Swallows and Fieldfares overlap on the Wern.

 Yesterday 2 swallows were the first we'd seen on the Wern this year. As Steve was out on an early morning run today, he disturbed between 30 and 40 fieldfares in the same area, which flew off in a northerly direction.

Quail at Cyfronydd, Welshpool

Quail seen walking across the A458 at Cyfronydd, Welshpool at approx 6.30 this evening.Not sure if this is a captive bird for egg laying?

Long-eared Owl attacking Osprey

On 6th April, the Dyfi Osprey Project nest camera picked up several attacks by an owl on Telyn, the resident female Osprey, on the perch by the nest. Most comments following views of the footage assumed this was a Barn Owl - a regular visitor to the reserve. But close attention to the underwing (see https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=874095486503045 - especially the attack in slow-mo, shown after the full speed one) shows a short black line on the underwing, but no black tip to the wing. This combination rules out both Tawny and Short-eared Owls, while Barn Owls have a pure white underwing. Further attacks came on 10th April. So, a brilliant record - though Telyn might not agree. Thanks to Emyr Evans for posting the video, and to Iolo Williams for identification input.

Return of the prodigals

Not seen these around the garden for 3 weeks or so now so I assumed they'd either been eaten or were doing other things (no idea what genders these are - is there a way to distinguish between the male and female?) Average pics as taken through the lounge window so bear that in mind!

Hide at LCYD

When Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust closed the hide at Llyn Coed y Dinas some 12 months ago, we had no idea how long it would be for, but I am sure that none of us imagined it would be for this long! We previously enjoyed good numbers of visitors to this facility, including many who like to spend long periods of time watching the birds and photographing them. Sadly, this is one of the very reasons which caused us to close the hide in the first place, not wanting to put people at risk. There were (and still are) significant concerns about cleaning, as well as the narrow access, with no facility to put in a one way system.

As you can imagine, the decision to close the hide was not taken lightly. We are a wildlife conservation organisation, who's mission is "To rebuild biodiversity and engage people with their environment by being an active and influential wildlife champion"; I have underlined the particularly relevant bit in this statement - the hide is there because we want people to enjoy the wildlife. In fact, the whole nature reserve has people engagement at it's heart. It would be easier for us to just leave the hide open and hope for the best, but imagine the potential ramifications should we cause a super-spreading event, for example! It is worth noting that RSPB's bird hides remain closed and that 'meeting indoors' is still not permitted by Welsh Government. 

Nothing about this pandemic is easy and we thank everyone for being so patient with us so far. I wish to reassure you all that we are constantly reviewing the situation and will open the hide as soon as we can. When we are able to re-open the hide, a notice will also be placed on this blog.

 

Tammy Stretton, Conservation Officer, Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust

Redstarts return

 First singing male of the year heard and seen on Vaynor Parc,  Berriew, Sunday April 4th. Great to hear, real sound of things to come.

House Martin and probable rarity!

Thanks to Paul Irving for this: "Llandinam birds on 4th April included a pair of Little Egrets, our first male Pied Flycatcher back at our boxes, 2-3 Swallows, up to 20 Sand Martins, 1 House Martin, and adult female Peregrine. On 5th April, 3 Little Egrets (birds behaving as a pair plus 1)."

Paul's partner Gabi also reports a probable Crane, on 3rd April at 9 a.m, flying steadily north-east over the Severn Flood plain east of Caersws. She is sure it wasn't a Heron with its neck extended (typical of an alarmed Heron), but we won't make it an official record. Previous county records are of 1 near Pont Llogel on 3 May 1961, and 1 in flight over Pumlumon in June 1983 (Holt & Williams, The Birds of Monrgomeryshire, 2008).

Mochdre

A few from up Mochdre, loads of Siskin got the best that I could of one of the ringed ones, long tailed tit missing a tail, it’s growing back now though 

 

A few notes.....

 After weeks of having an abundance of Coal Tits on the feeders they have now absented themselves. Bramblings still visiting, and 8 ringed in the last 3 days. Green Woodpecker calling near Powis Castle this morning, but no sign or sound of Lesser Spots. Ceri Ridgeway was notable for the absence of Crossbills, but then I realised that the cone harvest seems to have totally failed. Best bird of the last few days was a very short-staying Male Garganey at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas, flushed as well as the 2 Great Egrets by visitors trespassing over the fence!

VERY distant Garganey!

Swallows

Pair Swallows this morning Pentrebeirdd, near River Vyrnwy. Lake Vyrnwy bottom car park area at least 5 Nuthatch, dozens of Siskin, Tree Creeper. 2 Skylark Bala Road near Powys boundary.