Notable Recent Sightings

12/07 Cattle Egret Cors Dyfi. Single present
20/06 Tree Sparrow Sarn. One on garden feeder
12/06 Gannet Llyn Coed y Dinas. Adult at 10am, mobbed by BH Gulls, then found on the bypass and taken into care
05/06 Hawfinch Dolanog. 1 in private garden feeding on Wych Elm seed
03/06 Hawfinch Dyfnant Forest. Single bird present today
31/05 Common Scoter Lake Vyrnwy. Single off Old Village CP
25/05 Crag Martin Lake Vyrnwy. Single over dam at 12.30pm but not seen since (by 13.30)
16/05 Greenshank Lake Vyrnwy. 1 passage bird on Gadfa Road
13/05 Common Gull Lake Vyrnwy. Flock of 7 over lake late morning
01/05 Black Tern Llyn Coed y Dinas. Present 7.30 until 10.30am and Dunlin
19/04 Great Grey Shrike Lake Vyrnwy. 1 still around & Cuckoos have arrived
13/04 Grasshopper Warbler Frochas Common. 1 heard
12/04 Pochard Llyn Ebyr. 3 present & c25 Sand Martins, 2 Swallow, Great-crested Grebe
11/04 Osprey Lake Vyrnwy. Sightings over dam/hotel heading up lake at c11am & c1.30pm
09/04 Great White Egret Dolydd Hafren. One plus Common & Green Sandpipers
09/04 Marsh Harrier Lake Vyrnwy. One over noon, Great Grey Shrike still on Bala Road & male Ring Ouzel at Gadfa
05/04 Osprey Lake Vyrnwy. One over 1pm & Great Grey Shrike on Bala Road in afternoon
04/04 Brent goose Llyn Coed y Dinas. Single with Canadas - probably same bird as at Dolydd Hafren 14/3
03/04 Brambling Welshpool. Single male in private garden
02/04 Redstart Welshpool. Male present pm
02/04 Swallow Forden. 3 on the Fron. Obviously a few around now.
02/04 Swallow Lake Vyrnwy. Single
02/04 Swallow Felindre. Single, a few Sand Martin & Blackcap singing Llanidloes
01/04 Ring Ouzel Lake Vyrnwy. 4 (3m, 1f) at Gadfa near first ruined building. Singing Willow Warbler, 3 Redwing, a few Fieldfare, 2 Great Black-backed Gull on lake off Tower.
31/03 Willow Warbler Llanidloes. Singing bird and 10+ Sand Martin, 90 Black-headed Gull (30th)
27/03 Ring Ouzel Lake Vyrnwy. Male at Gadfa loosely associating with Fieldfare (evening). Wheatear and Sand Martin also around.
27/03 Tree Pipit Frochas Common. 1 displaying
26/03 Great White Egret Caersws. 1 over west to east
24/03 Little Ringed Plover Caersws. 5 along the Severn plus 6 Oystercatcher, 11 Snipe, 50 Curlew, 15 Teal, 1 GBB Gull, 8 LBB Gull, 400 B-H Gull, 1 Sand Martin
24/03 Whooper Swan Caersws. 8 nearby opposite Red House
23/03 Great Grey Shrike Lake Vyrnwy. 1 hunting top end of lake on Bala Road at 7:50am
16/03 Hen Harrier Cors Dyfi. Male present
16/03 Great White Egret Machynlleth. One near station at 12.30pm
15/03 Sand Martin Machynlleth. 2 along river west of Dyfi bridge
14/03 Brent Goose Dolydd Hafren. Single bird this evening
12/03 Great Grey Shrike Machynlleth. In field between railway line and River Dyfi OS ref SH73972 01135
12/03 Merlin Lake Vyrnwy. 1 seen to predate Reed Bunting plus Goshawk, Red Kite, 17 Stock Dove
12/03 Pochard Llyn Coed y Dinas. 4 still present
25/02 Pintail Llyn Coed y Dinas. 1 pm
24/02 Tree Sparrow Guilsfield. Wern area - pair in private garden
22/02 Whooper Swan Aberhafesp. 12, at least one young bird, most easily seen from back road out of Aberhafesp to Caersws
21/02 Pochard Llyn Coed y Dinas. Still 4 present plus 7 Shoveler, 26 Tufted, 14 Wigeon, 15 Lapwing, 16 Snipe
20/02 Hen Harrier Carno. Male flew across road between Carno-Talerddig by roadworks at 2.35pm
19/02 Chiffchaff Pwll Penarth. A few overwintering birds present with at least 1 showing Siberian Tristis characteristics. Also on 18th
15/02 Bearded Tit Dolydd Hafren. Male 4:30pm, on ponds to left of pine tree hide nearest to osprey pole - on fronds of common rush near the water
15/02 Waxwing Guilsfield. Wern area - single in private garden & 200+ Lapwing between the Breiddens & Wern
08/02 Bittern Dolydd Hafren. in front of 1st hide 10.30am for 5 mins then flew towards 2nd hide. Also at dusk near 2nd hide in field near bench & dead tree
31/01 Bearded Tit Dolydd Hafren. A male mixing with Reed Bunting calling and visible on top of the small island of reeds between the first hide & the river between 2-4pm.
30/01 Waxwing Guilsfield. 9 in private garden (Wern area). 5-10 have been present for past week
30/01 Waxwing Newtown. 24 in smaller car park at 'back' of College
29/01 Waxwing Newtown. 12+ at the college
29/01 Bittern Llyn Coed y Dinas. Still present
27/01 Waxwing Newtown. c.50 today on Vaynor Estate next to the college
27/01 Bittern Llyn Coed y Dinas. Still plus 3+ Pochard, Water Rail, Kingfisher
26/01 Blackcap Welshpool. Male in private garden & pair Brambling
26/01 Bittern Llyn Coed y Dinas. Still present
26/01 Waxwing Newtown. c.40 on Vaynor Estate a couple of which ringed in Scotland
25/01 Waxwing Newtown. 20+ around Heol-y-nant and flying across railway towards college
24/01 Bittern Llyn Coed y Dinas. Still plus Pochard, Water Rail, Snipe, Kingfisher
23/01 Bittern Llyn Coed y Dinas. Present since 21st, in front of main hide plus 4 Pochard
23/01 Waxwing Newtown. 20+ in trees on Heol Vaynor today
22/01 Waxwing Newtown. 35+ on the estate behind college late morning
21/01 Waxwing Kingswood. 4 on Offa's Dyke path south of village
18/01 Waxwing Abermule. 3 at 1:30pm
18/01 Waxwing Newtown. c.8 on Vaynor estate
17/01 Waxwing Guilsfield. 20 in private garden and 4 north of this
17/01 Waxwing Churchstoke. 14 in trees, upper car park Tuffins supermarket 8:40am
16/01 Waxwing Newtown. c.8 on Vaynor estate
16/01 Marsh Harrier Dolydd Hafren. A probable male reported - quartered for 15 mins am
16/01 Whooper Swan Llyn Coed y Dinas. Single still present
15/01 Little Egret Llanidloes. Present today near main bridge
15/01 Whooper Swan Llyn Coed y Dinas. 1 on water 1pm
15/01 Waxwing Newtown. 20+ at College 1:45pm
14/01 Waxwing Montgomery. 1 in private garden plus female Blackcap
14/01 Waxwing Newtown. 12+ today
13/01 Waxwing Newtown. Some present - flighty.
12/01 Waxwing Newtown. 15+ mobile - at college and the Vaynor Estate
11/01 Waxwing Newtown. 22 at college
10/01 Waxwing Newtown. 12+ in hawthorn alongside railway at college
09/01 Waxwing Newtown. 11 today in hawthorn bordering railway line at college
08/01 Waxwing Newtown. 9 in hawthorn bordering railway line at college 1.15pm
07/01 Short-eared Owl Llyn Mawr. Hunting in field south of lake at 4.45pm
07/01 Great White Egret Machynlleth. In fields to west of town at 2pm
07/01 Waxwing Newtown. 8 in college grounds in Hawthorn bordering railway line 3pm
06/01 Waxwing Newtown. 6 in tall tree in College grounds c.9am. Flew towards Vaynor estate.
06/01 Waxwing Machynlleth. 30+ still
06/01 Blackcap Welshpool. Female in private garden plus Brambling
05/01 Waxwing Guilsfield. Wern area - 30+ in private garden (the first since those on 2nd Jan)
05/01 Waxwing Machynlleth. 16 still including a bird ringed in Aberdeen on 27th Nov that was also seen Llandudno 30th Dec
05/01 Hen Harrier Cors Dyfi. Female this afternoon
04/01 Waxwing Machynlleth. 15+ in trees around library. Also present on 3rd.
02/01 Waxwing Guilsfield. Wern area - 20+ in private garden
02/01 Waxwing Newtown. One opp. golf course in a tall tree. Flew off over golf course c.10am
31/12 Jack Snipe Dyfnant Meadows. At least one around
31/12 Hawfinch Powis Castle. 2 present around the car park
31/12 Waxwing Newtown. 30 on Pool Road by Council Depot but flighty
30/12 Waxwing Welshpool. At least 12 at Little Henfaes Drive
30/12 Waxwing Newtown. 9 at College, c.30 at school, c.40 just up Kerry Rd from MacDonalds & 12 on Pool Road by council depot. Some duplication likely across these sites.
29/12 Waxwing Newtown. At least 6 at the College this morning & c.200 Redwing
28/12 Waxwing Guilsfield. 12 in private garden today
27/12 Waxwing Llanidloes. 7 today feeding on ornamental berries at bottom of Bryn du road near Co-op
26/12 Waxwing Machynlleth. Single bird still
24/12 Waxwing Machynlleth. Single bird still since 20th
21/12 Waxwing Machynlleth. Still one present
20/12 Chiffchaff Llyn Coed y Dinas. 1 & 2 Mandarin, 2 Kingfisher, 32 Cormorant, Little Egret, 10 Snipe
20/12 Waxwing Machynlleth. One present
18/12 Firecrest Pwll Penarth. One amongst Goldcrests, also Chiffchaff
18/12 Hawfinch Powis Castle. 4+ and 1 Goosander, 5 Tufted Duck
18/12 Waxwing Coedway. 6 reported flying towards Shrewsbury
18/12 Chiffchaff Llyn Coed y Dinas. At least 1 plus c.200 Lapwing, 2 Shelduck, Kingfisher, Little Egret, Jack Snipe (on 17th)
16/12 Great Grey Shrike Caersws. 1 this morning on a wire just out of Caersws on Trefeglwys road
12/12 Chiffchaff Llanidloes. One at Fan Pool & Little Egret again on river
11/12 Whooper Swan Llyn Coed y Dinas. 3 adults briefly am
09/12 Little Egret Llanidloes. One from the main bridge mid morning
08/12 Whooper Swan Aberhafesp. 8 (6 adult, 2 juv) by the white footbridge
03/12 Great Grey Shrike Lake Vyrnwy. Different place to 1st - today from road to Hirnant
02/11 Pintail Llyn Coed y Dinas. Pair still plus 300 Teal, 300 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, Mandarin, Shelduck, 10 Snipe, 3 Kingfisher, Water Rail, 2 Chiffchaff (1st)
01/12 Great Grey Shrike Lake Vyrnwy. 1 at SH995195, plus Jack Snipe, Little Egret
30/11 Pintail Llyn Coed y Dinas. Pair plus Teal, Wigeon, Goldeneye, Shoveler, Mandarin, Goosander, Shelduck, 8 Snipe, 3+ Kingfisher, Water Rail
27/11 Cetti's Warbler Dolydd Hafren. 2 from 1st hide plus 2 Little Egret, 2 Green Sandpiper
26/11 Blackcap Newtown. Female on berries at the school
25/11 Chiffchaff Llyn Coed y Dinas. 1 Siberian (Tristis) type & Blackcap, Water Rail
19/11 Chiffchaff Llyn Coed y Dinas. At least 4 together this morning
17/11 Merlin Bettws Cedewain. Male at 7.45am
15/11 Hen Harrier Dolanog. Male over Yr Allt this afternoon
13/11 Blackcap Montgomery. 1 female in private garden this morning
12/11 Common Scoter Lake Vyrnwy. 7 female type off Old Village & 1 Lapwing
12/11 Chiffchaff Montgomery. 1 in private garden this morning
07/11 Whooper Swan Lake Vyrnwy. 3 adult (different birds to 3rd) from Lakeside Hide & Goldeneye
03/11 Whooper Swan Lake Vyrnwy. 9 (5a, 4j) on lake early am off Old Village, & 11 Wigeon off Tower
24/10 Great White Egret Upper Dyfi Estuary. 1 present
23/10 Fieldfare Lake Vyrnwy. 1000+ Thrush at y Gadfa this morning of approx 4:1 ratio Fieldfare:Redwing. Also a few Brambling & 1 Merlin. On lake - 11 Mandarin (5m, 6f), 46 Teal, 4 Mute Swan, 3 Little Grebe
22/10 Little Egret Llyn Coed y Dinas. 4 into roost plus 31 Cormorant, 42 Tufted Duck, 18 Lapwing, Kingfisher, 6 Snipe, probable Jack Snipe
20/10 Pink-footed Goose near Llanerfyl. A flock overhead last night, also Golden Plover, Jack Snipe and Snipe in the area
20/10 Ring Ouzel Long Mountain. 1 this morning with winter Thrush flock
15/10 Yellow-browed Warbler Lake Vyrnwy. Present 8.30am at least according to BirdGuides. Also 7 Mandarin, Kingfisher
14/10 Yellow-browed Warbler Lake Vyrnwy. Present all day around new play area. Also Brambling, Blackcap
13/10 Yellow-browed Warbler Lake Vyrnwy. Still present in and around new play area
12/10 Yellow-browed Warbler Lake Vyrnwy. Still present in and around new play area, showed well and very active early afternoon
12/10 Fieldfare Llanfyllin. 10+ over this morning with Redwing
11/10 Yellow-browed Warbler Lake Vyrnwy. 2 - 1 in trees by lower car park alongside new play area 10am-12.30pm. Another 12.30pm briefly at start of Purple trail. Also Osprey (pm), 60+ Lesser Redpoll, Goshawk, 140+ Jackdaw
10/10 Crossbill Ceri Ridgeway. 2 flocks of 20+. Crossbill numbers have increased throughout county in past week
10/10 Golden Plover Lake Glaslyn. 12+ this morning
09/10 Whooper Swan Dolydd Hafren. 2 with 100+ Canada's 1/4 mile south of Dolydd Hafren on field beside river
06/10 Crossbill Ceri Ridgeway. 12+ today along main track
04/10 Redwing Welshpool. 200+ over
02/10 Redwing Pont Llogel. 2 today first reported of winter
02/10 Firecrest Lake Vyrnwy. A male late afternoon with Tit flock plus 200+ Lesser Redpoll, Goshawk, Willow Tit, Crossbill
30/09 Osprey Lake Vyrnwy. One flew down lake c.7pm. Also Mandarin Duck near tower
27/09 Red-breasted Merganser Lake Vyrnwy. Redhead this evening on the lake off the Old Village CP
15/09 Osprey Lake Vyrnwy. One through today
11/09 Osprey Dolydd Hafren. In morning. Also Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Snipe ,3 Little Egret, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Stonechat, Redshank heard
07/09 Barn Owl Buttington. one across main road between Buttington and Pool Quay 9pm
06/09 Common Scoter Lake Vyrnwy. Single female late evening from Old Village car park
01/09 Yellow Wagtail Berriew. Male at 4pm between Berriew and Welshpool by Montgomery Canal
29/08 Marsh Harrier Lake Vyrnwy. Female/juv over early pm, 2 Hobby, 2 Goshawk, Grasshopper Warbler, 8 Willow Tit
28/08 Hobby Guilsfield. Harassing c70 House Martins this morning.
24/08 Dunlin Dolydd Hafren. 1 in evening
22/08 Spotted Redshank Dyfi Junction. 1 by a pool in Ceredigion but just made Monts airspace in flight...
21/08 Ringed Plover Lake Glaslyn. At least 2 present - probably 3
15/08 Hobby Mochdre. 2 early morning
15/08 Hobby Middletown. 1 harassing House Martins
13/08 Hobby Llanfyllin. 1 north of town mid morning
09/08 Hobby Bwlchyddar. 1 hawking insects midday
03/08 Hobby Llandysil. 1 hunting young hirundines over the village 8.50pm
02/08 Little Owl near Llandysil. 1 after dark
26/07 Common Scoter Lake Vyrnwy. 9 off dam this morning (1f, 8m)
17/07 Common Scoter Lake Vyrnwy. Male on lake from Old Village. Also at Centenary Hide were 2 Mandarin, 2 Teal, 8 Mallard, Little Grebe, 2 Willow Tit, 2 Kingfisher
14/07 Hobby Lake Vyrnwy. 1 over dam 9am, 200+ Siskin (many juv) & 1 juv Lesser Redpoll at feeders
06/07 Hobby The Wern. One hunting am (caught a Swallow)
05/07 Lapwing The Wern. c40 in stubble fields mix of adult/juv's
04/07 Linnet near Dolfor. 120+ = a good sized flock
10/06 Hawfinch near Dolanog. Singleton visiting private garden. Also 1, mid June, visiting garden at Forge
29/05 Mediterranean Gull Llyn Coed y Dinas. Pair still present
27/05 Buzzard Dolydd Hafren. Count of c.30 on thermals at 5pm
27/05 Mediterranean Gull Llyn Coed y Dinas. Pair still - nesting looks promising
25/05 Yellow Wagtail Carreghofa. Male nr Llanymynech disputing territory with Skylarks
22/05 Marsh Harrier Dolydd Hafren. Female reported (am) headed towards Welshpool. Also Redshank & Yellow Wagtail
22/05 Mediterranean Gull Llyn Coed y Dinas. 2 still present & Barnacle Goose until 12.40pm (presumably feral origin)
20/05 Mediterranean Gull Llyn Coed y Dinas. 2 (adult & 2nd summer) in BHG colony showing signs of nest building
07/05 Spotted Flycatcher Llanidloes. Single at Gorn Rd this morning
07/05 Spotted Flycatcher Lake Vyrnwy. 4+ today (all common migrants have now returned here)
05/05 Hobby Four Crosses. Overhead between Four Crosses & Llandrinio, evening
03/05 Hobby Lake Vyrnwy. Over Red Trail
01/05 Reed Warbler Llyn Coed y Dinas.
30/04 Little Gull Llyn Coed y Dinas. 1st winter present 16:00 & Yellow Wagtail
30/04 Swift Guilsfield. 1 over Groes this morning
29/04 Grasshopper Warbler The Wern. First of season, first heard on 25th
22/04 Cetti's Warbler Pwll Penarth. Singing bird & pair Common Sandpiper, Reed & Sedge Warblers
21/04 Wood Warbler Pendugwm Woods. First report of 2016
20/04 Ring Ouzel Lake Vyrnwy. Y Gadfa area & Fieldfare still around plus pair Common Sandpiper
20/04 Merlin Dolanog. Female reported
19/04 Yellow Wagtail Dolydd Hafren. One plus Goosander, Common Sandpiper, Stock Dove, White Wagtail, Little Ringed Plover
19/04 Ring Ouzel Lake Vyrnwy. Pair this morning but not accessible plus passage Osprey
17/04 Little Gull Dolydd Hafren. 1st winter (am) plus male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (in oaks to right of far hide), Garden Warbler, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Green Sandpiper, 8+ Common Sandpipers, 3 pr Oystercatcher
17/04 Lesser Whitethroat Middletown. Singing male this morning
16/04 Osprey Pwll Penarth. One over
16/04 Ring Ouzel Lake Vyrnwy. Male still present at y Gadfa
16/04 Shoveler Llyn Coed y Dinas. Pair & 150+ Sand Martin
15/04 Sedge Warbler Llyn Coed y Dinas. First report of 2016 & 200+ Swallow
14/04 Dunlin Llyn Coed y Dinas. Singleton
14/04 Ring Ouzel Lake Vyrnwy. Male at y Gadfa still with 1 Fieldfare
13/04 Ring Ouzel Lake Vyrnwy. Male at y Gadfa 6.30pm. Also 2 Little Egret present today
13/04 Cuckoo Near Staylittle. 1 present
12/04 White Stork Cors Dyfi. Overhead at 12.35pm following the Dyfi north
12/04 Little Gull Llyn Coed y Dinas. 2 in afternoon - adult & immature
10/04 Yellow Wagtail Dolydd Hafren. 1 male plus Osprey over heading NW at 9.30am, 2 singing Redstart, Blackcap, 6 House Martin, 2 Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, Little Egret, 2 Shelduck
10/04 House Martin Pwll Penarth. 6 through am & singing Cetti's Warbler
10/04 Pied Flycatcher Llanfyllin. Male this morning
07/04 Redstart Dolyfdd Hafren. Also 2 Shelduck, 2 Swallow, 2+ Sand Martin, Little Egret
04/04 Great Grey Shrike Lake Vyrnwy. Seen from Red Trail
03/04 Osprey Caersws. 1 hovering over River Severn also 3 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher, 8 Teal & 10 Sand Martin
03/04 Osprey Lake Vyrnwy. 1 over late am, also 36+ Brambling with Chaffinch(150+), Goshawk
02/04 House Martin Coedway. 2 over plus singing Willow Warbler, 3 pairs Tree Sparrow
28/03 Blackcap Pwll Penarth. Male singing nr Aberbechan, Barn Owl, 81 Pied Wagtail in roost, male Sparrowhawk
27/03 Sand Martin Pwll Penarth. 20 plus singing Chiffchaffs (also 1 at Aberbechan), Water Rail, Robin nest building
27/03 Wheatear Dolydd Hafren. First of year plus Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, 7 Sand Martin, 2 Green Sandpiper, Chiffchaffs, 2 Water Rail
26/03 Swallow Lymore Pools. 2 present today
26/03 Swallow Pwll Penarth. 2 plus 30 Sand Martin, 15+ Chiffchaff, calling Cetti's Warbler again
26/03 Sand Martin Llyn Coed y Dinas. 33+ through today, 1 Swallow & calling Chiffchaff, 9 Snipe
25/03 Raven Lake Vyrnwy. Flock of 60+ also multiple Goshawk showing well in sunshine
25/03 Osprey Powis Castle. 1 over heading south c.11am
23/03 Cetti's Warbler Pwll Penarth. Report of singing bird at 11.30am
23/03 Bittern Cors Dyfi. 1 on reserve & 3 Whooper Swan flying down river
23/03 Meadow Pipit Llanidloes. 80-100 flock at Gorn Hill on spring passage & 2 singing Chiffchaff
22/03 Redshank Lake Vyrnwy. 2 on beach by hotel entrance (am)
21/03 Great Grey Shrike Dyfnant Forest. Approx grid ref SJ000164 and pair Stonechat nearby.
18/03 Scaup Llangurig. 3 male & 1 female at Marsh's Pool this morning. Still present 11am
17/03 Little Gull Llyn Coed y Dinas. 1st winter, afternoon until 3.30pm. Also Little Egret, 6 Snipe
16/03 Chiffchaff Fan Pool. Singing bird. 1 was also reported from Pwll Penarth yesterday
13/03 Common Sandpiper Caersws. 2 overwintering birds plus 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Oystercatcher, Curlew, 20 Snipe, pair Goosander, 23 Teal & 4 Cormorant
13/03 Whooper Swan Aberhafesp. 10 (1 juv) plus 4 Greylag, 2 Teal, Snipe & 20 Skylark
10/03 Little Owl Montgomery. 1 calling at night plus Barn Owl & 3 Tawny Owl
06/03 Hawfinch Powis Castle. 3 reported this morning plus Lesser Spotted Woodpecker again
06/03 Whooper Swan nr Aberhafesp. At least 14 today
06/03 Pintail Llyn Coed y Dinas. 5 this morning departed north at 12:50pm
05/03 Whooper Swan nr Aberhafesp. 15 with 2 Mute Swan (same field as on 3rd)
05/03 Pintail Llyn Coed y Dinas. 5 present this morning (2 drakes)
03/03 Whooper Swan nr Aberhafesp. 10+ with Mutes in field north of footbridge c.SO058925 (visible from the back road)
25/02 Great Grey Shrike Ceri Ridgeway. 10yds on the Monts side of the border (grid ref SO19458704)
23/02 Little Owl Highgate. At 9.15pm
22/02 Chiffchaff Pwll Penarth. Over wintering bird today
19/02 Great Grey Shrike Lake Vyrnwy. Still on Red Trail. It moves along the Red Trail but for past 2 days it has been at far west end (today at 11am it was at grid ref SH97772099)
18/02 Great Grey Shrike Lake Vyrnwy. Single bird again Red Trail
16/02 Great Grey Shrike Dyfnant Forest. Single bird in northern section (i.e. Cownwy Valley area) - probably one of the birds seen at Vyrnwy
14/02 Great Grey Shrike Lake Vyrnwy. Single bird still present Red Trail. Plus Goshawk
12/02 Whooper Swan Caersws. Possibly as many as 12 in field alongside A489 between Caersws & Penstrowed, opp Red House Farm. Certainly some present!
11/02 Great Grey Shrike Lake Vyrnwy. 2 birds 12.30pm on Red Trail. Also Goshawk
04/02 Hen Harrier Cors Dyfi. Female present today
02/02 Little Owl Aberhafesp. One at night
31/01 Chiffchaff Newtown. One in private garden
31/01 Blackcap Guilsfield. Male in private garden this morning
27/01 Pink-footed Goose Welshpool. c.80 high overhead going northeast at 2.35pm
24/01 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Powis Castle. Flitting around oak tree tops at main car park
23/01 Gadwall Llyn Coed y Dinas. 2 this morning & 19 Mute Swan (8 juv's)
22/01 Pintail Llyn Coed y Dinas. 1 drake plus 4 Goldeneye (2m 2f), Water Rail
21/01 Whooper Swan Caersws. 4 adults in a favoured field near Caersws with 4 adult Mutes. Also pair of Mutes on river at Caersws & pair of Mutes on a field near Aberhafesp with solitary adult Mute nearby
16/01 Bittern Cors Dyfi. Still present. Also reports from 11th & 12th
11/01 Whooper Swan Aberhafesp. Pair on fields behind Ty-mawr farm SW of Aberhafesp, on south bank of river
10/01 Bittern Cors Dyfi. Bird photographed by stealth camera
27/12 Hawfinch Powis Castle. One plus Crossbill, Green Woodpecker & Marsh Tit
27/12 Water Rail Flash, Welshpool. 2 plus 12 Tufted Duck & 2 Snipe. Nearby 2000+ LBB Gull and a few Herring Gull on flooded fields
18/12 Chiffchaff Newtown. At Sewage works, 4 including another putative Siberian Chiffchaff (tristis) - different bird to 16th. Also a Willow Warbler with a damaged wing.
16/12 Yellowhammer Lymore. 50+ on top of hedges where Offa's Dyke passes through Lymore.
16/12 Chiffchaff Newtown. At Sewage works, Siberian Chiffchaff (tristis) with 2 x collybita plus female Mandarin Duck, 50 Fieldfare, many Reed Bunting and Goldcrest
10/12 Short-eared Owl Cors Dyfi. Afternoon sighting
04/12 Great Black-backed Gull Caersws. 5 in flooded fields nr Maes Mawr hall with c.800 Herring Gull, c.200 Lesser Black-backed Gull
04/12 Blackcap Welshpool. 1 male
   
See Sightings Archive for older records

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

A rather humbling experience



Yesterday, after talking to visitors for the best part of eight hours at the Dyfi Osprey Project, a call came from the visitor centre "female Merlin on the osprey nest". Last week we had had a male Merlin visit briefly. In my haste I 'grabbed' a couple of screen shots off the hard-drive literally as we were closing the door for the night. After driving home, I posted two of these Merlin shots under the DOP thread. A good birder off the North Waled Bird Forum sent me a message last night questioning, rightly, whether the bird was indeed a Merlin or a female Kestrel.

With a cup of tea and some relative calm this morning, I opened the visitor centre and played back the actual video of the raptor on the nest (around three minutes). The bird was a female Kestrel. No question.

I then wondered of course, how on earth I had made this mistake? The video footage was good, the light was good as was the focusing.

On the same thread last night I mentioned that we had had a few Mealies, Common Redpoll, on the feeders at the project. Mark (Hughes) this time, and again rightly, asked if they actually were Common (very un-common in this country!) or the more common Lesser Redpoll. Well, I took the camera down today in an attempt to correctly ID the Redpoll race, or species as they are now classed. The images are shown above, and again, I seemed to have made a misjudgement of ID.

This whole experience had made me feel rather embarrassed and somewhat foolish. Not one ID blunder in one day, but two. Now, it would be easy to try and blame this rather large peccadillo on tiredness, poor quality footage, somebody else(!) etc, but at the end of the day, these miss-identifications were down to my lack of attention, care, and in the case of the Redpoll, research.

Now I am sure that I am not the only person in the world that has wrong-called a species and I won't be the last; but this occasion has certainly re-taught me one of the first rules of birdwatching - good observation skills and due care and research.

I've stopped beating myself up about this now - next time though, and learning from one's mistakes of complacency, I will be, hopefully, a better birder.

Emyr.
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