It's often said there is no point in going over old ground. Well I decided last Saturday to visit an old patch of mine from when I lived in Cardiff - Cors Crychydd reen and the Runmey Estuary.
Making my way there after finishing coaching, I almost straight away regretted the decision as the traffic was a nightmare - nose to tail at a very slow crawl. I'd never seen the road so chock. Turns out there was an accident on Rumney Hill, closing Newport Road, so all the traffic was heading down through Lamby Industrial Estate. I eventually made it to the esttate and parked up. Entering the reen, I again got the feeling that I shouldn't have bothered as there was little birdlife. A few Coot, Moorhen, Little Grebe and Mute Swans on the reen and a small flock of Starling in the trees. I persevered and pulled out a female Kestrel and a Buzzard, but little else. At least Rumney Estuary should hold birds.
Reaching the top of the reen I made my way onto the sea wall to see ............ nothing but mud. I knew the tide would be out, but in the past the mud flats would have been covered in ducks, gulls and waders. Nothing showed expect a couple of distant Lesser Black-back's. Scanning with the scope did eventually find a few distant Shelduck and Pintail, with small groups of Black-headed Gulls flying along the waters edge.
Moving round the edge of Lamby tip produced a cock Pheasant and a Cetti's burst into song from the reeds. A largish flock of about 50 Linnet fed on the tide line, and a few distant gulls and Curlew were the sum total. The female Kestrel put in another appearance, over the tip.
Heading back to the reen I flushed the male Kestrel, whilst a male Sparrowhawk dashed through - probably wondering were all the small birds were!
I decided to try to see if I could coax a Chiffy or a Blackcap out of the scrub between the reen and the tip. This was proving to be just as dead as everywhere else. However, a 'crest called and I spyed some movement in the bramble. Bins up and whilst most of the bird remained hidden, I could see the golden "shawl" of a Firecrest. Pure gold. It quickly popped out to show its bright white supercil', as if to confirm I wasn't dreaming, before disappearing back into the depths of the Brambles, not to be re-seen.
This was my 4th Firecrest of the year. Last year I failed to see a single one, despite trying for a couple. There does appear to be a good number wintering in the area this winter.
So was it worth going over old ground? For a long time I seriously doubted it, but the Firecrest made it all worthwhile.
Making my way there after finishing coaching, I almost straight away regretted the decision as the traffic was a nightmare - nose to tail at a very slow crawl. I'd never seen the road so chock. Turns out there was an accident on Rumney Hill, closing Newport Road, so all the traffic was heading down through Lamby Industrial Estate. I eventually made it to the esttate and parked up. Entering the reen, I again got the feeling that I shouldn't have bothered as there was little birdlife. A few Coot, Moorhen, Little Grebe and Mute Swans on the reen and a small flock of Starling in the trees. I persevered and pulled out a female Kestrel and a Buzzard, but little else. At least Rumney Estuary should hold birds.
Reaching the top of the reen I made my way onto the sea wall to see ............ nothing but mud. I knew the tide would be out, but in the past the mud flats would have been covered in ducks, gulls and waders. Nothing showed expect a couple of distant Lesser Black-back's. Scanning with the scope did eventually find a few distant Shelduck and Pintail, with small groups of Black-headed Gulls flying along the waters edge.
Moving round the edge of Lamby tip produced a cock Pheasant and a Cetti's burst into song from the reeds. A largish flock of about 50 Linnet fed on the tide line, and a few distant gulls and Curlew were the sum total. The female Kestrel put in another appearance, over the tip.
Heading back to the reen I flushed the male Kestrel, whilst a male Sparrowhawk dashed through - probably wondering were all the small birds were!
I decided to try to see if I could coax a Chiffy or a Blackcap out of the scrub between the reen and the tip. This was proving to be just as dead as everywhere else. However, a 'crest called and I spyed some movement in the bramble. Bins up and whilst most of the bird remained hidden, I could see the golden "shawl" of a Firecrest. Pure gold. It quickly popped out to show its bright white supercil', as if to confirm I wasn't dreaming, before disappearing back into the depths of the Brambles, not to be re-seen.
This was my 4th Firecrest of the year. Last year I failed to see a single one, despite trying for a couple. There does appear to be a good number wintering in the area this winter.
So was it worth going over old ground? For a long time I seriously doubted it, but the Firecrest made it all worthwhile.
Yes Mart it,s nice to go back to your old patch and I spend couple hours there myself over the years and seen and found some good birds and if there ever a place you don,t forget your wellies it,s there and it,s nice you are keeping the blog alive mate.
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