Reed birds!

 

Many thanks to Steve Benbow for the Reed Warbler (above) and to Luke Reynolds for the male Reed Bunting (below), both at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas in the last two days.  

 

Swifts arrived back at derwen garden centre

 9 swifts returned back today at the derwen garden centre.

Whimbrel at Dolydd Hafren

Thanks again to Chris Townsend, this time for a Whimbrel that passed through Dolydd Hafren on 20 April. From now until mid-May is when the northbound passage of Whimbrel occurs. They are mostly coastal, but most years one or two are seen or heard (a distinctive whistle, repeated fast 7 times) in the county. 
 

Grebe attack!

Many thanks to Chris Townsend for this brilliant photo - the resident Great Crested Grebe attacking the newly arrived Black-necked Grebe at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas on 12 April. Thankfully the Black-neck survived and stayed two more days. 
 

Black-necked Grebe at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas

 

Many thanks to Meurig Garbutt for the photo and for posting this: "I heard there was a Black-necked Grebe to be seen at Llyn Coed Y Dinas this morning. It took a bit of finding and never came particularly close so these images are massive crops. Also present today were Willow Warbler and Reed Warblers, both newly arrived."

Chris Townsend also reports that it was attacked by the resident Great Crested Grebe but survived.  

Thanks also to Cameron Sharp of the RSPB, who originally found the bird and alerted Julian Hughes (editor of the Welsh Bird Report) who alerted me! It is especially good to see this rarity in its full breeding plumage. The nearest regular breeding site is Woolston Eye, just where the M6 crosses the Manchester Ship Canal (Thelwall Viaduct).  

 

First Swallow this morning top of Red Bank, Welshpool

Pied Flycatcher newly arrived in Cemmaes

Many thanks to Simon Layton for this portrait of a male Pied Flycatcher, just back from migration in his garden at Cemmaes on 7 April. 

Treecreeper

 

Many thanks to Steve Benbow for this charming photo of a Treecreeper on 31 March at Lake Vyrnwy.

Request for Curlew monitors around Churchstoke

 Please contact Leo (leo@leosmith.org.uk) 

 

Latest from Pwll Penarth MWT Reserve

 Many thanks to Steve Benbow for these photos and news: "Had a walk around Pwll Penarth NR this afternoon and was pleased to spot a Woodcock quickly fly away from the hide and a Kingfisher on the river. I did, however manage to spot a pair of Cetti's Warblers in front of the hide and a remarkably confiding Water Rail that allowed some photos." 

The warbler, resident all year here, is often heard but less often seen, and hard to photograph!