MONTGOMERYSHIRE BIRDS: End of Summer

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

Thursday, September 24, 2020

End of Summer

The final brood of House Martins have fledged early this week. Just in time as the warm weather faded away. This years parents did a fantastic job, raising three broods in total. For me, the arrival of House Martins marks the start of Spring and their departure the end of Summer. The House Sparrows and Blackbirds are enjoying the Blackberries now they are starting to ripen. The butterflies seemed to enjoy a final feast on the Asters as they gradually wilt away into Autumn.