HABITAT NEWS

Below is Jepson's Pond with helicopter taking water to help fight local fire, 14th August 2026.

 

 

The next image is of Rhaslas Pool with cattle and sheep resting close to what is left of the water, taken on the 3rd August 2026.

 

The next image is of a male sheep trapped in the mud while trying to reach water in the drainage channel. The channel runs from south to north and the area where the sheep was trapped would have been the north east corner of the pool, usually under water even at this time of year. Note steep bank, 3rd August 2026

 

 

The last image is of a ewe trapped more or less in the same location as the above, the north east corner taken on the 10th August 2026. Seven days later than the above, note difference in water level.

 

 

I believe a full healthy Rhaslas pool would have been a great asset for the fire fighters but I'm not a politician or one of their nodding minions. 

 

 

 

 

 

Dowlais, Caspian gull on roof of Tenneco Walker, viewed from access road to KFG Ltd on Friday 07082026, record shots.

 

Slaughter House North 3cy Caspian amongst a right Dowlais bunch of mothers. Tuesday 4th, early evening in the rain.

The Caerphilly Puddle, previously Rhaslas, Tuesday 3rd August, juv little ringed plover [3]. Haven't seen parents for some time.

 

Rhaslas 22/07/2025, slowly slipping away and no one gives a fuck!

 

Bit of a surprise this morning, a passing osprey, didn't hang about. Also  usual passage waders for this time of year, all singles; little ringed plover, common sandpiper, green sandpiper and redshank.

Cormorant sinensis

Getting my 10,000 steps a day in and doing a bit of birding as I go, especially around Rhaslas, note camera work hasn't improved.

 

 

Looks like a good candidate for sinensis, gular pouch is way past the 90 and the bird, at least to me on the day, looked smaller/more delicate than carbo, 10/03/2025.

 

 

 

 

Rhaslas 01 May 2024

 

 

A late morning visit was almost abandoned when I found; 8 paddle boarders, several dog walkers and 2 birders already present. I ignored everybody and carried on regardless, making the most of the break in the weather and was rewarded by distant views of 11 whimbrel, my highest count at Rhaslas (record shots only). Also present were 3 swift (first for the year), a single common sandpiper and a fresh influx of wheatear c5. Note 11 whimbrel were reported at Llangorse later in the day, I wonder.