 1 Mute Swan, 177 Canada Geese, 3 Mallard, 39 Tufted Duck, 4 male Pochard, 81 Coot, 2 Great Black Backed Gull, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay etc. |
| allan dowson |
Sunday 05-Oct-2008 |
Goldcliff Pools |
| 13h00-13h45. 7-Avocets,3-Little Stints and 4-Swallows. |
| David Hathaway |
Saturday 04-Oct-2008 |
A465 Abergavenny - Hereford |
| The Hawk and Owl Trust put up the 10 Kestral boxes today. I put a note on the site some time ago about this and the reasons and purpose. There are 2 showing on the A40 dual carriageway into Abergavenny from Raglan and 8 showing on the A465. I shall be monitoring them three times a year for the Kestral Highway Project. WE shall put up a further 10 at this time next year.
If any GOS members see any activity in any of the boxes perhaps you would let me know. |
| Mike and Jackie Pointon |
Saturday 04-Oct-2008 |
Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff |
| Another disappointing day for us platform hoppers. A large yellow earth trembling vehicle was just enough to ensure that at high tide there was not a wader in sight. Later a few intrepid Dunlin put in an appearance and there was a light movement of Swallows. At Boat Lane, Avocet 6 Shelduck 150 Wigeon 40. |
| Ed Stevens |
Saturday 04-Oct-2008 |
Sudbrook |
| This afternoon at about five a female/immature hen harrier flying low over saltmarsh between sudbrook and second severn crossing heading west. It then flew under bridge and along edge of salt marsh at caldicot pill still going west when i lost site of it in the rain. |
| Maurice Chown |
Saturday 04-Oct-2008 |
HENDRE LAKES ST MELLONS |
| This morning at about 9.30 am a ringtail Hen Harrier flew over the location ( in Cardiff) and was heading towards Castleton. When lost from sight it was well over the gwent border. |
| Hadyn Jones |
Friday 03-Oct-2008 |
West Pill,Undy |
| Female Merlin this afternoon trying to catch Meadow Pipit. Also 3 Chiffchaff. |
| Luke Phillips |
Friday 03-Oct-2008 |
Garnlydan Reservoir |
| Also at the reservoir this evening: 1 sub-adult Yellow Legged Gull. |
| Craig Constance,Verity Picken and Arthur Pitcher |
Friday 03-Oct-2008 |
Strumble Head |
| Yesterdays sightings. 7am-5pm.2 Grey Phalarope,12 Bonxie,6 Artic Skua,2 Pom Skua,1 Long-tailed skua(juv),19 Leaches Petrel,3 Little Gull(2 juv)3 Med gull(2 juv)6 Red-throated Diver,3 Balearic Shearwater,4 Common Gull,20+ Sandwich Tern,9 Common Tern,1 Artic Tern and 30 Scoter. |
|
Friday 03-Oct-2008 |
Caldicot Castle Country Park |
| So when was there a Yellow-browed Warbler at Caldicot Castle? |
| John Davies & Steven Butler |
Friday 03-Oct-2008 |
Abergavenny |
| Great Grey Shrike at Castle meadows Abergavenny at 17:00hrs.If you take the footpath from the castle out to the river, the bird was last seen feeding along hedgerow on the other side of the river. We managed to get some photos using the mobile phone and bins.Also pos Cattle Egret seen flying over the meadows earlier in the afternoon. Other bird present were: 5 Dipper, Kingfisher, Grey and white Wagtail and Chiffchaff. |
| Luke Phillips |
Friday 03-Oct-2008 |
Garnlydan Reservoir |
| 1 Whooper Swan on the reservoir this evening for 20 minutes then flew south down the Ebbw Vale valley. Also the Gull roost is back but arrived as i was going, looked to be around 2000 birds. Also 1 Merlin and 13 Lapwing. |
| Maurice Chown |
Friday 03-Oct-2008 |
Peterstone Sluice Farm |
| There was also a strong passage of Meadow Pipits here this morning and c40 were flushed from the field alongside the track by a Sparrowhawk. Otherwise a few Swallows, Skylarks, 2 Wheatears and a Common Snipe. Apart from Curlew and Lapwing there were no waders. Wigeon numbered about 20.
|
| Luke Phillips |
Friday 03-Oct-2008 |
Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff |
| Unfortunatly most of the waders were flushed by about 8:00am so had limited time to see what was about. Highlights were 2 Little Stint, 3 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank and 2 Green Sandpiper, also 400+ dunlin and similar number of knot, also 100 or so Black tailed godwit. The estuary produced 3 Grey Plover, 1 Bar tailed Godwit and a Peregrine. Also, good passage of Meadow pipits, several hundred seemed to pass through throughout the morning. |
| John Burns |
Friday 03-Oct-2008 |
My Back Garden |
| Spotted a Sparrowhawk in my garden for the first time. Was chasing a Dunnock along the patio and undergrowth. It didn't catch it, spotted me just 3' away behind the camo netting I have put up in my conservatory (sad eh), and flew off. |
| Keith Jones |
Friday 03-Oct-2008 |
Bulmore Lakes |
| Walked from the lakes back to Caerleon along the Bulmore Road early morning. Birds noted included 5 ad 1 juv and 1 juv Great Crested Grebe, 13 Cormorant (including 9 on the pylon), 5 ad 2 juv Mute Swan, 4 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 14 Mallard, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Buzzard, 7 Moorhen, 11 Coot, 1 Common Snipe 2 Green Sandpipers (at Ultra Pontem), 52 Black Headed Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Skylark flying west, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Jay, 14 Magpie, 25 Carrion Crow.20 Rook, and 4 Raven. |
| Lyn Waters |
Friday 03-Oct-2008 |
Mill Common, Undy |
| In garden 2 Siskins,1 Linnet, 3 juv Goldfinch, Long Tailed Tit |
| Ruth Brown |
Friday 03-Oct-2008 |
Llanwenarth |
| 2 Common Sandpiper |
| Ian Smith and Peter O'Duffy |
Thursday 02-Oct-2008 |
Caldicot Castle Country Park |
| Thursday 2nd later in AM
A few changes of late with an expanded reed bed fenced off from public and an increasing flock of some 20 plus Mallard. The surrounding hedges, copses and withies offfer Warbler heaven with always somewhere in the sun and out of the wind. The east and SE of the Park is best. However only 6 chiffs run to ground (couple singing) with plenty of Goldcrests and tit flocks moving around. Definately not a day for migrants but the potential..... has been realised in years past with northern chiff races and Y-b Warbler. An extremely underwatched site these days worthy of adoption. |
| Ian Smith and Peter O'Duffy |
Thursday 02-Oct-2008 |
Blackrock, Portskewett |
| Thursday 2nd am
Tit flock with goldcrests at the picnic area with couple of Skylarks overhead. Saltmarsh to east at high tide provided 270 Redshank, 3 Dunlin, 1 other larger Calidris sp??, few hundred BHGulls, 10's of Wigeon and flock of 60 Goldfinch with a few Mipits. Coastal hedge provided a larger tit flock with some 12 L.T's, goldcrests and at least 2 Chiffs. 1 Migrant Hawker, 1 Common Darter and Red Admiral. |
| Luke Phillips |
Thursday 02-Oct-2008 |
The Bryn |
| 1 Common Sandpiper, loads of Pied wagtails including a few alba wags, also Kingfisher and grey wagtail. |
| tony & jan jenkins |
Wednesday 01-Oct-2008 |
Beacon Hill, Nr Trellech |
| Flock of 10 crossbills over eastern fringe of woodland bordering Maryland. |
| Luke Phillips |
Wednesday 01-Oct-2008 |
Out of County |
| Due to the lack of Yankee Waders in gwent this autumn, you might be interested to know that theres 2 Pectoral Sandpipers at Llangors on the flooded area behing the sailing club. There was three yesturday, so one might be in Gwent somewhere?? |
| Gareth Waite |
Wednesday 01-Oct-2008 |
Cwmbran boating lake . |
| Hybrid Duck?
Perhaps a passing duck expert could have a look at small duck among the mallards on the boating lake. It's about the size of a mandarin with a small beak and is developing the grey back of a drake mallard. The call is similar to a female mallard but more honking than quacking. There used to be a female mandarin on the lake and I'm wondering whether this is a mallard-mandarin cross. Is this possible? Does anyone care? |
| Keith Jones |
Wednesday 01-Oct-2008 |
Peterstone Wentlooge |
| Walked from Sluice Farm to the Gout at high tide this morning. A Count of c. 45 species including, 3 Little Egret, 10 Mute Swan, 2 Canada Geese, 51 Brent Geese (Sluice Farm mostly), 230 Shelduck, 230 Teal, 150 Wigeon, 200 Mallard 13 Pintail, 8 Shoveler, 1 Merlin, 1 Kestrel, 200 Lapwing, 2 Whimbrel, 354 Curlew, 40 Black Tailed Godwit, 1 Bar Tailed Godwit, 175 Common Redshanks, 290 Black Headed Gull, 1 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 30 Skylark, 4 Water Pipit (in fields track down from Sluice Farm), 25 Meadow Pipit, 1 Chafficaff, Whinchat, 26 Goldfinch, also reported Common Snipe, Knot, Wheatear, and Cetti’s Warbler. |
| Matt Broome |
Wednesday 01-Oct-2008 |
Uskmouth |
|
11.00- Single juv Hobby in and around the Powerstation feeding on Dragonflies this morn. |
| Ian Smith |
Tuesday 30-Sep-2008 |
|
| The info was to inform that at least one eastern warbler species has arrived locally, so people can get out and look for others, with a more realsitic chance of running into a Y.B Warbler or even something a lot better. Unfortunately for us all, the private nature of the site is unambiguous. |
|
Tuesday 30-Sep-2008 |
Coastal Location |
| FAO IAN
Any info on the rough whereabouts of the YB Warbler so that people who look would not be on private property. |
| Ian Smith |
Tuesday 30-Sep-2008 |
. |
| Yellow-browed Warbler seen at a private coastal site this morning. At last, the eastern vagrants are arriving ! |
| Keith Jones |
Tuesday 30-Sep-2008 |
Caerleon |
| Walked through Lodge Wood in the rain this morning. Rain started part of the way so was committed to continue. Typical birds for time of year, and conditions with 1 Grey Lag Goose, with 8 Canada Geese grazing once again just south of Park Farm, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 14 Robin, 6 Blackbird, 26 Blue Tit, 5 Coal Tit, 1 Marsh Tit, 13 Great Tit, 2 Long Tailed Tit, 1 Nuthatch, 6 Chaffinch, and 6 Jay etc. |
| John O'Sullivan |
Monday 29-Sep-2008 |
Uskmouth |
| Tried the western edge of reserve this a.m. for migrants.
Quiet couple of hours with c10 chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, green and great spotted woodpecker, 3 Jays, two small flocks of long tailed tit, 2 Goldcrest, 6 or so stonechat.
3 Fly over Redpoll and a grey wagtail also. |
| Keith Jones |
Monday 29-Sep-2008 |
GLWR Uskmouth |
| Walked around the lagoons up Farmfield Lane completing at Nash (0815 – 1140hrs). A count of about 50 species including 14 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 10 Mute Swan, 40 Shelduck, 10 Teal, 160 Wigeon, 113 Mallard, 12 Gadwall, 12 Tufted Duck, 1 Kestrel, 2 Water Rail, 37 Moorhen, 166 Coot, 15 Lapwing, 23 Curlew, 180 Black Headed Gull, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 8 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 7 Bearded Reedling, 5 Long Tailed Tit, 6 Reed Bunting, 30 Goldfinch and 4 Linnet. |
| Maurice Chown |
Monday 29-Sep-2008 |
Peterstone Sluice Farm |
| Light migration this morning with only 3 Swallows going west in 90 minutes and a few Redpolls, Siskins, Meadow pipits and Skylarks going over. Still a few Chiff Chaffs in the hedgerows and a single Wheatear on the wharf where there was also a Juvenile Merlin. 2 Coal Tits working their way along the hedgerow were very grey and clean looking and could have been of the nominate continental race. |
| Luke Phillips |
Monday 29-Sep-2008 |
St. Brides |
| 1 juv Brent goose (light bellied) just west of the Lighthouse inn, also at least 9 Wheatear along the rocks. |
| Luke Phillips |
Monday 29-Sep-2008 |
Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff |
| This morning highlights were 2 Golden Plover circling the the pool first thing, also 6 Little Stint, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Ruff, 1 Bar Tailed Godwit and 5 Grey plover. Also 500+ knot which is a large increase on the past few weeks. Uskmouth produced a single wheatear and tons of Stonechat. |
| Mike Powell |
Sunday 28-Sep-2008 |
Goldcliff Lagoons |
| Avocet (22), Little Stint (5), Spotted Redshank (1), Kingfisher (1), Knot (300), Black-t Godwit (150), Little Egret (22) & a Tawny Owl being mobbed in the carpark. |
| Tim Madden |
Sunday 28-Sep-2008 |
A647 |
| Red Kite, 2.10pm observed off A467 flying into gap in trees opposite Alcan.No wing tag seen |
| Mike and Jackie Pointon |
Sunday 28-Sep-2008 |
St. Brides |
| Merlin 1 Red Kite 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Buzzard 6 Kestrel 1 Brent Goose 30 Wigeon 40 Shelduck 117 Blackcap 2 Willow Warbler 1 Chiffchaff 10 Wheatear 5 light passage of Swallow 20. Clouded Yellow butterfly 1
At Peterstone Wentloog Meadow Pipit 30 Shelduck 250 Wigeon 150.
|
| John O'Sullivan |
Saturday 27-Sep-2008 |
Pen y lan (above Bassaleg) |
| 2 1/2 hours yesterday and today skywatching produced no Honey Buzzard.
Good numbers of common buzzard (max 8 at any one time), a few sparrowhawk and single Peregrine, Hobby and Kestrel.
Also on the deck single whinchat, stonechat, 250 Linnet, 100+ goldfinch |
| Steven Butler & John Davies |
Saturday 27-Sep-2008 |
Goldcliff Pools |
| following list from early morning visit.
Ruff, 3 Spotted Redshank,20 Redshank, Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, Dunlin, 150 plus Knot, B.T.Godwits, 3 Little Stint, 44 Little Egret, 7 Snipe, 5 Yellow Wagtail,2 Sparrowhawk, Wheatear, 10 Avocet |
| Mike Warburton |
Saturday 27-Sep-2008 |
Tor Y Foel |
| Male Hen Harrier seen this morning (8.30) in direct flight heading straight for Trefil.Might be worth a look if anyones in the area. |
| John Evans |
Friday 26-Sep-2008 |
The Moorings, Newport |
| Single Little Egret on the river bank at about 1610. Only my second sighting of one here in six years. |
| Keith Jones |
Friday 26-Sep-2008 |
Wentwood |
| Walked mid morning from the reservoir to Five Paths via Nine Wells, across to Little Oak via Cadira Beeches finishing st Parc Seymour via Wentwood Gate. Rather quiet, that time of year, with a lot of disturbance, workers active at Five Paths and Little Oak, also some form of outdoor group, about 40 – 50 people massed at Cadira Beeches with a few dogs, dressed for a long walk. Count included 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 8 Mallard, 4 Tufted Duck, 8 Coot, 4 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, just 6 Wren heard, 36 Robin in territorial song with a further 9 along this 8 km or so walk, just 9 Blackbird, 4 Goldcrest, 19 Blue Tit, 13 Coal Tit, 15 Great Tit, 3 Long Tailed Tit, 18 Chaffinch, 2 Sistin, 1 Jay, 16 Carrion Crow, and 7 Raven (all these flying east). |
| Mike Warburton |
Friday 26-Sep-2008 |
Ebbw Vale |
| A couple of single Swallows and a loose group of about 30 House Martins hawking insects above my house this evening. |
| Steve |
Friday 26-Sep-2008 |
British/Brynithel/Blanserchan |
| Last couple of days large flocks of meadow pipits on moorland also large numbers of mixed flocks of finches feeding on thistle today 35 house martins seen feeding high above the moors first i,ve seen for 2weeks |
| Keith Jones |
Thursday 25-Sep-2008 |
Moorings Fields Newport |
| Walked a loop of the river just south of the Moorings just before high tide. Not much about 1 Grey Heron, 1 Mallard, 1 Lapwing, 2 Common Redshanks, 15 Black Headed Gulls, 1 Water Rail heard in reed beds. At the flooded field, 2 Canada Geese, 8 Wigeon, 38 Teal, 1 male 3 female Goosander flying down river, 30 Lapwing, 1 Common Snipe, 61 Black Headed Gull, 1 Sparrow Hawk, and 40 Carrion Crow feeding together. |
| Ian Smith |
Thursday 25-Sep-2008 |
Osbaston, Monmouth |
| Meadow Pipts and Pied Wagtails moving over garden today. A few House Martins still around. Chiffchaff singing. Large tit flock included goldcrests and Chiffchaffs with the 4 common tit species. 3 Ravens overhead and 2 buzzards cricling very high. Southern Hawker female oviposting as usual for past couple of weeks. Locally of late this is good ! and considering the large influx of eastern vagrants, little of real interest... yet..... |
| Marjorie Williams |
Thursday 25-Sep-2008 |
Seymour Avenue, Parc Seymour. |
| We have had a tree sparrow visiting our garden over the last few days. It seems bigger than the house sparrows and dunnocks. |
| John Evans |
Wednesday 24-Sep-2008 |
Uskmouth |
| Single Wheatear on the Power Station premises near the coal hopper house. |
| Honey Buzzard |
Wednesday 24-Sep-2008 |
Bryn Bach Park |
| We saw a Honey Buzzard sitting on a sign post. It was not at all bothered by people going by. We got to within about 12 feet of it before it flew off |
| Johnn O'Sullivan |
Wednesday 24-Sep-2008 |
Pen y lan (above Bassaleg) |
| Have been up on the hills above Bassaleg (just past Pen Y Lan) over the last few days, trying for Honey Buzzard. Lots of Common Buzzards, a few sparrowhawk, Kestrel and two sightings of peregrine. So far no Honey Buzzards although I notice that one flew into Gwent from Rhymney Great Wharf today.
On Saturday though I heard what sounded like a flying medium sized plover call 6-7 times over the field just before the lay-byes ? Dotterel and today I saw a distant flying medium sized wader flying north above the field to the left of the side road at the bottom of the 11% hill again ?Dotterel.
Thought this was worth a heads up in any-ones in the general area.
|
| allan dowson |
Wednesday 24-Sep-2008 |
Peterstone Gout |
| 57-brent geese,pale bellied,on shore line 16h00-17h00.also 1-wheatear. |
| John Davies |
Tuesday 23-Sep-2008 |
Gobion |
| Green Sandpiper, 2 Wheatear, Little Egret and Common Sandpiper |
| Ed Stevens |
Tuesday 23-Sep-2008 |
Goldcliff Lagoons |
| From the first platform between about midday and one, saw, teal, shoveler, mute swan, lapwing, redshank 1, greenshank 1, ruff 1, black tailled godwit 4, bar tailled godwit 1, green sandpiper 1, little stint 4, raven, swallow, house martin, meadow pipit, little egret, sparrowhawk and robin. |
| Keith Jones |
Tuesday 23-Sep-2008 |
Goldcliff Lagoons |
| Walked to the sea wall just after Craig (0810 – 0950). Produced a count of just over 50 species including 3 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 16 Mute Swan, 33 Shelduck, 60 Wigeon, 151 Teal, 247 Mallard, 40 Shoveler, 2 Pintail, 6 Pochard, 6 Oystercatcher, 6 Avocet, 20 Grey Plover, 125 Lapwing, 50 Knot, 2 Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 12 Dunlin, 1 Common Snipe,8 Black Tailed Godwit,70 Curlew, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 7 Skylark, 10 Meadow Pipit, 1 or 2 Tree Pipit, 28 Carrion Crow, 1 Raven etc.. Spent last extended weekend at Southport with some birding, highlights included Pink Feet, Honey Buzzard, Arctic Skua and Tree Sparrow. |
| Craig Constance |
Tuesday 23-Sep-2008 |
Goldcliff Pools |
| 7 - 8.30am.The same birds as my last post with 3 juv Little Stint and 11 Mute Swan also seen. |
| Craig Constance |
Monday 22-Sep-2008 |
Goldcliff Pools |
| 1-3.30pm. 1 juv Spotted Redshank was a new bird compared with the two adults seen on the weekend. 10 Pintail,2 juv Curlew Sandpiper,3 Ruff and 1 Bar-tailed Godwit amongst usual Dunlin and Knot from platform three.1 Siskin over going south. |
| Chris Thomas |
Monday 22-Sep-2008 |
Uskmouth |
| Uskmouth between 3:15 and 5:30 with no Wrynecks for company. The most exciting there was 2 Buzzards, a single Kestrel, a handful of Curlew on the shoreline and a Little Grebe feeding a still quite small chick. No migrants other than 5 swallows heading up channel with the wind |
| Chris and Julie West |
Monday 22-Sep-2008 |
Sugar Loaf |
| 8.00am Easy walk from car park. White mist all across bottom of valley down to Newport and up to Brecon. Meadow pipits 40+, gold finch 20+. |
| Luke Phillips |
Monday 22-Sep-2008 |
Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth |
| No sign of the wryneck this morning, but a few bearded tits kept the interest going. Also good numbers of blackcap and whitethroat along the seawall this morning and a spotted flycatcher at farmfield lane. |
| roger jenkins |
Sunday 21-Sep-2008 |
Abertillery |
| female peregrine and male goshawk circling over garden at 2.30 this afternoon |
| Luke Phillips |
Sunday 21-Sep-2008 |
Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth |
| Wryneck still just west of the lighthouse between 5:30 and 6:00pm but was contantly getting flushed. The bird didn't show after 6:00 due to bikes using the path. Also bearded tit heard and one seen whilst not watching the wryneck yesturdy evening. |
| Mike and Jackie Pointon |
Sunday 21-Sep-2008 |
Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth |
| Wryneck 500m west of the lighthouse. It flew from the hedge and landed on the path that cuts across the lagoon, where it fed for short time. We located it again feeding on the ground on the main path when it flew into a hawthorn bush.
Also Whitehroat 2 Chiffchaff 2.
At Goldcliff mid afternoon Little Stint 2 Curlew Sandpiper 2 along with Knot Avocet Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit, very hazy light.
|
| Mike Warburton |
Sunday 21-Sep-2008 |
Blorenge mountain |
| At least two different male Red Grouse seen and heard calling in the Heather near the Keepers Pond at dawn this morning. |
| Steven Butler & Mark Butler |
Saturday 20-Sep-2008 |
Gobion |
| The following birds were noted during walk: 6 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, Hobby, Little Egret, Pied and Grey Wagtail and Dippper. |
|
Saturday 20-Sep-2008 |
Oxbow and R Usk, Gobion |
| Dipper, f goosander |
| Chris and Julie West |
Saturday 20-Sep-2008 |
Llanover church |
| G.S Woodpecker feeding on cones. 3 mistle thrush on berries. |
| Julian Branscombe |
Saturday 20-Sep-2008 |
Out of County |
| Not a sighting - sorry, but I think it is so important. This is just a reminder of the No New M4! protest lobby of the Assembly, noon, Cardiff Bay, on Tuesday - see the homepage for full info, courtesy of your excellent webmaster. Thanks - please please make it if you can - we need to show the Assembly that not everyone in South Wales wants a new motorway over the Gwent Levels. |
| Martin Bell |
Saturday 20-Sep-2008 |
Goldcliff Lagoons |
| From 3rd platform, over high tide this morning: 3 Little Stint, 7 Curlew Sand, 4 Greenshank, 2 Spot Red, 2 Ruff, Turnstone, Grey Plover, 14 Avocet, Blackwitts, Knot, Ringed Plover, Redshank, Dunlin and Snipe. At 5pm Ruff increased to 7 and Curlew Sand to 9+. Plenty of Chiffs and a single Lesser Whitethroat this evening. Joined on the 3rd platform this evening by a Weasel, complete with Field Vole in its jaws. |
| Darryl Spittle |
Saturday 20-Sep-2008 |
Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth |
| Wryneck - refound at 15:30 was ranging between 100m and 500m+ west of the lighthouse, the bird was repeatedly flushed by cyclists, dog-walkers (dog off lead), blackberry pickers, etc., etc., etc. When are the RSPB going to take some responsibility for the actions of the people they've attracted to their cafe/shop/country park and ensure people on the nature reserve behave in a suitable fashion?? A photo of the bird is at www.gwentbirding.blogspot.com
Also Nuthatch (another patch-tick), Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Wheatear, etc. |
| John Davies & Steven Butler |
Friday 19-Sep-2008 |
Abergavenny |
| Single Hobby over the town on Friday afternoon, also couple of thousand Swallows migrating through the Usk valley on Thursday 18 & Friday 19th. Approx 3000 - 5000 thousand birds. |
| Roger Price |
Friday 19-Sep-2008 |
Peterstone Wentlooge |
| Remarkably,27 Pale Bellied Brent Geese. Also 248 Curlew,166 Oyster Catchers, 79 Shoveler, 6 Pintail, 230 Shelduck,3 Common Sandpipers, 4 Herons,4 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaf, 1 Whitethroat, 100 - 200 Swallows, 4 Kestels,
1 Buzzard, 1 SparrowHawk, 1 GreaterSpotted WP.Few other waders. Yesterday on 2nd.Goldcliff Lagoon,pointed out by Glam. Bird Club, a duck with Scaup characteristics which may have been a juvenile. |
| holly |
Friday 19-Sep-2008 |
Church by Civic Centre Newport |
| pair of peregrines noisily hunting from the church chasing small birds |
| saw a Chiff Chaff sitting in the firethorn in our garden. |
Friday 19-Sep-2008 |
Parc Seymour, Penhow |
| The last time I saw one in the garden was 10 years ago. |
| Craig Constance |
Friday 19-Sep-2008 |
Blaenavon |
| 1 ad male Red Grouse, seen perched and in flight. |
| P.O'Duffy |
Friday 19-Sep-2008 |
Llanwern Steel Works |
| 09.30hrs Female/juv Red-crested Pochard.Flew off in direction of NWR |
| John Evans |
Friday 19-Sep-2008 |
Maindee North |
| Single Wheatear on the ballast as the railway junction at 1550 |
| Judy Beswick |
Thursday 18-Sep-2008 |
hafod farm,brynmawr |
| Red Kite over this afternoon |
| Holly |
Thursday 18-Sep-2008 |
Cwmbran Drive |
| Green Woodpecker perching on the curbside eating a worm, very close to the moving traffic but not phased! |
| Verity Picken |
Thursday 18-Sep-2008 |
Llangybi |
| A new species for my 'inside the house' list and a surprising one at that - a Sparrowhawk. It flew in through the open doors of the conservatory this morning. |
| Bernie Donders |
Thursday 18-Sep-2008 |
Llandewi Skirrid |
| Single red kite circling low beneath three high flying buzzards at 12.30 |
| Craig Constance and others |
Thursday 18-Sep-2008 |
Goldcliff Pools |
| Adding to list below.8.30-12.30pm. 1(ad)Grey Plover,1 Bar-tailed Godwit,4 Redshank,6 Snipe,9 Pintail,8 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Peregrine.Also 50+Meadow Pipit,2 Tree Pipit(heard),15+ Siskin Flying over in a north easterly direction. A Walk along warbler alley to the seawall produced 25 Pale-Bellied Brent Geese (adult birds and juveniles),30 Pintail and 3 Great Crested Grebe near Shoreline, 1 Whinchat near warbler alley, 2 Redpoll and 9 Siskin flying low over calling. |
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Thursday 18-Sep-2008 |
Goldcliff Lagoons |
| Nice variety of waders this morning. 2 Spotted Red, 5 Greenshank, 5 Little Stint, 5 Ruff, c10 Curlew Sands and Avocets. Good numbers of Knot, Dunlin, Black Tailed Godwit.
First lagoon now flooded, birds viewable from 3rd Platform.
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| Holly |
Wednesday 17-Sep-2008 |
Upper Dock Street Newport |
| Very loud and active Juv Peregrine chasing Pigeons up and down near the Passport Office |
| Luke Phillips |
Wednesday 17-Sep-2008 |
Beaufort Hill Ponds & Woodland |
| 18:00 Eclipse Drake Wigeon on the upper pond. |
| David Price |
Wednesday 17-Sep-2008 |
Petrestone lakes golf club |
| Male and female Hen harrier flying low over 10th hole near sea wall, also 100+ house martins. |
| Craig Constance and Arthur Pitcher |
Wednesday 17-Sep-2008 |
Portmouth-Bilbao Ferry |
| 14-16/09/08. 135 Sab Gull,25 Sooty Shearwater,1 Great Shearwater,15 Cory shearwater ,52 Bonxy,3 Pom Skua,4 Artic Skua,203 Storm Petrel,2 Grey Phalarope,45 Common Scoter,63 Cormorant,2 Shag,9 Black Tern,10 Sandwich Tern,1 Artic Tern,30 Common Tern,20 Fulmar,2 Black-Headed gull,2 Guillemot,2 Gull Spp?,75 Tern Spp? and 1 COOT miles from land?? Passerines from the ship included 1 Wheatear,8 Swallow,5 Meadow Pipit,1 White Wagtail and 2 Racing Pigeons.
In Bilbao 34 Avocet floating about in middle of the port?(deep water)a group of 10 Grey Heron over,20 Pied Flycatcher,2 Spotted Flycatcher,2 Serin,4 Red-Backed Shrike,3 Melodious Warbler,1 Wryneck,5 Sardinian Warbler,10 Garden Warbler,10 Blackcap,1 Nightingale,2 Tree Pipit,1 juv Marsh Harrier,3 Booted Eagle,1 Short-toed eagle,1 Hobby and 30+ Griffon Vulture. |
| Luke Phillips |
Wednesday 17-Sep-2008 |
Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff |
| 6:30-11:00 Passages wader numbers were up on yesturday, today there were at least 11 Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Little Stint, 150 Dunlin, 250 Knot, 80 Black tailed Godwit, 5 Bar tailed Godwit, 4 Ruff, 1 Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank and 11 Avocet. A walk around saltmarsh lane revieled a Grasshopper Warbler in the hedge adjacent to the sunflower crop. also singles of reed and sedge warbler plus 2 whitethroat, 6 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler and dozens of Chiffchaff. Also on the way to goldcliff a Red legged Partridge was on the road near the narrow bridge. |
| Keith Jones |
Wednesday 17-Sep-2008 |
Caerleon Flooded Field |
| Little of note on a brief visit a little after high tide this morning. As I arrived a single Greenshanks flew off down river was the only wader, otherwise, 5 Wigeon, 51 Teal, 8 Long Tailed Tits. |
| Keith Jones |
Tuesday 16-Sep-2008 |
Peterstone Sluice Farm |
| A count at high tide this morning between Sluice Farm and the village produced 42 species including 1 Little Egret, 22 Shelduck, 60 Wigeon, 14 Teal, 37 Mallard, 4 male Pintail, 92 Oystercatcher, 4 Whimbrel, 350 Curlew, 4 Lapwing, 8 Grey Plover, 4 Common Snipe, 30 Knot, 18 Dunlin, 224 Common Redshanks, 310 Black Headed Gull, 8 Common Gull, 40 Herring Gull, 20 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 1 Great Black Backed Gull, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 singing Chiffchaff, 38 Swallow, 1 Goldcrest, 56 Goldfinch |
| Luke Phillips |
Tuesday 16-Sep-2008 |
Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff |
| 6:00-11:00 Highlights were 1 Jack Snie, 1 Little Stint, 3 Curlew Sands, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Ruff, 4 Bar tailed Godwits, and a very late Swift. Also on the pools 84 Black tailed Godwit, 11 Avocet, 56 Lapwing, 21 Oystercatcher, 67 Curlew, 3 Greenshank, 3 Redshank, 1 Turnstone, 40 Snipe, 60 Dunlin, 93 Knot, 3 Ringed Plover, 1 Green Sandpiper. Most of the waders are on the pool visiable from the third platform. Also overhead 1 Tree pipit, siskin and a few yellow wagtail, on the seawall 1 Wheatear. Also 1 Barn Owl on post next to the main road at the pools turnoff at 5:50. |
| John O'Sullivan |
Monday 15-Sep-2008 |
Goldcliff Lagoons |
| forgot to put in location of pleasant morning.
Disturbance from JCB, green buggy and blue dumper truck, notwithstanding. |
| Chris Jones |
Monday 15-Sep-2008 |
Caerleon Flooded Field |
| 3 Little Stints this afternoon at about 15:45. Also 4 Wigeon and 35+ Teal. |
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Monday 15-Sep-2008 |
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| Very pleasant morning.c50 Little Egret, 4 Greenshank, 4 Curlew sand, 1 little stint, 2 Green Sand, 1 Ruff, 1 Spot Shank, 2 Avocet,1 Med Gull, Yellow and White wagtails, overflying siskin and tree pipit. |
| tony & jan jenkins |
Sunday 14-Sep-2008 |
GLWR Goldcliff |
| 1600 - 1715 hrs, from 1st platform, 2 greenshank, 1 green sandpiper & 12 yellow wags on island, from 3rd platform, 60+ blk t. godwits, 32 knot,1 ruff & 1 spotted redshank. |
| Mike Warburton |
Sunday 14-Sep-2008 |
Garnlydan Res |
| Garnlydan res this evening was pretty quiet.Buzzard,Kestrel,Mipit and still some Wheatear kicking about.The res itself only had two juvi Gulls but also had a small mixed Duck flock.1 Mallard,2 Teal and 9 Pochard (in moult).I also spooked a Common Sandpiper from the bank which called as it flew off. |
| Martin Bell |
Sunday 14-Sep-2008 |
Goldcliff Lagoons |
| In addition to Maurice's sightings, 24 Light-bellied Brent on the foreshore and Garden Warbler in headgerow by the carepark gate. Also Hobby from the bottem end of Fishermans Lane |
| Maurice Chown |
Sunday 14-Sep-2008 |
Goldcliff Pools |
| Great White Egret briefly this morning before it flew off to the west. Also 2 Curlew Sands, 1 spot Red. 2 Green sands 2 Greenshank, 1 Ruff and lots off Snipe - 100 is probably a conservative estimate. |
| Tom C |
Sunday 14-Sep-2008 |
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| Apologies Sightings for Sat 13 Sep |
| Tom Chinnick |
Sunday 14-Sep-2008 |
Saltmarsh Lane, nr Goldcliff |
| Walked from Saltmarsh upto and around Uskmouth with a quick visit to the pools at Goldcliff 7:20-11:00am. Notable Vis Mig all birds moving west incl c70 Siskin, 150 Meadow Pipit, c15 Grey Wags, trickle of Swallow/House Martin. 1 juv Curlew Sand on foreshore over early morning hide tide + gathering of c400 Gulls containing nothing unusual, Bearded Tits particularly vocal.
2 Green Sands, 1 Greenshank at lagoons |
| Keith Jones |
Saturday 13-Sep-2008 |
Goldcliff Lagoons |
| Walked to the sea wall mid morning, also looking at Boat Lane. At the lagoons count included 31 Little Egrets, 2 Mute Swan, 8 Canada Geese, 290 Teal, 40 Wigeon, 226 Mallard, 3 Pintail, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrow Hawk, 95 Lapwing, 14 Oyercatchers, 34 Curlew, 2 Greenshanks, 1 Ruff, 3 Green Sandpipers, 9 Common Snipe, 1 Cetti’s Wabler, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 – 3 Wheatear, 1 Little Owl, 1 Commic Tern distant.. Also reported Hobby and Yellow Wagtail.. Little of note at Boat Lane 4 Mute Swan, 6 Canada Geese, 4 Shoveler, 40 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 15 Mallard, 1 Kestrel, 9 Coot, and 1 Blackcap, |
| Keith Jones |
Saturday 13-Sep-2008 |
Magpies |
| Such behaviour is not unusual Barry. Such groupings are sometimes known as ‘Magpie Parliaments’, as Witherby claims: ‘ Magpie is remarkable for noisy “ceremonial assemblies”, usually regarded as nuptial, but still not well understood, in which from half a dozen or so to as many as 200 birds take part.’ We are reliably informed there are Winter roosts on the continent of several hundred Magpies. No doubt you could find much more information on the web. Hope this helps. |
| Barry Ingram |
Saturday 13-Sep-2008 |
Caldicot |
| While eating breakfast this morning there were ten magpies perched on a neighbours roof top. Is this unusual? They sat there for a good 2 or 3 minutes. |
| N.Casburn |
Friday 12-Sep-2008 |
Goldcliff Pools |
| Quick visit this evening in the rain.12 Little Egrets in the field behind the first platform.1 Hobby,2 greenshank,27 Pintail and a handfull of Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Turnstones. |
| Keith Jones |
Friday 12-Sep-2008 |
GLWR Uskmouth |
| Walked around the lagoons, down the coast, up Farmfield Lane completing walk at Nash early morning produced a count of 53 species including 28 Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 2 Little Egret, 10 ad 9 juv Mute Swan, 3 Shelduck, 7 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 72 Mallard, 7 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 25 Tufted Duck, 1 Buzzard, 2 Pheasant, 2 Water Rail, 44 Moorhen, 105 Coot, 3 Oystercatcher, 6 Grey Plover, 47 Curlew, 86 Black Headed Gull, 205 Herring Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 17 Cetti’s Warbler, 7 Chiffachaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 singing Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Stonechat, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Long Tailed Tit, 17 Reed Bunting, 23 Goldfinch, 14 Linnet, etc. |
| Brian Thomas |
Friday 12-Sep-2008 |
Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff |
| 9.30 - 11.00 seawall: hobby, sparrowhawk, great spotted woodpecker, grey wagtail, meadow pipits, wheatear. |
| C Williams |
Thursday 11-Sep-2008 |
Cwmbran boating lake . |
| Kingfisher catching minnows in small pool below water outlet bottom end of lake. |
| Keith Jones |
Wednesday 10-Sep-2008 |
Llandegfedd Reservoir |
| Walked from South East corner of Sor Bay up North Bank, down East Bank completing at the dam mid morning, produced a count of just 35 species including: 2 Little Grebe, 15 ad 4 juv Great Crested Grebe, 17 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 3 Mute Swan, 3 Canada Geese, 2 Teal, 41 Mallard, 1 Buzzard, 4 Pheasant, 5 Moorhen, 29 Coot. 40 Herring Gull, 40 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 7 Wood Pigeon, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Willow Warbler, 31 Robin, 13 Blackbird, 2 Marsh Tit, 12 Long Tailed Tit, 20 Chaffinch, 8 Goldfinch,, 14 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting, 4 Jay, and 5 Raven. |
| Al Venables |
Wednesday 10-Sep-2008 |
Peterstone Wentlooge |
| I watched Peterstone Pill on the rising tide this afternoon. Passage waders were disappointing comprising only 3 Knots and one Dunlin! However, I counted an incredible 79 Shoveler. This is by far the highest number I have ever seen in September. I'd be interested to know if there big numbers at NWR. |
| Luke Phillips |
Wednesday 10-Sep-2008 |
Outdoor Programme |
| Some of you may have noticed that Saturdays walk at Uskmouth is scheduled to start at 5:00am! This is obviously a mistake, so the walk will now start at 7:30am meeting at the main carpark at Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth. The walk will finnish by about 11:00am. |
| Craig constance |
Monday 08-Sep-2008 |
Goldcliff Point |
| 10.30am-4pm. 2 juv Long-Tailed Skua flying west down channel at 11am!! 100+ Swallow and Sand Martin,10 Meadow Pipit,1 Grey Wagtail,3 Yellow Wagtail,2 Peregrine,1 Bonxie and 1 distant large Skua spp? also going down channel. |
| Luke Phillips |
Monday 08-Sep-2008 |
Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff |
| The pools were very quiet this morning with just a few knot and black tailed godwits on show. also a few yellow wags on the island and a single tree pipit. The sea was alot more interesting with 2 juv Long Tailed Skua seen by another observer, by the time i got onto the point they had long gone but a great skua went past at about 12:40ish. Uskmouth produced 2 Redstart and a Garden Warbler at farmfield lane. |
| John O'Sullivan |
Monday 08-Sep-2008 |
Saltmarsh Lane, nr Goldcliff |
| few bits and bobs this am. Single tree pipit, redstart, siskin, sedge warbler, cettis warbler, 2 sparrowhawk,5 chiffchaff. |
| Keith Jones |
Monday 08-Sep-2008 |
Moorings Fields Newport |
| Walked loop of the Usk at high tide this morning. Not much about 101 Lapwing, 11 Common Redshanks, 165 Black Headed Gulls, 2 Reed Warblers, and 11 Reed Bunting. A little better at the flooded field with 12 Teal, 82 further Lapwing, 1 Common and 1 Jack Snipe side by side, and 1 Mediterranean Gull among 200 Black Headed Gulls. |
| Mike and Jackie Pointon |
Monday 08-Sep-2008 |
Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff |
| Further to other records for yesterday. Common Tern 3 high over the 2nd VP. Black-tailed Godwit 70 Knot 50 Turnstone 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Kesterl 1 Buzzard 2 Willow Warbler 1 From sea wall: Skua sp 2 (probably Pomarine) going down channel, also Wheatear 4 Goldfinch 30. The Swift was seen again with lots of hirundines. |
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