Sightings

Main sighting: Little Owl

Single bird sitting on the roof of the outbuilding. Not sure of the farm name but it is the one on the outskirts of the village at the end just before the turn off for the village itself.

Main sighting: Afternoon roost

Late afternoon saw a great number of Lapwing (492 – my highest count on the Levels), 6 Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 88 Wigeon, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 18 Shoveler, 1 Curlew, 1 Greylag Goose and a distant female Marsh Harrier.

Main sighting: Otters and barn owl

Water levels not being managed at all in respect to waders so very little about. Surprised to see a pair of Otters fishing from Snipe platform, showing quite well and then out of sight towards the reeds at the top end (on the right where they join the grass area). Hide 3 saw the most action with the Barn Owl hunting twice (14.15 and 14.25hrs) and flying right in front of the hide. It came from the outbuilding at the farm (heard one calling in there about 5 months back and suspected it was roosting / living there). Also of note, 16 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 pairs Stonechats, 4 Gadwall only, male Reed Bunting, female Marsh Harrier, 1 Heron, female Peregrine over the seawall, 72 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 4 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, 2 Cormorants and 2 Mute Swans.

Main sighting: Common Gull

Hightide count on very windy and cold day. It was good to see 9 Common Gulls but, the wader and duck counts were very low. Barn Owl 1 Marsh Harrier 1 Kestrel 1.

Main sighting: Kingfisher

Kingfisher perched on wall beside river for a while before taking off downstream. Also single grey wagtail.

Main sighting: Kingfisher

Kingfisher perched on wall near river bend. Also grey wagtail.

Main sighting: Little Owl

Not seen a Little Owl for a long time so it was nice to see one at GP. Curlew 20 (one colour ringed feeding on field) Turnstone 12 Dunlin 2 Meadow Pipit 2 Pied Wagtail 4 a few duck and Gulls.

Main sighting: Hawfinch

Hawfinch at Llanbadoc this morning.

Main sighting: E. Woodcock

Woodcock was flushed from the stream, flew into the tunnel under the canal, walked further into the tunnel, but then turned around and flew out.

Main sighting: Barn Owl, Pintail and Spotted Redshank

Dawn visit – Barn Owl showing well in near darkness throughout reserve.
92 x Curlews roosting on Monks Lagoon ( unable to see if any colour ringed).
A single Pintail duck was in with the Wigeon on Becs Lagoon.
Marsh Harrier( female) quartering reed beds regularly.
Afternoon visit – highlights were a Spotted Redshank on Monks Lagoon and Kestrel showing.
Other – Black Tailed Godwits ( 20+) Dunlin x 2 , Wigeon, Mallard, Tufted, Shelduck and Teal Ducks. Cormorant, Starlings , Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Robin,Magpie, Carrion Crow, Little Egret,Grey Heron,Greylag Goose, Moorhen, Canada Geese. Lesser Black Backed, Black Headed and Herring Gulls.

Main sighting: Barn Owl

My garden trail cam is regularly picking up a Barn Owl flying up from the winter seed crop and perching on a fence post; a second bird flew past a few nights ago. Always exciting to check the camera in the morning!

Main sighting: Redwings

Approx 15-20 birds feeding on plentiful hawthorn berries at the roadside between Blaenavon town and Keepers Pond.