Sightings

Main sighting: Goshawk

A short afternoon walk: Goshawk Sparrowhawk Buzzard Green Woodpecker Mistle Thrush a flock of 20 plus 3 others Stock Dove 5 Chaffinch 6 Cole Tit 1 Blue Tit 2 Jay 1

Main sighting: Goosanders

Not quite Gwent, but 5 Goosanders and 6 little egret, 1 grey wagtail on the Taff at llandaff

Main sighting: Dead Gannet

Avian flu victim?? Bird unblemished.

Main sighting: Little Egret

At 12.00 today a single Little Egret was fishing in the Monnow below the new road bridge in Monmouth. Seen from the old bridge.

Main sighting: Redwings

Group of 14 redwings flying around.

Main sighting: Spoonbill

Morning visit – robin, crows, blackbirds, wren, cettis, herring gulls, 48 mallards and moorhens. Snipe platform – spoonbill feeding and showing well, did take off at 0930 over the Point but cane back in about 10 minutes later, 11 lt egrets, 367 black-tailed godwits and 6 knot mixed in, teal, 5 snipe, shoveler, 15 redshanks, kingfisher going past, 2 kestrels, linnets, 77 meadow pipits, 2 herons, water rail squealing, grey phalarope showing well, 62 lapwing, 2 cygnets, starlings, jackdaws, 1st year great black-backed gull, magpies, 2 chiffchaffs and chaffinch. Marsh platform – 62 dunlin, pied wagtails, 7 skylarks, woodpigeons, 2 cormorants and a female stonechat. Seawall – oystercather, 52 curlew adult gt black-backed gull and 2 swallows. Male pheasant, blue tits and gt spotted woodpecker.

Main sighting: Grey Phalarope

The Grey Phalarope was showing well today at mid-day, from the Marsh viewing platform. It looked very settled spinning on the water and feeding. Also Southern and Migrant Hawkers along the rheen and Common Darter everywhere.

Main sighting: little egrets

2 egrets fishing just below Monnow bridge at 0730 hrs, also small passage of house martins over st arvans on Saturday and Sunday @ 15 birds both days

Main sighting: Ring-knecked parakeet

I ring-knecked parakeet heard and observed flying between trees from 2.00 pm – 5.45 pm when I arrived at and left the car park.

Main sighting: Spotted Redshank

Snipe platform – 2 kestrels, robin, crows, herring gulls, mallards, grey phalarope showing well, 5 little egrets, water rail (seen and heard), moorhens, 2 pairs stonechats in the reeds, 6 grey plover on the mud, pied wagtails, 80 black-tailed godwits had a spotted redshank mixed in, all took off and flew high at 0755, 43 redshanks, chaffinch, meadow pipits, cettis warbler, raven, 65 lapwing, wren, male phesant, woodpigeons, magpies. Marsh platofrm – shoveler, teal, 2 ringed plovers, 1 heron, chiffchaff in the reeds, 16 skylarks over calling. Seawall – 15 curlew only, good mix of waders on the waters edge included 2 knot, 1 bar-tailed godwit, oystercatchers, 103 dunlin and 46 grey plovers. Wheatear in the grass by the gate, 1 gt black-backed gull, black headed gulls and a siskin over calling. Back at snipe platform – 62 house martins feeding and 5 swallows mixed in, 2 snipe. Hedge line down to hide – 2 goldcrests, 5 chiffchaffs, dunnock, blue tits. Hide 1 – male marsh harrier and 11 greylags passing. Green woodpecker, starlings and jackdaws by the entrance.

Main sighting: Kingfisher

Not much else, but KF was where it should be 😉

Main sighting: Avian Flu

4 mute swans have died in recent weeks in the reedbeds at Uskmouth, Newport Wetlands. Two were collected last Thursday, 29th September by DEFRA for testing for Avian Flu. The results may take up to 2 weeks.
Please keep an eye out for dead birds. You should call the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77) if you find:
one or more dead bird of prey or owl;
3 or more dead gulls or wild waterfowl (swans, geese and ducks);
5 or more dead birds of any species.
Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick wild birds that you find. Please also notify NRW by calling 0300 065 3000.
For further information please visit the Welsh Government website:
https://gov.wales/avian-influenza-bird-flu-latest-update