Sightings

Main sighting: Red Grouse

1 calling male flew away from track going SE from Foxhunter Car Park. Also male Wheatear in suitable breeding habitat and 4 male Stonechats plus at least 2 females. Two sets of mysterious Woodpigeon remains (this species not resident on the mountain) possible explanation birds of prey using the site to dismember carcasses killed elsewhere in order to do so undisturbed. Meadow Pipit and Skylark predominant species (many singing).

Main sighting: Red kite

Beautiful red kite quartering above house heading towards Risca.

Main sighting: Spotted Flycatcher

At least two calling males in castle grounds (as last year) – third bird by Tresenny Brook near Hoaldalbert, possible fourth at last year’s nest site but only seen fleetingly. Redstarts and Tree Pipits singing within a couple of miles of the village.

Main sighting: Garganey

Garganey, Gadwall, Dunlin, Great Black-backed Gull, Greenshank, Spoonbill, Turnstone, Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Crane (flyover, Chris Jones), Grey Plover sp.

Main sighting: Scaup

A male Scaup was on Monks this afternoon.Also 1-Spoonbill on monks,Lapwing with 3 juvs. on the island and another juvenile Lapwing from the first hide.13h00-14h25

Main sighting: Temminck's Stint

Wind E (F2), Cloud 7/8, Rain clearing by 05:50, becoming warmer as the morning progressed.
A great morning with the following waders present on Monks scrape 04:45 – 11:30; Temminck’s Stint (1), Little Stint (1), Ruff (2), Avocet (2), Knot (1), Black-tailed Godwit (2 1st summer L.l. limosa), Turnstone (1), Sanderling (8+), Ringed Plover (30+), Grey Plover (1 west around 06:15), Redshank (20+), Dunlin (150+), Lapwing (7), Oystercatcher (4), Yellow Wagtail (2), Marsh Harrier.
Elsewhere, 3 Whimbrel and 14 Curlew on the estuary, LRP (4), 4 Gadwall (Priors). 17 species of wader, not a bad morning!

Main sighting: Swift

Two Swift and one Sand Martin feeding!

Main sighting: Swifts

Screaming parties of Swifts now regular over the village – 7 birds this morning, 4 yesterday and 7 on 10th (seen by J Goodlass).

Main sighting: Cuckoo

Cuckoo calling from Trellech Common woods around 10.30, the first I’ve heard this year.

Main sighting: Wood Warbler

At least 2 Wood Warblers, Common Redstart heard, 2 male Cuckoos, 1 Grey Wagtail. Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler too. 2 Swallows at the farm below the wood.

Main sighting: Swifts

First sign of swifts checking out last year s nest in eaves. Last to arrive, first to leave…

Main sighting: Swift

15 plus Swift flying over Usk prison at 8pm.