Sightings

Main sighting: Whitethroat

A cool morning for the GOS walk in Blaen Bran Community Woodland with 12 members in attendance. Species noted were: Blackbird, Magpie, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon, Swallow, Robin, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Song Thrush, Raven, Greenfinch, Blackcap, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Stonechat, Skylark, Mistle Thrush, Carrion Crow, Bullfinch.
A low total of 23 species compared to previous years of 30+.

Main sighting: Siskin

Eurasian Siskin on floor before flying up in tall pines on the up hill bank of the lake. Also seen: Coots (Nesting), Willow Warbler, Wrens, Blackbird, Robins, and Chaffinch

Main sighting: Wood Warbler

1 singing rather reluctantly. Other species of note 1 Tree Pipit, 5 Garden Warbler, 2 Mistle Thrush plus 1 Firecrest. The latter species I have found on every visit to extensive woodland recently (including Forest of Dean and Berkshire as well as Gwent) – definitely no longer rare.

Main sighting: Cuckoo

At least 2-Cuckoos, 3-Garden Warblers,2m-Redstarts,lots of Willow Warblers,2-Tree Pipits together,Wood Warbler trilling,Blackcaps singing and a yaffling Green Woodpecker.10h30-12h45.

Main sighting: Grey Wagtails

Two Grey Wagtails looking splendid and larking about on the grass slope to the woodlands on the west side of the lake.

Main sighting: Woodcock

Woodcocks ‘Roding’; Nightjars ‘Churring’, Tawny Owls Calling.

Main sighting: Ruff

6-Ruff,3-Black Tailed Godwits,1m-Pintail(unusual on first lagoon),2adult-Black Headed Gulls all seen from first hide.Lapwing with 4 juveniles and another with 1 juvenile,Greylags with 4 young and 1f-Marsh Harrier,at least 20-Avocets mostly on first island.14h00-15h30.

Main sighting: Sedge Warbler

Two Sedge Warblers both hovering over reeds before dropping down. One resting on reed top briefly. Also sighted: Cetti’s Warbler, Common ChiffChaff, Wren, Robin, Blackbird and a fleeting Blackcap.

Main sighting: Cetti's warbler

Cettis warbler calling from dense scrub between boys school pavilion and river wye. Also a salmon or sewin leaping from the water.

Main sighting: Tree Pipit

2 males singing and displaying on the heath. Also 1 Garden Warbler and 1 Firecrest singing. Several Linnets and Whitethroats singing but no Stonechats as recently.

Main sighting: Wood Warbler

3 males in song only 100 metres apart (all three seen) but no others seen/heard in the woods. Also close by, Firecrest and Garden Warbler singing – all the most interesting birds in one small area.

Main sighting: Swifts

Swifts – around 25 flying in over the sea wall around 10am.
Plenty of Swallos also flying in.
Male Cuckoo seen between Snipe hide and Seawall hide.
Male and Female Marsh Harriers (seen separately)
Reed Warblers; Lesser Whitethroats; Whimbrel (2); Reed Bunting; Dunlin; Avocets; Wood Sandpiper (1st Hide).