Barnacle Goose at Dolydd Hafren

 

Many thanks to Tony Evans for the record and the photo: this Barnacle Goose was grazing yesterday with Greylags and Canadas at Dolydd Hafren. Individuals are occasional visitors to this side of the county - but at Cors Dyfi a wintering flock is sometimes sighted across the Dyfi at high tide. These birds - of uncertain origin - nest on an island in Derwentwater in the Lake District. 

Jack Snipe at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas

Thanks to Steve Benbow for finding, photographing and reporting a Jack Snipe with a Teal and 8 Common Snipe at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas this morning. Jack Snipe are smaller and shorter billed than the Common Snipe. When flushed, they typically fly only a very short distance. They nest in remote Arctic bogs, and their display is a rarely seen flight above their territory, in which they vocalise with a sound 'like galloping horses': kollarap, kollarap. Once in the 1980s, I was lucky enough to hear and watch one flying high over a Norwegian bog at about 70 degrees north while leading a group. They are not uncommon as winter visitors to UK, but very elusive. They are usually found in freshwater margins, or at night by ringers looking for snipe and Woodcock in grazed fields or moorland. When feeding they bob up and down as if on springs.  

Gannet in Newtown!

 

A record shot of an adult Gannet in Newtown yesterday. It was rescued and taken to Cuan House in Much Wenlock for rehabilitation and (hopefully) coastal release. Thanks to Wendy Smith for the record and the photo, and to Marc Hughes for passing them on. 

Goldcrest portrait and Dolydd Hafren news

 

 

Many thanks to Aneurin Lloyd for this fine portrait of a Goldcrest near Llanerfyl on 30 Sep. 

 

Also, a reminder from MWT: "Dolydd Hafren is temporarily closed to the public for health and safety reasons while essential reserve maintenance is carried out. The reserve will re-open again on Saturday 10th October. Many thanks for your patience."

Raptor Action at Dolydd Hafren

Many thanks to Steve Benbow for this action shot at DH this morning. Steve writes, "A great morning at Dolydd Hafren where the wind seemed to encourage the raptors to fly. Saw 2 Buzzards, 7 Red Kites, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Ravens and the Osprey amongst a species list of 47. The Osprey seemed to be cavorting with a Red Kite as they flew together not showing any aggression."

Reed Bunting at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas

 

Many thanks to Paul Davies for this portait of a female or juvenile Reed Bunting at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas on 3 Sep. 

Dolydd Hafren closed for maintenance

Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust has let us know that Dolydd Hafren is now closed until 11 Sep for essential maintenance. 

MWT Reserve Manager Rob is also planning to trim the reeds in front of the hide at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas on Tuesday or Wednesday (1 or 2 Sep) - if the water level stays low enough.  The reserve will remain open but there may be disturbance for visitors. 

Ospreys

Our final visit for this year and a glimpse of one fishing near the Clwyedog dam and then a distant one eating in a tree near the old nest-such a shame re the strange accident earlier. We ended up at Dyfi osprey  and were treated to Telyn performing a few dives while one youngster spent ages with half a fish! Once again thanks to Emyr&Janine for their sterling work and of course all the volunteers-keep it up guys!It's brilliant.
 

Green Sandpiper at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas

 

Many thanks to Mark Wilson for this flying portrait of a Green Sandpiper on 21 Aug at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas. Note the white rump and lack of wing bar, which distinguish this from the Common Sandpiper. Mark also reports 2 Great Egret, 1 Little Egret, and 1 Common Sandpiper.  

Mandarin family at Dolydd Hafren

Many thanks to Steve Benbow for this portrait of a family of Mandarin Ducks at Dolydd Hafren on 15 July.
 

Green Woodpecker at Powis Castle

 

Many thanks to Aneurin Lloyd for another stunning photo series: this time a female Green Woodpecker at Powis Castle on 12 July. Not an easy subject perched, let alone in flight! 

 

Ring-necked Parakeet near Montgomery last year

Many thanks to Emily Leslie, who recently let me have this image of a Ring-necked Parakeet at Lymore, Montgomery, on 19 May 2025. Although in London, Manchester and other cities, these non-natives have become a common sight (and sound), they have not established themselves in any UK rural areas. There are occasional records of one or two in one suburban area of Shrewsbury, near the inner ring road. This is not a first for the county, as one was photographed by Sue Southam at Wern near Guilsfield in October 2017. 

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.