Sightings

Main sighting: Red Kite

there is something to be said for gardening after all then, approx mid day, headed off N/W

Main sighting: Ruff

Ruff from 1st platform, Spotted Redshank

Main sighting: Ring-necked Parakeet

One ring-necked parakeet in-off the Bristol Channel chased by a peregrine. Also at least 2 water pipits on saltmarsh.

Main sighting: Wheatear

Wheatears have arrived, 5 males 2 females, plus 5 male Stonechat 1 female, several Skylarks singing overhead, 1 Kestrel, numerous Meadow Pipits and Green Woodpecker calling.

Main sighting: Blackcap

Singing Blackcap and 3 singing Chiffchaffs.

Main sighting: Greenfich

TEN Greenfinches on garden feeders containing Sunflower hearts; Black sunflower seeds; Mealworms and fat nuggets.
In Garden, two Jays, one collecting nesting material, then flew off towards Castle grounds.
Peacock Butterfly.

Main sighting: Chiffchaff

Two chiffchaffs calling and first Brimstone

Main sighting: Black Redstart

Black Redstart still viewable from footpath under bridge at Caldicot Pill on tidal rack, with Stonechats.Also 22 Pintail seen.

Main sighting: Wheatears

Morning visit with 51 species seen, highlights were (hide 1) – skylarks singing, a pair of stonechats, a pair of wheatears on the other side of the lagoon on the metal gate, 2 buzzards, female kestrel, 29 shelduck, 8 lapwing, 6 ringed plovers (on the island), 23 teal and a cettis calling. 3 chiffchaffs heard elsewhere. Redshank platform – 85 black-tailed godwits took off and headed past the Point, with 133 remaining on the lagoon and another 41 from the seawall. Marsh harriers, spotted redshank, 2 dunlin, 26 meadow pipits on the bank, 21 wigeon, 2 herons, 8 gadwall, black headed gull, 1 little egret and 109 redshanks. A female peregrine made an appearance and 5 reed buntings also seen. Seawall – very high tide but 9 oystercatchers and 62 curlew flew past. Hide 3 – 2 pairs of tufteds with a single male, 15 avocet, 25 shoveler and another 65 shelduck.

Main sighting: Sand Martin

Ten Sand Martin, a Lapwing and Curlew this morning.

Main sighting: Curlew

THREE PAIRS of Curlew seen on a single traditional Gwent breeding site this morning thanks to a report sent to Curlew@gwentbirds.org.uk ! Now’s the time to find these stunning birds. Pls go out to look for them, listening for that haunting call, and report to the dedicated email address. Ask your friends to do so too – we need to find all Gwent’s breeding Curlews. Details on the GOS Home page.

Main sighting: two sand martins flying over barrage

lovely to see my first sand martins