Gwent Sightings

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Sam Bosanquet Saturday 31-Dec-2005 Chwarel y Fan During a moss-recording expedition to the county's highest point - Chwarel y Fan (679m) in the Black Mountains - I had good views of a Merlin hunting Meadow Pipits at c650m altitude. Keith Jones Saturday 31-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir At the reservoir mid afternoon 14 Little Grebe, 3 Black Necked Grebes (2 on south pool, 1 on north pool), 2 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Cormorant, 5 Mute Swan, 6 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 21 Mallard, 5 Gadwall, 21 Tufted Duck, 109 Coot, 50 Black Headed Gull, and 150 Jackdaw above the High Cross area. Good luck in the field next year, and have a peaceful New Year. Jackie Huybs Saturday 31-Dec-2005 Blaenavon Hi Mal. Blaenvon Community Woodland can be accessed from either Llanover Road in Blaenavon or Forge Row in Cwmavon. You can park your car at Forge Row(or take a bus)and walk up to it from the houses - it's a private road but the owner doesn't seem to object to walkers. Or park near the Westlakes Arms and cross the road to the houses on the other side of the river, reaching it via a public right of way. Or drive to Blaenavon, turning right at the first mini-roundabout you get to and driving up on to Llanover Road (third right turn). Keep going straight on and it's about half a mile past the Pottery pub. Steve Williams Saturday 31-Dec-2005 Cwmbran boating lake . Wildfowl at boating lake today include, c80 mallard, 11 Canada goose, 7 mute swan and 25 goosander. Mal Jenkins Friday 30-Dec-2005 M4 junct 28-29 Barn Owl, flew across in front of my car tonight. Exact same place as 2 years ago. John O'Sullivan Friday 30-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir Some evidence of movement today with 10 wigeon, 5 Gadwall and a flock of 10 pochard new in. Also a third great crested grebe with at least 2 BN grebes and 12 Teal remaining Mal Jenkins Friday 30-Dec-2005 Pontypool Hi, Would anyone be kind enough to supply me with the location of Blaenavon Community Woodland. Many thanks in advance. Jackie Huybs Friday 30-Dec-2005 Abergavenny Re- Pied Wagtails; one of the best places to see lots of these is at Nevill Hall Hospital, where every evening, probably 100 or more gather on the roof before flying to roost on a large tree inside the hospital grounds. It's a fantastic sight. Nicholas Beswick Thursday 29-Dec-2005 Bryn Bach Park Lake almost completely frozen. Mallard (45); Teal (one); Tufted Duck (20); Pochard (2); Coot (95). Drake Goosander flew over. richard evans Thursday 29-Dec-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir amongst others,three snipe on right hand bank (looking from car park). two pairs of redpoll - one pair in alder trees left side car park - one pair in trees behind green pond. Keith Jones Thursday 29-Dec-2005 Caerleon Walked around Lodge Wood at mid day. Usual birds present for the time of year including, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Goldcrest, 20 Blue Tit, 13 Coal Tit, 7 Marsh Tit, 17 Great Tit, 10 Long Tailed Tits, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Tree Creeper, and 5 jay. Also seen flying through the murk above Malpas a large Bird of Prey, couldn’t make out a pale head and forked tail (misty and distant), but long tail, and ‘W’ wing shape, a Red Kite? steve d Thursday 29-Dec-2005 . To Barry Ingram: There\'s large numbers of pied wagtails around Newport bus station. They seem to be a common \'town\' bird. They\'re always a pleasure to see though - they really lift the spirits! Barry Ingram Thursday 29-Dec-2005 Caldicot Town Centre While shopping in Caldicot town centre, in amongst the usual feral pigeons, I saw at least two pairs of pied wagtails. I seem to see a lot more of these birds, are they becoming more common? John O'Sullivan Thursday 29-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir 3 black necked, 1 snipe, 14 teal, 2 great crests Bruce Campbell Wednesday 28-Dec-2005 Abergavenny Female Blackcap feeding on suet ball in a garden just off the Brecon Road. Nicholas Beswick Wednesday 28-Dec-2005 Dunlop Semtex Pond, Brynmawr Wigeon (4); Tufted Duck (6); Mallard (8); Coot (31); Moorhen (5); Herring Gull (70); Lesser Black-backed Gull (5); Black-headed Gull (21). Upper Brynmawr pond: one drake Goldeneye (present on 27 and 28 Dec). Lee Wednesday 28-Dec-2005 Brynithel Flock of Fieldfare still around though Redwing no longer present, small flock of Meadow Pipit's, Mistle/Song Thrush, Blackbird, Goldfinch, Greenfich, Chaffinch, Jay, numerous Buzzards and Raven tussling with Sparrowawk, suprisingly Raven moved away as Sparrowhawk got aggressive. Hadyn Jones Wednesday 28-Dec-2005 Collister Pill At Collister this morning still 1 Snow Bunting along high tide line. Also 4 Golden Plover on Army firing range. steve d Wednesday 28-Dec-2005 Tyle Coch Wood (Newbridge) Approx 2 dozen goldcrest. No sign of the LTTs but usual numbers of blue, great and coal tits. Also noticing larger numbers of goldfinch in the area this past week. John O'sullivan Wednesday 28-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir 2 black necked and 8 teal Doug & Holly Wednesday 28-Dec-2005 pontypool RE: WHITE BUZZARD... Have seen the pontypool white buzzard for many years now in all months not just winter on the way to taking cars for MOT in Trevethin. Most commonly near Mc Donalds round-about and up as far as Old Furnace. There's also another one near the Chainbridge and Bettws Newydd area much whiter than the Pontypool one but not seen for about a year now. steve d Tuesday 27-Dec-2005 Mynyddislwyn Walked from Newbridge past Mynyddislwyn Church to reservoir via Pant Glas Farm. The reservoir is now almost empty so the mallards have flown. Species noted today: green woodpecker, house sparrow, redwing, lapwing, starling, mistle thrush, bullfinch, chaffinch, goldfinch (lots in field below Pant Glas),blue tit, great tit, buzzard, crow, rook, raven, magpie, blackbird, robin and wren. holly Tuesday 27-Dec-2005 Cwmcarn Forest Drive walked a long trail in hope for a sighting of the goshawk but was unsuccessful! notable sightings were buzzards (by the load), 1x peregrine near Twm Barlwm peak and a sparrow hawk whizzing through the forest Jackie Huybs Tuesday 27-Dec-2005 Blaenavon One Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and one Jay in Blaenavon Community Woodland, five Snipe on the Blorenge, seven Long Tailed Tits in my garden and one Hedge Sparrow seen off by the resident aggressive Robin. Lots of Buzzards all over the place. Sam Bosanquet Tuesday 27-Dec-2005 Dingestow Court Similar numbers of finches around: 1 Brambling on the GWT feeder, 1 by the west drive and 3 at Whitehall, also 1 Reed Bunting at Whitehall and c130 Skylark by the west drive. Star bird, though, was a female Merlin which spooked the west drive finch flock then perched for 10+ mins in an oak 2 fields away. This is the first Dingestow Court Merlin sighting since Nov 1995. Maybe the same as Martin Peers' from east of Dingestow. Mal Jenkins Tuesday 27-Dec-2005 Pontypool Re the white Common Buzzard. This bird has been sighted in the Pontypool area in winter over the last 6 years at least. Has anyone noticed it at any other time of year? Keith Jones Monday 26-Dec-2005 Bulmore Lakes Walked around the lakes at mid day, walking back to Caerleon along Bulmore Road. Little change from last visit, at the lakes 1 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Mallard, 1 male 1 female Goosander, 2 Moorhen, 4 Coot, 3 Common Snipe, along the Usk, 28 Mallard, 54 Teal, 8 male 5 male 5 female Goosander, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrow Hawk, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Marsh Tit, 1 Bullfinch, 40 Siskin, and 1 Jay. etc. Bev West & Friends Monday 26-Dec-2005 At Penygarn 1 White Common Buzzard seen at 11:45 at my friends location at Penygarn it was flying with 3 other Common Buzzards ......... It was Light Blonde in Colour with 3 Normal coloured flight feathers , it has been seen twice now in the same location. Regards Bev West. steve d Sunday 25-Dec-2005 Newbridge 4-6 redpoll amongst the chaffinches and bullfinches in the fields near the bypass. Hadyn Jones Sunday 25-Dec-2005 Collister Pill This Xmas morning- 1 Snow Bunting(male) still feeding along high tide line at Collister (been there over 1 week now), also party of 10 Ravens plus Peregrine. Numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing have suddenly built up there. John O'Sullivan Sunday 25-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir 2 black necked and 6 teal this a.m. Sam Bosanquet Sunday 25-Dec-2005 Dingestow Court The colder weather has brought in more finches from the east: a new flock of c150 Continental Chaffinch & 7+ Brambling has appeared in the field next to Dingestow Court west drive. Yesterday's flock at Whitehall (1/2 mile away) is still there but seems to have swelled in numbers. It's eyes to the sky time: there should be flyover Golden Plovers in the next couple of days... Sam Bosanquet Saturday 24-Dec-2005 Dingestow area The finch flock in the game crop at Whitehall Farm holds at least 6 Brambling and at least 8 Reed Bunting. That's 24+ Reed Bunting in the Dingestow area today - amazing! Craig Williams Saturday 24-Dec-2005 Cwmcarn Forest Drive Goshawk above Tynyfynnon farm 11.30 am. Keith Jones Saturday 24-Dec-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Walked around the six lagoons, and also visited the foreshore at mid day. Good numbers of birds including 1 Little Grebe, 11 Mute Swan, 320 Shelduck, 145 Wigeon, 60 Teal, 300 Mallard, 20 Shoveler, 50 Gadwall, 4 Pintail, 15 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 2 Goldeneye, 1 Pheasant, 9 Water Rail 14 Moorhen, 72 Coot, 18 Oystercatcher, 300 Grey Plover, 120 Curlew, 900 Knot, 1600 Dunlin, 1 Common Snipe, 20 Turnstone, 2 Green Woodpecker, 10 Cetti’s Warblers, 9 Stonechat (in 3 groups), 60 Reed Bunting, and 1 Bullfinch. Sam Bosanquet Saturday 24-Dec-2005 Ebbw Vale While recording bryophytes I flushed a Jack Snipe from a rushy patch on the slopes below Red Ash Levels, to the east of the former Ebbw Vale Steelworks. Sam Bosanquet Saturday 24-Dec-2005 Dingestow, north of A return to the Fishpool Farm game strip revealed at least 14 Reed Bunting, 1 Brambling and (thank goodness) 1 Tree Sparrow. There were also 2 Reed Buntings at the nearby Lower Barn and I flushed a Snipe from rushes in the game strip field. Martin, thanks for the Merlin details. That's east of my area, but I hope it will come my way before the end of the year. John O'Sullivan Saturday 24-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir 2 black necked still at Y.R. Martin Peers Friday 23-Dec-2005 Dingestow area Sam, I saw the Merlin along the track between Treowen and the road from Dingestow to Jingle Street, around 463107. I hope that helps. Sam Bosanquet Friday 23-Dec-2005 Dingestow area On 10th Dec, Martin Peers reports 1 Merlin at Dingestow. Can you let me know exactly where it was please, so I can work out if it was in my recording area or not. I haven\'t seen one here for several years, although there was a run of wintering indiviudals in the area in the early 1990s. Thanks. Sam Bosanquet Friday 23-Dec-2005 Dingestow area Reasonable finch/Yellowhammer flocks around Dingestow at the moment: the Wildlife Trust's feeder held 1 Brambling; Whitehall Farm 1 Brambling, 1 Reed Bunting, c30 Yellowhammer & plenty of Chaffinch; Old Lands 1 Brambling with Chaffinches; Fishpool Farm game crop c50 Yellowhammer, c80 Linnet & 6 Reed Bunting, also a young Goshawk over. Reed Bunting is a really good bird at Dingestow, averaging 1 or 2 sightings a year over the last 15 years. I have never before seen more than 2 together here, so 6 together was a major thrill. No Tree Sparrows though, which is a worry - the same route would have produced at least 3 flocks 10 years ago, and the habitat is now much better. Odd & disturbing. Barry Ingram Friday 23-Dec-2005 Caldicot Moor A little egret in one of the reens, fishing. I regularly see herons here but this is the first egret. May I wish all contributors a very happy Xmas and thank them for posting their observations. This has to be the best website on the net and always the first I look at whenever I log on. Maurice Chown Friday 23-Dec-2005 Peterstone Gout On this morning tide there were good numbers of Pintail, Shoveller, Wigeon and teal though did not attempt a count. Also 1000+ Dunlin, 15 Grey Plover, 1 Turnstone and 1 Little Egret as well as the usual Redshank, Curlew and Lapwing. A Peregrine was sat on a post and 70+ Goldfinches were along hedgerows. john O'Sullivan Thursday 22-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir 2 of the black necked grebes still at Y.R. They were in the same place as they were yesterday. Which is against the wall in the bottom corner diagonally opposite the car park. They are difficult to spot because of shadow etc from the low water levels. Also there this morning 2 female teal Keith Jones Thursday 22-Dec-2005 The Moorings Little of note during a high tide visit, just 14 Teal, 3 Mallard, 1 Buzzard, 1 Water Rail heard calling from reeds, 5 Lapwing, 15 Common Redshanks, 40 Black Headed Gull, 1 Nuthatch, and 2 Reed Buntings. Steve Thursday 22-Dec-2005 Brynithel While walking my dogs today,and doing my usual birdwatching at the same time,i noticed a pair of magpies starting to build a nest has anybody noticed any simular nest building activities anywhere else around gwent other than the usual early breeders. luke Wednesday 21-Dec-2005 GLWR Uskmouth 45 species noted at reedbeds & at goldcliffe later (not much at goldcliff) species of interest included - Little grebe, 5 Little Egret, 25 Canada Geese on foreshore, large numbers of wigeon and mallard also on foreshore along with curlew, oystercatcher, and 250+ Dunlin. Pools in the reedbed included 3 goldeneye, tufted duck, a single pochard, wigeon, teal, good numbers of gadwall. shoveler at goldcliff and in adjacent feilds along with shellduck. others included, stonechat, cetti warbler (loads heared), a kestrel and buzzard, all at the reed beds. Ian Smith Wednesday 21-Dec-2005 Trelleck Grange c60 Redpoll flock on streamside alders between the Fountain Inn and The Meads (farm). Possibly benefitting from spilt feed from the Free Range hens, but more likely a lucky encounter with a roaming flock ? Keith Roylance & Mick Bailey Wednesday 21-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir 3 hours at Ynysyfro Reservoir failed to locate the Black Necked Grebes reported all last week. Species noted: 13 Mallard, 33 Tufted Duck, 10 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 12 Cormorant, Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, Kestrel, 5 Moorhen, 98 Coot, 25 Woodpigeon, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20 Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, Wren, Robin,Blackbird, 5(minimum) Fieldfare, 10 Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Blue Tit, Great Tit, 15 (minimum)Magpie, Jackdaw, Crow, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Keith Jones Tuesday 20-Dec-2005 Bulmore Lakes Visited the lakes early morning walking back to Caerleon along Bulmore Road. Seen at the lakes 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 10 Mallard 2 Goosanders, 3 Moorhen, 5 Coot, 1 Common Snipe, 50 Jackdaw, 70 Rook, and 150 Carrion Crow. Along the Usk, 30 Teal, 20 Mallard, 6 male 6 female Goosanders (in one group), 2 Buzzard, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper (these two waders at Ultra Pontem), 4 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Marsh Tit, 1 Nuthatch, and 4 Redpoll. Nigel Garside Tuesday 20-Dec-2005 Tredegar Park Golf Course From first light, hundreds of Jackdaw as roost broke up, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Kingfisher, Treecreeper, 4 Jay, Bullfinch, 7 Goosander in flight, Goldcrest, Grey Wagtail, 6 Siskin w/Goldfinches, Buzzard, Dipper, Sparrowhawk. Mike Pointon Monday 19-Dec-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Dunlin 500 Knot 200 Black-tailed Godwit 60 Curlew 150 Goldeneye 5 Shelduck 80 also good numbers of Wigeon. On the passerine front: Bearded Tit (sadly heard only) Reed Bunting 20 Chaffinch 25 Bullfinch 3 Sparrowhawk 1 Cetti's Warbler 6. In Bedwas, the male Blackcap was in our garden again. John O'Sullivan Monday 19-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir 3 black necked still at Y.R. Keith Jones Monday 19-Dec-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Visited the lagoons at high tide. Rather quiet with 3 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egret, 3 Mute Swan, 30 Shelduck, 108 Wigeon, 86 Teal, 82 Mallard, 16 Shoveler, 4 Pintail, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrow Hawk, 6 Lapwing, 1 Common Snipe, and 1 Stonechat. Roost at mouth of pill 1 Black Tailed Godwit flying east, 30 Oystercatchers, 140 Curlew, 40 Knot, and 160 Dunlin, but I suspect more birds were hidden out of sight down banks of the Pill. Also walked to Boat Lane, not enough time for a good look, but many hundred duck, and Lapwing. Holly & Doug Sunday 18-Dec-2005 hollybush large female peregrine over fields hollybush up to henllys way area, up very very high, went and came back 4 times before darting off towards the castell y bwlch over the fields, havent seen it for a while glad it hasnt forgotten this area! Keith Jones Sunday 18-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir Visited the reservoir late afternoon to get some video footage of the grebes. The 3 Black Necked Grebes still present on the south pool along with the 2 Great Crested Grebes, and 10 Little Grebes. Otherwise the usual count. Mike and Jackie Pointon Sunday 18-Dec-2005 Bedwas Male Blackcap feeding on Mahonia, pushing its beak in the flowers ? taking nectar or pollen. Mike Pointon Sunday 18-Dec-2005 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth Nice suprise to find a Whimbrel. Also, Curlew 30 Black-tailed Godwit 60 Dunlin 1000 Grey Plover 16 Knot 8 Raven 1 Great B/B Gull 1 Herring Gull 60 Common Gull 6 B/H Gull 20 Goldeneye 6 (Two males) Gadwall 43 Mallard 40 Wigeon 30 Water Rails very vocal. Few passerines Stonechat 4 Reed Bunting 6 Cetti's Warbler 2 Hadyn Jones Sunday 18-Dec-2005 Collister to 2nd Severn Bridge This morning along seawall at Collister 1 SNOW BUNTING(prob 1st winter male), also on salt-marsh by Rogiet firing range 1 Short-Eared Owl. Also seen 150 Turnstone, 130 Oystercatcher,@ 1500 Dunlin,@500 Curlew,181 Redshank,25 Grey Plover,30 Lapwing,2 Shoveler,1 Teal, 372 Wigeon,3 Little Egrets,1 Black-Tailed Godwit,1 Bar-Tailed Godwit,2 Knot,1 Lesser Redpoll. Bernie Donders Sunday 18-Dec-2005 Llandewi Skirrid Red kite seen flying low and slow just to north of B4521 (Old Ross Road) at 11.50. It eventually settled on a large tree which is usually a perch for local buzzards. Seen about one mile past The Walnut Tree Inn coming from Abergavenny. Hadyn Jones Saturday 17-Dec-2005 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth Late afternoon 1 Merlin,(male) plus at least 1 Chiffchaff. Keith Jones Saturday 17-Dec-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Walked Farmfield Lane, Saltmarsh Lane, Boat Lane, the Pill, and as far as the 3rd observation platform at Goldcliff lagoons. Little out of the ordinary (just 45 species), but some good numbers including 2 Little Egrets, 8 Mute Swan, 46 Canada Geese, 10 Shelduck, 1300 Wigeon, 500 Teal, 200 Mallard, 42 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, 3 Buzzard, 1 Sparrow Hawk, and 2000 Lapwing. Difficult to know if the Wigeon numbers were duplicated, but the Lapwing was a straight count. Hardly anything at the lagoons. John O'Sullivan Saturday 17-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir black necked grebes still present also 1 great black backed gull, 2 great crests, green woodpecker. Hadyn Jones Friday 16-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir Early afternoon 3 Black-Necked Grebes still on lower reservoir plus 1 Great Crested Grebe,2 Little Grebes. Julian Branscombe Thursday 15-Dec-2005 GWT Magor Marsh reserve 1 little grebe on pool. Elsewhere on reserve, 1 jack snipe, 7 snipe, several swan families, 2 chiffchaff and 1 stonechat. Julian Branscombe Thursday 15-Dec-2005 GWT Solutia Reserve Pye Corner 2 great-spotted woodpecker, 1 snipe, 1 chiffchaff, 1 redpoll and otter footprints. Keith Jones Thursday 15-Dec-2005 Neddern Included at the Nedern early morning 14 Mute Swan, 192 Wigeon, 60 Teal, 170 Mallard, 16 Shoveler, 60 Lapwing, 1 Common Snipe, 360 Black Headed Gull, 60 Common Gull, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Marsh Tit, and 2 Nuthatch etc. mike bosley Wednesday 14-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir 3 BN Grebes still present on lower reservoir at 1.30 today Keith Jones Wednesday 14-Dec-2005 Wentwood Walked around the area from the reservoir to Nine Wells, Five Paths, Cadira Beeches, Little Oak, and Wentwood Lodge completing walk at Parc Seymour. Typical of plantation with areas devoid of any obvious bird life but small pockets of 40 species noted including 2 Cormorant, 90 Mallard, 14 Tufted Duck, 10 Coot, 1 Buzzard, 1 Pheasant, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush, 27 Coal Tit, 2 Marsh Tit, 1 Willow Tit, 15 Long Tailed Tit, 3 Nuthatch, 35 Chaffinch, 9 Crossbills, 13 Siskin, 10 Redpoll, 4 Jay, and 2 Raven. Keith Jones Tuesday 13-Dec-2005 Caerleon A brief visit to Ultra Pontem area of Caerleon mid day produced 32 Teal, 13 Mallard, 2 Goosanders, 1 Common Redshanks, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Great Black Backed Gull, 140 Black Headed Hull, and 1 Nuthatch etc. John Gale Tuesday 13-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir Thanks for the advice regarding the Grebes John Julian Branscombe Monday 12-Dec-2005 GWT Springdale Farm nature res 25 yellowhammer around triticale field, although the standing grain has now been stripped. Clive Jones Monday 12-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir All three Black-necked Grebes were present at 11am at Ynysyfro Res, also heard Bearded Tit in SE corner at Uskmouth, but it was shy and did not show itself. c30 Siskin flew out of the line of trees in the same area. Maurice Chown Monday 12-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir One Black Necked Grebe seen well a 1.00pm today. There were some birds in the far bay out of view so the others may still be present. Agree with John - definitely not a Slav.! John O'Sullivan Sunday 11-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir Still 3 blacknecked grebes at Y.R. Also 1 teal, 2 great crested grebes. The most obvious pointers for black necked are the head shape(slavs have a flatter head shape) and the amount of black on the cap which comes down below and behind the eye.(compared to slavs which stops in line with the eye). Black necked have a tiny all dark tip tilted bill (slavs straighter and stouter). To me Black necked look much more like slightly larger, black and white little grebes. Slavs look more like small great crested grebes. Keith Jones Saturday 10-Dec-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir Monthly count at the reservoir produced 50 species including 1 Black Necked Grebe (in Western Inlet NGR: ST 319 998), 21 Great Crested Grebe, 17 Cormorant, 280 Canada Geese, 1 Snow Goose, 550 Wigeon, 450 Teal, 520 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 3 Pochard, 2 Goosander, 3 Buzzard, 1 Sparrow Hawk, 1 Goshawk, 8 Coot, 200 Lapwing, 360 Black Headed Gull, 50 Common Gull, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Fieldfare, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Mash Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 4 Siskin, 2 Bullfinch, 70 Goldfinch, 4 Jay and 5 Raven. Access to the Western Inlet via Sor Bay is not recommended with a tangle of fallen trees, Bramble, and Bracken. Martin Peers Saturday 10-Dec-2005 Dingestow area 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 350 Common Gulls, 4 Stock Doves, 70 Linnets, 15 Yellowhamers John Gale Saturday 10-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir I have just viewed the Black necked grebe at the reservoir In my book this grebe looks, in Winter like a Slavonian grebe I am just a beginner so couls someone advise Martin Peers Saturday 10-Dec-2005 Llantilio Crossenny 2 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Stonechat, 100+ Redwings Martin Peers Saturday 10-Dec-2005 Gobion 1 Little Egret, 3 Goosanders, 35 Lapwings,1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpipers, 35 Fieldfares, 45 Redwings, 25 Siskins. Tom Chinnick Saturday 10-Dec-2005 Usk Usk Island- 3 Goosander, 1 kingfisher, 5 Siskin. A nice change from being in Uni and the City all week. Jackie Huybs Saturday 10-Dec-2005 Blorenge mountain A small covey (as I believe is the collective noun) of five Red Grouse and one Snipe flushed out while running on the moutain. Ian Smith Saturday 10-Dec-2005 Llanwenarth Is Llanwenarth near Uskmouth ?.... Ruth Brown Saturday 10-Dec-2005 Llanwenarth Just to keep Ian happy, a report from Llanwenarth! 1 Green Sandpiper seen intermittently over the last week. 10 Redpoll today. John O'Sullivan Friday 09-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir 3 black necked grebes here this a.m. Lower pool. also 4 teal and 6 wigeon Darryl Spittle Thursday 08-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir 3 Black-necked Grebes still present this afternoon, a single bird near the car-park and two birds feeding within six inches of the bank at the dam end. Keith Jones Thursday 08-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir At the reservoir early morning count included 13 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 20 Cormorant, 5 Mute Swan, 1 Canada Goose, 13 Mallard, 35 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 8 Moorhen, 80 Coot, and 35 Black Headed Gull, Regarding the Black Necked Grebes, I did locate a single bird, tucked away but showing well in the northern cove of the east (lower) reservoir c. 0910hrs. Mal Jenkins Thursday 08-Dec-2005 Malpas, Newport 9 Canada Geese flying adjacent to Malpas road near the Harvester (about 30 feet up), heading north. G T Thorne Wednesday 07-Dec-2005 Sirhowy park Crosskeys Gwent Quick visit after reservoir,very quiet and damp,but good view of 40+ mixed flock of Siskin and Redpoll.Feeding by second car park. G T Thorne Wednesday 07-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir 3 Blk/Nk Grebe seen on bottom lake,left from car park. Gareth Waite Tuesday 06-Dec-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir 14.30: Two black-necked grebes at opposite end to the car park. Keith Jones Tuesday 06-Dec-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Walked around the lagoons, and up Saltmarsh Lane. Rather quiet with for example 23 Mute Swan, 18 Shelduck, 90 Wigeon, 34 Mallard, 49 Gadwall, 6 Pintail, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 1 Buzzard, 10 Water Rail, 63 Coot, 420 Herring Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 16 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 Stonechat, 1 Nuthatch, 23 Reed Bunting, 8 Redpoll, 4 Bullfinch, and 3 Raven. Keith Jones Monday 05-Dec-2005 Peterstone Wentlooge Walked from Peterstone village, to the pill, and gout at high tide this morning. 44 birds logged including a Little Grebe (on Marshfield Reen), 130 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 118 Mallard, 1 Pintail, 20 Shoveler a male and female Red Breasted Merganser flying west just off shore, 1 Kestrel, 40 Lapwing, 110 Knot, 120 Common Redshanks, 480 Dunlin, 100 Curlew, 1 Common Snipe, 2 Stock Doves, 1 Green Woodpecker, 30 Skylark, 1 Long Tailed Tit, 7 Linnet, and 2 Redpoll. Llandegfedd Rangers Monday 05-Dec-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir 1 Tree Sparrow at feeding station Mixed flock of 350+ Linnet and Redpoll on Triticale/Linseed crop. Richard Evans Sunday 04-Dec-2005 OS 435838 While walking from Magor Pill to Goldcliff Point on my monthly High Tide Wetland Bird Survey Count,I chansed upon a group of Reed Buntings feeding in a patch of crops the farmer had left uncut.On closer inspection I found approx.30 Tree Sparrows feeding in amongst the Buntings. Mike and Jackie Pointon Sunday 04-Dec-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Redpoll six, feeding on the seed-heads of Rosebay-Willow herb – great views. Also two drakes and three female Goldeneye, the males were displaying. Lots of curlew on the estuary with gulls and other waders, no 'scope to sort them out. No sign of Short-eared Owl, in fact we saw only one Buzzard. Goldcliff A flock of 250-300 Lapwing and a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly were the only notable sightings. In a field near the Farmers Daughter restaurant: (guess where we had lunch) Fieldfare 200 Redwing 50 Julian Branscombe Sunday 04-Dec-2005 GWT Magor Marsh reserve 90 teal, 60 mallard and 1 female gadwall on the pool. Cetti's warbler singing, 2 chiffchaff in willows. 6 common snipe and 1 jack snipe on the first rushy/sedgy field with the boardwalk running around the edge of it. Keith Jones Sunday 04-Dec-2005 Caerleon Walked the river meadow opposite The Moorings at high tide, and part of Lodge Road. Birds include 54 Teal, 5 Mallard, 4 Common Snipe, 2 Common Redshanks 3 Common Sandpipers, 21 Collard Doves, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Coal Tit, 1 Nuthatch, 3 Linnet, 2 Redpoll, 1 Jay, and 3 Raven Keith Jones Saturday 03-Dec-2005 Bulmore Lakes Visited the lakes and walked back to Caerleon along the Bulmore Road. 44 Species noted including 3 Cormorant, 3 Mute Swan, 30 Canada Geese, 20 Teal, 51 Mallard, 8 Gossanders (in 2 groups), 1 Water Rail, 2 Coot, 1 Lapwing, 4 Common Redshanks, 3 Green Sandpiper (Ultra Pontem - between Clawdd Farm and Isca Road), 1 Common Gull, 15 Fieldfare, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Redpoll, 2 Siskin, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Marsh Tit, 1 Jay, and 2 Raven. Thanks for your kind thoughts Ian, being retired I've got nothing better to do, still it keeps me out of trouble. Julian Branscombe Saturday 03-Dec-2005 newport city centre I peregrine flying over Bridge Street towards the Usk at about 4.10 this afternoon. Brian Thomas Saturday 03-Dec-2005 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth Single short-eared owl - flew from just in front of lighthouse towards west end of reserve at ~12.00. Ian Smith Saturday 03-Dec-2005 (Various) Just like to comment that it is good to see the wide range of locations mentioned on 'Your Sightings'. It was not that long back that Uskmouth/ Goldcliff was the ONLY birding location mentioned in Gwent ! Particular thanks to Keith who really keeps us up to date on so many places. chris shroll Wednesday 30-Nov-2005 Cwmtillery Pond 60+ mallard on the pond today plus 4 little grebe and a coot woodcock showing in all woods up the valley,snipe above the resovoir,peregrine hunting the beech woods above Blaentillery farm. Keith Jones Wednesday 30-Nov-2005 Neddern Walked along the flooded meadow, via Castle meadow to Caldicot. Through the drizzle, and mist, not a lot about e.g. 18 Mute Swan, 30 Wigeon, 18 Teal, 22 Mallard, 7 Common Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Marsh Tit, 2 Long Tailed Tit, and 2 Tree Creepers Nicholas Beswick Tuesday 29-Nov-2005 Penyfan Pond At lunchtime a rough estimate of 2000 Herring Gulls on the pond and one Tufted Duck Ruth Brown Tuesday 29-Nov-2005 Cwmbran report on the Glam web-site of Waxwings in the Cwmbran shopping centre....... John Wilson, Vaughan Thomas Tuesday 29-Nov-2005 Uskmouth 5 Goldeneye on one of teh western lagoons, comprising 1 drake in 7th heaven, displaying to 4 females. Also 50 Gadwall and approx 10 Lesser Redpoll in the eastern 'copse' of trees - the Gadwall were on the water actually :-) Keith Jones Monday 28-Nov-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Visited the lagoons, shore, and walked along Goldcliff Road as far as Boat Lane, late afternoon. Birds noted include 1 Little Grebe, 5 Little Egret, 28 Shelduck, 750 Wigeon, 180 Teal, 20 Mallard, 54 Shoveler, 6 Pintail, 3 Buzzard, 5 Oystecatcher, 15 Knot, 310 Dunlin, and 4 Turnstone. Extra at Boat Lane 1 Kestrel 18 Lapwing, 2 Common Snipe, 180 Curlew, 8 Black Tailed Godwit. Keith Jones Sunday 27-Nov-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Walked around the lagoons this afternoon. Among the birds noted 3 Little Grebe, 10 Mute Swan, 42 Canada Geese, flying west, 59 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 62 Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, 25 Tufted Duck, 1 female Goldeneye, 1 Kestrel, 8 Water Rail, 19 Moorhen, 166 Coot, 14 Grey Plover, 14 Black Tailed Godwit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 13 Cetti’s Warblers, 1 female Bearded Tit (south eastern area of lagoons), and 4 Redpoll. Also reports of a Snow Bunting about a qweek back. Howard & Mary Lloyd Sunday 27-Nov-2005 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth Goldeneye-female 1,Cettis 8,Water Rail 3,Little Grebe 1, Reed Buntings 6,Buzzards 2, holly Sunday 27-Nov-2005 Uskmouth male hen harrier quartering very low above the reed beds Keith Jones Sunday 27-Nov-2005 Caerleon Re the Water Pipits Julian, you were a little too far up stream. The two birds were just south of Home Farm Estate, opposite is the Moorings, NGR: ST 327 905. They were on the north bank of the Usk, Caerleon side in the company of Meadow Pipits. I also had a single bird on the same location a few Winters ago. I was wondering where the Common Sandpiper had gone, the bit of the Usk you were looking at is good for Green Sandpipers also, I had 3 there on the1st of the month. Julian Branscombe Saturday 26-Nov-2005 Caerleon Went looking for Keith Jones' water pipits from the 23rd, but couldn't find them (where were they exactly Keith?). I did see 2 common sandpipers flying downstream together just N of the main bridge across the Usk at Caerleon; slightly further north (where an outfall enters from direction of Caerleon) there were about 20 teal. In the 500m of river S of the main bridge there were 3 goosander, 1 snipe, 1 redshank and 22 teal. No laughing gulls trying to hide amongst the 100 or so black-headeds. Ian Smith Friday 25-Nov-2005 Llandegfedd Village Walk northward from village to Craig-y-Saeson in sunshine and cold wind. Unexpectedly diverse range of farmland birds including finches and thrushes, 4 lapwing, flock of 40 Skylark, flock of 150 Starling, 10 Red-legged Partridge (by Trig point) and too many scared Pheasants for a quiet walk! Suggest range of birds supported by habitats managed for gamebirds e.g. rough grass, hedgerows with thick bases (not eaten out by sheep), bird food crops and grain feeders on the Llangibby Park side. Well worth a visit. steve d Friday 25-Nov-2005 Mynyddislwyn Newbridge, Sychpant Farm and Lemage. Species noted: buzzard, stonechat, grey heron, lapwing, pied wagtail, grey wagtail, mallard, song thrush, mistle thrush, blackbird, house sparrow, magpie, jackdaw, raven, crow, rook, chaffinch, greenfinch, sparrowhawk, coal tit, blue tit and starling. Keith Jones Thursday 24-Nov-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir Numbers continuing to build with 10 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 11 Cormorant, 21 Mallard, 40 Tufted Duck, 12 Pochard, 1 Buzzard, 6 Moorhen, 119 Coot, 78 Black Headed Gull, and 4 Common Gull. At Usk side Caerleon on 23rd, 2 Water Pipit, 6 Common Snipe, but no sign of the Common Sandpiper. Eddie Wang Tuesday 22-Nov-2005 Peterstone 1030-1230 - Peterstone Gout high tide: ~1200 Dunlin. Also 20+ Knot, 9 Grey Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwit (as well as usual Redshank, Curlew and ducks (Mallard, Shoveler, Pintail, Teal, Wigeon). Around the Gout, usual Goldfinch flock, 1 Redpoll (feeding on seed heads to east of Gout), 2 Goldcrest, several small flocks of Fieldfare (~10) heading east. Sluice Farm - Water Pipit and more Fieldfare flocks heading east. Maurice Chown Tuesday 22-Nov-2005 Tredegar Country Park In the car park at Tredegar House this morning there was a white Jackdaw. The plumage was completly white, the legs pink and the bill also pink with some dark marks. It was being hassled by 2 other Jackdaws and a Magpie. John Wilson Tuesday 22-Nov-2005 Cwmcarn Forest Drive Highlight of lunchtime today - 100+ Siskin in a feeding frenzy in the top of an Alder making the crown of the tree look, to the naked eye, like a living organism - wonderful. Nicholas Beswick Monday 21-Nov-2005 Penyfan Pond A short lunchtime visit: Grey Heron, Mallard (7), Tufted Duck (2), Moorhen (3), Kingfisher. The Kingfisher flew from the south east side of the pond and disappeared over the retaining wall to the south. Keith Jones Monday 21-Nov-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Visited the lagoons for the tide. Seemed reasonable weather but by the time I hit Nash visibility was about 15 metres or so. Walked around until 1100hrs when most of the fog had lifted with about 25m vis. Open water frozen and very little on the lagoons, e.g. 9 Coot (150 on my last visit). Assume birds in reeds. Nothing seen but Curlew, Mallard, and Wigeon heard on shore. Llandegfedd Rangers Sunday 20-Nov-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir 5 Bewick's Swans Mike Warburton Sunday 20-Nov-2005 Aberbeeg Forestry flushed two woodcock whilst walking up the track at the ebbw vale end of the forest. John Bennett Sunday 20-Nov-2005 Uskmouth Uskmouth 20th November 2005 One ringtail Hen Harrier with the Starling roost steve d Saturday 19-Nov-2005 Mynyddislwyn Walked from Newbridge to Sychpant Farm then up to Mynydd-y-llan back over Lemage and down to Nant-y-draenog reservoir (water level now dropping rapidly). Sunny and cold! 100+ chaffinch, two small flocks of longtailed and coal tits, plenty of blue and great tits, 6 buzzard, 1 sparrowhawk, 1 nuthatch, 30+ lapwing amongst starlings, 3 raven, 60+ mallard, 12+ blackbirds, 2 wren, 4+ magpie, 1 robin (I'm trying to ignore them!). Lee Parsons Saturday 19-Nov-2005 Llanhilleth Common, Brynithel Few fieldfare and redwing feeding , soon joined by flock of starlings, couple of Ravens and usual suspects about. G T Thorne Friday 18-Nov-2005 Penyfan Pond 11/2 hr walk around area very cold p.m. 1 Kingfisher hover dive.4 L/grebe,1 m/Tufted,7pr Mallard,2 Moorhen, 2Coot,1 L/B/Back Gull,42 Blk Hd Gull,2 H/Gull,small flock Great/Blue Tits,2 M/Pipit,Several Robins around Feeders in car park,and only 1 Redwing seen BlackBirds and Dunnocks in cover.Also 2 Buzzard seen along road. holly Friday 18-Nov-2005 to steve d hey steve i wasnt in work today so i didnt see it, but everyday its there sometimes its there for a while looking side to side and others its there and gone in a flash! the other day i also saw it (or another) out of the other side of the office looking at where barclays is being done up on the top of the scaffholding yes lots and lots of pigeons in the town centre no wonder she was such a chub! Roger Price Friday 18-Nov-2005 Peterstone Sluice Farm A minimum of 6 Water Pipits on the front between Sluice Farm and Peterstone Church today at 10am. Also about 40 Meadow Pipits. John Moseley Friday 18-Nov-2005 Monmouth Beautiful view of a Kingfisher flying down Wonastow Road yesterday , and today a Dipper on the banks of the Monnow below Priory Street. steve d Friday 18-Nov-2005 newport city centre Attention Holly: is the Peregrine still there? I went past there three times today but no sign of it. Plenty of pigeons though! John Wilson Friday 18-Nov-2005 Wentwood near Forresters Oaks picnic car park, up the track on opp side of road - 1 Marsh Tit, 1 Redpoll, a few Siskin, Coal Tit, Long-t Tit, Blue Tit & Gt Tit. Willow would have been nice to complete the set! Braddie Friday 18-Nov-2005 Penyrheol, Pontypool Just looked in my books and I believe I've just seen a Male and female crossbill not sure which sub species tho. Male was an amazing colour, - at first sight I thought he was an exotic "parrot". Spotted between Mountain Air and top of Cwrdy Lane. Maurice Chown Friday 18-Nov-2005 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth The Ringtail Hen Harrier performed well yesterday though not until approx. 4 pm. There was also a Peregrine attending the Starling roost and a Chiffchaff in the plantation. John Wilson Friday 18-Nov-2005 Peterstone Green Sand this morning seen from car, in the roadside reen 'twixt Marshfield and the coast road by Peterstone Golf Club Tim Griffiths Thursday 17-Nov-2005 Blaenserchan near Pontypool Ringtail Hen Harrier Holly Thursday 17-Nov-2005 newport city centre peregrine again today!!! out of my window its sat on the corner of the housing office oppsite the side of potters, look up it might be there! loves chasing pigeeons! got a lovely pic on my phone!! Barry Ingram Thursday 17-Nov-2005 Dewstow Golf Club, Caldicot Reading the correspondence about buzzards eating earthworms, a buzzard can sometimes be seen on the golf range at Dewstow. When a ball lands it runs to the divot left by the ball, looking for earthworms I assume. It leaves the rabbits alone however.It can dodge balls as well, its eyesight must be amazing. Ian Smith Thursday 17-Nov-2005 Park Redding Wood, Chepstow Visited this site for the first time today. Access from the T junction roundabout at the high (north) end of Thornwell, just off the M4 junction 2. Very pleasant woodland overlooking the Wye and Gloucestershire. Easy to walk around the level paths and easy to watch woodland birds - which is not always the case in woodlands ! as well as birds on the banks of the Wye Estuary. On the shore opposite, 3 Common Sandpipers feeding together just after 11am. Corodinated counts in previous years has seen up to three individuals between here and just south of Tintern. So nice to see they are continuing to overwinter - possibly in greater numbers ? Keith Jones Thursday 17-Nov-2005 Bulmore Lakes Visited the lakes mid morning, and walked back to Caerleon. About 42 species noted including 1 Great Crested Grebe, 96 Canada Geese, 22 Teal, 56 Mallard, 2 Pochard, 1 male Goldeneye, 1 Sparrow Hawk, 3 Coot, 3 Common Redshanks, 1 Common Snipe. 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Woodcock, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Stonechat, 14 Long Tailed Tit, 6 Siskin, 8 Redpoll, 5 Bullfinch, 1 jay, and 2 Raven. Richard Clarke Wednesday 16-Nov-2005 Bassaleg Leon - If you are travelling the road from Bassaleg via Pen y lan towards Michaelstone y fedw, then you are most probably seeing Buzzards as good numbers congregate on the fields in this area to feed on earthworms. Leon Rose Wednesday 16-Nov-2005 Bassaleg I drive to work up over the Bassaleg lanes and everymorning I have spotted between 7-9 Buzzards scattered over the fields. They seems to gaze in the morning sun and then start to fly around, Then again as I come home they are all either in the air or scattered over a different field close to the road. I stopped today and took some amazing pictures. I'm not a good bird spotter so If someone would travel the same way and confirm this for me that would be great, but from my bird spotting days as a boy i'm postive their Buzzards. p.s. Also spotted a barm owl on fencing yesterday morning. Holly Wednesday 16-Nov-2005 newport city centre saw the large peregrine again today on the exact same spot on the roof opposite, looks very well fed! Jackie Huybs Wednesday 16-Nov-2005 Blorenge mountain Three Red Grouse in flight at dusk - first time I've seen more than the odd individual bird on the mountain for almost six months. And a Snipe, I think, flying low over the moors in complete darkness. holly Tuesday 15-Nov-2005 newport city centre looking out of office window and saw a large female peregrine perched on the roof of the opposite building, saw it later among a flock of pigeons John Martin Tuesday 15-Nov-2005 Beacon Hill, Nr Trellech 8+ Crossbills showing well feeding in isolated Lodgepole Pines in the newly cleared area yesterday. Also a Goshawk from the viewpoint, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Raven etc. Julian Branscombe Monday 14-Nov-2005 GWT Springdale Farm nature res Fantastic flock of buntings on the field of triticale at Springdale Farm - 40 yellowhammer and 2 reed buntings, along with about 6 greenfinch and 15 chaffinch. Flowers in the field include scarlet pimpernel and sharp-leaved fluellen. Springdale Farm is near Usk - go down the valley towards Llantrisant, and turn left at the T junction just after you've gone under the dual carrieageway. Drive up the hill (past the Grass Ski Centre - which is signposted), and part at the top of the hill opposite the almshouses. You can open the gate and park on the hardstanding there. The interpretation panel by the car park shows the circular walk that Gwent Wildlife Trust have created around this nature reserve - follow that clockwise (going straight across the first field, through the kissing gate, and then along another 50 yards to the next field gate with kissing gate right next to it. After you've been through that gate the triticale field is on your left. There is a field gate into the field if you want to go in (but you can also get good views just looking over the fence) - but please close it after you to prevent livestock getting in and eating all the standing grain. It is really nice to see so many yellowhammers together (40 was a minimum count) - and perhaps something else will turn up amongst them over the winter . . . Keith Jones Monday 14-Nov-2005 Goldcliff Four cars parked near the lagoons suggested that area was well covered. So walked down the Pill, up Boat Lane, and around Saltmarsh Lane. Count included 2 Little Egret, 9 Mute Swan, 88 Canada Geese, 274 Wigeon, 160 Teal, 30 Mallard, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Buzzard, 1 Common Snipe, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 23 Skylark, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Stonechat, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Bullfinch, 1 Jay, 1 Raven, and in road side reen a Water Vole. John Martin Sunday 13-Nov-2005 Llandogo c1935 Woodpigeons moving south down the Wye Valley over Llandogo from 0815-0920 along with 15+ Stock Dove. Also 4 Siskin, 4+ Marsh Tit etc. Nearby at Cleddon a small party of Crossbills heard but not seen as well as 5 Siskin, 4 Redpoll. Keith Jones Sunday 13-Nov-2005 Caerleon A brief visit to river meadow at mid afternoon produced usual duck, and waders 18 Teal, 3 Mallard, 13 Lapwing, 28 Common Redshanks, 3 Common Snipe, and a single Common sandpiper. It seems the latter could be over-wintering in the same locality as last winter. Hadyn Jones Saturday 12-Nov-2005 Collister to 2nd Severn Bridge This afternoon 1 Whinchat,1 Whimbrel,147 Wigeon,67 Oystercatcher,70 Redshank,@550 Curlew,@300 Dunlin,3 Golden Plover,Peregrine,1 Bar-tailed Godwit,3 Snipe,55 Lapwing. Angus Scott Saturday 12-Nov-2005 Llandogo Brambling briefly on feeder in garden at Llandogo, near valley floor. Chris Jones Saturday 12-Nov-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir Gull roost this evening produced only a adult Yellow-Legged Gull and a Great Black-backed Gull of note. Also 16 Gooseander. Keith Jones Saturday 12-Nov-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir Monthly count of the reservoir produced 54 species including 19 Great Crested Grebes, 24 Cormorant, 135 Canada Geese, 1 Snow Goose, 210 Wigeon, 190 Teal, 235 Mallard, 1 Goosander, 4 Buzzard, 7 Pheasant, 2 Coot, 35 Lapwing, 60 Common Gull, 220 Herring Gull, 1070 Black Headed Gull, 5 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 24 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Coal Tit, 2 Marsh Tit, 4 Long Tailed Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 88 Linnet, 4 Bullfinch, 4 Siskin, 3 Jay, and 10 Raven. allan dowson Saturday 12-Nov-2005 wetlands newport a fem.hen harrier added to the spectacle at the starling roost this evening.also a fem. marsh harrier was seen later. Jeremy Richards Saturday 12-Nov-2005 Brynmawr Female Hen Harrier, 40+ redwing, snipe to the north east of town. Eddie Wang Thursday 10-Nov-2005 Peterstone Gout 1320 to 1430: high tide. ~120 Knot, ~150 Dunlin, 16 Turnstone, 12 Ringed Plover, 3 Black-tailed Godwit as well as usual Curlew and Redshank. Also 3 Little Egret and good numbers of Shoveler, Teal, Mallard, Wigeon and small numbers of Pintail. Keith Jones Thursday 10-Nov-2005 GLWR Goldcliff A visit at mid day produced 1 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 450 Shelduck, 120 Wigeon, 32 Teal, 70 Mallard, 50 Shoveler 180 Lapwing, 38 Grey Plover, 15 Ringed Plover, 500 Knot, 700 Dunlin, 1 Black Tailed Godwit, 2 Common Snipe, 30 Curlew, a brief dog fight between a juvenile Peregrine and a female Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, but duck, and waders continued to arrive as I left. Maurice Chown Wednesday 09-Nov-2005 Peterstone Gout On this mornings tide, 100+ lapwings, 5 Grey Plover, 2 Black Tailed Godwits, 4 Ringed Plover, 3 Turnstones + the usual Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Curlew & Redshank. Good numbers of Wigeon, Shoveller & Teal and a few Pintail. 2 Chiffchaffs in bushes and also present Stonechat, Sparrowhawk and C40 Goldfinches. Red Admiral Butterfly also noted. Keith Jones Wednesday 09-Nov-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Walked around the lagoons, and up Saltmarsh Lane at dawn. Good selection of birds around (60 species) including 15 Little Grebes, 1 Little Egret. 42 Mute Swan, 64 Shelduck, 60 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 44 Gadwall, 70 Mallard, 27 Tufted Duck, 1 or 2 Goldeneye, 1 female Common Scoter (second lagoon from south east corner), 1 Buzzard, 12 Water Rail, 54 Moorhen, 150 Coot, 4 Oystercatcher, 124 Curlew, Wood Pigeons still moving west with at least 370 birds counted, 4 Stock Doves, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 23 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 Mistle Thrush, 4 Long Tailed Tit, 1 Tree Creeper, 1 Brambling, 6 Redpoll, 2 Jay, and 1 Raven. Adrian Thomas Tuesday 08-Nov-2005 Beacon Hill, Nr Trellech Male Hen Harrier quartering over Heathland Restoration site this morning. Nigel Garside Tuesday 08-Nov-2005 Peterstone Gout At high tide 180 Shoveler, 23 Pintail, 1 Black Tailed Godwit with 90 Redshank, 2 Stonechat, Wheatear, Grey Wagtail, Brent Goose. Ian Smith Tuesday 08-Nov-2005 GLWR Uskmouth 2.50pm Monday 7th. Female/immi Marsh Harrier and Ring -tailed Hen Harrier over eastern-most reedbed. mike warburton Monday 07-Nov-2005 A465 TREDEGAR saw that barn owl again this morning at 5.10.this time he was hunting along the verge.i would appreciate it if anyone else has seen it to contact me of its exact whereabouts,as i am also a keen amateur wildlife photographer,to either put a listing on this page or to send me an email.mb9@btinternet.com.thanks. Keith Jones Monday 07-Nov-2005 Peterstone Wentlooge Walked from the Gout and Pill to Peterstone village this morning during high tide. A little quite with 1 Little Grebe, 5 Shelduck, 56 Wigeon, 62 Teal, 110 Mallard, 170 Shoveler, 4 Pintail, 2 Buzzard, 20 Oystercatcher, 5 Grey Plover, 32 Curlew, 56 Common Redshanks, 1 Mistle Thrush, and 1 Ring Ousel. Ian Smith Sunday 06-Nov-2005 (Various) Quite Frankly, I think the yank gulls were Laughing at us today as we could not find any (that is myself, Sam B. and John B.) whilst out searching independently. However, at Usk Showground/Gwenesney the flooded fields had Common, Black- headed, a few Herring, 1 Yellow Legged and a good mix of hundreds of Lesser Black-backed including 'local' and 'northern' graellsii plus at least three good large Intermedius (adult and 1st winter). Later Llandegfedd Res. held at least 3 adult Yellow-legged Gull and two 1st winter Mediterranean Gulls. A colour ringed Cormorant in front of Bert Hamar hide was not close enough to read the ring details. Ken Morgan Saturday 05-Nov-2005 Llanvaches Single female ring ousel feeding on berries in garden adjacent to open farmland Keith Jones Saturday 05-Nov-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir Reduced visibility due to rain at the reservoir late afternoon produced 7 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 14 Mallard, 53 Tufted Duck, 6 Pochard, 1 female Ruddy Duck, 96 Coot, 1 Green Woodpecker, and about 1200 Jackdaw flying south west to some roost. Darryl Spittle & Richard Clarke Saturday 05-Nov-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff One dark phase Arctic Skua low overhead, it flew inland before appearing to head east, back towards the channel. One Great Northern Diver heading up channel, very close in (almost over the sea-wall). Usual selection of willdfowl and waders on the pools. Darryl Spittle & Richard Clarke Saturday 05-Nov-2005 Goldcliff Point In just under three hours this morning logged: 5 Hawfinch, 3 Brambling, 3 Siskin, 145 Chaffinch, 1320 Woodpigeon, 42 Stock Dove plus a few thrushes. Most birds heading west along coast, also 1 Rock Pipit. John O'Sullivan Saturday 05-Nov-2005 GLWR Excellent vis mig on the levels this morning with thousands of birds on the move. Main species woodpigeons,fieldfare and redwing. Also good numbers of chaffinches with smaller numbers of goldfinch and grenfinch. Also a few siskins, reed buntings and meadow pipits overflying with great spotted woodpecker and goldcrests in the bushes. There also seemed to be snipe moving with a flock of 15, a pair and singleton high up moving west. A single swallow was at saltmarsh lane. The most productive spot seemed to be at the far eastern end of the reedbed/ lagoons where the track goes between the two copses. Jackie Huybs Friday 04-Nov-2005 Blaenavon And today he had his umpteenth sighting of our apparently resident black and white Jackdaw. It has a white body, black wings and a black head. Does anyone know if these kind of markings are rare? Jackie Huybs Friday 04-Nov-2005 Abergavenny My husband reported an excellent view last night of a Barn Owl crossing the road on the stretch between the roundabouts near Waitrose and Nevill Hall. Eddie Wang Friday 04-Nov-2005 Peterstone Gout 09:00 - 10:30 - high tide. Not much new - usual ducks (pintail, shelduck, shoveler, wigeon, teal, mallard) and waders (redshank, curlew, lapwing). 2 Stonechat still round the Gout, also a party of 5 Bullfinch. 1 Chiffchaff, still good nubmers of thrushes (Redwing, Blackbird and Song Thrush), 1 Redpoll. Andrew King Thursday 03-Nov-2005 Brynich - nr Brecon Out of county. Ref. possible Waxwings of Tuesday. The site refers to the gardens around the canal lock gate at Brynich at the Llanfrynach turn off the A40 east of Brecon. Several visits made - Redwing, Fieldfare, Bullfinch on berries and small flocks of Starling in the vicinity. Keith Jones Thursday 03-Nov-2005 Caerleon Visited the river meadows briefly. Although I was not quite blown away, winter numbers building up with 62 Teal, 14 Mallard, 2 Wigeon. 17 Lapwing, 93 Common Redshanks, and 1 Common Snipe. Although not seen today, a single Common Sandpiper at the Moorings 30th November. Keith Roylance & Mick Bailey Thursday 03-Nov-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Brief visit this morning 08.45 - 09.45, Very strong winds and drizzle making viewing difficult. From 1st platform 700+ Shelduck, 100 Lapwing, 60 Teal, 24 Black tailed Godwit, 100+ Shoveler, mixed flock of Redwing & Fieldfare, 3 Pheasant, Starling flock (120), 1 Little Egret. Mallard, Blackbird, Crow & Wren. County Recorder Tuesday 01-Nov-2005 Brynich Re sighting of Waxwings. Are you able to supply a grid reference / further details for the site? Verity Picken Tuesday 01-Nov-2005 Llangybi Roughly 900 Wood Pigeon moving south this morning. Ian Walker Tuesday 01-Nov-2005 Mynydd-y-Crug, Ynysddu Great Grey Shrike seen, briefly at 1230 and again for 3-4 mins at 1300; close to conspicuous mast by Rhymney Valley Ridgeway FP. Location straddles the Gwent boundary I think, but the bird flew to the Gwent side at least once....! Peter W. Tuesday 01-Nov-2005 Brynich 90% certain. waxwing flock in lock keepers garden feeding on berries on large yew and sharing with several squirrels. Keith Jones Tuesday 01-Nov-2005 Bulmore Lakes Visited the lakes, and walked back to Caerleon along Bulmore road. Little on the lakes due to disturbance, extending the golf course. However, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant 4 Mute Swan, 18 Mallard, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrow Hawk, 2 Moorhen, and 2 Coot. Along the road 18 Teal, 34 Mallard, 1 Sparrow Hawk, 6 Common Redshanks, 3 Green Sandpiper (Along just 800 metres of the Usk), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Marsh Tit, 7 Coal Tit, 4 Long Tailed Tit, 3 Bullfinch, 2 Jay, 1 Raven etc. mike warburton Monday 31-Oct-2005 A465 TREDEGAR saw a barn owl,sitting on one of the emergency phones at about 5.10 this morning while on my way to work.i asked one of my mates in work,from tredegar,if he had seen it and he said he saw it a few evenings ago by AUTOPIA CAR SALES whilst walking his dog.this is the first time i have ever seen a barn owl in this area. steve d Monday 31-Oct-2005 Mynyddislwyn The disused Nantydraenog reservoir is in over-flow following the heavy rains (it's usually empty) and is currently hosting 46+ mallard. 1 green woodpecker on the paths alongside. A buzzard overhead. (This would be a wonderful site for a small nature reserve if the reservoir was kept full. It's situated in a valley with wooded areas and small quarries) Elsewhere on the mountain 1 sparrowhawk, 3 buzzard, 10 wood pigeon, 7 magpie, 5+ pied wagtail, 1 mistle thrush, 1 jay, numerous coal, great & blue tits, blackbirds, robins. Keith Jones Monday 31-Oct-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Visited the lagoons, and foreshore early morning. Birds seen include 2 Little Grebe, 9 Little Egret, 82 Shelduck, 240 Wigeon, 340 Teal, 54 Mallard, 76 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 2 Pintail, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, a single Golden Plover dropped in to join the 310 Lapwing, 30 Grey Plover, 5 Common Snipe, 15 Oystercatcher, 72 Curlew, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Stonechat, 2 Mistle Thrush, 12 Redwing, 20 Fieldfare, and 2 Siskin. Of significance was a large movement of Wood Pigeon flying east to west, over 1020 birds counted during my 90 minute visit. Tony & Jan Jenkins Sunday 30-Oct-2005 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth Good views of the female marsh harrier hunting over the eastern sector then continuing east towards Goldcliff, also a total of 5 Cettis singing AVRIL & PAULINE Sunday 30-Oct-2005 HENDRE LAKES ST MELLONS Visited the lakes mid afternoon,40+ Goldfinch, plenty of Starlings, Mistle Thrush,2 Grey Herons one of which had a great mid air dispute with 2 crows. Great Crested Crebe on the lake. Keith Jones Saturday 29-Oct-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Walked around the lagoons, down coast, up Saltmarsh Lane, finishing walk at Boat Lane mid morning, Little change in numbers from visit of 20th October. But birds of note include 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, the female Marsh Harrier hunting over central southern reed-beds (1035hrs), 40 Grey Plover, 160 Knot, 250 Dunlin, 60 Common Redshanks, 2 Great Black Backed Gull, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Goldcrest, 11 Long Tailed Tit, and 3 Raven. Darryl Spittle Saturday 29-Oct-2005 Goldcliff Point 15 Dark-bellied Brents 'down-channel'. Darryl Spittle Saturday 29-Oct-2005 Peterstone Gout No sign of Brent Goose during a low tide visit but 3 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher, 30 Fieldfare, 50 Redwing, 1 Stonechat, 40 Goldfinch plus usual wildfowl and waders. steve d Saturday 29-Oct-2005 Mynyddislwyn Walked from Newbridge to masts at Mynydd y Llan looking for thrushes. Despite unpromising weather conditions (very windy and quite dark) saw 26+ redwings; all on Newbridge side of Pant-yr-esk.10+ mistle thrushes. Still no fieldfares. 23+ Lapwings feeding amongst 60+ starlings in fields near Mynydd-y-llan. Probably the same Lapwings that I saw fly over from direction of the disused reservoir. 4+ meadow pipits. Elsewhere; plenty of the usual blackbirds, magpies, crows. Large flock of jackdaws over Newbridge. Holly Saturday 29-Oct-2005 Hollybush - Cwmbran Large female sparrow hawk out hunting this morning, on a neighbours fence then up onto a tree then circling a few times while being mobbed by some jackdaws! Holly Friday 28-Oct-2005 wetlands newport my first time at the wetlands, waited till sunset to see the starling come to roost, saw a spotted woodpecker, 2 peregrines, 2 buzzards, 1 sparrow hawk & a kestrel. fantastic to see the acrobatics of a peregrine and sparrow hawk trying to catch a starling! mark molyneux Friday 28-Oct-2005 rockfield park, rockfield Approx. 12 fieldfare feeding on sweet apples in top of old trees in orchard. 1 dipper seen on Monnow last weekend. Also peregrine low over garden. Maurice Chown Friday 28-Oct-2005 Peterstone Gout Pale Bellied Brent was still present this afternoon. Also 53 Turnstone, 1 Grey Plover and good numbers of Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Shoveller, Mallard and Shelduck. There was also 1 Little Egret but few passerines other than small numbers of Goldfinch and Greenfinch. Keith Roylance & Mick Bailey Thursday 27-Oct-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir Early afternoon visit. Usual species present, none in large numbers, including Cormorant 22, Mute Swan, Common, Herring, Lesser Black Backed and Black Headed Gulls,Heron, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Pied Wagtail, Great Crested Grebe, Mixed flock of approx 40 Linnets & Meadow Pipits, Fieldfare, Redwing, Blackbird, Green Woodpecker, Raven, Jay, Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Buzzard, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Robin, Dunnock, Wren, Long tailed and Blue Tit. Marcus John Thursday 27-Oct-2005 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth One immature Hen Harrier seen from Saltmash Lane this afternoon; also one immature Peregrine Falcon. Den Jones Thursday 27-Oct-2005 Caerleon Feeding every day for a quite a while, Nuthatches, Jays, Collared doves and huge variety of smaller birds. Ian Smith Wednesday 26-Oct-2005 Osbaston, Monmouth Tuesday: Wealth of birds entering and feeding in garden with Nuthatch, Marsh Tit, Redpoll and Goldfinch all new of late. Blackbird starting on yellow Pyracantha berries (recall Waxwing invasion choice of colour). Also 4 min Red Admirals at Coed-y-Bwnydd Hill Fort (170metres altitude) with Ravens - showing off - flying upside down repeatedly in between the rain showers. Rhod Llewellyn Wednesday 26-Oct-2005 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth Fem/imm Hen Harrier 3:30pm Roger Price Tuesday 25-Oct-2005 Peterstone Sluice Farm Slavonian Grebe offshore today John O'Sullivan Monday 24-Oct-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir not much here over last four days. 2 great black backed gulls the most interesting. Over the past few years I've seen far fewer unusual birds here. But far more common ones inc GBBGull also more moorhens, breeding collared doves and mute swan and regular great crested grebes. No ring ousels as of yet but I'm trying. Gareth Stamp Monday 24-Oct-2005 Peterstone Gout Over high tide this morning: 1 brent goose (juv pale bellied), 235 shoveler, 70 wigeon, 132 teal, 175 shelduck and 15 pintail. Also juv peregrine stirred up the wildfowl. Paul Roberts Monday 24-Oct-2005 mystery photos The mystery bird is a 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull. Richard Evans Sunday 23-Oct-2005 Portland House, Goldcliff On my regular WeBS High Tide bird count,I found in the sea about 10 metres from seawall a Little Auk.Could not believe my eyes, have never seen one this far up the channel. Nicholas Beswick Sunday 23-Oct-2005 Brynmawr Red Kite flew high over Hafod Farm, disappeared to the east. Keith Jones Sunday 23-Oct-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Walked Saltmarsh Lane easterly footpaths, Boat Lane, up the Pill, and lagoons to coast. A good variety of birds present 54 species logged including 6 Little Egrets, 15 Mute Swan, 180 Canada Geese, 1 Grey Lag Goose, 74 Shelduck, 390 Wigeon, 211 Teal, 216 Mallard, 20 Shoveler, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrow Hawk, 1 Peregrine, 166 Lapwing, 14 Oystercatcher, 4 Common Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper (Pill), 8 Knot, 134 Curlew, 52 Wood Pigeon, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Ring Ousel (Lower Saltmarsh Lane), 5 Long Tailed Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 22 Linnet, 44 Carrion Crow, and ! Raven. mike bosley Sunday 23-Oct-2005 mystery photos Can't find anywhere on this site for comments on the 'mystery birds' in the photos section. Anyone come up with an ID for the odd gull? If not, how does 1st winter Mediterranean Gull sound? mike warburton Sunday 23-Oct-2005 Garnlydan Res two red kites spotted on the moors just north of the reservoir.this was about 9.00 am.circled very low over the moor.nice not to have to drive miles to see them anymore. Steve Williams Sunday 23-Oct-2005 Cwm Lickey, Pontypool Group of 20 Cormorant in flight heading south. Small numbers of Redwing. Eddie Wang Sunday 23-Oct-2005 Peterstone Gout 1030 - 1200: High tide - no sign of Ring Ouzels though the thrushes (mainly Redwing) seem pretty flighty. Brent Goose still present with good numbers of duck (wigeon, teal, shelduck, shoveler, pintail). 1 Stonechat. 20+ Linnet flock has appeared round the Gout with the usual flock of Goldfinch. 3 Redpoll flew through east. ~40 Skylark passed through west. Nicholas Beswick Saturday 22-Oct-2005 Garn Lakes + surrounding area Flock of six Wigeon on the upper lake. Kestrel, Stonechat and three Redwings in the immediate area. Chris Jones Saturday 22-Oct-2005 Gwent A note for other observers. There are currently (Sat 22nd Oct) large numbers of Ring Ouzels being reported in upland areas of Glamorgan and Powys. Upland areas of Gwent may be worth checking for birds. steve d Saturday 22-Oct-2005 Ty Coch Wood Flock of about 30 tits. Mostly long tails and coals. Plenty of blues and greats around too. Also 2 jays and 1 grey heron. Darryl Spittle Saturday 22-Oct-2005 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth 3 Ring Ouzel (between 'seaward' ends of Farmfield Lane and Saltmarsh Lane), 2 Marsh Harrier (females/imm.), Bearded Tit (heard), 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Little Egret, 6 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Siskin, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Treecreeper, 6 Stonechat, 15 Skylark, 8 Blackcap, c.15 Cetti's Warbler and c.5 Water Rail. Also 3+ Migrant Hawker, 10+ Common Darter and 1 Painted Lady. John Bennett Saturday 22-Oct-2005 Blackrock 22nd October 2005 1 Yellow-Browed seen briefly along the coastal path by the old railway track . Saw bird rather like a Chiffchaff but very bright with a broad yellow supercilium. Bird had one obvious wing-bar . After showing briefly I could not relocate the bird . Also present 2 Chiffchaff , a few Goldcrests and at least 1 Coal Tit .A group of Mistle thrush and Bullfinch were present . Migration ( mainly in a westerly direction ) included skylarks , chaffinches , Wood Pigeon but only 1 Redwing and siskin . Also some Red Admirals and at least 2 Painted Ladies present . Brian Thomas Saturday 22-Oct-2005 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth 3 Ring Ouzel at Saltmarsh Lane junction with return path to car park. Marsh harrier at Goldcliff. matt broome Saturday 22-Oct-2005 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth re:info below it was yesterday 21st!. matt broome Saturday 22-Oct-2005 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth Rather wet & windy afternoon!. Quick dash around lagoons, female marsh harrier over reedbeds.Ring Ouzel on outer path overlooking farmfields..Hobby present yesterday afternoon. Nicholas Beswick Friday 21-Oct-2005 Brynmawr One Fieldfare eating berries with a flock of six Blackbirds on Hafod Road, above Blackrock John Gale Friday 21-Oct-2005 Woodstock/Morgans Pools Kingfisher spotted on Woodstock 11am Jackie Huybs Friday 21-Oct-2005 Blaenavon Spotted a Cormorant flying over the town centre, looking like a Pterodactyl! Mind you, this is Blaenavon... Nigel Garside Friday 21-Oct-2005 Peterstone Gout High tide and choppy sea had pushed a lot of the normally offshore wildfowl to the top of the Gout inlet; Wigeon, Shelduck, Shoveler, Pintail and a Brent Goose (race uncertain). Ring Ouzel at edge of golf course (2nd seen yesterday morning to the west of Gout, 100 yards from second gate from club house), Peregrine, Kestrel, Buzzard, Stonechat, 2 Rooks heading east. Keith Jones Friday 21-Oct-2005 Caerleon Visited River Usk at high tide. Birds include 9 Teal, 10 Mallard, 15 Lapwing, 3 Common Snipe, 28 Common Redshanks, 1 Green Sandpiper, and two if not 3 Common Sandpipers. Martin Peers Thursday 20-Oct-2005 Llantilio Crossenny 20+ Yellowhammers between Llantilio & White Castle Ruth Brown Thursday 20-Oct-2005 Peterstone Gout ......and a Clouded Yellow butterfly. (also a Red Admiral) Ruth Brown Thursday 20-Oct-2005 Peterstone Gout Ring Ouzel present in Hawthorn bushes west of the Gout, behind the sea wall, at 2.30 p.m.+ several Stonechat, large charm of Goldfinch, good nos of Redwing. Keith Jones Thursday 20-Oct-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Visited the lagoons at first light, down the coast, and up Saltmarsh Lane as far as the road. Little change in numbers from my count of 9 days ago. The female Marsh Harrier showing well quartering the north lagoon reedbeds. A male and female Blackcap together on the lane, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrow Hawk, Cetti’s Warbler numbers very consistent with 20 singing birds, and a further 4 along Saltmarsh Lane. Also at least 17 000 Starlings, of which 12 000 flew off west, and 5000 east. Andy Rowlands Thursday 20-Oct-2005 Llanover 2 Hawfinches seen flying over the conifer woods next to Hanover Lane, a couple of fields from the Fro crossroads. Martin Peers Wednesday 19-Oct-2005 GLWR Uskmouth 5 Bearded Tits showing well at centre of reedbed. Also migrant female Ring Ouzel, cream-headed Marsh Harrier, 24 Cetti's Warblers calling, 30+ Reed Buntings,5 Stonechats, Chiffchaff, Blackcap & 3 Lesser Redpolls. 235 Shelduck & 48 Curlews on shoreline Tim Hall Wednesday 19-Oct-2005 Uskmouth Marsh Harrier (cream crowned) showing on and off between 1400 and 1500. Eddie Wang Wednesday 19-Oct-2005 Peterstone Gout 1230-1330 hrs - 2nd Ring Ouzel also present with smaller, dimmer gorgette in berry bushes lining the north side of the Gout (observed at same time as the spanking bright male present in the trees and hedge to the east!). Also 1 Common Tern flew through low north east in front of a very heavy shower of rain. Nigel Garside Wednesday 19-Oct-2005 Peterstone Gout Ring Ouzel still present at same location as yesterday, with 2 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 24 Redwing, 1 Stonechat, c50 Goldfinch. On the receding tide 100+ Shoveler, 45 Wigeon, just 1 Pintail, 24 Common & 1 Spotted Redshank, 42 Teal, 4 Little Egret. Also present 28 Lapwing, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Wheatear, 12 Skylark, 1 Snipe. From sea wall at Peterstone 200+ Shelduck, 100+ Oystercatcher, 7 Grey Plover, 100+ Curlew. John Wilson Tuesday 18-Oct-2005 Peterstone Gout re my last post .... "gold course" ????? ... what was I on! More like wet course actually :-) Sorry about that! John Wilson Tuesday 18-Oct-2005 Peterstone Gout Male Ring Ouzel feeding on haws on E side of the lagoon, and also frequenting the trees bordering the gold course. Also good nos. of Redwing, at least 6 Song Thrush and many Blackbirds, approx 100 Goldfinch, 5 Little Grebe. On the rocky shore of the pill, 1 imm Wheatear, 3 Little Egret and also a fly-by White Wag. Ruth Brown Tuesday 18-Oct-2005 Llanwenarth Large (1,000+) Redwing movement continues this morning, moving eastwards. Ian Smith Monday 17-Oct-2005 Osbaston, Monmouth Sunday morning. Fresh arrivals from Scandinavia in Garden. Male Blackcap, Blackbirds and Goldcrests. This used to mean Grasshopper Warblers as well on places like Lundy at this time of year - so keep an eye open ? Geri Thomas Monday 17-Oct-2005 Castell y Bwch Farm Tawny Owl and Little Owl present this evening. Geri Thomas Monday 17-Oct-2005 Castell y Bwch Farm Tawny Owl and Little Owl present this evening. holly Monday 17-Oct-2005 Hollybush - Cwmbran two little owls in the tree behind my back garden, very noisy! M Powell and A Batchelor Monday 17-Oct-2005 Blaenavon railtrack+woods In this area yaffles, lesser spotted woodpecker. great spotted woodpecker. nut hatch,tit. great tit. Greenfinches.peregrine falcon, jay,s woodpidgeon.bullfinches,robins .wrens,herons,owls and many garden birds,all these in a site which is for development Keith Jones Monday 17-Oct-2005 Bulmore Lakes Visited Lakes walking back along Bulmore Road as far as Clawdd Farm. Rather quiet at the lakes singles of Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Moorhen, Coot, Common Snipe, Whinchat, Reed Bunting, also 3 Teal, 23 Mallard, and 55 Canada Geese. Also during walk 3 Buzzard, 2 Green Woodpecker, 26 Golfinch, 1 Bullfinch, 4 Redwing, 1 Jay etc. mark Sunday 16-Oct-2005 newcastle mons 1000am large redwing movement 300+ ne 5 skylark good house sparrow flock few med pips and pied wags also a few good tit flocks Barry R Catlin Sunday 16-Oct-2005 Chepstow 08.15am Approx 50 Redwings moving north over Chepstow. Approx 10 Fieldfare with them. Nicholas Beswick Sunday 16-Oct-2005 Brynmawr Red Kite over Hafod Farm at midday. Numerous Redwings around all day, maximum 24. Chris Jones Sunday 16-Oct-2005 Caerleon Large Redwing movement flying ENE up the Usk Valley over Caerleon between at least 08:30 - 11:30. The movement was over quite a broad area, across the Usk valley with the birds being very low. Estimated numbers at peak passage was c80 per min on average, although passage quitened down considerably after about 10:45. Estimated numbers thought to be in the region of at least 7,500 Nigel Garside Sunday 16-Oct-2005 Peterstone Gout Further to the other Peterstone reports of Redwing, between 10:15 and 11:45 I would estimate perhaps as many as 3,000 passed over in groups of 50 - 300, all heading east. Also on the move 100+ Chaffinch, 25 Skylark, 150+ Goldfinch, 1 Wheatear, 2 House Martin. 1 Peregrine and a close encounter with a Sparrowhawk as it flew at head height along the path between Peterstone and the sea wall. Bryn Burgess Sunday 16-Oct-2005 Wentwood Gray Hill 15.45 Juvenile Hen Harrier briefly over Gray Hill Flying low and then headed over Wentwood toward Usk Judy Rosser Sunday 16-Oct-2005 Peterstone Wentlooge Flocks of redwing 20-50 birds flying from PW East towards Npt.From 1000hrs onwards. Eddie Wang Sunday 16-Oct-2005 Peterstone Gout 1115 - 1200 (only time I had!). Great vis mig of passerines flying east along the coast in overcast conditions. ~500 Redwing, 20+ Siskin, 30+ Chaffinch, 40+ Goldfinch (on top of the large flock of 50+ around the Gout), Linnets, handfuls of Redpoll, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtails, 2 Swallows. 4 Stonechat also moving east though not flying over. 1 Peregrine hunting the migrants. 2 Blackcap in the brambles. Martin Bell Saturday 15-Oct-2005 Goldcliff Pools Apologies for late posting - home internet conection playing up - but possible Cinnamon Teal on nearest pool on Sat pm. A drake moulting from eclipse to nuptial plummage. Undersides unmarked orange-brown, flanks and upper breast still eclipse plumage - very different from all the Teals. Spent about an hour loafing so did not get good look at head/bill. Took off immediately when female Marsh Harrier flew over. Nigel Garside Saturday 15-Oct-2005 Peterstone Gout Two Avocets on evening tide. Nicholas Beswick Saturday 15-Oct-2005 Brynmawr Female Hen Harrier hunting over the fields above Hafod Farm late afternoon. Eventually flew off south across Clydach Gorge. Two Redwings heard passing over after dark whilst doing Tawny Owl survey (no owls though!) Mike and Jackie Pointon Saturday 15-Oct-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Marsh Harrier, female hunting, seen well. Merlin 1 Kestrel 4 Sparrowhawk 1 female. hundreds of Starling feeding on flying insects. Meadow Pipit 100+ Greenshank 4 Snipe 1. (On there foreshore there were flocks of Black-tailed Godwit 170 and Knot 250). Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Chiffchaff 1 Cetti\'s Warbler 1 Shoveler 43 other as mentioned by a previous observer. Also Clouded Yellow 6 Red Admiral 2 Small Tortoiseshell Small White 4 and around 20 Common Darters. Bedwas: Redwing 50 09:00 Keith Jones Saturday 15-Oct-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Birds noted at first light include 9 Little Egret, 5 Canada Geese, 58 Shelduck, 130 Wigeon, 104 Teal, 78 Mallard, 28 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Kestrel, 23 Lapwing, 4 Oystercatchers, 46 Curlew, 1 Common Snipe, 80 Knot, 160 Dunlin, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Nuthatch, 3 Siskin, 8 Linnet, and 4 Swallow. steve d Saturday 15-Oct-2005 Mynyddislwyn Walked through fields from Newbridge to Pant-yr-esk, then down lane and back through Ty Coch wood. Surprisingly quiet. 6 mistle thrushes, 5 buzzards; one on a fence post, 3 flying together and 1 spooking a flock of mixed tits (coal, blue and great) by circling over the wood. The robin invasion continues and there was the usual healthy numbers of magpies, crows and blackbirds. Today's highlight was a great view of a beautiful green woodpecker. Bryn Burgess Saturday 15-Oct-2005 West Pill,Undy 0735-0915 - Goldfinch 66 (East), Red Legged Partridge 26, Mistle Thrush 7 (East), Skylark 5 (East)Shelduck 23, Wigeon 68, Snipe 1, Dunlin 116, Grey Plover 5, Bar Tailed Godwit 1, Redshank 20, Oystercatcher 27 Jackie Huybs Saturday 15-Oct-2005 re- Marilyn's cats Marilyn, the RSPB recommends that if you have a cat, you are probably doing birds a favour by having a birdfeeder. The logic is that the birds will feed in numbers, and when one spots a cat, it will alert the others - rather than single birds flying down on to your lawn and falling prey. The birdfeeder must be sited quite high up, of course. I have two cats - and 40-odd Sparrows, Greenfinches, Jackdaws, assorted Tits and Robins - and it seems to have worked for the last six years. marilyn pope Saturday 15-Oct-2005 old caerleon by river usk tree sparrows in my garden and at end of isca road in bushes by the river bank.and birds that are visiting my garden are what looks like a dunnock and also a robin great tits.every year up until this one we used to have a large flock of house and tree sparrows feeding from our garden but i have recentley aqquired some cats so do not feed them as i do not want to encourage them into the garden where my cats are.and on the river in front we have around about just under 20 mallards that visit regularry 2 swans that are residents off the corner and also this summer we have had a little egret that has been fishing the shingle on the other side which the carrion crows have not been happy with and keep chasing it away. Mike Pointon Friday 14-Oct-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Marsh Harrier female 1 Merlin 1 Kestrel 1 Buzzard 1 Little Owl 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Greenshank 1 Oystercatcher 5 Curlew 2 Lapwing 8 Herring Gull 30 Blackheaded Gull 10 Common Gull 1 Stock Dove 1 Grey Heron 2 Little Egret 3 Meadow Pipit 100 Pied wagtail 30 White Wagtail 1 Stonechat 5 Collard Dove 20. mark Friday 14-Oct-2005 Monmouth 5 redwing 1 swallow over garden 1100hrs Andrew King Friday 14-Oct-2005 Wernyrheolydd Excellent range of birds and bushes in the tall untrimmed hedges around White House Farm. Good numbers of Song Thrush, Blackbird, Bullfinch, Robin, Greenfinch, Parus spp. and the odd Redwing. Peregrine & Raven over. The most Spindle, Rosehip and Sloe that I have seen in years. John Evans Friday 14-Oct-2005 The Moorings, Newport Single Swallow over the Moorings at 1445. Steve Williams Friday 14-Oct-2005 Abersychan Its interesting what you can record when doing a spot of DIY in your back garden! 45+ Redwing in small groups moving north, small numbers of Meadow Pipit, 2 Raven and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Gareth Waite Thursday 13-Oct-2005 Slimbridge If you fancy a good day out go to Slimbridge and see the juvenile red-necked phalarope. Excellent views from the hides on the "wild-side". Clive Jones Tuesday 11-Oct-2005 Uskmouth Female Marsh Harrier still around at 3pm, quartering the reed bed at the west end of the lagoons for a few minutes before disappearing over the trees. It reappeared briefly at around 3.20pm then appeared to go over the sea wall onto the foreshore. Keith Jones Tuesday 11-Oct-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Walked around the lagoons, down the coast up Farmfield Lane completing walk at Straights Lane. Little out of the ordinary but 56 birds including 23 Little Grebe, 5 Little Egret, 29 Mute Swan, 13 Shelduck, 595 Wigeon, 134 Teal, 240 Mallard, 20 Gadwall, 8 Shoveler, 16 Pintail, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Sparrow Hawk, 9 Water Rail, 90 Moorhen, 206 Coot, 4 Oystercatcher, 27 Curlew, 18 Black Tailed Godwit, 3 Great Black Backed Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 16 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Long Tailed Tit, 1 Jay, and 1 Raven. Didn't see the Harrier, at 1240 I was approaching Nash. John Wilson Tuesday 11-Oct-2005 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth At approx 12:40 p.m. watched an ad fem Marsh Harrier over the westernmost reed bed, then she flew out and quartered the saltmarsh and finally settled in the spartina somewhere near the foreshore to the west of the on-site lighthouse, but couldn't relocate on the ground. Also observed a male Gt Spotted 'Pecker fly out of trees and proceed to use several of the pylons as high perches, spending a few minutes on each one. Maurice Chown Monday 10-Oct-2005 Peterstone Gout On the tide this morning - Spotted Redshank - 1 Juv. Redshank C100, Dunlin- 5, Curlew-1, Lapwing-6, Ringed Plover -1, Little Egret-2, Wheatear-1, Peregrine-1, Goldfinches 100+ flying East along with small numbers of Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Chaffinches. Swallows -4 ( Roger Price who was earlier saw 30 Swallows and a House Martin.) Duck not counted but Pintail, Shoveller, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard & Shelduck all present. Grey Wagtail by Sluice gate and usual common species otherwise. M. Kennett Monday 10-Oct-2005 Langstone Two nuthatch visiting sunflower seed feeder for the past two weeks. Holly Monday 10-Oct-2005 Hollybush - Cwmbran thanks for cricket replies, it was a dark bush cricket thanks a lot :o) 50+ swallows over the house this morning heading south east steve d Sunday 09-Oct-2005 Mynyddislwyn 1 buzzard, 1 kestrel, 2 jays having a hard time (one being chased off by a magpie the other one being startled by a squirrel), 1 nuthatch. Hadyn Jones Sunday 09-Oct-2005 West Pill,Undy 3 Redpoll overhead this morning. Bryn Burgess Sunday 09-Oct-2005 Blackrock PM 4 Stonechat, 62 Redshank, 1 Dunlin, 9 Meadow Pipit & 2 Swallow Bryn Burgess Sunday 09-Oct-2005 Collister Pill 10.35-12.00pm 17 Skylark, 1 Wheatear, 7 Little Egret, 3 Swallow, 18 Red Legged Partridge, 1 Grey Partridge and 67 Lapwing Keith Jones Sunday 09-Oct-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir Visited dam end only due to visibility problems of yesterday. Count stands but would adjust Mallard population to about 170. Regarding your insect Holly, although I’m no expert our own native Bush Crickets are fairly large. Holly Sunday 09-Oct-2005 hollbags@hotmail.com is there anyone with some knowledge of grasshoppers/crickets as there was one in my garden this morning and it was like none ive ever seen, ive taken photos would like to know the breed. there nearest ive found to how it looks is a giant king cricket but they are from south africa, any help would be greatly apprecited :o) Keith Jones Saturday 08-Oct-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir Monthly count at the reservoir early morning walking from the western inlets (Sor Bay area) North Bank, to Green Pool hide. Dodged the worse of the showers with reasonable visibility. But by the time I got to the dam end vis was down to just 100 metres or so. Given these limitations count included 42 species with 2 Little Grebes, 41 Great Crested Grebes, 11 Cormorant, 6 Mute Swan, 160 Canada Geese, 44 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 42 Mallard, 3 Buzzard, 7 Pheasant, 2 Lapwing, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Common Snipe, 34 Black Headed Gull, 26 Herring Gull, 2 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Blackcap, 1 Marsh Tit, 4 Coal Tit, 1 Nuthatch, 4 Redpoll, 4 Jay, 70 Jackdaw, 28 Carrion Crow, and 3 Raven, plus the usual passerines. John O'Sullivan Saturday 08-Oct-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir 2 teal, single shoveler, 2 greatcrested grebes. 2 Goldcrest. John O'Sullivan Saturday 08-Oct-2005 Bassaleg 3 blackcap, single yellowhammer, 4 chiffchaff, 2 pheasant around radio mast above bassaleg school yesterday morning. Ruth Brown Friday 07-Oct-2005 Llanwenarth 500+ Swallows and House Martins crowded on the telephone wires this morning, with 100s in the air over surrounding fields. The misty conditions include a fairly steady drizzle here. re the last posting: it just shows what you can see on a pub-crawl! :-) steve d Thursday 06-Oct-2005 Newbridge Noticed a few goldfinch amongst the usual chaffinches. One gorgeous greenfinch that was as brightly coloured as a budgie. BARRY INGRAM Thursday 06-Oct-2005 Caerwent village Playing golf at Dewstow on Thursday evening we saw 3 owls. Too large and dark to be barn owls, no visible ear tufts, and we had a very good sight of one of them 10 yards away perched on a sign, so I can only assume they were short eared owls, parents and a juvenile perhaps? does anyone have any comments. Keith Roylance & Mick Bailey Thursday 06-Oct-2005 Cwmbran Walked from Ty-Coch Cwmbran to 3-Blackbirds (via Parkway Hotel), returning to Ty-Coch along Canal Bank this afternoon. 34 species noted. Highlight of which was Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in lane from Parkway Hotel towards 3-Blackbirds Pub. Amongst others seen were 3 Green Woodpecker, ChiffChaff, 2 Buzzard, 9 Rook, 86 Mallard, 24 Moorhen, 46 Jackdaw, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Treecreeper, 7 Long Tailed Tit, 6 Mistle Thrush. Also the usual Finches, Tits, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Corvids, Heron and 16 Starling. Keith Roylance Thursday 06-Oct-2005 Coed Eva, Cwmbran Green Woodpecker foraging on my rear lawn this morning for about 10 minutes. Flew off when two Grey Squirrels decided to visit the same area. steve d Wednesday 05-Oct-2005 Mynyddislwyn 5 buzzards, 1 kestrel. Usual finches etc. Keith Jones Wednesday 05-Oct-2005 GLWR Goldcliff A visit just after high tide this morning produced 1 Great Crested Grebe, 35 Little Egret, 76 Shelduck, 138 Teal, 56 Wigeon, 140 Mallard, 21 Shoveler, 3 Buzzard, 1 Merlin, 1 Sparrow Hawk, 1 Avocet, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Common Snipe, 12 Curlew, 5 Greenshanks, 2 Common Redshanks, 80 Dunlin, 1 Kingfi16 House Martin, 10 Swallow, 1 singing Chiffchaff. Also reported today, Little Grebes, 1 Peregrine, Black Tailed Godwits, 1 Green Sandpiper, and Monday 3rd a Jack Snipe. steve d Tuesday 04-Oct-2005 Mynyddislwyn 1 buzzard, about half dozen pied wagtails around the Inn. 3+ redwings amongst the mistle thrushes feeding in a field. Healthy amounts of chaffinches, tits, jackdaws, crows, wrens and robins are EVERYWHERE! Steve T Tuesday 04-Oct-2005 GLWR Uskmouth 2 Bearded Tits in middle of lagoons at approx 1pm this afternoon. Attention drawn to them thanks to singing Cetti. Also 23 Little Egrets at Goldcliff pools, and several Clouded Yellow butterflies on the wing (both locations) John gale Tuesday 04-Oct-2005 nash levels With reference to the sighting of a Juvenile Purple Heron I thought that saw one last year about the same time in the Nash Levels but when I reported it I was told that these birds have not been seen in the County for 50yrs This made me doubt my sighting. So having another person see this heron at nash has made me think that I really did see a Purple Heron Keith Jones Monday 03-Oct-2005 Peterstone Wentlooge Walked from the Pill and Gout to the village at high tide this morning. Birds seen include 4 Little Grebe, 4 Little Egret, 405 Shelduck, 14 Wigeon, 98 Teal, 330 Mallard, 30 Pintail, 1 Buzzard, 2 Lapwing, 4 Grey Plover, 20 Oystercatcher, 108 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 110 Common Redshanks, 8 Dunlin, 1 Little Stint, 1 Great Black Backed Gull, 290 Black Headed Gull, 70 Swallow, 14 House Martin, 2 large flocks of Goldfinch totalling about 270, and 36 Linnet. Also exceptionally in a group of about 30 Common Redshanks, around 16 Spotted Redshanks flying east. Holly Sunday 02-Oct-2005 Llangybi 20+ ravens feasting on corn cobs very interesting to see! Mike and Jackie Pointon Sunday 02-Oct-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Spotted Redshank 2 Greenshank 3 Redshank 1Green Sandpiper 1 Snipe 1 Avocet 1 Curlew 40 Oystercatcher 12 Little Egret 20 Little Grebe 10 Pied Wagtail 8 White Wagtail 1 Little Owl 2 Kestrel 1 Buzzard 3 Sparrowhawk 1 Teal 100 Meadow Pipit 30 Swallow 100 House Martin 30 Goldfinch 120 Skylark 20. At Usk Mouth Ruddy Duck 1 imm. Raven 1 Green Woodpecker 1 Chiffchaff 1 Cetti's warbler 8. Red Admiral 3 Small Copper 2 Peacock 1 Common Blue 1. Also Migrant Hawker 10 Common Darter 20 and a Weasel A flock of 15 Jays was seen en route and many others in ones and twos. Keith Jones Sunday 02-Oct-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir At mid day 11 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 8 Mute Swan, 127 Canada Geese, 6 Mallard, 21 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 1 Sparrow Hawk, 7 Moorhen, 74 Coot, 1 Green woodpecker, and 10 Swallow. James Daly Saturday 01-Oct-2005 Cwmcarn Forest Drive Flock of around half a dozen Crossbill in the conifers on path around Medart - mainly males Hadyn Jones Saturday 01-Oct-2005 West Pill,Undy This evening the better birds were 2 Wheatear,5 Chiffchaff,9 Bar Tailed Godwit,10 Black Tailed Godwit,1 Knot,5 Grey Plover, 2 Teal, 32 Red-Legged Partridge, Stonechat, Peregrine, plenty of Swallows,House Martins. Eddie Wang Saturday 01-Oct-2005 Peterstone Gout 17:00-18:00 high tide at Peterstone. Not too much to report though good numbers of duck including Pintail (8+), Shoveler, Shelduck, Mallard and Teal. Few waders - flock of ~30 Lapwing, the odd Redshank and Curlew. Light movement of swallows and house martins. Keith Jones Saturday 01-Oct-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Made a brief visit early morning rather quite with 25 Little Egret, 120 Shelduck, 192 Wigeon, 128 Teal, 130 Mallard, 20 Shoveler, 1 Buzzard, 30 Curlew, 16 Collard Dove. 1 Kingfisher, 19 Skylark, 26 Meadow Pipit, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Redwing, 17 Chaffinch, 28 Goldfinch, 6 Long Tailed Tit, and 3 Raven. Reports of 5 Greenshanks, and small numbers of Dunlin, and Ringed Plover. While leaving several Carrion Crow hounding a Bird of Pray. Only briefly seen, and against strong sunlight so only in silhouette. Large non-Buzzard shape, wings were long, but seemed much too broad for a Harrier, tailed medium long. What I noticed with flight which was very brief steady, lost over trees, flying south over lagoons where another 5 birders where present. John Marsh via Chris Jones Thursday 29-Sep-2005 Peterstone Gout Juvenile Sabine's Gull present on the gout with other gulls between 15:00 - 16:00hrs, before flying out onto estuary Ed Stevens Thursday 29-Sep-2005 Sudbrook Early afternoon walked from Sudbrook to Caldicot pill and back, birds i saw are, 24 black headed gull, 6 herring gull, 37 mallard, 12 oystercatcher, 1 curlew, 12 pied wagtail, 3 gray wagtail, 60+ goldfinch, 4 stonechat, 1 meadow pipit, 6 wheatear, 1 little egret, 4 buzzard, 2 kestral as well as crow, magpie, wood pigeon, swallow, starling, greenfinch and linnit. John O'Sullivan Thursday 29-Sep-2005 Bassaleg Passage on the hills above bassaleg has included a few jays,2 nuthatches, goldcrests and siskins, also meadow pipits, assorted finches, alba wagtails, skylarks. A family party of 5 yellowhammer and regular stock dove are in the ploughed fields. chris and julie west Wednesday 28-Sep-2005 Uskmouth Wednesday 11.00am female merlin on post at eastern edge in scrub. Good views of gadwell on lagoon. John Davies Wednesday 28-Sep-2005 Sugar Loaf Mt Walk to the summit produced the following birds. 150-200 Linnet, Stonechat, 20 plus Meadow Pipits, Skylark, 3 Kestrel, Single Wheatear, Raven, small numbers of Swallow, Buzzard. John O'Sullivan Wednesday 28-Sep-2005 GLWR Goldcliff very few waders present this a.m. wood sand and 4 greenshank being highlights. Overflying birds included great spotted woodpecker,a number of jays, siskins amongst other assorted finches, meadow pipits, few hiundines Holly Wednesday 28-Sep-2005 Hollybush - Cwmbran group of 7 jays flew past my garden this morning, definately an influx as previously sighted Tim Hall Tuesday 27-Sep-2005 (Various) For a discussion on the recent increase in Jays, see also Glamorgan Bird Club's website. There is a thread on this very subject.... Ruth Brown Tuesday 27-Sep-2005 Llanwenarth A group of 10 Jays this morning. Is this the start of a big influx? Swallows and House Martins feeding low over the fields.Chiffchaff still singing. Keith Jones Monday 26-Sep-2005 GLWR Goldcliff At high tide this morning, little change in duck numbers of Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, and Shoveler from count of 21st. other birds include 27 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 1 male Hen Harrier, 80 Curlew, 4 Whimbrel, 1 Black Tailed Godwit, 1 Bar Tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshanks, 2 Common Redshanks, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 1 Green Sandpiper, 40 Skylark, 60 Meadow Pipit, and 40 Linnet. Craig Constance+Little Dai Sunday 25-Sep-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir Late afternoon visit. Due to the on and off showers a good number of terns dropped in!! 13 common tern(all juv) 1 artic tern(ad) and 1 pos sandwich tern seen at distance from dam.Also gull roost starting to pick up. Mike and Jackie Pointon Sunday 25-Sep-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir Water level very low. Great Crested Grebe 37 Chiffchaff at least 8 feeding in sallows by the Green Pool (Now completely dry). Dunlin 1 Common Sandpiper 1 Raven 2 Sparrowhawk 1 Kestrel 1 Buzzard 2 Linnet 80 Swallow 50 House Martin 20 Canada Goose 40 Pied Wagtail 10. Comma 2 Red Admiral 2 Large White 4 Jeff Hall Sunday 25-Sep-2005 GLWR Goldcliff A windy afternoon at Goldcliff pools: 20 Little Egret, 2 Greenshank, 1 Redshank, 34 Blackwit, ~30 Knot, 1 Avocet, 35+ Shoveler, 1 Wood Sandpiper (in brook near bridge), 1 Kingfisher, 1 Kestrel. Eddie Wang Sunday 25-Sep-2005 Peterstone Gout 11:30 - 13:00 high tide. On gout - 21 Knot, 35 Black-tailed Godwit On the rising tide - at least 4 Curlew Sandpiper still, 5+ Ringed Plover, good numbers of Dunlin, Redshank Light movement of Swallows and Meadow Pipits, 1 Redpoll over too. 1 juvenile Wheatear. Hadyn Jones Saturday 24-Sep-2005 West Pill,Undy This a.m. migrants of note-2 Wheatear, 1 Common Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff. Good numbers of Wigeon and Meadow Pipits.Also 3 Little Egrets. Keith Jones Saturday 24-Sep-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Walked around the lagoons, and shore at high tide. Rather quiet with 33 Little Grebe, 4 Little Egret, 73 Shelduck, 38 Wigeon, 75 Mallard, 6 Teal, 25 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, 1 Ruddy Duck, 1 Kestrel, 6 Water Rail, 78 Moorhen, 148 Coot, 150 Curlew, 4 Whimbrel, at least 800 Dunlin flying west, 160 Black Headed Gull, 14 Cetti’s Warblers, 1 Common Whitethroat, 8 Swalow, 6 House Martin, 1 Stonechat, 2 Raven, etc. Maurice Chown Saturday 24-Sep-2005 Peterstone Gout On this mornings tide, Curlew Sandpiper 6, Knot 4, Ringed Plover 1, Dunlin C250, Redshank C150, Lapwing 2, Kingfisher 1, Little Egret 2, Several Pintail & Shoveller. Also a female Sparrowhawk, 1 Yellow Wagtail 2 Grey Wagtails and a light passage of Skylarks, Swallows & Meadow Pipits plus a few Siskins. Phil Bristow Saturday 24-Sep-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR Avocet (1), Curlew Sandpiper (1 juv), Wood Sandpiper (1 juv), Spotted Redshank (1), Greenshank (5), Little Egret (35+), Golden Plover (8), Ruff (1), Yellow Wagtail (1), Lesser Redpoll (1). cootwagner Friday 23-Sep-2005 The most popular sites for lamisil! The most popular sites for lamisil! mike bosley Thursday 22-Sep-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Highlights on a quick visit this AM; 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 1 peregrine. I'm sure others who spent longer there saw more... Maurice Chown Thursday 22-Sep-2005 Uskmouth At Uskmouth this morning 2 Bearded tits, 1 Peregrine, 1 Imm. Ruddy Duck, C25 Wigeon, C30 Little Grebes, 2 Kestrels, 2 Ravens, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker plus the usual common species. ( No Little Egrets seen however ! ). Ed Stevens Wednesday 21-Sep-2005 GLWR Goldcliff during afternoon at lagoons and foreshore saw mallared, crow, woodpigeon, swallow, starling, blackheaded gull, herring gull, great black backed gull, curlew, grey heron, little egret, kestrel, moorhen, oystercatcher, ringed plover, dunlin, greenshank and green sandpiper Keith Jones Wednesday 21-Sep-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Among the birds at high tide this morning 4 Grey Heron, 48 Little Egret, 248 Shelduck, 238 Teal, 270 Mallard, 60 Wigeon, 30 Shoveler, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrow Hawk, 1 Peregrine, 45 Ringed Plover, 15 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Oystercatcher, 130 Curlew, 110 Black Tailed Godwit, 2 Common Snipe, 285 Dunlin, 8 Common Redshanks, 310 Knot, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Stint, 1 juv Little Gull, 6 Swallow, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, etc. Also reports of Merlin, Greenshanks. Jeff Morgan Tuesday 20-Sep-2005 The Gaer, Newport Sparrowhawk perched on ridge of my garden greenhouse for about 3-4 minutes,scanning privet hedge for Starlings and Sparrows. Two photos taken but not very good quality due to it being 5-45pm,overcast and taken through window glass. Week previous,discovered pile of immature Starling feathers at top of garden near other hedge.Assuming this could have been from a previous visit! (Pergola makes a good perching position,high hedge on two sides). Keith Jones Tuesday 20-Sep-2005 Peterstone Wentlooge Walked from the Pill and Gout to the village this morning with the tide, dodged the worse of the showers. 3 Little Grebe, 4 Little Egret, 136 Shelduck, 60 Teal, 3 Garganey, 80 Mallard, 40 Lapwing, 6 Grey Plover, 120 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 210 Common Redshanks, 16 Knot, 210 Dunlin, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Whearear,1 Grey Wagtail, 600 Black Headed Gull, and a Rock Pipit etc. billy Tuesday 20-Sep-2005 back garden ringland female sparrow hawk attacked and caught a young starling on hedge ,but was then frightened of by numerous starlings,but unfortunatly it died i assume of shock,amazing sight but sad all the same G T Thorne Monday 19-Sep-2005 newhouse farm est chepstow 6.15pm At least 100 Pied Wagtails in flock feeding on swarm of Craneflys over road and near grass banks.I had to stop car or i would have killed a lot. mike bosley Monday 19-Sep-2005 Sugar Loaf Female Hen Harrier quartering slopes above St Mary's Vale this morning Hadyn Jones Sunday 18-Sep-2005 Collister to 2nd Severn Bridge Early morning between Collister and 2nd Severn Crossing at high tide-@550 Curlew,47 Oystercatcher,@450 Wigeon,2 Black-tailed Godwit,5 Bar-Tailed Godwit,12 Teal,3 Pintail,8 Ringed Plover,4 Yellow Wagtail,2 Wheatear,2 Peregrine, being the better records. Many Chiffchaff along coastal bushes. Also 3 Red-legged Partridges near Fisherman's Lane. Phil Bristow Sunday 18-Sep-2005 Peterstone Wentlooge Curlew Sandpiper (1 juv), Knot (7 juvs), Turnstone (6), Dunlin (121), Med Gull (1 juv/1w), Yellow-legged Gull (ad michahellis), Little Egret (2). Mark Stevens Saturday 17-Sep-2005 Mynydd Henllys Took a stroll with the dog this afternoon.Good numbers of meadow pipit, swallow & house martin on summit. Further down in wooded area was a group of 30+ mistle thrush which upset raven & jays as they moved around. Also pretty sure that a small bunch of crossbill were about...heard but, unfortunately, not seen to confirm. B R Catlin Saturday 17-Sep-2005 Collister to 2nd Severn Bridge Between 3.45pm and 4.30pm. Low tide. 9 Grey Partridge in lane leading to the river (Fisherman's Lane?) - good views at 50ft. Good movement of Swallows - 360 / hr sustained during visit. 13 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets and 3 Whimbrel - feeding in estuary. John Garside Saturday 17-Sep-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Moderate range of species on lagoons at high tide this morning including 1 juv Little Stint, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit (with large number of Curlew [150+?] on 1st lagoon), 1 Avocet still, 2 Spotted Redshank, at least 8 Greenshank, 4+ Wheatears (one of which narrowly missed death by sparrowhawk) and highest? count of Little Egret - I think it was 63. Most of waders on back lagoon Phil Bristow Saturday 17-Sep-2005 Peterstone Wentlooge Juvenile Garganey, 15 Knot, 48 Pintail and 1 Greenshank. Nearby juvenile Curlew Sand at Peterstone S.F. Julian Branscombe Saturday 17-Sep-2005 Gwent I too like seeing records of dragonflies and the like on the sightings page. Whether or not such records carry on getting posted on the GOS site, I would like to let you all know that there is a recent sightings page on the Gwent Wildlife Trust website (www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/gwent). Unfortunately new sightings need e-mailed to the volunteer who does a great job in updating our website, but that does mean that it often takes a week or so for new records to go on there - records need to go to gwentwildlifereports@yahoo.co.uk. However, not all wildlife is as flighty and ephemeral as a passing long-tailed skua or yellow-browed warbler, so hopefully any delay doesn't matter too much. There are only a few records being put on the GWT site at present - I hope we can encourage you to put things on there occasionally too. Thank you very much, Julian John O'sullivan Saturday 17-Sep-2005 GLWR Uskmouth saltmarsh lane, great spot woodpecker, 6 wigeon, 2 little egret, also imm hobby roosting on driftwood around sea wall. John O'sullivan Saturday 17-Sep-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir 3 teal, 3 great crested grebe, 2 pochard at Y.R. There is almost no fishing here as the water temperature is too high.Not an insurance problem. p.s. I like the non birding, wildlife asides i.e. dragonflies, mammals etc. they don't take up much room or time. John O'Sullivan Friday 16-Sep-2005 Bassaleg 5 Stonechats and 3 whinchat in fields between bassaleg school and cefn mably. fewer buzzards now as the farmer finishes ploughing. The distinctive pale bird not seen. Full white rump and upper tail and head on this bird, virtually unmarked underneath. John O'Sullivan Friday 16-Sep-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Quiet this morning. 8 greenshank, 1 avocet,1 kingfisher, 3 redshank, few dunlin, knot, black wit, teal, shoveler. Keith Jones Friday 16-Sep-2005 Bulmore Lakes Very little about but 28 Canada Geese, 26 Mallard, 4 Teal, 2 male Goosanders, 6 Coot, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, a single Swift, and 3 Red Legged Partridge. Steve Appleton Thursday 15-Sep-2005 wattsville Ian, sorry we don't know much about dragonflies. We can say that they have been flying round the garden on and off all summer and our last sighting of one was yesterday. About 3-4 inches long, brown in colour and flying in rectangular patterns. The only water nearby is our neighbours small garden pond - is this enough to attract them? Steve Appleton Thursday 15-Sep-2005 wattsville 1830 hours a flock of about 40 Siskins circling above the garden before flying off down the valley. Ian Smith Thursday 15-Sep-2005 Osbaston, Monmouth One tries to help spread knowledge... but alas........ !! bored of dragonflies Thursday 15-Sep-2005 (Various) dragon fly lovers should start a gwent dragonfly sightings page chris and julie west Wednesday 14-Sep-2005 GLWR Goldcliff 8.00pm around 300 canada geese came in from north west in flocks of 20-30 to roost in eastern pool. Remarkable sight and sound, apparently nightly event. Ian Smith Wednesday 14-Sep-2005 Osbaston, Monmouth Come on chaps. Enough of these "Hobby hawking dragonfly" messages. What is wrong with your optics ? Name that dragonfly please .... That would be far more impressive! Migrant Hawker and Common Darter must all be fairly abundant at Uskmouth, with at least some Southern Hawker's. Any late season, electric blue coloured, male Emperors ? With the expertise of Kevin and Adrian on hand as well, you have no excuses....... Hadyn Jones Wednesday 14-Sep-2005 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth This evening prolonged views of Hobby hawking dragonflies around plantation east side of the reed beds. John O'Sullivan Wednesday 14-Sep-2005 Bassaleg imm female peregrine chasing crows around for 10 mins this p.m. good numbers of very variable buzards also. holly Wednesday 14-Sep-2005 hollybush - cwmbran 4pm - large female sparrow hawk came MM from catching a blue tit in my back garden - so near yet so far! Keith Jones Wednesday 14-Sep-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Rather quite at Goldcliff early morning with 13 Little Egret, 37 Shelduck, 38 Wigeon, 230 Teal, 88 Mallard, 18 Shoveler, 108 Black Tailed Godwit, 30 Curlew, 9 Dunlin, 1 Common Snipe, 1 Yellow Wagtail, and 1 Cetti’s Warbler. Little else. mike warburton Tuesday 13-Sep-2005 Ebbw Vale saw two imm.merlins dogfighting with crows.had the kids with me and the dog,but no binos.the only way i recognised them as merlins was by the size,flight pattern and calls.as is always the case,you dont take your binos and you see something. G T Thorne Tuesday 13-Sep-2005 Penyfan Pond late afternoon walk,10 L/Grebe,Several Swallows low over the water,L/B/B/Gulls and B/Hd/Gulls,2 StoneChat,M/Pipits,Pied Wagtail,few Mallard,and 1 Kestrel,Moorhen but no sign of Coot. John O'Sullivan Tuesday 13-Sep-2005 Bassaleg 2 tree pipit, single wheatear and stonechat this a.m. Keith Jones Tuesday 13-Sep-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Walked around the lagoons, up Farmfield Lane to Nash early morning. Count included 14 Little Grebes, 1 Little Egret, 8 Teal,56 Wigeon, 9 Gadwall, 80 Mallard, 12 Tufted Duck, 1 Ruddy Duck, 1 Water Rail, 56 Moorhen, 102 Coot, 1 Green Sandpiper, 47 Curlew, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Reed Warbler, 20 Cetti’s Warbler, 4 singing Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Stonechat, 2 Redwing, 19 Reed Bunting, and a single Water Vole. john o sullivan Monday 12-Sep-2005 Bassaleg hills above bassaleg. 2 whinchat, 1 stonechat, 1 yellowhammer. Plenty of buzzards c20 feeding on ground. 1 excellent, very pale bird. Roger Jenkins Monday 12-Sep-2005 Abertillery Excellent morning in Abertillery - whilst watching a Goshawk battling a group of Ravens over the Arael Mountain, a low-flying Osprey came into view, heading down the valley towards Aberbeeg. 10 mins later this was followed up with a female Peregrine and a couple of Buzzards. Keith Jones Monday 12-Sep-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir Thanks for the clarification Chris, but it seems the GOS card was of little use in that situation. I guess it was a case of an overzealous minder which I thought. Keith Chris Hatch Monday 12-Sep-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir For info. GOS members are still allowed access to Ynysyfro res. on production of a current membership card. I re-confirmed this arrangement with the secretary of the Newport Reservoirs Fly Fishing Association, Jim Wall two weeks ago. If anyone is told anything to the contrary by anglers at the site, please mention Jim Wall's name and my name if necessary. If difficulties continue, either post the information on the GOS web site, or e-mail me at chris.hatch@dwrcymru.com. Re. Pantyreos, the same access arrangementS apply with Islwyn Anglers.The gate off the lane is now kept permanently locked to prevent illegal access by vehicles, so it will be necessary to walk in. John O'Sullivan Monday 12-Sep-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir further to keiths comments. there have ben no fishermen at Y.R. for at least two weeks. Perhaps they have an insurance problem as well. Other birds present sunday around 2pm, 3 great crested grebes and two teal.there is also some mud on the top pool so maybe a wader or two is also possible over the next week or so. Keith Jones Sunday 11-Sep-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir In the wake of restricted access to Pant yr Eos Reservoir, I experienced difficulty in visiting Yyns y Fro today. I was polity informed that access is no longer allowed for bird watchers. I’ve not met the chap concerned before, and he is not the bailiff who I know. I’ve never had problems up until now but apparently its because of insurance issues. But from the road a male Gadwall on the south pool, and female Ruddy Duck on north, about 80 Coot etc. Jeff Fisher Sunday 11-Sep-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir In addition to the usual on the reservoir and at the feeding station. It was good to see two juvenile grey partridge, two willow tits and a male blackcap all from the hide at the feeding station. Hadyn Jones Sunday 11-Sep-2005 West Pill,Undy Date of previous observation should be 10th not 11th September. Hadyn Jones Sunday 11-Sep-2005 West Pill,Undy At West Pill a.m. 1 Wheatear,3 White Wagtails (got good views as more difficult in autumn),covey of 13 Red-Legged Partridges. Also 1 Red-Legged, 1 Grey Partridge and 1 apparent hybrid together in field with notice 'private shoot'(poor choice of habitat!). Small movement of Siskins observed. Mark Stevens Saturday 10-Sep-2005 Old Cwmbran Delighted & surprised to see my first redwing (single bird)of the Autumn from the garden today. John Evans Saturday 10-Sep-2005 Newport Common Swift over Rodney Parade during the Newport v Swansea game at 1435. Martin Bell Saturday 10-Sep-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir Early morning visit 7:15 - 9:00 am Birds of note (through the mist) 2 Black Terns, 1 Little Tern, 2+ Common terns, Juv Peregrine, 41+ GCGs, 1 Common Sand and 1 Shag John Davies Saturday 10-Sep-2005 Gobion Hobby, Little Egret, Common and Green Sandpiper, Great spotted Woodpecker. Membership Secretary Saturday 10-Sep-2005 Kenfig National Nature Reserve An additional Outdoor Meeting has been arranged for Saturday 1st October. Meet Ruth Brown at 07:30 in the car park at Kenfig Reserve, Grid Ref SS 803 809. Hoping for Bittern etc on the Pool, and we will move on from there depending on weather and current bird movements. Penclacwydd is a possibility. Phil Bristow Saturday 10-Sep-2005 Goldcliff Pools Pec Sand (juv), Hobby (adult), Spoonbill (2) and Arctic Skua (dark phase over lagoons) this morning. Phil Bristow Saturday 10-Sep-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR Pec Sand (juv), Arctic Skua (dark phase), Hobby (adult) and Spoonbills (2) this morning. Keith Jones Saturday 10-Sep-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir Just returned from a family holiday to North Wales where Storm Petrel. Arctic Skua, Red Breasted Merganser, Sandwich Terns etc made a refreshing change. A walk around the reservoir today produced about 50 species including 29 Great Crested Grebes, the Shag showing well on north west bank among Cormorants, 1 Little Egret, 14 Mute Swan, 122 Canada Geese, 3 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 104 Mallard, 5 Coot, 3 Common Sandpper, 3 Greenshanks, 165 Black Headed Guls, about 90 Swallow, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, and 12 Linnet. John O'Sullivan Saturday 10-Sep-2005 GLWR Goldcliff highlights this a.m. single spot red, ruff, avocet, grey plover, little ringed plover, water rail, 3 bar tailed godwit, 3 greenshank, 5 little stint, 9 curlew sandpiper Also reasonable nos Blacktailed godwit and knot. better nos of dunlin than of late, single nuthatch and great spotted woodpecker at uskmouth. Clive Ellis. Friday 09-Sep-2005 Chepstow Large bird of prey,very dark,too big for buzzard just outside Chepstow heading up river.?? holly Friday 09-Sep-2005 nr langibby 4 FOUR peregrine falcons flying together and making lots of noise, 2 adults and 2 immature present just past cwrt bleddyn had to stop the car, got photos as well, lovely! Ian Smith Thursday 08-Sep-2005 Osbaston, Monmouth Peregrine over garden twice in past week including early Thursday morning. First sightings of this species overhead for very many years. Adrian Hickman Thursday 08-Sep-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir 12.25-13.30. Excellent views of the imm Shag preening on the bank of the Dam, adjacent to the lay-by. It eventually took to the water and caught at least 2 fish. Also 1 distant Black Tern and 1 Common Tern feeding around the sailing bay. Mike Pointon Thursday 08-Sep-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff 10:00 12:30 Ringed Plover 6 Little Ringed Plover 4 Grey Plover 1 Ruff 1 Little Stint 7 Curlew Sandpiper 8 Black-tailed Godwit 30 Dunlin 50 Greenshank 5 Little Egret up to 45. Shovler 40 Teal 100+ Mallard 40 Pintail 6 Yellow Wagtail 30 Meadow Pipit 15 Sklylark 2 White Wagtail1 Kingfisher 1 Wheatear 1 John Evans Thursday 08-Sep-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir No sign of the Osprey during a brief visit to the North end this morning (0915-1000), but a Black Tern present. John Evans Thursday 08-Sep-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir No sign of the Osprey during a brief visit to the North end this morning (0915-1000), but a Black Tern present. John Davies Wednesday 07-Sep-2005 Gobion 2 Greenshank, 4 Common Sandpipers, 2 Green Sandpipers, 3 kingfishers, Kestrel, 5 Grey Wagtail and Lesser spotted Woodpecker. Hadyn Jones Wednesday 07-Sep-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR This evening no sign of Pec but 2 Spoonbill subadults,5 Little Stints juvs,11 Curlew Sandpipers juvs,1 Spot Red juv,2 Greenshank. john o'sullivan Wednesday 07-Sep-2005 GLWR Goldcliff pec sand still present this a.m. other highlights 2 spoonbill, 2 little stint, single hobby,avocet, 10 curlew sandpiper, 6 greenshank. Llandegfedd Rangers Wednesday 07-Sep-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir Osprey still present at Llandegfedd, circling near dam end. Immature Shag still present. Hadyn Jones Tuesday 06-Sep-2005 Magor Marsh Reserve This evening 1 Common Redstart, 1 Little Owl. Llandegfedd Rangers Tuesday 06-Sep-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir Single Osprey at Llandegfedd fishing near north shore. craig constance+Little Dai Tuesday 06-Sep-2005 GLWR Goldcliff 6.30 to 8.30pm. 1 Pectoral sandpiper showing well from platform 3{found by glam boys}. Also present 2 Little stint, 11 Curlew sand, 1 Green sand, 2 Bar-tailed godwit, 50+Black-tailed godwit, 1 Spotted red, 1 Ruff, 4 Greenshank, 4 LRP, 60 Knot, 30 Dunlin, 1 Avocet, 150 Oystercatcher, 200+Curlew, 2 Snipe, 60 Lapwing, 1 Peregrine, 1 Little Owl, 1 Garganey, 100 Shoveler, 30 Yellow wag and 400 Canada geese coming in at dusk quite a sight!! Great couple of hours birdin! Ian Smith Tuesday 06-Sep-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir Is anyone organising a twitch for the 2 Grey Partridge ? They are getting towards being a local "Mega" these days ! Do we have a accurate grid reference and accurate time for the observation ? Mike Pointon Tuesday 06-Sep-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Juvenile Bairds Sandpiper at the third viewing platform found by John Holmes (Hope I've spelt that proper) it flew out to the foreshore and was relocated at some 300m away. Richard Smith and others were trying to get better views when I left at 13:30. Also Greenshank 2 Little Ringed Plover 4 juvs Green Sandpiper 1 Avocet 1 Grey Plover 1 Curlew Sandpiper 6 Snipe 7 Curlew 50 Knot 4 Little Stint 2 Juvs Hobby 2 (seen together) Wheatear 2 Lot of Yellow Wagtails Little Egret 25 and Goldfinch 30. Also Migrant Hawker 6 and Common Darter +. John Wilson Tuesday 06-Sep-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR According to BirdGuides there was a juv Bairds present from the 3rd platform today until 13:30. mike bosley Monday 05-Sep-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir Just to add to the Rangers' report - also 1 Greenshank, 1 juv. Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpipers and c240 Canada Geese (!) John Wilson Monday 05-Sep-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR At lunchtine today: 9 Curlew Sand, 2 Dunlin and a Little Stint in a flock [lovely], also 2 Greenshank, 2 Ruff, 1 Green Sand, 1 Spotshank, 4 LRP, Kingfisher, a very active Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, 100's of Hirundine 30+ Yellow Wag. Also 1 Swift + 1 Garganey seen [by Mike Pointon and Adrian Hickman] Llandegfedd Rangers Monday 05-Sep-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir At the reservoir today :- 2 Little Terns, 1 Black Tern, 5 Common Terns, 1 Shag, 1 Greenshank, 1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Partridge. Also reports of an unidentified Grebe sp. holly Sunday 04-Sep-2005 croesy afon llywd king fisher following river John Davies Sunday 04-Sep-2005 Abergavenny Couple of Common Swift over the town. Steven Butler. Sunday 04-Sep-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Excellent evenings birding at the Goldcliff pools. 3 Ruff, 3 Spoonbill, 50 plus Whimbrel, 30 plus Yellow Wagtail, 1 Spotted Redshank, Single Avocet, LRP, 70 plus Knot, Hobby, large numbers of Martins & Swallows, Wheatear, 50 plus Lapwing, 3 Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Greenshank, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, 3 Little Egret, Single Blackwit,Kestrel, Kingfisher, and the list goes on. Worth a visit over the next few days/weeks. Maurice Chown Sunday 04-Sep-2005 Peterstone Sluice Farm At Sluice farm this morning 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 of which flew on into Glamorgan and 1 Greenshank. 1 Wheatear on Wharf and 2 Whitethroats in brambles on sea wall. Also 1 Kingfisher. Otherwise quiet with a few Meadow Pipits and Swallows the only evidence of visible migration. John O'Sullivan Sunday 04-Sep-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Much the same at goldcliff this a.m. (although a few years ago this would have been an excellent morning). Singles of great spotted woodpecker, green sandpiper, avocet, spotted redshank, sanderling and little stint. Around 6 curlew sandpipers, 5 greenshank, 4 ruff and 3 spoonbill. Small nos of dunlin, better nos of knot, little egrets, yellow wagtails, lapwing, snipe and black tailed godwit. Hadyn Jones Sunday 04-Sep-2005 Collister Pill At Collister this morning there were 18 Wigeon(+7-Bryn Burgess), 22 Oystercatcher,1 Whimbrel,1 Tree Pipit,10 + Yellow Wagtails,1 Greenshank,1 Teal,2 Wheatear,2 Little Egrets and inland 1 Whinchat, being the better birds. Andy Rowlands Saturday 03-Sep-2005 Cwmyoy - Black Mountains Spent a few hours in the area along the ridge North of Twyn-y-Gaer towards Bal Mawr this evening between 1820 and 21.30 (hoping for more than the resident Tawny Owls). Small numbers of Chaffinch, Meadow Pipit and House Martin. Small groups of Swallows were evident, each group seeming to be 'on a mission' - migrating? - SSW-ish, feeding as they went. Highlights of the evening were female Gos 'chasing' a Raven down the Honddu valley and, at around 19.30 hours, a single adult Common Swift - my latest ever in the County (I think) by about 10 hours or so - roll on April when they return! This bird was in close view, down to @ 30 mteres for about 5/6 minutes appearing to be intent on feeding up. Chris Jones Saturday 03-Sep-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Goldcliff this morning – 10 Curlew Sandpipers, single Green Sandpiper and Spotted Redshank, 5 Greenshank and 3 Ruff. Also plenty of Yellow Wagtails and 5 Wheatears Hadyn Jones Friday 02-Sep-2005 West Pill,Undy Early evening saw 13 Wigeon nr Caldicot Pill.Between West Pill and Collister Pill had about 20 Yellow Wagtails among cattle,7 Wheatears, @ 50 Knot, 3 Black-tailed Godwits. Also saw a largish flock of Black-tailed Godwits flying away from Collister west along coast, upon my arrival. Good movement of Swallows migrating east. Adrian Hickman Friday 02-Sep-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR Juv Spotted Redshank still present, 3 Ruff, 7 Greenshank, Green Sand, 5 Ringed Plover, 1 LRP, 100 Black-wits, 133 Knot, 30 Lapwing, 1 Avocet, Hobby hawking insects, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, 150 Teal, 85 shoveler, 2 Wigeon (9 at Uskmouth seen by Maurice Chown), 15+ Yellow Wags, Tree Pipit, Spotted Flycatcher, Sedge and Reed Warbler. 31 Little Egrets seen flying to roost late evening on 1st Sept (Chris Hurn) Mal Jenkins Friday 02-Sep-2005 Cwmtillery Pond c20 Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Goshawk, and a Red Kite over the area near the pond during the morning. Mal Jenkins Wednesday 31-Aug-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir Quick visit this afternoon, brilliant views of the lightning storm over the area. Birds seen include 180+ Canada Geese, 1 Bar-headed/Canada hybrid Goose, 2 Little Egret (very fidgity during the lightning flashes),Sparrowhawk (fem), 2 Mute Swan, 3 Shoveler, 40+ Great Crested Grebe, 20 LBB Gull, 10 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Grey heron. Mike Pointon Wednesday 31-Aug-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Ruff 3 Greenshank 3 Little Ringed Plover 3juvs Ringed Plover 1juv Black-tailed Godwit 80 Shoveler 139 Mallard 50 Teal 60 Kestrel 2 Sparrowhawk 1. Migrant Hawker dragonfly. A short trip to Uskmouth produced Whitethroat Cetti's Warbler 6 Waterail 2 Chiffchaff and Raven. Also Clouded Yellow and two more Migrant Hawkers. Ian Smith Wednesday 31-Aug-2005 Osbaston, Monmouth After last year's bad House Martin breeding season, this year's evening get togethers overhead have topped 70 which is 20 better than most years and 40 above 2004. Is this also because I do not see or hear of Hobby this year ? Robin's are just starting to parade themselves off in the open within the garden, with just a few ragged feathers still adorning them after the moult. G T Thorne Tuesday 30-Aug-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir 150+ mixed flock Swallows and H/Martins feeding over area,amongst Tufted Duck 2 male Pochard and 1 Juv G/C/Grebe.2 adult G/C/Grebe also present . Good numbers of various DragonFly. Andy Rowlands Monday 29-Aug-2005 Gobion A quick walk with the dog in the late afternoon gave great views of a Greenshank. Also present were three species of wagtail, Little Egret, Hobby and a flock of about 100 Linnet. Still small numbers of Sand Martin and Barn Swallows present. Julian Branscombe Monday 29-Aug-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff 4 or 5 ruff, 1 spotted redshank, 3 greenshank, 1 green sandpiper, 5 lapwing, 3 LRP, 58 black-tailed godwit, 2 snipe, 1 whimbrel (flying over), 12 little egret, 3 juvenile spoonbill, lots of shoveler & teal. G T Thorne Sunday 28-Aug-2005 newhouse farm est chepstow Good numbers of Pied Wagtails feeding along fields and grass banks before roosting on warehouse roofs.Also there appears to be an increase in Starlings roosting in reedbeds,they arrive in small numbers and settle on a large pylon before roosting .Early morning they are seen dispersing to their respective areas. john O sullivan Sunday 28-Aug-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Not much movement evident at goldcliff today. 5 Ruff, 3 greenshank, 3 little ringed plover, juv spot red, 3 spoonbills, overflying tree pipits were the best bird sightings. A brief scan out over the estuary produced a leaping salmon? whatever it was it was a nice sized fish! John Bennett Sunday 28-Aug-2005 Waun y Pound Waun y Pound Ponds 28th August 2005 Of interest 2 Brown Hawkers their today . Sam Bosanquet Sunday 28-Aug-2005 Coed y Fedw, Dingestow The second Tree Pipit sighting of the year at Dingestow and the second ever non-flyover record: one flushed from a bean field at Coed y Fedw that circled round then landed in the tall hedge surrounding the field, giving excellent views. Hadyn Jones Saturday 27-Aug-2005 Magor There seems to be a fair bit of Tree Pipit movement at the moment as I had one flying and calling over my house in Magor this afternoon! Hadyn Jones Saturday 27-Aug-2005 Magor There seems to be a fair bit of Tree Pipit movement at the moment as I had one flying and calling over my house in Magor this afternoon! Sam Bosanquet Saturday 27-Aug-2005 Dingestow Court A male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was feeding in the orchard at Dingestow Court during the afternoon. There are only 3 previous records from the Dingestow area of this secretive species. Nicholas Beswick Saturday 27-Aug-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff On the lagoons: Little Egret (20), Grey Heron (3), Lapwing (2), Snipe (6), Ruff (4), Spotted Redshank (one), Greenshank (2), Dunlin (8), Whimbrel (one), Yellow Wagtail (one). Many hirundines, two Kestrels around and a Hobby briefly near Goldcliff village. john o sullivan Saturday 27-Aug-2005 GLWR 1 curlew sand amongst mixed flock of dunlin/ ringed plover feeding on foreshore. Top of saltmarsh lane. Keith Jones Friday 26-Aug-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Little change from recent reports at mid morning with 2 Cormorant, 25 Little Egrets, 3 Spoonbills, 70 Canada Geese, 120 Teal, 145 Mallard, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 30 Lapwing, 78 Black Tailed Godwit, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Curlew Sandpipers, 1 Spotted Redshanks, 1 Greenshanks, 36 Knot, 40 Dunlin, 2 Common Snipe, 320 Black Headed Gull, 1 Reed Warbler, and 1 Blackcap Ruth Brown Friday 26-Aug-2005 Llangorse Lake Black Tern in winter plumage seen at 1600 hrs from Llangasty, flying over on the far side. Apparently it has been present 24 hours, according to J Lewis. He also mentioned a Med Gull, which I did not see. Adrian Hickman Thursday 25-Aug-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR Very good selection of birds seen during morning:3 Avocets, Wood Sand, Spotted redshank, 4 Greenshank, 4 Ruff, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 300+ Dunlin, 150 Ringed Plover, 9 Snipe, Little Stint, 30 Knot, 84 Black wits, 2 Sanderling, 3 imm Spoonbills,(2 ringed), juv-1stW Med Gull, Kingfisher, good numbers of Teal and Shoveler and a Hobby attacking the wader flock. Craig Constance+little Dai Thursday 25-Aug-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR Late afternoon update.Waders included 1 juv Spotted red shank,3 Ruff,3 Curlew sands,1 Wood sand,50 Black tailed godwits,6 Knot,1 Snipe and usual wildfowl.No sign of little stints! Keith Jones Thursday 25-Aug-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Visited mid morning from Power Station entrance, around the lagoons, up Farkfield Lane to Nash. A fairly good spread of birds including 36 Little Grebes, 1 Little Egret, 26 Mute Swan, 48 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 3 Reddy Duck, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrow Hawk, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 5 Water Rail, 52 Moorhen, 113 Coot, 1 Lapwing, 76 Curlew, 6 Whimbrel, 80 Dunlin, 1 Green Sandpiper, 278 Black Headed Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Pheasant, 1 Kingfisher, 7 Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, and 2 Sand Martin. Also a single Mink along the path from Power Station towards the north west of the reserve. Angus Scott Thursday 25-Aug-2005 Llandogo 2x hobbies cruising above Llandogo around 10.30am. John Bennett Thursday 25-Aug-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir Llandegfedd Reservoir 24th August 2005 2 Common Terns and 2+ Spotted Flycatchers noted . But very few waders . Jan and Peter Newling Wednesday 24-Aug-2005 Glasllwch Crescent, Newport Sparrow Hawk feeding on Dunnock in back garden, 10 foot from window at 15 00 hours. Magnificent view. Adrian Hickman Tuesday 23-Aug-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR In addition to Eddie Wang's reports, there were 3 Spoonbills, 23 Little Egrets, a Hobby hawking for Dragonflies, 54 Oystercatcher, 15 Knot, 9 Snipe, a further 3 Curlew Sands, 4 Yellow Wags and several Tree Pipits. Also, Emperor and Migrant Hawker Dragonflies and Blue-tailed damselfly seen. Keith Jones Tuesday 23-Aug-2005 Peterstone Wentlooge Visited the area at high tide (From Gout to Sluice Farm). A fairly good variety of birds about including, 6 Little Grebe, 7 Cormorant, 6 Little Egret, 7 Mute Swan, 25 Shelduck, 24 Teal, 390 Mallard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrow Hawk, 370 Lapwing, 4 Golden Plover, 71 Oystercatcher, 86 Common Redshanks, 1 Greenshanks, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Whimbrel, 190 Curlew, 2 Turnstone, 520 Black Headed Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 50 Swallow, 47 Linnet etc. Also at the gout a single budgerigar, which judging by the strength of the flight is an aviary bird. Eddie Wang Tuesday 23-Aug-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR Tuesday morning high tide (0900-1030) - 1 Little Stint, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 3 Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Ruff, 4 Greenshank, 2 Avocet, 1 Little Ringed Plover as well as usual Dunlin and Ringed Plover Jackie Huybs Monday 22-Aug-2005 Blorenge mountain, Llanover rd Enjoyed good view for about five minutes of a female Merlin perched on a rock. Does anyone know if they prey on House Martins as well as Meadow Pipits, as there were dozens of the latter flying in the same area? Dave Owen Monday 22-Aug-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR 1 juv Little Stint, 1 Spoonbill, 2 Tree Pipits, 3 juv Curlew Sands, 1 Wood Sand, 4 Green Sands, 1 Ruff , 4 Greenshank, 2 LRP, 1 Grey Plover, Yellow Wag, Lesser Whitethroat, plus knots, blackwits, Ringed Plover, Dunlin etc Nicholas Beswick Sunday 21-Aug-2005 Clydach At around midday, a Peregrine mobbed a Goshawk soaring over Clydach Gorge. Spectacular! Keith Jones Sunday 21-Aug-2005 Caerleon Walked 2 km of River Usk this morning at high tide. Among the birds seen 1 Little Egret, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, at high tide roost 60 Lapwing, 76 Common Redshanks, and 94 Black Headed Gulls. Also a Kingfisher, and 1 Chiffchaff and Blackcap in song. Little Owl near Goldcliff Church on 20th. Ruth Brown Sunday 21-Aug-2005 Llanwenarth Hobby under flock of 60+ mixed hirundines. Only 4 Little Owls seen this morning. (I've seen 5 in the past!) Chris Jones Saturday 20-Aug-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Wood Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper and Ruff still present this morning. Also 2 imm Spoonbills, 3 Avocet and 7 Green Sandpipers and 6+ Greenshank in amongst the usual selection of waders and wildfowl. John Wilson Friday 19-Aug-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR Ruth obviously chose the best time! I was there at lunchtime, hence low tide :-( Ruth Brown Friday 19-Aug-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR 08.00 hrs excellent selection of waders on the high tide: 1 Wood Sand, 1 Curlew Sand, 5 Ruff, 2 Green Sand, 1 Common Sand,3 Greenshank, umpteen Dunlin, Lapwing, 16< L Egret, Blackwits, Kingfisher. The 1st 2 confirmed by photo by a more experienced person, as I was sole birder there this morning. And I wish the farmer would fence off that reen. My arms are scratched all over after hefting a lamb out of the reen, and it didn\'t look as tho it would survive after all my efforts. I\'ve seen other birders pulling lambs out last week. John Wilson Friday 19-Aug-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR 1st platform - 70 Sheep and 8 Cows on the scrapes! ... oh, and a couple of birds - 2 Green Sand and 1 Greenshank. Further back at least 20 Little Egret. from 3rd platform on teh leftmost pool - 100+ Blackwit, 3 Snipe and 1 Knot. Beach - 3 very distant Avocet still present by the pill, and about 100 Lapwing. Steve & Sylvia Appleton Friday 19-Aug-2005 wattsville Late posting due to computer non-availability. Friday 5th August at 4pm a male Crossbill visited our next-door neighbour's garden - we've never seen one here before. We also have a family of 4 Redstarts making frequent feeding forays at the top of our garden. Eddie Wang Thursday 18-Aug-2005 Peterstone Gout On the rising tide - 1 Whimbrel, 3 Dunlin, 6 Curlew, 56 Redshank, 12 Oystercatcher, 30+ Lapwing. Also present: 2 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail over, 1 Lesser Whitethroat Mike and Jackie Pointon Thursday 18-Aug-2005 Bedwas Three Ravens calling loudly and displaying. Hadyn Jones Wednesday 17-Aug-2005 Collister Pill Early evening between Collister and West Pill 9 Yellow Wagtails,6 Wheatear,500+Curlew,8 Black-tailed Godwits,23 Whimbrel,9 Little Egrets, 1 Peregrine,15 Oystercatchers,16 Grey Herons,2 Dunlin plus 1 Little Owl further inland. John Wilson Wednesday 17-Aug-2005 Goldcliff reserve I'm not the observer but does anyone know anything about the fly-over juv Purple Heron reported on BirdGuides this morning - seen flying towards Nash reedbeds at 10:45?? Keith Jones Tuesday 16-Aug-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Visited Goldcliff mid morning. Rather quiet with 1 Cormorant, 18 Little Egret, 60 Shelduck, 10 Teal,154 Mallard (on shore), 3 Pintail (shore), 5 Coot, 2 Grey Plover (shore), 2 Ringed Plover, 10 Lapwing, 9 Oystercatcher (shore), 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Greenshanks, 5 Common Snipe, 80 Curlew (shore), 340 Black Headed Gull (shore), 2 Blackcap, and 2 Willow Warbler. Also reported 2 Sanderling, and 1 Ruff. Mike and Jackie Pointon Tuesday 16-Aug-2005 Bedwas Male Migrant Hawker Dragonfly in garden Bedwas. We would not have confidently identified this had we not attended Adrian Hickman's master-class on Sunday. Thanks Adrian. holly Monday 15-Aug-2005 hollybush - cwmbran mrs peregrine flying east to west again today over the house John Wilson Saturday 13-Aug-2005 Usk not an observation but a reply to Guy. Your white ducks would be Aylesbury domestic type ducks Guy - i.e. not wild, and thus not in field guide. Cheers, John holly Friday 12-Aug-2005 hollybush - cwmbran large female peregrine flew over the house again today when i was in the garden, did a few large circles then shot off towards fields near ty coch cwmbran. must be a common flight path as i see her almost daily. has a very pale head so very distinctive compared to the other female ive seen John Guy Friday 12-Aug-2005 Usk Pair of what looked like pure white ducks spotted near Usk Bridge, unable to find in Bird Book, any ideas what they might be? Hadyn Jones Friday 12-Aug-2005 Magor It flew like a hummingbird but it was a Hummingbird Hawk-Moth feeding in garden in Millfield Park late afternoon. Mike Pointon Friday 12-Aug-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff 10:30to12:30 Common Sandpiper 3 Green Sandpiper 3 Dunlin 30 Ringed Plover 6 Little Ringed Plover 2Juv's Greenshank 2 Redshank 1 Black-tailed Godwit 8 Lapwing 4. Little Egret 9 Sparrowhawk 1 (male) Kestrel 2 Chiffchaff 6 Willow Warbler 1 Cetti's Warbler 1 Reed Warbler 1juv. Swallow 30 Sand Martin 10. Ian Smith Thursday 11-Aug-2005 County Hall, Cwmbran Young Green Woodpecker trying to stop the traffic leaving this evening. Strange as I never see adults on the lawns here. Still waiting for a Spoonbill to fly past..... Tim Hall Wednesday 10-Aug-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR Weds 10th 1600-1730. 6+ Green Sands, 3+ Common Sands, 3+ flighty Yellow Wags. Spoonbill on rear pool from seawall, 6 Avocets on shoreline. 2 Wheatear on seawall, small numbers of Swallows and Sand Martins. Keith Jones Wednesday 10-Aug-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Walked around the lagoons this morning with the tide, up Farmfield Lane to Nash. 51 species noted including 24 Little Grebes, 6 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 2 Shelduck, 85 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 11 adult 2 juvenile Tufted Duck, 1 male 4 female 4 juvenile Ruddy Duck, 1 Kestrel, 3 Water Rail, 16 Moorhen, 62 Coot, 56 Curlews 5 Whimbrel, 18 Reed Warbler, 6 Chetti’s Warbler, 4 Blackcap 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Tree Pipit, and 1 Whinchat. Reports of Bearded Tits sighted on the 9th. Ian Smith Tuesday 09-Aug-2005 Osbaston, Monmouth Quail: Singing bird heard from garden at 8.50pm in recently harvested arable field on Great Osbaston Farm. Last Sunday: flock of about 100 House Sparrows at Upper Hendre in grain field. Last Thursday: Wheatear 1 migrant in Hendre area (SW of Monmouth) with Redstart (migrant ?) and Spotted Flycathcer family by cow sheds at Treowen, near Dingestow. And a general trend in last week or two towards very vocal (family) groups of Buzzards to be circling anywhere, Ravens calling overhead and Blackbirds already hitting the berries on Rowan and Himalyan Honeysuckle (lack of earthworms ?). Song Thurshes appearing again in garden in last few days. John Wilson Tuesday 09-Aug-2005 Peterstone Gout At lunchtime, 12:30 - 13:30, not as much as Maurice saw, as tide dropping. Extras: an ad Little Grebe on the lagoon wiht 2 full grown young, and 74 Mallard and 1 Teal. Wheatear still present. Two Clouded Yellows having a chase by the reen from the Golf Club to the sea wall. Maurice Chown Tuesday 09-Aug-2005 Peterstone Gout On this mornings tide, 5 Common Sands, 6 Dunlin. 1 Greenshank, 4 Whimbrel, C20 Lapwings, C80 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Wheatear. Also Lesser Whitethroat and a Clouded Yellow Butterfly. Jeff Fisher Monday 08-Aug-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR Early this morning at Goldcliff. The two spoonbill were showing well in front of the the second veiwing platform. Plenty of waders present with up to 150 black tailed godwit, 8 avocets, 3 redshank, 6 green sandpipers and 3 common, 5 little ringed plover and 2 ringed plover, 4 snipe, 30 lapwing and over 50 dunlin. Also present 2 grey heron, 10 little egrets and a peregrine (around 7.30). Ducks included Mallard, shoveller and teal. Chris Jones Sunday 07-Aug-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Lagoons this morning, 2 Spoonbill, 2 Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpipers and a single Garganey Rob Moeller Sunday 07-Aug-2005 Llanwenarth Pair of Little Owl (on roof of barn), 1 common Sandpiper. 3 Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker and 30 Goosander. Previous large number of Goosander 24 two years ago. Keith Jones Sunday 07-Aug-2005 Bulmore Lakes Visited the lakes mid morning, birds noted include 1 Great Crested Grebe, 7 ad 2 juv Mute Swan, 13 Canada Geese, 3 Mallard, 9 Coot, 1 Kestrel, 1 ad 1 juv Buzzard (the latter calling for food), 1 Red Kite flying north up valley, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 1 female 1 juvenile Common Redstart near Great Bulmore Farm, 2 adult 3 juvenile Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Mistle Thrush, and 2 Linnet. Chris and Julie West Saturday 06-Aug-2005 Oxbow and R Usk, Gobion 3 single kingfisher in one and half mile stretch of river, f gooseander, grey and pied wagtail, sand martins visiting nests, green sandpiper, willow warbler. Keith Jones Saturday 06-Aug-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir A very good day walking around the reservoir this morning, a count of 55 species including 50 adult 6 juvenile Great Crested Grebes, 20 Cormorant, 5 Little Egret, 9 Mute Swan, 122 Canada Geese, 2 Teal, 89 Mallard, 3 Buzzard, 1 Goshawk, 1 Red Kite south of dam end, 1 Kestrel, 71 Coot, 4 Common Sandpipers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Tawny Owl, 4 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted woodpecker, 3 Bullfinch, and observed for about 10 minutes in western inlet 2 juvenile Fox playing, chasing tails etc. Chris Jones Saturday 06-Aug-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff On the lagoons this morning just 2 Garganey, 230 Black-tailed Godwits, at least 3 Green Sandpipers and 60+ Dunlin Barry Ingram Friday 05-Aug-2005 East of Severn bridge on M48 Driving to Bristol this morning noticed a magpie on top of a light pole with wings outstretched, pretending to be a cormorant perhaps? There was a warm drizle so maybe it was taking a shower? Mike Pointon Friday 05-Aug-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff No sign of the Pectoral Sandpiper 11:30- 14-15. Waders present included 2 Snipe 3 Little Ringed Plover 18 Dunlin 1 Green Sandpiper 1 Greenshank 3 Grey Heron 8 Little Egrets and also Kingfisher Buzzard Sparrowhawk Teal Mallard Pintail. On my way back from the seawall I noticed a flock of birds in the screening of the third viewing platform. It consisted of 5 Lesser Whitethroat 3 Reed Warblers, both family parties, Chiffchaff and Blue Tit. In the bushes adjacent there was also a Willow Warbler(very pale)and Reed Buntings. Views from the seawall revealed only 2 Curlew 1 Oystercatcher and 150 Black-Headed Gulls. Keith Jones Friday 05-Aug-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir Numbers building up at the reservoir late afternoon with 1 Little Grebe. 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 ad 5 juv Mute Swan, 58 Canada Geese, 10 Mallard, 57 Tufted Duck, 39 Coot, 1 Buzzard, and 2 Green Woodpeckers. John Wilson Thursday 04-Aug-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Pec Sand - not present when I arrived at 16:30, but re-appeared for about 20 mins with some Dunlin, after all birds were spooked by a Hobby. Fed in shallows at back right of the island from the first platform. Kept itself away from the Dunlin flock. A heavy accipiter also lifted off from the island, but views not prolonged enough to be sure of ID - either a vv large fem Sparrowhawk or an imm Gos. Andrew King Thursday 04-Aug-2005 Kemeys Commander 110 Canada Geese and 8 Skylark. Family party of Bullfinch too. Verity Picken Thursday 04-Aug-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Pectoral Sandpiper on the near side of the island in front of the first & second viewing platforms this morning - best views were from the first platform. Also single Green Sandpiper, several Yellow Wagtails and good numbers of Sand Martin but generally quiet with few waders. Andrew King Wednesday 03-Aug-2005 Tredunnock/Llangybi Red Kite, several juv Buzzard, 1 little Owl, 2 Hobby, 1 Yellow Wagtail, Kingfisher, Raven (over) and 7 Skylark. Goldcliff Ringing Group Wednesday 03-Aug-2005 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth The first visit of the ringing group's annual 'Acrocephalus warbler project' was carried out today. Sedge Warbler migration appears well underway, the total trapped just exceeding three figures, whilst smaller numbers of Reed Warbler and singles of Cetti's Warbler and Reed Bunting completed the catch. A Hobby was also logged, hunting over the lagoons. Hadyn Jones Wednesday 03-Aug-2005 West Pill,Undy Migrants this evening included 20+ Whimbrel and 2 juv Wheatears. Keith Jones Wednesday 03-Aug-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Walked as far as the shore early morning. Birds seen include 19 Little Egret, 2 Spoonbill, 10 Shelduck, 7 Teal, 57 Mallard, 1 Kestrel, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew, 160 Black Tailed Godwit, 10 Lapwing, 8 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Redshanks, 1 Little Stint, 6 Avocets on foreshore, 215 Black Headed Gulls, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 2 singing Willow Warbler, and 1 Garden Warbler. The latter very tame approached to within 5 metres or so. Vaughan Thomas Tuesday 02-Aug-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR Tue. evening 7-8 p.m.: Curlew Sandpiper at edge of shingle island from first platform; and two Green Sandpipers in far corner of first lagoon, near second platform, together with four snipe; also seen were two Greenshank, three Blackwits and four Litle Egrets. Leyton Williams-davies Tuesday 02-Aug-2005 Cwm Lickey, Pontypool Excellent view of Red Kite soaring over heathland to the south of Cwm Lickey lake, near Pontypool. Last seen circling slowly south-east over Penyrheol in the direction of Griffithtown at 12 noon. I had a long clear view of it through binoculars - magnificent! holly Monday 01-Aug-2005 hollybush - cwmbran 1 sparrow hawk & 1 peregrine spotted (at different times - one in the morning one in the afternoon) over hollybush/henllys fields in direction of castell y bwch from my bed room window! Ruth Brown Monday 01-Aug-2005 Llanwenarth 0800 hours. 2 Green Sandpiper (flew west), 1 Common Sandpiper. A smaller number of Sand Martin now. + all the expected sightings. I have been informed the 2 adult Bee-eaters are still present at Hampton Bishop, 1/2 mile downstream. Nicholas Beswick Sunday 31-Jul-2005 Brynmawr Four Redpolls flew over Hafod Farm this morning Keith Jones Sunday 31-Jul-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Walked around the reed beds mid afternoon, lots of young birds about including 2 brood of Little Grebes, 5 very young Ruddy Duck extreme north west corner of open water, 1 adult Peregrine, 1 juvenile Water Rail, 42 adult 12 young Coot, family party with 2 young Green Woodpeckers, at least 4 young Reed Warbler. Also seen a Tree Creeper. On separate matter, tried to visit Pant yr Eos Reservoir on Saturday, and access gate off the road is locked with four pad-locks. Ralph Powell Saturday 30-Jul-2005 Goetre Wood At 11.15 this morning one polecat at GOYTRE WOODS john o sullivan Saturday 30-Jul-2005 GLWR Goldcliff nice selection of waders this a.m. single ruff and litttle stint, two common sands, 3 greenshank,3 knot also 60 dunlin, 30 blackwit, redshank, curlew, lapwing, ringed plover Andy Rowlands Saturday 30-Jul-2005 herefordshire It's been reported that the Bee-eaters nest at Hampton Bishop near Hereford was predated overnight and both chicks killed and eaten. G T Thorne Friday 29-Jul-2005 Risca on river ebbw a total of 12 juv mallard seen,plus 6 adults.The mallard are now breeding well along both rivers throughout the valley ,a further indication on the lack of pollution.Backed up by the amount of dippers. G T Thorne Friday 29-Jul-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir Total Birds seen 1.15pm.15 coot,39 tufted,2 gc grebe,6 moorhen incl 3juv,several swifts/swallows,small flock h/sparrows,2 green wd/pecker,1 buzzard,3 cormorant,2 heron,2 l/b back gull,2 little grebe,46 can/geese chris west Thursday 28-Jul-2005 herefordshire Hampton Bishop near Hereford, Bunch of Carrots public house RSPB protected site. Great views of pair of Bee-eaters feeding young in nest and perching in nearby trees. Young should be flying in next few days. Worth a visit to see these attractive unusual visitors. Darren Hughes Thursday 28-Jul-2005 Monmouth 1 Little Egret feeding below the Wye bridge yesterday evening Hadyn Jones Tuesday 26-Jul-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR Popped into reserve this evening hoping for Wood Sand but dipped.However about 210 Black-tailed Godwits were on foreshore, also 12 Knots plus several Avocets. 3 Greenshank, 1 Common Sand,1 Ruff seen on the lagoons.At least 1 Yellow Wagtail present. John Wilson Monday 25-Jul-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR Goldcliffe pools - Wood Sand apparently still present but did not oblige for me! Hobby 1 flew through, Ruff 1, Greenshank 3, Common Sand 3, Snipe 2, plus Dunlin, Redshank, Blackwit, LRP [ad + juv], Ringed Plover 12, Lapwing plus 1/2 grown chick, Sand Martin, House Martin Swallow and Swift, Yellow Wag 2, and Cows 10 blocking the view from the 1st platform - i.e. eyeball to eyeball thro' the slots! Keith Jones Monday 25-Jul-2005 Peterstone Wentlooge Walked from the Gout to just beyond Peterstone village this morning. Birds of note include 2 Little Egrets, 22 Shelduck, 9 Teal, 187 Mallard, 1 Merlin, 1 Kestrel, 93 Lapwing, 4 Grey Plover, 10 Oystercatcher, 63 Common Redshanks, 40 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpiper, 15 Turnstone, 9 Curlew, 20 Whimbrel, 300 Black Headed Gull, 3 Stock Doves, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Stonechat, 1 Bullfinch, 23 Linnet, and 80 Goldfinch Hadyn Jones Sunday 24-Jul-2005 Collister Pill A count of 520 Curlew and 9 Whimbrel this morning. Marcus John Sunday 24-Jul-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR Highlights of a very wet WeBS count yesterday - 10 Avocet, 8 summer-plumaged Knot, 2 Sanderling, 66 Dunlin, 183 Black-tailed Godwit and 5 Greenshank. Popped up to see the Bee-eaters yesterday, great views through a scope, bit distant through bins. craig constance Sunday 24-Jul-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir Late afternoon,weather really bad! 4 dunlin,10+common sandpiper,4 little ringed plover,1 tunstone and 1 common tern. Nicholas Beswick Sunday 24-Jul-2005 Brynmawr At different times this afternoon a pair of Peregrines and 9 Mistle Thrushes perched on pylons at Hafod Farm. The Peregrines looked rather bedraggled after the rain and spent some time preening. Leyton Williams-Davies Sunday 24-Jul-2005 Cwmynyscoy Lost captive goshawks: A local falconer (Mike Tucker) has contacted me to ask if I've seen two legally captive-bred juvenile goshawks that have escaped from his aviary (in Cwmynyscoy, Pontypool). If any other members see them could they please ring Mike directly on 07967 089019. Nicholas Beswick Saturday 23-Jul-2005 Clydach Red Kite and two Peregrines over the north side of Clydach Gorge this afternoon. A family of Whinchats near the Lonely Shepherd included a ringed male. Darryl Spittle Saturday 23-Jul-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir 1 Whimbrel over at 13:00 (heading SW), 1 Little Egret, 1 colour-ringed Cormorant amongst the 24 present, 1 Gadwall, 1 Kingfisher, 1 GBB Gull and a white feral goose amongst the Canadas. Ian Smith Saturday 23-Jul-2005 Monmouth Little Egret flying up along River Wye at 9.20pm Wednesday evening. My first in Monmouth though others have been seen in past few years. Hadyn Jones Friday 22-Jul-2005 Collister Pill This evening at Collister. 15+ Whimbrel,1 Common Sandpiper, 1 juv Yellow Wagtail, 1 Red-legged Partridge and a party of 6 Ravens being the more interesting birds. Mark Stevens Friday 22-Jul-2005 Old Cwmbran Hobby present at 10.30 this morning. I've never seen one in this area before...attracted by numbers of swift & house martin near canal? Jackie Huybs Tuesday 19-Jul-2005 Garnlydan Red Kite flying over road between Llangattock and Garnlydan, spotted by a friend John Evans Tuesday 19-Jul-2005 GLWR Goldcliff At least one Wood Sandpiper still there at 1000, also Common Sandpiper and Yellow Wagtail Keith Jones Monday 18-Jul-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Visited Goldcliff early morning. Among the birds present, 88 Shelduck, 123 Mallard, 19 Teal, 143 Lapwing, 220 Black Tailed Godwits, 4 Bar Tailed Godwits, 120 Dunlin, 8 Knot, 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Wood Sandpiper, and 2 Greenshanks, John O'Sullivan Monday 18-Jul-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Suprisingly good numbers of waders at lagoons at lunchtime Sunday. Species seen inc greenshank, redshank, common sand, knot, dunlin, lapwing, ringed plover, avocet, black tailed godwit. Looks good for a more unusual passage wader with all species actively feeding. Nicholas Beswick Saturday 16-Jul-2005 Garnlydan Res Buzzard, two juvenile Kestrels and Hobby over. Reed Bunting singing and one juvenile Wheatear near north shore. Nothing whatever on the water. Keith Jones Friday 15-Jul-2005 Wentwood Visited Nine Wells this evening. First Nightjar heard at 2150hrs. At one time three birds heard charring, with another calling on the wing. Also a large bat which judging by size, height etc suggested a Noctule. Keith Jones Thursday 14-Jul-2005 Blorenge mountain A Wheatear with food for young at Foxhunter's Grave, and a single Ring Ousel a little to the east. John Davies Thursday 14-Jul-2005 Abergavenny Couple of unexpected Siskins settled on top of garden conifers near Abergavenny town centre. Helen Parry Jones Tuesday 12-Jul-2005 Uskmouth Newport Wetlands Open Day, Sunday 17th July, 11am to 4pm Not much response to my request on the \"home\" page for assistance at this event. Please let me know if you can manage an hour (or more) to help with the GOS stall and manning scopes on the reedbeds Maurice Chown Tuesday 12-Jul-2005 Peterstone Gout This morning 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel, 4 Dunlin, 1 Little Egret and C120 Lapwings, Common species much as usual but tide too low to push all birds out. Also 2 Kestrels hunting along sea wall like Sparrowhawks. Keith Jones Tuesday 12-Jul-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Visited The lagoons, and shore early morning staying for the tide. Good variety of birds present including 16 Little Egret, 73 Shelduck, 60 Mallard, 12 Teal, 1 Kestrel, 15 Coot, and 520 Black Headed Gull. Also 14 species of waders including 27 Dunlin, 5 Knot, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpipers, 98 Black Tailed Godwits, 2 Greenshanks, 30 Curlew, and 1 Spotted Redshanks. Dewi Evans Tuesday 12-Jul-2005 high meadow wyesHam MONMOUTH We saw two young green woodpeckers on lawn outside our house. They were not so shy as adult birds you could walk fairly close to them before they flew up telegraph poles Llandegfedd Rangers Tuesday 12-Jul-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir 1 Common Tern at reservoir this morning. Also Mon 11th; 1 Greenshank,1 Black-tailed Godwit,1 Green Sandpiper,2 Common Sandpiper. Sunday 10th ;3 Greenshank,1 Common Sandpiper Friday 8th; 1 Little Egret Sam Bosanquet Sunday 10-Jul-2005 Dingestow Court I returned to Dingestow Court at 1:30am last night after mothing and was thrilled to hear a singing Quail in the field north of the house. This is only the second confirmed Dingestow record and my first in the area. It was bizarre that the highlight of a stunning National Moth Night, on which I had >800 individuals of just over 200 spp of moth, was a bird! Moth highlight was Leopard Moth new to Dingestow. Keith Jones Saturday 09-Jul-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir Walked around the reservoir at mid day. Count includes 56 adult, 3 juv Great Crested Grebes, 14 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 13 Mute swan, 57 Canada Geese, 1 Snow Goose, 20 Mallard, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Buzzard, 3 Pheasant, 27 ad 15 juv Coot, 48 Black Headed Gull, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Coal Tit, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Jay, and 1 Raven. Also soaring above heronary south west of Sor Bay 1 sub-adult Golden Eagle (1224hrs). Tim Griffiths Friday 08-Jul-2005 Garn Lakes + surrounding area 1 Hobby catching insects over Coity ridge. 1 Peregrine to east of road Family party of 4 Kesrels over Waunafon Bog. Andy Rowlands and Garry Edwards Friday 08-Jul-2005 Cwmyoy/Bettws area A few hours out on Friday afternoon; highlights included Hobby, one over Tywn-y-Gaer and another E of the Sugar Loaf. 6/7 Crossbills (family party?) in conifers on the E slopes of T-y-G. Several family groups and pairs of Ravens; Buzzard pairs were quite vocal around their nest sites (encouraging the fledglings?); numbers of Swifts at considerable height (possibly beginning their migration?); 5/6 pairs or family parties of Bullfinches; good numbers of Woodpigeon above the Fro car park (feeding on whimberries, perhaps?); Kestrel, one over Cwmyoy and another above the Fro. Peter Blackaby Wednesday 06-Jul-2005 Wentlooge In the reen on Hawse Lane St.Brides Newport,Tufted duck with thirteen ducklings all diving to feed. Lovely sight. Keith Jones Wednesday 06-Jul-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Walked around the lagoons, down the coast, up Farmfield Lane to Nash at high tide this morning. A good variety of birds seen, (52 species), Including 3 Wigeon, 1 male Ruddy Duck, 4 Tufted Duck, 37 adult, 8 recently fledged Coot, in 3 broods, 3 Whimbrel among the 18 Curlew, 2 Stock Dave, 6 Cetti’s Warbler, 30 Reed Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Stonechat, 1 Jay, and south west corner of north easterly lagoon, at least 3 Bearded Reedlings, including 2 female, couldn’t the other bird. John Wilson Wednesday 06-Jul-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR An ad Little Tern was a little jewel amongst the regulars up to at least 13:45 from 1st or 2nd platform. Also 140+ Blackwit, 1 Knot, 1 Common Sand, 18 Avocet, LRPs, Redshank, Dunlin, Oyc and many Sand - and House Martin and also Swift. John Davies & Steven Butler Tuesday 05-Jul-2005 Abergavenny Single Hobby checking out the House Martin colony nr town centre. Tony Pickup Monday 04-Jul-2005 Whitson Red Kite. Adult, heavily in wing and tail moult seen low over fields opposite Whitson Court, then watched soaring up and away towards the east. Llandegfedd Rangers Monday 04-Jul-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir 2 Common Terns, 2 Oystercatchers and 1 Redshank at reservoir p.m. dave evans Monday 04-Jul-2005 welsh newton nr monmouth red kite doing aerobatics early evening over monmouth to hereford road Nicholas Beswick Sunday 03-Jul-2005 Brynmawr Pair of Siskins visited our bird feeders - the first this year Keith Jones Sunday 03-Jul-2005 Bulmore Lakes Walked from Bulmore Lakes into Caerleon mid morning. Birds seen include 3 Great Crested Grebe, 25 Canada Geese, 6 Mallard, 8 Tufted Duck, 3 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 4 Moorhen and 2 juv, 3 Coot including one o.n. 1 Green Woodpecker, 9 singing Reed Warbler, and 4 juv also seen, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Long Tailed Tit, 1 Bullfinch, and 5 Jay. Highlight was 1 Common Partridge calling in fields west of Clawdd farm. Hadyn Jones,Craig Constance,little Dai Saturday 02-Jul-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR 2 Garganey observed from viewing platforms,also 2 Greenshank,1 Green Sandpiper (heard), 2 Common Sandpiper,up to 6 Knot,good numbers of Black-tailed Godwits and 17 Avocet. John Bennett Saturday 02-Jul-2005 Wentwood 2nd July 2005 Wentwood At least 12 crossbills in the 5 paths area . Also a lesser spotted woodpecker briefly in my garden (Usk ) watching starlings strip the cherry tree . Keith Jones Saturday 02-Jul-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir Walked from Bert’s Hide to the Green Pool Hide, and also looked from the dam end at mid day. A great many boats on the reservoir, but given this disturbance birds seen include 122 Canada Geese, 9 Tufted Duck, 4 Common Scoter (very flighty), 1 Snow Goose, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Tree Creeper. Llandegfedd Rangers Friday 01-Jul-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir 12 Common Scoter plus 2 Common Terns at reservoir this morning Craig Constance+little Dai Thursday 30-Jun-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR Yesterday afternoon {29th}2 Garganey in eclipse from middle platform,20 Gadwall,2 Shoveler,2 Pintail,50+Blackwits,7 Knot,20+LRP and good numbers of sand martin.gave up trying to count the Avocets!! Dewi Evans Monday 27-Jun-2005 the kymin in monmouth I saw two nuthatches at the top of the kymin near the car park by the white house.they were creeping down a tree trunk getting food for young chicks. holly Monday 27-Jun-2005 nr green meadow farm - cwmbran male hobby (with a rocket up his bottom) flying north to south near green meadow farm/police college Di Elliott Sunday 26-Jun-2005 Graigwith Farm, Llangibby just to add to mark's list of bird species from our really nice walk yesterday, we also saw common blue damselfly, 2 species of dragonfly - one was a broad body chaser, still trying to identify the other one! red admiral, speckled wood, comma and meadow brown butterflies and notable plants were common spotted orchid, fairy flax, enchanter's nightshade, yellow pimpernel and prunella vulgaris (self heal) - steve, that's the purple flower you kept asking me the name of! Mark Stevens Sunday 26-Jun-2005 Graigwith Farm, Llangibby Thanks to all who came along this morning.The 38 species recorded were.....wood pigeon, house sparrow, pheasant, linnet, bullfinch, swallow, house martin, buzzard, blue tit, greenfinch, song thrush, chaffinch, goldfinch, lapwing (min 20), carrion crow, mistle thrush, swift, starling, pied wagtail, blackbird, lesser black backed gull, skylark, raven, wren, nuthatch, chiffchaff, blackcap, goldcrest, long tailed tit, robin, mallard, marsh tit, coal tit, treecreeper, garden warbler, sparrowhawk, yellow wagtail & collared dove. Hadyn Jones Saturday 25-Jun-2005 Minnetts Wood,Rogiet 14 Crossbill seen over wood. Mike Powell & Phil Bristow Saturday 25-Jun-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR Wood Sandpiper still @ Goldcliff tonight along with 12 Knot & 25 Black-t Godwits. Keith Jones Saturday 25-Jun-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Visited the lagoons at mid afternoon. Little change from previous reports, and a little too windy for most passerines. 4 new family parties of Coot, and the highlight of the visit was 2 adults and 5 just fledged Ruddy Duck situated on eastern part of the south west lagoon. Nigel Addecott & Judd Hunt Saturday 25-Jun-2005 GLWR Goldcliff wood sand from 1st hide @ 09:45 until atleast 10:30 amoungst the other usual suspects. Andrew Baker Saturday 25-Jun-2005 Llanwenarth Osprey observed at 10.35am eventually gliding west along river course. Also Peregrine. Nicholas Beswick Thursday 23-Jun-2005 Abergavenny Barn Owl road casualty on A465 where it crosses the Usk. Very sad. Nicholas Beswick Wednesday 22-Jun-2005 Clydach Counted at least 23 Glowworms along the verges of Hafod Road, above Clydach, whilst out to see the rising moon. Tawny Owl called from somewhere in the gorge. Keith Jones Wednesday 22-Jun-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Walked as far as the 3rd observation platform this morning at high tide. Little change it seems from recent reports with 1 Cormorant, 15 Little Egret, 4 Mute Swan, 42 Shelduck, 5 Teal, 56 Mallard, 3 Tufted Duck, 14 Coot, 20 Lapwing, 7 Ringed Plover, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 8 Oystercatcher, 16 Dunlin, 35 Common Redshanks, and the Reeve amongst the usual selection. Chris and Julie West Tuesday 21-Jun-2005 Abergavenny Should read elephant hawk-moth 'caterpilla' I found in my fuchsia hedge couple of years ago. Chris and Julie West Tuesday 21-Jun-2005 Abergavenny Young spotted flycatcher in my pear tree continually tzeeing this morning. The hawk moth was present for some hours but in the morning had gone. There are bats next door and plenty of cats but hopefully after his rest he travelled on. A couple of years ago I found an elephant hawk-moth when clearing ivy from a fuchsia hedge in my back garden. Darren Hughes Tuesday 21-Jun-2005 Raglan Area 1 Red Kite over Raglan A449 junction @ 3.45pm on the 20th Keith Jones Monday 20-Jun-2005 Caerleon A pair in soaring flight above Penrhos Farm for several minutes before flying off north. John Monday 20-Jun-2005 Abergavenny Did the hawk moth depart this earthly realm or just the nylon carpet? chris west Monday 20-Jun-2005 Abergavenny Hawkshead moth now departed. Keith Jones Sunday 19-Jun-2005 Caerleon A pair of Hobby in soaring flight above Penrhos Farm for several minutes before flying off north on Sunday evening. chris west Sunday 19-Jun-2005 Abergavenny Elephant hawkshead moth on my nylon carpet. Available to view this stunning moth until I report its departure on this web. Phone to check before visiting 01873 859735. Thanks Jeff Hall Sunday 19-Jun-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Seen this morning at Goldcliff pools: 16 Avocets (incl 4 young chicks), 6 Ringed Plover, 4 Oystercatcher, 20 Little Egret (3 on pools, 17 on estuary), 14 Blackwit, 6 Dunlin, 4 Knot, 3 Canada geese. Adrian Hickman Friday 17-Jun-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR Of interest this morning: 106 Black Tailed Godwits, 1 Knot,1 Reeve, 5 Greenshanks,7 Teal, 5 Ravens, 2 Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk. Also saw a Fox carrying a rabbit. Unfortunately it put the Rabbit down and went wader chick hunting! Andy Rowlands Tuesday 14-Jun-2005 Abergavenny Re the eagle obs. "Possible Golden Eagle ( definite eagle sp.) seen flying over Abergavenny towards Skirrid pm." It may have been a falconry bird from the (very) nearby centre. Info. from Martin Preece Tuesday 14-Jun-2005 Abergavenny Possible Golden Eagle ( definite eagle sp.) seen flying over Abergavenny towards Skirrid pm. Maurice Chown Tuesday 14-Jun-2005 Peterstone Gout This morning 8 Manx Shearwaters flying down channel at approx 10.10am. Also 2 Little Egrets, 1 Drake Wigeon and a pair of Shelduck with 9 ducklings. Otherwise just usual common species. Ben Jones Monday 13-Jun-2005 Llanellan Fine dispaly of ariel accrobaticas as Red Kite ducked and dived to avoid 6 crows pestering it over main Llanover to Llanellan road, Saturady 11th June. Re-treated unscathed to Blorenge forestry belt. Mike and Jackie Pointon Monday 13-Jun-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Sunday 12th Good selection of warblers. Whitethroat 2 Lesser Whitethroat 2 Chiffchaff 3 Willow Warbler 2 Cetti's Warbler 10 Blackcap 3 ( no Grasshopper Warbler though)Raven 1 Little Egret 2 Ruddy Duck 2 males Reed Bunting 10. Also Azure Damselfly, Speckled Wood and Meadow Brown butterflies. At Goldcliff Black-tailed Godwit 20 Little Ringed Plover 2 Ringed Plover 12 Oystercatcher 2 Lapwing 12. Keith Jones Monday 13-Jun-2005 Wentwood Hi Gareth. There is a easier route for the Nightjars from the south. Drive down hill from Cadira Beeches, and stop at the first cross tracks you come to. Turn east up the track, and walk for little more than 30 - 40 metres. You will come to an ill-defined path leading up to the left, follow this up through the trees until you reach the clearing. The path continues, and is much easier to follow. I intend visiting the site over the next few days, so I could show you. Tel: 01633 423012 Keith Keith Jones Monday 13-Jun-2005 Bulmore Lakes Visited the Lakes at mid day and walked back to Caerleon along the Bulmore Road. I assume the golf course is being extended, so very heavy machines, and easterly part of one lake lies buried under rubble. Given these restrictions, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 23 as 7 juv Canada Geese, 2 male Mallard, 2 male Tufted Duck, 3 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 5 singing Reed Warbler, and 5 singing Reed Bunting at the lakes. Also a family party of 5 Marsh Tits, near Great Bulmore Farm, and 2 Shelduck on Usk. A total of 43 species noted. Gareth Waite Monday 13-Jun-2005 Wentwood Where is the best spot for nightjars in Wentwood? The usual area down the path from Cadira Beeches car park was difficult last year because the young trees had put on a lot of growth. Barry Ingram Sunday 12-Jun-2005 Dewstow Golf Club, Caldicot While playing golf yesterday, Saturday, I saw two pairs of thrush, they appear to be making a comeback here. I also saw two green woodpeckers and heard another (they are called "yaffles" where I was brought up in Surrey) and I also saw a greater spotted woodpecker. Plenty of squirrels and rabbits, they seem to accept golfers as harmless and largely ignore us as we walk past. Nicholas Beswick Saturday 11-Jun-2005 Brynmawr Whilst we were having an evening BBQ a Sparrowhawk swooped to take a House Martin from the entrance to its nest under the eaves of our house. It all happened so suddenly that we couldn't see whether or not it succeeded. None of our nestboxes has been used this year though families of Blue and Great Tits have appeared this weekend. Green Woodpeckers and Nuthatches both started to nest early but gave up. On the plus side, there are lots of young Starlings around, a family of Treecreepers and the House Martins have added six new nests to the nine from last year. Chris Jones Saturday 11-Jun-2005 Wentwood At least 6 churring male Nightjars this evening. Also 5+ Woodcock. Keith Jones Saturday 11-Jun-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir Walked around the reservoir today, visiting the west inlets, North bank to Green Pool, and the dam end. Count of 55 species including 31 Great Crested Grebes (no young birds seen yet), 12 Cormorant, 7 Mute Swan, Canada Geese did their best to elude me, heard many but didn’r see one!!, 22 ad 4 juv Mallard, 1 male Tufted Duck, 4 Moorhen, 57 adult 11 broods counted of different ages from 1 – 5 birds (total 21 Coot, 2 Great Spotted woodpecker, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Tawny Owl, 5 Reed Warbler, 12 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Common Whitethroat, 11 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Bullfinch, 4 Reed Bunting etc. etc. Also 5 Grey Squirrel (3 at feeding station, 6 Rabbits (1 young very tame, and looked healthy), and I think a Bank Vole. Mal Jenkins Friday 10-Jun-2005 Cwmtillery Walk around upper Cwmtillery valley produced a superb immature Red Kite circling with a Buzzard, then it headed off over the Coity Mountain towards Blaenavon. Also, Yellowhammer, Whinchat, Wheatear, Redstart, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, 3 Cuckoo (1 seen), Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker, Moorhen (on Reservoir), 15 LBB Gull, 4 herring Gulls, Swift, Swallow, Linnet, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Raven, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Wood Pigeon, Willow Warbler, Tree Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Mallard, Wren, Robin, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Blackcap, Great,Blue & Coal Tits, Magpie, Chaffinch, Linnet, Greenfinch Mal Jenkins Thursday 09-Jun-2005 Wentwood As per Marcus' sightings previously, 3 Nightjars seen and several heard singing and wing-clapping. Also good views of two perched on a branch. 2 Woodcock, a cuckoo calling and thousands of midges !!! Adrian Hickman Thursday 09-Jun-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR Morning visit: 20 Little Egrets, 1 Greenshank, 100 Black-tailed Godwit, 30 Dunlin, 2 Knot, 4 Teal and 1 Ringed Plover and 1 Little Ringed Plover chick noted. Fox seen on 1st Lagoon. Only 1 Lapwing chick seen. Good view Cuckoo. Also of interest, Large Skipper Butterfly and 5 larval webs of the Small Eggar (moth) in the Hawthorn behind the viewing platforms. Barry Ingram Thursday 09-Jun-2005 Sandy Lane Caldicot I spotted a red kite flying over and between the houses at the top of Sandy Lane near the allotments. It\'s not the first sighting but the first this year. G T Thorne Thursday 09-Jun-2005 Risca Heronry Risca.11 nests counted occupied,foliage may hide more.13 birds present mostly juv now in flapping mode.Also damp weather has had effect on nest box project,out of 4 boxes 3 had dead young present,Great and Blue Tits.Has this aspect been seen throughout the County ?. Marcus John Thursday 09-Jun-2005 Wentwood At least 3 Nightjars, 2 heard churring and then a pair seen displaying, wing-clapping etc, subsequently joined by a third bird. Also roding Woodcock and calling Tawny Owl. B R Catlin Tuesday 07-Jun-2005 Chepstow Park Wood 10.00pm - 1 churring male Nightjar Mal Jenkins Tuesday 07-Jun-2005 Abertillery Red Kite flying over Abertillery town at 1315 today heading North Keith Jones Tuesday 07-Jun-2005 Peterstone Wentlooge Walked from the Gout to Peterstone village early morning with the advancing tide. Breeding well underway with 6 species of water birds confirmed. Otherwise count includes 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 1 Mute Swan, 47 Shelduck, 107 Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Buzzard, 4 Coot, 9 Lapwing, 8 Oystecatcher, 32 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Common Redshanks, 22 Wood Pigeon, 2 Stock Doves, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 7 singing Reed Warbler, 3 Common Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, and 1 Garden Warbler Jackie Huybs Monday 06-Jun-2005 Blorenge mountain Disturbed a pair of Red Grouse and up to six beautiful healthy chicks while running on the mountain. Craig Williams Monday 06-Jun-2005 mynydd maen/scenic drive Merlin soaring above common between Cwmcarn-Abercarn 6.30pm holly Monday 06-Jun-2005 hollybush - cwmbran nuthatches on the shed this afternoon lovely Keith Jones Monday 06-Jun-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Visited the lagoons to the sea wall mid afternoon. About 47 species seen including 2 Spoonbill, 42 Shelduck, 2 Teal, 42 Mallard, 1 male Ruddy Duck, 1 Kestrel, 27 Coot, 2 Bar Tailed Godwits, at least 47 or possibly 70 Black Tailed Godwits, 6 Common Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 6 Reed Warbler, and 2 Common Whitethroat etc. Keith Jones Sunday 05-Jun-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir Walked from the feeding station to the Green Pool, mid afternoon, trying to dodge worse of the showers. Also looked at the dam end. Forty species noted including 19 Great Crested Grebe, 14 Cormorant, 7 Mute Swan, 70 Canada Geese, 19 Mallard, 1 Water Rail, 3 Moorhen, 32 Coot, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 7 Reed Warbler singing, family party of 6 Long Tailed Tits, 1 Tree Creeper, and 2 Reed Bunting. Will complete full monthly count next weekend. Phil Bristow Sunday 05-Jun-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR Spoonbill (2 first-summers, one colour-ringed), Dunlin (70+), Black-tailed Godwit (74), Knot (2), Cuckoo (1). Mark Stevens Saturday 04-Jun-2005 Afon Llwyd, Cwmbran Went for a stroll along the river this afternoon. Nothing really unusual...3 pairs of grey wagtail feeding fledglings, 3 mistle thrush families, green woodpecker plus parties of swift & house martin. Noticed several species roving "wagtail-like" among riverside stones; carrion crow, blackbird, wren, robin & even chaffinch (finding insects for young?) Also noticed kingfisher at several points along canal between Malpas & Cwmbran this morning (dispersing members of successful local brood?) Keith Jones Saturday 04-Jun-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Sorry forgot to say Uskmouth report was for Friday 3th June. Keith Jones Saturday 04-Jun-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Walked around the lagoons, part of the coast, up Farmfield Lane to Nash early morning. Little change from recent reports with 7 Little Grebe, 4 ad 1 juv Great Crested Grebe, 6 Cormorant together on central pylon, 8 adult with 2 sets of young (4 & 6) Mute Swan, 2 Canada Geese, 8 Mallard, 8 Tufted Duck, 2 male Ruddy Duck, 10 Coot, 12 Curlew, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Buzzard, 2 Pheasant, 5 Cuckoo, 18 Wood Pigeon, 7 Swift, 17 Cetti’s Warbler, about 27 Reed Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, 1 reeling Grasshopper Warbler, 6 Common Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, and 11 Reed Bunting. Total of 50 species recorded. Steve Williams Wednesday 01-Jun-2005 The British near Abersychan Usual crop of vocal summer visitors including whinchat and tree pipit. Also, 4 singing yellowhammer and nesting linnet. For those also interested in plants the small fern 'moonwort' is also beginning to show. Darren Hughes Tuesday 31-May-2005 Chepstow Honey Buzzard flying north @ 4.22pm just after the bridge classic pale phase adult. look in Forest of Dean maybe???? Gareth Jones Tuesday 31-May-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff The 2 spoonbills still present, also a drake ring-necked duck on the pool nearest to the estuary. Helen Parry Jones Tuesday 31-May-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Regarding the lens cap found at Goldcliff on Sunday, I can be contacted at membership@gwentbirds.org.uk - I forgot that the email addresses were not available to respond to. Helen Parry Jones Tom Chinnick Tuesday 31-May-2005 Monmouth Below Wye Bridge- 1 Sedge Wblr recently trying to find a mate a first for sometime on this stretch of the river also 2 Reed Buntings, 2 Kingfishers in area. Helen Parry Jones Monday 30-May-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff I have a telescope lens cap that was found at Goldcliff on Sunday. If anyone reading this has lost it, or knows of someone who has, please contact me. Sam Bosanquet Monday 30-May-2005 Dingestow Court Singing Grasshopper Warbler in bramble patch by track to Dingestow Court Lake at 9.30am this morning. Showing extremely well, down to 3m! Only one previous Dingestow record - in autumn '03 - so an exciting home-patch rarity. Yesterday's Tree Pipit is still holding territory in the same area as yesterday. Mal Jenkins Monday 30-May-2005 Goytre House Wood Pair of Spotted Flycatcher nesting in the wood, and also a pair seen at Priory Wood earlier in the day. Lots of young Blue & Great Tits about. Also Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Green woodpecker and Buzzard amongst others. Alan Rosney Monday 30-May-2005 Uskmouth Late yesterday - 6 or 7 Cuckoo at Uskmouth. Pair giving bubbling call. Also good numbers of Cettis Warblers. Sam Bosanquet Monday 30-May-2005 Dingestow, north of At least 3 Yellow Wagtails (2M, 1F) in the fields they've nested in for the last few years. Unusually, the female has a grey-washed head contrasting with olive mantle & rump and a prominent white supercilium. A bird like this in Norfolk in May would be logged as a probable female Blue-headed (which I guess is what she is), though why she's breeding at Dingestow is beyond me. From memory, male Blue-headeds have bred with female Yellows in England several times in the past. 2 Tree Sparrows in the same area, as well as plenty of Yellowhammers. Keith Jones Sunday 29-May-2005 Wentwood Walked Nine Wells from the south between 2100 – 2200hrs. Distant Cuckoo calling, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, and Common Whitethroat also heard. First Nightjat charring at 2115hrs, eventually hearing two birds charring (south east, and north west) at one time as one bird was charring 3 in flight, and it seemed following each other. One if not two Woodcock roding. John Martin Sunday 29-May-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR One Spoonbill this evening (the colour-ringed 2CY from Holland) showing well from the third platform though sometimes too close to see as below the near bank. Mark Stevens Sunday 29-May-2005 Pen y glog Rd. Llangibby Whilst driving home after a pretty mediocre morning's birding a buzzard swooped onto a red legged partridge that shot out in front of my car. I jumped on the brakes... the partridge hopped into the hedge, the buzzard flew off & my dog slid into the front footwell! Could have been worse, eh? Darryl Spittle Sunday 29-May-2005 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth 2 Spoonbills flew east along seawall at approximately 09:00 Sam Bosanquet Sunday 29-May-2005 Dingestow Court A pair of Tree Pipits on territory near Caewern Wood, Dingestow are the first summer record of this species for Dingestow. There have been 3 previous autumn records of single flyovers, so the chance to get good 'scope views of both birds perched in the top of the parkland oaks was a real treat (almost as good as a home-patch tick!). The male was singing almost constantly and regularly song-flighted from the tree top; the female was calling regularly but didn't sing in the hour I was there, she was pursued in flight by the male at one point. Although it isn't possible to sex Tree'pits in the field, I'm in no doubt these are a pair. Nick Saturday 28-May-2005 Llanfair Kilgeddin near Goytre A group of Lapwings swooping over the lanes and adjoining field. Chris and Julie West Friday 27-May-2005 River Usk 12 noon South of Abergavenny.F Goosander and 8 one week old chicks being watched from bank by healthy looking hopeful fox. Young GS woodpecker practicing flying short distances and hanging upside down in willow tree. F Goosander and 4 6-7 week old chicks running over the water. Swans and six 2 week old signets. In my garden in Abergavenny 2 very aggressive magpies have been seen taking the eggs from blackbird and house sparrow nests. holly Friday 27-May-2005 cwmbran drive near griff driving down cwmbran drive towards griffithstown saw a small sparrow hawk struggling to carry some pray looked rather heavy for it! holly Thursday 26-May-2005 mon/brec canal cwmbran walking down the canal at the crossing on the castle pitch saw a large peregrine being mobbed by house martins Jackie Huybs Thursday 26-May-2005 Blorenge/Llanover woodland Merlin being mobbed by Meadow Pipits on the mountain, Cuckoo on farmland and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Jay in the woods. Ed Stevens Thursday 26-May-2005 GLWR Goldcliff from the first hide i saw,lapwing,littel egret, shellduck,mallard,female shoveler, red shank, moorhen, coot, swallow,grey heron, mute swan,oystercatcher,2 black headed gulls, 2 spoonbills and avocets Keith Jones Thursday 26-May-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Walked as far as the sea wall with the advancing tide. Little change it seems from recent reports, with among other birds 1 Little Grebe, 2 Spoonbills. 13 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Canada Geese, 45 Shelduck, 80 Mallard, 8 Gadwall, 20 Tufted Duck, 2 Pheasant, 13 Coot, 92 Black Tailed Godwit, 2 Bar Tailed Godwit, 110 Dunlin, the Knot in summer plumage reported early morning, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Kingfisher, a singing Cetti’s Warblers, and what are those Black Headed Gulls doing? G T Thorne Tuesday 24-May-2005 Risca Superb sighting of large mixed flock of Swallows,H/Martins Swifts,feeding on rising flys and gnats over RiverEbbw Pontymister Bridge.Also taking advantage ,Crows,Jackdaws and H/Gulls,feeding along water edge Pied and Grey Wagtails and also several H/Sparrows. billy Tuesday 24-May-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR spoonbill x2 highlight of the day barn owl quartering field 100 yds from FARMERS ARMS PUB totaly focused on job in hand,plus usual waders getting superb results daily John Edwards Monday 23-May-2005 Risca Mon Brec Canal Moorhens and Mallards with chicks. Magpie attacking a rat! steve Monday 23-May-2005 Blaenserchan/Mynydd Llanhillet Female hen harrier flying low around the moorland,watched for about 10mins before lost sight when heavy shower hit area. Adrian Hickman Monday 23-May-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR Of interest this morning were 600+ Dunlin, 1 Sanderling, c80 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 imm Spoonbills (i.e. the colur ringed bird that's been around for a while plus another unringed bird) Also 2 sightings of Pergrine, the first of which had just caught a small bird. A forty minute sea-watch off the point produced not a single sausage! Mark Allcock Monday 23-May-2005 Blorenge mountain Peregrine falcon, Buzzard, Hobby, meadow pipits, wheatear and stonechats observed on morning walk. Luke Phillips Monday 23-May-2005 Festival Park, Ebbw Vale There has been a garden warbler resident over the last week just down the hill towards the owl sanctuary, singing like mad. also plenty of blackcap, willow warbler, chiffchaff, goldcrest, blue, great, coal, long tailed tits, wren, cuckoo, sparrow hawk, greater spotted woodpecker, green wood pecker and treecreeper. Keith Jones Sunday 22-May-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Walked around the reserve early evening with the rising tide. The usual birds present also a single Hobby perhaps attracted by the 100 + House Martins. Mark Allcock Saturday 21-May-2005 Blorenge/coity moun/garn lakes Forty six spicies seen during morning and afternoon walks. Highlights include two Grey Partridge, a cuckoo calling on a fence post, bullfinches, lapwings, little grebe on nest with young, linnets, swifts, reed bunting, skylark, yellowhammer, several goldcrests, winchat, stonechat, wheatear, redstart, tree pipit, green woodpecker. Red grouse also heard calling. steve carter/lee parsons Saturday 21-May-2005 Brynithel mountain/blaencuffin One male cuckcoo seen from a distace of about 25yards calling across the valley towards Llanhilleth,after about 10mins flew across the valley and settled in a tree,was still there calling when we left.On the morrland between brynithel and pontypool seen 8 lapwings possibly 4 young flying around the mountain pond,three lapwings went to mob a buzzard which had left a nest site and was flying into the direction of the pond. John Moseley Friday 20-May-2005 Monnow Mill House , Osbaston After an absence of quite a few years a Spotted Flycatcher has taken up residence again. Andrew Jones, Jackie Huybs Thursday 19-May-2005 Blorenge mountain, Llanover rd Re- Steve and Lee's question about male Hen Harriers, we saw one flying north over the Blorenge Mountain last January, and several other people have reported seeing it a number of times in the same area. We haven't seen it since though. holly Thursday 19-May-2005 (brynglas) hollybush - cwmbran male peregrine over the housethis morning, did a few big circles then glided away. going in exactly the same direction (NW to SE) and route as the female went a few days ago but a smaller version of it. billy Wednesday 18-May-2005 GLWR Uskmouth all usual sightings ,but 4 tiny signets with adult birds struggling to cet up grassy bank was a lovely sight,also amazing butterflies around. john O Tuesday 17-May-2005 Bassaleg hobby over post office this evening,also dipper on river Holly Tuesday 17-May-2005 (brynglas) hollybush - cwmbran very large female peregrine passed right over my head really low, from north west towards south east direction didnt flap once. stunning :o) Mike Powell Tuesday 17-May-2005 Brynmawr Osprey last evening flew over Brynmawr, chased by gulls before heading off east. nigel addecott Monday 16-May-2005 GLWR Goldcliff 8 little egret,ruddy duck & usual suspects Holly Sunday 15-May-2005 (brynglas) hollybush - cwmbran revising in the garden and male sparrow hawk flew by was mobbed by some swallows but didnt look very bothered Chris Jones Sunday 15-May-2005 Caerleon White Stork seen circling over the south side of Caerleon, Home Farm estate area at about 15:15 hrs. Watched for about 5mins before departing in a W – SW direction. Keith Jones Sunday 15-May-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Walked around the lagoons mid afternoon. Among the birds noted 7 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 22 Shelduck, 18 Mallard, 14 Tufted Duck, 2 Ruddy Duck, 2 Buzzard, 1 Water Rail, 24 Coot, 3 Whimbrel, Cuckoo, also 8 species of warblers: 17 Cetti’s Warbler, 30 Reed Warbler, 8 Sedge Warbler, 8 Common Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 6 Willow Warbler, and 5 Chiffchaff. john o sullivan Sunday 15-May-2005 GLWR imm spoonbill first at the lagoons then later overflying uskmouth reedbeds. 2 grasshopper warblers here also. Female marsh harrier at the lagoons seen to fly east from here. SP little stint amongst dunlin. Reported Garganey although I didn't look for this. Bryn Burgess Saturday 14-May-2005 Collister Pill Morning tide watch highlights of 4 Whimbrel, 3 Swift, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Brent Goose and 7 Turnstone Bryn Burgess Saturday 14-May-2005 Collister Pill Morning tide watch highlights of 4 Whimbrel, 3 Swift, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Brent Goose and 7 Turnstone Mark Allcock and Lisa Edwards Saturday 14-May-2005 Garn Lakes + surrounding area Swallows, house martins, linnets, bullfinches, goldfinches, reed buntings, meadow pipits, song thrush, robin, wren, blackbird, winchats, wheatear, dipper, woodpigeons, coots, mallards, tufted ducks, moorhen, little grebe, lapwing, heron, lesser black backed gull and cuckoo seen during evening walk. Mark Allcock Saturday 14-May-2005 Castle Meadows, Abergavenny Sand martins, swallows, house martins, swifts, grey wagtails, chiff chaffs. Also, kingfisher observed catching small fish and magpie chasing hobby along riverbank vegitation. Mike Pointon Saturday 14-May-2005 Bedwas Male Peregrine carrying prey item Mike Pointon Saturday 14-May-2005 Male Peregrine carrying prey item Keith Jones Saturday 14-May-2005 Llandegfedd Reservoir Walked around the reservoir this morning from the West inlets to the Green Pool area, and also looked at the dam end. About 50 species seen including 30 Great Crested Grebes, 7 Mute Swan, 46 Canada Geese including 2 sets of young birds, 3 and 9. It seems one of the resident White Geese has become a surrogate mother to a brood. 15 Mallard, 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Buzzard, 4 Pheasant, 35 Coot, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 26 Wren, 4 Dunnock, estimates of 90 Swift, 400 Swallow, 140 House Martin, 30 Sand Martin, also 2 Reed Warbler, 11 Blackcap, 1 Common White throat, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 16 Robin, 25 Blackbird, 14 Blue Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Long Tailed Tit, 23 Chaffinch, 3 Jay, 2 Raven etc, Chjris Jones Saturday 14-May-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Highlight this morning a summer plumage Curlew Sandpiper, 50 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Turnstone, 2 summer plumaged Knot, 750+ Dunlin, 50+ Ringed Plover 2 male Shoveler and a pair of Pintail steve carter/lee parsons Friday 13-May-2005 Trefil Quarry The red kite was seen on saturday 7th may flying from the village towards the quarry.(trefil) Regarding the recent sightings of ringtail hen harriers, on the mountain around the tirpentys area of pontypool.Myself and lee over the last couple of months have seen a lone female on the mountain moorland between brynithel and pontypool,but only once has one of us seen a male hen harrier which was spotted in dec 04,has anybody else seen a male in the area. Andrew Grant Friday 13-May-2005 Wentwood 1 x Cuckoo showing very well from exposed perch, viewed from car park at reservior. peter hale Thursday 12-May-2005 baneswell sparrow hawk david jones Thursday 12-May-2005 GLWR Goldcliff black tern at goldcliff late morning - still there when I left early afternoon. John O' Thursday 12-May-2005 GLWR saltmarsh lane to eastern end of new reedbeds. wierd selection of feral/plastic geese single barnacle, 8 greylags, 4 canadas. Also 3 little egrets, 2 cuckoos, 1-2 grasshopper warblers, on foreshore 3 barwits and 25 whimbrel. Keith Jones Thursday 12-May-2005 Peterstone Wentlooge Walked from the gout to the village at high tide this morning. Birds typical for the time of year including 1 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 2 Mute Swan, 31 Shelduck, 21 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 3 Pochard, 1 Coot, 6 Lapwing, 2 Grey Plover, 1 Oystercatcher, 3 Common Redshanks, 19 Curlew, 9 Whimbrel, 3 Reed Warbler, 3 Common Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, and 1 Stonechat. A late report at Whitson 2.5.02 a single Merlin. re- Red Kite Thursday 12-May-2005 Lee/Steve - where was the moorland where you saw the Red Kite? Lee Parsons/Steve Carter Thursday 12-May-2005 Red Kite seen on moorland. B R Catlin Wednesday 11-May-2005 Chepstow 3 Swifts seen in The Dell, Chepstow Castle (breeding site) between 06.40 and 07.10 hours. 7 were seen in same area at 18.30hours. First sightings this year in this area. B R Catlin Wednesday 11-May-2005 Chepstow 3 Swifts seen in The Dell, Chepstow Castle (breeding site) between 06.40 and 07.10 hours. 7 were seen in same area at 18.30hours. First sightings this year in this area. Craig Williams Tuesday 10-May-2005 Blaenavon/Big pit area Red Kite flying over coity mountain tuesday afternoon 4pm.Also seen one on mynydd maen common above Cwmcarn last month. Mark Poulton Tuesday 10-May-2005 Coed Eva, Cwmbran Sighted what I believe was a Tawny Owl at 6.45am. It was stood in the field by the side of Coed Eva Junior School. Looked around 15" high with a fairly fat body (I thought it was a cut down tree trunk at first). It flew off into the trees after I had watched it for about 20 seconds. Had a wingspan of around 3 to 3 and a half feet. I'm not a regular birdwatcher but it was definitely an owl. Saw one almost identical fly above our garden in the same area late on a summer evening back in 1992 (could be the same one?). Don't know if they are resident in the area but one or two people have made sightings over the years, but not many. Thought you may be interested. Best regards Leyton Williams-Davies Tuesday 10-May-2005 Penyrheol/Cwm lickey, P On the common on gorse, two groups of stonechat, both of adult pairs with newly fledged juveniles; males extremely agitated by my presence. Whitethroat singing from bracken on common and from bramble thickets around the old reservoir. Good numbers of linnet and wheatear on the common, along with several reed bunting. Mixed group of approx 30 house martin and swallow drinking from Cwm Lickey lake by skimming surface. Cuckoo singing in woodland above lake. billy Tuesday 10-May-2005 solutia reserve npt cuckoo full view for about 10 mins,not calling just taking in the air mark allcock Tuesday 10-May-2005 Blaenavon/Big pit area Heron, Lesser black back gull, mallards, song thrush, pied wagtail, house martins, swallows, swifts, linnets, reed buntins, sky lark, meadow pipits, stone chat, green finch, willow warbler, and several other common urban birds seen on evening walk. holly Tuesday 10-May-2005 wetlands newport finally my first sighting of the infamous merlin :o) Nicholas Beswick Monday 09-May-2005 Penyfan Pond Two Whitethroats singing near the pond - the first here this year - very late arriving. Also Stonechat and Reed Bunting singing. Mike Hogan, Terry Barry, Peter Jones Monday 09-May-2005 Llangorse Lake Llangasty 13:30 - 15:30.Of note; Hobby[2], Ringed Plover[1], Dunlin[3],Whimbrel[8],Yellow Wagtail[2], Reed Bunting[2],Blackcap[1] plus good numbers of Swift with lesser numbers of Sand Martin & Swallow. Boat stage; Reed Warbler[1]. Mark Allcock Monday 09-May-2005 Blaenavon railtrack+woods Buzzard, sparrowhawk, grey wagtails, bullfinch, meadow pipit, dunnock, wren, blue tit, great tit, starlings, house sparrows seen on walk along former railway line. Green woodpecker also heard calling. Mike and Jackie Pointon Sunday 08-May-2005 For the last couple of weeks the County has been drowning in Blackcaps today it was the turn of Whitethroats at least tweleve singing males at Uskmouth also Lesser Whitethroat 3 Willow Warblers Chiffchaffs and Cetti's Warblers Raven 3. At Goldcliff a partial abino swift heavily mottled white on the belly flanks and mantle. Hadyn Jones Sunday 08-May-2005 At Collister this morning 1 Dark-Bellied Brent Goose,75 Whimbrel,2 Sanderling,3 Little Egrets, 6 Wheatears,390 Dunlin being the main sightings of interest. John O sullivan Sunday 08-May-2005 Goldcliff reserve 5 black tailed godwit, 4 SP bar tailed godwit, single sanderling, few whimbrel, LRP, male peregrine. Steve & Sylvia Appleton Sunday 08-May-2005 wattsville Re - Steve Jackson, 4th May, we have the same experience with our Siskins - I wonder if we are being visited by the same Sparrowhawk. Ours is normally the male although have seen the female once or twice. John Bennett Sunday 08-May-2005 Wentwood At least 2 Nightjars churring early this morning . Lee Parsons/Steve Carter Saturday 07-May-2005 Red Kite seen on moorland. Keith Jones Saturday 07-May-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir Small numbers of Coot, Mallard, Tufted Duck etc. But also a few Swallow and 40 - 50 odd Swifts, and House Martins. Mike Hogan Friday 06-May-2005 Llangorse Lake Llangasty point, 18:00 - 19:00 hrs. Scaup [1] male showing really well just off point. Whimbrel [11], Barnacle Geese [5], Yellow wagtail [1] male. Also good numbers of Sand Martin with lesser numbers of Swift, Swallow & House Martin. Mark Allcock Thursday 05-May-2005 Coity mountain, Blaenavon House martins, swallows, meadow pipit, starlings,linnets,great tit, pied wagtail, chaffinch, reed bunting, mallard, lesser black backed gull and song thrush seen. Cuckoo also heard calling. per Chris Jones Thursday 05-May-2005 Offa Hi Andy. Agree, I have queried the grid ref with the observer as I too thought that this looked incorrect. Also the sighting was on 30th April 2005. John Wilson Thursday 05-May-2005 Cwmcarn Forest Drive Not a sighting but a point of interest - The Wood Warbler I saw yesterday at Cwmcarn had what looked like a BTO ring on it's left leg. Hmmm ... trapped and ringed in UK last year, or trapped and ringed recently on arrival? Andy Rowlands Wednesday 04-May-2005 Offa's Dyke Footpath Re the reported Dotterel sighting @ 1700hrs - the Grid Reference looks like it should read SO 300 275 (this would place the site near a footpath leading down to the Priory from the ridge, just north of a block of woodland, at a height of @ 410 Metres); about 500 Metres SW of the trig. point at SO 304 278. I hope I've read this right! Mark Stevens Wednesday 04-May-2005 Clytha Hill Carried out breeding bird survey this morning. 42 species seen (up on last year) including good numbers of linnet, skylark & yellowhammer. 2 new sightings (for me) for the area...little owl & goshawk. per Chris Jones Wednesday 04-May-2005 Offa\ Just received some details of 2 Dotterel seen along the between the exits to Capel y Ffin and Llanthony, I believe the relevant grid reference is SO275300. Seen at about 17:00hrs Daniel Jenkins-Jones Wednesday 04-May-2005 Nr Pontllanfraith Breeding Lapwing were present in my Breeding Bird Survey square just East of Pontllanfraith this morning. I counted 10 adults and at least 8 chicks. Lapwing have been present in this BBS square since I began surveying it in 1998 but I've never seen more than 3 or 4 birds in any one year before today. I've also never seen them with chicks in the past. Steve Jackson Wednesday 04-May-2005 Crosskeys We have had as many as 10 siskin feeding in our small garden over the last few weeks besides the usual visits of the more familiar. But at 6.00pm a siskin was snatched off a small seed feeder in the enclosed garden by a sparrow hawk. Mark Allcock Wednesday 04-May-2005 peregrine falcon,buzzard,ravens,crows,jackdaws,wheatears,meadow pipits,skylarks,robin,wren,blue tit,magpie and starlings seeon on evening walk. John Wilson Wednesday 04-May-2005 Cwmcarn Forest Drive Ooops! The sightings in my last post were at Cwmcarn Forest Drive - I thought I had selected that from the drop down list - just discovered I did, but didn't put in my e-mail address. When I was reminded to do that the site selected had been cleared and I didn't notice. Can it be stopped doing that, Mr Webmaster? John Wilson, Vaughan Thomas Wednesday 04-May-2005 2 Garden Warblers in full song, in trees just beyond and below the large gate before you reach the toll booth. At least 1 Wood Warbler by the stream just beyond the toll booth and also in trees behind the toll booth. 2 male Grey Wags collecting food on the downhill path by the stream, and a Dipper on the stream above the lake. Nicholas Beswick Tuesday 03-May-2005 Penyfan Pond A dismal wet lunchtime: a few Swifts and many hirundines over the pond. Little Grebe calling. Reed Bunting and Tree Pipit singing from nearby scrub. John Bennett Monday 02-May-2005 Usk Spotted flycatcher at Llanllowel and 15 Goosanders on the River just south of the town yesterday . Edwin Monday 02-May-2005 Cwmbran Saw a raven defending it's nest against five magpies in fairwater this afternoon, also six swifts at old cwmbran. Keith Jones Monday 02-May-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Walked as far as the third platform only, late morning. Apart from resident breeders other birds seen include the Spoonbill, 58 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 6 Pintail, 16 Shoveler, 24 Whimbrel, 36 Black and 4 Bar Tailed Godwit, and 240 Dunlin G T Thorne Monday 02-May-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir Quick visit as anglers present.F/M Mallard with 5 young ,several Tufted and pair of Mute Swan ,F/M on nest a nice sight hope they are left in peace. linda payne Monday 02-May-2005 Mynyddislwyn 10 am heard first cuckoo on the mountain (950ft) for at least 30 minutes. Also lapwings and buzzards. Yesterday morning curlews close by. John O' Monday 02-May-2005 GLWR Uskmouth saltmarsh lane this a.m. Greenshank 1, Ruff 1, greylag goose 1, gadwall 5,little egrets 5, little ringed plover 1, uskmouth, grasshopper warbler in same spot as yesterday. Sam Bosanquet Monday 02-May-2005 Dingestow, north of Still 4 Wheatears north of Dingestow in the field north of the Vicarage. Also a Garden Warbler (early for the area). chris west Sunday 01-May-2005 Uskmouth Sunday 2.00pm Good views of Common Whitethroat, green woodpecker ground feeding, cettis heard and seen, chiff chaff heard, kestrel, cuckoo heard and seen, dabchick, 2 egret, sedge warblers, whimbrel, number of coot with single young chicks, mallard and 8 chicks, moorhen, tufted ducks. Keith Jones Sunday 01-May-2005 Bulmore Lakes Visited the lakes walking back to Caerleon along the Bulmore Road. Lots of alarm calls etc. Among the birds noted 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Canada Goose, 25 Mallard, 10 Tufted Duck, 1 Buzzard, 4 Pheasant, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 11 Wren, 147 Chaffchaff, 7 Blackcap, 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Common Whitethroat, singles of Lesser Whitethroat, and Garden Warbler. Also 3 Reed Warbler and 3 Reed Buntings along various points of River Usk. Sam Bosanquet Sunday 01-May-2005 Dingestow, north of Exciting home-patch birding in a field N of Dingestow this afternoon: 5 Wheatears are the first spring record for the Dingestow area, as was a male Whinchat. A Hobby flew through, spooking the Pied Wagtail flock (no Whites, unfortunately) then a male Yellow Wag flew in. Stacks of Yellowhammers around there as well. Steve Williams Sunday 01-May-2005 Tirpentwys near Pontypool An early morning walk organised by Torfaen Council's Countryside Section for International Dawn Chourus day produced 31 species including, hen harrier (ringtail), redstart, redpoll, tree pipit, wheatear, great spotted woodpecker and skylark. John o sullivan Sunday 01-May-2005 saltmarsh lane. summer plumaged greenshank, 2 buzzard, 2 little egret, 5 whimbrel. Foreshore reedbeds 2 cuckoo, melanistic male pheasant, 1 grasshopper warbler still reeling far eastern end of open water new reedbeds. Edwin Sunday 01-May-2005 Cwmbran boating lake . Saw my first housemartins of the year at the boating lake this afternoon.Good to see the canadian geese still down there. Sue Chappelle Sunday 01-May-2005 The Bryn, Near Abergavenny Heard Cuckoo this morning, the first I have heard in the area for several years. Also pair of Jays nesting and Blackcap singing. G Thorne Sunday 01-May-2005 Abercarn forest A lot of activity throughout and much song,but some damage to tracks and undergrowth by motorcycles.Several Willow Warblers and ChiffChaff,Blackcap and G/Warbler present,Juv Ravens seen.Only 2 WoodWarblers seen and these were on BTO survey square.No sign of Hirudines. chas Saturday 30-Apr-2005 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth Cuckoo heard.Vole ran across path in front of me.2Herons. 1Hobby. G T Thorne Saturday 30-Apr-2005 Crosskeys Heron feeding young at Heronry,Dipper feeding young also Grey Wagtails at nest.Buzzard and Peregine over mountain. Nicholas Beswick Saturday 30-Apr-2005 Brynmawr Cuckoo called briefly first thing but did not stay. The House Martins are repairing last year's nests under our eaves and the first Swifts flew over early evening. Peregrine over at midday and again late afternoon. holly Saturday 30-Apr-2005 picton walk - fairwater female seen previously near the woods, but later a smaller male sparrow hawk being mobbed my starlings (possibly the same as other female sighting) then headed towards hollybush area holly Saturday 30-Apr-2005 mynydd maen/scenic drive heard 2 cuckoos, saw 1 wheatear, lots of meadow pipits & sky larks, buzzards, swallows, housemartins & swifts, ravens!!! Mark Allcock and Lisa Edwards Saturday 30-Apr-2005 Blorenge mountain, Llanover rd Jay and Coal Tits seen on edge of forest. Cuckoo seen on hawthorn tree for ten minutes or so, calling and then flying to the ground to catch insects before returning back to the tree. John O'Sullivan Saturday 30-Apr-2005 Saltmarsh lane this am. 25 blackwits,4 whimbrel, 3 little egrets, 2 Garganey males (seen by C Jones), 2 grasshopper warblers reeling at eastern end of new reedbeds Uskmouth. In drier areas at end of each area of open water. at the Goldcliff lagoons a nice selection of birds included Arctic tern 1, peregrine, 4 bar wits, c20 blackwits, c10 whimbrel, cuckoo, lesser whitethroat, barnacle goose. good numbers of the usual other species. Jackie Huybs Saturday 30-Apr-2005 Coity Mountain, Blaenavon Cuckoo heard on farmland above the Whistle Inn between Garn Lakes and Coity Mountain. John Evans Saturday 30-Apr-2005 The Moorings, Newport Wheatear pair in the garden at 09:15 Andy Rowlands Friday 29-Apr-2005 Abergavenny A large falcon, thought to be Saker, watched for six minutes at long range, north of Abergavenny at @ 1550 hours yesterday (Friday). Assumed to be an escape from the local \'falconry centre\' until reading of a report of an adult Saker on Wednesday morning near Maesteg (Glam.). In the Monnow valley near Grosmont (Part-y-seal), about a dozen Common Swifts feeding near the heronry. Leyton Williams-Davies Friday 29-Apr-2005 Cwm Lickey, Pontypool Cuckoo heard and seen at Cwm Lickey, in line of Beech trees next to Cwm Lickey lake. The hillside above there (the flank of Mynydd Maen) has large numbers of breeding meadow pipit, so plenty of potential hosts! Adrian Hickman Friday 29-Apr-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Drake Garganey present on first Lagoon early morning. Also, 9 pintail, 15 Ringed Plover, 49 Black-tailed Godwits, 120 Dunlin, c20 Whimbrel, 1 white Wagtail. As last year good numbers of Lapwing are breeing on the reserve. There are over 50 pairs. Last year they had a poor year so it is hoped that this season is more successfull. John O sullivan Friday 29-Apr-2005 Bassaleg Still acouple of white wags amongst pied wags on ploughed fields above M4, also male yellowhammer here. John Evans Friday 29-Apr-2005 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth Er, the Cuckoo was at Uskmouth, by the way......sorry! John Evans Friday 29-Apr-2005 Cuckoo seen well flying between various elctricity pylons around the reserve between 14:30 and 15:00. Edwin Friday 29-Apr-2005 Fairwater Just heard a distresed bird once again (15:50) and looked up in the right direction to see a sparrowhawk fly straight towards me only about 5-6 feet above my head. This is the third day running.Do they usually hunt at the same time and location each day?I was keeping an eye open for it today. Nicholas Beswick Thursday 28-Apr-2005 Penyfan Pond One Common Sandpiper on the shore near the jetty. Total of 25 Swallows, House and Sand Martins feeding over the water. Jackie Huybs Thursday 28-Apr-2005 Am sitting here at 8.50pm, watching a pair of Swifts flying over my house. It\'s a day earlier than I first saw one last year (in Pontypool) and at least four days earlier than I\'ve ever seen them in Blaenavon. Edwin Thursday 28-Apr-2005 Fairwater Got a better look at a sparrowhawk today. It was chasing three sparrows. It was the same time as the other day, about 5pm. Also saw my first blackcap, one GS woodpecker and two long tail tits in the local wood. Adrian Hickman Wednesday 27-Apr-2005 Wye Valley Lower Martridge wood near Wyndcliff. Pied Flycatcher and Wood Warbler, both in song, amongst a variety of common woodland species. mike bosley Wednesday 27-Apr-2005 Abergavenny Several Swifts overhead his evening, plus female Sparrowhawk John Evans Wednesday 27-Apr-2005 The Moorings, Newport House Martin, at least two Reed Warblers singing and a Sparrowhawk over between 15:00 and 16:30 Keith Jones Wednesday 27-Apr-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Walked around the lagoons, down the coast, and up Fsrmfield Lane completing walk in Nash. About 50 species noted including 5 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 17 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 13 Tufted Duck, 2 male 2 female Ruddy Duck, 4 Water Rail, 27 Coot, 14 Whimbrel, 1 Cuckoo calling, 2 Swift, among the singing birds 18 Cetti’s Warbler, 22 Reed Warblers, 9 Sedge Warbler, 4 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 1 Common Whitethroat, 19 Wren, 9 Reed Bunting etc Jackie Wednesday 27-Apr-2005 If it was that small, it could have been a Merlin - which is even smaller than a Sparrowhawk - but I don't know whether you'd find those in Fairwater. Edwin Wednesday 27-Apr-2005 Fairwater I just saw a bird of prey in persuit of a thrush.I say persuit but it looked more like a casual glide behind poor old thrush.Perhaps he was just giving him a bit of a workout.The thrush then went one way, while the bird of prey carryed on. Anyway,the bird of prey was only a little bigger than the thrush, whould I be right in saying it was a sparrow hawk? billy Wednesday 27-Apr-2005 transporter bridge corpa rd pr little owls approx 50 mtrs from bridge every morning 5.50am also regular sightings of peregrine over alpha steel works loads of goldfinches along Monsanto lanes John O'Sullivan Wednesday 27-Apr-2005 GLWR Uskmouth Salt marsh lane to uskmouth. Juv/female marsh harrier first seen at saltmarsh lane (foreshore reeds)last seen over western end of new reed beds. On foreshore 16 turnstone, 8 whimbrel, pair pintail. Also 7 little egret, 4 teal on pools at end of saltmarsh lane Allen Lloyd Tuesday 26-Apr-2005 Trelleck Watched a red kite, circling over Trelleck Common, for several minutes, at 6.40 p.m. today. Jackie Huybs Tuesday 26-Apr-2005 Blaenavon Saw a pair of House Martins flying over my house - first this year - and a pair of swallows flying over the Blaenavon Community Woodland. Also three baby Owls (possible Tawny) in a nest in the wood, visible from the path. Mark Stevens Tuesday 26-Apr-2005 Old Cwmbran Just spotted my first Cwmbran house martin of the year (3 days later than 2004)...it's checking out one of the nest box/cups under the eaves as I type. Also saw my first local swift this morning (1 day earlier than 2004). Keith Jones Tuesday 26-Apr-2005 Dewstow Just completed my final habitat recording taping visit for 'Breeding Bird Survey'. While walking into Caldicot from Dewstow House (NGR: ST 468890) noticed a fairly constant stream of Grey Herons flying east south east over the area. No indication by sight or sound of heronary from the road. I wonder if we've missed one in this neck of the woods? Mike Tidley Monday 25-Apr-2005 Caerwent village On sunday the 24/4/05 a Hummingbird Hawkmoth seen feeding on flowers in my garden John O'Sullivan Monday 25-Apr-2005 Bassaleg 22 stock doves, 4 pied wagtail and a wheatear ?greenland ploughed fields north of M4. Keith Jones Monday 25-Apr-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Walked as far as the sea wall early morning. About 55 species noted including 3 Little Grebes, the Spoonbill seen back and forth between Monk’s and Bec’s Lagoon 115 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 28 Shoveler, 19 Mallard, 4 Pintail, 14 Teal, 17 Tufted Duck, 15 Coot, 18 Lapwing, 5 Ringed Plover, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 8 Oystercatcher, 16 Black Tailed Godwit, 14 Curlew, 4 Whimbrel, 6 Avocet, 1 Ruff, 87 Dunlin, 1 Common Snipe, 5 Common Redshanks including a copulating pair on Monk’s island, 1 Ruff, and 1 Common Sandpiper. Steve Sunday 24-Apr-2005 Abergavenny Sunday morning over Llwynu Hous. Large bird of prey which I first thought was red kite. Long tail, too far away to see if forked with lazy wing beats and soaring. Larger than buzzard flying with it and more graceful wings. Flew away towards Blorenge. Would it be a marsh harrier? Tim Hall Sunday 24-Apr-2005 Peterstone Gout Sun 1930-2000. 30+ Whimbrel, 1 Grey Plover amongst usual waders west of church. Leyton Williams-Davies Sunday 24-Apr-2005 Penyrheol Reservoir Walked around the old (drained) Penyrheol Reservoir. The site is quite interesting now as the base has vegetated as a mixture of wet heath and willow/birch scrub. Birds seen today: willow warbler and chiff chaff, flock of 30+ linnet, 4 grey wagtail (2 pairs), pied wagtail, meadow pipit, skylark, swallow, reed bunting, green woodpecker. Brief song from whitethroat (usually get a few holding territory here) first of the year. Mark Stevens Sunday 24-Apr-2005 Riding's Wood, Bishton Carried out woodland bird survey this morning. 9 of the target species noted: blackcap, chiffchaff, treecreeper, green woodpecker, song thrush, mistle thrush, nuthatch, goldcrest & dunnock (no marsh tit or willow warbler though). Plenty of swallow about plus skylark, shelduck & 3 pair of lapwing in nearby fields. nathan casburn Sunday 24-Apr-2005 The Moorings, Newport this evenings walk,birds seen were 1 shelduck 3 common sandpiper, lbb gulls 1 reed bunting 4 mallard reed warbler singing house martin swallow and lots of dog walkers Mike and Jackie Pointon Sunday 24-Apr-2005 Risca Mon Brec Canal Ridgeway Newport to Crosskeys Swift 1 Swallow 1 Blackcap 12 Garden Warbler 1 Siskin 10 Chiffchaff 6 Willow Warbler 1 Raven 1 Peregrine 1 Grey Wagtail 4 holly Sunday 24-Apr-2005 cwmbran drive - cwmbran peregrine flying towards cwmbran stadium over the cwmbran drive Brian Thomas Sunday 24-Apr-2005 Afon Llwyd, Cwmbran 15:30. 30 waxwings between Llanfrechfra Way and Edlogan Way, as previously reported. Darryl Spittle Sunday 24-Apr-2005 Bulmore Lakes Small numbers of Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat and Reed Warbler plus a Hummingbird Hawkmoth and a large female Grass Snake Darryl Spittle Sunday 24-Apr-2005 River Usk On the Usk between Newport and Caerleon - 4 Common Sandpiper and an immature Cormorant showing characteristics of sinensis. Mark Allcock and Lisa Edwards Sunday 24-Apr-2005 Blorenge/ Punch bowl Buzzards, robin, wren, dunnock, great tit, stonechat, willow warbler,and tree pipit spotted. Also heard cuckoo calling several times whilst on walk. Mark Allcock and Lisa Edwards Sunday 24-Apr-2005 Garn Lakes + surrounding area observed swallows, coot, tufted duck, mallard, goldfinches, meadow pipit, skylarks,lesser black backed gulls, pied wagtail, wheatear, 6 lapwings, 2 grey partridge,kestrel, and a common sandpiper during morning walk. Hadyn Jones Sunday 24-Apr-2005 Collister Pill This morning 64 Whimbrel From Collister Pill to West Pill.Also 8 Wheatears,1 Yellow Wagtail,2 Lesser Whitethroat,5 Common Whitethroat,1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Peregrine, 2 Red-Legged Partridges. Good numbers of singing Skylarks and Linnets. John Bennett Sunday 24-Apr-2005 Usk A Swift with the Hirundine flock around Usk bridge . Also 2 juvenile Grey Wagtails there and a juvenile blackbird in my garden yesterday . Richard Clarke Saturday 23-Apr-2005 Mynyddislwyn Up to 3 singing male Common Redstart Ian Smith Saturday 23-Apr-2005 Osbaston, Monmouth Barn Owl calling over house at 9.15pm in full cloud conditions. Phil Bristow Saturday 23-Apr-2005 Goldcliff Point Seawatch from 6 - 7.30 p.m: Arctic Tern (29), Little Tern (3) up-channel. Immature Spoonbill on Goldcliff Pools Hadyn Jones Saturday 23-Apr-2005 Magor Marsh Reserve At least 3 Reed Warblers present plus 1 Garden Warbler. Little Egret,Grey Heron,Cormorant preening in same tree. 2 Little Grebes. Keith Jones Friday 22-Apr-2005 Minnetts Wood,Rogiet A fair selection of birds about including a singing Garden Warbler. John Evans, Ray Evans & Paul Bridges Friday 22-Apr-2005 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth Hobby working the sea wall around the lighthouse at 1340, also Short-eared Owl in the same area and a Common Whitethroat. Several Reed and Sedge Warblers heard and, as we left, a Grasshopper Warbler was heard 'reeling' alongside the main access path, but not seen. Sadly. John Evans, Ray Evans & Paul Bridges Friday 22-Apr-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Spoonbill on the main pool at 0945, also three pair Pintail, Teal, at least six Avocet, steady flow of Hirundines, Little Ringed Plover, Lesser Whitethroat behind No.2 platform and Whimbrel both on the foreshore and from Golcliff Point. John Evans Friday 22-Apr-2005 The Moorings, Newport First Reed Warbler of the spring at 0825 this morning. Jophn o'sullivan Friday 22-Apr-2005 GLWR Uskmouth saltmarsh lane to east end of new reds uskmouth. 1 Avocet, 7 whimbrel on foreshore. 7 Little egrets, 9 teal on pools bottom of saltmarsh lane. Singing blackcap, cettis,reed and sedge warbler. Osprey sat on top of pylons in center of back eastern reedbeds until 8.10 at least. Ian Smith Thursday 21-Apr-2005 Osbaston, Monmouth Finally saw Barn Owl in flight over house in Hook Close. Well over 100 feet up doing circuit on an East-West orinetation about 10pm. Fairly regular over past few weeks; heard coming from and returning in the direction of Royal Oak pub. Not previously recorded in past 10 years. mike tidley Thursday 21-Apr-2005 Newhouse Mathern 20 bar tailed godwit, 20 whimbrel Ruth Brown Thursday 21-Apr-2005 Goldcliff Pools NR Spoonbill still present. 100+ Black-t Godwit, small nos of Dunlin, pr Pintail, 5 Whimbrel, plus all the other usuals. Nothing new in the hedgerows. Darryl Spittle Thursday 21-Apr-2005 Abercarn Grasshopper Warbler - a reeling male between at least 08:00 and 08:45 this morning paul morton Wednesday 20-Apr-2005 moynes court mathern lesser spotted woodpecker. one sighted Probably two drumming George Tordoff Wednesday 20-Apr-2005 Peterstone Wentlooge Walk along sea wall: Black-tailed Godwit (2 in summer plumage), Common Sandpiper, Little Egret (3), Wheatear (1), Teal (2). George Tordoff Wednesday 20-Apr-2005 Goldcliff Point Walk along sea wall: Whimbrel (1), Ringed Plover (1), Dunlin (6), Cetti's Warbler (1), Reed Warbler (1), Oystercatcher (1). Mike Tidley Wednesday 20-Apr-2005 Newhouse to Mathern Pill birds seen common Buzzard, Blackbird, Song thrush, Robin, Blue tit, Great tit. Green finch. Linnet, chaffinch, Wren. Mag pie, Carrion crow, Shell duck, Mallard, Cormorant, Herring gull, Meadow pipit, Common whitethroat, small number of Barn swallows flying in over the estury.Also a atlantic grey seal hunting for fish in the mouth of the river wye Beverley Gale Wednesday 20-Apr-2005 Brynglas, Newport A very rare sighting. A red backed shrike seen in our garden. JOhn Edwards Wednesday 20-Apr-2005 rogerstone First swallow and house martin sighted. Blackbird nest at back of garden predated, but blue tits progressing in nest box in front. Kingfishers, Mallards and heron on Ebbw. Jackie Huybs Tuesday 19-Apr-2005 Blaenavon I counted 27 House Sparrows on the feeders in my garden today, plus a pair of Greenfinches, pair of Goldfinches and one Dunnock. I think that's a record. Also, a solitary swallow flying over the Blorenge near Pwll Du. Steve & Sylvia Appleton Tuesday 19-Apr-2005 wattsville We now have six baby Siskins feeding in the garden. Even though they are not much more than half the size they chase other finches off the nyjer seed feeders! Mike Hogan Tuesday 19-Apr-2005 Llangasty Church to stone wall Common Tern[2],Little Ringed Plover[1],Oystercatcher[1],Curlew[1h],Black-headed Gulls[470],White Wagtail[3],Willow Warbler[7],Chiffchaff[2],Reed Bunting[3], Blackcap[3],Mute Swan[26],Hirundines in good numbers plus usual spp. Also mid field approaching stone wall Stoat[1] calmly making his way to wet Alder woods at 14:20 hrs,best view ever. Ian Smith Tuesday 19-Apr-2005 County Hall, Cwmbran Very quiet up at 6th floor altitude this Spring. One Swallow (the first here)circling building yesterday with Blackcap and Chiffchaff the only other migrants noted in the grounds so far. One Goshawk passing window late afternoon was the first seen for a very long time (they can be regular). Ruth Brown Tuesday 19-Apr-2005 Abergavenny Pair of Siskin on my garden feeders: the first this "winter". I've not seen many (if any) on the alders by the river this year either.( My garden is by the castle.) Meanwhile, there are good numbers of swallows these mornings on Castle Meadows, and a pair of Common Sandpipers displaying. Keith Jones Monday 18-Apr-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Problems with PC now resolved, I think, A late report from Goldcliff (18.4.05). Much as other reports around that date, but can add 45 Whimbrel on bank of Prior’s Lagoon. Also a single Weasel crossed path into garden of the house just before hump back bridge leading to the lagoons. Mike nad Jackie Pointon Sunday 17-Apr-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff The Spoonbill seen today was colour ringed, yellow ring black lettering 7Y and dark ring light lettering on other leg 7Y. The bird is an immature the one seen on 2nd April was an adult in full breeding plumage. Also good selection of waders. Little Egret 10 Shelduck 80 Teal 6 Shoveler 30 Pintail 1 Wigeon 6 Raven 2 Buzzard 4 and a smattering of Swallows, House and Sand Martins. Ian Smith Sunday 17-Apr-2005 Dixton, Monmouth Kingfisher flying past us over the field on todays walk (see Friday's note). Also pair of Reed Bunting seen by Andy Rowlands on riverside willows, where Otter spraint also noted. 6 min L B-backed Gull and pair of Herring Gull on the water pumping station and nearby factory roof. Non-migrant Lessers are daily visitors over Osbaston this Spring (first time in 11 years). Suggest they are establishing breeding colony along the Hadnock Road ?? Sand Martins, House Martins & Swallow by the Wye Bridge. Ian Smith Sunday 17-Apr-2005 Osbaston, Monmouth House Martin visiting nest site - first bird of year at this colony. Julian Branscombe Sunday 17-Apr-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff 1 spoonbill at back of first lagoon. 9 white wagtails on the island. ON THE BORDER. Saturday 16-Apr-2005 SKENFRITH. On the river Monnow at Skenfrith ( so 458 202 ), pair Goosander, 1 kingfisher, pair Grey Wagtails, Pair Mute Swans, Long Tailed Tits. 6 Mallards, No sign of sand martins yet? Saturday 16-Apr-2005 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Bird Guides gives a record from early afternoon today of "spoonbill west of seawall pus (sic!) two whimbrel". Richard Clarke Saturday 16-Apr-2005 Uskmouth Merlin, Grasshopper Warbler, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler (x10), Reed Warbler (x6) and Wheatear (x2). Also, good numbers of Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and small parties of Sand Martin and Swallow. Kingfisher, plenty of Cetti's (x24) and during Water Rail survey I recorded over 40 individual birds. Leyton Williams-Davies Saturday 16-Apr-2005 Penyrheol/Cwm lickey, P Good numbers of wheatear around scree on the common now. Plenty of breeding behaviour from all the usual heathland species. Saw my first swallow of the season around the disused Penyrheol reservoir. Plenty of cuckoo flowers around but no sign/sound of the cuckoo yet! Andy Rowlands Friday 15-Apr-2005 A465 Abergavenny - Hereford Lapwings showing territorial behaviour - driving off a 'loafing' Buzzard, a mile or so South of Llanfihangel Crucorney. Noticed yesterday that there are several acres under polythene near Llanellen - looks like the Lapwings there are under more pressure. Near The Greig, Grosmont, a male Goshawk over farmland. Yesterday, two flyby Waxwings heading upriver at Pontymoile (also 6+ Common Buzzards and a hunting female Sparrowhawk). John O'Sullivan Friday 15-Apr-2005 Bassaleg ploughed fields alongside M4 above bassaleg. Nice mixed flock of Pied 3, white c25 and yellow wagtails 1 plus meadow pipits 20. All right alongside car. Ian Smith Friday 15-Apr-2005 Dixton, Monmouth River Wye bankside footpath between Wye Bridge and St Peter's Church at Dixton. Kingfishers very active and vocal - noted in past two days - between the first wooden kissing gate (heading north from Monmouth Rowing Clubhouse) and the first field north of the Church. As most leaves are only just appearing on trees, seeing them is better than perhaps in another week or so. This is consistently a good area to hear Kingfisher during breeding season each year. I am leading a wildlife walk along here on Sunday morning if anyone needs the tick ? Details at: www.monmouthshire.gov.uk and go to countryside pages and the 'Organised activities, events & walks' programme. Darryl Spittle Friday 15-Apr-2005 Ynysyfro Reservoir 4 Common Sandpiper on the 'upper' reservoir plus 2 Swallow and 2 GBB Gull Jackie Huybs Friday 15-Apr-2005 Blorenge mountain Just before midday, between Hill's Pits and Garn Lakes: eight Lapwings, six Wheatears, a Raven and dozens of Skylarks. Sue Chappelle Thursday 14-Apr-2005 The Bryn, Near Abergavenny This morning near the river at the bottom of the village. Pair of Jays, One cock Pied Flycatcher, six Goldfinches, one Bullfinch cock and a single Swallow. Keith Jones Thursday 14-Apr-2005 GLWR Goldcliff Walked to the sea wall at high tide today. Little change from recent reports, minus Scaup and White Wagtails, but 120 Shelduck, 61 Shoveler, 12 Teal, 4 Pintail, 28 Mallard, 22 Tufted Duck, usual waders, plus 2 Whimrel, and a Short Eared Owl preported. John Bennett