Sightings

Main sighting: Grey Heron

A Grey Heron had three Roach about four inches long in its bill. It dropped two, swallowed one and then re-caught the other two one by one and swallowed them. Never seen a Grey Heron with a multiple catch before. Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler singing and a Whitethroat seen. Dragonflies: Golden-ringed and Broad-bodied Chaser Azure Blue Damselfly.

Main sighting: Med gull

1st summer bird flying west
c 25 BH gulls

Main sighting: Breeding birds

As we have been on lockdown have not caught up with many of the summer breeders, so was pleased see Reed and Sedge warblers in good numbers, with great views of three well grown fledgling Sedge warblers, sat side by side completely unperturbed by us. If only I’d had a camera with me! Also a single Whitethroat singing out from a perch on a tree. Will bring our own seats to the hide next time as it is backbreaking otherwise! Good numbers of Little egret and several Chiffs singing. One funny thing was that the Welsh government allows us a limit of 5 miles, our journey was 4.9

Main sighting: Yellowhammer

2 singing males, one just N of village, second near Trevonny. Also 5 Redstarts and possible Raven breeding territory in woods at Coed-y-pwll.

Main sighting: Linnets and Lesser Redpoll etc

The gorse habitat at Penyreheol and the surrounding mountain moorland has been full of birds – Stonechats, Willow Warblers, Linnets, Lesser Redpolls, Bullfinches, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks, Wheatear and Reed Bunting. Also Magpies, Jackdaws, Carrion Crow, Buzzard, Raven and Lesser Black Backded and Herring Gulls.
The male Linnets and Redpols have been looking particularly colourful.
There is more on my blog detailing the birding to be had.

Main sighting: Swift

At least 50 swifts over Monnow at 6.30 am. Great to see so many. A few sand martins below. Single marsh tit in Mitchel Troy. At least four tree pipit singing from felled forestry and adjacent ‘parkland’ trees behind Pen y Clawdd Farm, Dingestow.

Main sighting: Cuckoo

Single cuckoo heard this morning in Trellech Common Woods; small group of crossbills passing over; single woodwarbler singing (seem to be doing rather better this year – I’ve heard 4 singing territories in Trellech Common Woods, 2 in Manor Wood, 1 near Beech Cottage pen y Fan; 3 in woods to east of Beacon Hill heathland and 2 near Pancake Wood); a fine male bullfinch in garden (The Narth) and green woodpecker excavating for ants in my lawn today.

Main sighting: Garganey

First visit since lockdown,using platforms only as hides still closed.Highlight was a male Garganey on the bank of Priors lagoon.Apart from one LRP juv. the only other juvs.were Canada and Greylags.66-Black Headed Gulls have returned but no juvs.

Main sighting: Wheatear

Several Wheatear including 3 Fledglings around the Sugar Loaf along with a Red Kite , a Kestrel , a couple of Ravens , loads of Meadow Pipits and Stonechat , a couple of Whinchat and several Skylarks . On the Rholben a couple of calling Cuckoos , a pair of Redstart and a single Yellowhammer .

Main sighting: Goosander with chicks

Goosander with 6 chicks, Mandarin Duck with 5 ducklings, nesting Mute Swan, Kingfisher, Wren, Willow Warbler, Grey Heron, Raven, Crow, Cormorant, 6 Canada Geese, male and female Grey Wagtail, Blackbird. All early morning.

Main sighting: Hobby

Hobby flew over the house this morning with the local swallows in hot pursuit

Main sighting: Firecrest

Male singing in conifers and seen well, also Spotted Flycatcher and singing Wood Warbler within 100 metres or so. Nearby Siskin pair courtship and probable Raven’s nest. Common Crossbill flying low and calling at Graig Syfyrddin and male Tree Pipit and Redstart singing on W slope of Tump.