Winter wildfowl...

I decided to have a little trip arounds Monts today, to see if any other interesting winter wildfowl had turned up in the county. First stop was Llyn Coed y Dinas to try and see the Bean and White-fronted Geese that had already been spotted earlier in the week. An early start was needed as all (17) the Bean Geese flew off south together at 07:25. The White-fronted Geese stayed a bit longer, 9 flew off at 07:45, then 13 more at 07:55, 4 more were still present when I left at 08:05. A lone Barnacle Goose and a Great Egret were also present.

Next stop was Llyn Hir. 4 adult Whooper Swans on the lake were a welcome sight, although there had been 24 in the area earlier in the week. 3 Lapwings were with a flock of around 70 Golden Plover.

Next stop was the lakes near Bwlch y Garreg. Llyn Mawr was pretty quiet with just a few teal present. Llyn y Tarw was better with 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye and a surprise Pochard, then on Llyn Du there were 3 more adult Whooper Swans. A Jack Snipe was also seen close by.

Finally, a quick scan through the Canada Gosse flock was worth while as a Bean Goose had joined them! A drake Shoveler was a welcome addition, as was a Great Egret.

Rare geese at L CyD: Russian White-fronts and Tundra Bean Geese

 

On 6 Nov, 22 White-fronted Geese of the Russian subspecies albifrons were reported at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas by Steve Benbow. The photo above was taken by Meurig Garbutt on 7 Nov. Many thanks Steve and Meurig. 

On 7 Nov, Meurig took the next photo, of swimming geese that closely resembled Pink-feet but whose legs (a diagnostic feature) were hidden.  

 On 8 Nov, Mark de la Mare took the photo below: unmistakably orange-legged Bean Geese of the NW Siberian subspecies rossicus, often called Tundra Bean Geese. Many thanks Mark. 

To have 2 species of rare geese arrive here within two days is remarkable, presumably following unusually harsh conditions in Eastern Europe which are their usual wintering grounds. 
 

Barnacle Goose at Dolydd Hafren

 

Many thanks to Tony Evans for the record and the photo: this Barnacle Goose was grazing yesterday with Greylags and Canadas at Dolydd Hafren. Individuals are occasional visitors to this side of the county - but at Cors Dyfi a wintering flock is sometimes sighted across the Dyfi at high tide. These birds - of uncertain origin - nest on an island in Derwentwater in the Lake District. 

Jack Snipe at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas

Thanks to Steve Benbow for finding, photographing and reporting a Jack Snipe with a Teal and 8 Common Snipe at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas this morning. Jack Snipe are smaller and shorter billed than the Common Snipe. When flushed, they typically fly only a very short distance. They nest in remote Arctic bogs, and their display is a rarely seen flight above their territory, in which they vocalise with a sound 'like galloping horses': kollarap, kollarap. Once in the 1980s, I was lucky enough to hear and watch one flying high over a Norwegian bog at about 70 degrees north while leading a group. They are not uncommon as winter visitors to UK, but very elusive. They are usually found in freshwater margins, or at night by ringers looking for snipe and Woodcock in grazed fields or moorland. When feeding they bob up and down as if on springs.  

Gannet in Newtown!

 

A record shot of an adult Gannet in Newtown yesterday. It was rescued and taken to Cuan House in Much Wenlock for rehabilitation and (hopefully) coastal release. Thanks to Wendy Smith for the record and the photo, and to Marc Hughes for passing them on. 

Goldcrest portrait and Dolydd Hafren news

 

 

Many thanks to Aneurin Lloyd for this fine portrait of a Goldcrest near Llanerfyl on 30 Sep. 

 

Also, a reminder from MWT: "Dolydd Hafren is temporarily closed to the public for health and safety reasons while essential reserve maintenance is carried out. The reserve will re-open again on Saturday 10th October. Many thanks for your patience."

Raptor Action at Dolydd Hafren

Many thanks to Steve Benbow for this action shot at DH this morning. Steve writes, "A great morning at Dolydd Hafren where the wind seemed to encourage the raptors to fly. Saw 2 Buzzards, 7 Red Kites, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Ravens and the Osprey amongst a species list of 47. The Osprey seemed to be cavorting with a Red Kite as they flew together not showing any aggression."

Reed Bunting at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas

 

Many thanks to Paul Davies for this portait of a female or juvenile Reed Bunting at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas on 3 Sep. 

Dolydd Hafren closed for maintenance

Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust has let us know that Dolydd Hafren is now closed until 11 Sep for essential maintenance. 

MWT Reserve Manager Rob is also planning to trim the reeds in front of the hide at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas on Tuesday or Wednesday (1 or 2 Sep) - if the water level stays low enough.  The reserve will remain open but there may be disturbance for visitors. 

Ospreys

Our final visit for this year and a glimpse of one fishing near the Clwyedog dam and then a distant one eating in a tree near the old nest-such a shame re the strange accident earlier. We ended up at Dyfi osprey  and were treated to Telyn performing a few dives while one youngster spent ages with half a fish! Once again thanks to Emyr&Janine for their sterling work and of course all the volunteers-keep it up guys!It's brilliant.