Gwent Sightings

Forum Most Recent Submit Sightings 2010 2009 All Sightings

Eddie Wang Tuesday 07-Sep-2010 Peterstone Gout 1640-1730: quick visit on rising tide. 4 Greenshank now on the pool behing Gout. At least 8 Wheatear on the rocks. Bernie Donders Tuesday 07-Sep-2010 Llandewi Skirrid Barn Owl hunting low in field almost opposite to Walnut Tree Inn at 19.30 chris and julie west and digger Tuesday 07-Sep-2010 Ox Bow, Gobion Peregrine over. lee telfer Tuesday 07-Sep-2010 fairwater cwmbran last night in bed i guess around 3am i heard a barn owl outside not really that uncommon of course been hearing this barn owl for a while now, but what was quite interesting is that i think i was also hearing a nightjar quite close by how likely is this? Tom Chinnick Monday 06-Sep-2010 Llandegfedd Res 9:00-11:30am. 2 Wheatear, 2 Wigeon, 8 Teal and 30+ Ravens. Carol Watkins Monday 06-Sep-2010 Abersychan A ?diamond dove (quite tame) has been around my sister's house for a few weeks and been fed regularly and it appears to have a ring on its leg. Does any one know if someone has lost a bird recently. Nigel Garside Monday 06-Sep-2010 Peterstone Gout Ruff up close to sea-wall despite low tide, with three Greenshank. Grasshopper Warbler on bank behind gout. Lyn Waters Monday 06-Sep-2010 Mill Common, Undy 2 Swifts over Common yesterday evening. tony jenkins Monday 06-Sep-2010 Severnside Suprised to find a flock of 30 fieldfares overhead at 0700hrs - possible bad weather omen ? John Davies & Steven Butler Sunday 05-Sep-2010 Gobion 3 Green Sandpiper, 5 Grey Wagtails, Dipper, Kingfisher, Little Egret, Common Sandpiper, 220 Canada Geese, Great spot & Green Woodpecker, 10 Linnet, 3 Little Grebe, Tufted Duck and White Wagtail Nathan Casburn Sunday 05-Sep-2010 Goldcliff Pools 17 Curlew Sands 3 Spot Reds and 3 Greenshank Martin Bell Sunday 05-Sep-2010 Goldcliff Pools Over this evenings high tide - a count of at least 17 Curlew Sandpipers (5 from the third plaform followed by a max of 17 from the first) 2 Greenshanks, 1 Spot' Red, 24 Avocet at the pill mouth. 3+ wheatear in the grass behind pools from 1st platform. Surprisingly no Lapwing's. Keith Jones Sunday 05-Sep-2010 Wentwood Although the forecast was dry little to reported at Wentwood due to my drenching, but did get a Hobby at Caerleon on my return. Will try and repeat the visit later in the month, after our trip to the Dungeness area next week. Matt Broome Saturday 04-Sep-2010 Dewstow Golf Club, Caldicot Single Hobby over Dewstow Gardens this afternoon. Mal Jenkins Friday 03-Sep-2010 Trevethin, Pontypool Lesser Spotted Woodpecker flew over the house this afternoon after it was heard calling in the trees. First sighting for me in Wales. Nathan Casburn Friday 03-Sep-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir 2 Black Terns this afternoon Keith Jones Friday 03-Sep-2010 Ynysyfro Reservoir A mid morning count produced just 6 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Mallard, 50 Tufted Duck, and 94 Coot. DRWG Thursday 02-Sep-2010 Sluice Farm Little Stint (juv) at Sluice Farm early evening flew off into Cardiff. chris hurn Thursday 02-Sep-2010 GLWR Uskmouth at 9 pm tonight a nightjar was attracted to my spotlamp i was using a rabbit call it turned and flew around me twice Nicholas & Judy Beswick Thursday 02-Sep-2010 hafod farm,brynmawr One Swift over early evening with House Martins. Red Kite nearby earlier. FAO Roo Thursday 02-Sep-2010 Chepstow Birdguides are reporting a Cattle Egret near Chepstow now. Nigel Garside Thursday 02-Sep-2010 Peterstone Gout Whinchat in an unusual spot, on a cordgrass 'island' just off the sea-wall. Keith Jones Thursday 02-Sep-2010 Moorings Fields Newport Walked loop of the river between Chichester Close and Clipper Close at the mid day high tide. Rather disappointing visit with 1 Grey Heron, 3 Mute Swan, 3 Teal, 10 Mallard, 25 Lapwing, 6 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 2 Reed Bunting. At the flooded field (rather dry again), 80 Black Headed Gull, 16 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 1 Stock Dove. Keith Jones Wednesday 01-Sep-2010 Bulmore Lakes Walked from the lakes back to Caerleon along the Bulmore Road at first light. Thought I would squeeze a final visit before the cup, but please note the course is now closed to walkers just for the duration. Not a great deal about perhaps due to all the inevitable disturbance, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron, 9 Mute Swan, 11 Canada Geese (Flying south-west), 2 Teal, 33 Mallard, 1 Pheasant, 4 Moorhen, 3 Coot, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Tawny Owl, 15 Wood Pigeon, 4 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Wren, 1 Blackcap, 1 Common Whitethroat, 2 singing Chiffchaff, 20 Robin, 7 Long Tailed Tit, 4 Jay etc. John Evans Wednesday 01-Sep-2010 GLWR Goldcliff 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Greenshank, 75+ Knot, 81 Ringed Plover, 137+ Black-tailed Godwit, Wheatear, 11 Yellow Wagtail this morning. Roo Wednesday 01-Sep-2010 Gwent Checked out the pics - nice! Havent seen one for about 20 years! Anyone any news on Cattle Egret at Usk? tony jenkins Wednesday 01-Sep-2010 Chepstow A new tick for the portwall estate with a little egret flying overhead from wye valley to the foreshore at 0615 hrs. Nicholas Beswick Tuesday 31-Aug-2010 hafod farm,brynmawr Swarm of around 100 House Martins around for much of the day, disappeared early evening Lee Parsons Tuesday 31-Aug-2010 Brynithel 4.10pm, Peregrine Falcon over the top of house, so low I could have swore it winked at me ! FAO Roo Tuesday 31-Aug-2010 General Have you not seen the pictures on the Gwent Birding blog? Roo Perkins Monday 30-Aug-2010 General Birdguides has: Aquatic Warbler at Newport Wetlands and Cattle Egret at Usk. Ed Stevens Monday 30-Aug-2010 Sudbrook This morning 3 yellow wagtail feeding around cattle in field between Sudbrook and Black Rock. Adrian Plant Monday 30-Aug-2010 Peterstone Wentlooge Large overnight influx of chiffchaff:- hedge behind sea wall between church and the Gout stiff with them; one willow bush at the Gout had 8 birds in it! Also plenty of blackcap, some whitethroat and reed warbler in same hedge. 3 wheatear on shore, 1 curlew sandpiper, 36 ringed plover, 2 greenshank, 1 commmon sand at the Gout. Viz mig 2h count (06:30-08:30) had 19 tree pipit and 7 yellow wagtail, 2 grey wag,6 pied wag heading west. Constant trickle of swallow and house martin and 30-40 sand martin mid morning over recently cut hay meadow. tony & jan jenkins Monday 30-Aug-2010 Out of County Shapwick Heath Well worth a visit at the moment with osprey at Noahs lake, ruff, greenshank, spotted redshank, blkwits at the meare, hobby, swifts, cettis, kestrel, sparrowhawk, buzzard, marsh harrier, great white egret and sighting of otter at Westhay. John Davies, Steven Butler, Steven Davies Sunday 29-Aug-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons 250 Black tailed Godwits, 80 Knot, 3 Spot Redshank, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 11 Turnstone, 2 Avocets, 100 Dunlin, 7 Greenshank, Perigrine, Yellow wagtail, Wheatear, 100 Ringed Plover, 17 Little Egrets, 11 Redshank, Sparrowhawk Chris Jones Sunday 29-Aug-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons High tide wader roost this morning contained 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Spotted Redshank, at least 8 Greenshank, 330 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits and 80 Knot. Keith Jones Sunday 29-Aug-2010 Moorings Fields Newport Walked loop of the river between Chichester Close and Clipper Close at high tide this morning. Rather good selection of birds including 3 Mute Swan, 2 Teal, 2 Mallard, 84 Lapwing, 3 Green Sandpiper, 6 Common Sandpiper, 78 Common Redshanks, 2 Little Stint stuck out like two sore thumbs at the high tide roost, 87 Black Headed Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Reed Warbler, 20 Swallow, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Jay. The flooded field is starting to flood after the rain, little there however just 440 Black Headed Gull, 40 Herring Gull, and 20 Herring Gull. Eddie Wang Sunday 29-Aug-2010 Peterstone Gout 0715-1015: 56 Ringed Plover and 9 Dunlin on the mud to the east of the Gout on the rising tide. 3 Yellow Wagtail and 3 Tree Pipit over west. Later in the morning at Peterstone Wentlooge, 3 Wheatear along the sea wall and a Lesser Whitethroat in the hedge. Keith Jones Saturday 28-Aug-2010 Uskmouth Rather quiet around the lagoons, and part of the coast early morning, but count included 32 Little Grebe, 6 Mute Swan, 104 Mallard, 1 Gadwall, 35 Tufted Duck, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrow Hawk, 1 Buzzard, 28 Moorhen, 89 Coot, 1 Greenshanks, 2 Whimbrel, 28 Curlew, 135 Black Headed Gull, 72 Herring Gull, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Little Owl, 2 Reed Warbler, 9 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Carrion Crow, 1 Raven. Nathan Casburn Saturday 28-Aug-2010 Caerleon Flooded Field 1 Med Gull and 14 Lapwing. Nigel Garside Saturday 28-Aug-2010 Peterstone Gout Red Kite, 2 Common Sandpiper, 7 Shoveler, Spotted Flycatcher, Yellow Wagtail, Redstart and 3 Wheatear. John O'Sullivan Saturday 28-Aug-2010 Pen y lan (above Bassaleg) Lots of finches this morning (greenfinches/chafinches), probably local birds rather than migrants. Whitethroats and chiffchaffs in good numbers and the first two mixed tit flocks of the autumn. Best bird a juv female peregirne hunting woodpigeons. Adrian Plant Saturday 28-Aug-2010 Peterstone Gout A few tree pipits overhead along with a constant trickle of house martins and lesser numbers of swallows. Plenty of blackcap with lesser numbers of chiffchaff, whitethroat etc and a single pied flycatcher. Mathew Meehan Saturday 28-Aug-2010 Below should read - Two juvenile Garganey on Visitor Centre Scrape late morning. Mathew Meehan Saturday 28-Aug-2010 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth Two juveniles on Visitor Centre Scrape late morning. Ed Stevens Saturday 28-Aug-2010 Black Rock Mid morning at black rock picnic site 3 spotted flycatcher, 1 lesser whitethroat, 1 garden warbler, few blackcap and chiffchaff, 1 linnet, 1 chaffinch, 2 blue tit, 2 great tit all in 1 plum tree. Also 1 juvenile green woodpecker on picnic site and 2 wheatear along shore Craig Constance Saturday 28-Aug-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir Yesterday afternoon 1 Greenshank,1 Dunlin and 1 juv Black Tern Still. Lee Parsons Saturday 28-Aug-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir Yet again no forum access to debate this !!! Personally I did not renew my permit to the site this year because the place has been neglected ! All hides have restricted views and at the green pool hide, I needed a machete to get to it ! The feeding station was one of my favourite places to visit, but unfortunately on my last visit you couldn't see out through it! If its Welsh Waters intention to stop birders visiting here, then they have succeeded with this one ! Andrew King Friday 27-Aug-2010 Varteg 2 Whinchats (towards Blaenmelyn Farm) and a family party of 4 Stonechats (near Pembroke Terrace). John O'Sullivan Friday 27-Aug-2010 Ynysyfro Reservoir An adult and a juv Hobby were hunting sand martins over here this morning. Several sustained bursts of activity but no success. Craig Constance Thursday 26-Aug-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir 2 Common Tern (1 juv) and 1 juv Black Tern still this evening. John Edwards Thursday 26-Aug-2010 rogerstone Seems a good year localy for house sparrows! Over a dozen regularly visit front and back garden. Key seems to be easy accessible dense bushes/ivy for instant cover. Richard Poole Site Controller Thursday 26-Aug-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir Re comments about Llandegfedd. Please do not take any notice of comments with regards to lestening the conservation value of Llandegfedd Reservoir. The site is a SSSI and as such cannot open to any activities during the November to February period without consent from CCW and following a full and extensive environmental impact assessment, GOS were involved over a three year period for such a study to permit sailing for 4 hours on sundays in November. There is no intention to extend fishing into the winter months nor discourage conservation activities. If members have any concerns regarding the site please feel free to email me or ring me to discuss your concerns. Concerned Birder Thursday 26-Aug-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir Bring back chris Hatch.He done some great things for the place.Dont forget that good numbers of wigeon overwinter here.Winter fishing would be a nightmare for the birds and birders. Jo Thursday 26-Aug-2010 In response to Ed Hutchings comment. What I can gather and have been told on a number of occasions, Llandegfedd is under staffed and has a very small budget toward conservation...this is very true. This along with the Head Rangers drive to lesson the sites conservation status so that he can get winter fishing up and running, will only lead to further disrepair to the bird hides etc. Any complaints about the site in regards to conservation just makes him more determined to undermine any conservation efforts on site and to impede the access for birders and naturalists alike. Regards…Jo Craig Constance Wednesday 25-Aug-2010 LLandegfedd Reservoir Juv Black Tern still this evening. Chris Waite Wednesday 25-Aug-2010 Caerleon About a dozen very bedraggled looking young swallows sitting on a garden fence this afternoon in torrential rain. I can't see how they can survive. Ed Hutchings Tuesday 24-Aug-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir 1 Juvenile Redshank, family of 3 Great Crested Grebes, about 50 Herring Gulls and the same number of Cormorants near the South Car Park. Cormorants using the nesting platform meant for the Ospreys. Hides overgrown and in a shocking state of disrepair. I thought this was a top birding site so why isn't it maintained as such?! Malcolm Appleton Tuesday 24-Aug-2010 Usk Garden Centre Feeding in the stubble field next to the Garden Centre - a large flock (50-70 at a guess). I could see Greenfinch (in the main) plus Chaffinch, Linnet & a few Goldfinch. Eddie Wang Tuesday 24-Aug-2010 Peterstone Gout 0700-0930: High tide. Good selection of passerines around the Gout and waders on the high tide roost. 7 species of "commoner" warbler including 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler and several pairs of Reed Warbler feeding fledglings in hedge to west of Gout. 1 Tree Pipit on the path before flying west calling. 1 House Martin and 1 Sand Martin passed through with the more numerous Swallows. Waders roosting included ~80 Redshank, 35 Lapwing, 2 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 15 Black-tailed Godwit with 1 Bar-tailed Godwit amongst them and 1 Golden Plover. Keith Jones Tuesday 24-Aug-2010 Wentwood Walked early morning from Little Oak west to Coed y Caerau via Caer Licyn motte, rather muddy around Will o Wentwood cottage area. Seems quieter than east Wentwood, but birds noted include 1 Goshawk, 1 Buzzard, 4 Wood Pigeon, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 8 Wren, 8 Robin, 4 Blackbird, 22 Blue Tit, 20 Coal Tit, 2 Marsh Tit, 25 Great Tit, 5 Nuthatch, 8 Chaffinch, 2 Redpoll, 1 Crossbill, 7 Jay, and 2 Raven.ker, 5 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, Craig Constance Tuesday 24-Aug-2010 1 juv Black Tern still and 1 ad Common Tern yesterday afternoon. Mike and Jackie Pointon Monday 23-Aug-2010 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff 17:15 18:30 Very strong westerly wind: Common Tern(ad)1 form 3rd VP Greenshank 15 Spotted Redshank 1 Black-tailed Godwit 150+ Knot 20 Turnstone 3 Dunlin 80 Ringed Plover 50 Whimbrel 1 Avocet 3 Oystercatcher 76 Little Egret 30 Mediterranean Gull 1(ad WP) Black-headed Gull 80 Mallard 30 Shelduck 20 Buzzard 1 Raven 2 allan dowson Monday 23-Aug-2010 Peterstone Gout This evenings tide produced;3-Greenshanks,1-Whimbrel,2-wheatears,23-Black'wits and an adult Black Headed Gull with rings on its left leg.It looked like three rings,red on the bottom,i couldn't make out the middle colour,but then green on top. Nigel Garside Monday 23-Aug-2010 Peterstone Wentlooge Two, possibly three, Spotted Flycatchers together in hedgerow, with Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Chiffchaff. Redstart near path from village, 2 Yellow Wagtail, and a Greenshank at the gout. Keith Jones Monday 23-Aug-2010 Ponthir Reservoir An early morning visit produced 4 Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 17 Tufted Duck, 1 Buzzard, 4 Coot, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker. 2 Raven. Also once again feeding just up stream of Afon Lwyd Bridge at Ponthir the predictable Dipper. Julie & Mick Andrews Sunday 22-Aug-2010 Grwyne fawr Reservior 3 Dipper, 4 Wheatear, 2 buzzard, 5 redstart, several goldfinch, meadow pippits, chaffinch, nuthatch, 1 redpoll, siskin, coaltits. tony & jan jenkins Sunday 22-Aug-2010 Redwick to Porton Mid afternoon walk co-inciding with tide on the flood gave hunting peregrine out on the tideline(no sucess)but great aerial acrobatics, wigeon, mallard, 3 grey herons, 11 oystercatchers, 5 wheatear, 6 whimbrel, several curlew, 1 egret,15 ringed plover, 6 dunlin, also notable south-westerly movement of swallows, 110 in 30mins, single stock dove,a flock of 100+ linnets on the sea wall and along the hedgerows, reed warbler, meadow pipit, chaffinch, several mixed flocks of goldfinches & greenfinches and while observing one of the flocks we spotted a pair of tree sparrows on top of a sloe bush, a great end to what started a very quiet afternoon. Craig Constance Sunday 22-Aug-2010 5-7pm.1 Black Tern(juv),1 Arctic Tern (juv),2 yellow Wagtail,1 Shoveler and 1 female Goosander. chris and julie west and digger Sunday 22-Aug-2010 Oxbow and R Usk, Gobion 2.00pm 6 spotted flycatchers in trees near road bridge, 3 gooseanders,common sandpiper. Steve Williams Saturday 21-Aug-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir 5 Sanderling, 3 Goosander and a single adult Common Tern. allan dowson Saturday 21-Aug-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons Birds of note,07h45-08h50.250+ Black Tailed Godwits,42-Little Egrets,2-Greenshanks,1-Spotted Redshank,3-Avocets,2-Knots Craig Constance/ Nathan Casburn Friday 20-Aug-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir 1 Sanderling,1 Ringed Plover,1 juv Arctic Tern and 1 ad Common Tern this evening. tony & jan jenkins Thursday 19-Aug-2010 Slimbridge Passage of yellow wags observed from Holden Tower at 1430 hrs, at least 12 individuals together with several pied wags, also possibly upwards of a thousand martins & swallows over the hundred acre area before the rain set in. Craig Constance Thursday 19-Aug-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir 5-7pm.Fishermans Car park.12 Ringed Plover (3 Juv),2 Gadwall and 1 juv Arctic Tern still. chris and julie west and digger Thursday 19-Aug-2010 Oxbow and R Usk, Gobion 12noon. Pair of redstarts in heavily berry laden hawthorn tree, f merlin fly/gliding 3/4 foot above ground, kingfisher, green and great spotted wp, heron, lt tit family and 6 jays. tony jenkins Thursday 19-Aug-2010 Chepstow 2 swifts heading south-west over portwall this morning Keith Jones Wednesday 18-Aug-2010 Uskmouth Walked around the lagoons early morning from western footpath to west end of R4 to west R11 completing at visitors centre and R2. Not a great deal about but birds of note include 23 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 10 adult 2 juvenile Mute Swan, 81 Mallard, 5 Gadwall, 40 adult and 4 recently fledged young (these on R9) Tufted Duck, 1 male Pochard, 1 juvenile Peregrine, 2 Buzzard, 28 Moorhen, 90 Coot, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Greenshanks, 1 Whimbrel, 34 Curlew, 180 Black Headed Gull, 1 Great Black Backed Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Cetti’s Warbler, 7 Reed Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Siskin, 28 House Sparrow, 2 Reed Bunting. David Hathaway Wednesday 18-Aug-2010 Dingestow Court Water rail walking around edges of duck pond. I hope Keith saw it. Nigel Garside Wednesday 18-Aug-2010 Peterstone Wentlooge Two Pintail, Yellow Wagtail, Greenshank, Wheatear, Redstart and Garden Warbler. Craig Constance/ Nathan Casburn Tuesday 17-Aug-2010 Juv Arctic Tern still present this afternoon. Lee Parsons Monday 16-Aug-2010 Brynithel 7.50 pm, Peregrine Falcon flew low and fast above the estate and headed down to Llanhilleth before diving out of sight ! Rhys Jenkins Sunday 15-Aug-2010 Panty Goytre Bridge 6 Little Egrets in a group feeding on rivers edge and 4 Goosander also seen Lee Parsons Sunday 15-Aug-2010 Llanover Red Kite giving excellent viewing low over field ! John Davies Sunday 15-Aug-2010 White Castle Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker, 8 Spotted Flycatchers, loads of Redstarts in hedge rows (double figures), Swift. Sunday 15-Aug-2010 bent iron rhymney Do you know the easiest route to walk to the bent iron in Rhymney. Or know of anyone who knows the easiest route to get there?c Matt Broome Sunday 15-Aug-2010 Goldcliff Pools Birds of note this evening, 1 male Redstart, 2 Whimbrel, 9 Yellow wagtail, 1 LRP, 1 Spotted Redshank, 9 Turnstone on the foreshore. mark davies Sunday 15-Aug-2010 Abergavenny Walked from llanwenarth to llanfoist bridge this afternoon - only birds of note were a green woodpecker & a kingfisher . This evening a dozen or so swifts over the town Brian Thomas Sunday 15-Aug-2010 Canal - between bridge 69 & 70 15.00: Spotted flycatcher, maybe 2 or 3. Nigel Garside Sunday 15-Aug-2010 Peterstone Great Wharf Marsh Harrier on sea-wall just west of village, 2 Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Greenshank and 5 Snipe. On Rumney Great Wharf (Glamorgan) 5 Wheatear and a Spotted Redshank. Barry Ingram Sunday 15-Aug-2010 Caldicot A sparrow hawk 'whizzed' through my garden this morning. Not really surpising as we appear to have been adopted by a flock of about 6 house sparrows. They were all in a bushy tree at the time. David Hathaway Sunday 15-Aug-2010 Trelleck Early this morning flock of about 20+ lapwings,over half of which were yound birds not feathered through. White rumps were coloured but wings still brown. chris and Julie West and digger Saturday 14-Aug-2010 Oxbow and R Usk, Gobion Pair of willow warblers,peregrine falcon hassling 3 buzzards,4 little egrets and heron on ground within 20yards of each other,4 green sandpipers,common sandpiper,one pair sandmartins,12 goosanders,14 mallard,cormorant. chris and julie west and digger Saturday 14-Aug-2010 Ox Bow, Gobion Pair of wood warbler, pair of little egrets, familly of 4 green sandpipers, common sandpiper, heron, 14 female gooseander,3 buzzard attacked by peregrine. Craig Constance & Nathan Casburn Saturday 14-Aug-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir 5.30-7pm. 4 Common Tern (1 juv) dropped in briefly during passing showers,1 ad Dunlin and 1 drake Common Scoter this afternoon. Matt Broome Saturday 14-Aug-2010 Goldcliff Pools Just to add to Nathan's sightings below, 1 Winchat & 1 Hobby over midday. Nathan Casburn Saturday 14-Aug-2010 Goldcliff Pools Highlights at the pools this morning were 10 Greenshank 1 Spotted Redshank 1 Green Sand and 1Lrp Peter Saturday 14-Aug-2010 newport city centre Today on Civic Centre Clock Tower, two peregines. Have been up to three in this area for the last few weeks often very vocal in the evening Mike Warburton Saturday 14-Aug-2010 Garnlydan Reservoir 2 `Commic` Terns on one of the North shore islands as of 9.00 this morning. Steven Millard Friday 13-Aug-2010 Ebbw Vale Flock of 200+ jackdaws over town centre Mike and Jackie Pointon Friday 13-Aug-2010 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Black-tailed Godwit 60 Curlew 50 Greenshank 1 Spotted Redshank 1 Dunlin 40 Gey Plover 1 (SP) Knot 2 (SP) Ringed Plover 15 Avocet 8 Oystercatcher 56 Teal 10 Shoverler 8 Mallard 10 Shelduck 12 Grey Heron 3 Little Egret 64 (counted by Brian Thomas)Yellow Wagtail 4 Reed Warbler 2 juvs Reed Bunting 3 Swallow 40 Sand Martin 6. At Uskmouth Little Owl 3. Nigel Garside Friday 13-Aug-2010 Peterstone Wentlooge Yellow Wagtail on the wharf and 2 Wheatear at the gout. Nathan Casburn Thursday 12-Aug-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir 1 Common Tern Nicholas Beswick Thursday 12-Aug-2010 A40 Raglan to Abergavenny Red Kite over near Penpergwm John Edwards Thursday 12-Aug-2010 Newport Screaming, young Peregrine flying from Passport office towards Civic Centre. Keith Jones Thursday 12-Aug-2010 Bryn A walk early morning from Llanfihangel Gobion bridge to the Bryn produced a count of 34 species including singles of Little Grebe, Cormorant, and Grey Heron, Kingfisher, Dipper, 5 Mute Swan, 23 Canada Geese, 10 Mallard, 7 Goosanders (all red-heads). 1 juv Buzzard, 1 Coot, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 7 Wood Pigeon, 4 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Sand Martin, 1 singing Chiffchaff, 2 Raven. Also of note extensive and large patches or chunks of white-cream coloured froth floating down the river. steven butler Wednesday 11-Aug-2010 Abergavenny 6 Swifts over twon 12;30 Nigel Garside Wednesday 11-Aug-2010 Peterstone Gout Redstart between village and gout; also in hedgerows Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler. At the gout, Cuckoo, 8 Whimbrel and 3 Common Sandpiper. Gray Wednesday 11-Aug-2010 Ally-yr-yn & Ridgeway Pair of goshawk soaring high over Allt-yr-yn ridge at 13:20 today. bill williams Tuesday 10-Aug-2010 Abergavenny re fedgling greenfinch that was tuesday the tenth Nathan Casburn Tuesday 10-Aug-2010 Llandegfedd Res 1 Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Goosander were the highlights this evening. Tom Dalrymple Tuesday 10-Aug-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons The reserve team will be cutting vegetation on the lagoon islands tomorrow. We appologise for any inconvenience caused. Keith Jones Monday 09-Aug-2010 Wentwood Walked from Wentwood Gate north to Little Oak at first light, east to Cadira Beeches completing walk at the reservoir by way of the Nightjar Path, and Nine Wells. Typical of the time of year long periods of silence with brief bursts of activity. No a great deal about just 34 species including 1 juvenile Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 2 Mallard, 8 Tufted Duck, 4 Buzzard, 1 Red=legged Partridge, 10 Coot, 15 Wood Pigeon, 3 Green Woodpecker, 7 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 8 Wren, 2 occupied House Martin nests still at Forester House, 5 Robin, 10 Blackbird, 1 Goldcrest, 31 Blue Tit, 12 Coal Tit, 2 Marsh Tit (together), 28 Great Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 3 Redpoll, 2 Crossbill, 1 male Bullfinch, 1 Jay, John Davies, Steven Butler, Andrew Baker Sunday 08-Aug-2010 Llanwenarth Kingfisher,Dipper,Little Owl,5 Swifts Richard May Sunday 08-Aug-2010 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Highlights being 2 stock dove, 28 little egret and a yellow wagtail. Also shrill carder bee Bill Jones Sunday 08-Aug-2010 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth Wood Warbler; both male and female seen today with three young. This species seems as likely to be seen in lowland locations now as it is in it's more traditional breeding habitat, it has declined in worrying numbers over the last twenty years or so, but this is the second confirmed breeding success I've witnessed in the past ten days, and that pleases me mightily. Saturday 07-Aug-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir 4 Shelduck,2 Common Sand and 1 juv LRP. chris hurn Friday 06-Aug-2010 GLWR Goldcliff fifty one little eagrets grouped together in reeds sheltering from the stong wind this morning also sixteen stock doves feeding on fresh grass opposite no one platform Craig Constance Thursday 05-Aug-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir 6pm, 1 Oystercatcher,1 juv Redstart and 1 juv Common White throat. Lee Parsons Thursday 05-Aug-2010 Brynithel Opened the front door to the din of Crows going beserk, a look to the sky produced a Goshawk, happy days ! Tara Okon Wednesday 04-Aug-2010 Newport Wetlands Hobby. David Hathaway Wednesday 04-Aug-2010 Llanishen, S. of Trelleck Further to Martin Stevens article in the Argus in June regarding House Martins, I have noticed that they arrive later in recent years,which causes a problem when the 2nd brood fledges last year this was late September, So much so that one nest on my house went leaving the chicks to fend for themselves. This year we have hsd 4 nests with chicks, One has fledged,so I am hoping this pair will have time for a second brood. I also have up a couple of concrete nests. I also clean them over the winter. One of the probems is that sparrows take them up before the Martins return. This year I did not put them up until the birds had returned. They were in the boxes within an hour of me putting them on the walls Keith Jones Wednesday 04-Aug-2010 Moorings Fields Newport Walked loop of the river between Chichester Close and Clipper Close at high tide this morning. Not a great deal about just 2 Mute Swan, 1 Mallard, 54 Lapwing, 48 Common Redshanks, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Reed Warbler. At the muddy field 210 Black Headed Gulls. Craig Constance & Nathan Casburn Tuesday 03-Aug-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir 1 adult Arctic Tern this afternoon. John O'Sullivan Tuesday 03-Aug-2010 ringland estate A very surprising juvenile? male merlin directly overhead over the works carpark at 9am this morning. A tiny definite falcon with very pointed wings at about roof height. Obviously smaller than Kestrel or Sparrowhawk. Didn't get any colour on it but it appeared dark. Keith Jones Tuesday 03-Aug-2010 Ynysyfro Reservoir An early morning count included 4 Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 30 Mallard, 71 Tufted Duck, 2 Buzzard, 3 Moorhen, 103 Coot, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap, 2 Jay. Keith Jones Monday 02-Aug-2010 Ponthir Reservoir Walked from the reservoir to Ponthir early morning. Birds noted include 1 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 28 Tufted Duck, 4 Coot, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Long Tailed Tit, 1 female Bullfinch, 1 Jay, 5 Raven. Re Bulmore Road access, yes still used by walkers, runners and the like. Good luck. keith jones Monday 02-Aug-2010 thanks kieth for info, great help, i take it that the road to the golf club is open to predestrians? best wishes ,john and jan. tony & jan jenkins Sunday 01-Aug-2010 Redwick to Porton Circular walk from Redwick on ebbing tide,turned up max 8 whimbrel, 2 egrets, 3 curlew, 5 pied wags, several small flocks of goldfinches, reed warbler, juv sparrowhawk with prey, buzzard and a notable sighting of an elephant hawk moth in the garden of the rose inn. Keith Jones Sunday 01-Aug-2010 Bulmore Lakes The lakes are just 3 kilometres NE from the Bell Inn, situated at NGR ST 3692. Turn right to pass the Ship Inn towards Belmont Hill, and take the first left, passing the Bell Inn on your right. After passing a series of dwellings at Great Bulmore Farm continue, and you will see the lakes from the road on your left. There is a public footpath on your right just by the golf course foot-bridge which crosses over the Bulmore Road. At the moment the Bulmore road is closed because of the approaching golf tournament except to local residents, business and deliveries. Hope this helps. martyn jones Sunday 01-Aug-2010 outfall lane mid day low tide 2 L Egrets, 7 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sand Also, flew in through car window at Marshfield, trapped and photographed, Red-tipped Clearwing Moth poss 2nd county record. Sunday 01-Aug-2010 please could anyone give directions to cearleon ponds or bulwalk ponds please ,i know how to get to cearleon but have no idea from there ,many thanks and good birding, best wishes john and jan. Keith Jones Sunday 01-Aug-2010 Bulmore Lakes Not a lot about early morning between the lakes and Caerleon. Just a count of 41 species including 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 6 Mute Swan, 147 Canada Geese, 6 Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Sparrow Hawk, 3 Buzzard, 5 Moorhen, 1 Coot, 1 Green Sandpiper, 18 Wood Pigeon, 4 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Common Whitethroat, 16 adult and 40 juveniles Pied Wagtail (in the same group), 2 Long Tailed Tit, 1 Jay. Nicholas Beswick Saturday 31-Jul-2010 Coity mountain, Blaenavon Osprey circled up from Cwmtillery and disappeared over the mountain to the north. One Red Grouse heard. Family of four Little Grebes on Coity Pond. Nicholas Beswick Saturday 31-Jul-2010 Brynmawr/Ebbw Vale waterbodies Beaufort: two pairs Little Grebes with young, one having four tiny chicks. One pair Great Crested Grebes with one juvenile. Machine Pond: Black-headed Gull adult, Great Crested Grebe Waun (Asda) Pond: Tufted Duck 20, one female with three half-grown ducklings, one male Pochard, Great Crested Grebe on nest with one, maybe two, newly hatched chicks. Keith Jones Friday 30-Jul-2010 Moorings Fields Newport Walked loop of the river between Chichester Close and Clipper Close at high tide this morning. Just 23 species noted including 2 Mute Swan, 26 Mallard, 83 Lapwing, 43 Common Redshanks, 1 Green Sandpiper, 7 Common Sandpiper, 154 Black Headed Gull, 6 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 6 Reed Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler. Ed Stevens Friday 30-Jul-2010 Black Rock This morning on mudflats just east of Black Rock 2 bar-tailed godwits Tom Chinnick Tuesday 27-Jul-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir 8:00-9:45am. 1 Redshank, 1 Common Tern, 1 Green Sand and 4 Common Sand. Keith Jones Monday 26-Jul-2010 Uskmouth Walked around the lagoons, and part of the coast early morning from west of R4 to west of R11. This produced a count of 47 species including 23 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 2 Little Egret, 6 Mute Swan, 2 Shelduck, 160 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 45 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 1 Hobby, 5 Water Rail, 25 Moorhen, 54 Coot, 92 Curlew, 3 Whimbrel, 45 Herring Gull, 130 Black Headed Gulls (very close views by no Meds among them), 1 Great Skua (flying west extremely close to shore – over spartina), 1 Little Owl, 1 Green Woodpecker, 12 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 singing Willow Warbler, 2 Bearded Tits, heard at (R1 & R7). Nothing new noticed in the breeding line since last visit of 12th. chris hurn Monday 26-Jul-2010 GLWR Goldcliff 170 black tailed godwits and 1 female marsh harrier early to d Chris and Julie West and Digger Sunday 25-Jul-2010 Oxbow and R Usk, Gobion Sunday 11.00am. 6 Canada geese, 5 mute swan, 1 sand martin, polecat disturbed by digger from thistle patch on river bank, 10 species of butterfly on thistle patch by old farm building. Anthony Walton & Dawn Addison Sunday 25-Jul-2010 Newport Wetlands Stood and watched a single Hobby catching dragonflies over the lagoons on two occasions yesterday. The lagoons were also crammed with wildfowl, probably due to the receding water levels elsewhere on the reserve. There were 4 x Mute Swans with signets, a dozen mallards with ducklings, a number of coots and moorhens, again with juveniles in tow, 4 x tufted ducks. The heron was sunning himself in the fields by the visitor centre and a single little egret put on a fishing show right outside the cafe area. Nicholas Beswick Sunday 25-Jul-2010 Garnlydan Reservoir To adult Little Ringed Plovers on the north shore tony & jan jenkins Sunday 25-Jul-2010 llanfoist to the bryn Along the usk 6 goosander, single green sandpiper & common sandpiper, 5 adult mute, kingfisher, 2 buzzard, a flock of @250 jacks/rooks and several mixed flocks of tits. John Bennett Sunday 25-Jul-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir About 80 Cormorants and 70 Great Crested Grebes on the reservoir but little else seen , More note worthy were the Butterflies with good numbers of common species . Also a Silver-washed fritillary , a late Marbled white and several Purple Hairstreak around the Oak tops . Adrian Plant Saturday 24-Jul-2010 Peterstone Gout 2 cracking greenshank on the Gout this evening.... along with 3 common sand 76 redshank , c 50 lapwing & 1 dunlin Craig Constance & Nathan Casburn Saturday 24-Jul-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir 6.30pm yesterday 1 juv Kittiwake feeding in and around fish nets out in the middle but no sign today. John O'Sullivan Saturday 24-Jul-2010 Pen y lan (above Bassaleg) Great views of a soaring and hunting female Goshawk here this afternoon before it moved off west.Also good numbers of swift, a very yellow juv willow warbler and two singing Yelowhammers. Mike Pointon Saturday 24-Jul-2010 Reply to kjk Hummingbird Hawkmoths are indeed fabulous insects. They occur annually in Britain in varying numbers. We have had several visit our garden in Bedwas not to far from you, once in November! Alas we have not had seen one in Bedwas this year. They feed mainly on Valerian and buddleia. The one in mNovember was feeding on Mahonia which flowers late. kjk Saturday 24-Jul-2010 machen Thurs 22nd July: 12 Sand Martins, Dipper and 2 Grey Wagtails along river. Two peregrines over garden, one calling noisily (Royal Oak end of Machen). Later one in pursuit of a small flock. First time I've seen them here, though they've been spotted at the other end of the village. Seem to be more squirrels in trees than birds. One has adapted a nyger feeder for it's own use with a neat hole and makes regular visits. Glad it's of use at last as the goldfinches haven't been near it. Friday 23rd: Hummingbird Hawkmoth on buddlleia on allotment. First time I've seen one - amazing looking creature. Not sure if this is unusual for Wales. I know it's not a bird but it must be the nearest thing! Ed Stevens Thursday 22-Jul-2010 Black Rock Thursday morning a juvenile redstart oc cliff near Black Rock. On nearby mudflats quite a few black-headed gull including a few juveniles, 1 whimbrel, 1 curlew, 1 oystercatcher, 1 common sandpiper and 4 redshank Craig Constance,Nathan Casburn and Tim Griffiths Wednesday 21-Jul-2010 Yesterday 8pm, 1 common Tern and 2 Tern Spp too far to id!(NC).Today 5 Redshank at dam end (TG) also 1 remaining ad Common Tern,3 LRP and 1 ad Dunlin at Fishermans end. Keith Jones Wednesday 21-Jul-2010 Llanvihangel Gobion - The Bryn Followed the footpath from the bridge up river to The Bryn. Birds of note included 15 Mute Swan, 50 Mallard, 1 Hobby, 1 Red Kite, 3 adult 2 juvenile Buzzard, 2 Common Sandpipers, 16 Wood Pigeon, 3 Stock Doves, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher, 58 Sand Martins. tony & jan jenkins Sunday 18-Jul-2010 A48 at Crick Hobby over A48 heading towards the neddern at 1700hrs Graham Horder Sunday 18-Jul-2010 Bulwark Lesser black backed gull swooped into garden and picked up a live frog from the lawn after several circuits over the small pond. Keith Jones Sunday 18-Jul-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons The mid day high tide count included 1 Little Grebe, 2 Grey Heron, 8 Little Egret, 237 Shelduck, 12 Teal, 57 Mallard, 1 Peregrine, 3 Moorhen, 1 Coot, 20 Avocet, 9 Oystercatcher, 154 Black Tailed Godwit, 31 Lapwing, 13 Grey Plover, 4 Ringed Plover, 4 Knot, 47 Common Redshanks, 159 Dunlin, 4 Common Sandpiper, 426 Black Headed Gull, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler. Keith Roylance Saturday 17-Jul-2010 GOS Outdoor Programme Walk this morning through Goytre Wood, along canal etc. 46 species: Mute Swan, Mallard, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Swift, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sand Martin, Swallow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Spotted Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay, Magpie, Rook, Crow, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting. Keith Jones Saturday 17-Jul-2010 Moorings Fields Newport At the mid morning high tide of note 1 Mute Swan, 79 Lapwing, 47 Common Redshanks, 3 Common Sandpiper, 11 Reed Warbler. Following at the muddy field 1 Mediterranean Gull, with 237 Black Headed Gulls. Nigel Garside Saturday 17-Jul-2010 Peterstone Gout Cuckoo, 37 Stock Dove, 2 Whimbrel and 5 Common Sandpiper. Black-tailed Godwit and 9 Dunlin in pool behind gout. John Davies & Steven Butler Friday 16-Jul-2010 Gobion 23 Common Sandpiper, 14 together on shingle band. 2 Green Sandpipers,2 Reed Bunting, 19 Goosanders (16 Juv), Kingfisher, 50 Swift, small numbers of Sand Martin, Nicholas Beswick Thursday 15-Jul-2010 hafod farm,brynmawr Peregrine over first thing GOS membership secretary Thursday 15-Jul-2010 Newport Wetlands The Newport Wetlands Open day will be held on Sunday 18th July between 10am and 4pm. GOS will be there and if you can spare an hour, or more to help, it would be appreciated. Please contact me on membership@gwentbirds.org.uk. I am hoping it\'s not going to be too wet! Tom Chinnick Thursday 15-Jul-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir 1 Black-T Godwit and 2 Common Tern. Peter O'Duffy Thursday 15-Jul-2010 Wales 08:15-08:55 34 Manx Shearwaters down channel Craig Constance Wednesday 14-Jul-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir 6-8pm. 2 adult Common Tern,2 LRP(adult males) and 8 Sand Martin. chris hurn Tuesday 13-Jul-2010 GLWR Goldcliff good views of hobby again today flew very low the whole lengh of lagoons Adrian Plant Tuesday 13-Jul-2010 Peterstone Gout Adult med gull amongst c 400 B.H Gull. Also 3 common sand, c50 lapwing and 25 dunlin. Keith Jones Monday 12-Jul-2010 Uskmouth Walked mid morning to R11 west, up the coast to the pontoon bridge, and lagoons as far as R4 and 5 (east). Not a great deal different to report from visit of 30th June, although rather quiet due to declining bird song (e.g. no Cetti’s heard) etc. Of note 207 Black Headed Gulls, single singing Spotted Flycatcher, Mallard numbers now up to 242, 2 juvenile Bearded Tits at R7 west, and a single creche of 25 juvenile/fledglings Shelduck on the foreshore. . Roo Perkins Monday 12-Jul-2010 Nagshead and Cannop Ponds Little at nagshead bird wise, but Wood Warblers seen. White Admiral and Silver washed fritillary were the best butterflies. At Cannop Ponds, plenty of Mandarin (in eclipse) with young. Also loads of silver-washed Fritillary and white admiral reported, Surprise for me was the finding by one of the Lifelong learning students of ovipositing red-eyed damselflies, didnt know they were there. Neil Hempstead Sunday 11-Jul-2010 Millenium parc penallta One, possibly two lapwing on the flat surface alongside the land sculpture of the pit pony Craig Constance Sunday 11-Jul-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir Late posting for 9th July,Llandegfedd Res.7 LRP,1 Dunlin,3 Common Sand,9 Sand Martin and 11 juv Black-headed Gull. G. Rowe. Sunday 11-Jul-2010 Friars Road ( Top Park Gates) `For the Birds` in the Argus 10th July, asking for sitings of Swifts.I have seen them morning & evening for about 6 weeks.Every other year it has been House Martins but this year its mainly Swifts, with only a few House Martins.bk Brian Thomas Saturday 10-Jul-2010 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Morning third platform: numbers of dunlin, redshank, blacktailed godwit. 3 knot, 2 in summer plumage. i avocet. Nathan Casburn Saturday 10-Jul-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir Juv Med Gull,Common Tern,4 Lrp,4 Common Sands,1 Redshank and a Redstart. Keith Jones Saturday 10-Jul-2010 Wentwood Walked early morning from Wentwood Gate up to Little Oak, east To Cadira Beeches, down to Nine Wells via the Nightjar path, completing the walk at the reservoir. Although quiet, 38 species noted including 2 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Canada Geese 3 Tufted Duck, 8 Coot, 2 Buzzard, 6 Wood Pigeon, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Wren, 3 Tree Pipit, 7 Blackcap, 1 Common Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 female Common Redstart, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Goldcrest, 14 Blue Tit, 23 Coal Tit, 3 Marsh Tit, 15 Great Tit, 4 Nuthatch, 12 Chaffinch, 3 Siskin, 7 Redpoll, 5 Crossbill, 6 Jay, and 12 Carrion Crow. FAO David Hathaway Thursday 08-Jul-2010 Llanishen, S. of Trelleck David, I'd be very interested in seeing your finches (especially Hawfinches) if at all possible. Could you drop me a line if its ok please? Chris at Ceeege dot Com (I only live about 4 miles away in Penallt!) Matt Broome Thursday 08-Jul-2010 Goldcliff Foreshore 3 Knot(1 summer plumage)on the foreshore, 1 Sand Martin + most of this weeks other reported sightings on the lagoons. David Hathaway Wednesday 07-Jul-2010 Llanishen, S. of Trelleck Recently we have hawfinch and bullfinch on/under feeders,plus all the usual.Sparrowhawk having a field day at moment will all chicks.Also yesterday had spotted flycatchers Tara Okon Wednesday 07-Jul-2010 Goldcliff Hobby chasing House Martin. allan dowson Tuesday 06-Jul-2010 Newport Wetlands RSPB Great views yesterday of a Hobby catching dragon-flies.At least ten minutes of excellent bird watching. Anthony Walton & Dawn Addison Tuesday 06-Jul-2010 Seawall 23 Shelducks; 2 Little Egrets; 6 Black Headed Gulls; 4 Curlew and at least a dozen swifts skimming the grass bank in the late evening sun. First ever visit there, loved it! Nathan Casburn Tuesday 06-Jul-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir 1 Greenshank,3 LRP,4 Common Sands. Keith Jones Tuesday 06-Jul-2010 Caerleon A mid morning walk through Lodge Wood was rather quiet. The low numbers reflect reduced bird song typical of the time of year. A count of just 27 species including 2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrow Hawk, 2 Pheasant, 13 Wood Pigeon, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 9 Wren, 3 Dunnock, 2 Blackcap, 1 Common Whitethroat, 5 Robin, 6 Blackbird, 5 Song Thrush, 18 Blue Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 10 Great Tit, 7 Nuthatch, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Greenfinch, 14 Carrion Crow. Keith Jones Monday 05-Jul-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons A walk to the sea wall at high tide this morning produced 2 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Grey Heron, 14 Little Egret, 53 Shelduck, 30 Mallard, 1 Pheasant, 3 ad 3 juvenile Moorhen, 2 Coot, 16 adult 2 juvenile Oystercatcher, 22 Avocet (all on Priors), 102 Black Tailed Godwit, 9 Lapwing, 36 Common Redshanks, 167 Black Headed Gull, 5 Reed Warbler, 1 Common Whitethroat. Also a rather obliging adult Mediterranean Gull just in front of second observation platform, very close. Water levels at the lagoons very low at the moment. Chris and Julie West Sunday 04-Jul-2010 River Usk: Gobion -- The Bryn 1 signet beig pecked by pair of adult swans on Sat 3rd. On Sunday found the carcass of 4 signets 30 yards from river close together. They had been trampled on by cattle but this may not have been the cause of death. There were feathers around each bird as if attacked. 2 of the birds had been half eaten. These were the 5 signets seen on 1st July. I had earlier seen a mink on the other side of the river in the stream and later a stoat on the short cut lane to Raglan. Keith Jones Sunday 04-Jul-2010 Ponthir Reservoir Late afternoon visit included 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 female 8 juvenile Mallard, 18 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Wagtail, and 7 Pied Wagtail. Nathan Casburn Sunday 04-Jul-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir 3 Little Ringed Plovers 2 Redshank and 1 Common Tern this Morning Adrian Plant Sunday 04-Jul-2010 Gobion to Bryn Bend Green sandpiper flew in to the bend about 05:30:- must be Autumn already. Also a single redshank and the usual common sands Graham Harris Saturday 03-Jul-2010 Llanfoist - Canal Cottage Red Kite - High over Canal Cottage heading towards Govilon 4.15pm Also cat kill possibly grasshopper warbler need expert confirmation If anyone near or around Canal Cottage call in (bird in freezer) 1st Cottage on side of canal overlooking Monmouthshire Golf Club Nathan Casburn Saturday 03-Jul-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir 1 Curlew 3 Common Sands and 1 Little Ringed Plover over the last two evenings. Keith Jones Saturday 03-Jul-2010 Moorings Fields Newport A visit at high tide this morning produced 1 adult 1 juvenile Shelduck, 2 female 2 fl Mallard, 15 Lapwing, 20 Common Redshanks, 8 Reed Warbler, 8 adult 3 juvenile Reed Bunting. Included at the flooded (muddy) Field 1 Stock Dove, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull with 130 Black Heaped Gulls. Nicholas & Judy Beswick Friday 02-Jul-2010 hafod farm,brynmawr Red Kite over at 4.30 pm, heading west Maurice Chown Friday 02-Jul-2010 Peterstone Gout Adult Med. Gull this morning and 2 Common Sands. Lots of BHG's including Juvs. Hugh Friday 02-Jul-2010 Shirenewton Juvenille sparrowhawk in the garden just now. Shuffled around in a small birch tree for a few minutes, then off. John Evans Thursday 01-Jul-2010 Second Severn Bridge Report of a single Quail flushed inadvertantley by dogs near the SSC at Caldicot, was then seen to be flushed a second time and flew over the line of stones onto the foreshore saltmarsh. chris and julie west Thursday 01-Jul-2010 Abergavenny red kite, 500 jackdaw extras from AHC 'Birds'. chris and julie west and digger Thursday 01-Jul-2010 Oxbow and R Usk, Gobion pair of green sandpiper, 4 common sandpiper, pair of mute swans and 5 week old signets,1 lr plover, heron. Graham Harris Thursday 01-Jul-2010 Llanfoist - Canal Cottage Red Kite - now!- circling 3.30pm over Canal Cottage Keith Jones Thursday 01-Jul-2010 Ynysyfro Reservoir Huge problems with PC over the last few weeks, so a great deal to catch up on. A monring count included 3 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 2 Mute Swan, 38 Canada Geese, 18 Mallard, 22 Tufted Duck, 54 Coot, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 singing Common Whitethroat. Keith Jones Wednesday 30-Jun-2010 Uskmouth Walked early morning around the lagoons. Birds noted include 5 ad 3 juv Little Grebe, 2 ad 2 juv Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Egret, 10 Mute Swan, 30 Shelduck, 97 ad 6 juv Mallard, 3 female with 3 broods of 8 fl, 5 juv, 7 fl Pochard, 30 adult 34 young in 7 broods Tufted Duck, 14 Moorhen, 42 ad 42 young in 13 broods Coot, 10 Oystercatcher, 8 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Common Sandpiper, 30 Lapwing, 13 Reed Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, 8 Cetti's Warbler, 9 Common Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff, 4 Song Thrush, 15 Goldfinch, 6 Greenfinch, 4 Reed Bunting, 2 Jay, 8 Carrion Crow. Also noticed judging by size and colour singles of Common and Pygmy Shrew. Phil Rawlinson Wednesday 30-Jun-2010 Deri, Nr Bargoed Pair of Red Kites regularly circling over the forestry hillside above Upper Cefn Road. Last seen today, early afternoon. Have been watching them for some time now. Hugh Wednesday 30-Jun-2010 Shirenewton Hobby again - seems to be interested in the martins. Keith Jones Tuesday 29-Jun-2010 Moorings Fields Newport A high tide visit produced just 1 Mallard, 66 Lapwing, 28 Common Redshanks, 6 Common Sandpipers, 3 Reed Warbler, 6 Reed Bunting, and at the Muddy Field with 14 Wood Pigeon, 4 Stock Doves. c.hurn Tuesday 29-Jun-2010 GLWR Goldcliff hobby flying very low over the car park this morning John Evans Monday 28-Jun-2010 The Moorings, Newport The late June hirundine roost appears to be well under way at the back of the Moorings, several hundred, possibly up to a thousand, mixed hirundines congregate over the reedbeds from about 9.15pm and, generally, drop into the reeds about 9.40pm or thereabouts. No Hobby appear to have located them so far this year, unlike previous years, but Reed Warbler still singing there. Haven't heard the Cetti's Warbler for a week or two now. I live in hope! Starlings appear to have done well locally this season with a flock of 70+ roving the estate with plenty of new birds in there. Also had 4+ newly fledged House Sparrow in the garden. phil twells Monday 28-Jun-2010 pontrhydrun i saw a red kite flying over my house , being pestered by a seagull Barry Melville Monday 28-Jun-2010 Croes-y-mwyalch, Llantarnam Red Kite overhead this afternoon. The first one I have seen here. Keith Jones Sunday 27-Jun-2010 Bulmore Lakes A late evening visit just to the lakes included 2 pair of Great Crested Grebes, 18 Cormorant (at the pylon), 4 Mute Swan, 45 adult 5 juv Canada Geese, 23 Mallard, 2 male Tufted Duck, 1 Coot, 4 Reed Warbler, 3 Reed Buting, family party of 8 Pied Wagtail, 680 (block count) Sand Martins (sunning on the ground), 1 Common Whitethroat etc. Hugh Sunday 27-Jun-2010 Shirenewton Hobby passed over around 8.30 pm. Fab. Kirsty Richardson Sunday 27-Jun-2010 Usk Red Kite over car-park behind the Spar at about 14:00. Ed Stevens Sunday 27-Jun-2010 Sudbrook Yesterday evening 1 whimbrel flying south west over Sudbrook. This morning 3 common sandpipers between Black Rock and Sudbrook and 2 canada geese flying past Black Rock Mike Warburton Saturday 26-Jun-2010 Ebbw Vale Single Hobby this evening above my back garden in Ebbw Vale. Steve Williams Friday 25-Jun-2010 Newport Lesser black backed gull with colour ring in car park of TK Maxx. See valleynaturalist.blogspot.com for photos. Judy Beswick Friday 25-Jun-2010 mynydd llangattock Two Red Kites over east end of the mountain this morning; one very high over Brynmawr late afternoon Phil Friday 25-Jun-2010 Peterstone Gout Early morning visit produced the following-1 pair shelduck & 5 chicks,1 pair shelduck & 10 chicks,23 Redshanks on rocks of sea wall,14 Curlew in flight,62 Lapwing in flight,1 Little Ring Plover in Gout,42 Black-Headed Gulls in Gout,1 Kingfisher in Gout(with fish), 12 Goldfinch in flight,6 Greenfinch in flight,1 Dunnock,1 Cormorant in flight,3 Grey Herons in Gout,Pair of Linnets & 1 Cuckoo Heard Keith Jones Thursday 24-Jun-2010 Wentwood Walked early morning from Wentwood Gate, north to Little Oak, east to Five Paths via Cadira Beeches, completing at the reservoir by way of Nine Wells. Count included 2 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Cormorant, 2 ad 4 juv Canada Geese, 2 male Tufted Duck, 1 Buzzard, 5 Coot, 1 Great Black Backed Gull, 1 Tawny Owl, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 15 Wren, 5 Tree Pipit, 18 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 8 Common Whitethroat, 5 Willow Warbler, 15 Chiffchaff, 5 Wood Warbler, 10 Song Thrush, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 27 Coal Tit, 3 Marsh Tit, 1 Nuthatch, 27 Chaffinch, 4 Siskin, 1 Bullfinch, 4 Jay, 16 Carrion Crow. mark davies Wednesday 23-Jun-2010 Abergavenny sparrowhawk taking a small bird in back garden Keith Jones Tuesday 22-Jun-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons Walked to the sea wall early morning. Birds noted include 4 Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 5 Little Egret, 39 Shelduck, 31 Mallard, 9 Tufted Duck, 1 Hobby, Coot, 18 Oystercatcher, 33 Avocet, 58 Lapwing, 5 Dunlin, 33 Black Tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew, 1 Greenshanks, 79 Common Redshanks, 4 Reed Warbler, 1 Common Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest (same location as last two occasions also), 3 Reed Bunting, 4 Carrion Crow, 2 Raven. John Davies Tuesday 22-Jun-2010 Llanwenarth Little Owl on the barn roof, Curlew, Sand Martins, Common Sandpiper, Dipper, and Hobby. D.Hutton Tuesday 22-Jun-2010 Upper Cwmbran f.a.o. mick bailey...its been a while since i've walked around the area but, last year there was a regular singing garden warbler about 50 meters up the path that flows around the left side of gelli-gravog farm/guesthouse.it was singing at the top of some young trees and responded well to pishing. Keith Jones Monday 21-Jun-2010 Uskmouth Walked early morning around the lagoons (from western end of R to western end of R11). This produced a count of 60 species including 19 Little Grebes (including 3 juviniles), 2 ad 1 fl Great Crested Grebe, 7 ad 5 juv + 1 juv Mute Swan, 56 Shelduck, 2 Teal, 10 Mallard, 1 female Gadwall, 16 male 16 female + 20 young in 4 broods Tufted Duck, 1 female 3 fl Pochard, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Water Rail, 8 Moorhen, 25 adult 21 young in 9 broods Coot, 1 Lapwing, 9 Oystercatcher, 10 Curlew, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 13 singing Wren, 3 juv Stonechat, 1 Mistle Thrush, 28 Reed Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 10 Cetti’s Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 9 Common Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitehroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Tree Creeper, 9 Bearded Tits (heared in R7, & 9), 1 Tree Creeper. 12 Goldfinch, 6 Greenfinch, 10 Reed Bunting, and 7 Carrion Crow. Mick Bailey Monday 21-Jun-2010 United Kingdom The "uk" report below should have referred to Blaen Bran Res. I had selected this location, but it seems to have reverted to UK once I started to enter observation details. There seems to be a glitch in the prog. Or am I daft? (Mark Stevens need not reply). Mick Bailey Monday 21-Jun-2010 United Kingdom Garden Warbler is one of my bogey birds, so, seeing the report of them at this location on 18 June, I set sail this morning with high hopes. I walked up from the chapel on The Square, but had to turn back just after my first singing Wood Warbler, so there may well have been more further along the track. My luck with Garden Warbler was even worse: none. But I did have 8 singing Blackcaps of which I clearly saw 2, confirming that they were not GWs. No Redstarts, but then I'm poor on their voices. Wrens and Willow Warblers had 7 singers each. Total species 32 in 1 hour 40 mins. mark davies Monday 21-Jun-2010 Llanwenarth A pair of curlew feeding in field opposite the church . Also a little owl enjoying the late evening sunshine & a hobby flying with swifts & house martins John Davies Monday 21-Jun-2010 Abergavenny Goshawk, flyover. Mike Powell Monday 21-Jun-2010 Brynmawr Surprised to find a rather menacing adult Great Black-backed Gull amongst the Lesser's & Herrings on the factory roof by Asda's on Friday (18th). One colour-ringed LBBG present a few weeks ago - no sign since. John Davies & Steven Butler Sunday 20-Jun-2010 Skirrid mtn 2 Green Woodpeckers, Great spotted Woodpecker, Redstart, Tree Pipits, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Marsh Tit, numerous Blue & Great Tit with young. Wheatear, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Buzzard, Cuckoo. tony & jan jenkins Sunday 20-Jun-2010 River Wye a walk down the river from wyesham to tintern - fairly quiet but hobby over river near showground, singles of gsw and green woodie, 3 buzzard, 6 pairs of mute, 2 cormerant & good numbers of singing blackcaps. John O'Sullivan Saturday 19-Jun-2010 Sugar Loaf Leucistic Skylark just short of summit today. Very distinctive bird. A couple of family parties of wheatear also and lower down a male redstart. Lee Parsons Saturday 19-Jun-2010 Brynithel Early morning walk around local farms produced a Spotted Flycatcher with five chicks, both adults present and feeding chicks well ! Also Redstart feeding noisy chicks, family party of Blue tit, Nuthatch and fledgling Robin ! Mike Warburton Saturday 19-Jun-2010 Garnlydan Reservoir 9.15-11.00 am.Had a wander around the reservoir this morning to see how the breeding has gone up there.Good numbers of juvenile Wheatear with at least three broods fledged.A few young Skylark and Meadow Pipit around along with juvenile Reed Buntings and Starlings.Two pairs of Common Sandpiper one of which had a recently hatched youngster and a late Swallow nest with eggs.Dissapointed not to have seen Stonechat or Whinchat though. Tony McGowan Friday 18-Jun-2010 Blaen Bran Res., Upper Cwmbran Wood Warblers (2) Redstarts(4) Garden Warblers(2) singing at discrete locations along level track above res. Keith Jones Thursday 17-Jun-2010 Ynysyfro Reservoir A mid day count included 3 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 29 Canada Geese, 9 Mallard, 6 Tufted Duck, 29 ad 2 juv Coot, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Swift. John Davies & Steven Butler Thursday 17-Jun-2010 Blorenge mountain 2 Hobby's hunting and feeding on the wing. numerous Whinchats and Meadow Pipits with young.Reed Bunting, and Cuckoo. Lee & Molly Parsons Thursday 17-Jun-2010 Newport Wetlands Little Owl very obliging for photographs, other species of note included Cettis and Reed Warbler, Whitethroat and Little Egret ! Keith Jones Thursday 17-Jun-2010 Moorings Fields Newport A visit at high tide this morning produced 1 Cormorant, 1 Mute Swan, 1 female Teal, 1 male 2 female Mallard, 38 Lapwing, 5 singing Reed Warbler, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 7 singing Reed Bunting. A little later at the flooded field (rather muddy field at the moment) just 2 magpie, but on the river just below 1 ad 3 juveniles Shelduck. Ruth Brown Wednesday 16-Jun-2010 Blorenge No sign of Marmora's. Several people present since dawn. John Davies Tuesday 15-Jun-2010 Gobion River walk recorded the following list. Common and Green Sandpiper. 7 Great spotted Woodpeckers,1 Green Woodpecker, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Treecreeper, Reed Bunting, 200 plus Sand Martin, Curlew. Keith Jones Tuesday 15-Jun-2010 Ponthir Reservoir A brief visit at mid day produced just 1 Great Crested Grebe, 6 male 2 female Tufted Duck, and 3 Coot. Lee & Molly Parsons Tuesday 15-Jun-2010 Blorenge mountain Marmora's still present at around 1.30pm ! Ed Stevens Tuesday 15-Jun-2010 Black Rock This morning a single hobby over saltmarsh just east of Black Rock picnic site Roo Perkins Tuesday 15-Jun-2010 Pontypool Dave - fledged Greater spotted woodpecker feeding in the garden this week, as newly fledged looked very fluffy and pale. So if i enter the phonetic spelling incorrectly it insults me? Nice! Dave Evans Monday 14-Jun-2010 kymin monmouth Walking in the field next to tv transmitter this afternoon and saw three spotted woodpeckers , two of which were as normal , black white and red , but one was pure white , an albino , they were on the field itself , and looked like juveniles , or is it too early to be this years young ? Keith Jones Monday 14-Jun-2010 Goldcliff Levele - Uskmouth Got back from a week on Orkney on 9th, and been busy with Atlas work since including last summer visit to Goldcliff Levels early this morning. Walked from Nash down, Farmfield Lane, up Saltmarsh Lane footpath east, completing at upper part of Boat Lane. Atlas count of 57 species noted including, 5 ad 5fl Mute Swan, 9 Canada Geese, 1 Mallard, 1 Hobby at Goldcliff, 4 Pheasant, 2 Moorhen, 2 Coot, 2 Curlew, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 19 Wren, 9 Reed Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 5 Cetti’s Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 5 Common Whitethroat, 9 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 20 Carrion Crow, family party of 5 Raven. Several broods of Blue, Great Tits, Long Tailed Tit (2), Goldfinch (2). Mathew Meehan Monday 14-Jun-2010 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Little Stint of note from 1st platform last night 18.30ish. Graham Harris and Lorna Mc Glyn Monday 14-Jun-2010 (Llanfoist) Red Kite at 9.30am flying over Mon Breck Canal - Bridge 95 near Llanfoistx heading north towards Govilon Lee Parsons Sunday 13-Jun-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir Great Crested Grebe with chicks, also Coot (x2), Jay chicks being fed by parents in woodland ! The hides are a sorry state with visibility down to virtually nil in all three, this used to be a great place to watch birds, but i'm afraid they won't be getting any money out of me next year ! Yes, I know this should be for the forum, but still waiting for confirmation email and no I don't have a silly email address ! Nathan Casburn Sunday 13-Jun-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir Highlights early morning.1 Redshank 1 Common Sand Chris and Julie West and digger Sunday 13-Jun-2010 Bryn to Gobion 4 little ringed plover, female merlin, goosander and 10 chicks. chris shroll Sunday 13-Jun-2010 near the lake don't know how it got there but there is a californian quail walking arround cwmtillery(male)black display feathers on head,don't know how long it will be there but its very pretty Darryl Spittle Sunday 13-Jun-2010 Blorenge Marmora's Warbler actively 'doing the circuit', singing regularly and showing down to 3 metres this morning 07:00-10:00. Darryl Spittle Sunday 13-Jun-2010 Cadira Beeches, Wentwood Iberian Chiffchaff 05:00-06:30, singing frequently and showing well in the usual area circa 100m south of car-park. Also 40+ Crossbill. mr kenny Saturday 12-Jun-2010 Newport Wetlands while out on a walk-around at the Newport Gwent Wetlands in newport i noticed a few yound chicks crossing a footpath about 100mtrs away so myself and the wife walked down to the area only to see a bird i did not recognise plus several chicks running for cover in the short growth i was able to take some photographs having made an opinion on what i belived it to be (a Quail?as if i new anything)But i happened to be catching up on sunday night with some of the springwatch programs only to find to my suprise that the bird in mention was actually on the one episode it was a Great Bustard with what i belive to be at the least five chicks Ashley Bowe Wednesday 09-Jun-2010 Caerleon 1 Buzzard seen over Caerleon Bridge by the Hanbury, being mobbed by roughly about 15 Crows, eventually the raptor rested in a tree right opposite the hanbury for about 10 minutes. Matt Broome/ Chris Hurn Wednesday 09-Jun-2010 wentwood forest Single Nightjar started churring in the distance from approx 9.45p.m last night. Good views along path, perching & churring on dead branch, same spot as last years walk. Also Tawny Owls, singing Tree Pipit & Woodcock also roding up and down on several occasions, though all didn't last long as it became quite windy before the rain came in. Wood Warbler near Cadira Beeches & another Nightjar churring a few hundred yards from the car park. 1 Roe Deer & N.B. Midges were hungry!!. FAO Chris & Julie West Wednesday 09-Jun-2010 Newport You can try City Wildlife Care based in Newport. 24 HR Emergency Line - 07794 179 207 chris and julie west Wednesday 09-Jun-2010 A4042 Abergavenny - Pontypool A friend of mine has rescued a young GS Woodpecker from a magpie. Is there any where this young bird can be taken to increase its chances of survival. Thanks. Tel 01873 859735 John Davies & Steven Butler Tuesday 08-Jun-2010 Linda Vista gardens & Meadows Early evening walk around Linda vista gardens and Castle meadows demonstrates that you can create an environment to keep dog walkers, cyclists, Anglers, walkers and bird watcher happy while creating a great habitat for the birds. The following list is testament to the success of the castle meadows. 2 successful breeding pairs of Great spotted Woodpecker & Nuthatch. Numerous Great & Blue Tit families, Treecreeper, Gold, Green and Chaffinch. Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Garden Warbler. Over 20 Blackbirds (not in a pie) but in Linda Vista garden, 7 Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Sand Martin colony, Common Sandpiper and Moorhen along the river. Worth a visit. Verity Picken Monday 07-Jun-2010 Llangybi Spotted Flycatcher nesting in a last year's House Martin nest; seen dive-bombing a Jay on the ground below. Mike Pointon Monday 07-Jun-2010 Blorenge There were 40 or 50 people hoping to see the Marmora’s Warbler all adhering to the request not to invade the moorland with the exception of just one man who was chasing the bird around in an attempt to photograph it! Luckily no on else follow his example. Roo Perkins Monday 07-Jun-2010 Lundy On birdguides, report of Little shearwater several times today. i have no further info. PS if anyone knows of a good Wood white butterfly site this year please let me know (perkinsr@cf.ac.uk). Keith Roylance Monday 07-Jun-2010 Blorenge Marmora's Warbler still showing well early morning. Chris and Julie West and Digger Sunday 06-Jun-2010 R. Usk, Gobion 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Lr plover adult with fully fledged chick, familly of nuthatch 5 birds and very noisy, 2 sets of GS wood peckers parent and chick being fed at nest holes. john Ridgewell Saturday 05-Jun-2010 Wattsville So excited, heard my first Nightjar ever calling just up the mountain from my house 20.00 hrs. Saw one hunting in the street lights in Minehaed in 1987 but I've waited 61 years for this. Chris Jones Saturday 05-Jun-2010 Blorenge mountain Marmora's Warbler showing well again this morning. A reminder to ALL visting birders, to only view the bird from either the road or the parking area. Please do not enter onto the moorland as disturbance will be caused to breeding birds. Luke Phillips Friday 04-Jun-2010 Wentwood Whilst on the way home from seeing the Mamora's Warbler i stopped off for the Iberian Chiffchaff which appears to be in the same place as normal. Also on the blorenge this morning, Cuckoo, few Yellowhammer singing plus good numbers of Whinchat and tree pipit. Darryl Spittle Friday 04-Jun-2010 Blorenge The Marmora's is still doing its circuit this afternoon, showing and singing from the Holly, Hawthorn and Gorse alongside the road. I have stuck a few more pics at gwentbirding.blogspot.com Nicholas Beswick Friday 04-Jun-2010 Blorenge mountain, Llanover rd Marmora's Warbler showing very well first thing this morning to an audience of about a dozen, performing a circuit of the bushes around the small parking area (as yesterday) and singing from bushes and fence posts. Also Tree Pipit, Whinchat, Cuckoo and Grey Heron over David Roberts Thursday 03-Jun-2010 canal from 14Locks to malpas Buzzard over the canal near Allt-yr-yn just after 6.00 this evening, being mobbed by a Carrion Crow. Chris Hatch Thursday 03-Jun-2010 Blorenge Report of Marmora's Warbler at the Carn y Gorfydd car park (SO 267 109) on the Blorenge this morning. Bird twitchy and showing either side of road. Bird seen by a couple of birders and independently confirmed. Steve Smith, the National Park Warden who rings birds in the area has asked me to appeal to people only to observe from the car park or road, as there are a number of vulnerable Whinchat and Stonechat nests in the area. Ed Stevens Wednesday 02-Jun-2010 Sudbrook 9:00 this morning a hobby made 2 unsuccessful attempts at catching a swallow from a small flock over saltmarsh at sudbrook, also 2 fledgling whitethroat and flock of 15 long-tailled tits Verity Picken Tuesday 01-Jun-2010 Llangybi area At least one Spotted Flycatcher in the garden today. A total of 27 Buzzard circling over a field which was being ploughed yesterday. Keith Jones Tuesday 01-Jun-2010 Caerleon Little to report following a 2 hour walk around Lodge Wood Sunday 31.5.10 mid morning, the usual collection including Robin, Blackbird, Blue and Great Tits, singles of Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, 2 Jay, 18 Wren compared with 15 on 12.5.2007, but no Marsh Tit. Of note 2 Spotted Flycatchers, and at Park Farm 2 adult Canada Geese with 7 juveniles. Monday 31-May-2010 Llanwenarth Lesser Whitethroat, Green Woodpecker, Common Sandpiper, 3 Curlew, 3 Littlw Owls. Simon H Sunday 30-May-2010 Hollybush - Cwmbran 13:30 - 1 Red Kite over Coed-Eva & Hollybush. Heading towards Henllys. Lee Parsons Saturday 29-May-2010 Priory wood Birds observed either on nest or feeding young: Blackcap; Blue, Great; Long Tailed and Coal Tit; Wren; Pied and Spotted Flycatcher; Chaffinch,; Blackbird; Song Thrush and Jay. Also seen Buzzard and heard Tawny Owl ! Nathan Casburn Saturday 29-May-2010 Goldcliff Point 68 Manx Shearwater,4 Kittiwakes,1 Fulmar,1 Gannet but best bird was a single Guillemot that took off from sea close in and headed down channel. Graham Horder Thursday 27-May-2010 Bulwark Red Kite low over Bulwark being mobbed by a herring gull, headed across the skate park down over the centre of Chepstow. Ray Evans Thursday 27-May-2010 Caldicot Turtle Dove seen at 0830 this morning from Fishermans Lane in the first field behind the M4 tollbooths Tony Swann Wednesday 26-May-2010 wentwood forest Iberian Chiffchaff singing it's head off at usual location. As soon as I got out of the car you could hear it clearly and showed reasonably well as a bonus Matt Broome Tuesday 25-May-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons Spoonbill still present, 1 Curlew Sand with Dunlin GOS Membership Secretary Tuesday 25-May-2010 Go Wild Event Bryn Bach Go Wild Event at Bryn Bach Country Park from 11am to 4pm on Saturday 12th June. Help needed with a quiz of numbered pictures of birds that can be found in the area, including LBAP species. We list the species on the quiz board on a form and participants have to match names with numbers. We provide books for reference and we help so it can be quite time intensive. Answer sheets are provided to helpers to speed things up. If your are available, and can spare an hour or two your help would be appreciated - the more the merrier. Help request is not restricted to GOS members but to anyone who likes birding in the area. Contact membership@gwentbirds.org.uk Birdguides Tuesday 25-May-2010 Wentwood The Iberian Chiff was present at 13:30 today (as per Birdguides). Keith Jones Tuesday 25-May-2010 Wentwood Reservoir Present at the reservoir mid morning 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 ad 3 fl Canada Geese, 4 male Mallard, 1 male 1 female Tufted Duck, 1 male Mandarin Duck, 5 Coot, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Common Whitethroat. A quick glance at Cadira Beeches singing Wood Warbler, but no trace of the Chiffchaff. Chris West and Digger Monday 24-May-2010 Oxbow and R Usk, Gobion 5.00pm 4 Curlew, 2 adults and 2 fledged and full size youngsters, f goosander with 15 chicks. Keith Jones Monday 24-May-2010 wentwood forest Walked the lower part of Nine Wells 2105 – 2220hrs for Nightjar. As we arrived two Fallow Deer seen on the lower path. Very good for roding Woodcock first at 2134hrs, and judging by frequency and their beat about 3 birds. Nightjar first heard at 2132hrs, and a rather disappointing showing at 2159hrs only (suspect the trees are getting too high for good views now). Only one bird charring at any one time either up towards Cadira or below at Nine Wells. Also rather distant towards Five Paths. While leaving forest good views of Badger in car head-lights. Keith Jones Monday 24-May-2010 Out ot county This is the text from the forum page re the Nightingale trip, Ruth: Regarding the planned GOS walk at Highnam Wood on Saturday 29th May at 1830hrs (Please note the time change), the large car park there contains ample parking for several cars, and is located at NGR SO 778 190. If you are using Sat Nav the post code for the garage just opposite is GL2 8AA. The walk is easy going, with one small up-hill section, and depending on the weather it can also be muddy in places, but is dry at the moment. Also route finding can be a problem due to the many footpaths. Completing the recommended circuit of Highnam Woods usually takes me about 90 minutes, and we generally log about two dozen birds each visit. On our previous visits Nightingales usually started singing, at 2035hrs. My wife and I made a very disappointing preliminary visit on Sunday the 23rd walked from 1900 – 2100hrs but heard no Nightingales and only logged 16 species. We noticed birders started to arrive from 2030hrs onwards which suggested we were too early. I guess for the GOS visit we could spend the first part of our visit at the newly renovated hide overlooking a small pond near the car park (thanks for the advice Gareth). The central area where the Nightingales usually sing we could linger, perhaps completing a few repeated circuits. Hopefully using this plan we will be more successful on my last visit. john&jan Monday 24-May-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons female marsh harrier 09.50 also spoonbill in flight over lagoons Ruth Brown Monday 24-May-2010 information on Forum In spite of repeated complaints, I still (after 2 years of trying) have no access to the Forum. So, Keith, could you put the info on this page too, please? Keith Jones Monday 24-May-2010 Out of County Regarding the visit to Highmam Wood to hear Nightingales on saturday 29th May. Please note the details which I have posted up on the forum. mike tidley Sunday 23-May-2010 newhouse farm est chepstow a spotted flycatcher at newhouse farm est chepstow Phil Rawlinson Sunday 23-May-2010 Deri, Nr Bargoed Cuckoo definitely calling behind village, near commonland and woodland. Has been doing so for about a week now. Also a red kite in the Cwm Darren Parc woodland adjacent to Deri village. Seen twice this week. mark davies Sunday 23-May-2010 St Mary Two yellowhammers on side of the Rholben this afternoon & wood & willow warblers , redstart , stonechat , whinchat & a couple of cuckoos Verity Picken Sunday 23-May-2010 Llanhennock Cuckoo reliably reported calling to east of village this afternoon. Apparently the first time in many years. Steve Davies Sunday 23-May-2010 Sugar Loaf Red kite, buzzard, raven, crow, jackdaw, wheatear, cuckoo, house martin, meadow pippit, skylark, black cap... superman Sunday 23-May-2010 motorway,200 feet up. i'm sorry tim,but i think what edna is trying to point out is that you hav'nt a cats hell of a chance of identifiying a nightingale flyby from a speeding car...my eyesight is tops...but even i would struggle to id one at that speed!!!!!! John Evans Sunday 23-May-2010 Magor Group of five Red Kite circling high above Magor village at 1350 before seeming to 'split' and be lost to sight. Verity Picken Sunday 23-May-2010 Woodland near Llangybi Cuckoo calling very early this morning - the first I've heard in this area since 2001. Also male Redstart. Leyton Williams-Davies Sunday 23-May-2010 Cwm Lickey, Pontypool Wood warbler singing in mixed woodland due east of Glyn pits. Seems to be a good year for cuckoo, three singing in Cwm Lickey this morning. Spent some time watching mixed flock of swallow and house martin drinking from the lake. Also, as much as I dislike off-road bikes and 4x4s on the common, I noted that their wheel ruts do seem to provide excellent sites for hirundines to collect mud. (Just trying to look on the positive side!) Mal Jenkins Sunday 23-May-2010 Pontypool to Garn Lakes Cycled the track to the lakes and back early morning, following noted. Mallard, Pheasant(male), Buzzard, Coot, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Swift, Green Woodpecker, Skylark, Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Redstart, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Wood Warbler, Chiffchaff, Wren, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Nuthatch, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch. Edna Saturday 22-May-2010 Hello Tim dear, sorry, I was baking a Victoria sponge, the timing on this old aga is an art form at the best of times and what with Piggles' bladder giving out every five minutes I've had a hell of an evening. Anyway, I know the committee are always looking for knowledgeable people to deliver talks to the membership, I'm sure they would be most grateful if you could talk to us about the finer points of Luscinia identification. Your good lady wife would be most welcome and, if I get a few days grace, I could bring along a few of my famously moist macaroons. Gray Saturday 22-May-2010 Wentwood, Goldcliff, Wetlands Great day with visting brother-in-law. Iberian Chiffchaff at Wentwood, Spoonbill at Goldcliff and Bar-headed goose at Boat Lane. Also cuckoo seen at Newport Wetlands. Tim Bunce Saturday 22-May-2010 Edna: happy to talk to the GOS committee about speed identification! Unfortunately I do too much birdwatching behind the wheel. Have never seen a Nightingale in Wales before so thought this might be of interest...and did get a good look at the bird as it flew low, ahead of me and parallel for a couple of seconds. And my wife confirmed. Enough time to compare size with Song Thrush and Robin and to see colouring. Steven Butler & John Davies Saturday 22-May-2010 Sugar loaf & St David The following list of birds were noted before and after the BTO survey on the north side of the Sugar loaf. Interestingly, we enjoyed a definite 6 and a maybe 7 Cuckoo's during the days birding.4 Wood Warblers on route to the BTO square and a further 5 in St Davids vale.6 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, endless numbers of Willow Warblers, 9 Linnet, 5 Redstart, 3 Treecreepers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, a single Great spotted Woodpecker. 3 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 5 Tree Pipits, 3 Garden Warblers. Meadow Pipit and Skylark and Whinchat numbers look healthy, 3 pairs of Stonechat. Edna Saturday 22-May-2010 Nightingale Could the GOS committee ask Tim to do an evening's talk on bird identification? I think this would be very enlightening for the membership. I myself rarely get above 45 mph in my Morris Minor but still struggle to identify young Robins. I was so impressed with Mr. Bunce's report I dropped an entire digestive into my mid-morning cup of Earl Grey, I managed to recover most of it but I'm afraid it rather spoilt both biscuit and beverage, anyway, I must away to prepare a light lunch before that nice Mr. Winton comes on the wireless. God bless. Jill Saturday 22-May-2010 UK Thanks for the valleynaturalist.blogspot.com reference. Perhaps it was a heron I saw: I'm no expert and can't be sure. It seemed very pale though. I couldn't find where the picture was taken - do you know if it was near here? Verity Picken Saturday 22-May-2010 Woodland near Llangybi Five Spotted Flycatchers - two pairs and a single. Tim Bunce Friday 21-May-2010 M48 Caldicot Nightingale (prob) observed at approx 1500 flying across the M48 just east of Caldicot. I was travelling at 70 so wasn't hanging around to confirm. Mike and Jackie Pointon Friday 21-May-2010 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Wood Sandpiper 2 and Spoonbill 1 from first VP. Also Turnstone 4 two in SP Black-tailed Godwit 52 Greenshank 1 Cuckoo 2 seen. john&jan Friday 21-May-2010 lagoons spoonbill feeding first platform 09.45 flew towards bristol at 10.05 Verity Picken Thursday 20-May-2010 Woodland near Llangybi At least a dozen Song Thrushes holding territory and one Spotted Fly. Matt Broome Thursday 20-May-2010 Goldcliff Pools Spoonbill spent most time feeding on lagoon below seawall this evening. Flew in to feed in front of second platform at dusk. Other highlights this evening; 6 Barwits, 1 Greenshank & 9 Turnstone made a brief visit to the island before departing back over the seawall. Few Dunlin & Blackwits scattered around. Lee Parsons Thursday 20-May-2010 Brynithel Early evening stroll around local farm produced Green Woodpecker, Blue & Great Tit, Robin, Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird, Redstart, Meadow Pipit, Siskin and Cuckoo calling on neighbouring farm. Highlight was a Tawny Owl being mobbed by pair of Mistle Thrush at nest site ! Gareth Jenkins Thursday 20-May-2010 Out of county For Keith Jones, re your message on Nightingales at Highnam Wood, I saw one on 3 May, on the right hand side of the path that leads out of the car park just to the right of the new hide/viewing platform. The bird was singing well (which is what drew my attention), at 14.00 hrs. I realise this is now some time ago but it may be of use. Only the 1 heard, incidentally. John Bennett Thursday 20-May-2010 Wentwood Iberian Chiffchaff perfoming to usual standard in the same place mid-morning.Also at least 2 Wood Warblers in the vicinity. Later 2 Hairy Dragonflies seen in a reen down Saltmarsh Lane at Uskmouth. Keith Jones Wednesday 19-May-2010 Out of County With concerns about missing Nightingale song in Highnam Wood on the 29th of May, it is thought advisable to advance the starting time of the walk to 1830hrs instead of 1730hrs. This is based on starting times of Nightingale song. As a general rule Nightingale sing all day when they first arrive, but generally stop during the day and early evening when they have found a mate. On both my previous walks in the wood, song did not commence until 2035hrs and 1935hrs. Sorry about this change but is based in advice from people very familiar with Nightingale song and Highnam Wood. Further details will appear in the forum this weekend. John Evans Wednesday 19-May-2010 Cadira Beeches, Wentwood In a brief search this afternoon, the Iberian Chiffchaff was neither heard nor seen in the usual area. Wood Warbler and Cuckoo both singing nearby and small party of Crossbill over. Wednesday 19-May-2010 Jill - see valleynaturalist.blogspot.com for something similar. Tuesday 18-May-2010 *sigh* Jill Tuesday 18-May-2010 Handpost, Newport Have just seen a Great White Egret perched on the top of the roof of the house opposite ours, standing quite still in sillouette against the sky. It waited a few minutes and then took off. The house it landed on backs on to St Woolos cemetery, and quite near to where we saw it a couple of months ago, whilst driving along Risca Road. Lee & Molly Parsons Tuesday 18-May-2010 Penyfan Pond Plenty of activity around the pond, not a lot on it ! Willow Warblers seemed to be singing everywhere, Reed Bunting and Grey Heron made appearance, spent over half an hour watching pair of Tree Pipit collecting food and taking back to nest site ! Steve Davies Tuesday 18-May-2010 Cwmsychan & the British Two cuckoos, grey heron, buzzard, wheatear, housemartin, swallow, chiffchaff, jay, magpie, crow, lotsa ravens, dunnock, blackbird, usual tits etc... Tuesday 18-May-2010 Cwmsychan & the British Two cuckoos, heron, buzzard, wheatear, housemartin, swallow, dunnock, blackbird, lotsa ravens... Keith Jones Tuesday 18-May-2010 Uskmouth Walked early morning from power station entrance path, followed the western footpath passing western ends of R5 and R4, around the lagoons, passing western end of R11 and completing walk at the car park. Birds noted include 11 Little Grebe, 5 ad 2 fl (carried on back of adult) Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Egret, 2 Mute Swan, 4 Canada Geese, 4 Shelduck, 26 ad 5 juv Mallard, 24 male 16 female Tufted Duck, 2 male 3 female + 3 broods of fledgling 8 (R1), 8 (R7) and 6 (R9) Pochard, 5 Pheasant, 1 Water Rail, 13 Moorhen, 24 ad 9 young in 4 broods Coot, 2 Oystercatcher, 21 Whimbrel, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Swift, 23 Wren, 38 Reed Warbler, 7 Sedge Warbler, 20 Cetti’s Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Common Whitethroat, 5 Willow Warbler, 11 Chiffchaff, 1 Bearded Tit heard, 9 Reed Bunting, and 7 Carrion Crow. Also reported Little Owl, Peregrine, and female Common Scoter. Brian Thomas Tuesday 18-May-2010 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff 9.15 - 12.00 first platform: Spoonbill, 7 turnstone, 2 knot in summerish plumage, dunlin, ringed plover, peregrine, buzzard mobbed by crows. Kevin Dupé Tuesday 18-May-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons Spoonbill feeding on Monk's Lagoon, Goldcliff at 7.30am this morning. Rhys Jenkins Monday 17-May-2010 Lancaut Nature Reserve Good views of Goshawk flying through trees above old chapel then disapearing over ridge. Plenty of Peregrine activity by old quarry with pair hunting frequently. mark davies Monday 17-May-2010 Llanwenarth 2 curlew feeding this evening 2 fields from church Keith Jones Monday 17-May-2010 Moorings Fields Newport Visited both the Moorings and Caerleon Flooded Field at high tide this morning. Moorings included 1 ad 2 fledgling Shelduck, 3 male 2 female Mallard, 9 Reed Warbler, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 Common Whitethroat, 5 Reed Bunting, Common Redshanks heard but not seen somewhere on the river. At the field 2 Canada Geese, 1 Shelduck, 1 male 3 female Mallard with two broods of 4 and 7. 1 singing Goldcrest, 1 Black Headed Gull, 2 Lesser Black Backed Gull, and 9 Herring Gull. Chris and Julie West and digger. Sunday 16-May-2010 Oxbow and R Usk, Gobion Adult kingfisher with youngster at nest site and in flight,peregrin over, sand martins back at colony for second clutch, pair of fledged chiff chaff near ground nest in brambles, jackdaw feeding young in hollow tree nest, pair of buzzards over, group of 20 herring and lesser BB gulls on stones. Steven Butler & John Davies Sunday 16-May-2010 Gobion Several Common Sandpiper, Lesser spotted woodpecker, Hobby. No sign of any Kingfishers or Grey wagtails along a mile stretch of the river ? tony & jan jenkins Sunday 16-May-2010 Goldcliff Pools NR 40 + blackwits with around a third showing summer plumage, 25 dunlin, 16 avocet from P1, cuckoo calling and a sedge warbler, later at Wentwood, 1700hrs the spanish visitor still singing well in the usual spot, also cuckoo and gsw mark davies Saturday 15-May-2010 Sugar Loaf Wheatear,meadow pipits,skylark,redstart,red kite & a single yellowhammer on the side of the sugar loaf this afternoon . Wood warbler,chiffchaff,spotted flycatcher & gs woodpecker in st marys vale Roo Perkins Saturday 15-May-2010 Wentwood Iberian Chiffchaff singing and showing well this pm 100 m down the road from the Cadira Beeches car park, same spot as usual. Plenty of Wood Warbler heard as well. On the way back - Yellow Wagtail on the manure heap just S of Usk and the palest Buzzard Ive ever seen, front on was almost completely white, looked like an Osprey without bins. Thanks for the info posted for the wagtail site. T Forster Saturday 15-May-2010 Wentwood Iberian Chiffchaff still present today just south of Caidra Beeches carpark. Singing very distinctively and giving good views. Kim Waters Saturday 15-May-2010 Panty Goytre Bridge Osprey ( young bird) tracking the river and some seagulls very aware of its presence. JM/GP Saturday 15-May-2010 Manmoel An enjoyable morning's birding. Found thrushes nest containing 4 eggs. Good sighting of a sparrowhawk and peregrine circling together very high on same thermal. After hearing a cuckoo, managed to get a clear view of it flying directly overhead and good views also of grey wagtail and both great spotted and green woodpeckers. Steve Davies Saturday 15-May-2010 Mynyddislwyn Mynydd-y-llan: 4-6 lapwing, 1 wheatear, linnets, skylarks, meadow pippits, swallows, buzzard, goldfinch. Leyton Williams-Davies Friday 14-May-2010 Cwm Lickey, Pontypool Good views of whinchat on the flank of Mynydd Maen and redstart in the beech woodland above the lake. Large areas of bracken are still not showing any new growth yet - I guess due to a long harsh winter and a cold spring. Chris Jones Friday 14-May-2010 st brides newport Caught the wader roost at the beach this morning. Several hundred Dunlin, 60+ Ringed Plover, 7 Sanderling, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit and single Turnstone and 1st Summer imm. Med Gull. There were at least 6 Wheatears along the seawall and a Whinchat. At Peterstone A Greenshank, 2 Turnstone and a vocal Cuckoo. John Bennett Friday 14-May-2010 Wentwood Iberian Chiffchaff performing well in usual place. Also Marsh tit briefly and a Spotted Flycatcher reported nearby. On the way back to Usk at a layby just past Llanllowel adjacent to the river there is a pile of manure where I’ve regularly seen Yellow wagtail recently . It was there today along with Grey and Pied ! Verity Picken Friday 14-May-2010 Wentwood Iberian Chiffchaff still at the same place at 7.45 this morning. Singing loudly. Van D. May Friday 14-May-2010 Gravenhurst ontario Cormorant? At the end of a dock, stood a black bird larger than a duck tad smaller than a goose. Shorter neck then a goose. Black fading to Deep orange beak that went further under neath on the underside of the neck than any goose I seen. I almost wanted to say swan but totally not. Wasn't big enough and it didn't have the S neck. It stood leaning forward like... a puffin comes to mind. Head forward, black webbed feet closer to the tail that rested on the dock. Faint white or silver ticking on the neck and at the edge of the wings. and a tuff of feathers on either side of the head where the 'ears' I guess would be stuck out amusingly like horns. Not very skiddish but not completely trusting to get too close to it. Am I correct to call thing a Cormorant? It wasn't a Loon I know that XD But I feel sorta like one for not taking a picture! Mike Pointon Thursday 13-May-2010 Minsmere RSPB Suffolk I visited Minsmere and Strumpshaw Fen RSPB reserves; no dogs, cyclists, joggers, farmers and others walking over breeding territories. Heaven! Just lots and lots of birds including Montague’s and Marsh Harrier Firecrest Ruff in breeding plumage Hobby three species of tern, nightingale etc etc…………. Thursday 13-May-2010 RE John Edwards` sighting Reminds me of what I saw on the Carn Y Cefn mountain above Silent Valley the other week.Three blokes shooting Foxes with full bore bolt action rifles!They were not bothered about getting permission or that they were in a public place where people walk their Dogs etc.These guns have killing range of well over a mile for crying out loud.Shame the Police didnt take it as seriously as I did though when I reported it and I dare say they still shoot up there now.Be careful folks if you are planning a visit to Silent Valley. Leyton Williams-Davies Thursday 13-May-2010 FAO John Edwards John in answer to your question regarding the legality of shooting mallard at this time of the year: It is illegal to shoot the majority of wild birds at any time, exceptions to this are birds listed on Schedule 2 Part 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. These species, which include some duck species (including mallard) can be killed or taken outside the closed season (which is 1 February to 31 August), but are protected during the closed season. Therefore the youths you saw had committed an offence. Even outside the closed season it would be a criminal offence to use an air weapon in a public place or while trespassing on private property (armed trespass is a very serious offence). It would also be an offence to shoot the mallard without a landowner's permission at any time (poaching). Gray Thursday 13-May-2010 Caerleon & Wentwood As per Keith, no garganey at flooded field at 13:30. However, reward by the Iberian Chiffchaff at Wentwood at 14:00. The bird was in exactly the same place as previously reported and was singing and showing well. c.hurn Thursday 13-May-2010 Newport Wetlands Uskmouth on lagoon eight.nine tufted duck chicks. eight pochard chicks and two great crested greab chicks all doing fine Keith Jones Thursday 13-May-2010 Uskmouth Walked mid morning part of the foreshore and around the lagoons excluding western edges of R 4 and 5. Birds noted include 6 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 3 Mute Swan, 7 Canada Geese, 1 Shelduck, 8 male 2 female Mallard, 25 male 17 female Tufted Duck, 3 male Pochard, 6 Pheasant, 11 Moorhen, 16 Coot, 1 Oystercatcher, 5 Whimbrel, 1 Cuckoo, 8 Swift, 19 singing Wren, 33 Reed Warbler, 9 Sedge Warbler, 20 Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 10 Common Whitethroat, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Stonechat, 7 Bearded Reedlings (4 seen at R6, heard at R1. 7 and 9, 12 Reed Bunting. Garganey not at the Caerleon Flooded Field 1236hrs. today, I last seen them 0830 yesterday. Hugh Thursday 13-May-2010 Wentwood Good private viewing of the Iberian Chiffchaff mid morning, in full voice. My dog was not impressed. John Edwards Thursday 13-May-2010 rogerstone Sad sight of 2 youths,one in full camouflage gear,air rifle over his shoulde walking past my house dangling a very dead male Mallard, obviously killed after a safari tracking adventure !! A phone call to the local Police,and a visit to my house, soon had them on the boys' trail. Not sure if it's legal to kill mallards this time of the year,but needless,nevertheless. Chris Jones Wednesday 12-May-2010 Caerleon Flooded Field The Garganey remained at the site along with a Shelduck and 2 Greylag Geese. The biggest surprise however was a 1st Summer immature Kittiwake that was present briefly on Goldcroft Common in the centre of Caerleon!!!!! John O'Sullivan Wednesday 12-May-2010 Various Iberian Chiff down to 8 feet this morning, At lunchtime the garganey pair at the flooded field and an unexpected female merlin on the Caerleon side of the river opposite the Moorings field. Sam Bosanquet Wednesday 12-May-2010 River Usk, Redbarn 1 Osprey circling over the River Usk at Redbarn, about 2km upstream of Abergavenny (SO284145) at 13:20-13:30 this afternoon. It initially headed off SE but soon turned and left to the NW upriver. Lyndon Gwillym Wednesday 12-May-2010 cycle track side of Doncasters First ever sighting of a blackcap on our works bird table Richard May Wednesday 12-May-2010 Caerleon Flooded Field Pair of gargeny still present. (Thanks to Keith Jones for directions, though I made the GR ST 334 898 - typo on the 3 I guess). (Nice to meet Chris Thomas at the chiffchaff this morning - hope you enjoyed the zoo!) Sam Bosanquet Wednesday 12-May-2010 Dingestow Court Singing male Reed Bunting by the lake this morning - a rarity at Dingestow, with near annual passage records and winterers but only one record in summer before. Chris Thomas Wednesday 12-May-2010 Wentwood Iberian Chiffchaff still singing and showing well at described location first thing. Also 3 Cuckoo heard, 15 Crossbill over, Garden Warbler and driving through Llanfair Discoed, 2 Hobby over the car. John Evans Tuesday 11-May-2010 Caerleon Flooded Field Garganey still present mid afternoon, best viewed from the Newport side. Keith Jones Tuesday 11-May-2010 Wentwood Walked early morning from Wentwood Gate north to Little Oak, east to Cadira Beeches, down the Nightjar Path completing walk at the reservoir. Stopped by car full of birders asking directions to Cadira Beeches who informed me of the Iberian Chiffchaff reported on 10th. Good views of singing Iberian Chiffchaff as per John’s instructions. Other birds included 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 1 Canada Goose, 4 Mallard, 2 Coot, 21 singing Wood Pigeon, 4 Cuckoo, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 14 Wren, 14 Blackcap, 2 Common Whitethroat, 4 Garden Warbler, 15 Willow Warbler, 11 Chiffchaff, 3 Wood Warbler, 3 Tree Pipit, 10 singing Robin, 18 singing Blackbird, 16 singing Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Marsh Tit, 6 Siskin, 8 Redpoll 1 singing Crossbill. Nigel Garside Tuesday 11-May-2010 Peterstone Gout Three Greenshank in the pool behind the gout. Present since Sunday. John Bennett Tuesday 11-May-2010 Wentwood Previous posting should read south towards Nine Wells.Also crossbill ,siskin etc present. John Bennett Tuesday 11-May-2010 Wentwood Iberian Chiffchaff just south of Cadira Beeches carpark. Park in carpark and walk south towards along road or,better the horse track,and bird can be heard singing approximately when the larches end and birches begin(say 100yds). This is the same side of the road as the main carpark. Song starts like an off-key Chiffchaff and then changes to a sort of trill and is quite loud. Roo Tuesday 11-May-2010 Wentwood Iberian Chiffchaff reported on birdguides this morning. have no further details. Chris Trott J and A pym Monday 10-May-2010 cadia beeaches Iberian Chiffchaff sorry for this late posting but we are the guys who found this bird after talks with bbrc they will not usually except this record without a sound recording is there any one who has recorded its song many thanks please call chris on 07588608746 John O'Sullivan Monday 10-May-2010 Saltmarsh lane Extended views of Hobby this lunchtime. Perched on top of tree then later soaring overhead finally drifted off east. Also two cuckoos, one calling in flight whilst rapidly chasing the other. Info Monday 10-May-2010 wentwood forest Anyone got any info on the Iberian Chiffchaff Reported on RBA This Evening. tony jenkins Monday 10-May-2010 Penallt, SE of Monmouth Unusual behaviour - reliable report from a work collegue who was attacked by a buzzard whilst jogging past the church on the weekend, the bird managed to inflict several blood injuries as it dug its talons into his head, the attack was prolonged and despite several swipes at the bird, it continued, needless to say the jog turned into a sprint and it eventually left one very scared runner. Be aware when visiting this area ! Keith Jones Monday 10-May-2010 Caerleon Flooded Field Hi Chris Although the Flooded Field (NGR: ST 384 898) can be viewed from the Caerleon side of the river, there are restrictions due to the Golf Course, dense ground vegetation and it being south facing. The field is far better viewed from the south bank of the River Usk, when the sun lies behind the viewers back, but the area does lie 180 to 210 meters distant. The Flooded Field lies on the northern side of the B 4596 Newport to Caerleon road. From The Moorings the field is 500 metres further and is seen on the left by a large house with green painted trim. Always worth a look if your passing. Chris Thomas Monday 10-May-2010 Caerleon Flooded Field Where is this flooded field?! I don't know Caerleon that well and looking for one flooded one amongst all the other fields in the area, potentially at silly o'clock before work tomorrow doesn't appeal! Thanks, Chris Keith Jones Monday 10-May-2010 Caerleon Flooded Field The two Garganey were still there at 0915hrs along with 2 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, 2 Teal, the 2 Mallard broods, 1 Moorhen, 2 Oystercatchers, 5 Lesser Black Backed Gull, and 9 Herring Gull. tony jenkins Sunday 09-May-2010 Penallt, SE of Monmouth Reliable report from a work collegue who was attacked by a buzzard whilst jogging past the church, this was a sustained attack and its talons drew blood from his head and despite several swipes at the bird it continued its attack whilst the jog turned into a sprint, be aware if visiting this area ! Chris Jones Sunday 09-May-2010 Caerleon Flooded Field The pair of Garganey remained today. Also 2 Greylag Geese and 2 Shelduck. Chris Jones Sunday 09-May-2010 Goldcliff Pools and Boat Lane 2 male Garganey (Darryl Spittle), Little Ringed Plover and an interesting Canada Goose Hybred which is probably a Lesser Canada Goose x Barnacle Goose hybred. Also the Barnacle Goose. At the Goldcliff Lagoons a partial summer plumaged Curlew Sand in amongst a small group of Dunlin where the summer plumaged Spot Red and a Ruff were present. 2 Wheatears and a White Wagtail were on the sea wall c.hurh Sunday 09-May-2010 GLWR Goldcliff sixty plus whimbrel flying up channel in v formation also a little owl beating up a magpie Sam Bosanquet Sunday 09-May-2010 Dingestow Court 1 Common Sand on Dingestow Court Lake today - annual migrant in small numbers but seldom recorded now as I'm hardly ever here - also 10 male & 6 female Tufted Duck, 2 broods of Mallard ducklings, 1+ Little Grebe, 2 live Coot and one with no head, and far too many Canada Geese. "Tracey" Sunday 09-May-2010 fao D.Hutton. I agree, it seems unfair that your post has been surgically removed without your consent, whilst my post is still intact. D.Hutton Sunday 09-May-2010 f.a.o. webmaster, why has my earlier post been removed regarding the 'banter' yet others remain? John Bennett Sunday 09-May-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir Drake Mandarin in the Green Pool area and a Common Sandpiper . Keith Jones Sunday 09-May-2010 Bulmore Lakes Walked early morning from the lakes back to Caerleon along the Bulmore Road. Count included 5 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 13 Mute Swan, 3 Grey Lag Geese, 34 ad and 2 broods of 9 and 2 Canada Geese, 8 male 2 female Mallard, 1 Buzzard, 6 Pheasant, 4 Coot, 1 Curlew (flying north), 18 Wood Pigeon, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 7 Wren, 15 Reed Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Common Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 11 Robin, 32 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 3 Reed Bunting Phil Thompson Sunday 09-May-2010 If you have failed to register for the forum please email me, the webmaster. We get a lot of dubious requests to register for the forum and the only thing we have to go on is "silly" looking email addresses! If you really wish to register please let me know. John O'Sullivan Saturday 08-May-2010 Pen y lan (above Bassaleg) Most notable bird up here today a Yellow Wagtail. Also 3 Stock Doves, a yellowhammer and the regular very smart pale common buzzard. Keith Jones Saturday 08-May-2010 Moorings Fields Newport Little of note during the afternoon high tide, just 2 Cormorant, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Mallard, 1 Lapwing, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Reed Warble, singles of Stonechat, and Reed Bunting. The 2 Garganey seen by Chris were still at the flooded field at 1610hrs also 3 Grey Lag Geese, 4 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, two broods of Mallard 7 and 8. also 2 Moorhen. Made a mistake on my recent report of Trefil Quarry which should have read the 6th not the 7th. Martin Bell Saturday 08-May-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons In addition to John's posting of the Stints, a single Ruff dropped in for a couple of minutes before departing John Bennett Saturday 08-May-2010 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Little Stint and Temminck’s stint at Goldcliff pools but difficult to find.Spotted redshank also present. Good to hear from DMW and Martyn Jones again Hugh Saturday 08-May-2010 Wentwood A small group of Redpolls. Blackcap. Wood Warbler. Holly Saturday 08-May-2010 Ty Canol Cwmbran Red headed robin in the garden Chris Jones Saturday 08-May-2010 Caerleon Flooded Field a surprise pair of Garganey were on the field at lunchtime. Also 2 Shelduck and 2 Greylags Darryl Spittle per Chris Jones Saturday 08-May-2010 Goldcliff Pools Just received a text message from DS - Temminck's and Little Stint at the pools Chris West and digger Friday 07-May-2010 Oxbow and R Usk, Gobion At wooden footbridge goldcrest. Also 20 long tailed tit and beautiful nest covered in lichen.Further up river single yellow legged gull. No sign of LR plovers. 20 herring gull on stones. Keith Jones Friday 07-May-2010 Trefil Quarry Walked the quarries mid morning of note 1 singing Wheatear, 1 nesting Raven, but no Ring Ousels. However out of county at the Cawr yr Hendre Quarries, 1 Ring Ousel, and Peregrine. Glanlydan Reservoir just 1 Canada Goose, 3 male Mallard, singing Wheatear and MIstle Thrush. Chris Jones Thursday 06-May-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir Great Northern Diver (winter plumage) still at the Reservoir this evening. Spending most of the time in the middle of the res. DMW - wow a blast from the past!! Send me an email on countyrecorder@gwentbirds.org.uk. Hugh Thursday 06-May-2010 Darryl & Richard, Thanks for the Cormorant/Shag info. I waited for BTO repsonse before posting. Happier if it is one of "ours" really. To be fair, BTO's response was "we think it.." with confirmation to follow. Will post a photo if I work out how to and where. Message for Hugh Thursday 06-May-2010 Hugh - not wishing to rain on the BTO parade, but a Green ring inscribed PJZ is a ring used by the Goldcliff Ringing Group - used on a Cormorant (pulli on nest) at Gwent's own Denny Island. The bird was ringed back in 2003 but has been a regular returner to the Bristol Channel area since then. I don't recognise the G954 ref. but must express surprise that BTO have suggested a Shag - very unusual in the county and a species for which our county recorder (Chris Jones) would look to get a description. Perhaps you might share your photograph? I would be very happy to send you the full life history of PJZ - the Cormorant! Cheers Richard Clarke Darryl Spittle Thursday 06-May-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir PS. this probably isn't the place for this sort of thing but,... Tim found a Great Northern Diver at the reservoir this morning, still present this afternoon. Darryl Spittle Thursday 06-May-2010 :-) Hugh, I think you might have been right first time and the BTO are 'on the prawn', watch this space, more info to come from the esteemed secretary of the Goldcliff Ringing Group; Alfie your bird was a nun. Hugh Thursday 06-May-2010 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth Saw and photographed on Tuesday 4 th. A Shag, flying over the reed beds. BTO just e mailed me back - I saw green ring PJZ. They think it was ringed on the Isle of May, off Scotland's east coast, metal ring no G9541. I thought it was a cormorant, but I was eating a prawn sandwich at the time :) Alfie the uncertain Thursday 06-May-2010 Corporation road Newport Large black and white bird walking fairly fast along Corporation road Newport. I would guess it was about 210 cm tall. Possible migrating ostrich blown off course? Please note that that I'm a non-birder; certified birders (or other sufferers of obsessive compulsive disorders) can safely ignore this. "Tracey" Thursday 06-May-2010 I'd like to comment on Darryl's earlier posts. I was born and brought up as a birder but I've now been living for 3 years as a non-birder. I'm saving up to have birder reassignment surgery (the complete surgical removal of my binoculars). Unfortunately I feel alienated from both birder and non-birder communities. Please spare a thought for people who, like me, find themselves despised by both birders and non-birders. Tony McGowan Thursday 06-May-2010 Above Mountain Air pub In woods above Upper Cwmbran male Redstarts competing for attention of female,singing Wood Warbler (both varieties of song) and Tree Pipits near Mountain Air pub. A N Onbirder Thursday 06-May-2010 Somewhere in Gwent, I think Large brown bird seen hopping, skipping and jumping down the A472. Not sure what species or even that it was a bird. I wish, Oh how I wish, I was a clever expert birder like Darryl Spittle. Darryl Spittle Wednesday 05-May-2010 Why do you feel alienated by not being a birder? I think most would feel liberated. Birders are not the only people who can appreciate birds. They just do it from a particular viewpoint. Just because you mightn't know your cloaca from your carpel doesn't mean you should feel put off our feathered friends, be more confident in your chosen approach (whatever that might be) and fight the need to ape the birder, twitcher, etc. Anon Wednesday 05-May-2010 Darryl's posting - so sad. I'm sure the birds will thank you for alienating the interested but non expert among us. Keep up the good work. Darryl Spittle Wednesday 05-May-2010 Birder vs. non-birder Here's a working definition for you, a birder is an aficionado of the ornithological, a non-birder isn't; non-birders may have a passing interest (putting out peanuts, paying RSPB subs, wandering around with bins on, etc.) but they don't read the literature, spend hours in the field, travel primarily to see birds, etc. Surely identifying birder from non-birder is no harder than telling true footy fan from a member of the prawn sandwich brigade. In this case I guess the point is, a secondhand report of a Hoopoe from a birder is qualitatively different from a secondhand report of a Hoopoe from a non-birder (see Chapter 10 in Bill Oddie's Little Black Bird Book). Hugh Wednesday 05-May-2010 Earlswood, Nr Chepstow Strikingly odd looking bird on telegraph wire. Albinated blackbird,(my book reckons) with mainly white head, black crown, and some white splodges on wings. KJK Wednesday 05-May-2010 Machen Injured swift rescued from Machen school garden yesterday. Now with City Wildlife Care. And in response to the anonymous posting yesterday, where exactly do you draw the line between a birder and a non-birder? John Evans Tuesday 04-May-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons Red Kite seen over farmland behind the third platform being mobbed by corvids at 1245. Also female Merlin bothering the waders. Keith Jones Tuesday 04-May-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons Walked to the sea wall at the morning high tide produced 1 Little Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 8 Canada Geese, 95 Shelduck, 8 Teal, 20 Mallard, 8 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 18 Tufted Duck, 1 Hobby, 1 Merlin (reported), 1 Buzzard, 7 Coot, 28 Avocet, 6 Oystercatcher, 60 Black Tailed Godwit, 15 Lapwing, 8 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 630 Dunlin, 3 Knot, 8 Common Redshanks, 1 Spotted Redshanks, 3 Reed Warbler, and fine view of singing Lesser Whitethroat at the car park. Re Hoopoe Tuesday 04-May-2010 Peter, do you know whether the reported Hoopoe was seen by a birder or a non-birder? Steve Williams Tuesday 04-May-2010 Blaenserchan Roo, the Coal Authority is making safe some dodgy mine shafts etc. Roo Perkins Tuesday 04-May-2010 Blaenserchan Wheatear holding territory, also Redstart, the most vocal Garden warbler Ive ever seen and usual common spp. Green Hairstreak, Dingy Skipper, Brimstone and other common butterflies. Noticeable fairly large fire recently down the far end. Anyone know what the Coal Authority are up to, seem to be digging big holes and filling them in again. Holly Blue at home in Pentrepiod. Lee Parsons Tuesday 04-May-2010 Penyfan Pond Very quiet on the water, couple of Mallard ! Five Swift, Tree Pipit, Linnet, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler ! GTTBird@aol.com Tuesday 04-May-2010 Risca 7 nests observed at heronry from inside wood. all have at least 1 young some seen flapping. via Peter O'Duffy Tuesday 04-May-2010 Cwmcarn Forest Drive Report to-day am of a Hoopoe at western end of Cwmcarn Drive near view point overlooking Crosskeys.Typical,I was in next valley doing a tetrad count! Sian Tuesday 04-May-2010 tredegar/rhymney 2.00pm Have just had the most fantastic view of a red kite through dining room window. Something has attracted its attention on the hillside and it has been flying very low and slowly circling whatever it has seen. Wonderful. Holly Tuesday 04-May-2010 Ty Coch - Cwmbran Walk along the Mon-Brec Canal, 1x kingfisher, 20+ swifts & heard a cuckoo. John Edwards Monday 03-May-2010 Risca Cycled from Rogerstone along the canal to Cwmcarn.Mallard with 9 ducklings;others with 2's and 3's. Heron,kingfisher,(f) sparrowhawk,buzzard,swifts,largish released terrapin/turtle sunning itself. Also,saw a smallish bat flying-midday! christopher curtis Monday 03-May-2010 Cardiff the perigrine falcon is nesting on the citty hall clock tower which is adjacent to the national museum. in the museum there is a screen showing the bird. on the pavement near the fountains is an rspb tent with a couple of telyscopes so that you can view your self. Darryl Spittle Monday 03-May-2010 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff 1 Curlew Sandpiper (pic on gwentbirding blog), 2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Whinchat, 1 Knot, a few Whimbrel and 75 Black-tailed Godwit. bob Monday 03-May-2010 Marshfield 3 swifts 1600 today mark davies Monday 03-May-2010 St Mary 2 cuckoos & willow warbler , wood warbler , chiffchaff , redstart , treecreeper & spotted flycatcher in the vale this afternoon . Red kite , buzzard , blackcap & 30 or so house martins on side of Llanwenarth Breast. Mathew Meehan Monday 03-May-2010 Goldcliff Pools and Boat Lane 1 Spot Redshank @GP, and 2 LRP @BL tonight. Fem Marsh Harrier still around Uskmouth. D.Hutton Monday 03-May-2010 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth 1 osprey over visitor center early a.m.-olso the regular immature female marsh harrier seen often,gropper heard...seen...captured...on camera that is! Mal Jenkins Monday 03-May-2010 Pontypool to Garn Lakes From Saturday the 1st 4 Pied Flycatchers along the cycle track to Blaenavon, adjacent to Cwmavon. Eddie Wang Monday 03-May-2010 Peterstone Wentlooge 0900 - Spotted Flycatcher in willows south west end of village. Black-tailed Godwit at the Gout. Chris West Sunday 02-May-2010 Oxbow and R Usk, Gobion Midday. F goosander and 9 chicks 2day old, male g nearby,2 moorhen chicks, 25 sand martin nests in 3metre by 3m area, one being visited by kingfisher. ~100 swift overhead. No sign of LR plovers. 4 sandpiper including newly fledged. Peter Blackaby Sunday 02-May-2010 Magor Nice to see the swifts back over Mill Common. One Swift makes a summer as the saying goes. Craig Constance and others. Sunday 02-May-2010 Various Uskmouth,Gos Walk(9am -12.30pm).1 Female Marsh Harrier,1 Grasshopper Warbler heard,1 Cuckoo,7 Lesser Whitethroat,5 Whimbrel,20 Swift and all the usual. LLandegfedd Res,North end.(6 -7.40pm).Rough estimate 130 Sand Martin,10 House Martin,60 Swift,50 Swallow. Also 1 Garden Wabler singing near fishermans carpark,1 Yellow Wagtail near Osprey pole and 1 Lesser spotted woodpecker heard drumming and calling but not seen. Tara Okon Sunday 02-May-2010 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth Dawn Chorus Walk and around centre. Marsh harrier, Tree Pipit, Grasshopper Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Dunnock, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Reed Bunting, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Kestrel, Swallow, Swift, House Martin, Sand Martin, Wood Pigeon, Stock Dove, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Shelduck, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Whimbrel, Dunlin, Carrion Crow, Magpie. Thank you Darryl. tony & jan jenkins Sunday 02-May-2010 Goldcliff Pools NR The summer plumage spotted redshank showing well from P1 late this afternoon together with a greenshank, also @ 120 dunlin and causing a disturbance amongst the nesting avocets a ring tail harrier which showed briefly before disappearing over the seawall and along the foreshore G T Thorne Sunday 02-May-2010 Pen y fan Pond 50+ mixed flock of Sand Martin H/Martin and Swallow over water and near banks. Several Linnet , 3 Willow Warbler , Crows , BlackBird , Magpies. Several Paired Mallard Keith Jones Sunday 02-May-2010 Ponthir Reservoir A visit at mid day produced 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Canada Goose, 1 Common Sandpiper, and 40 Sand Martins, 1 White Wagtail, Mathew Meehan Saturday 01-May-2010 Newport Wetlands - Boat Lane Single Little Ringed Plover tonight. Mathew Meehan Saturday 01-May-2010 Cwmcarn Forest Drive 6 Wood Warbler Nicholas Beswick Saturday 01-May-2010 Garn Lakes Blaenavon Highlights of this morning's TTV were four Whitethroats, three Garden Warblers, four Redpolls and one Reed and one Sedge Warbler; also a small flock of Linnets at the Coity Tip nature reserve Tom Chinnick Saturday 01-May-2010 Garnyldan and Carno 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Common Sand and 1 Redpoll. tony & jan jenkins Saturday 01-May-2010 veddw woods to fairoak Early morning walk gave at least 6 wood warblers within a 200m section of path, also 3 gsw, pr of linnets and several singing male blackcaps Mike Powell Friday 30-Apr-2010 Brynmawr Colour-ringed female Lesser BB Gull on factory roof in Brynmawr (Green B:C). Originally ringed in Bristol on 23.06.05 and recorded in Portugal in Jan 2007. Details from Pete Rock. Mike Powell Friday 30-Apr-2010 Brynmawr Colour-ringed female Lesser Black-backed Gull (Green B:C) on factory roof in Brynmawr. Originally rung in Bristol on 23.06.05 and seen in Portugal in 2007. Details from Pete Rock. John Bennett Friday 30-Apr-2010 LLanllowell A Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail and a Common Sandpiper Nicholas Beswick Friday 30-Apr-2010 Newbridge Tow Garden Warblers singing near Technology Park tony jenkins Friday 30-Apr-2010 Chepstow first sign of resident swifts this morning, once again on Jans birthday ! Ed Stevens Friday 30-Apr-2010 Black Rock This morning short eared owl on salt marsh between Black Rock and St Pierre Pill. Showed well in flight and perched on drift wood untill chased of by a buzzard. Steve Davies Thursday 29-Apr-2010 Newbridge Approx dozen swift over Risca this afternoon and a couple over Newbridge this evening. John Harper Thursday 29-Apr-2010 Abergavenny 9 Swifts over west Abergavenny this morning - 1st I've seen this year. Mike Warburton/Gary Howells Thursday 29-Apr-2010 Ebbw Vale 4 Swifts flying above my house this evening.First of the year for both of us. Nicholas Beswick Thursday 29-Apr-2010 Dunlop Semtex Pond, Brynmawr Thirty plus Swallows over the pond this evening but only a couple of House Martins. A first Swift over the town. KJK Thursday 29-Apr-2010 Machen The sand martins returned to Machen about a week ago. John Evans Thursday 29-Apr-2010 The Moorings, Newport First Reed Warbler for this year heard today. Better late than never, eh?! Maurice Chown Thursday 29-Apr-2010 Peterstone Sluice Farm There was a Greenshank present today along with 20+ Whimbrels, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and Reed & Sedge Warblers singing and 5 Wheatears. Trevor Russell Thursday 29-Apr-2010 BBS square nr Dingestow,SO4310 Cuckoo heard. Locals who also heard it stated it was the first for at least two years. Nigel Garside Thursday 29-Apr-2010 Peterstone Wentlooge Quail at the end of the path from village, walking along the track behind sea-wall. Also, at high tide, 41 Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Ringed Plover and 30 Dunlin. John Bennett Wednesday 28-Apr-2010 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff About 90 Black-tailed Godwits,3 Knot and a Bar-tailed Godwit associating with a flock of Dunlin . A lone Whimbrel near the seawall . The usual breeding waders and nearby in the Green lane area a Barheaded and a Barnacle Goose with the Canada Geese. Sally Snow Wednesday 28-Apr-2010 Hi, This is a message for John Davies (Abergavenny). My name is Sally Snow and I work for Aden Productions, a small independent television company based in Cardiff. I previously posted a message on the forum requesting any sightings of birds in urban areas/using man made structures. I notice in your last post you mention Swifts nesting in holes in a house. I'd love to ask you a little more about this sighting and wondered if it would be possible to drop me an email at sally.snow@adenproductions.com Thank you kindly, Sally John Davies Wednesday 28-Apr-2010 Abergavenny 4 Swifts have arrived back today to old nesting holes in house. John Davies Wednesday 28-Apr-2010 Abergavenny 4 Swifts have returned today to the house nesting holes Leyton Williams-Davies Tuesday 27-Apr-2010 Cwm Lickey, Pontypool Tree pipit displaying from beech trees next to Cwm Lickey lake. Reed bunting singing from bracken next to lake. Good numbers of redpoll, linnet, wheatear, stonechat on the common, Cuckoo heard. holly Tuesday 27-Apr-2010 henllys cwmbran 1x cuckoo flew over today Roo Tuesday 27-Apr-2010 Blaenserchan Singing Garden Warbler and both Tree Pipit and Meadow Pipit displaying next to each other. Lep: lovely to see 5 Green Hairstreak and a Dingy Skipper, also a few Small Copper, Orange tip, Peacock and whites. OOC - For the anti Spring shooting out there, Malta were planning to re-open for a weeks shooting on the 24th April, with an allowable total bag of 9500 Turtle Dove and Quail. Somehow they got this through the EU. Next year they are planning 3 weeks open shooting. I was stuck there on a work trip thanks to the Volcano, 20 spp. seen, best being a very tame Collared Pratincole. Keith Jones Tuesday 27-Apr-2010 Uskmouth Walked mid morning part of the foreshore and around the lagoons excluding western edges of R 4 and 5. Mist lifting from the lagoons but a great deal of sea mist on the foreshore. Birds of note included 5 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egret, 9 Mute Swan, 1 Canada Goose, 7 male Mallard, 1 male Gadwall, 39 Tufted Duck, 8 male 1 female Pochard, 4 Pheasant, 1 Water Rail, 6 Moorhen, 24 Coot, 1 Cuckoo, 26 singing Wren, 11 Cetti’s Warbler, 8 Sedge Warbler, 24 Reed Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 11 Common Whitethroat, 11 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 8 Reed Bunting. Alan Coles Monday 26-Apr-2010 Garnlydan Just out of the village and a cuckoo flew over the car and headed to the Lower Carno Res Ian Bailey Monday 26-Apr-2010 Monmouthsh Golf Club Llanfoist 1 kingfisher Jackie H Monday 26-Apr-2010 Blaenavon Three Swifts resident since Friday; a pair of House Martins patching up their nest under my neighbours' eaves; and a Cuckoo seen in flight and calling on farmland off Llanover Road. mark davies Monday 26-Apr-2010 Abergavenny At least 7 swifts over the garden this evening & several house martins Allan Dowson Monday 26-Apr-2010 Llanwern Steel Works A pair of Peregrines were in the vicinity of the Zodiac plant this afternoon. G T Thorne Monday 26-Apr-2010 Crosskeys Juv and Adult Dipper at waunfawr bridge Ed Stevens Monday 26-Apr-2010 Black Rock Late morning 1 short eared owl on salt marsh at Black Rock also 2 reed warblers and 11 wimbrel Hadyn Jones Sunday 25-Apr-2010 West Pill,Undy Late afternoon 1 male Whinchat,34 Whimbrel,12 Wheatear. Mike and Jackie Pointon Sunday 25-Apr-2010 Forest of Dean Pied Flycatcher 2 males Redstart 1 male Garden Warbler 2 seen together, Blackcap 6 Willow Warbler 8 Chiffchaff 2 Wood Warbler 2 Mandarin 4 males Tawney Owl being mobbed. GTThorne Sunday 25-Apr-2010 Anywhere in Wales Travelled to newent a449 and today m48 and wye valley and believe numbers of swallows and h/martins appear to be low at present no swifts except for record in risca GT Thorne Sunday 25-Apr-2010 River Ebbw, Pontymister Several swifts in small flock with h/martins and swallows. tony & jan jenkins Sunday 25-Apr-2010 gobion to llanover & bryn 3 grey wags, 3 com sand, pair of lrp, plenty of chiff/willow warblers, 2 grn woodies, gsw, 2 egret, grey heron, single house martin, 2 buzzard, raven, nuthatch & 3 female goosander Vicky Hannaford Sunday 25-Apr-2010 Tirpentwys LNR Cuckoo heard this morning John Davies Saturday 24-Apr-2010 Bath Out of county report: 50 plus Swift over Bath city centre. tony & jan jenkins Saturday 24-Apr-2010 GWT Springdale Farm nature res late afternoon walk produced, spotted flycatcher, nuthatch, chiffchaff, willow warbler, grn woodie, gsw, a pair of mallard, 3 buzzard, raven and orange tips, peacocks and a brimstone. Later at 1900hrs a single swift over chepstow Tara Okon Saturday 24-Apr-2010 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth Sorry for non-sighting but I just wanted to say a big thank you to John Bennett for helping us out at the Brownie Event today. mark davies Saturday 24-Apr-2010 Llanwenarth 3 common sandpipers & a wheatear by the river this evening Lee Parsons Saturday 24-Apr-2010 Blaenserchan/British Siskin at feeders, cuckoo calling in valley ! The British proved productive with pair of Whitethroat and House Martin most notable, good numbers of Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler in attendance ! Adrian Plant Saturday 24-Apr-2010 Peterstone Wentlooge Cuckoo singing E of village. Also lesser whitethroat at the Gout John O'Sullivan Saturday 24-Apr-2010 Pen y lan (above Bassaleg) No obvious migrants this morning but a Red Legged Partrdge, 4 Stock Dove, 3 singing yellowhammers (plus two females)and a few singing Whitethroat. Hadyn Jones Friday 23-Apr-2010 Rogiet foreshore 1 Grasshopper Warbler,8 Sedge Warblers. Ian Smith and Nathan Casburn Friday 23-Apr-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons c4.00-5.30pm 3 Ruff, 1 Spot Red, 17 Ringed Plover, c250 Dunlin, Redshanks making lots of wing raising displays and song. Peregrine making low hedge hoping attach on Blackwits from the direction of Seawall - missed. From the south west corner, 37 Avocet counted, excluding siting birds out of sight on north of island. 104 Blackwits now choosing mudflats to feed(!), 6 Whimbrel and a Rock Pipit. Report of first Lapwing Chicks hatched; Couple of Litle Egrets and forgot to mention 5 earlier at Collister Pill. Ian Smith Friday 23-Apr-2010 Bowleaze Common Lesser Whitethroat singing at road corner nearest Steelworks tip. Ian Smith Friday 23-Apr-2010 Magor Pill to Collister Pill Magor Pill: Common Sand x2, Turnstone x 13, Dunlin x c130, Redshank x c8, Wheater (Icelandic?)x4, 5m chasing 1f Shelduck might indicate many are now on nests(?). Lesser Whitethroats singing and Peregrine very high off to the SSC with Buzard flying low along tideline and large numbers displaying inland. White van driver burning cable coils to obtain scrap metal making illegal stinking black plume. Monmouthshire County Council (01633 644644) Environmental Health officer intercepted after an immediate response to mobile call. Will a prosecution follow - as the sea wall is obviously being used regularly for this purpose. MCC no is 01633 644644. Collister Pill Whimbrel x30, Curlew x 10, Wheatear x 2 and Mipit x4 plus singing. Lamb in saltmarsh ditch (only ears visible above ground!). Chapel Farm responded once notified. Eventful visit in glorious sunshine ! John Bennett Friday 23-Apr-2010 Usk 2 Swifts over town today. tony jenkins Friday 23-Apr-2010 Severnside Possible osprey being mobbed by herring gulls flying north-east towards Aust John O'Sullivan Friday 23-Apr-2010 Gaer, Newport Male and Female wheatear on top of hill to the west of Gaer estate this a.m. Also first few swallows heading north I've seen here this year. Hadyn Jones Thursday 22-Apr-2010 Llandevenny nr Magor 1 Female Redstart. Nathan Casburn Thursday 22-Apr-2010 Caerleon Flooded Field 1 Wheatear this evening Lee Parsons Thursday 22-Apr-2010 Llanhilleth mountain Cuckoo calling at both 9am and 9.30am ! Willow Warblers in abundance singing at Bryn Bach Park ! Eddie Wang Thursday 22-Apr-2010 Peterstone Gout 1200-1330: high tide. 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 6+ Whitethroat, Cetti's Warbler showed briefly but very well, 1 Wheatear (male), 8 Whimbrel, 2 Pintail still. Mike and Jackie Pointon Thursday 22-Apr-2010 Bedwas Swift 1 at 19:40 Dawson Hulme Thursday 22-Apr-2010 Llanhilleth mountain cuckoo calling loud and proud this evening. Robin Richards Thursday 22-Apr-2010 Brynmawr 1 Common Swift over town 7pm. Les Trollope Thursday 22-Apr-2010 Graig-goch Woods Mid-Morning walk through Graig-Goch woods and the ridgeway path. Lots of bird activity - highlights were : willow warbler, chiff-chaff, wood warbler, tree pipit, green woodpecker, meadow pipit, skylark, linnet, wheatear, swallow, buzzard, raven and cuckoo (heard only) - also grey wagtail on River Sirhowy Kevin Dupé Thursday 22-Apr-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons There will be some disturbance at Goldcliff Lagoons on Sunday 25th April between 10.30am and 11.30am. This is due to lapwing nest monitoring. allan dowson Wednesday 21-Apr-2010 Goldcliff reserve birds of note a.m. 1-Bar Tailed Godwit from 1st. platform and 2-Ruff still present. John Bennett Wednesday 21-Apr-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir Nothing unexpected except for a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker seen drumming and calling. Ed Stevens Wednesday 21-Apr-2010 Second Severn Bridge This morning single red legged partridge on saltmarsh just East of Second Severn Bridge. Also late report Sunday morning 2 female and 1 male wheatear on shore at Black Rock, male looked very good for Greenland race Jackie H Wednesday 21-Apr-2010 Blaenavon A pair of House Martins over the house yesterday, and at least half a dozen Wheatear on the Coity Mountain. John Evans Tuesday 20-Apr-2010 St Mary A quick visit here on Tuesday produced singing Lesser Whitethroat, Mistle Thrush, several Redstart, Pied Flycatcher and one lone weakly singing Wood Warbler. Also Whinchat on the Blorenge. Gruff Dodd Tuesday 20-Apr-2010 Gwent Anyone got any suggestions for good places to look for Greenland-race Wheatears coming through Gwent over the next 2-3 weeks? Any suggestions gratefully received. Thanks, Hugh Tuesday 20-Apr-2010 Newport Wetlands - RSPB Winchat. Close to Visitor Centre. heard cuckoo Tuesday 20-Apr-2010 cuckoo woods ( really) heard two short- 4/5 seconds- burst of cuckoo. later on to-wards redbrook good sighting of merlin. Keith Jones Monday 19-Apr-2010 Moorings Fields Newport Visited the Mooring late morning at high tide. Birds noted include 1 Cormorant, 9 Shelduck, 4 Mallard, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, fine views of singing Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Reed Bunting. At the flooded field 5 Shelduck (I assume the flighty birds noted at The Moorings), 2 Lapwing, 9 Lesser Black Backed Gull, and 16 Herring Gull. LYNDON GWILLYM Monday 19-Apr-2010 Blaenavon Community Woodland TWO CUCKOOS HEARD,7AM Tom Chinnick Monday 19-Apr-2010 Garnlydan Res 9 Common Sandpiper, 3 Wheatear, 1 House Martin thru. Mike Pointon Monday 19-Apr-2010 Abergavenny Red Kite over town centre. Yesterday: at Newport Wetlands Uskmouth: Wheatear 7 Whimbrel 12 Butterflies: Orange Tip 10 males, Green-veined White 3 Peacock 8. Clive Ellis Monday 19-Apr-2010 Pentwyn Osprey Sally Snow Monday 19-Apr-2010 Wales Hi, My name is Sally Snow and I work for Aden Productions, a small independent television company based in Cardiff. Some of you may remember me from when I emailed back in February requesting information on nesting mute swans-I'd like to thank everyone that emailed in response to that last post. I was hoping members of the forum might be able to help me once again. As you may remember we have been filming a series on birds for BBC Wales. The series which is presented by Iolo Williams is currently in the final stages of production. However we are in need of some more footage of birds in an urban environment and consequently are on the look out for any bird behaviour (be it nesting or feeding...etc) within an urban or man-made setting. Something along the lines of a blue tit nesting in a post box or something a little more common. I realise it is still early for nesting birds, but if anybody has any suggestions we'd love to hear from you. We can only film in the next few weeks so the time limit is pretty tight. If anybody has any ideas please could they drop my colleague Emma Ford an email at emma.ford@adenproductions.com. Thank you kindly and best wishes, Sally Snow, Researcher, Aden Productions Keith Jones Monday 19-Apr-2010 Goldcliff reserve A mid morning walk from west Goldcliff to Nash for Summer Atlas produced 48 species including 10 Little Egret, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Barnacle Goose, 15 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, 32 Mallard, 1 Buzzard, 11 Pheasant, 4 Moorhen, 7 Coot, 7 Lapwing, 5 Curlew, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Common Redshanks, 18 Wren, 9 Cetti’s Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Willow Warbler, 17 Chiffchaff, 1 Swallow, 11 Wood Pigeon, 12 Blackbird, 36 Carrion Crow, 2 Raven etc. John Bennett Monday 19-Apr-2010 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth At least one Grasshopper warbler and 2 Whitethroats at Uskmouth.Also a female Marsh Harrier . Peter O'Duffy Monday 19-Apr-2010 Cwmcarn Forest Drive One Wood Warbler.Also six Wheatear together on Mynydd Henllys Leyton Williams-Davies Monday 19-Apr-2010 Cwm Lickey, Pontypool Cuckoo heard at Cwm Lickey this morning. Clearly not all long-haul flights have been grounded by the volcanic ash!!! John Evans Monday 19-Apr-2010 Collister Pill At least nine Wheatear on the foreshore this morning, also Whimbrel and four Black-tailed Godwit. Alan Coles Monday 19-Apr-2010 Cardiff pond,Ebbw Vale Stood watching a finch flock this morning and thought I was watching a pair of plump female siskins then I caught a flash of burnt orange - male crossbill. WQatch for a couple of mins whilst he fed them...1st time I have seen one so I am very happy today ! Lee Parsons Sunday 18-Apr-2010 Blaenserchan/Mynydd Llanhillet Red Kite over 9.10 am ! At the feeding station: Mistle Thrush, Reed Bunting and Chiffchaff along with the usual suspects ! Skylark displaying well ! Chris and Julie West Sunday 18-Apr-2010 River Usk, Gobion to The Bryn 11.30am.Pair of little ringed plover at usual site, water rail, large numbers of sand martin at nest sites, some house martin with sand martins, small rufus bat feeding on flying insects over river. steven butler Sunday 18-Apr-2010 wetlands newport 1 male ring ouzel uskmouth 07:35 Nicholas Beswick Sunday 18-Apr-2010 hafod farm,brynmawr Red Kite over early evening, also one yesterday towards dusk Hadyn Jones Sunday 18-Apr-2010 Collister to 2nd Severn Bridge Early morning birds of note were 3 Avocet,12 Bar Wits(3 in Sum Plum), 35+ Whimbrel,10 Little Egrets,Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 80 Redshank. Matt Broome Sunday 18-Apr-2010 Goldcliff Pools Single Swift over the Lagoons this evening. Dawson Hulme Sunday 18-Apr-2010 Llanhilleth mountain 4 swallows now flying around the farm, displaying tree pipit, meadow pipit, singing mistle thrush in tree top, pair of soaring buzzards, skylark, wheatear, pied wagtail, and a few LBB gulls flying over. tony & jan jenkins Sunday 18-Apr-2010 collister pill to undy A high tide walk produced 3 whimbrel, 3 oystercatchers, 4 wheatear, a few swallows flying in off the estuary, sedge warbler, cettis and 4 buzzard, later at 1430 over high beech chepstow a red kite drifting n-e over garden city then sedbury before disappearing from view, late afternoon at llanlowell, 2 male, 1 female goosander, single common sand,6 mute swan, 10 sand martin and swallows moving up river. Hugh Sunday 18-Apr-2010 Wentwood Family of Crossbills. Male & female with 3 young, all feeding in a larch tree. Stood and watched for 10 minutes. Also, blackcap and whitethroat. Verity Picken Sunday 18-Apr-2010 Llantrisant Two male Pied Flycatchers beside the river between Llantrisant and Llanllowell - unusual here. tony & jan jenkins Saturday 17-Apr-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons single dark spotted redshank and a greenshank from platform 1 L Williams Saturday 17-Apr-2010 Manmoel Early evening walk 6 lapwings, 2 red kite, peregrine. Holly Saturday 17-Apr-2010 "Goshawk Lane" Nr Llangibby Pure white pheasant, I've also seen a totally blue one there too, must be something in the water there!! Nicholas Beswick Saturday 17-Apr-2010 Brynmawr/Ebbw Vale waterbodies Beaufort: two pairs of Great Crested Grebes courting, Little Grebe; one Swallow over. Machine pond: female Goldeneye, Great Crested Grebe nest, two Coot nests Nicholas Beswick Saturday 17-Apr-2010 Upper Llanover Highlights of early Breeding Bird Survey; six singing Redstarts, two Tree Pipits, Curlew called briefly Richard Clarke & Kevin Dupe Saturday 17-Apr-2010 Uskmouth Cuckoo (x1), Grasshopper Warbler (x3), Sedge Warbler (x2), Reed Warbler (x11), Lesser Whitethroat (x3), Common Whitethroat (x3), Blackcap (x5), Chiffchaff (x8), Willow Warbler (x6), Cetti’s Warbler (x35), Bearded Tit (x10). Water Rail survey produced just 13 birds including 5 pairs. Mal Jenkins Saturday 17-Apr-2010 Pontypool to Garn Lakes Cycled the track to Garn Lakes and back this morning, following noted.. Mallard, male Goshawk just above my head carrying small chick and being harassed by a pair of crows, LBB Gull, Wood Pigeon, Green Woodpecker, Dunnock, Robin, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Wren, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Nuthatch, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jay, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch Keith Jones Saturday 17-Apr-2010 Wentwood Walked mid morning from Wentwood Gate up to Little Oak, east to Five Paths by way of Cadira Beeches, completing walk at the reservoir via Nine Wells. A very good selection of birds including 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Cormorant, 1 Canada Goose, 2 mallard, 9 Tufted Duck, 2 Buzzard, 1 female Kestrel, 3 Coot, 11 Wood Pigeon, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Cuckoo, 13 Wren, 12 Blackcap, 17 Willow Warbler, 16 Chiffchaff, 2 Wood Warbler at Wentwood Gate, 7 Tree Pipits, 27 Robin, 18 Blackbird, 9 Song Thrush, 7 Goldcrest, 17 Blue Tit, 1 singing Marsh Tit, 25 Coal Tit, 7 Great Tit, 1 Tree Creeper, 7 Nuthatch, 19 Chaffinch, 2 male Bullfinch, 7 Siskin, 7 Redpoll, 8 Crossbill including fine views of 2 singing males, 1 Jay, 11 Carrion Crow, 1 Raven. Also of note at Five Paths a very unusual bird song which has me completely baffled. I didn’t see the bird but working my way through ideas to try and identify. Steve Williams Saturday 17-Apr-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir Birds of note include 1 sedge warbler, 1 female goldeneye, 1 shelduck, 3 snipe and several reed bunting. Adrian Plant Saturday 17-Apr-2010 Peterstone Gout 18 Whimbrel.. mostly moving up-channel. 3 tree pipit, 2 common sandpiper and a couple of singing whitethroat & a few swallows. Still 2 grey plover, c30 redshank, 9 Black-t-godwit tony & jan jenkins Friday 16-Apr-2010 Penallt, SE of Monmouth 12 buzzard on ploughed field s-w of village inc one very pale individual. David Roberts Friday 16-Apr-2010 Woodstock/Morgans Pools Cuckoo calling at 7.00 tonight, also a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming. Martyn Jones Friday 16-Apr-2010 St. Brides St Brides just after high tide. L Egret 1, Wheatear 1, Mute Swan 44 (all together), Whimbrel 2, Curlew 27, Oystercatcher 22, Cormorant 1, Gray Plover 1, Redshank 18. John O'Sullivan Friday 16-Apr-2010 Various Tried the hill to the west of Newport this morning slongside the Gaer and just east of the Ebbw. No sign of yesterdays spoonbill unfortunately. Just a male Stonechat, a number of singing Willow Warblers and Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker. Nicholas Beswick Friday 16-Apr-2010 hafod farm,brynmawr First Cuckoo and Willow Warbler today; the former early and the latter very late. Still no Swallows or House Martins here. Keith Jones Friday 16-Apr-2010 Neddern Walked the Nedern meadow to Caldicit via Castle Meadow late morning. Birds noted include 2 Little Grebe, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Mute Swan, 15 Canada Geese, 17 Shelduck, 31 Teal, 63 Mallard, 4 Shoveler, 8 Tufted Duck, 1 Buzzard, 4 Moorhen, 23 Coot, 2 Lapwing, 2 Great Black Backed Gull, 25 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 17 Herring Gull, 4 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff. Peter Turner Friday 16-Apr-2010 Cherry Cottage Thanks Ed. Yes Darryl, 100 yards away, thanks for the ID, it is still there now, 17.00. the Barnacle is semi-permanent! Darryl Spittle Friday 16-Apr-2010 Newport Wetlands - Boat Lane 1 Bar-headed and 1 Barnacle Goose with the Canadas (is Cherry Cottage near Boat Lane, Goldcliff?) Darryl Spittle Friday 16-Apr-2010 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Amongst the usual stuff were 23 Bar-tailed Godwit and 2-3 Whimbrel on the foreshore, and 4 Ruff, 1 Greenshank, 2 Spotted Redshank on the pools plus Reed Warbler singing in the ditch beyond the 3rd platform. ed stevens Friday 16-Apr-2010 Peter from youre description sounds like a bar headed goose John Bennett Friday 16-Apr-2010 Newport Wetlands 4 Whimbrel flew past Uskmouth and LRP and 4 Ruff at Goldcliff lagoons. Peter Turner Friday 16-Apr-2010 Cherry Cottage Large "goose" similar size to Canadian, mostly white, black bits on tail, yellow legs, black stripe down white neck, black spot below "ears", 2 white stripes on head, yellow beak, grey tips on wings, associating with small group of Canadians, first seen at 08.00 today, still here now 15.00. Please let me know if you know what this is, Thanks Peter Nigel Garside Friday 16-Apr-2010 Peterstone Gout Two Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, 7 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Pintail, female Wheatear, Cetti's Warbler. Ed Stevens Friday 16-Apr-2010 Sudbrook This morning offshore of Sudbrook flock of 6 commic terns, probably common but to far off shore to be 100% John O'Sullivan Thursday 15-Apr-2010 Bassaleg A bird flew south along the Ebbw Valley towards Newport this evening seen from Grosnevor road Bassaleg ( no binoculars though). It was big, it seemed to be all white, it was long and lean with extended neck and feet. I guess it was a spoonbill didn't get enough on it to be sure. David Roberts Thursday 15-Apr-2010 Malpas, Newport Flock of swallows over Lodge Hill at Malpas this afternoon. Tiger Woods Thursday 15-Apr-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons Re breeding pair few days ago.....it wasn`t me !!saozvk c.hurn Thursday 15-Apr-2010 Goldcliff clear view of female cuckoo on post near third platform at goldcliff Brian Thomas Thursday 15-Apr-2010 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff 9.00-11.30: 2 dark spotted redshank, 3 ruff, 1 greenshank, peregrine, buzzard, black-tailed godwits, knot, dunlin, cuckoo heard and clearly seen, sand martin. John Bennett Thursday 15-Apr-2010 Wentwood A Cuckoo calling - seen and heard - . Maurice Chown Thursday 15-Apr-2010 Peterstone Sluice Farm At least 3 Whimbrels with Curlew in saltmarsh today. A Grey Plover the only other bird of note. In Glamorgan Green sand and Sand Martin. Martyn Jones Wednesday 14-Apr-2010 Chepstow 11.30. Female Goshawk through the grounds of the forensic science lab on Usk Road, Chepstow. Mobbed by corvids and then headed up and over towards Chepstow Park Wood. John Bennett Wednesday 14-Apr-2010 Goldcliff Pools NR 5 Bar-tailed Godwits flew into the far lagoon as well as the other species . John Evans Wednesday 14-Apr-2010 Goldcliff Pools NR Visited at 1310, similar birds seen to earlier reports, minus Garganey, naturally! However, todays visit was highlighted by an breeding attempt in the car park area, in the regular habitat of a little white sports car! ;o) Allan Dowson Wednesday 14-Apr-2010 Goldcliff Pools birds of note 10h45-11h50 41-Black'wits,31-Avocets,4-Ruff,4-Swallows,2-Spotted Redshanks,1-Greenshank and up to 20-Knot.No sign of any LRP's. Keith Jones Wednesday 14-Apr-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons Walked to the sea wall early morning with a good variety of birds noted including 2 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 5 Mute Swan, 16 Canada Geese, 52 Shelduck, 2 Teal, 1 male 1 female Garganey, 9 Mallard, 10 Gadwall, 1 male 1 female Pintail, 1 male 1 female Shoveler, 16 Tufted Duck, 2 male 2 female Pochard, 1 Sparrow Hawk, 3 Pheasant, 3 Moorhen, 8 Coot, 6 Oystercatcher, 26 Avocet, 8 Lapwing, 24 Knot, 1 Dunlin, 2 Ruff, 38 Black Tailed Godwit, 20 Curlew, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 1 Greenshanks, 6 Common Redshanks, 1 Rock Pipit, 4 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Raven. Nigel Garside Wednesday 14-Apr-2010 Peterstone Gout Four Bar-tailed Godwit, 13 Whimbrel, 4 Knot, Common Sandpiper and Peregrine. tony & jan jenkins Tuesday 13-Apr-2010 Cleddon Bog/Broad Meend at least 6 willow warbler, 1 chiffchaff, 5 raven & 1 buzzard but the star of the evening was the otter fishing the incoming tide on the wye at tintern between the garage and the rose & crown inn 1855 - 1905 hrs. Ian Smith Tuesday 13-Apr-2010 Please ignore the Tuesday entry below and see the corrected version under Monkswood for Sunday 11th. Web site being temperamental ! Ian Smith and Cardiff Uni LEARN students Tuesday 13-Apr-2010 Sunday morning. Regular circuit route from the Beaufort Arms, so interesting to see (possible winter after effects?) of: fewer L-t.Tits, Chaffinch, Jays and Song Thrushes. No Coal tits Bullfinches, Linnets or Collared Dove. But, House sparrows still holding own around isolated houses, plenty of Blackcaps, Chiffcahaff and some Willow Warblers and Swallows. A 'first' was a tatty winged Red Kite flying over eastward, up high about 11.30. Interesting about similar(?)Henllys sighting... Ian Smith and Cardiff Uni LEARN students Monday 12-Apr-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons Monday 9.15 to 1.15pm Very helpful Marsh Harrier flushed all species into view. Possibly the same as Darryl's " paler crowned/forewinged individual" of Sunday. At least 26 Avocet, Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Tufted, single Greylag and Cormorant, and pair of Pintail. The single Bar-headed Goose, Kestrel and female Sparrowhawk with single Grey Heron and three Egrets(Little). Couple of singing Chiffs and one Willow by the 'car park'. Ubiquitous wing raising displaying by Redshanks, just a single Ruff appeared around 1pm, following arrival of c20 Knot (No Greenshank or Garganey) and a major effort to find any plover that was not a Green was hard work indeed. Thanks to the Cardiff couple for finding one in the direction of the sun, outlined against the intense glare off the water and providing a humerous debate on separating Ringed and Little Ringed in near silhouette. Will no one take birding seriously these days? Thankfully not!! Holly Monday 12-Apr-2010 Henllys Way - Cwmbran Red Kite seen flying with missing primary feathers Monday 12-Apr-2010 Tredegar Red kite being mobbed by jackdaws this morning c.hurn Monday 12-Apr-2010 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth lagoon eight good views of male gargany this morning mark davies & steve butler Monday 12-Apr-2010 Abergavenny Sparrowhawk & Peregrine Falcon over town centre this morning.Peregrine had a pigeon in its claws John Evans Monday 12-Apr-2010 GLWR Goldcliff Single Bar-headed Goose happily paddling around the furthest lagoon mid-afternoon! Also 2 Ruff, Greenshank, Knot, 33 Avocet, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and a ruddy great jumbo jet that seemed so low that I thought it was on a bombing run. Ed Stevens Monday 12-Apr-2010 Sudbrook this morning bar headed goose flying quite low over Sudbrook Adrian Plant Monday 12-Apr-2010 Peterstone Gout Three very tired looking whimbrel and a single white wagtail. A trickle of swallow and house martin heading east into the strong breeze. Otherwise very quiet Ian Smith Sunday 11-Apr-2010 Magor Pill to Collister Pill Sunday evening 7.00-8.30pm. 6 Dunlin, c186 Redshank, 230 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Oystercatcher, 6 pairs Mallard and 258 Shelduck - with lots of typical pre-nesting chasing flights as well as the roost assembly. Ian Smith and Cardiff Uni LEARN students Sunday 11-Apr-2010 Monkswood, west of Usk Now corrected ! Sunday morning. 'Regular' circuit route from the Beaufort Arms, so interesting to see (possible winter after effects?) of: fewer L-t.Tits, Chaffinch, Jays and Song Thrushes. No Coal tits Bullfinches, Linnets or Collared Dove. But, House sparrows still holding own around isolated houses, plenty of Blackcaps, Chiffcahaff and some Willow Warblers and Swallows. A 'first' was a tatty winged Red Kite flying over eastward, up high about 11.30. Interesting about similar(?)Henllys sighting by Holly. John Davies Sunday 11-Apr-2010 Gobion Oystercatcher, Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, L/Egret, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackcap, Chiffchaff,Sand Martins, Swallow etc tony & jan jenkins Sunday 11-Apr-2010 Gobion to The Bryn and return Late afternoon walk produced 3 comm sand, 1 grn sand, 3 egret, 2 grey heron, 8 canadas, lapwing, sparrowhawk, buzzard, treecreeper, chiffchaff, a few swallows, numbers of sand martins now increasing and later nr the clytha arms, 8 buzzard overhead. Martyn Jones Sunday 11-Apr-2010 Peterstone Gout 08.00am Cetties 1 Teal 2 Outfall lane Cetties 2 On the fishing lake west of outfall GCGrebe 1 Graylag 1 Tufted D 18 M Swan 3 John O'Sullivan Sunday 11-Apr-2010 Bassaleg Spent most of day gardening today. Fly overs 4 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk and a peregrine. Trip up to Pen y lan this afternoon. 1 Male Wheater on the ridge with 2 distant little egrets flying over the levels.Good numbers of Buzzard up in the air but no hoped for Red Kite. Dawson Hulme Sunday 11-Apr-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir Couple of hours at the res this morning species seen were- carrion crow, magpie, jay, song thrush, blackbird, wren, dunnock, nuthatch, treecreeper, blue great and long tailed tit, blackcap, willow warbler, chiffchaff, bullfinch, goldfinch, chaffinch, buzzard, tawny owl, great spotted woodpecker, great crested grebe, canada geese, cormorant, coot, moorhen, mallard, lesser black backed gull, and a pheasant. Keith Jones Sunday 11-Apr-2010 Caerleon A walk through Lodge Wood late morning produced just 23 species including 2 Buzzard, 6 Wood Pigeon, 1 Green Woodpecker, 21 Wren, 3 Dunnock, 6 Blackcap, 5 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 23 Robin, 18 Blackbird, 26 Blue Tit, 22 Great Tit, 5 Coal Tit, 3 Nuthatch, 1 Jay, 26 Carrion Crow and 2 Raven. Roger Jenkins Sunday 11-Apr-2010 Abertillery single red kite over garden this morning heading north JP Saturday 10-Apr-2010 Llanbadoc 1 pied wagtail and 2 yellow wagtail on flood bank JP Saturday 10-Apr-2010 United Kingdom 1 pied wagtail and 2 yellow wagtail on flood bank John O'Sullivan Saturday 10-Apr-2010 Bassaleg Osprey over my house this morning (10:30) heading North up river harrassed by 4 Herring Gull. Nathan Casburn Saturday 10-Apr-2010 Caerleon Red Kite drifting east over Caerleon at 3.30pm. Les Trollope Saturday 10-Apr-2010 Uskmouth Red Kite seen over Nash Village at 11:00a.m. flying East. Peter O'Duffy Saturday 10-Apr-2010 henllys - cwmbran One Redstart Matt Broome Saturday 10-Apr-2010 Rhiwderin/Coc-y-north rd Mid morning, 1 Male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 1 House Martin, Yellowhammer still singing along Pentrepoeth rd. John Bennett Saturday 10-Apr-2010 Priory wood Male Pied Flycatcher and a good selection of woodland birds Nigel Garside Saturday 10-Apr-2010 Peterstone Wentlooge Two Whimbrel on wharf, and a Red Kite circling over fields behind sea-wall before drifting east. Reed Warbler yesterday. Brian Thomas Saturday 10-Apr-2010 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff 9.15 - 11.15: 1st platform - 2 ruff, 2 spotted redshank, 1 greenshank. Sea wall near lagoon - pair garganey. John O'Sullivan Friday 09-Apr-2010 At lunchtime today I sat down at the Moorings (newport) Usk river valley, skywatching hoping for an Osprey or maybe just maybe a white stork. I saw two canada geese (downstream), two cormarants (downstream) and a grey heron (upstream). One river valley over two white storks flew north. So near and yet so far. There were two singing Cettis here, a singing reed bunting and a common sand on the river. Roo Friday 09-Apr-2010 Blaenserchan Singing Tree Pipit seemed early, also singing Meadow pipit, Linnet, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap. Few butterflies, 5 Peacock and 2 Tortoishell. Dawson Hulme Friday 09-Apr-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir walked across the picnic site down through the wood and across the fields beautiful morning birds seen were-on the res, cormorant. great crested grebe. quite a few gulls.- in the wood and field, blackcap(male singing openly on bush) willow warbler. chiffchaff. goldcrest. blue coal and great tit. nuthatch and tree creeper also couple of crows and raven. Drove back over Llan mountain and saw 1 swallow on telegraph wire also lots of skylarks. Keith Jones Friday 09-Apr-2010 Ynysyfro Reservoir A mid morning monthly count included 1 Little Grebe heard, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 6 Mute Swan, 5 male Mallard, 13 male 9 female Tufted Duck, 26 Coot, 2 Great Black Backed Gulls, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Chiffchaff. 1 Nuthatch. denis jones thornbury park Friday 09-Apr-2010 highcrossestate near railway l two white storks or cranes heading for risca 1220 pm Lesley Duggan Friday 09-Apr-2010 rogerstone 12.50pm Seen very low over Afon Village riding thermal heading north towards Twm Barlwm. Almost certain 2 white storks being harassed by 1 crow. Observed through binoculars for approx 3mins with husband, very large birds with long white neck and underbelly, long black wings with flayed wing tips. Very large wingspan birds definately not seen before. Peter O'Duffy Friday 09-Apr-2010 Llanwern Steel Works One Sedge Warbler,two Grasshopper Waeblers and one Whitethroat. Matt Broome Friday 09-Apr-2010 Rhiwderin/Pentrepoeth Rd Quick walk around this morning with mein Hund. 1 singing Yellowhammer usual spot, 1 singing Blackcap, several Chiffchaff, 1 singing Skylark over ploughed fields, 1 drumming G.S Woodpecker & 1 Peacock butterfly. Bernie Donders Thursday 08-Apr-2010 Llandewi Skirrid My first swallow of the year over the house followed by another at Rhaglan Castle on the 9th. John Bennett Thursday 08-Apr-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir Plenty of noisy Canada geese with many Blackcaps and Chiffchaff and a few Willow warbler. Also a pair of Brimstone . Chris Jones / Nathan Casburn Thursday 08-Apr-2010 Goldcliff Pools Brief visit to the lagoons produced single Green Sand, Spotted redshank and Golden Plover. Also 5 White Wagtails on the 1st shingle island. Chris Jones / Nathan Casburn Thursday 08-Apr-2010 Saltmarsh Grasslands Great White Egret remained at the end of Saltmarsh Lane (looking towards the sea wall) until late evening, when it was last seen flying towards Goldcliff. Dawson Hulme Thursday 08-Apr-2010 Llanhilleth mountain buzzard. raven. stonechats. meadow pipits. skylarks. and a solitary swallow. John O'Sullivan Thursday 08-Apr-2010 Saltmarsh lane Great White Egret flew up from the field on the right hand side of the bottom of Saltmarsh lane (right by where the cars park). It flew up and around behind saltmarsh farm and seemed to be settling in the field/marshy area behind here. Not visible from path/seawall however. Not much else around 2 little egret, a couple of singing cettis and one swallow in off the channel. Ed Stevens Thursday 08-Apr-2010 Sudbrook This morning between Sudbrook and second severn bridge loads of chiffchaff, 1 willow warbler, 4+ singing blackcap and 4 whitethroat 1 in full song Keith Jones Wednesday 07-Apr-2010 Moorings Fields Newport Walked part of the loop of the River Usk north of Chichester Close during mid morning. A very good selection of birds noted including 8 Cormorant, 12 Teal, 4 male Mallard, 2 male 4 female Goosander, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Common Redshanks, 1 Little Stint, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Cetti’s Warblers, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Raven. Steve Davies Wednesday 07-Apr-2010 Newbridge My first Chiffchaffs of the year. Nigel Garside Wednesday 07-Apr-2010 Peterstone Wentlooge Flock of about 40 White Wagtail on wharf west of village. Fifteen Water Pipits counted on the ground but a total of 34 birds flew off when disturbed. Mathew Meehan Wednesday 07-Apr-2010 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth Grasshopper Warbler (heard), Reed Warbler, plenty of Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff, and a Bearded Tit. Steve Davies Tuesday 06-Apr-2010 Newbridge My first willow warbler of the year. Mike and Jackie Pointon Tuesday 06-Apr-2010 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Very windy and very cold: Spotted Redshank 2 Redshank 40 Dunlin 6 Ringed Plover 4 Little Ringed Plover 1 Lapwing 20 Avocet 14 Pintail 8 Shoveler 10 Little Egret 8. Monday 5th: Merlin 1 Carrion Crow seen eating Lapwing eggs. This site has been subject to a lot of "management" disturbance throughout last breeding season, as it was yesterday, in extreamly cold conditions it is unwise to flush incubating birds. Richard Clarke Tuesday 06-Apr-2010 Ochrwyth Red Kite over house - showing wing moult so presumably a non-breeding individual. Also, a few Swallow and Sand Martin about. Keith Jones Tuesday 06-Apr-2010 Bulmore Lakes Walked from the lakes to Caerleon along the Bulmore Road with the rising tide this morning. Rather pleasant walk birds pairing off, singing etc, and a count of 48 species including 9 Great Crested Grebes, 10 Cormorant (all on the river), 1 Grey Heron, 1 Mute Swan, 39 Canada Geese, 5 male 4 female Teal, 15 male 7 female Mallard, 2 male 2 female Tufted Duck, 3 male 1 female Goosander, 2 Buzzard, 3 Pheasant, 3 Moorhen, 6 Coot, 2 Lapwing, 1 Common Sandpiper, 16 Wood Pigeon, 2 Green Woodpecker 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 singing Blackcap (first singing birds of the year), 2 Willow Warbler, 15 Chiffchaff, 3 singing Skylark, 7 Wren, 13 Robin, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Nuthatch, 1 male Bullfinch, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Jay, 9 Carrion Crow, 1 Raven. John Bennett Tuesday 06-Apr-2010 Wentwood 2 Tree Pipits in song .Good numbers of Chiffchaff and a few Willow Warblers present. Also Crossbill,Siskin,Redpoll,a willow tit and a peacock(butterfly). JillyJ Monday 05-Apr-2010 Risca Road, Newport Around 18.50 travelling towards Glasllwch Crescent / M4, large white/grey? bird, rear view only. Thought it was a gull at first, but it was leisurely gliding, not flying, and the tips of it's wings were broad and turned up, and the end feathers splayed, as though spreading it's fingers. As we were speculating, it stretched long legs and feet downwards (look, I'm one of these), as though having a quick stretch and then it tucked them up again. We were on our way to see Bad Company in Cardiff, so couldn't stop. I thought heron or stork! - but reading this sight, could it be the GWE out for a jaunt? Nigel Garside Monday 05-Apr-2010 Peterstone Gout Great White Egret over gout at 11:00 am, heading east. Lee Parsons Sunday 04-Apr-2010 Blaenserchan Single Swallow ! At feeding station: Reed Bunting, Siskin, Robin, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Coal, Great and Blue Tit ! Graham Roberts Sunday 04-Apr-2010 Kerne Bridge to Symonds Yat Whilst canoeing down the River Wye saw 4 Mandarin Duck near Lydbrook, 8 Canada Geese, 3 Peregrines and 2 Ravens below Yat Rock, 6 Buzzards at various places, 2 Cormorants just above Symonds Yat East. chris and julie west Sunday 04-Apr-2010 Oxbow and R Usk, Gobion Sunday 2.30pm Large raptor flying upstream being mobbed by seagulls. White neck and breast, distinctive primary fingers, wings angled at elbow joint. Wings much longer than nearby buzzard. ? osprey. Mike Warburton Sunday 04-Apr-2010 Llanvihangel Crucorny A single Swallow in the Crucorny churchyard and a Chiffchaff singing in a tree opposite the Skirrid Inn. Nicholas Beswick Sunday 04-Apr-2010 Gilwern One Blackcap and three Chiffchaffs singing along the canal John O'Sullivan Sunday 04-Apr-2010 Pen y lan (above Bassaleg) Two mixed flocks of buntings and finches here today contained yellowhammer (1 male in first flock and two males, two females in second)and reed buntings (one male in first flock, c8 birds in total in second flock)also present c20 chaffinches and c30 chaffinches/c20 linnets. Not a single warbler/hirundine around. Bryn Burgess Sunday 04-Apr-2010 Sugar Loaf Walk from Llandevenny to Sugar Loaf - 1 Red Kite, Kestrel, Skylark and pair Dipper Richard Clarke & Kevin Dupe Sunday 04-Apr-2010 Uskmouth Grasshopper Warbler, Sand Martin x6, Swallow x2, Blackcap, Chiffchaff x23, Willow Warbler x2, Cetti’s Warbler x29, Pochard x7, Reed Bunting x6, Water Rail survey produced 22 birds in total including 8 pairs. Lyn Waters Sunday 04-Apr-2010 MILL COMMON UNDY Possible Osprey flying over being mobbed by crows. Hadyn Jones Saturday 03-Apr-2010 Slade Woods 1 Male,1 female Crossbill plus 4 juveniles feeding in top of larches. Nicholas Beswick Saturday 03-Apr-2010 hafod farm,brynmawr Curlew over; flock of 22 Meadow Pipits Steve Davies Saturday 03-Apr-2010 Mynyddislwyn Single swallow. mwb Saturday 03-Apr-2010 Maesycwmmer reed buntings still regular visitors to garden chiff chaff calling in local woods this afternoon. tony & jan jenkins Saturday 03-Apr-2010 Neddern One early spotted flycatcher feeding along fenceline/scrub viewing towards caldicot footpath from crick bank, also 2 pairs tufted, 2 pairs shoveler, 4 little grebe, 20 wigeon, 2 lapwing, grey heron & a few swallows moving through, then later 100 + swallows and 4 great crested grebe, pr tufted at wentwood res. MWB Friday 02-Apr-2010 Maesycwmmer single swallow sighted at 17.20 today [heading south ] already ? Keith Jones Thursday 01-Apr-2010 Uskmouth Walked around the lagoons early morning from power station entrance to west of R4, around the lagoons, down the coast, and through the wood to R11 completing at the visitor centre. Rather quiet with a count of just 32 species including 11 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 3 Canada Geese, 14 male 3 female Mallard, 1 female Gadwall, 68 Tufted Duck, 5 male 2 female Pochard, 6 Pheasant, 16 Moorhen, 35 Coot, 18 singing) Wren, 22 Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Nuthatch, 8 Goldfinch, 22 Greenfinch, 1 Siskin, 8 Reed Bunting, and 14 Carrion Crow. Andrew Pritchard Thursday 01-Apr-2010 A449, Usk junction Red Kite in vicinity for some time about 1.00pm Howard Lloyd Wednesday 31-Mar-2010 Bryn Bach Park Todays sighting of Mandarin duck at Bedwellty pits, Tredegar has prompted me with belated news of Mandarin drake seen on Bryn Bach Park, Tredegar on 24 03 in company with several Tufted ducks. Mike Warburton Wednesday 31-Mar-2010 Garnlydan Reservoir 18.30-19.30.Highlights of a brief visit were 21 Skylark,17 of which were up and singing within a few metres of each other.I assume they have just arrived back as a group.Also seen were 9 Wheatear wondering what the hell this white stuff was! Rangers Wednesday 31-Mar-2010 Llandegfedd Res Two Sandwich Terns at Res this morning one stayed and fished for approx 1hr in front of Rangers office. tony jenkins Wednesday 31-Mar-2010 Aust coast road Red kite spotted over Pilning at 1515hrs, one right primary missing, bird was drifting east in front of storm so may have come from our side. Nigel Garside Wednesday 31-Mar-2010 Peterstone Gout Sandwich Tern over pool behind gout, a Common Sandpiper and a steady passage of Swallows and a few Sand Martins, with a total of about a hundred passing through in an hour. Jeff Wednesday 31-Mar-2010 bedwellty pits , tredegar Saw a brightly coloured duck on the river bank, very tropical in appearance, together with a grey duck. have searched around and it was definately (from looking at photos) a mandarin duck. Lived around here for 20yrs never seen it before. quite rare in the UK i think. Thought I'd just let someone know. Brian Maskery Tuesday 30-Mar-2010 Caldicot Castle Country Park Sorry for the late post - pc wnet down!! 6 Swallows and similar House Martins 11am whilst out walking the dog. Quite supprised me really. Notably they disappeared for the next two days whilst it went cold again, but have seen them since it started to 'warm up' Nathan Casburn Tuesday 30-Mar-2010 Caerleon Flooded Field Highlights 30+ Swallow an a few Sand Martin. Matt Broome Tuesday 30-Mar-2010 Rhiwderin Single Pr of Siskin on nut feeder this afternoon. John Evans Tuesday 30-Mar-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons Apoiogies - entry below should have read '12 Black-wits'. John Evans Tuesday 30-Mar-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons Single Chiffchaff near the bridge, quick snatch of Willow Warbler song heard when I got out of the car but not heard again. Sensible, considering the weather! On the pools were 60+ Knot, 17 Avocet, 12 Bar-wits, 2 Oystercatcher, single Ruff, Curlew, Redshank etc. Numbers of 'winter' ducks down but still a few pairs of Pintail. On the foreshore were several Dunlin, Ringed and one single Grey Plover. Keith Jones Tuesday 30-Mar-2010 Moorings Fields Newport Walked part of the loop of the River Usk north of Chichester Close just after high tide this morning. Birds noted include 2 Canada Geese, 2 Teal, 3 male Mallard, 1 Water Rail, 1 Green Woodpecker 2 Cetti’s Warbler, 5 Reed Bunting, The tide a little too high for waders, and the wrong time of year for roost, so just 1 Common Snipe flushed. Little at the flooded field just 2 Lesser, and 1 Black Headed Gull, 2 Lapwing 1 Mallard, and 1 Chiffchaff. Holly Tuesday 30-Mar-2010 Ty Canol Cwmbran Huuuuuge female kite flew over the house this morning, from the East and was mobbed by jackdaws flying west towards Mynydd Henllys. 2 years to the week since we last saw one flying in the exact same location! Holly Monday 29-Mar-2010 Llanfrechfa Cwmbran Regular daily visits from a beautiful gold crest right up to the upstairs window sill Nicholas Beswick Sunday 28-Mar-2010 hafod farm,brynmawr Group of five male Reed Buntings around all weekend. Red Kite over mid-afternoon. Alan Coles Sunday 28-Mar-2010 Garnlydan Reservoir Around 7 or 8 wheatears around the reservoir + a couple of meadow pipts. Steven Butler Saturday 27-Mar-2010 Llanwenarth Gos walk produced the floowing birds. Early migrants included: Chiffchaf, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Sand Martins. Also, Green Woodpecker,Kestrel, 2 Curlew, Lapwing, 4 Fieldfares etc Nicholas Beswick Saturday 27-Mar-2010 Beaufort Female Goldeneye on the small pond at the east end of the common. Pairs of Great Crested and Little Grebes on the main ponds. tony & jan jenkins Saturday 27-Mar-2010 GLWR Goldcliff a very productive mid afternoon session gave 23 avocet, 20 blk.t.godwit, 25 ringed plover, greenshank, spotted redshank, 3 ruff, single knot, 2 oystercatchers, 2 pr pintail, 20+ shoveler offshore, a female marsh harrier hunting over fields behind Farmers Arms, a pair of greylags with the canadas and another pair en route to Magor. Mike Warburton Saturday 27-Mar-2010 St James forestry 18.00 Single Willow Warbler seen to be calling but not singing. Steve Williams Saturday 27-Mar-2010 The British near Abersychan 7 Wheatear Keith Jones Saturday 27-Mar-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons Spent 4 hours at the lagoons during morning count included 2 Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 11 Little Egret, 3 Mute Swan, 2 Grey Lag Geese, 25 Canada Geese, 23 Shelduck, 54 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 60 Mallard, 14 Gadwall, 3 male 3 female Pintail, 14 Shoveler, 10 Tufted Duck, 3 Pochard, 1 Sparrow Hawk, 1 Buzzard, 1 Pheasant, 7 Moorhen, 9 Coot, 19 Avocet (on foreshore, although 24 reported), 75 Lapwing, 12 Oystercatcher, 47 Black Tailed Godwit, 4 Knot, 17 Common Redshanks, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 1 Greenshanks 4 Ruff, 14 Curlew, although not seem Whimbrel heard on 3 occasions, 1 Sand Martin, 4 (Singing) Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, Carrion Crow, 2 Raven. Also Barnacle Goose at Boat Lane. Ed Stevens Saturday 27-Mar-2010 Sudbrook just seen a fledgling blackbird in garden Sudbrook Chris Jones / Nathan Casburn Saturday 27-Mar-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons Selection of waders and wildfowl this morning including 3 Golden Plover (on the foreshore) 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Ruff and a Greenshank. Several Chiffchaffs were at Goldcliff with a small fall noted at the Saltmarsh Grasslands and at Uskmouth where there were 50+ birds as well as 2 Willow Warblers. Ed Stevens Saturday 27-Mar-2010 Sudbrook Sorry not a sighting. On 11th April 2010 a beach tidy has been organised to clean the saltmarsh between Sudbrook and the second severn crossing and the organisers are looking for anyone that would like to volunteer, i have put more details on the forum. Adrian Plant Saturday 27-Mar-2010 Peterstone Gout Plenty of chiffchaff about including 4 in song. A single male wheatear but not much else of inerest Trevor Russell Saturday 27-Mar-2010 my garden, Monmouth Redpoll, male, (flammea), feeding on niger seed 08:30. First ever sighting in my garden at Monmouth. Jeff Hall Friday 26-Mar-2010 Magor Marsh Reserve Quite a lot of chiffchaffs near the hide this afternoon. I managed to count at least seven flying around the reedbeds plus several singing in the trees. Also 1 little egret and 3 little grebes and at least 2 Cettis heard in the reedbeds. Mike Warburton Friday 26-Mar-2010 Silent Valley 17.00-18.00.A walk to the top of the valley and back to look for migrants turned up just a pair of Wheatear and a lone House Martin. Martin Collier Friday 26-Mar-2010 Llanyravon Yesterday - at least three house martins flying around in the area of the shops. Today - 3 sparrowhawks over Llanyravon John Evans Friday 26-Mar-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons Greenshank, Ruff, 37 Black-wits, 20+ Avocet, 20+ Knot, good numbers of Teal, Wigeon, Pochard, Shoveler and Pintail, male Sparrowhawk over, Wheatear on the sea wall and two singing Chiffchaff. Ruth Brown Friday 26-Mar-2010 Llanwenarth Singing Willow Warbler.(Chiffchaff first noted on the 16th) Allan Dowson Thursday 25-Mar-2010 Goldcliff Pools NR this mornings highlights;at least 22 Avocets,1-Ruff,2-Wheatears on sea wall,1-Whimbrel on shoreline(my earliest ever),4-Sand Martins,1-Spotted Redshank. Ed Stevens Thursday 25-Mar-2010 Sudbrook Black redstart seen in the yard of Sudbrook pumping station from bedroom window John Davies Wednesday 24-Mar-2010 Abergavenny Several Swallows over the house this morning Ruth Brown Wednesday 24-Mar-2010 Llanwenarth 7 Wheatear. (I had my bins today!). The usual pr of Goosander. Pr of Grey Wagtails, which have been around for a few days now. Ruth Brown Tuesday 23-Mar-2010 Monmouth, Wye Bridge 100 hirundine. I would ID as most being Sand Martin, but I was at the traffic lights without bins! tony & jan jenkins Monday 22-Mar-2010 Blackrock, Portskewett wheatear along foreshore this evening Ed Stevens Monday 22-Mar-2010 Sudbrook Mid morning single swallow over Sudbrook paper mill Tom Chinnick Sunday 21-Mar-2010 Monmouth, Wye Bridge 4:00PM- 3 Sand Martin below bridge. Hadyn Jones Sunday 21-Mar-2010 Collister Pill This morning 5 Wheatears plus 1 Water Pipit. Bryn Burgess Sunday 21-Mar-2010 Neddern Midday -First Swallow seen today in the housing estate before the Neddern. On the Nedern - small numbers of Coot, Teal, Wigeon, Mallard, Tufted, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Little Egret John O'Sullivan Sunday 21-Mar-2010 Pen y lan (above Bassaleg) 2 Grey partridge, 2 Singing Yellowhammer, 3 Singing Skylark, 3 Reed Bunting, a few Meadow Pipit overhead west and some very Black lesser black backed gulls east. No summer migrants though. Nicholas Beswick Sunday 21-Mar-2010 hafod farm,brynmawr Red Kite over, three Fieldfares, approx 250 Jackdaws attending lambing, male Wheatear at old Brynmawr Reservoir, Skylarks singing Nicholas Beswick Sunday 21-Mar-2010 Brynmawr/Ebbw Vale waterbodies Beaufort: pair Little Grebes and singing Chiffchaff. Machine Pond: pair Great Crested Grebes building nest and Curlew over, calling. Asda: Great Crested Grebe and five Tufted Duck. Garnlydan: two Wigeon and two Goosander John Bennett Sunday 21-Mar-2010 LLanllowell One Green Sandpiper , 4 Goldeneye and a Goosander Ed Stevens Sunday 21-Mar-2010 Sudbrook only sign of any migrants this morning was 1 singing chiffchaff on cliff between Sudbrook and Black Rock, but did spend about 20 minuets watching a grey seal just offshore at Sudbrook at one point less than 20 feet from me. tony & jan jenkins Sunday 21-Mar-2010 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth Spring at last, with a circular walk around the reserve giving 10 chiffchaff, single sand martin, 11 cettis, 2 stonechat, buzzard, 120 curlew, offshore at high tide 5 pr pintail, otherwise very quiet with a single green woodie, 3 raven & small numbers of tits. Keith Jones Sunday 21-Mar-2010 Caerleon Flooded Field Rather quiet at the flooded field during high tide this morning, perhaps reflecting the recent disturbance and time of year. At the field just 1 Lapwing, 3 Black Headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 4 Lesser Black Backed Gull, and 2 Herring Gull. On the river 2 male Teal, 2 male 1 female Mallard. Steve Williams Saturday 20-Mar-2010 Ponthir Reservoir A single chiffchaff in song. Polly and Malcolm Spokes Saturday 20-Mar-2010 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff from 1st (grey and wet) platform 11.30 - 1.30 birds of note: 2 spotted redshank, 1 greenshank, 9 pairs of gadwall, 3 snipe, 8 shovellers,3 skylarks. On the shore 12 turnstones, 10 ringed plover, 15 curlew, 1 greylag,plus approx 150 dunlin and slightly fewer (ornithological term!) redshank. Bryn Burgess Saturday 20-Mar-2010 Caldicot Pill Late PM Short Eared Owl and female Wheater Roo Saturday 20-Mar-2010 Pentrepiod Garden - come alive again, 7 Siskin, stunning male Brambling, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Long-tailed tits, 4 Bulfinch. OOC - Pembrokeshire - 8 Sand Martin at Freshwater West, usual group of Chough (12) and sadly large fire in dunes with associated wildlife deaths, e.g. Addder Keith Jones Friday 19-Mar-2010 Uskmouth Walked around the lagoons early morning from power station entrance to west of R4, around the lagoons, down the coast, and through the wood to R11 completing at the visitor centre. A count of 51 species noted including 17 Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 2 Mute Swan, 5 Canada Geese, 4 Shelduck, 25 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 48 Mallard, 6 Pintail, 1 male 1 female Gadwall, 45 Tufted Duck, 2 male 1 female Pochard, 4 Pheasant, 5 Water Rail, 19 Moorhen, 45 Coot, 2 Green Woodpecker, 26 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 male Blackcap, 1 singing Chiffchaff, 10 Redwing, 19 Fieldfare, 1 Long Tailed Tit, 3 Bearded Reedlings (R4 and R6), 14 Goldfinch, 18 Greenfinch, 10 Reed Bunting, 19 Carrion Crow. John Evans Friday 19-Mar-2010 Maesglas Chiffchaff singing behind the railway yards at 0715 this morning. Ray Evans Friday 19-Mar-2010 Second Severn Bridge 2 Wheatear this morning Mike Warburton Friday 19-Mar-2010 Blorenge mountain 7.00-8.45.Female Peregrine and 2 Carrion Crows at the Foxhunter car park.Walk to the trig point and back turned up loads of Skylark and Mipit displaying with the Skylarks far outnumbering the Mipits which was interesting.The highlight though were 16 Red Grouse,9 of which were males. Hadyn Jones Friday 19-Mar-2010 Mill Common, Undy This morning 2 Chiffchaffs on the common. John Bennett Thursday 18-Mar-2010 Newport Wetlands - Uskmouth 3 Chiffchaffs in the area. mark davies Thursday 18-Mar-2010 Newport wetlands and Goldcliff Two sand martins over the lagoons at midday & 19 avocet feeding on the mudflats at Goldcliff G T Thorne Thursday 18-Mar-2010 Ebbw River Dippers taking food to nest Mid Risca , Pairs also observed at regular intervals along the ebbw and the shwy river crosskeys . Heron now back at heronry Matt Evans,Mark Dutfield,Rob Gaze Wednesday 17-Mar-2010 Goldcliff Ruff and a Spotted Redshank from the first platform. Maurice Chown Wednesday 17-Mar-2010 Peterstone Sluice Farm 1 Short Eared Owl still present this morning and a White Wagtail. Keith Jones Tuesday 16-Mar-2010 Caerleon A walk through Lodge Wood mid morning produced a count of 24 species including 2 Canada Geese at Park Farm, 5 Wood Pigeon, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 9 Wren, 4 Dunnock, 26 Robin, 18 Blackbird, 1 Goldcrest, 37 Blue Tit, 4 Coal Tit, 3 Marsh Tit 26 Great Tit, 6 Nuthatch, 9 Chaffinch, 1 male Bulfinch, 2 Raven. Sian Tuesday 16-Mar-2010 Cefn Golau Pond Tredegar During a short walk by the pond I saw a pair of canada geese, two coots, a pair of mallard 2 ravens 1 lapwing and heard, in the distance, a curlew. Ian Smith and LEARN students Monday 15-Mar-2010 Goldcliff Point 5pm: 52 Turnstone, 3 Ringed Plover 14 Dunlin, 2 pairs of Wigeon, 3 pairs of Shelduck, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Curlew in main bay to east. Passing offshore as tide ascended, Curlews, 6 Oystercatchers, Great Black-backed Gull, Common flying west, with various Common and Black-headed Gull riding tide upstream, joined by adult Meditearranean Gull. Hadyn Jones Monday 15-Mar-2010 Slade Woods Mid afternoon 1 male Brambling with Chaffinches . Also 1 Redpoll. Keith Jones Monday 15-Mar-2010 Bulmore Lakes Walked from the lakes back to Caerleon along the Bulmore Road early morning. A count of 45 species produced including 6 Great Crested Grebes, 11 Cormorant (including 9 at the usual pylon), 1 Little Egret (I think my first at the lakes), 4 Mute Swan, 47 Canada Geese, 4 Wigeon, 60 Teal, 53 Mallard, 10 Tufted Duck, 1 male 1 female Goosander, 3 Buzzard, 1 Pheasant, 4 Moorhen, 6 Coot, 1 Green Sandpiper (just upstream of Ultra Pontem), 5 Green Woodpecker, 1 (Drumming) Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Skylark (one singing), 1 Tree Creeper, 3 singing Reed Bunting, and 2 Jay. Mike Warburton Monday 15-Mar-2010 Trefil, nr Tredegar Finally got my first Wheatear of the year this morning. Ian Smith and LEARN students Sunday 14-Mar-2010 St. Woolas Cemetry Blackcap singing from hidden position in tall hedge screen Chris and Julie West and Digger Sunday 14-Mar-2010 Iron age fort Clytha Willow tits,buzzard with large number of wing feathers missing, pair of red legged partridge on lane down. Today at Llanellen sand martin. Nathan Casburn Sunday 14-Mar-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir Highlight this afternoon were 2 Mandarin that flew out of Green Pool area. Dawson Hulme Sunday 14-Mar-2010 Cwmtillery Lakes stroll around the church yard and lakes this morning produced-nuthatch,blue great and long tailed tit,dunnock, robin, blackbirds, songthrush, chaffinch, greenfinch, great spotted woodpecker,mallards,coots with nest nearly built, moorhens,little grebe, nice to see them back, collard dove, 2 lesser black back gulls,grey wagtail, a wren,and some jackdaws,heard a green woodpecker up in the woods.I know this is not a forum page but i do hope the council tries to help the nesting birds from to much disturbance, the lakes is starting to build up a good selection of birds pity they couldn't employ a full time warden so that the birds are left in peace. tony & jan jenkins Sunday 14-Mar-2010 Pant-y-Goetre, nr Raglan a walk from the bridge towards Clytha - 2 pairs goosander, 1 green sand, 15 redwing, 3 prs mallard and 2 buzzard. Barry Ingram Sunday 14-Mar-2010 Dewstow Golf Club, Caldicot Played golf at Dewstow yesterday. The course was alive with singing birds. Those spotted were, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker drumming and several more heard but not seen. A Green Woodpecker and several more heard. Two pairs of Buzzards calling and displaying and all the usual small birds difficult to identify when lining up a difficult putt. No frogs as yet in any of the ponds, quite late this year. John Davies Saturday 13-Mar-2010 Goldcliff Pools 26 Avocets, 12 Pintail, Greenshank, 100 plus Redshank, 150 Knot, Ruff, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Oystercatcher,Little Egrets, Curlew, Snipe, 40 Wigeon, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 6 Skylarks, Linnet, Meadow Pipits, Cettis, Reed Bunting. chris hurn Saturday 13-Mar-2010 GLWR Uskmouth female wheatear on sea wall also about thirty fieldfare feeding on lower grasslands Roo Perkins and others Saturday 13-Mar-2010 Wentwood Walked from Cadira Beeches to 5 paths, then to Ninewells and Little Oak. Several Crossbill sightings including male and female feeding newly fledged bird and also 3 coming down for a drink near little Oak. Plenty of Siskin as well, but only a few Redpoll. Marsh Tit heard but not seen. Keith Jones Saturday 13-Mar-2010 Moorings Fields Newport Walked part of the loop of the River Usk north of Chichester Close at low tide late afternoon. Birds noted include 1 Cormorant, 4 Canada Geese, 35 Wigeon, 42 Teal, 11 Mallard, 1 female Goosander, 4 Lapwing, 17 Common Redshanks, 2 Common Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay. Little at the flooded field just 2 Lesser, and 60 Black Headed Gull, 1 Lapwing 2 Teal 2 Mallard on the river below. Spent the last five days birding a Christchurch Harbour and Blashford Lakes. Dawson Hulme Friday 12-Mar-2010 mountain rd. near pantygassag Driving home on the mountain road from pontypool a woodcock walking across the road about 20 yards in front of me it then took off and flew across field. Mike Warburton Thursday 11-Mar-2010 Garnlydan Reservoir 17.00-18.30.The roost at the reservoir had about 30 BH Gulls,20 Herring Gulls,3 Goosander(2m),1 Grey Heron,a pair of Mallard and 2 pairs of Goldeneye. Lucy Beecher Thursday 11-Mar-2010 Rogerstone/ Mon Brec Canal Lovely view of Kingfisher sat in the sun, perched on a branch barely a metre from the canal path. Opposite the The Rising Sun Pub. It has been in the same place for the last 3 mornings. Nigel Garside Thursday 11-Mar-2010 Peterstone Wentlooge Great White Egret in reen on north side of road, just before first right-angled bend, approaching the village from the east i.e., the same area as reported by Nathan on 26 February. About 20 yards from the road, with Grey Heron on opposite bank. Steve Williams Wednesday 10-Mar-2010 Blaenavon Community Woodland Dusk walk produced 4 Redpoll and 2 Crossbill. Hadyn Jones Wednesday 10-Mar-2010 Slade Woods Late afternoon good views of 1 male Crossbill and 1 male Hawfinch coming down to drink in pool in old quarry area in the wood by main footpath. Sian Wednesday 10-Mar-2010 Dunlop Semtex Pond, Brynmawr Yesterday had a good view of the water rail when viewing the lake from the path in front of the pub. It was eventually chased away by a moorhen. Nigel Garside Tuesday 09-Mar-2010 Peterstone Great Wharf Three Golden Plover with Lapwing and 4 Water Pipit. Luke Phillips Tuesday 09-Mar-2010 Trefil Quarry 2 Wheatear at lunchtime. tony & jan jenkins Monday 08-Mar-2010 Cleddon Bog/Broad Meend curlew over Broad Meend at sunset, plus 6 fallow deer nr Sylvan Way, Tintern. Tom Chinnick Monday 08-Mar-2010 Trefil Quarry 1 Wheatear this morning Hilary Gillespie Sunday 07-Mar-2010 River Ebbw, Pontymister male and female goosander on the river at the bottom of my garden at Maple Gardens NP11 6AR. Photograph taken. Leon Rose Sunday 07-Mar-2010 Newbridge/Mynyddislwyn Walking home lastnight I saw a Urban Fox run out infront of me....stop to look at me and then run off. I was more suprised than him! Nicholas Beswick Sunday 07-Mar-2010 hafod farm,brynmawr Red Kite landed briefly to take advantage of lambing afterbirth, disappeared towards Brynmawr Dawson Hulme Sunday 07-Mar-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir Water very low at the reservoir this morning,birds identified were- Pair of mute swans,8 canada geese, pair of tufted duck(2 males),mallards,20 or more Teal most down by the green pool area, 10 pairs of great crested grebe(some displaying to each other),1 little grebe, a couple of coots and moorhen,4 comorant showing breeding plumage,1 grey heron,about 20 snipe,big flock of redwing and fieldfares with starling and blackbird mixed in on the farmers field opposite the Burt Hamar hide,also in the same field 18 lapwings,lots of lesser black backed gulls and a couple of black headed gulls,acouple of pairs of bullfinch a small flock or is it a charm of goldfinches,5 singing male chaffinches, loads of blue and great tit and good numbers of long tailed tit,4 raven, 6 carrion crow, 10 magpies, 3 jays, 3 buzzard, 2 robin, a song thrush, and a pied wagtail.Also heard 2 drumming great spotted woodpeckers but couldn't locate them. Eddie Wang Sunday 07-Mar-2010 Peterstone Gout 0940-1130: high tide. Spotted Redshank on the Gout with Redhank flock. 1 Red Kite over and flew east. Roo Sunday 07-Mar-2010 Pentrpiod/pontypool Blackcap still, but despite the cold weather garden bird numbers have dropped a lot, no Siskins or Bramblings for about a week now. Chaffinch flock now <20. tony & jan jenkins Saturday 06-Mar-2010 Pant-y-Goetre, nr Raglan circuit lanes around Gobion and return along the river, 3 buzzard, 40-50 redwing & fieldfare, 3 goosander, pair grey wagtails, 24 pied wags in turnip field, gsw, 2 prs of mute, 4 green sand, nuthatch, pair of canadas, mistle thrush, song thrush, 3 grey heron & 1 egret Keith Jones Friday 05-Mar-2010 Malpas, Newport Although Blackcaps in the main are summer visitors and migrate to during winter months to Southern Europe and North Africa, increasingly several now over-winter in this country. They also regularly come to bird tables. To give you some idea of how often they are seen during the winter, in the 2008 bird report sightings were made in Chepstow, Magor, Redwick, Tredegar Park, Bedwas and Osbaston. So although not unusual it is still a delight to see them in your garden Lyndon. I would be chuffed also. Seen a male in Caerleon yesterday (Thursday). Lyndon Moore Friday 05-Mar-2010 Malpas, Newport Male BLACKCAP has been a regular visitor to the garden feeding station over the last 2-3 weeks. Is this unusual?. Have not seen one before, so very chufft! tony & jan jenkins Friday 05-Mar-2010 Beacon Hill, Nr Trellech A circuit of Beacon hill around to Cleddon gave several good views of crossbill, redpoll & siskin, mostly singles and pairs. Keith Jones Friday 05-Mar-2010 Ynysyfro Reservoir A count mid morning produced 5 Little Grebe, (2 displaying), 3 Great Crested Grebe, (2 displaying), 1 Cormorant, 2 Mute Swan, 5 Canada Geese, 6 Mallard, 38 Tufted Duck, 1 female Goldeneye, 1 Buzzard, 1 Moorhen, 50 Coot, 1 Common Gull, 1 drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker. Jackie H Friday 05-Mar-2010 Brynmawr Fabulous close-up view of Red Kite just metres from the Brynmawr to Blaenavon road near Llanelly Hill. malcolm spokes Thursday 04-Mar-2010 Parc Seymour, Penhow Red kite being mobbed by 2 gulls above A48 this morning and a peregrine flying over the Coldra Roundabout. Thursday 04-Mar-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir 2 Shelduck seen from the Dam . Keith Jones Thursday 04-Mar-2010 Caerleon Single male Blackcap along Lodge Road early morning. Forgot to mention at Goldcliff this morning, as I left 0920hrs waders mainly Dunlin, Knot, and Grey Plover continued to arrive. Keith Jones Thursday 04-Mar-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons Walked to the sea wall early morning with 46 birds noted including 4 Canada Geese, 291 Shelduck, 63 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 14 Mallard, 10 Pintail, 17 Gadwall, 1 female Smew (still on Becs Lagoon), 1 Buzzard, 3 Moorhen, 6 Coot, 7 Avocet, 14 Oystercatcher, 12 Ringed Plover, 1 Golden Plover, 50 Grey Plover, 76 Lapwing, 180 Knot, 700 Dunlin (block count), 5 Common Snipe (flushed while walking to sea wall), 31 Curlew, 1 Greenshanks, 4 Turnstone, 2 Great Black Backed Gull, 2 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare. Gordon Hill Wednesday 03-Mar-2010 Llantilio Crossenny Single Red Kite hunting over Great Treadam Farm moving towards Whitecastle. Mike Warburton Wednesday 03-Mar-2010 Rhyd y Blew, Ebbw Vale 17.30-18.15. One Mipit,a Buzzard,2 Lapwing and three Grey Heron two of which were having a right old go at each other! Keith Jones Wednesday 03-Mar-2010 Wentwood Walked mid morning from the reservoir up to Cadira Beeches via Nine Wells and Nightjar path, west to Little Oak, and completing walk a little north of Wentwwod Gate. Just 26 species noted including 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Canada Geese, 6 Mallard, 34 Tufted Duck, 1 Buzzard, 20 Coot, 6 (including 2 drumming) Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Mistle Thrush, 29 Blue Tit, 42 Coal Tit, 15 Great Tit, 1 Nuthatch, 34 Siskin (mostly Foresters Oak and Little Oak), 66 Redpoll (mainly Little Oak). 9 Crossbill (singles or paired off), 1 Jay, 2 Raven. John O'Sullivan Tuesday 02-Mar-2010 ringland estate newport 2 Marsh tit and calling nuthatch in the woods behind ringland community centre. David Hathaway Tuesday 02-Mar-2010 Fawr Gawr reservoir area, Greta day on Black Mountains today,10 Grey Plover in winter plumage,1 Snipe,2 Dippers,4 Red Grouse flock Mistle Thrush and a few Fieldfares Ed Stevens Tuesday 02-Mar-2010 Caldicot Pill This afternoon on flooded grazing marsh at Caldicot Pill 200+ black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull and 1 mediterranean gull Darryl Spittle Tuesday 02-Mar-2010 From Severnsidebirds - Common Crane north over Aust Warth at 09:30, everybody look up, especially if you are west of the Usk. Maurice Chown Tuesday 02-Mar-2010 Peterstone Sluice Farm Further to Nigels report I saw the G W Egret at 10.30 am at St Mellons Business park flying east from the Hendre Lake area.I Was returning from Sluice Farm where there were 2 Short Eared Owls and at least 2 very flighty Water Pipits with Meadows. Nigel Garside Tuesday 02-Mar-2010 Marshfield Possible sighting of Great White Egret over Marshfield village at around 10:40, heading towards St. Mellons Business Park. A few minutes later I was able to find the GWE in the reen next to Castleton Court (CCW offices). Keith Jones Tuesday 02-Mar-2010 Ponthir Reservoir A mid day visit produced just 1 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Canada Goose, 6 Tufted Duck, and 1 Coot. susan lewis Monday 01-Mar-2010 lane pass castell coch i saw a tricoloured heron walking on the side of the wood,it had dark blue plummage and an orange beak John Bennett Monday 01-Mar-2010 Goldcliff Pools Redhead Smew seen on all 3 lagoons this morning and male tufted duck with grey flanks present . Also large numbers of waders present early morning . Keith Jones Monday 01-Mar-2010 Uskmouth Walked around the lagoons and part of the foreshore a little after high tide this morning. About 47 species noted including 15 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Canada Goose, 65 Shelduck, 100 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 75 Mallard, 5 Gadwall, 53 Tufted Duck, 1 male Pochard, 1 Pheasant, 5 Water Rail, 10 Moorhen, 51 Coot, 1 Common Redshanks, 70 Dunlin, 20 Common Snipe, 50 Curlew, 88 Black Headed Gull, 1 Stock Dove, 26 Cetti’s Warblers, 6 Fieldfare, 1 male Bearded Reedling (just west of R6). Also of note Wren seem to have started singing again, although I heard my first on 5th February, and very few since, but 12 singing around Uskmouth this morning. john o'sullivan Sunday 28-Feb-2010 Pen y lan (above Bassaleg) still no yellowhammers this winter. 8 reed buntings back (from before the snow)tho. 70 fieldfare north, otherwise nothing of note. John Davies & Steven Butler Saturday 27-Feb-2010 Gobion 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Little Egrets, 19 Teal, 6 Common Snipe, Green Woodpecker, G.S.Woodpecker Lee Parsons Saturday 27-Feb-2010 St. Illtydds, Brynithel Red Kite showing well ! Pair of Siskin and Reed Bunting welcomed sightings at feeding station ! Skylark singing and displaying ! mark davies Saturday 27-Feb-2010 Llanwenarth 2 kites , 3 buzzard & 2 raven circling above the church this afternoon Ed Stevens Saturday 27-Feb-2010 Black Rock This morning flock of about 10 grey partridge on top of foreshore just east of Black Rock picnic site. Bryn Burgess Friday 26-Feb-2010 Neddern Mid day visit- Still good numbers of duck - Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Mallard, Coot 7 Gadwall. Also 3ad & 2 1st year Bewick Swan and 2 Shelduck, 2 Little Grebe, Lapwing, 2 Redshank Keith Jones Friday 26-Feb-2010 Moorings Fields Newport Walked part of the loop of the River Usk north of Chichester Close at low tide this morning. Birds noted include 2 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Canada Geese, 19 Teal, 81 Wigeon, 6 Mallard, 2 Lapwing, 8 Common Redshanks, 155 Black Headed Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull developing black hood, 2 Grey Wagtail, 4 Meadow Pipits 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 3 Reed Bunting. D Coles Friday 26-Feb-2010 Ebbw Vale Goldcrest in the garden this morning Sally Snow Friday 26-Feb-2010 Anywhere in Wales Hi, This is a request as opposed to a sighting-a request I hoped members of the forum may be able to help me with. I work for an independent television company in Cardiff called Aden Productions and we are currently producing two wildlife series for the BBC both of which will be presented by Iolo Williams. We are searching for a mute swan nest (building etc) location for the bird series we are producing and I wondered if anybody had any suggestions? Ideally we are looking for an accessible nest to film-it could be in a public park or along a river walk-we were hoping to film in the next few weeks. It would be wonderful if anybody had any suggestions. If so please email me (sally.snow@adenproductions.com) rather than posting the information on the forum. Thank you kindly and best wishes, Sally Nathan Casburn Friday 26-Feb-2010 Peterstone Wentlooge Great White Egret this morning East of the Village just before double bend in road in North side fields. mark davies Thursday 25-Feb-2010 Abergavenny 10 moorhen on bank of the usk just below the castle Lyndon Gwillym Thursday 25-Feb-2010 Llanover Rd Blaenavon Three red grouse on snow covered mountain at 7.15am this morning,near the mountain gate Roo Thursday 25-Feb-2010 Thanks Mark Thanks for the info, will bell them asap. It escaped last night and is now hiding behind the freezer! Mark Stevens Wednesday 24-Feb-2010 FAO Roo Re. injured jackdaw. Give City Wildlife Care a bell in 07794 179207 Roo Wednesday 24-Feb-2010 Pontypool Have a Jackdaw with a broken wing (not badly) in a box with food, water and hay. Any suggestions what to do with it? Great White Egret seen this morning at 09:20 and this evening at 17:20ish just north of railway line on outskirts of Cardiff, west of Hendre lake. Roo Wednesday 24-Feb-2010 Newport Male Goosander on the Usk seen from the train as it crossed the river entering Newport outskirts. Nice for my commuting list which now has Great White Egret as well! tony & jan jenkins Wednesday 24-Feb-2010 Out of County Long weekend on the north norfolk coast produced 96 species, with 95 within 2 square miles, highlights being 10 barn owls in one morning with 4 in field of view at one time, hunting male & female marsh harriers & barn owl adjacent to cottage, 15 cranes at stubb mill, bittern flying at Holkham, single tree sparrow with mixed flock of reed bunting & 25 yellowhammer and a snow goose finally located with pinkfeet near Titchwell - highly recommended for curing winter blues. Tom Chinnik Wednesday 24-Feb-2010 Goldcliff Pools and Boat Lane 7:45-9:15am. 1 Fem Smew still, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Greenshank, 1 Golden Plover over, 15 Pintail, c500 Wigeon and c35 Grey Plover on foreshore in large Knot/Dunlin flock. Simon Harrison Tuesday 23-Feb-2010 Llantarnam Llantarnam Ponds - 11:00 am 3 male & 6 female Goosander John Evans Monday 22-Feb-2010 Goldcliff Lagoons 4 Avocet, 3 Ringed Plover, Greenshank, no sign of either the Smew or the Spot-shank, few Pintail and a Bullfinch in the car park. Monday 22-Feb-2010 Uskmouth re nigle williams report . i would like to point out that newport wetlands in not an rspb reserve it belongs to the country side council for wales Hadyn Jones Sunday 21-Feb-2010 Collister Pill 1 Jack Snipe flushed from saltmarsh. mark davies Sunday 21-Feb-2010 Abergavenny 3 little grebe on usk near mouth of river gavenny - also 5 moorhen , a coot & a kingfisher At llanwenarth a little owl enjoying the afternoon sunshine & a peregrine falcon overhead Keith Jones Sunday 21-Feb-2010 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff A walk between the Lagoons to Boat Lane at mid morning produced a count of 47 species including 1 Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 5 Little Egret, 2 Mute Swan, 52 Canada Geese, 1 Barnacle Goose, 199 Shelduck, 256 Wigeon, 115 Teal, 90 Mallard, 8 Pintail, 10 Gadwall, 12 Shoveler, 8 Tufted Duck, 1 female Smew, 1 Buzzard, 1 Moorhen, 9 Coot, 955 Lapwing, 18 Ringed Plover, 7 Avocet, 11 Curlew, 1 Greenshanks, 12 Common Redshanks, 2 Ruff, and 14 Stock Doves. Brian Thomas Sunday 21-Feb-2010 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Morning: 7 avocets Nigel Williams Saturday 20-Feb-2010 Newport Wetlands RSPB Goldfinches and greenfinches on the feeders in front of the visitor centre. Pochard and tufted duck on the reed bed pools along with a little grebe. Kestrel and buzzard put in an appearance. about 15 fieldfares and 2 redwings mixed with a flock of starlings in the field next to the visitor centre. On the beach in front and to the left of the lighthouse were shelduck, mallard, pochard, curlew, sanderling, dunlin, redshank, black headed gulls, a mediteranian gull. A pair of pintail were seen on the marshy area between the beach and the footpath. A cormorant and a heron were seen flying overhead. Mal Jenkins Saturday 20-Feb-2010 Trevethin, Pontypool The usual birds on the feeder today,Goldfinch, Great & Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Collared Dove, Blackbird, Dunnock and the female Brambling showed up again. Nicholas Beswick Saturday 20-Feb-2010 Dunlop Semtex Pond, Brynmawr Water Rail showing well on the stream behind the Halfords row of stores, also Grey Wagtail. Pond almost completely frozen with about 150 gulls on the ice but nothing unusual. Chris Jones / Nathan Casburn et al Saturday 20-Feb-2010 Goldcliff Pools Selection of birds this morning on the partly frozen lagoons: single Spotted Redshank, Greenshank and Golden Plover, 2 Ruff and 20+ Ringed Plover in amongst the Dunlin. Female Smew still present on far (No.2) lagoon and a Peregrine over. Also the returning female Pochard x Scaup hybred with a female Pochard. Barry Ingram Saturday 20-Feb-2010 Dewstow Golf Club, Caldicot Played golf yesterday, among the usual species two tawny owls heard but not seen and a barn owl seen floating over the course near the club house Hadyn Jones Friday 19-Feb-2010 Lower Minnetts Wood Late afternoon 2+ Hawfinches in usual area with a flock of Chaffinches,also 2 Marsh Tits. Nearby 6 Crossbills were feeding in Slade Wood. Keith Jones Friday 19-Feb-2010 Bulmore Lakes Walked from the lakes to Caerleon along the Bulmore Road mid morning. A count of 38 species recorded including 2 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Cormorant, 1 Grey Lag Goose, 64 Canada Geese, 4 Wigeon, 42 Teal, 44 Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 male 8 female Goosander, 1 Buzzard, 9 Coot, 1 Common Redshanks, 168 Black Headed Gull, 1 Common Sandpiper (Ultra Pontem), 6 Green Woodpecker, 1 drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 male 1 female Bullfinch, 2 Raven. Also of note my first singing Skylark of the year. Jill Friday 19-Feb-2010 Pontypool, Blaendare Area This morning, four Redpolls, a whole gang of Goldfinches, two Siskins, Chaffinches, and the Blackbirds are back after an absence of about ten days! Brian Thomas Friday 19-Feb-2010 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff 9.30-11.30:Great White Egret in lagoon in front of first platform (viewed from sea wall) - stayed for about 20mins. Smew, greenshank, spotted redshank, common gulls, skylarks. Allan Dowson Friday 19-Feb-2010 Goldcliff 1-Great White Egret flew in from the west at 10h30.It landed near the small reed bed at north west corner,giving good views from the second platform.I assume this to be the same bird as seen at Hendre.It has orange rings on both legs over whitish rings.Also present were 1-Spotted Redshank,1-Greenshank and a singing Chaffinch. mark davies Thursday 18-Feb-2010 Abergavenny 1st siskin of the year on feeders in garden along with 7 goldfinch Alice Thursday 18-Feb-2010 Abersychan In garden: 1 female Sparrowhawk (unsuccessful attempt to make kill), ~10 lesser redpoll & siskin, 3 brambling (2M&1F), 11 bullfinch (max count), greenfinches, 1 goldfinch, 1 song thrush, robins, dunnocks. Not seen any tits today - unusal. Ruth Brown Thursday 18-Feb-2010 Llanwenarth 6 Skylarks overhead. Spring Migration?!!! Or just filthy weather to the west? A remnant of Redwing still around. Keith Jones Monday 15-Feb-2010 Goldcliff Walked two hours, the second visit for the Winter Atlas early morning from Boat Lane, following the western footpaths to lower Saltmarsh Lane as far as the coast completing at Nash via Farmfield Lane. Still a little slow, a full 30 minutes behind my November 2009 walk. The morning produced 52 species including 6 Little Egret, 6 Mute Swan, 1 Grey Lag Goose, 1 Barnacle Goose, 11 Canada Geese, (much more heard but not seen), 490 Wigeon, 118 Teal (more heard), 68 Mallard, 63 Shoveler, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Kestrel, 1 Pheasant, 6 Moorhen, 22 Coot, 620 Lapwing, 35 Grey Plover, 70 Knot, 170 Dunlin, 1 Common Snipe, 31 Curlew, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, just 3 Wren, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 Skylark, 23 Fieldfare, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Goldcrest, 6 Long Tailed Tit, 3 Redpoll, 1 Jay, 1 Raven. Martin Bell Sunday 14-Feb-2010 Newport Wetlands Uskmouth - 5 Bearded Tit (2 male), Goldcliffe - Spot Red and Greenshank from 1st platform; Redhead Smew on back pool. Bryn Burgess Sunday 14-Feb-2010 Neddern Midday visit. 22 Mute Swan, 5 Grey Heron with 1 with its wings shaped like an umbrella catching the warm sun, 45 Coot, 36 Wigeon, 132 Teal, 254 Lapwing, 2 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall Little Grebe 3, 1 Snipe & 3 Redshank John Pickering Saturday 13-Feb-2010 Woodlake Park Golf Club Woodlake Park is on the edge of Llangdegvedd Resevoir. In the lake adjacent to the 16th green was the usual flock of Canada Geese and around 8 wild Tufted Ducks, but there was also a single goose about the size of a barnacle goose.It had yellow/orange legs greyish body and a part white head. Looking through my guides it looks like a White Fronted Goose but the head was much whiter than in the pictures. Its definitely wild and has not been ringed.Has anyone seen it? Barry Ingram Saturday 13-Feb-2010 Dewstow Golf Club, Caldicot Played golf today at Dewstow. Before the game had a coffee in the coffee shop and watched the feeders on the patio. One long tailed tit, several blue tits, 3-4 house sparrows, 1 dunnock, pair of blackbirds,a robin, a wren on the ground and the highlight, a nuthatch. While playing the course a green woodpecker and two drumming great spotted woodpeckers. Flying over the course at least 40 lapwings in two loose flocks plus the usual gulls, magpies, jackdaws and rooks. mark davies Saturday 13-Feb-2010 Abergavenny A pair of egrets in 2nd field up from the llanfoist bridge . Also a pair of dippers on the usk KJK Saturday 13-Feb-2010 Harlech Retail Park, Newport Just saw a huge evening gathering of pied wagtails in Tesco car park and on Hobbycraft roof. Counted 60 and then another bigger flock arrived, so could have been as many as 200. Mike Warburton Saturday 13-Feb-2010 Silent Valley Nature Reserve Red Kite seen again today and has been present since the New Year.Pic on Birdguides. chris hurn Saturday 13-Feb-2010 GLWR Uskmouth female marsh harrier hunting foreshore towards goldcliff and about an hour later re located on reedbed four.uskmouth Nigel Garside Thursday 11-Feb-2010 Peterstone Gout Spotted Redshank in pool behind gout. Keith Jones Thursday 11-Feb-2010 Ynysyfro Reservoir A mid morning count produced 7 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 18 Canada Geese, 5 Mallard, 30 Tufted Duck, 20 Pochard, 1 Moorhen, 75 Coot, 193 Black Headed Gull, and 1 ad Winter Mediterranean Gull. Mike Pointon Wednesday 10-Feb-2010 Newport Wetlands - Goldcliff Very cold on the platforms today with a NE wind creating the chill factor. Spotted Redshank 1 Lapwing 500+ Pintail 8 Wigeon 80 Shoveler 6 Canada Goose 20 Little Egret 1 Grey Heron 1 Stock Dove 1 Kestrel 1. Frank Williams Wednesday 10-Feb-2010 Raglan Castle Slip Road Although I am from out of the county I travel to Abergavenny every Wednesday, to have a stall at the weekly flea market, Last week and this week I have seen a Barn Owl hunting the road side verges in the above area between 04.15 and 04.30 both mornings mark davies Tuesday 09-Feb-2010 Abergavenny Red Kite over garden first thing this morning Keith Jones Tuesday 09-Feb-2010 Langstone Walked public footpath from Coed y Caerau to Llanbeder to try and tie up some loose-ends of A39V Winter Atlas. Parts of walk very difficult going but of the 24 species seen birds of note include 1 Woodcock, 4 Redwing, 1 Goldcrest, 5 Nuthatch, 2 Long Tailed Tit, 2 Jay, and Raven. John Bennett Tuesday 09-Feb-2010 Usk Valley Usk valley 9th February 2010. 15 Bewick Swans from layby just north of llangybi with 2 Shelduck . Also 43+ Mute Swans in the area . Bewicks on grass and the Mutes on crops(rape?). Tom Chinnick Tuesday 09-Feb-2010 Llandegfedd Reservoir 2:00-4:45pm. 1w Little Gull again from dam 3:45pm onwards, also 1 Little Egret, 1 fem Mandarin, 3 Shoveler, 3 Goldeneye, 31 Lapwing, 2 G.B.B Gull.