The Hunting of the Snark

Shrikeless but have had an interesting time the last couple of days in its pursuit: 25th at the Neuadd, beautiful misty morning, winter thrushes crashing through the pass, scots pine and beech below the lower Neuadd dam full of birds occasionally raiding the rowan below, during an hour stay; fieldfare [c600], redwing [c150], mistle thrush [c30], blackbird [c35] and a single beautiful adult male ring ouzel. Also on the walk in, lesser redpoll [3], more than I had all last winter. On the 26th at the Neuadd weather had improved so fewer birds the best was a single woodcock flushed between lower and upper reservoirs. Garwnant has been horrific, half term, people and dogs everywhere, the dogs I can handle and get on with, say no more. The best was a barn owl, same place as last year, I can't say I flushed it, it just slipped from the conifer and casually looped back over the top and disappeared. The hen harrier, usual place flitting between Greater Glamorgan and Powys this evening. Oh hum, zero on the scree and no shrike!