Teased by a Teal

On a Saturday of uncertain weather (typical for a Bank Holiday), I headed west in search of one of our summering raptors (with a common name that reminds some of us of a type of pencil) which I saw after a wait of about 1 hour. A Goshawk and a Sparrowhawk drifted over whilst I waited.

I was then lured to Kidwelly in search of a reported Green-winged Teal. After searching for over an hour I eventually found the unimpressive reedy pool where it was alleged to be, but an hour later, with a view hindered by trees, I had found a pair of Little Grebes, a pair of Moorhens, a pair of Coots, and a Mute Swan with 4 cygnets. Passerines included both Common and Lesser Whitethroats carrying food for young.

On my perambulations to find the place, I had encountered some common, but photogenic creatures....

Still, the weather was kind whilst I was there, but my left hand is still slightly red and swollen after being bitten by a large insect.

All in all, not a vintage day out....but in might be my last for a while......

Nightjar Nuptuals

On a fairly cool Tuesday evening, 10 of us gathered at Llanwonno a couple of weeks earlier than usual for a Nightjar quest. On arrival at our usual site, Redpolls buzzed around overhead, and immediately I noticed a small bird in a dead tree nearby. It was a male Redstart, but what a strange place to see one. As it was still quite light, we had a short wait for any activity, but at 9.20pm, we had our first sight of a Nightjar. Much churring was heard, and excellent flight and perched views were had by all. The froglike croak was heard a few times, as was some wingclapping. Aerial chases happened over our heads, and the birds were generally very active. An appalling picture! It appeared that they were still pairing off, and so the timing was excellent. At about 10.00pm, we headed back to the cars, and in most cases to the pub, serended by more churring, a distant Tawny Owl, and an enthusiastic Skylark.

Cuckoo Tuesday

Having dipped twice at Uskmouth, and heard them twice elsewhere, I was not expecting to see this parasitic tinker this year, until a report on GBC website of 3 at Kenfig. Soon after arriving, I began hearing them, but it was a while before one showed, near the South Hide. 4 Whimbrel flew over calling, but it was quiet apart from common warblers. As I started to head back, another Cuckoo called, and flew down the west side of the pool, as I watched it from the small area of beach.

Once upon a time

One of my big tasks earlier this year was to scan 51 large photo albums into the PC so that the pictures could be put onto what turned out to be 5CDs, thus saving a lot of space in the house. Amongst the copious railway, scenery, cricket and family pictures were a few vaguely recognisable bird pictures: Bearded Tits at Minsmere, Sept 1996. My first ones, and very showy indeed!

Yellowhammer at Newton-under-Roseberry, North Yorks, April 1997

Red Grouse on the North Yorkshire Moors, April 1997. A good day, heard Hawfinch singing later in some local woods.

Short Toed Lark, Overstrand, Norfolk, October 1997. My first one.

Later the same day Common Cranes near Waxham.

A group of Ring Ouzels grounded by the weather near Niewpoort, Belgian coast Easter 1998. We saw at least 30 of them, a Blue Headed Wagtail amongst Yellow Wagtails, Redstart and Black Redstart in the same bush.

Assorted seabirds on the Farne Islands during 1998 and 1999, when I made three visits.

Roseate Tern:

Long Tailed Skua on Redcar Golf Course Sept 1999. I've only seen one other. 2 Blue Winged Teal were a few hundred yards away at the same time.

About 120 Waxwings were present in Newcastle in Dec 1999.

This juv Kumleins Gull was in Whitby Harbour January 2000, coming to chips...

The black dots are Black Grouse (honestly) near Langdon Beck, North Yorkshire, March 2000.

Dipper near Goathland, North Yorkshire March 2000. Mink were also present.

Nuthatch near Guisbrough, North Yorkshire, May 2000.

White Wagtail in the Ardennes, Southern Belgium, Easter 2001. The morning that I took the picture I saw this bird, Black Redstart, Crested Tit, Firecrest, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Black Woodpecker before breakfast! Oh, and heard what was probably a

Western Bonelli's Warbler.

Ptarmigan on Ben Alligan, Scottish Highlands, June 2003. Still my only sighting.

Audouins Gulls at Porto Pollenca, Majorca, October 2003.

And soon afterwards, I went digital....

Flycatcherfest

Gill wanted to see certain black and white insect eaters before the birth, so off to Nagshead on a pleasant Sunday morning. As we walked down to the lower hide and pool, a pair of Goshawks circled overhead, with a Raven in close attendance at times. Sure enough a pair of Pied Flycatchers were visiting a nestbox near the pool, carrying food, presumably their young had hatched. Later, on the short trail, 2 Spotted Flycatchers were seen.

A 'Poplar' Hobby

I haven't done very much birding lately, but I have been able to run my moth trap in the garden once or twice a week for the last couple of months.

One species I've been hoping to capture is the poplar hawk-moth. Its not rare, but as far as I'm concerned is very attractive looking. Well, last night this fine specimen dropped into my box.

I'll start to add some more photos of insects etc, to the new gallery that I've placed at the foot of the right-hand navigation on this blog.

In Search Of Wood Warblers

After the excitement/stress of Glamorgan listing during 2006 I have to admit that I feel at a bit of a loss this year as to where to go birding when I'm lucky enough to have a bit of time on my hands. Last year there was always something to 'chase', a new tick for the year list. I'd get worked up at the thought of dipping on something like a Whinchat. (I still have nightmares about Tawny Owl, Goshawk and Cetti's Warbler which all avoided me in 2006). I'm afraid I'm having withdrawl symptoms from the adrenalin rush which year listing offers.

On the positive side, I have to admit that it has been very nice - on the few occasions I have been out birding this year - to bird without the pressure of having a list in the back of my mind.

But, I do like something to motivate me. And today it was Wood Warblers. I've been very disappointed to read on the GBC website that neither Wood Warblers or Pied Fly's have been seen at Darren Woods. Neither have been at Coed-y-Bedw either.

For the last few years I've heard a Wood Warbler singing in a tiny patch of decidious woodland just north of the Clydach Reservoir near Darwonno. This was going to be my target bird of the day.

I walked from the Brynffynnonn Inn at Llanwonno to the reservoir via Darwonno. There were lots of Goldcrests, Willow Warblers and Blackcaps singing all around me. On the track down to the Darwonno field centre I heard a distant Garden Warbler which incredibly I managed to get in my bins as it popped out briefly from its bush. A very nice pond has been dug out near the field station which I'm sure will be excellent for dragon and damselflies once it matures.

At the reservoir (which was very low) there were Mallard, Bullfinch and both Pied and Grey Wagtails. But no singing Wood Warbler. I found a way into the wood and traipsed around listening for its song - all in vain. Gutted! Another site lost to this species, I thought.

I walked east along the track to look for Tree Pipit at a site nearby. One duly popped up as soon as I arrived there. Overhead a Redpoll buzzed and and a pair of Siskin flew over too. I walked on another 200m to a spot where I've seen Willow Tit in the past. No Willow Tit, but there a short way ahead of me, calling and singing, was a Wood Warbler. Top banana! Back of the net!

With mission accomplished the walk back to the car didn't seem so long. I had hoped to go for Crossbill near the Llanwonno picnic site but the weather had become a bit too cold and damp for my liking. No doubt the hardened valley boys would have revelled in the conditions!

A Wood Warbler was trapped at the Obs at Portland this morning, and so I hope they may simply be a little bit late returning to their breeding grounds this year, and that Jeff will soon be ticking them again at Darren Woods. Let's hope so.

Caravans and Kites

Not having taken the touring caravan out this year despite the glorious weather Teresa and myself decided to spend the May Day Bank Holiday long weekend with my two sisters,brother-in-law,niece and her boyfriend at Talybont-On-Usk east of Brecon where we joined 60 or so other members of The Caravan and Camping Club at a South Wales DA meet at Gilestone Caravan Park.

I'd arranged to meet Dan and the J-J clan at Craig Carreg Gleisad on Saturday morning in search of Ring Ouzel and staying only 20mins away gave me the ideal opportunity.

The weather was glorious and as we walked up the path Willow Warblers and a Cuckoo were in full voice.

Sophie was very curious about the caravan and although it's got nothing to do with birding I've posted a photo to satisfy her curiosity.

She and the kids were great company and Lily my "Westie" hasn't had so much attention in a long time.

We settled down below the cliff and although we heard Ring Ouzel calling we just couldn't get on to one.

Dan had to return to the car for suncream and whilst he was away myself and Gethin got on to a nearby Winchat which was going to be a mega "grip off" until the young Twitchmeister gave the game away and his dad got good views.

A pair of Peregrines which probably breed on the cliff were much in evidence and very vocal so it came as no surprize that we were struggling to catch up with ROs.

We agreed that we would climb to the top of the ridge and circumnavigate the cliff in the hope of picking up an Ouzel further up and about halfway up during one of several "recovery" stops Dan picked up on a Red Kite which although distant gave good views.

The climb was torterous and I have to admit to being absolutely knackered by the time we got to the top where several Wheatears put in an appearance.

A much needed rest was enjoyed by all and the spectacular views from the top made the effort quite worthwhile.

Whilst we sat another Red Kite appeared this time much closer and good views were had by all.

We scanned the cliff from above for what seemed like ages until eagle-eyed Jenks spotted a Ring Ouzel on one of the trees,I quickly got on to the bird which was a splendid male and it perched for a minute or two allowing us all distant but excellent 'scope views before disappearing never to be relocated despite a good search.

Apologies for the crap pic,it is a Ring Ouzel (honest!) but the bird was "miles" away and it always seems that when you scan the cliff the sun is always in your face!!

We walked the ridge along the top of the cliff and before descending heard another RO call several times before getting a brief flight view as it disappeared from view into one of the gullies,it appeared much paler and myself and Dan shared the opinion that it was a female.

Descending was as hard work as the climb and upon getting to the bottom Lily almost drank the stream dry!!

After saying our goodbyes in the lay -by I departed to meet up with Teresa in Brecon to pick up some food and drink for that evening's barbeque whilst the J-J family moved on to the Mountain Centre for their picnic.

The weather was nowhere near as good on Sunday and my brother-in -law Mike was keen to fulfil an ambition of visiting Gigrin Farm near Rhyader to witness the spectacle of the Red Kites being fed.

I'd only visited on one previous occassion a few years ago with Teresa and so quite fancied the idea myself especialy as it would give me the opportunity of taking some hopefully spectacular photographs.

The novelty of Teresa's new sportscar hasn't worn off yet and she had brought it with us for the weekend and so with the top down and wrapped up well we headed for Rhyader up the A470.

We arrived an hour before the feeding time of 3.00pm which gave us ample time to eat our picnic whilst watching the Kites gather with Common Buzzards,Ravens and Carrion Crows.

We took our places in the hide as some of the Red Kites came in to perch in the trees at the end of the field.

Numbers mounted and about 50-60 Red Kites were in evidence when the meat trailer arrived behind the tractor.

It's a bit of a zoo but very spectacular all the same and the sight of so many Kites,Buzzards and corvids in the air at one time is pretty special.

I snapped away quite merrily although "dumping" loads of images as I went when completely missing a swooping Kite,trying to digi-scope a large fast moving raptor is not as easy as I thought it was going to be !!!

Much easier to photograph were the Common Buzzards which unlike the kites favour feeding on the ground and one was very obliging settling down only 50m or so directly in front of the hide.

Once the feeding frenzie had finished the birds started to disperse and it was time to leave heading back to our campsite with a meal at a local pub to look forward to in the evening.

Monday dawned damp and very blustery after heavy overnight rain but this cleared to brighten up although staying quite windy,myself and Teresa decided to visit a friend who has a static caravan at Llangorse lake where a quick scan of the lake and reeds gave some good views of some noisy Sedge Warblers.

After leaving Llangorse we thought we'd finish the day with a quick visit to Talybont Reservoir only 1.5 miles from our campsite and with Teresa looking quite the part in her 50s style headscarf and sunglasses a drive along the road at the side of the reservoir had me picking up the distinctive song of my first Wood Warbler of the year in the adjacent woods.

After a quick icecream at the parking area it was back to the campsite to hitch up and head for home.

P.S If Tim can enthuse about trains on our blogsite I think I can self indulge in sports cars for this once !!......

"Gloster Birders"

With Dan unavailable and Tim and Gill deciding to meet us at our destination myself,Wayne and Phil Hardwick set off early on Sun 29.April 2007 for Cotswold Water Park.

Leaving Junc 34 on the M4 at o6.50 with Phil at the wheel of his nice 4x4 we made good time and duly arrived at Swillbrook Lakes (Pits46/48) our first stop at o8.20 in search of the easier heard than seen Nightingales.

We soon heard one singing closely followed by a couple more before one gave it'self up for some resonable views,before the morning was up we were into double figures of N'gales heard and had views of 3 different birds with some really superb close encounters.

Unfortunately they dive back into the scrub as quickly as they emerge and I wasn't able to get any photos.

Whilst walking up the path leading to Pit 57 Wayne spotted a Grass Snake sunning it'self on a pile of wood chips and it duly obliged for a snap before slithering away.

Also along the same path we came across a very striking moth the name of which I'm unsure (Wayne will confirm it) which gave me the chance to test the macro facility on my camera with reasonable results.

Elsewhere along the path we had good views of singing Reed,Sedge and Garden Warblers as well as Blackcap and Chiff Chaff.

We duly arrived at Pit 57 (the scene of some more awful development for the weekenders from London) and were soon viewing good numbers of Common Tern,Phil spotted a couple of dark looking terns which were quickly confirmed as Black Terns although they did not hang about for long.

We were soon on to some Hobbys and eagle eyed Phil spotted one perched in a tree on the far side of the pool which although distant gave a reasonable photo opportunity.

Tim had been keeping in touch by mobile and although arriving later than ourselves had already caught up with Nightingale and we arranged to meet up around the other side of Pit 57 hoping for closer views of the Black Terns.

By the time we had met up with Tim and Gill the Black Terns had flown off but we were lucky to see more Hobbys and a pair of Red Crested Pochards which saved us the time of looking on other pits for the species.

Also in the willow scub were a Garden Warbler and some Reed Buntings with the males in summer plummage looking very dapper.

A local birder gave us news of a recent Gargeney on Pit 95 and the 5 of us set off in hot pursuit,we said farewell to Tim and Gill who were off to visit Tim's aunt in Avebury and walked half way around the pit, the Gargeney was nowhere to be seen although we did pick up Gadwall,Sedge Warbler and Lapwing.

Next stop was Waterhay (Pit 82 ) for breeding Little Ringed Plover,another birder gave us directions and stated that the birds were "quite easy to see",what an understatement as it took us ages to find a just one LRP and that was only a brief view althogh some consulation was a view of a Redshank which with Lapwing also breed at the site.

A picnic lunch was then enjoyed by all and having "mopped up " at CWP we set off as planned for Frampton-Upon-Severn in search of the influx of Glossy Ibis,Birdguides were reporting 12 on the flood at Saul Warth and shortly after arriving and bumping into Gareth Jenkins we were soon looking at 14 feeding on the flood.

I'd only seen one previously in the U.K,the long staying juvenile at Bowling Green Marsh/Topsham some 4-5 years ago and was hoping to get a couple of good pics of a bird which is not difficult to photograph.

Unfortunately the sun was in our faces and reflecting off the flood so much that the water almost looked like snow.

We all enjoyed good views of the Ibiss and walking back along the canal towpath to the car one of several Lesser Whitethroats we had heard singing flitted on to a willow from dense bramble cover and gave the three of us some splendid binocular views.

A pair of Mallards with their young family in tow were swimming up the canal on the way back and I simply couldn't resist one last photo for the day.

We deliberated over looking for the Marbled Duck (bit dodgy I fear!!) which had been reported earlier but after some arsehole had let his 2 large dogs gallop through the flood causing absolute mayhem we decided that a pint on a hot afternoon at the pub on the picturesque village green was a much better idea and a pint of Thatchers really did "hit the spot".

We'd all enjoyed a great day's birdin' in good company and fantastic weather with some lifers for some and Wayne totally relieved and safe in the knowledge that he now couldn't get "gripped off" by the young Twitchmeister.