Sightings

Main sighting: Gannet

Group of 8 and 2 gannets seen over estuary from sudbrook, by Chris Stone

Main sighting: Curlew

a single Curlew in the field behind the church . On the river an unusual sighting of a pair of Mandarin Duck

Main sighting: Yellowhammer

3 Yellowhammers on the side of Llanwenarth Breast plus a couple of Stock Doves and on the way back down 2 Redpoll

Main sighting: Bean Goose and White Front Goose

Bean Goose (1); White Front Goose (1) (possible Greenland); amongst 38 Greylag Geese and a few Canada Geese. Pintail (4 males and a female); Widgeon (120+); Gadwall (6); Teal (30+); Shoveler (30+); Lapwing (4); Shelduck; Tufted Duck; Common Gull (1); Redshank (6); Lapwing (4); Curlew (1); Little Egret. Others: Chifchaff (3); Gt Sp Woodpecker; Green Woodpecker.

Main sighting: Lesser Redpoll

Small flock of about 5/6 On path very near car park entrance. Feeding on tall grass seeds on edge of path.

Main sighting: Skylark

Flock of 15 Skylarks feeding on ground near the old Brynmawr reservoir. Stonechats on territory by access track. 12 Fieldfares over.

Main sighting: Small Tortoiseshell

A few more birds in song today but the highlight of the day was a Small Tortoiseshell in a neighbour’s garden. I would not be surprised if other butterflies seen today.

Main sighting: Goldeneye

About 6 six seen

Main sighting: Buzzard

Amazing sight of large buzzard flying through trees. Probably around due to many thrushes in trees.

Main sighting: Wentwood Forest

About the size of a magpie long slender tail feathers, grey and white bird all white face with a slight crest again white on head very loud shrill call I haven’t heard before no eye mask (usually remember that) calling loudly in a tree and again in flight I’ve seen the Great Grey Shrike before this looked similar but different as described above.

Main sighting: Barn Owl

1 Barn Owl quartering over fields by River Usk behind house northwest from The Hanbury.

Main sighting: Grey Partridge

Two Grey and two Red-legged Partridges in the garden – doubtless released birds although I haven’t seen any Greys in recent years.