Pinkfeet

 The big advantage of just returning from Norfolk and recognising the calls, was that 10 minutes ago as I returned from the last dog walk of the day, and as the outside light went on, I could see and hear 2 skeins of Pinkfeet - about 25-30 birds illuminated from below. Going due north and very vocal.  

The ringed Oystercatcher: more details

Take a look back to the item I posted on 21 Feb about a female Oystercatcher at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas with a ring: Mark Wilson was able to read the numbers. The BTO have provided this information:  

"This bird was ringed by Mid Wales Ringing Group as age at least 3 years, on 05-Apr-2017 21:30:00 at Dolydd Hafren, Forden, Montgomery, Powys, UK." 

Although she was re-located only 4 miles from the ringing site, I expect she has made winter visits to the coast during this time, and has returned here to nest. It is good to see that she is still active and probably about to breed again at (at least) age 9. Thanks to Mark Wilson and Mike Haigh for forwarding the BTO text. 

L. Cyd and Long Mountain

 Still 3 Pintail on the lake today, with 30+ Teal. 1 Great-Crested Grebe and a few Black-Headed Gulls could be the first of the returning breeders. 5 roosting Snipe to the left of the hide needed, as usual, to be pointed out to visitors. Lapwing flock today was about 150.

On to the Long Mountain, where at the Beacon Ring a flock of finches was a mix of approx. 100 Linnet, and 400 Chaffinch. Also, with about 100 Starling, 300+ Fieldfare flew North-East.

Best of all, however, was, after failing to find any Golden Plover further towards Middletown, an encounter of more than 2 minutes between a Meadow Pipit pursued relentlessly by a Male Merlin. A grassy ridge prevented me seeing the outcome.

Great Egret

Single Great Egret, 7 Little Egret, in field adjoing Lime Kiln Lane, Belan and the canal.Also Green Woodpecker and male Bullfinch.

3 Pintail and 2 Oystercatcher (one with a ring)

Many thanks to Mark Wilson for these photos from Llyn Coed-y-Dinas yesterday. Following a recent camera upgrade, Mark was able to read the ring on the female Oystercatcher: FJ10883. We are trying to find out where and when the bird was ringed. I will update this if and when we hear from the BTO. 

Barn Owl - Welshpool

Barn Owl hunting along the canal yesterday morning near Coed Y Dinas. I hope we won't lose such sights when the restoration project makes its way here.

Garganey

 5 garganey sighted on the river banwy at llangadfan last week,by alwyn Hughes.Sorry no photographs to follow.

Pintail at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas

 

Drake Pintail photo'd today at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas by Louise Ward. I called in briefly there this afternoon and missed it! However, 4 Shelduck, 100+ Teal, 2 Oystercatcher and c.100 Lapwing (mostly on the adjacent field) looked resplendent in the springlike sunshine. Thanks Louise.  

Hawfinch back at Powis Castle

Thanks to John Martin, Shropshire bird recorder, for this record and photo: he visited Powis Castle this morning and saw a Hawfinch as he got out of the car in the car park. It was very vocal. The usual call is a repeated 'tsp.' I will add to this post if I get further details. 

In other news, 150+ Fieldfare were at Beacon Ring, Long Mountain near Welshpool on 9 Feb, and a Yellowhammer was by the phone mast there. Thanks to Tony Coatsworth for this.  

Blackcap and Siskin

Blackcap still a daily visitor. Snaps through the kitchen window.

A few from the LMNR