DOLYDD HAFREN

It's always nice to visit Dolydd Hafren with the sun shining, as it was this afternoon. sitting in the hides and being able to take your coat of made a pleasant change. Compared to the muffled cold feeling of winter.The first sighting of note was'nt of birds but of two Hares in the first field alongside the path. then from the hides the following species were noted :-c.76 Curlew with a leucistic showing well, Canada Geese, 18 Greylags,
4 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Egret, Mallard, Moorhen, 7 Heron, 1 Mute Swan, Pheasant, 1 Red Kite, Magpie,Teal, Black Headed Gulls flying along the river, 2 Goosander m/f, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue tit, Robin,While in the seed field still a large number of finches present, Linnet Chaffinch, greenfinch, Goldfinch and Bullfinch, although the bullfinch's was fewer than my last visit. And just before leaving we spent almost ten minutes watching 120+ Wigeon wheeling along  the river before they came in to land on the field over the river from the second hide.

LCyD

(via Sandy Bemister) Had a couple of hours down at Llyn Coed y Dinas today. Managed to see:

1 Great crested Grebe, Lots of Lapwings, 2 Oystercatchers, about 10 Cormorants both juvenile and adult, several pairs of Teal, a couple of pairs of Tufted Ducks, 2 Canada Geese, a great deal of Black-headed Gulls, and a few pairs of Mallards.

A lovely afternoon, although for taking photographs, I could have done with a little better light.

A Question

Anyone on here seen any black redstarts in the County in recent days. Some friends of mine in Darowen near Machynlleth claimed they saw 2 around their property on Saturday. Perhaps these birds are on the move. I had a 'very brief' view of one on the roof of my house near Aberhosan many years ago. It was a lovely warm day and they were on the roof catching insects 'as they do'!

Sat with Mark this morning, who kindly put me onto the snipe. After leaving the hide I made a tentative trip to Montgomery to act upon Brians advice (re the Ibis) I parked up only to be greeted by a friendly man with the words, `Nice day - but there is no Ibis. I stayed an hour just in case he was wrong. I then moved on to Chirbury to join the B4386 towards the village of Withington. A mile before the village I passed a large unamed farm on my left which had a small roadside pool on the land. Seeng a flock of birds I stopped in the farm drive set the scope up and counted 18 grazing Wigeon. I moved on to Polmere reserve, I there met by chance `one - Paul Burgess` who said he knew Mark. The 200+ lapwing were still around, a pair of Shell Duck were in the middle of the pool + the pintail and a few teal. My strange highlite was seeing a `stock dove` close up. I tend to see ferrel pigeons, woodies and ferral tumblers on a daily basis.
All in all a pleasant day

Trevor Rogers

Great Grey Shrike, near Llanfair Caereinion

On the 11th of this month I was contacted by a local birding friend to try to obtain a record photograph of a Great Grey Shrike that had been seen frequently on private land near Neuadd, Llanfair Caereinion.Because of certain conservation restrictions I was asked by the landowners to hold back the sighting until such time as the bird had not been seen for several days.I was given the ok to disclose the information tonight.
A very poor photographic record is produced above, however the landowner is very pleased. Again the 800mm lens was hand held for a very quick shot, in fact the only shot taken.
I hope this sighting can be put on record as the second Great Grey Shrike of the year in Montgomery, and fantastic to know that they are about, just keep our eyes open.
Paul the photograph was taken on the 12th February 2012.

Redpolls @ The Flash

I took a quick trip to the Flash (Welshpool) this morning before work proved to be quite rewarding, with at least 1 Mealy Redpoll, 15+ Lesser Redpolls and very large dark Redpoll which didn't hang around long enough for a good enough view!!


(Mealy Redpoll)


(Lesser Redpoll)

Flash, Welshpool

A quick visit to the Flash with Paul produced some nice Redpoll, Siskin and Long Tailed Tits in the hedges.

The shot of Redpoll with 800mm hand held, so excuse quality.

Llyn Mawr, Pochard etc

A Drake, a duck and a juvenile goleneye on Llyn Mawr today and a drake pochard (first time seen here personally) with the tufties. Four cormorants on the rocks, couple of kites and buzzards, Golden Plover heard overhead.

Out and about

Was out and about as the sun was coming up and my first stop was Montgomery where i saw the Glossy Ibis but could only manage a record shot for myself, from there i went to Dolydd, Scared a few Hares on the way to the hides, from the second hide 30+ Curlew on the other side of the river 4 Oystercatchers 2 Snipe flew past and a Red Kite, on the way out could see a Little Egret and a very well camouflaged Mark Wilson. From there to Coed y Dinas, All the usual plus 3 Oystercatchers 30+ Lapwing 1 Dunlin and for all the nature lovers 5 Bank Voles. No sign of the Great Crested Grebe.

Glossy Ibis and Dunlin

The Dunlin at Coed-y-dinas would appear to be a 1st winter juvenile, Phil will have some much better images I am sure.

The Glossy Ibis made a very quick appearance in the position stated by Iolo and Paul. Just managed a quick shot hand holding the large lens, but a record shot for the day.

Dolydd Hafren was quiet, but there must have been at least 50 Curlew. The little male Reed Bunting posed for some time at the rear of the nearest reed bed.

Another thank you for details of the Glossy Ibis position.

Short-eared Owl @ Llyn Hir

2 seen this evening, also 9 Woodcock, 4 Golden Plovers, 1 Lapwing and a handful of Snipe. A Tawny Owl was also heard hooting up there, and another was heard when I got home.

Glossy Ibis @ Montgomery

I received a voicemail from Iolo this morning, saying that he had found a Glossy Ibis just outside Montgomery town, only for an hour or so later to say that he couldn't relocate it!! Not detered by this, I headed down there after work and to my amazement it was back!!



This is presumably the same bird that was originally found by Mr and Mrs Gray on 04/02/12 at SO229968, and then seen by Wyn and Brenda at Dolydd Hafren on 05/02/12.



The bird appears to be quite flightly for an Ibis, but still gives excellent views! It was last seen feeding at SO226960, but could easily be feeding in any of those 5 roadside fields. Best place to park is in the recycling car park at SO22479627.



Thanks again to Iolo for the message and for emailing me the photo above.

Lyn - Coed - y - dinas

Called in at around 2. 30pm today. Three Reed Buntings were active, some 30 + Teal mixed in with a few Wigeon. There were TWO male Pochard on the farside to the left of the island. The two Oystercatcher were also present. A highlght was two Mallard having a right `scrap`for about five minutes. One mute swan, many cormorant with one displaying most unusual head markings, probably due to a moult.
I gave my new `scope` an outing so missed some possible good images of the reed bunting as they were feeding on the reed heads, but at least I had a great view of the Pochard.

Trevor Rogers

LAST YEARS OYSTERCATCHER RETURNED

Just been comparing last years Oystercatchers with this years, and whilst I may be wrong, it would appear that one of the birds shown in the image above has returned. There is a silver ring on the right leg of the bird in the photo, same as one of this years. Not as spectacular as the Ospreys, but its nice to know that Llyn Coed-y-dinas is doing its bit!

This image is for Mark. As soon as he left the Shoveler moved in close enough for me to get a record shot. I stayed at Polmere for another hour when I decide to pack my camera away - bad move!! a Curlew landed on the mud to the left of the hide, I think the setting sun was playing tricks with me, as the bird looked almost white. Within a minute the bird took of rapidly still looking very light but unmistakeably a Curlew. It gave it`s full repertoire of calls - haunting.
I started the day earlier calling at `Priorslee` I was rewarded with a 1st wnter Yellow Legged Gull
a second winter Caspian Gull, and a Gaucous Gull, -all- among the Lesser Black Backs and Immature Blackheaded Gulls. I must give thanks to one `Jim Almond` whose recently published images for February were of great help. On route from Polmere I passed through `Worthern`where I was fortunate to see a low flying Red Kite. I am saving LycD for tomorrow.
Nice to meet you Mark.

Trevor Rogers

Llyn Coed y dinas afternoon

Fairly quiet afternoon. 1 male Pochard (Kevin has informed me that there are two about), 23 Wigeon, Teal, Tufted, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Shelduck that flew off, Cormorants, 2 Mute Swan, 1 female Reed Bunting, pair Oystercatchers.
Nice to see Chris Wallbank at his easel, and Kevin.

The water level in the lake has risen in the last day or so, the very small island where the Ostercatchers were photographed two days ago has now disappeared.

Northern Wheatear

Todays quiz:
The Northern Wheatear does a return migration of 30,000 k - when we see them they are roughly half way.
`Q` What is the meaning of `Northern Wheatear` and where did the name come from?

Lapwing (200+ at Polmere - Sunday)

Wigeon at Polmere - Sunday

Pintail at Polmere (so far away) - Sunday

Teal at Lcyd - SundayTrevor Rogers

Llyn Coed y dinas afternoon

Similar to Kevins blog, but male Pochard still far down on left side lake. A single Common Snipe in the vegetation on left hand side, and a pair Goosdander.
A further Oystercatcher arrived, and the existing pair went mad! The single bird, a male, seemed much larger than the pair. The three gave quite a show.
A very large flock of Lapwing flew around for awhile, perhaps 250+, before settling in fields adjoining by-pass.
The garden is showing a single Redpoll.

Called in at Polmere Sunday as I was in the area. The `Pintail` is still insitue together with Teal and Wigeon. Some 200 + Lapwing soared overhead before landing in the shallows.

Trevor Rogers

LLLYN CYD

Called in late afternoon,Just as two people where about to leave .On asking if much was about, they said that there was'nt, and that they only called in on the offchance as most times when they had visited it had been very poor. And off they went.In the next ten minutes i saw the following species :- Blue Tit, Great Tit,Long Tailed Tit,Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Dunnock, Morhen, Canada Geese,Mallard, Tufted Duck, Coot, Cormorants, Oystercatcher, Teal, Pochard, Goosander, Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Wood Pigeon, And just as i was leaving 30 min's later 6 Reed Buntings dropped into the reeds in front of the hide.  All these birds were easy to spot so what the two people i spoke to were looking at or for is anybody's guess. but sometimes you meet people who can't be satisfied come what may!!


Had a day away yesterday. the people i was travelling with stopped in a garage to fill up, between Kidderminster and Bromsgrove ( yes i know it's well of our patch) got out of the car to stretch the legs to see 20 plus Waxwings in a garden opposite.  the first i've seen this year. hav'nt heard of many being about either compared to the tremendous sightings that we had last winter

Goldeneye Llyn Mawr

2 males and 5 red heads displaying on the lake this pm.

A rainy start with a bright finish

Started the day at a rainy Dolydd Hafren where the hares were showing well to the left of the first hide which i was quite grateful for as the rain was driving down and the birds were keeping hidden.



As the rain slowed a pair of Shoveler came out but kept their distance from the hide so only a poor record shot.



As the sun came out so did one or two Jackdaws and they spent the best part of the day chasing 50+ Curlew up and down the river.



The Water Rail was the highlight of the day and kept a keen eye on me as i photographed it but did not seem that bothered for such a shy bird. Other birds seen were 50+ Wigeon, Kestrel, Sparrow Hawk, Buzzard, Tree Creeper and Heron. No Bittern



So went to Coed y Dinas as the weather looked like it was going to turn where all the usual was about.



250+ Lapwing showed up and landed in front of the first hide



Nice to see the Great Crested Grebe back, Spring is not that far away now

Polmere Reserve

Hi All,
Having been banished to the `Back Country` for the month of January, I returned to Welshpool on Thursday. On route I called in at the small reserve of Polmere (slightly over the border) and `Venus Pool`
The latter had a `Curlew` displayung well on a mud spit in front of the hide, and a single brambling from the small hide. At Polmere it was good to see many lapwing in the field to the right of the hide with a flock of `fieldfare` flying west towards Montgomery. One bird stood out among the Teal, Pochard, and Mallard. I set up the scope and had a great view of a male `Pintail` my first. Saddly light was going as I reached Montgomery but it felt good to be back

Trevor Rogers

LLynCyd

Quick visit just before lunch,  appart from the usual residents, two Oystercatchers still showing well, feeding on the bank on the left hand side of the hide. Male Pochard diving on far left. While a Shellduck and a GreatCrested Grebe showed well between the hide and large island.Cormorants back in good number 18 noted which included 3 Juv. and one starting to show breeding plummage. 4 Wigeon on large island which is well down on the number seen on Weds, which was 58.

Hope iv'e managed to sort out the problembs iv'e been having with the blog.My brother  an IT Wiz. which is different to me , I'm classed as (DUH).  spent a time on the machine and said it should be sorted. I think he deleted and reset up the blog, but i don't know. I just hope it's sorted.

COED-Y-DINAS , MORNING

25 Wigeon, 21 Cormorants, 1 male Pochard, 2 female and 1 male Goosander, Teal, Tufted, pair Oystercatchers (maybe our breeding pair, one seen had silver ring), Tits including Long-tailed, one Heron, 13 Lapwing.

One of the Cormorants in courting plumage

Lapwings/Golden Plover

Further to Marks sighting on monday pm. Saw similar sighting at 11.00am the flock was meandering across the Stalloe flats just before Chirbury heading towards Montgomery.

Would have bloged earlier but am having a lot of trouble logging on.  sign in is not accepting password, and not accepting a new password. also when trying to write a comment the moment i click on it, the whole blog freezes. Have to come out of the blog completely before re-entering .But am able to scroll the blog. Is anybody else having the same problem????    how this blog window has opened up for me i don't know!!

Dolydd Hafren

Thought I had better try and see the Bitten, and it emerged at 1.40 on the far left hand side, and slowly worked its way across to the bank and walked calmly over the grass, pass the post until it reached the small stream linking the water holes. It may help if you click on photos, although cropped heavily the bird is still small.

Other species included Buzzard, Peregrine, Kestrel, a very busy Sparrowhawk, at least 30 Curlew, Oystercatcher and a Little Egret.

snipe CyD

one snipe showing very well at waters edge to left of hide this pm, first time for ages. hundred plus lapwing looking fantastic on the ice and harassed by sparrow hawk

Dolydd Hafren

Lots about again today but the Bittern was what everyone is going for and it turned up again just after 2 but took off for the river as the farmer was shooting at regular intervals no better pictures of the bittern or the Water Rail. 4 Water Rail today but for how long I'm not sure as the sparrow hawk is trying to catch them but so far has missed, couple of ok grab shots.