A welcome visitor

 We were delighted to see a kestrel in the garden on Friday. It was having difficulty keeping steady on a branch in the apple tree, as it was buffeted by strong winds, but stayed for several minutes before it flew, or blew, away at speed. 

A combination of a moving branch and taking the photo through a distant window was not conducive to a good picture, but I was very happy to get anything at all!! 

Pochard at L. Cyd

During a short visit to L. Cyd this afternoon, a female Pochard flew in and proceeded to very vigorously bathe and dive for about 20 minutes. Tempting to suggest it had just completed a migration, and could it be the same bird we have seen in the last 4 winters?

Also present were 27 Cormorant gathering to roost, 70 Wigeon, 50 Teal, 19 Tufted Duck, and 1 Shelduck. 1 Great Egret and 4 Little were roosting too, and a Kingfisher used the usual perch.

LCyD - new (to me) Egret behaviour

Interesting behaviour from the two Gt Egret at LCyD yesterday - generally kept their distance but for the two minutes they were together they were in full neck stretching mode.  Have never seen this before and I assume either territorial/asserting dominance or bonding - can't find anything online, does anyone have any idea?

Around a dozen or so Redwing around but totally camera shy until this one bird dropped down for a bath in the deep shadow next to the hide

Juvenile Mute is a ringed bird - '7LAN' - given they don't tend to move around much I assume a local bird

Finally late afternoon setting sun and reflection - little rock, big rock

7 Hawfinches in Castle Caereinion

Many thanks to Aneurin Lloyd for letting me post this fine portrait, taken today in the churchyard of St Garmon's Church, feeding on yew berries. Meurig has added that there were 7, but that they are not likely to stay around long!

Montgomeryshire Bird Report 2020

Last year's County Bird Report is now available to read and download! Just click on the link County Reports (above). It's been out for a few weeks, but I know some folk missed the earlier post. I have a list of acknowledgements - many thanks to all observers who sent in records. I couldn't have written it without you all; and without the superb photos that illustrate it. Our wonderful photographers deserve a mention by name: special thanks to our regulars Mark Wilson, Meurig Garbutt, Chris Townsend, Edd Cottell, Brian Pollard, Sue Southam, and David Lister. David is responsible for this Hobby image which I chose as this year's cover photo. 

Finally, many thanks to Mike Haigh for initiating the Bird Blog, and for uploading this report.

Please keep sending in your records, either directly to the blog, or to me at montbird@gmail.com

Thirsty Birds.

 Crossbills and Siskins busy quenching their thirst on Ceri Ridgeway this morning.

Llyn Coed Y Dinas

 Much the same as the last month or so,, but nice to have a clearer view now the reed bed has been trimmed. Birds of note; 3great Egrets, I Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Water Rail, Kingfisher, Numerous wigeon and Teal and as the light was failing 20 Lapwings flew in.

New look at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas!

 

We (MWT volunteers) have been busy reducing the reed-bed in front of the hide at LCyD, while keeping a large section intact for any wintering Bittern and summering Reed Warblers. We hope the birds, birders and photographers will approve. It's the first time Rob has tried using a battery-powered hedge-trimmer as a reed-cutter, but it seemed to work well.

Not many birds are visible in the photo, but that's not surprising after all the disturbance. However, there is a drake Carolina Duck swimming around. Carolinas (or Wood Ducks) are native to North America, and occur here as escapes (or descendants of escapes) from wildfowl collections. Unlike their close relative the Mandarin, they have not established a breeding population in UK.  

Time for a drink

Grim light up on the Ridgeway first thing this morning - after a couple of hours a group of 8 Crossbill decided water was needed

Snow Bunting in Hafren Forest

 

Adding to Michele's post from yesterday, we now have a photo! Of course, it may be a different individual. Many thanks to John Williams for the photo and permission to use it.