Sunday, April 08, 2007

Mid Wales Meanders

Good Friday was sunny, warm and still. Very unusual for a British Bank Holiday.
Gill wanted to get out, but didn't want to walk far and suggested a trip to Rhayader. En route, we stopped at Llwyn Onn Reservoir,
where the long staying Water Pipit wasn't showing. We did, however see Dipper, Grey Wagtails, Siskin and a first Swallow of the year. A Common Lizard crept out of the wall to bask in the warm sun.
On to Rhayader, where we walked along the River Wye for a picnic. Another Dipper posed on a sunlit rock until the camera was nearly focussed, then away it went.....
Ravens, Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk, and of course, Red Kites, soared on thermals over us, including the leucistic kite (photos and videos on the Gigrin Farm website).
A quick trip to Claerwen Dam revealed only 3 distant Goosanders, but we weren't too disappointed on a glorious afternoon.

2 comments:

Wayne said...

I also popped into Llwyn Onn on Friday on my way to the Mountain Centre near Libanus. No water pipit either. I suppose it has headed north in the sunshine. I also saw a common lizard scurrying across the road there.

Today, I saw the Miskin marsh tits along with Richard Smith and Rhodri who were taking photos. Plety of butterflies about including my first orange tip, speckled wood and large white for the year. Plenty of bee-flies too.

Tim Hall said...

Wonder if we drove past a Blue Rock Thrush....The Quarry is right next to the road....