Sightings

Main sighting: Willow Warbler

Two Willow Warbler singing, the first I’ve heard this year.

Main sighting: Marsh Tit

MARSH TIT, BLACKCAP ; Chiffchaffs; Goldcrest; Goldfinch; Blackbird; Song Thrush; Robins; Wrens; Great Tit; Coal Tit; Blue Tit; Meadow Pipits – all singing. Red Kite; Buzzard; Kestrel; Carrion Crows
Sunny day but very windy up at the Trig point.

Main sighting: Spotted Redshanks

En-route to hides: chaffinch, crows, robin, wren, great spotted woodpecker drumming, chiffchaff, blackcap, collard dove, pied wagtails, pheasant, long tailed tits, blue tits, magpies, blackbirds, herring gulls, house sparrows, starlings, moorhen, woodpigeons and 1 little egret. Hide 1: Canada geese, 131 black-tailed godwits, 21 curlew, 15 shelduck, 24 teal, 2 wigeon, skylark, pair of spotted redshanks, greylag geese, 4 avocets, 2 lapwing, 6 snipe and coot. Hide 2: cettis calling. Hide 3: 521 more black-tailed godwits, 80 avocet (highest number here for me, 2 colour ringed birds also), 1 heron, pair of pintail and single male, 10 shoveler, 8 gadwall, female marsh harrier, 2 ringed plovers, 3 cormorants, mallards, oystercatchers, meadow pipits and reed buntings (most of the bird activity was from this hide). Seawall: stonechat, 11 more curlew and lesser-black backed gulls. Snipe platform: pair little grebes and jackdaws. Back at hide 2 good count of 81 redshanks.

Main sighting: Sand martin

One sand martin hawking for insects

Main sighting: Swallow

Swallow flew close by on track in Tirpentis Cut.

Main sighting: Swallow

Saw my first Swallow over the road drinking in the lake by the cemetery, with 8 Goosander on the lake (2m + 6f).
Also had 3 Wheatears by the approach road.

Main sighting: Swallow

A lucky group of seven enjoyed a lovely spring morning. Two Chiffchaffs sang on the lane to the start and a distant high-soaring Peregrine put in a spectacular stoop as we gathered in the car park. We much enjoyed newly-arrived male Wheatears on our walk along with many Stonechats, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks performing. Dave Brassey spotted a lone Swallow flying over. Our final tally was 28 species though, sadly, the Red Grouse eluded us.

Main sighting: Road Closed

If you’re coming on Wednesday’s walk, please note that there is no access from Gilwern/Llangattock. You must approach from Brynmawr – ignore the “Road Closed” signs at the end of the lane.

Main sighting: Goosander (M&F)

Pair of Goosander (male and female) on River Ebbw near Bassaleg.

Grid Ref: ST 28052 86615

Main sighting: Weekly roundup

En-route to hides: robin, collard dove, starlings, pheasant, pied wagtails, chiffchaffs, wren, chaffinches, woodpigeons, little egret, 3 stock doves, crows, gt spotted woodpecker, magpies, greylag geese, goldfinches, moorhen, blackcap in full song, raven and blackbirds. Hide 1: Canada geese, 21 redshanks, 12 wigeon, 11 teal, 4 lapwing, mallards and dunnock. En-route to next hide 1 redwing, blue tits and cettis. Hide 2: skylark, 795 black-tailed godwits and 1 bar-tailed mixed in, 218 knot, 1 ruff, great tits, 3 avocet, 6 shoveler, 1 dunlin, lesser black-backed gulls, pair spotted redshanks (possibly a 3rd but not relocated), heron, 3 cormorants, gadwall, peregrine and female marsh harrier. 2 swallows over prior to platform. Snipe platform: 3 male and 1 female tufteds, coot, 5 more gadwall, herring gulls, 2 more little egrets and a linnet. Seawall: 7 oystercatchers, 8 curlew, 15 more teal and meadow pipits. Hide 3: pair pintail, 37 more shelduck, 46 more shoveler (good number now), 67 more avocet (1 colour ringed bird), pink footed goose and 4 ringed plovers. Back at hide two: 11 snipe.

Main sighting: Bar tailed godwit

Bar tailed godwit from middle hide at goldcliff 3 ringed plover , 100s of bar tailed godwits ,15 avocet ,the highlights

Main sighting: Mandarin duck

Pair of mandarin – male photographed in riparian tree