Sightings

Main sighting: Green Sandpiper.

23 species including 1Stock Dove, 1Green Sandpiper, 1Grey Heron, 10 Little Egret, 2 Red Kite, 1Buzzard, 3 Rook, 40 Jackdaw, 6 Mistle Thrush, 6 Redwing, 19 Fieldfare, 1Grey Wagtail.

Main sighting: Dead swans

We have been informed today by an RSBP volunteer that three dead swans have been found at Goldcliff Lagoons, Newport Wetlands NNR. This is the second occurrence in the last 4 months.
DEFRA has been informed and will make an assessment if they will attend and remove the potentially affected birds for testing. This could take up to four days. If we have not received anything from DEFRA by Monday morning, it will be NRW’s responsibility to have the dead birds removed.
One dead swan is on the island of Monk’s Lagoons, one is partly hidden in reeds at the lagoon edge and one is in reeds/water between Monk’s and Prior’s. Please report any other dead swans or birds direct to DEFRA at:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-dead-wild-birds

and also to NRW incident line:
0300 065 3000 24 hours a day or online at –
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/NU2VYV/

Signage is already in place on site advising those in the area.

Main sighting: Black Redstart

One on private ABP property near South Dock.

Main sighting: Twite

There was a single twite perched on the ground as we crossed the meadow, just above the footbridge just above the small river (Clydach). We had just passed the isolated house (Nantllanerch). The bird may not have been very healthy – we could walk up to it without it flying away.

Main sighting: Lapwing & Starlings

Viewing from Goldcliff towards the reserve 1530 – 1630 hrs, 2 marsh harriers hunting at dusk but spectacular numbers of starlings over the reserve, 2 murmerations, probably in excess of 10,000 birds, also belated report from New Years day of 2,000 lapwing west of reserve.

Main sighting: Short eared owl

1400 – 1500 hrs, Viewing west from the Goldcliff seawall to the wetlands, I spotted a juvenile marsh harrier quartering near Saltmarsh lane, then Jan spotted a large bird resting on the field @ 200 metres south of the Red Barn hide, as soon as we scoped it, we were amazed to have a short eared owl, it took flight after 15 mins and disappeared towards the woodland.. Great start to the new year.

Main sighting: Spoonbill

Spoonbill still there towards Peterstone church (salt marshes), with 3 little egrets and GBBG. Large numbers of teal, shelduck, wigeon, mallard, shovelers, redshank, oystercatchers on the tide, also a few pintail, 2 snipe out at the edge of tide, few curlew, dunlin, and bullfinch in hedgerow. Good start to list 23!

Main sighting: Turnstone

56-Turnstones on the tideline between the point and seaweed covered rocks.Also,surprisingly two new born lambs amongst the sheep who have turned the paths into a quagmire.11h00-13h30.

Main sighting: Hawfinch

A single Hawfinch and 4 Greenfinch in the village this morning. The swan herd (19) can be seen fairly distantly from the Caerleon-Usk road near Llandowlais; no scope this morning – too far to see if the Whooper was with the Mutes.

Main sighting: Pintail

Pintail 6; Lapwing 300+; Redshank 200+; Starling 400+; Widgeon 80; Teal; Shoveler 4; Gadwall 2; Tufted Duck 6; Snipe; Heron; Coot; Black Headed Gull; Greylag Goose 50; Canada Goose 35; Wood Pigeon 50;

Main sighting: Perigrine, male sparrow hawk male and female builfinch nuthatch

Machen Mountain

Main sighting: Harriers

A walk from Saltmarsh lane at 1500 to 1630 hrs to the lighthouse, we had good views of a female marsh harrier hunting the area west of the lighthouse plus a male on the eastern edge of the reserve. On return to the the lane we sighted 4 harriers, of which one was a ringtail, plus two male marsh and a female.