Sightings

Main sighting: Sand Martins

Sand Martins (15) 0715hrs; Little Egret; Teal; Widgeon; Gadwall; Tufted Duck; Shelduck; Redshank; Coot; Moorhen; Greylag Goose (pr); Green Woodpecker; Greater Spotted Woodpecker; Chiffchaff.

Main sighting: Lesser Redpoll

Lesser Redpoll pair seen feeding on my Sunflower Hearts feeder this morning 0745. I have never seen them in my garden before.

Main sighting: Waders and wildfowl

Plenty of lapwing, some wigeon left, shelducks, black tailed godwits, flock of knot, 2 redshank, up to 10 shoveler, Canadian geese in fields. 2 Bird of prey on fence possibly kestrel or peregrine. Heard first Chiffchaff. (all birds viewed from hide closest to car park.

Main sighting: Goosanders

Rhymney river, part of Michaelston circular walk – 1 pair (M&F) and 3 others (M&2F) of goosanders moving quickly on the river; also GS woodpecker, nuthatch, buzzard, herons, linnets and chaffinch flock; mistle thrush & others

Main sighting: Chiffchaff

A couple of singing birds along the Penterry ridge, also red kite flying north and sparrowhawk over the church.

Main sighting: Avocet

61- avocets this morning,34 on the tide line and 27 on the lagoons,also 52-Black’wits with the lagoon Avocets 10h20-11h55

Main sighting: Snipe

Quiet on the river but more activity in the boggy fields – 24 Snipe, 12 Teal, 4 Mandarin, 3 Goosander, 17 Mute Swan, 20 Mipits, numerous Skylarks, singing Chiffchaff.

Main sighting: Red Kite, Goshawk, Peregrine, Buzzard

Loads of Buzzards, 2 Red Kites, male Peregrine and a large female Goshawk all showing well this morning.

Main sighting: Short-eared Owl

A single owl appeared above the track in near-darkness, disturbing a Red Grouse. Earlier, male Stonechat and Reed Bunting showing.

Main sighting: Wheatear

2 Male Wheatear on Gilwern hill this am.

Main sighting: Turnstone

41 Turnstone On Sea wall at high tide

Main sighting: red kite

Red Kite flying east over fields near stables at 0900 hrs