For the last 20 years or so, I have noted a West to South-West movement of Woodpigeons in October/November. This occurs, over Welshpool, usually from 8-10 am, and is more obvious on calm days. Today, there were flocks of 15-30 (3), and one flock of about 90 birds. It would be interesting to know if this is occurring elsewhere in Wales, and maybe being observed to the west of here. Could they be bound for Ireland?
Other birders feel that these birds are just moving locally to feed, and it would be interesting to know which theory is correct.
Certainly it is not a difficult exercise to observe them - (I can often do it from the comfort of my bed!). Walking the dogs can be equally productive.
Notable Recent Sightings
| 17/11 | Firecrest | 2, Castle Caereinion |
| 07/11 | Barnacle Goose | 1 among Canada Geese, Llyn Coed-y-Dinas |
| 07/11 | Hawfinch | a few, Lake Vyrnwy, also Bramblings |
| 01/11 | Short-eared Owl | 1, Cefn Coch Wind-farm |
| 01/11 | Great Grey Shrike | Gregynog |
| 28/10 | Great Grey Shrike | Lake Vyrnwy, also 1 on 30th at Eunant |
| 25/09 | Gannet | 1 juv grounded near Caersws |
| 07/09 | Nightjar | 1, photographed near Pontrobert |
| 17/07 | Quail | RSPB Lake Vyrnwy, also heard 20/06 and 08/07 |
| 24/04 | Long-eared Owl | 2, RSPB Lake Vyrnwy |
| 16/04 | Purple Heron | 1, Cors Dyfi |
| 05/03 | Firecrest | 1, Lake Vyrnwy |
| 05/03 | Short-eared Owl | 1, Lake Vyrnwy |
| 14/01 | Pink-footed Goose | 1, Dolydd Hafren |
| 03/01 | Waxwing | 20, Meifod; also 5 Welshpool by canal on 01/01. Last: 6 Bwlch-y-Garreg 17/03 |
| 23/12 | Waxwing | Newtown College, first arrivals 04/12, 47 on 23/12, 67 on 01/01, 30 on 04/02 |
| 09/12 | Cattle Egret | 1 roosting with 8 Great Egrets and some Little Egrets, Llyn Coed-y-Dinas |
| 02/12 | Waxwing | 21 Guilsfield, 12 Montgomery, 1 Welshpool, and 1 on 01/12 Llanfyllin |
| 16/11 | Dotterel | 3, just west of Dyfnant Forest on RSPB land |
| 16/11 | Great Grey Shrike | 1, on edge of Dyfnant Forest on RSPB land, last reported 19/01 |
| 15/11 | Waxwing | 25 or 30, just west of Lake Vyrnwy along the Dinas Mawddwy road |
| 08/11 | Great Northern Diver | A juvenile was found near Anchor, rescued and released |
| 30/10 | Black Redstart | 1 in garden at Hendomen, near Montgomery |
| 06/10 | Hawfinch | 5 in treetops at Powis Castle, by main car-park |
| 04/10 | Cattle Egret | Dolydd Hafren, a flock of c.30 |
| 29/09 | Red-flanked Bluetail | Dyfnant Forest: a county first |
| 23/09 | Manx Shearwater | 1st year bird grounded in Llanfyllin; released at coast |
| 03/09 | Cattle Egret | 10 at Cors Dyfi, rising to 32 on 05/09 |
| 01/06 | Turnstone | 1 at Caersws with Little Ringed Plovers |
| 03/05 | Wood Sandpiper | 1 at Dolydd Hafren |
| 18/04 | BLACK-WINGED KITE | 1 video-ed at Glan Mule, near Kerry: a likely FIRST for UK |
| 07/04 | Black Redstart | Female on Carno roof |
| 07/04 | Little Ringed Plover | Llandinam Gravels |
| 25/03 | Osprey | Female 5F 'Seren' arrived back at Llyn Clywedog |
| 25/03 | Pied Flycatcher | An early migrant near Llanfechain |
| 22/03 | Hen Harrier | Female in flight near Berriew |
| 15/03 | Sand Martin | 5, Dolydd Hafren |
| 15/03 | Golden Plover | c.50, Heldre Hill, Long Mountain, nr Welshpool |
| 05/03 | Whooper Swan | 1, between Caerhowel (Montgomery) and The Gaer, with Mute Swans |
| 05/03 | Pink-footed Goose | 1, Caersws, with Canada Goose flock |
| 05/03 | Jack Snipe | 2, Caersws |
| 05/03 | Hawfinch | 24, Powis Castle, feeding behind orchard |
| 28/02 | Pink-footed Goose | c.25, flying north over Welshpool |
| 26/02 | Merlin | 1 male, chasing Meadow Pipit, Long Mountain near Welshpool |
| 26/02 | Pintail | 3, Llyn Coed-y-Dinas, 1 since 14 Feb |
| 14/02 | Hawfinch | 1, Powis Castle car-park, very vocal |
| 23/01 | Jack Snipe | 1, Moel-y-Garth near Guilsfield |
| 17/01 | Brambling | 80, in beeches at Pen-y-Waen near Cefn Coch with Chaffinches |
| 07/01 | Hawfinch | 2, bathing in puddle, Cwm Lane, Castle Caereinion |
See Sightings Archive for older records |
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Further flocks this morning of 15 and about 45. Also 80+ Fieldfare west.
ReplyDeleteCalm, clear morning and flocks of approx 15, 30 twice, 70, and 100 before 09.00.
ReplyDeleteMore South-Westerly than Westerly today.