Llandegfedd Strikes At The Gull Roost

Had a wander around a few streets of Newport this afternoon looking for a RN Parakeet that's been in the area for a while now,no joy but its got to be around still.Then we shot up to Llandegfedd for the Gull Roost.A nice 1stw Little gull put in an appearance tho a little distant.

The GW Egret showed really well this morning coming out of the Roost.

Thanks for the Picture Craig.

Great White

Gave in to the Great White Egret this afternoon and watched it fly in at 5:15pm from the west.Also a Bittern Showed well below the viewing platform.

Nice But Cold.

Spent all day near enough Saturday searching for The GWEgret that's been hanging around the Gwent/Glamorgan Border for a few days.All i got was numb fingers and toes.Checked out the Neddern and Wentwood first thing today with the highlights being 4 Bewicks still on the Neddern,Very quite here with only 1 Wigeon and no teal.It didn't help that there was the constant noise of gun fire and explosions from the army Camp opposite.Mandarin at Wentwood Res was the best here.Cadira Beaches was a little bit better with 1 Calling Willow Tit 2 Marsh tit and 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in with the tit flock.Also good numbers of Crossbill and Redpoll.Llandegfedd res in the afternoon held 30 Goosander and 1 Shelduck.

Smewtastic

Saturday was a bit of a washout but did manage to get up to Ynysyfro Reservoir.Bottom pond was still covered with ice and the top pond was three quarters covered with nothing of interest here.Sunday was spent walking the foreshore at Collister Pill.Good numbers of the usual duck and waders.We did spy a female tufted duck out on the estuary.A walk along fisherman's lane i think it was called and back to the van produced a few skylark hiding in a field.Quite a few flew over throughout the Morning.The Twitch was on then for a Smew At Goldcliff Pools.Twenty Minutes later and couple of stops on the way we were watching it on the back Pool.Then with Smew firmly on my Gwent List i could stand down and relax.Great Northern Diver and Mandarin showed distantly in the afternoon at Llandegfedd.

Med at YR

Highlights at YR yesterday was 1 Med Gull 2 Teal and 2 Gadwall.

Cwmbran Bgoating Lake

Showing well this morning on the remaining bit free from ice.

Bitterns at Uskmouth.

Went looking for the Bittern again Sunday morning but all we could come up with was quite a few of these and a few Water Rails on Posts.

Llandegfedd Strikes Again!

Myself and Craig checked out Llandegfedd res this afternoon The force of this well under watched Gwent hot spot pulled in this little Beauty.Showing from the Dam.Check out Craig's video on You Tube under Great Northern Diver Llandegfedd Res.

Gwent Tick

A tour of a few sites resulted in some good birds.First off the Nedern where 4 Bewick Swans were seen.Next was Black Rock where 2 Jack Snipe 2 Water Pipit and 1 Short Eared Owl showed up.Magor Marsh was pretty Quite with Kingfisher and a good selection of Duck on the Pond.Just tucking in to my Tuna Sweetcorn and Mayo Roll when a call was received that Darryl had just found a bittern at Uskmouth.(See http://www.gwentbirding.blogspot.com/ for the news)Walked up from where it was seen from but no sign,then all of a sudden as i was walking back it flew up from opposite the Reserve centre and the sunken reed bed and flew towards the Uskmouth Power station area.Not the best of views for me but a Gwent Tick all the same.

Found These

Snowbound

Snowbound today so i had a look at a few pics of mine.

Have a Guess at what this is.

What a Stunner

Gave Peterstone another go for the ever elusive Snow Bunting.The Tide had completely covered the saltmarsh so all the birds and the Snow Bunting were feeding just below the sea wall.Best views to date, if anyone is thinking of taking a peep now the tides are high and covering the salt marsh its best to go now as it will vanish forever onto the vast saltmash.The Blackred was a little bit west of the ramp today.Also 5-6 Water Pipits showed well.Back home then for some Jordans Country Crisp with Strawberries. The plan was to visit Magor Marsh to hunt down a bittern as there seem to be a few about at the moment.The plan was changed when news came through of one at Uskmouth. Rest of the afternoon until dusk was spent not seeing any Bitterns but cracking views of Barn owl made up for that a bit.

Dawn Till Dusk Nearly

Peterstone at Dawn produced a quick glimpse of the Snow Bunting just before it flew off towards the Sluice Farm.The Black Redstart Showed under the sea wall towards the Gout.A few Water Pipits scattered about the saltmarsh were the best of the rest.A quick visit back home for a few rounds of toast before paying Uskmouth a visit.No Biterns no Harriers just a few Water Rail and Cettis and a poor show of Starlings.And the Dam Brown Shrike has reappeared.What to do?