Sightings

Main sighting: Not The Thieving Magpie

Yesterday a male GS woodpecker noted flying across the garden with a complete bird’s egg in its beak; notorious thieves.
A pair of swallows arrived yesterday to nest in the garage. They normally appear the second week in April; somewhat six weeks late .
This morning the GS woodpeckers feeding at least two fully fledged young.

Main sighting: Tawny owl

Tawny owl roosting, jay, 8 goldfinch, nuthatch, song thrush, blackcap, 2 stock dove, gsw, buzzard, 2 chiffchaff, 25 sand Martins, 5 swifts, 2 grey wagtail, female Mandarin and 6 young. Also 3 fallow deer.

Main sighting: Starling

A flock of more than 70 Starlings included roughly 40% which were juveniles.

Main sighting: Cuckoos, Red Grouse

Walked the mountain above Griffithstown and Cwmynscoy area. Stonechats, Willow Warblers, Linnet, Redpoll, Meadow Pippits, Bull Finch, Skylarks and Wheatear. Red Grouse flushed. Reed Buntings found in one location. Cuckoo seen Blaen Bran side and heard in Cwm Lickey Valley. Very good birding. Pics on my blog later this week.

Main sighting: Kittiwake

This report for Friday 22nd, already posted but did not appear, probably my fault. Kittiwakes 30 + 20 the second batch landed on the water several times in between trying to fight the wind and drifting back up the Severn before eventually making a break for it.
Sat 23rd Fulmar 3 – Recent report of juv Swallow at Sudbrook 12th + 20th photo on Portland blog for 22nd was seen to beg from adults on second date?

Main sighting: Wheatear

1f-Wheatear present this morning,quite late for this location.

Main sighting: Sea birds

Seen yesterday on estuary from sudbrook. 2 fulmar seen at around five and again around seven pm, east of second Severn crossing following the bridge back and forth across the estuary. A few kittiwake including one quite close to the shore and flock of 8 to 10 sandwich tern east of the bridge heading west. Thanks to Chris Stone for the heads up.

Main sighting: Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher this afternoon plus 2 pairs Pied Flycatchers and a male Redstart

Main sighting: Spotted Flycatcher

My first Spotted Flycatcher of the year. Plus the usual warblers.

Main sighting: Kingfisher

On River Monnow, also female Mandarin Duck and pair of Goosander flying over low, Grey Wagtail possibly breeding by Llangua Bridge.

Main sighting: Cuckoo

Male Cuckoo calling 6am and two ravens

Main sighting: Spotted Flycatcher

A pair of Spotted Flycatchers, about 10 or more swallows and same house martins. Nesting pairs of Blackcap and Common Whitethroat. Willow Warbler.