Out this morning to undertake my WeBS survey at Parc Taf Bargoed. A damp start put paid to any early morning Tawny Owl activity and no Woodcock were noted flying into roost.
Once the early morning gloom, and rain, lifted the count brought one of my highest ever counts of Mallard at 121, plus the 4 Gemima's. The Canada Geese have sat in the 40's for about a month now with 40 exactly on show this morning. A pair of Goosander are always a please to connect with here - the fishermen don't like them, but they do put food out for them (OK, they stock the lake with trout, but for Goosander and Cormorant, thats just like putting seeds out on the bird table at home).
The drake teal that appeared late December, was no where to be seen and the Coot look to have moved on. Little Grebe were down to just 12 - but not surprised as I had 5 on the pond at Pont-y-Gwaith last weekend, so looks they are already dispersing to the breeding sites.
The highlight, however, wasn't a waterbird. Above Craig Fargoed I watched a Buzzard, 5 Red Kite (my highest count here) and at least 12 Raven playing in the high winds. With the Raven it looked more like a lek as birds were displaying on mass, tumbling and rolling as only Ravens can. The Red Kites did appear to try to match the Ravens, but to no avail.
Once the early morning gloom, and rain, lifted the count brought one of my highest ever counts of Mallard at 121, plus the 4 Gemima's. The Canada Geese have sat in the 40's for about a month now with 40 exactly on show this morning. A pair of Goosander are always a please to connect with here - the fishermen don't like them, but they do put food out for them (OK, they stock the lake with trout, but for Goosander and Cormorant, thats just like putting seeds out on the bird table at home).
The drake teal that appeared late December, was no where to be seen and the Coot look to have moved on. Little Grebe were down to just 12 - but not surprised as I had 5 on the pond at Pont-y-Gwaith last weekend, so looks they are already dispersing to the breeding sites.
The highlight, however, wasn't a waterbird. Above Craig Fargoed I watched a Buzzard, 5 Red Kite (my highest count here) and at least 12 Raven playing in the high winds. With the Raven it looked more like a lek as birds were displaying on mass, tumbling and rolling as only Ravens can. The Red Kites did appear to try to match the Ravens, but to no avail.
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