Mystery shot! Deer in a snowstorm?

The fine detail of a bird often goes unnoticed, so I wonder how many of you can identify this?

Whoopers

Still 15 Whoopers at Newtown yesterday - quite close to road.

Cors Dyfi

A visit to Cors Dyfi this afternoon and thankfully the signs of Spring are finally here. The small birds on the feeders looked gorgeous in their new breeding plumage, bullfinch and snipe were around on the reserve as were the calls of many waders, curlew, oystercatchers and common sands I picked up. Red kites and a peregrine also made an appearance as did a rather bold heron on one of the pools.
Frogs and Toads have been laying their spawn too and this particular warty follow allowed me to get quite near him for a photo opportunity.
Our ospreys should be leaving their African wintering grounds around now so hopefully the cross-winds won't be to unkind. A very happy Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant/St. Davids Day to all.

Llyn Coed-y-dinas

A very cold mid-morning in the hide.A Great-crested Grebe was busy fishing in the middle of the lake,together with the Oyster-catchers, pair Pochard, Teal and Tufted Ducks.Also seen pair of Bullfinch,Long-tailed tit,Great and Blue tits, Dunnock,Cormorants,Canada geese in small numbers and Mallard.

BURGESS CROFT

Dull and breezy start to the day, with a reasonable variety of birds on the feeders up to the time when Blacky the estates ( purring pussy ) decided it was his time to visit the garden.but up till then the sightings were :-
3 Blackbirds (2/1), 7 Reed Buntings (3/4), 5 Brambling, 19 Chaffinchs, 2 Redpoll (m), 3 Siskin (1/2),
2  House Sparrows (m), 2 Blue Tits, 1 Robin,   1 Greenfinch (m) 2 Collard Doves  and 1 Wood pigeon

From The Dovey Observatory.

Report for February 2011.

Mercifully, no frost, ice or snow for this month but predictably, plenty of rain and gales. The period of very big spring tides arrived quietly with barely a ripple much to our relief. Regulars for the month were 3 shoveller (1 female) 1 pair of gadwall, 2 pairs of little grebes, 4 pairs of goldeneye with 1 first winter male juvenile for company. Good numbers of wigeon will be with us for another month or so but mainly visit the Merionnydd saltings and water margins. We now have 3 pairs of kites displaying beautifully. Herons most unusually, have been recorded carrying nest building materials eastwards in the general direction of Derwenlas. The good folk at RSPB Ynys Hir are not so pleased with this latest information!

In the meantime the winter mantle fades, the spring mantle draws near. The nesting season is upon us.

The skylarks are singing above the westward SSSI areas. The curlews with their wonderful spring song, are restless, flighting up and down the valley at any state of the tide. Oystercatchers are mating, as are the shelduck, goosanders, teal, mallard, shoveller and gadwall. The goldeneye and wigeon are paired up and it will not be long before they depart on migration.
On a detail, the 21 teal counted today only have 7 females amongst them, with frantic courting and pestering by the males. As part of our winter feeding station we have anything between 40+ and 60+ mallard who arrive to be fed every morning. By the 25th. February all the females from this group have adjourned to their new nest sites. Only 1 female turned up this morning to be rapidly chased off by gangs of randy bachelors!

On Sunday 27th. February the first formation of 20+ dunlin, weaving very fast, high and low, following the river eastwards. Soon to be followed by a second, slightly smaller group repeating the same behaviour and direction. Later, all returned westwards in a long strung out formation in very fast flight making contact calls all the while.

The big spring tides produce another crop of tide drowned sheep. This time fetched up by wind and wave action and thus marooned on various tide lines distributed along the westward saltings. Providing another winter feast for great black backed-gulls, then herring gulls, ravens, carrion crows and magpies, then buzzards in the pecking order. Last of all to take their turn are the patient kites.

March is nearly upon us, I look forward to welcoming the first sand martins; the first "chipping" snipe and a whole raft of returning migrants including the passerines and waders.

© Jim Marshall. February 27th. 2011.

Granllyn Pool, Guilsfield

Just visited this Woodland Trust reserve for first time. Could be quite interesting at times, provided they can keep the kids on bikes out, its quite doggy in places where the've been.

The pool produced the usual Mallard, Coot and Moorhen.Adjoining properties have feeders up and at least 3 Brambling were showing and the same number of Siskin.

A small hide is available which provides a reasonable view over a narrow stretch of water.

This reserve has the potential for producing interesting species, especially Lesser Spotted WP on or near the feeders, as they do in other parts of Guilsfield.

LCyD

So after watching Brian  P's Goldfinches a quick trip to LCyD before a coffee at charlies. the black headed gulls have started to return in number, (70+) Many starting to show breeding plummage.the pochards are still there along with the Oystercatchers.other birds on the pool being:- 18 Lapwing, Morhen, Coot, Tufted ducks, Mallard, Cormorants, Canada geese, 1 Lesser Black Backed Gull, Teal, 1 Mute Swan, and on the feeders Blue Tits, Great Tits, Chaffinch and a Nuthatch.

BURGESS CROFT

The variety of birds onto the feeders still good although numbers were lower today, maybe the drizzly start to the day with a strong breeze on top of the hill here did'nt help. Birds seen at 9.15 am being:- 5 House sparrows (3/2), 15 Chaffinchs, 2 Redpoll (1/1), 5 Brambling, 2 Great Tits, 3 Greenfinch (2/1), 1 Blue Tit, 2 Reed Buntings (1/1), 2 Blackbird (1/1), 1 Goldfinch, 1 Dunnock, 1 Robin, 4 Starling, and 2 collard Doves.

Driving over Red Bank just after 10.30 noticed a good flock of Goldfiches ( 30 to 40) on the feeders and hedge of Brian P's house, I'm lucky if i see 2or 3 in the garden. Hope you were at home with the camera going Brian!!.

And talking of Brian.  Brian and Sue spent some time in Sri Lanka last year, and he has just finished a book entitled.  IMAGES OF SRI LANKA. You can preview the book on blurb .com.  (bookstore and just published) well worth the time to preview. hopefully before purchasing.   (Brian. bill for plug in the post)

Hafren Forest

Spent a good hour looking over the hillsides above Blaen Hafren but no sign of the Shrike. A lot of forestry activity and path 'improvements'. A few Crossbills, a pair of Mistle Thrush and a Great Spotted Woodpecker all appeared together. Also a few ravens and a possible female Merlin. Otherwise very quiet apart from the forestry harvesters at work. The first decent day for quite a while though so good to be out.

BURGGESS CROFT.

Half an hour watching the feeders, then a trip to L/Coed, hav'nt been there for a couple of weeks what with coughs , colds and other ailments?. Brian P has already blogged what was there, but again he's managed to give us some good pic's.the pair of Pochard have come out really good considering the distanace that brian was shooting over. and the annoying female Oystercatcher that would stand on its left leg so that we could'nt have a good look at its ring which was on its right.but still a good shot of the pair. the only other item of note was this aftrnoon just after 4.00pm a single Barnacle Goose overyflying the garden in a fairly sedate pace for a goose, heading north towards Oswestry direction.

Coed-y-dinas

Pleasant morning at Coed-y-dinas with Kevin, both hoping to see Gadwall but no luck.These may be still there on other side of the big island.Pair of Pochard far back on right hand side lake.The pair of Oystercatchers were moving around,settling on the second island, the female would appear to have a silver ring to right lower leg.Plenty of Tufted, few Teal, two Cormorant, two Mute Swan, etc.
On feeders one Nuthatch, one Long-tailed Tit,Bluetits and Great-tits.

BURGESS CROFT

colourfull start to the day . almost like looking at the flags of nations, with Siskin, brambling, redpoll, greenfinch, Blue Tit, robin and chaffinchs all being on the seed table at the same time.Birds in the garden between 8.30 and 9.15am being:- 3 Redpoll, 4 House Sparrows, 3 Blackbird's (2/1) 5 Brambling,4 Reed Bunting (2/2), 3 Blue Tits, 5 Siskin (4/1), 2 Grrenfinch (1/1), 1 Magpie, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Goldfinch,2 Collard Doves and 2 Wood Pigeon, ( Quite a few Wood Pigeon overflying the garden , I think Brian P is sending them my way!!!!!). 

Merlin @ Dlydd Hafren

(via Iolo Williams) A female was seen on the reserve today, the only other birds of note were 31 Linnets.

Gadwall @ LCyD

3 present again today - 2 drakes and a female.

At last - a redpoll at Deep Cutting

Yesterday (Sunday) and several times today we were thrilled to see a male redpoll on the niger seed - the first we have ever seen here despite endless watching and plenty of alders and birch.
Other more regular birds include a dozen or so siskins, similar numbers of goldfinches and chaffinches, a female brambling, a pair of great spotted woodpeckers, long-tailed tits, house sparrows, blue, coal and great tits, robins, dunnocks, blackbirds, collared doves, a pair of pheasants, and blackbirds - but this year very few sightings of greenfinches.

Ducks Galore @ Dolydd Hafren

Not so much the quantity, but the quality of ducks at Dolydd this morning was fantastic. They included 3 (2 drakes) Pintails, 6 (2 drakes) Gadwall, 2 (a pair) Shoveler, 1 Shelduck and the usual numbers of Teal, Mallard, Wigeon and Goosander. Other birds of note included (the) 2 White-fronted Geese, Oystercatcher, Green Sandpiper, Curlew, Lapwing, Snipe and a Kestrel eating its prey in front of the 1st hide!

Brambling @ Guilsfield

20+ Bramblings still around the Granllyn nature reserve today, along with good numbers of Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Siskins and a couple of Redpolls.

Pochard @ LCyD

Pair still present today, the only other birds of note were the pair of Oystercatchers and a lone redhead Goosander!

Barn Owl @ Abermule

(via Chris Flynn) 1 seen this morning around 06:00.

BURGESS CROFT

Dull and damp start to the day, chilly as well but birds starting to return to the feeders. species seen this morning bewteen 8.15 and 9.15 was :- 6 Reed Bunting's (3/3), 3 Blackbird's (2/1), 1 Great Tit, 14 Chaffinch's,3 Carrion Crow's, 4 Brambling, 4 Greenfinch's, 1 Wood pidgeon, 1 Collard Dove, 2 Jackdaw,
2 Dunnock, 2 Robin's, 4 House Sparrow's, 2 Blue Tit's, 6 Siskin (4/2), 1 Wren, 23 Starling's, early blog for you today, Brass Band concert at theatre hafren this evening, which i'm looking forward to.

Emyr, thanks for info. on Brians photo, (Cormorant ssp Senensis) have only seen yellow or slightly coral
peach colouring never such a vibrant red. good to get such information from you, thanks.

Crossbills at Ceri

Crossbills in various locations in Ceri Forest last week including this bright male which sat just long enough for me to grab the camera.

A pair were also watched building a nest in forestry between Pandy and Llanerfyl on Wednesday.

COED-Y-DINAS

This Cormorant, in breeding plumage having the white patch thigh patch,has a very bright red patch under its eye.This is usually dark yellow I think! Any other thoughts welcome.

The male Oystercatcher has arrived too at Coed-y-dinas, and shared one of the floats with its mate.It would be really great to see them breed again.

There were 4 Wigeon, 11 Teal this afternoon too!

Burgess Croft

the last week in the garden the feeders have been more than quite.Two properties that back onto the garden have been having roofing work carried out (pressure washed and some form of covering sprayed on). So it was only this morning that i noticed the birds starting to use the feeders again.Those being :-1 Siskin, 1 Robin,2 Reed bunting, 1 Redpole,  6 Chaffinch, 4 Blue Tit, 3 Blackbird, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Dunnock, 2 brambling, and 2 Collard Doves.Not as many in number as there's been through Jan. into Feb. so hope numbers will increase once again.

Plants for birds

After another harsh winter most of the plants in my garden have died so as i need to buy new plants thought i could plant things that would attract birds, problem is I'm not a keen gardener and don't know what plants to put in. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hen Harrier near Cefn Coch

Wish I had taken my camera to work today, a male Hen Harrier was vary visable for about 20 minutes this morning at a undisclosed location. Would have had some great pictures im sure. Just a great feeling knowing these birds are in montgomeryshire and I hope they stay around for us all to enjoy.

A new blog......

With the BTO national nest box week starting today, I thought it was about time I got my latest blog up and running.

Please visit:

www.birdboxes.wordpress.com

Bwlch Y Garreg: Goldeneye

Inspired by recent reports of goldeneye visited Bwlch y Garrreg lakes this afternoon and rewarded with following:
5 goldeneye (2 drake), 2 goosander (one of each sex), 2 cormorant and 10 tufties on Llyn Mawr. 5 reed buntings on the gorse bushes (4 of which adult males with black bibs) and a red kite overhead. Lone female goldeneye on Llyn Du. Also walked along Garreg Hir with hope of finding golden plover - but no joy.

Goldeneye in Newtown

Went for a walk before tea last night and glad i did shame the light was going. Only one present, male and female goosander also showing well.

Short-eared Owl @ Llyn Hir

Straight after work today, I headed up to Llyn Hir to see if I could hear/see this probable White-fronted Goose again! Despite getting very cold and wet while waiting for 1 and a half hours, it didn't show up. I Can't grumble though as I was treated to some other great species. Birds present this evening were 1 female Goldeneye, 1 male Tufted Duck, 3 (1 drake) Goosanders, Teal, Mallards, Canada Geese, 7+ Snipe (1 of which was drumming!), 1 Woodcock, 1 male Barn Owl and last but by no means least a Short-eared Owl was seen on the way back to the car!!!

White-fronted Goose @ Llyn Hir

I'm pretty certain that I heard a White-fronted Goose calling with the Canada Geese on Llyn Hir this evening just after dark! Looking through some old reports the lakes up there used to be a fairly regular roost site in winter during the 1980's. Lets hope it hangs around to get a positive I.D! Up to 7 Woodcock and a Lapwing were also seen.

Bittern @ Dolydd Hafren

The Bittern was seen leaving it's roost @ 06:34 this morning. Good to know it's still around. Other birds of note included the 2 White-fronts, showing well from the 1st hide, 2 Shelducks, 30+ Goosanders and at least 1 Green Sandpiper.

LCyD

No sign of the pin tail today. Every thing else that has ben noted over the last few days all present

Llyn Coed y Dinas

LCyD: Basically the same birds as recorded yesterday, including; drake pintail amongst trees on the furthest bank, just visible through scope, 4 goosander including this one preening on the main island, 1 greylag and a pair of pochard.

Driving through Aberhafesp this afternoon I could see around 20 swans (presumably the whoopers) by the river, upstream of Penstrowed.

Water Rail @ Dolydd Hafren

1 showing very well from the second hide this evening, other birds present on the reserve today included 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Woodcock, 40+ Lapwings, 35+ Curlew, several Snipe, 50+ Goosanders, 30+ Bramblings, 150+ Fieldfare (with a handful of Redwing mixed in), 50+ Magpies (roosting), 6+ Stock Doves, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 3+ Tawny Owls and a male Barn Owl.

L/Coed

called in for a short time this morning, drake Pintail showing well on the centre right of the pool.Good number of lapwings also there, I counted 90+. Also1 Goosander(f), 1 Pochard(m), Only 7 Teal this morning, there numbers seem to be varying quite a lot at the moment and 17 Wigeon,Plus the usual birds that we see there.

Paid a short visit to Polemere this afternoon,I know its just off our patch but it's always good to know whats about, Sightings where:- 62 Wigeon, 44 Teal, 127 Mallard, 17 Coots, 2 Morhen, 2 Lapwings and one domestic goose, the only goose on show, of late there have been large numbers of greylags there.In the region of 300 to 400 with quite a few pinkfooted and Barnacle geese mixed in,

White Fronted Goose @ Dolydd Hafren

At least one heard coming it to roost this evening with the loacal Canadas and Greylags.

L/Coed

called in at l/Coed late afternoon. apart from the sightings paul blogged. I also sighted female pintail, Both the male and female wwhen i saw them were at the back of the island mixed in with a number of Wigeon

Pintail @ LCyd

Drake present on the far side of the lake today, along with 1 Shelduck, 1 Oystercatcher, 7 Goosanders, 6 Lapwings and the rest of the usual gang.

Red Kites, Welshpool

After a poor hours birding at Coed-y-dinas, apart from a single Shelduck, decided to venture up Long Mountain.Again not many birds apart from Buzzards and a Mistle Thrush.

On approaching end of Hope Road two Red Kites were observed over the fields looking towards Welshpool, and above images made once they settled on a dead Oak, rather a long way off so not as good as I would have liked.

A further Red Kite was seen over fields adjoining Windmill Lane, Welshpool

Whooper Swan @ Aberhafesp

Only 5 adults present this morning, but other birds using the flooded fields included 4 Herring Gulls, 6 Grey Herons, 100+ Canada Geese and a handful of ducks.

2 more adult Whooper Swans were on the river at Caersws.

Crossbill @ Hafren Forest

Despite the awful weather I still managed to see 4 Common Crossbills at Hafren Forest this morning. Sadly I couldn't find Eryl's Shrike, but other birds present included 1 Redpoll, 3 Siskins, 1 Great Tit, 1 Buzzard, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 20-30 Coal Tits and a handful of each Raven and Goldcrest!

Brambling @ Dolydd Hafren

The finch flock seems to be changing every time I visit Dolydd, today there must have been around 150-200 Bramblings present! Other birds of note included 50 Curlew and a Green Sandpiper.

Nearby at Caerhowel there were 43 Greylags feeding in 1 field!

Monty Mammal Blog......

I feel a bit bad for not putting something about this blog sooner, but here it is. Montgomeryshire now has it's very own mammal blog, so when your out and about in the county and see something, send it in.

Visit http://montymammals.blogspot.com

Montgomery needs you.

Peregrine @ Welshpool

(via Liz Snell) Waiting in traffic at midday in Welshpool high street noticed a passing pere, then moments later a gang of racing/feral pigeons and, on cue,reappearance of pere which quickly separated one and chased it off over the rooftops. By which time I was creating a traffic jam of my own!

Dolydd Hafren

Very windy Dolydd Hafren produced good close views of curlew (c.40) on island directly in front of the hide. 2 wigeon on the water with 8 flying over, landing up river. 4 goosander and a few teal. Plenty of Canadas, sadly no sign of the white fronted that tempted me here (thanks anyway Mark) & 2 hares on the first field.

More drawings from around Powys and Ceredigion now on my drawing blog: cwallbank.blogspot.com

Kites living up to their name

Its 4.15pm and I'm sitting in front of my computer at home and looking out through my kitchen window and I'm looking at 20 kites in a tight spiral taking full advantage of the strong gusts - Wow! They roosted opposite me in some tall trees last night but not within scope view unfortunately cause I bet a few of them were tagged.

Postscript- The said kites roosted in the stance of trees again tonight at dusk but I didn't count them in but I guess there were around 20. Several roosted slightly earlier and I was able to scan them with my scope and none of them were wing tagged.

CANON LENS

As suggested by Mark, the lens is as shown in photos, a Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L Series USM IS lens. I have set the price at £999, under ebay prices.The lens is mint, but you can make your own mind up if you see it.Selling because it is not used now I have a 400mm prime lens and a 70-200mm.

Canon Lens for sale

I have an as new Canon 100-400mm IS EF lens for sale, used on one trip.No marks on lens or barrel, case and strap never used.Before it goes on ebay, give me a ring on 01938 553257.

Elfyn's Post.

Thank you Elfyn for your generous and highly perceptive observations!
Alas, we appear to have self appointed  Ayatollah's everywhere these days even in the so called conservation world.
To cheer you up, early this morning, two beautiful whooper swans, announcing themselves with whooper music, appearing  suddenly then quickly vanishing into the mizzle murk as they returned westward into the Ynys Hir reserve. On passage there was a near mid-air collision with a pair of greylags vectoring on an identical course but in the opposite direction!
May the force be with you always!
Cheers,
Jim.

Jim's entry

Nice to see a report on here by Jim Marshall, an exceedingly good 'birdman' 'banned' from the Ceredigion bird blog for expressing an opinion!, OK so I may not agree with you Jim 'BUT' 'Some' people in the UK seem to forget that we live in a 'democracy'!