More deformed beaks

Mark Wilson has an update on his Blue Tit -

Image of a Blue Tit with both mandibles deformed taken yesterday in my garden - assumed when I took the pics was the bird I photographed on Boxing Day that had ‘further developed’ but looking at the two pics side by side am now not so sure.  Clear plumage differences, that could be down to moult I guess, but the differences in beak size and deformation are striking - would this amount of growth be feasible in two months? If not two birds showing such marked deformation in one location is a bit of a worry - reported to the BTO.

 

 

                                               A few shots from Tue's morning

BITTERN

Water level has risen six or more inch's overnight. no sign of the Bittern  for the first hour until it popped out of some thick reed just before 10.00 am giving good views of the bird, due to the rising water which has forced it higher in the reed bed. Just hope the water level stops rising or it may be the water that forces the bird out.

Hawfinch at Powys Castle;

6 Hawfinch seen early today 22/2/15. Flew off in direction of welshpool at 07:45.

Crossbill, Hafren Forest 21st Feb

A picture from Mark Wilson of a Crossbill in the Hafren Forest, one of a group of half a dozen he spent some time in close proximity to yesterday -

LCYD 18th Feb

The Bittern was still to the right hand side of the hide but was fairly elusive between 3:30 and 4:15. Fantastic bird all the same.

11 Snipe probing around on the left and right side of the hide. Looking in fine shape.

Also making an appearance were a pair of Goosander, a lone Oystercatcher, 6 Wigeon, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Teal, 1 Cormorant, 2 Lesser Black Backed Gulls and a female Reed Bunting coming into roost in the reedbed amongst the usual suspects.

Churchstoke Wildlife Pools

Visited the wildlife park on the 17th to carry out a belated Webs Count. Lots of ducks and geese on the main lake. 23 Wigeon feeding in amongst 25 Canada Geese, whilst a single Little Grebe was feeding on some small fish. Meadow Pipit, Grey and Pied Wagtail were rummaging amongst the feet of some llamas. 9 Lapwing rested in a flooded stubble field behind the lake. 3 Buzzard and a Red Kite scouted out the fields.

The LCYD Bittern

Wendy Vickers reports -

The Bittern was still at Llyn-coed y Dinas early afternoon and very active preening and even climbed the reeds...

Bird Group talk in Welshpool on Wednesday Feb 18th

Just a reminder - rather belated I'm afraid - about the Bird Group talk this Wednesday, February 18th, at Welshpool Methodist Church, 7.30pm.

Claire Backshall, BTO Garden BirdWatch Ambassador, will speak on 'Why Garden Birdwatchers Matter: Domestic science with a difference! How a simple BTO  survey enables armchair birdwatchers to contribute to research that shapes nature conservation'.

Everyone is welcome to attend - not just MWT members!
Admission is only £2, and includes  refreshments! Hope to see you there - it should be a good evening.

 

 

 

Kerry Ridgeway (East)

Nice to see a few Skylark in the fields along with Starling and Fieldfare.  Plenty of Chaffinch and Goldfinch on the edge of the forest, dropping down to feed on the ground and the smaller disiduous trees.

Llyn Coed Y Dinas: Bittern still present (and hunting).  A Kingfisher also made an appearance around 15.30, perching on the reeds in front of the hide before flying off a few minutes later.