Visited a few sites on the weekend where the best birds were a pair of Garganey at Goldcliff Pools and a Yellowhammer in the Bassaleg area.

Also done a bit of Raptor Spotting from the Garden.Buzzard,Sparrow Hawk and best of all Red Kite which drifted east through the valley.

View from the Raptor Watch Point.

Gone Again

No sign of the GWE this evening around Saltmarsh Lane or Goldcliff Pools.Highlight at the pools were 3 Whimbrel that flew in had a feed then carried on there journey.

The Wandering Egret

Back in Gwent but for how long.Brief visit to the pools produced 1 Golden Plover 5 White Wags and 1 Green Sand.

Exciting Times

Highlights of the Bank Holiday were this

And This

and 9 White Wags at Goldcliff Pill.Also bumped into the birding biker at Uskmouth.See Here

http://bikingbirder2010.blogspot.com/

Mini Migrant Fall

Done the pools,Saltmarsh Grasslands and the east end of Uskmouth this Morning.Highlights being a small fall of Chiffs 50+ and 2 Willow Warblers,most of the birds on the Grasslands.The Pools held 2 Ruff 2 Spotted Redshank and a Greenshank.3 Golden Plover were the best on the foreshore.In the afternoon i went looking for Ring Ouzel after a tip off.Still about but very flighty.

Quite Weekend

Very quiet weekend was had.Watched all three rugby matches on Saturday and the Bird highlights were three Wheatears at the Sluice Farm on Sunday.

Where Are They

No sign of any Migrants for me this weekend.The best birds being two Mandarin flying out of Green Pool at Llandegfedd Res.

Nearly Forgot

Did pay a visit to Cosmeston after the Bonaparte's last week.

Weekdays

A weekday trip to Dorset produced the Bufflehead at Langton Herring,Great Northern Diver,Black Throated diver,Black Necked Grebe and Eider at Portland Harbour and the Black Brant at Littlesea on the Fleet.Nice!

Gulls

Made a visit down to the bay for the returning Bonaparte's Gull.It was a little bit distant and flew off to the bay.Also a Herring gull with ring Evm which was coloured ringed at Gloucester Landfill site as a retrap.Waiting for original ringing details from Bto.

Finally Made It

Finally made it up to Gigrin Farm yesterday for the black kite.Did expect a Shuttle bus down to the hides after paying four Great British Pounds but no such luck and we had to walk.Managed to connect with the Kite before the feeding started.Quite surprised to see some of the hides were £15 and £20 to get in.All in all a good day.

The Really Wild Show

Barnacle at Boat Lane and Emperor at Llandegfedd.Signs of spring today with Wheatear,Sand Martin and Little Ringed Plover being seen down south.

For Sale

Brand new. Used Twice.Canon Fit.Immaculate condition.Now £500.

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-sigma-150-500mm-f5-6-3-dg-os-hsm-lens-canon-fit/p1025305

Few Of Smew

Gwent Great White

Finally managed to nail it in Gwent after many hours of searching.

Brief Encounter

A brief encounter with a Hawfinch at Minnets Wood, heard Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Llandegfedd, a Golden Plover 2 Ruff and the female Smew were at Goldcliff Pools.It was nice to visit a few places that i don't go to very often.Very spring like with birds singing all over the place.

Hybrid City

All sorts of Aythya action over the weekend at Wentwood Reservoir.Pochard x Ferruginous duck is my bet on this one.Maybe even a bit of Canvasback with a bill like that.Also a tufted with grey flanks possibly with a bit of Ring Necked Duck thrown in.

Dear Me.

Surprises this weekend came in the shape of Deer that shot across the road in front of the van at Wentwood.First one Ive seen up there.The Little Gull still at llandegfedd with a couple of Pintail and a Little Egret that were new in.The Smew still at Goldcliff Pools.8 Cettis Warblers have survived the cold snap at Uskmouth.A couple of Goosander and the Scaup on the river Usk at Llanhowell.

A Nice Bit Of Colour

A bit of colour was added to the weekend today in the form of this stunner.It has been seen in the area since last October.Thanks to the Sheila for inviting us into her home and letting us spend the morning waiting for it to come in to feed.A quick check of the flooded field produced a single Ruff which was a nice little patch tick.

Wentwood Feeding Station.

A short walk around Wentwood still held good numbers of Crossbill,1 Willow Tit,and a nice Brambling.Stumbled across(well i did no it was in the general area) a well stocked little feeding station.Sat quiet for an hour or so produced 1 Willow Tit with at least 2 Calling,1 Brambling and all the usual feeding station birds.Did feel a bit guilty as it must cost a fair bit to keep it all stocked up.If i visit it again i will take up some peanuts and seed.