Gwent Tick

Headed up to Chepstow first thing this morning after last nights posting on the Gos Site.Didnt really have much hope..Had a scan around the town centre but no joy.Then a twitter message came through of an Osprey flying up river past Severn Beach.Headed to Newhouse Ind Est as the view is not bad of the Severn from there.Got out of the van and had a scan and then the Stork flew in from the Mathern Area and landed on one of the Lamp Post.Had a few minutes viewing and made all the necessary phone calls when it decide to get up and fly low East.Spent another hour or so trying to find it but gave up and headed home.If you look closely it looks injured under its bill.Come on lets all get twitter and follow each other you never Know what you might find.



Land Of The Pastie

A Few More

43 Minutes Away

Spot The Creeper

If you squint it may be possible to see the nice new shiny ring on its leg.

Short-Toed Treecreeper

Had to just do it.

Swiftastic

A Quiet walk around Saltmarsh lane in search of migrants started off slowly but picked up pace when a lone Swift flew through making me think did i actually just see that.I rattled off a few record shots. Now at the time i got enough on it to put Alpine swift straight in the bin.So given the date either a mega early Common or maybe a Pallid.Most probably a mega early Common but with the rubbish record shots looking into the hazy sun we may never no,unless it gets picked up again giving better views.

Batfink

Had this flying around near my house this evening.Any Ideas of which species?

Gwent Please

Please could we have one of these in Gwent.On the wet field would  be my preferred spot but anywhere would do.

Another one of these showing well at Llandegfedd would also be nice.

Sprung

A quick look at the wet field in Caerleon this evening produced 1 LRP.

Scotland

A family wedding in Scotland last week meant that i could spend a few mornings out in the Highlands.A nice selection of birds were seen.The best were Golden Eagle,Ptarmigan,Black Grouse,Parrot Crossbill,Crested Tit,Snow Bunting and huge flocks of Pinkfeet.

Great Grey

Great Grey still at Wentwood this morning.Lots of white in that tail??

Movement

Spotted this over the house this morning.Made a Call to another birder as he needed it for his garden list,Smiles all round.

Chipper In Chipping Norton

Decided to go for the dove again.Good scope views from a garden further up the leys.Had another pop at number 41.Just before we got in it was feeding on the lawn quite happily until someone took a picture with the flash on.When we got in the dove was sat up in a tree obscured with branches.Never Mind.As we were heading back down the M5 past slimbridge the pager goes off, That Dam Gull back at Rainham.What to do,turn Left onto M4 towards the gull or turn right towards home.
Left it was but the least said about that the better.Haven't got a good record with gulls.

The 8 Till 5 Shift

 Spent the whole day camped outside number 41 The Leys Chipping Norton in the cold and rain.What for? absolutely nothing.Missed the dove by 10 People.Was Kept entertained tho by Bob with his 15 minute Quizzes.(well done Bob if you're reading this,it was an experience)

The Only other Highlight literally were Mats Pumps.(well done Mat also if you're reading this)

Weekend Shenanigans

An evening visit to Lr for the Gwent Goosander Winter Roost Survey this evening  produced 86 Birds,31 Males and 55 Redheads.Other birds of note were 9 Goldeneye ,4 Little Egrets and 1 YLGull.
Other Sightings over the weekend were 1 each of Spot Red and Greenshank at Goldcliff Pools and a Dipper at Phonthir.

New Out

The Latest Birders Accessory.(Guaranteed To Find You Rares).

The Beast Of Baneswell

Keep in your dogs and small Children but send your cats out whenever you want.

A 90 minute watch from the Golden Cliff this morning produced just 2 Kittiwakes.

4 Easy Steps

1- Pull up at Wentwood in van.
2- Walk 3 minutes into clearfell.
3- View bird
4- Walk 3 Minutes back to Van.