Martin Bevan and myself started out at Graig y Llyn this morning hoping to get a year tick for Martin of Ring Ouzel on passage. Unusually for that area not many trees had berries on them so the odds were stacked against us and we duly dipped. Lots of Chaffinches on passage, our first two Redwing of the autumn, also 8 Goosanders were a nice surprise ( all redheads ). Raptors were good though, we had already had a Sparrowhawk earlier when I picked Martin up and now we had Buzzard, Peregrine and a very close swoop past us of a Merlin. The noise of the Merlin flying past was unbelievable for a bird of that size, it startled us both sounding like a miniature jet on low manoeuvres.
From there we went to Sub Station pond in Hirwaun which was very disappointing with just Mallard, Moorhen and Martin's favourite bird Coot.
We then went over to Cwm Cadlan which was partly covered in mist so very little was seen there but added Kestrel to the raptor list for the day.
Last port of call was a walk up to the quarry at Penderyn hoping again for Ring Ouzel and once again no luck. Really good views of Red Kite were had making our sixth raptor for the day. Lots of Starling and Mistle Thrushes but we could not find any more winter thrushes among them. Other birds included Stonechat and a small party of Reed Buntings.
The male reed bunting great shot and can I share it on facebook.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Sent it to your email.
ReplyDeleteCheers phil .Have you seen that paul parson and group found stepp great grey shrike in norfolk.
ReplyDeleteNo, Did not realise it was Paul that had found it., cracker. When are we going !!!!!
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ReplyDeleteNorfolk way.
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