Latest sightings
Twite
It was a WeBS count day (Wetland Bird Survey) so much of the morning to beyond midday was spent counting, I haven't had a chance to add up the totals from my notes but hope to do so so tomorrow.TwiteA bit of extra excitement in the Holden Tower today. The
27 January 2019
What a lorra lorra Lapwings
Wetter conditions attracting some good numbers of Lapwing to the site, at least 4000 on site today.
25 January 2019
Look out for Gadwall
A couple of degrees warmer but we still had a little ice lingering this morning.
24 January 2019
A cold start
It's another cold start on the reserve with lots of ice around, and out on the river another big tide forecast to be 10.4m
23 January 2019
Great Whites
Martin Smith Hide Chiffchaff calling from the nearby trees, two birds have been seen here lately and are probably roosting in the ivy. The Jack Snipe made another appearance along with 5 Common Snipe, if you don't see it first time it's well worth return
15 January 2019
White-fronts in the Four Score again
Rushy Hide Good roost of Bewick's Swans with 110 birds on site. One of the satellite transmitter birds (Catalana) visited Gwent (Llandegfedd/Usk) over the weekend. Martin Smith Hide No reports of the Jack Snipe today but Common Snipe, Chiffchaff and Cetti
14 January 2019
Sunday sightings
Martin Smith Hide The Jack Snipe is still proving very popular and showing on and off from the Martin Smith Hide, also 4+ Common Snipe, Water Rail and a Cetti's Warlber here and two Chiffchaff this morning. The JS has been favouring the eastern (right ha
13 January 2019
Jack Snipe and Water Rails
Rushy Bewick's Swan 108 Pintail 120 Pochard 110 Teal 300 Lapwing 400 Redshank 1 Dunlin 3 Snipe 7 Robbie Garnett Snipe 1 Jack Snipe 1 showing well (09.00) Great close up views of Pintail, Wigeon and Teal. Tack Piece Whitefronted Goose 10 Close views
12 January 2019
Great Views of Whitefronted Geese
South Lake Hide Good flock of 640 Lapwings with 4 Ruff, 20 Dunlin and 2 Black Tailed Godwit among them. A couple of snipe around the edges and 240 Teal. Only a handful of Pochard and Tufted Duck this morning but 6 Cormorant and a Great Crested Grebe. Th
11 January 2019
Chilly again
A colder than expected start to the morning with some ice here and there. A total of 104 Bewick's Swans were on the Rushy this morning. South Lake 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 500+ Lapwing, Great Crested Grebe, 64 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 22 Pochard, 36 Shoveler
9 January 2019
Tuesday sightings
Starlings- mini-murmuration this evening Yellow-browed Warbler update The YBW was still present this morning, showing well and at times calling. It was very active and mobile and actively chasing or being chased by Chiffchaff and Goldcrest. It commuted b
8 January 2019
Yellow-browed Warbler
Staff member (James Robinson) heard and spotted a Yellow-browed Warbler whilst out on a lunchtime walk, the bird has been favouring the trees on the mound at the Otter Enclosure and adjacent to the flamingo house. Other birds noted in the same area inc
7 January 2019
Wild Winter Weekend Day 2
Rushy Hide Just under 100 Bewick's Swans were present at dawn plus the usual gathering of Greylag and Canada Geese, Pintail, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Shelduck, Coot and Moorhen. The lower pond holding Teal and Lapwing. Martin Smith Hide Good views a
6 January 2019
Wild Winter Saturday
The drake Goldeneye is still present but no sign yet of the female. The drake has occasionally disappeared from the South Lake, but we've refound him on the Big Pen next to the Visitor Centre, so keep an eye open as your cross the boardwalk. Martin Smi
5 January 2019
A chilly Friday
A pair of Goldeneye arrived on the deep lake of the South Lake mid-morning and were a nice treat. The species is less than annual on the reserve, with adult males even scarcer. Otherwise it was a rather cold start with many of the shallower waterbodie
4 January 2019