The Birds of Wales

 

I have recently received my copy of this magnificent volume, published by Liverpool University Press on behalf of the Welsh Ornithological Society. The content of its 584 pages is meticulously researched and beautifully illustrated. For me, living right on the English border, it makes a perfect companion to Leo Smith's equally wonderful The Birds of Shropshire.

 

A Bird in the Hand

 Paul Roughley sent me these photos, taken at home near Abermule where he caught and ringed it. He asked me to confirm the identification.

I noticed the long, tapering tail, dark-spotted back contrasting with unmarked underparts, long thin bill and dull pink legs. These are all features of a Grasshopper Warbler. It may have been a local breeder, or a migrant on passage from further north. They breed in Wales in small numbers, often in young conifer plantations. When they are not singing, they are skulking and secretive, often running mouse-like on the ground. Thanks Paul - I am sure you knew what it was as soon as you saw it!

Lesser Whitethroat and Redstart near Montgomery

Thanks to Lionel Weaver who took these photos this morning through his window at home at Hendomen. To have these two in the same garden in the same morning is remarkable. Lionel adds, "this is the first time to have seen them in the garden in 22 years of being here."
 

Killing with Kindness? The argument against feeding birds

A recent research paper* raises the debate about feeding birds in our gardens. These buffets are brilliant for dominant species such as Blue and Great Tits, but have gradually pushed out weaker species - such as the Marsh Tits that stopped visiting our feeder about ten years ago. And then there's the question of disease such as Trichomonosis affecting Greenfinches. It's a thought-provoking issue! 

*https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320721003475?dgcid=coauthor

In other news:

OSPREY fishing in the Vyrnwy near Meifod, 20 Aug. 

A late SWIFT was over the Dyfi Osprey Project, 20 Aug. 

Thanks to Stuart Thomas and Will Ferguson for these records. 

Bath time at LYcD.

Short sequence of little Egret Taking a bath and flying off to dry in the breeze.

LCyD afternoon 19/8/2021

 All the previously reported characters there, owhich the following came within range in the short period of time I was there. Little Grebe and Juvenile, Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper.

Common Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

                                                            Little Grebe and Juvenile

More from L.Cyd.

 As Brian reported there were 3 Great Egret, and 3 Green Sandpiper yesterday, together with 2 Common Sandpiper. The water level is now low enough to attract a few passage waders. 20 years ago we regularly recorded Black-Tailed Godwit and Greenshank.  Here's hoping!

Llyn Coed-y-dinas, today

First visit into the hide since lockdown.The hide was very busy and popular with holiday makers. Three Great Egret, Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, pair Little Grebe, pair G C Grebe with two juveniles, Reed Warbler, plus usual species.

Juvenile Cuckoo at Berriew

Many thanks to Tim Ward, for this great photo of a fledged juvenile Cuckoo by the canal near Berriew yesterday. It is probably already on its migration, and is no proof of local breeding. Young Cuckoos never meet their parents (which will already have left the country), and will have to negotiate their hazardous flight across the Sahara with no guidance other than instinct.

Update on Welshpool Herons and Egrets

 

Many thanks to Claire Seddon, for reporting 3 pairs of Little Egrets in the Welshpool heronry this year. She also writes, "we had heron chicks hatched the end of June/beginning of July. We still see the parents flying in feeding and hear the chattering now. This is our fourth summer here and the first time we have seen any herons on the nest in August."

My Harrison field guide on nests and eggs suggests that Grey Herons are occasionally double-brooded, but it is unusual!    

Dolydd Hafren

Last post of the weekend, but Osprey Roli (blue KA5) is still in the area. I was in the hide from 6am until 11am and saw him once as he flew down river towards Welshpool around 10am. No interest in fishing on the reserve, perhaps he's found a better spot? Kingfishers we're very active this morning, with 3 of them constantly going up and down the river. Great to hear the sound of Curlew again, with 2 birds on the reserve.

Dolydd Hafren

Osprey (Blue KA5) still on the reserve. He was fishing well away from the hide, although I did not see him catch anything. A lovely Cattle Egret showed up and a young Peregrine made a rapid pass across the reserve. There are large numbers of Goosander (counted 32 in one group), I guess they had a good breeding year! Also went to the reserve yesterday evening and counted around 30 Swift hunting over the meadow before the second hide and saw a Barn Owl on the walk home between Caerhowl and Hendomen.

Llyn Coed-y-Dinas- Hide News.

 I'm pleased to pass on the good news that the hide has now reopened. MWT suggests that the wearing of face-coverings remains desirable, and advises hand sanitisation protocols are followed. Hide windows should be left open for the foreseeable future to maximise airflow through the building.

As warden, I feel rather guilty that I have been the only user of the hide for the last 16 months, but it is spotlessly clean! All Black-Headed Gulls have now left, and the predatory Lesser Black Backs are no longer visiting, enabling the Great Crested Grebes to parade their 2 offspring from their third nesting attempt. The Shelduck were not so lucky, with a brood of three and another pair with 8 young disappearing within 48 hours of appearing on the lake, as did the Tufted ducklings. Even the Canada Geese suffered huge losses, with an estimated 3 young surviving to fledging from about 10 pairs. 3 pairs of Cormorant have fledged 6 young, and 2 pairs of Reed Warbler raised young in front of the hide. 

I hope those using the hide will continue to be aware that Covid has not gone away, and use the building in a responsible way that does not put themselves or others at risk.

A Bucket List Moment

Went to Dolydd Hafren yesterday afternoon, all was quiet with the highlights being 3 Great Egrets and a Common Sandpiper. Then at half 5, Roli (Blue KA5) turned up and stole the show. He circled the hide for a couple of minutes, then flipped over and dove talons first into the water to claim his prize. He flew straight toward the hide before heading West up river. As a nature lover and photographer, these are the moments I dream of, to get the ideal combination of light, behaviour, and proximity all at the same time. This Osprey is one of the 2019 chicks from Llyn Brenig, who I'm guessing is starting his migration South for the Winter, although seems a bit too early. This is easily one of my top wildlife encounters!

Rose-coloured Starling near Montgomery - a new bird for the county!

 Nick Randall-Smith saw this strange bird in his garden and didn't recognise it. So he took this photo and sent it to Iolo Williams. Iolo, leading a group on Mull, tweeted the image and that he missed it on his home patch! Clare follows Iolo on Twitter, so I heard about it, and asked Iolo for permission to use the photo. Luckily permission soon followed. Many thanks both to Nick and Iolo. A quick look at the county list (http://www.mbog.co.uk/downloads/VC47_Birds.pdf) suggests that this is a NEW RECORD for Montgomeryshire!

Rose-coloured Starlings nest in large colonies in Western Asia. I have seen them nesting in quarries and dams in Kazakhstan. A few regularly visit UK in late summer. This individual is an adult in superb plumage.