Great Egrets coming into breeding plumage

Thanks to Meurig Garbutt for a potentially very significant photo: a Great Egret (one of a pair) showing two signs of coming into breeding condition at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas today: black tip of bill and plumes. In the Somerset Levels, Great Egrets are nesting on the ground in reedbeds like a Bittern, rather than in heronries. We are still waiting for a first breeding record for Wales. The delicate plumes, appearing in the photo to be on the wings, in fact originate on the shoulders. 

 Swift talk by Sarah Gibson at Y Dolydd/Llanfyllin Workhouse on Friday 1st July 7:30pm

Join MWT for a launch into Swift Awareness Week for an evening celebrating swifts. Sarah will give a talk about these birds and her book*, then we will walk around the grounds of the Workhouse to experience the swifts first hand. The swifts return to this site each year to nest, and it is a wildlife spectacular not to be missed!

*Swifts & Us: The Life of the Bird that Sleeps in the Sky by Sarah Gibson

(William Collins)

BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Email lottie@montwt.co.uk to book. For more info visit https://www.montwt.co.uk/events/2022-07-01-swift-talk-sarah-gibson 

Swifts in Montgomeryshire

I've been doing several swift talks/walks around Montgomeryshire as part of my role with MWT. We've had good numbers of the public attending. We have a swift group set up in Llanidloes (join Llanidloes Swifts on Facebook if you are on there). We had a great evening in Montgomery yesterday, with nearly 30 people attending, hopefully we will set up a group there soon too. 

Keep an eye out on our website event page for future swift walks and events, I'll be doing some more soon! 

Also, please record any nesting swifts, as well as screaming parties. Please record this on the LERC Wales app, send the info the BIS, or email me (lottie@montwt.co.uk).

If you're interested in finding out more about the swift work we are doing, feel free to give me an email!

Egyptian Geese - a new breeding record for Wales

 

Thanks to Paul Davies for this photo from Llyn Coed-y-Dinas today. The two adult Egyptian Geese have three goslings, the first known breeding in Montgomeryshire, and (we believe) in Wales. Julian Hughes, editor of the Welsh Bird Report, tells me none has been reported before. Egyptian Geese are native to Sub-Saharan Africa, with a spike northwards along the Nile. They were first introduced to Britain in the 17th century, but have only recently spread westwards to Wales. Interestingly, they sometimes nest in trees, (even up to 60m above ground in South Africa), but also on the ground among vegetation - which seems most likely here.  

Paul has also sent in this image of a breeding plumage Little Ringed Plover, also from L Cyd today. 
 

Osprey

 About 1.20 today, an Osprey flew over Welshpool bypass, near the Grammar School, and was descending towards River Severn when lost to sight.

Redstarts.

 A pair of Redstart are being kept very busy feeding their brood near Llandyssil. Although getting an image of one carrying food is nigh on impossible.

Grebe family at LYCD

 The Great Crested Grebes are busily looking after and feeding three Humbugs at LYCD this afternoon. Lets hope they manage to rear all three.

Reed Buntings at LCyd

 

Thanks to Mark Wilson for these portraits of Reed Buntings male and female, at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas on 28 May.

ID Challenge

I'd appreciate help identifying this bird, its either a Marsh or Willow Tit. I'm leaning towards Marsh Tit because of the smaller neat bib. Sadly I didn't hear it call so can't identify it that way.

Apologies

Sorry guys , but something amiss with my mac Google acc. and it won't let me comment anymore-if it lets me post I shall be very surprised ! I shall be looking at your blogs ,but in silence!

Cheers kevj. 

Yellow Wagtail

 

Thanks to Andy Knight for this photo of a Yellow Wagtail at Bacheldre near Churchstoke. He has found three pairs in the area.