Sightings

Main sighting: Muskovy Duck

The bird stayed around the car park all morning until Caerphilly bird rescue was called and they took it away. Photos on their website.

Main sighting: Kestrel

Very active Kestel hovering over Machen Mountain. Also, a Goosander duck in the nearby River Rhymney at Draethen.

Main sighting: Water Rail

Water Rail seen and heard squealing at dusk – first time at this location. Wigeon heard and 8 Snipe flushed.

Main sighting: Raptors

A number of red grouse pellets / droppings found. Also of note, good flocks of fieldfares around the hawthorns near the escarpment. 1 buzzard, 1 kestrel, 1 male peregrine, 3 red kites and 5 jays.

Main sighting: Avocet

36-Avocets on the tidal mud,1f-Goldeneye on priors and a Glossy Ibis showing well alongside priors.1-Peregrine perched on a fencepost for my entire visit.
Also, not bird related,a mole hill but more a mole ridge about eight feet long and two inches high near to the sea-wall.Not seen anything like this before.11h10-13h00.

Main sighting: 12 little egrets

12 litlle egrets flying over the oxbow. 2 x snipe, numerous common sandpipers

Main sighting: Red Grouse

A misty, murky walk up to the old Brynmawr reservoir, so finding two Red Grouse was a surprise. Also a Mistle Thrush singing in Clydach Gorge and a flock of 45 Starlings.

Main sighting: Smew

The drake Smew, 9 Goldeneye, a pair of Mandarin, Goosander and a Little Grebe all showed well in spite of misty conditions this afternoon.

Main sighting: Water rail

Only bird of note on a cloudy, drizzly dark day was a water rail on the left edge of the pool going in and out of the small patch of reeds.

Main sighting: Smew

Male Smew back viewable distantly from dam. Also 5 Goosander, 15 Mandarin and Kingfisher.

Main sighting: merlin

F merlin, redwing 50, fieldfare, gsw and green woodpecker, 10 lt tits, pair goosander, cormorant, goldcrest.

Main sighting: Goosander

Single bird (female or non-breeding male plumage) near small island in middle of lake.