Great White

Been searching for a Gwent Wryneck for the last couple of days with no luck at all.Decided to try again this morning at Uskmouth starting at Farmfield Lane.Got all the way down to the other end of the reserve when a phone call came through of a Great White Egret at Goldcliff Pools. So that was it,Started a series of running and walking stints.When i got to the roundabout there was another birder walking up Saltmarsh Lane.I gave him a shout of Great White Egret at Goldcliff but i don't think he was that bothered as his reply was Oh That's Nice.Back on my Way i got halfway down Warbler Alley and bumped in John O Sullivan who was pepping into the bushes at a Juv Whitethroat.By this time i was sweating buckets.So off the two of us went.Pulling into the carpark at goldcliff i noticed an egret flying from lagoon1.Raised the bins and there it was and then there it wasn't.It headed in the direction of Llanwern Steelworks.Although not having a good long view its on my Gwent List.Anyway here's some of the Bearded Tit Pics.

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Os Number 2

Flew into Goldcliff Pools and flew out again.

LT Skua

This Was the General area were the Long Tailed Skua was seen on Saturday.Got Drenched Tho.Again Happy Days.

Sunday 7th Sept

A text early afternoon had me dashing up to Llandegfedd Res for a Common Scoter Gwent Year tick.Just Made it in time.Put the camera to the scope and took these two pics as it flew off into the sunset.Happy Days.

GBO

This is West Usk Lighthouse probably called that because its a lighthouse on the west bank of the Usk.It Might be me but I'm convinced its going to turn up something great one day,or the little beach to the left hand side.If you ever read any of my posts about birds seen at the Gwent Bird Observatory this is it.Pop along and take a look for yourselves its great.All that was there on sunday tho were a few Sanderling a Barwit and some Dunlin and Ringed Plovers.And 11 Wheatears dotted along the foreshore.

Some From The Week Gone By.

National Yellow Wag Day

It Must have Been National Yellow Wag day today as they seemed to be everywhere at the pools today.20+ in with the cattle behind the first platform,more on the shingle island and fly overs all the time.Also was escorted around a Tree Sparrow site but dipped yet again.

Before The Rain Set In.

Drove to Frampton today for a look at the Red Necked Phal that has been Present for a couple of days.It was on show straight away but very distant.Also a couple of pics from the last week around Gwent.GYList went up by 2 with Osprey And Marsh Tit.

Raptortastic

Headed down to goldcliff pools this morning for a look.Got to the first platform and opened the flap and nearly got blown over the handrail.The Spoonbill was roosting quite close with about 100 BH Gulls and a few Green Sands.With the wind so strong i headed over to the cliff of Golden Delights.Three Hours of watching the sea produced 5 Storm Petrels a Peregrine but not much else.Early evening i decided to head up to Llandegfedd Res to count the Gulls.As i was putting on my Wellington Boots(Yes Wellies in August) i noticed an Osprey flying straight towards the fisherman's car park being bombarded by a few gulls.The Osprey put on a little show Catching at least three fish.It was also attacked by a Peregrine.

Juv Marsh And Blackwits.

A juv Marsh Harrier flying around the Grasslands at goldcliff today.Not close enough for a good photograph tho.A Visit then to the wet field in Caerleon to pick up 6 Blackwits that were visiting the pool.Two snipe,1 Green Sand and a juv LRP also in residence.

One Hundred And Sixty Six.

Gwent Year list stuck solid on 166.Still need quite a few pretty easy ones.Just cant muster up enough energy to get up a go.Just had a word with myself must try much harder.

A Few From The Week.

Highlights this week were 2 Little stints at Goldcliff pools,1 Common Tern and Med Gull at Llandegfedd Res and quite a large Gull roost at Red Pools.WeeHee.