Sightings

Main sighting: Crossbill and brambling

5 crossbills flying overhead towards the pine copse. Four days ago in the garden (two villages away) a male brambling also.

Main sighting: Woodpigeon

Flocks of Woodpigeons, totalling 1090, east between 0730 and 0830. Very few later. Also 240 Redwings. Another 950 Woodpigeons yesterday between 1330 and 1430, again heading east.

Main sighting: Curlews

At big high tide this morning, about 40 Curlews present, of which seven were carrying colour rings from the 2015/16 catches on the Usk estuary. At the same time at Peterstone, four colour rings from the same catch were observed; one of these birds was seen at two roosts; illustrates survival and site fidelity. At Peterstone there was also a Curlew with a Polish colour ring, already seen here before.
Also at high tide at St Brides: 248 Oystercatchers, 23 Ringed Plovers, 25 Lapwings, 270 Dunlin, 2 Knot, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 10 Redshanks.

Main sighting: Hooded Crow

Hooded crow on telegraph pole on Raglan side of village about 15.00 today.

Main sighting: Woodpigeon

1074 Woodpigeons flew west in one hour 11:45-12-45 Collard Dove 20 feeding in field Chiffchaff 1. Also Peacock butterfly.

Main sighting: Wheatear

One Wheatear on mountain this am.

Main sighting: Brambling

Two Brambling under my feeders,  20 Linnets and 20-odd Redwing devouring Holly and Hawthorn berries.

Main sighting: Passing Low North to South down Rhymney Valley

Bewick’s Swan (2)
Small swan, fast wing beats with pronounced whistle from wing feathers, no call.
Time 3.30 Cold. Sun .Wind W.
Naked eye only so no bill markings.

Main sighting: Flock of 50+ mixed finches

Large flock of 50plus mixed finches. 3 red wing, 3 peregrine in the usual place, 1 green woodpecker and a very friendly juvenile kestrel perched on top of the “Iron” rocks.

Main sighting: Hawfinch

Hawfinch was almost the first bird I saw in the garden this morning after my return from the Scilly Isles (dry and mostly sunny with Lesser Scaup, Spot Sand, YBW, Red-breasted Fly, Richard’s Pipit, Hoopoe).

Main sighting: Swallow

1-Swallow flying west 15h35

Main sighting: Brambling

Male Brambling on feeders this afternoon