Sightings

Main sighting: Black-tailed Godwit

An update on the colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwit noted in a flock of 1,100 at St Brides on Monday last: the Iceland Wader Group have identified the bird, even though I only saw it at a distance. It had a Lime ring over an Orange ring on the left tibia, and a Dark Green ring over an Orange ring on the right tibia. The Orange ring on the right tibia should have been inscribed with a black “Z” but I wasn’t able to observe that. So if anyone sees it again, perhaps at Goldcliff, please check and if possible take a photo. The bird was ringed in Iceland on 9 June 2023, and had been seen November 2023 at Slimbridge, in February 2024 in Dorset, then several times at Slimbridge in March 2024. A sighting at Goldcliff in August 2024 is also reported.

Main sighting: Goshawk

Probable Adult male goshawk flew past Rholben. Also kestrel, 2 ravens, 8 stonechat, 6 wheatear, 20 meadow pipits, 2 nuthatch.

Main sighting: Black-tailed Godwit

On this morning’s high tide huge flock of Black-tailed Godwits, count of 1,100. One colour ring seen am trying to identify the individual. Surprised to find so many.

Only five Curlews, no rings seen. Also 20 Oystercatchers, 7 Knot, 5 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Ruff.

Main sighting: Sparrowhawk

Sparrowhawk flew over the fields being mobbed by swallows; also raven on regular perch at the churchyard

Main sighting: great whire egret

late afternoon walk from Magor pill towards Undy gave GWE heading upriver, 20 oystercatchers, grey heron, flock of 200 + linnets and 6 wheatears.

Main sighting: Spoonbill

Monks
Black Tailed Godwits ( 40c) 3 x Knot 2 x Ruff. Lapwings 50C
Curlew x 4.
The foreshore
Big flock of Black Tailed Godwits 300c. In with them was a Spoonbill.
Reserve in General
Kestrel ( female), Hobby spooked many birds flew over to foreshore.
Marsh Harrier. Stonechats, Meadow Pipits, 2 x Black Caps, Chiff Chaff, Stock Doves, Raven.
Wheatears ( 4) on the sea wall near the farm.
Great Spotted Woodpecker. Lots of Swallows and House Martins.
Kingfisher, Cetti Warbler, Pied Wagtails, Wren and Goldfinches. Great White Egret, Heron and Cormorant. Black Headed Gulls, Mallards, Teal, Shoveler, Coot and 20 x Mute Swans.
Becs
2 x Dunlin. 6 x Ringed Plovers.
More water on the lagoons which was encouraging.

Main sighting: Barn Owl

Owl hunting over the ridge to the west of the bog at last light, between 7.45 and 8.00 pm

Main sighting: Marsh Harrier

Juvenile Marsh Harrier over the ‘Brynmawr Patches’ east of the Garnlydan reservoir this afternoon, perhaps the same bird that was around last month. Also five Wheatears and single Tree Pipit and Whinchat.

Main sighting: Curlew Sandpiper

Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff (7), Common Sandpiper (2), Black-Tailed Godwit (1) and Knot (12)

Main sighting: Curlew Sandpiper

Incoming tide 3.30pm to 6pm:
Curlew Sandpiper (1)
Ruff (7)
Black Tailed Godwit (1)
Common Sandpiper (2)
Knot (12)
Lapwing (17)
Turnstone (8)
Curlew (5)
Ringed Plover (300)
Dunlin (300)
Redshank (450)
Oystercatcher (80)
Little Egret (2)
Shelduck (150)
Teal (6)
Kingfisher (1)

Main sighting: Green Sandpiper

River Usk at Gobion 1 Green Sandpiper (the only wader), 2 Little Egret, 3 Goosander (2 full grown juvs), Kingfisher, 9 Grey Wags, Chiffchaffs and a couple of Blackcaps

Main sighting: Yellow leg gull

Yellow leg gull Ad – was perched on top of Osprey perch, was concerned with something up in the sky which I could not see? – Gt BB gull 3 inc one juv – Com sands 2 inc bird with an injured right wing, not sure if it could fly? – Wheatear – Linnets c20 – Shellduck juv – meager offerings I’m afraid