Notable Recent Sightings

17/09 Grey Phalarope 1 juv, Red Ridge Centre, Cefn Coch, photo'd
29/05 Pink-footed Goose 1, over Welshpool, photo'd on 09/06
01/05 Red-throated Diver 1, Llyn Clywedog
07/02 Whooper Swan 44, Lake Vyrnwy
31/01 Whooper Swan 51, Haimwood, Llandrinio
17/11 Firecrest 2, Castle Caereinion
07/11 Barnacle Goose 1 among Canada Geese, Llyn Coed-y-Dinas
07/11 Hawfinch a few, Lake Vyrnwy, also Bramblings
01/11 Short-eared Owl 1, Cefn Coch Wind-farm
01/11 Great Grey Shrike Gregynog
28/10 Great Grey Shrike Lake Vyrnwy, also 1 on 30th at Eunant
25/09 Gannet 1 juv grounded near Caersws
07/09 Nightjar 1, photographed near Pontrobert
17/07 Quail RSPB Lake Vyrnwy, also heard 20/06 and 08/07
24/04 Long-eared Owl 2, RSPB Lake Vyrnwy
16/04 Purple Heron 1, Cors Dyfi
05/03 Firecrest 1, Lake Vyrnwy
05/03 Short-eared Owl 1, Lake Vyrnwy
14/01 Pink-footed Goose 1, Dolydd Hafren
03/01 Waxwing 20, Meifod; also 5 Welshpool by canal on 01/01. Last: 6 Bwlch-y-Garreg 17/03
   
See Sightings Archive for older records

Wednesday, May 06, 2020

I'm stumped - any ideas?

This lunchtime while working in the garden I took a couple of minutes to watch a group of Swifts pass high overhead - in there were 2 birds I couldn't identify and it's doing my head in - characteristics are

Looked slightly larger than a Swift

Underwing and breast reddish-brown - couldn't see any markings as too high

Wing shape - definite 'elbow', slight swept back with blunt end and no 'fingers'

Conspicuous white rump

Tail a decent length - shape like a Hobby but with white rump continuing down for the first 2/3rds and a solid and quite thick black band at the tip

They seemed to be actively hunting flying insects - EDIT forgot to say, they had a weird flight, part soaring and part 'fluttery'

Of course binoculars/cameras in the house - they were in view for 15 seconds or so before heading off north with the Swift

Anyone got any suggestions because I'm out of ideas!
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2 comments:

  1. Chris. T.6 May 2020 at 16:07

    Sounds interesting - any Pratincoles about?????

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mark W6 May 2020 at 17:00

    Well you know what Chris - that did enter my mind! But .... the tail was blunt rather than forked!

    ReplyDelete

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