Sightings

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

Main sighting: Shelduck

At least 772-Shelducks on the foreshore,also 4-Grey Plovers and 73+Oystercatchers.12h00-12h45.

Main sighting: Grey Phalarope

Grey Phalarope from Snipe Platform. Also Marsh Harrier

Main sighting: House Martin & Cormorants

Long walk from the dam to the north end of the reservoir. Lots of mallards together with 50+ Canada geese and a single male tufted duck, 2 ravens, single juvenile house martin, at least 15-20 cormorants with many juveniles and adults present, 2 pied wagtail. The water level in the reservoir is still extremely low and, through my binoculars, the hides appeared to be quite a distance from the water and any birds.

Main sighting: red grouse

Moors above the British – 6 red grouse; also skylarks, meadow pipits, linnets and stonechats

Main sighting: Curlew Sandpipers

A max of 11 Curlew Sandpipers over the high tide, also 2 Little Stint, 4 Male ruff, Green Sandpiper, male Marsh Harrier, juv Peregrine, small flock of Knot.

Main sighting: Little egrets

14 little egrets, 73 dunlin, 5 shovelers, 44 teal, 27 blackwits, 35 redshank, 6 knot, a little stint, 2 stonechat, 3 chiffchaff, 2 goldfinch, 6 pied wagtail, 2 cettis heard calling

Main sighting: Little Egret

I saw a single Little Egret actively fishing as it paddled/waded down the West bank of the Wye this morning at 1300. Only my second ever sighting in the Monmouth area.

Main sighting: Wigeon

Wigeon 250, Pintail 3,Meadow pipits 25, Grey wag(Sudbrook)

Main sighting: Redwing

Late entry sighting for 24th at 1830hrs – small group of redwing passing.

Main sighting: Migration

0630 – 0930 visit. Crows, wrens, robin, 2 cettis, moorhens, herring gulls, 20 magpies together and a pair of mute swans with 8 cygnets. Snipe platform – 74 curlew which took off at 0650, 62 knot, 16 little egrets, 3 herons, green woodpecker calling, 12 ringed plovers, 285 black-tailed godwits, 226 dunlin had 3 little stints and 1 sanderling mixed in, ravens, Canada geese, 1 greylag, linnets, water rail calling, teal, 1 yellow wagtail only, 1 curlew sandpiper and 4 snipe. marsh platform – 27 redshanks, pied wagtails and woodpigeons. Seawall – 15 skylark high overhead calling, 113 mallards (a good count) on the mud, shelduck, 4 adult and 1 1st year great black-backed gulls, black headed gulls, shoveler, gadwall, 1 oystercatcher only, 53 distant lapwing, and steady passage of swallows from 0810 in groups of 10 – 20, by 0900 they were passing in groups of around 50 – 70 at a time. Hide 1 – kestrel, goldfinches, blue tit, blackbird, 45 house martins and 71 meadow pipits on the mud (96 seen en-route to hide 1). Near the entrance gate, group of 7 long tailed tits had 2 goldcrests and 12 chiffchaffs moving through the hedgerow. Pheasant in the field with 64 starlings and the pale buzzard on a post.

Main sighting: Bar tailed godwit

Thanks to Allan for the heads up on 2 bar tailed godwits at the seawall on the very low high tide; few wheatears, oystercatchers, curlew etc; 4 or 5 little egrets