Trip around the Beacons

Martin Bevan and myself heading north this morning to our first stop at Langorse Lake to try and locate the Lesser Scaup with the red saddle marker on it's bill. We pulled up at Llangasty and saw dozens of wildfowl in front of us and even more Canada Geese. Most common duck seemed to be Goldeneye the males looking stunning in the low sunlight, with lesser numbers of Tufties, Mallard, Widgeon and Gadwall. Also quite a few Great Crested Grebes. No sign of the Lesser Scaup though.

We decided to walk over to the hide and have a scan from there. Lots of Bullfinches in the hedges, quite a few Goldcrest, one tree was drooping with Blue Tits, Mistle Thrushes in the fields and the other usual suspects were present in the woodland.

On getting to the hide coffee and pasties were in order to keep the cold out and Martin duly warmed found the Lesser Scaup in his scope near the far bank. I must admit it's the only duck I have seen which has a beak which nearly matches Matt Evans. A Cetti Warbler was heard outside the hide but it did not take pity on us and refused to show itself. Lots of splashing was heard in the reeds and we wondered if the otter was around. Guess we will never know. Andy King arrived at the hide and told us to keep an eye out on the way back as he thought he had seen a female Red Crested Pochard fly in but again we did not have any luck there. Martin did however hear a sneeze and there right in front of us was a Marsh Tit.

Next stop was Llwyn Onn to try and see the two Great Northern Divers. Only one was found although we did not search the whole reservoir. Tufites and a Pochard were also present.

It was then over to the Lower Neuadd Reservoir to try and find the Great Grey Shrike that Mike had found. To say that the weather here was inclement would be an understatement. I think we had everything from sun to snow with a bitter wind as we walked towards the reservoir. We actually ended up walking to the Upper Neuadd which was a new site for both of us. Not really much to report bird wise just a Kestrel and Buzzard and like any other self respecting Shrike this one was out of the bad weather in cover somewhere.