Birds of a Proposed Windfarm

Many thanks to Mel Fansa for these three images, taken on 3 July in the area of the proposed Glaslyn and Hafren Windfarm. 

Mel writes:

"Friday was spent recording nature in the area where Bute Energy are proposing to build the Esgair Galed wind farm between Glaslyn Nature Reserve and the Hafren Forest and adjacent to the Pumlumon SSSI.

If you want to help stop this from happening please email info@stopbute.energy to ask to join the Protect Glaslyn & Hafren mailing list. When the planning application is submitted and accepted by PEDW, we will have only 5 weeks to get objections in.

The timescale for the Esgair Galed proposal has been delayed with the statutory consultation due in Spring 2027 and application to PEDW likely in Autumn 2027.

I have made this post public so please share."

www.stopbute.energy

Meadow Pipit (top), Siskin, and Willow Warbler 

 

                                   Kingfisher on a tributary of the Banwy near Cyfronydd, 23 June.

 

Montgomeryshire County Bird Report 2025 is now published....

The 2025 County Bird Report is published, on this site! Click on 'County Reports' along the tab above. Many thanks to all recorders and photographers who have contributed. Special thanks to Tony Coatsworth for processing 17,771 Birdtrack records and to Mike Haigh for uploading the report. 
 

House Martins in Llanidloes

Geoff Laight has a colony of about 16 pairs of House Martins outside his flat in Llanidloes. Thanks for the photo Geoff. 
 

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