Sightings

Main sighting: Nuthatch

Nuthatch, 6 linnets, also 9 fallow deer and a fox

Main sighting: Spotted Flycatcher

A roving flock consisted of a Spotted Flycatcher Blackcap 1 male several phylloscs Blue Tit 2 Great Tit 2 Long-tailed Tit 6. On Priors, Black-tailed Godwit 170 Knot 50 Snipe 3 Redshank 12 Dunlin12 Little Stint 1 juv Lapwing 30 Ruff 5. Others: Clouded Yellow 1 (one also at RHB where there was a Hummingbird Hawkmoth) Small Copper 2 and lots of Migrant Hawkers.

Main sighting: Redstart

Lovely male redstart on bank west of path between golf course and gout. Also Spotted Flycatcher (1), Chiffchaff (2).

Main sighting: PIed Flycatcher

Main sighting: Wryneck

My neighbouring farmer gave a perfect description (plumage and behaviour) of a Wryneck on his lawn this evening – sadly I got there just too late to see it! Collected a dead Barn Owl chick from another local farmer this morning. A busy day.

Main sighting: yellow wagtails

on marsh area between Peterstone church and the tide, 3 flocks of yellow wagtails, one with up to 40; large flocks of many species now gathering – curlew 160; oystercatchers 100; dunlin 200 with a few ringed plover; shelduck 200; BHGs – many hundreds; starling flock of 500 murmurating; few teal and pintails (F) in with the mallards; redshank 200; greenshank 1; ruff 1; common sandpiper 1; meadow pipits10; little egrets 8; heron 1; goldfinches++;

Main sighting: Large ( Kite sized ) yellow hawk? Dark tips to wings and tail

Seen on 3 occasions on the greens of the Golf course. On the first occasion it was accompanies by a smaller grey hawk.
I have some not great photos if wanted.

Main sighting: Spotted Flycatcher

1230 – still 1 Spotted Flycatcher present on bank to west of path between gold course and Gout. Yesterday (11/09/2022) 1100-1230 – 2 Spotted Flycatcher present. Also Reed Warbler (2) and Water Rail heard.

Main sighting: Goosander

Goosander 5 Redheads Little Egret 1 Kingfisher 2 Grey Wagtail 3

Main sighting: Spotted Flycatcher

1810-1840: Spotted Flycatcher (2), Whitethroat (1), Chiffchaff (2), Reed Bunting (2) on bank to the west of the path leading to the Gout from the golf course (cleared of brambles this year – worth a look for migrants as it seems to be teeming with insects). Would have stayed longer but the Golf Course shuts the gate at 7 pm and I had parked inside!

Main sighting: Green woodpecker and male kestrel

On Cwmtillery lake there were coots, mallards, two little grebes and on the Afon Tyleri a grey wagtail. Opposite Cwmtillery reservoir on the electricity lines perched were meadow pipits and 12 pied wagtails. A green woodpecker was on one of the electricity posts before flying into a nearby tree. Male kestrel hovering, possibly two above Coety Mountain.

Main sighting: Kingfisher

0600 – 1000hrs, 40 species, highlights including 6 little egrets flying towards Magor (12 more from snipe platform), pheasant, 2 chiffchaffs (contact calls), kingfisher calling from the pond over the hedge line later flew across the reserve and a female sparrowhawk. Snipe platform – cettis calling, gadwall, 22 wigeon, 44 knot with 3 curlew sandpipers mixed in, 4 dunlin, 3 bar-tailed godwits, 2 herons, 2 ringed plovers, 1 greenshank, 5 redshank, shoveler, teal, 2 avocet and 13 curlew that flew in at 0637 then straight back out over the sea wall. Marsh platform – 244 black-tailed godwits, 2 ruff, 18 redshank, 5 more knot, 3 more roosting bar-tailed godwits, 4 snipe, 1 gey plover, 2 sand martins over with 19 swallows only. Hide three – female wheatear, another grey plover, reed bunting (fem), 2 kestrels and reed warbler. Seawall – 2 1st year great black-backed gulls, good count of 117 curlew in the grass/saltings and shelduck.