Short-eared Owl and recent Coed-y-Dinas records

 

This wonderful image of a Short-eared Owl in its winter habitat was captured by the RSPB's remote camera on 11 Dec 2023, at 3.18 pm (if the camera clock is correct!) Many thanks to Sam Sharpe for sending the photo. 

In other news, 3 Hawfinch were seen at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas on 23 Jan. On 27 Jan, 8 pairs of Pintail were there. Meanwhile, the egret roost there continues to grow. At dusk on 28 Jan, 2 Cattle, 17 Little and 17 Great came into roost. 3 Barnacle Goose and a Water Rail were also seen there the same day. 

On 30 Jan, there were at least 140 Lapwings and 1 drake Pintail among many Wigeon and Teal at LCyd. 8 Snipe were visible to the left of the hide, but I am unable to confirm a possible Jack Snipe reported by two visitors. 

Thanks to Tammy Stretton, Susan Morley, Paul Leafe, and Luke Reynolds for these records.

Onward Waxwing movements

Since their first arrival in early December Mid Wales Ringing Group have managed to colour-ring a total of 60 different Waxwings at a couple of locations in Newtown, primarily the College. The first group of ca. 67 max seemed to move off in early January when there was a short break in sightings and then an additional group of a similar size (55 max?) reappeared but these were seen to be largely unringed (and most remained so).

So where did the first bunch head off too? It may be very surprising to many to know that these groups of Waxwings are not that cohesive. Flocks split and splinter with birds heading off in different directions. We have so far had five birds reported away from Newtown, two in Worcestershire (Great Malvern), one in Gloustershire (Cirencester), one in Hassop (Derbyshire) and the most recent one on the Teifi Marshes (Ceredigion). We greatly look forward to seeing where they might end up in the next few months and would welcome any and all reports of colour-ringed birds from photographers.

Many thanks to (top) Jude Barbour, Great Malvern, (middle) Jonathan Mercer, Cirencester and (bottom) Jen Evans, Teifi Marshes for photographing and reporting the three colour-ringed birds shown below.

28 Egrets at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas

 Is this a record!? North Wales birder Marc Hughes visited at dawn on 21 Jan and counted:

14 Great Egrets, 13 Little Egrets and 1 Cattle Egret roosting on the island, plus:

120 Wigeon, 45 Teal, 5 Goosander, and 3 Barnacle Geese (among 500+ Canadas and 100 Greylags). 

The Barnacle Geese are of unknown origin. There is a small flock of feral birds that breeds on an island in Derwentwater in the Lake District, and migrates to the Dyfi Estuary. A few are sometimes seen at MWT's Cors Dyfi Reserve from the Observatory. We don't know if these are a break-away from this flock or from another source. Thanks Marc. 

One for Iolo and Winterwatch!

 

I'm guessing that Tony and Paul placed some apples at Newtown College - I could only find one bird there today in a brief visit.

However, back in Welshpool, at least 4 Brambling were in the garden, with 2 subsequently ringed.

Newtown Waxies-46th day!

Miraculous! I was convinced that I was to be denied my latest journey to see the Waxies after so many years and fearing it would be too long until the next , but heyho, I managed to squeeze a slot in yesterday as Sue is recovering nicely. Great to meet up with Meurig for a lovely hour or so and later "Camera Jackson' ( congrats for your pic in the paper!).

Newtown Waxwings now in their 45th day

 Paul Stratford has sent this lovely Waxwing portrait from Newtown today. The first arrivals there were on 4 Dec, 45 days ago, and there are still 30+! Many thanks Paul - it's one of my favourite Waxwing images of this irruption.

Grey Herons return to the Welshpool heronry

Grey Herons, already in full breeding plumage, return to their nests in the top of the spindly spruces above Welshpool High School. Thanks to Claire Seddon for the info and photo. Claire says they are very early this year, with the first arrivals audible at night over the Christmas period. The Little Egrets will join them later - probably some time in March. And perhaps - with about 10 roosting each night nearby at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas - some Great Egrets will attain breeding plumage and consider joining them!?

Recent reports from the Whatsapp Group

 5 Jan   Great Grey Shrike, Dyfnant Forest, but still far from public access

7 Jan    Waxwing, 3 Wern, between Guilsfield and Arddleen

10 Jan   Cattle Egret, 3 Lime Kilns Lane, opposite Llyn Coed-y-Dinas

12 Jan   Golden Plover, Long Mountain (near Beacon Ring). Also there 400 Fieldfare

14 Jan   Lapwing, 800 high over Arddleen 

14 Jan   Waxwing, 30 Newtown College and Brambling, 1 Mochdre near Newtown

14 Jan   Pink-footed Goose, 1 Dolydd Hafren, also 1 Brambling

Many thanks to James Tipping, Sue Southam, Tony Coatsworth, Chris Townsend, Dave Lister, Luke Reynolds and Will Ferguson. Extra thanks to Dave Lister for the Waxwing photo. 

MWT Bird Group - dates and titles

 Just a reminder that the Bird Group has 3 more indoor meetings this winter: the first two are held in the Methodist Hall, High St, Welshpool, at 7.30pm on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. All welcome. Entry is £3 (including teas, coffees and snacks), entry for under 18s is free.

There is also usually a raffle, so please bring a prize along if you are able to and some change to take part. Lottie has mixed things up slightly this year, having our last talk at a different venue.

 Wednesday 17^th January- Pete Bowyer- Whixall Moss- Welshpool Methodist Hall

 Wednesday 21^st February- Allan Heath - Magical Moments (and AGM) - Welshpool Methodist Hall

 Wednesday 20^th March- Naomi Davies - Make Your Birdwatching Count - Hanging Gardens, Llanidloes (we’ll car share to Llanidloes for those of us up near Welshpool area).

Green Woodpecker at Powis Castle and eagle news

Our first portrait of the year is this fine male Green Woodpecker in the grounds of Powis Castle on 6 Jan. Many thanks to Aneurin Lloyd. 

Meanwhile, an immature White-tailed Eagle is only a few miles from the county boundary, at Llanuwchllyn at the southern end of Lake Bala. It has been in the area since 3 Jan, and could well investigate Lake Vyrnwy soon! 

The Montgomeryshire Bird Species List has just been updated (to include last year's Black-winged Kite and Red-flanked Bluetail) and now stands at 260 species. It can be viewed by clicking County Reports at the top of the page.

2022 County Bird Report - Ringing Records now added

The BTO have recently released the Ringing Records for Montgomeryshire in 2022, and the Reports of birds ringed or found ringed in the county. They can be found by clicking on County Reports at the top of this page. Thanks to Mike Haigh for retrieving these records from BTO and uploading. 

The species most ringed in the county in 2022 were: Siskin (1,474), Pied Flycatcher (1,370), and Blue Tit (878). 

In other news, 20 Waxwings were seen in Meifod yesterday - updates to follow if they stay around.