RE-PRINT! Whoopers!***

After several emails and conversations with other professional birders, we have finally come to the conclusion that these Swans were in fact Whooper Swans! Even though the first picture didn't clearly give that away, This picture below showed just about enough information to work out that the parent birds had enough yellow down the beak to be Whoopers. You can clearly see that on the bottom right bird which was the bird leading the pack. This was likely a family of Whoopers as they do travel in families!

I'm so chuffed about this! Quite sad that they were put off from landing though... I'm in search for answers at the moment as to why there were so many Wind Surfers/boats on the water at this sensitive time of year. The SSSI failed to aid these birds and that isn't acceptable. 

Llandegfedd Chaos & Early trip to Forest of Dean

During a buzz of spotting my first Bewicks Swans (Later ID'd to be Whoopers!**) for Llandegfedd, I noticed that there was something going on at the visitors centre car park. Looks like a car may have had their handbreak fail or something as there was 2 fire engines and lots of police trying to attend someone in the lower car that might have been hit by the falling car.  (speculation) I hope nobody was hurt. 

Feeding station is doing really well! Lots of activity with the added addition of a Nuthatch amongst the typicals. In other news, 2 Peregrines were on the banks of the North end having been hunting along the waters edge. Male and Female! Beautiful birds. 

Really early trip to Symonds Yat Rock this morning with good friend Ian Howells to see a Marsh Tit and a stop off on the way home at Cefn Ila where we saw a Red Admiral feeding on an ivy bush along with lots of Honey Bees! Making the most of the sun while it was out!. 



Don't hate me

 I wasn't going to use this image.. but that face is just.... well.. do I... no! I still prefer Red Squirrels. 

What a difference a month makes!

Hard to believe that this time last month I was photographing Toads on the top of the mountain in a T-shirt right? Cold weather has certainly rolled in this weekend and with it, I should expect to see more birds turning up to the feeders. Tomorrow I'll be looking to monitor Llandegfedds feeders for the first official time and I'm hoping I bring back good news. 

Jay Quiff

I've tried so many times to get a picture of a Jay with its crest up! And even though this picture does present the 'quiff' it is a ridiculous crop and I probably won't ever use it other than to show people who they can do. Jays are one of the most expressive Birds in the country! They express themselves not only by posture but their vocalisations go way beyond the typical squawk that you usually hear in the woodlands. They can mimic the sound of Buzzards and just like Magpies, they actually have a beautiful song which you hardly ever get to hear! When you watch them close up in places like Forest Farm, you can hear them making very quiet intricate sounds between each other. Very underrated birds and highly respectable. 

Forest Farm Inspiration

While Llandegfedds Feeding Station is in the making, I've taken the time to get some inspiration from Forest Farm. They have a very successful feeding station with regular activity and plenty of photographers there to lap up the opportunity. Plus, they have Kingfishers. The end. 

Project Funding

Well, I didn't expect this much support! Just yesterday I had another generous donation from a Partner at work.  

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As you can see, I put his money to good use!  

I've also just had some fantastic news from Gwent Ornithological Society who accepted my application for a 'Burt Hamar Bursary' that will provide me with just the funding I need to get through the winter and run this project properly. Burt Hamar was one of the founders of GOS and even has a memorial hide inplace at Llandegfedd on the West Bank. I hope I make him and everyone at GOS proud and I'm very much appreciative of their support. 

I'll be setting out tomorrow to re-fill the feeders and assess how much has been eaten. I'll be logging all activity in my time there and hopefully the opportunity will bring a nice photograph or two. 

Many thanks to everyone

Feeder Donations

Would like to thank everyone that has supported my winter feeding project so far and to those who have already donated! I've received 2 bags of seed, sunflowers and general  seed mixtures. I'm looking into getting some official project funding but till that day comes, I will continue to appreciate your support! 

 

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Kingfishers @ Forest Farm

Doesn't look like the Great Northern Divers stuck around Llandegedd having only been seen early hours of this morning so having had another hot chocolate at the visitors centre, I headed off to Forest Farm for another session with the Kingfishers. I wished I had my recording gear actually because the Water Rail were putting on quite a show with their vocalisations between each other in the reed bed. The Kingfishers at Forest Farm are really easy to observe this time of year. Despite there being plenty of places to fish on the reserve, there is usually 1 or 2 that actively use the ponds and perches provided by friends of forest farm. This single male came in 7 times during my short time there, each time taking 1-2 fish. Must be plenty of fish in there! 

Hedgehog Care

Having reports of Hedgehogs in the last couple days so please be careful on the roads. Also, if you have any heaps in your Garden, leave them there. You may just have a Hedgehog hibernating in there! 

This photo was taken last August on my street as it was searching for a warm place to hibernate in someones garden. Cutting openings under your Garden fence is also advices as it creates corridors from which the hedgehog has more choice of food. Your Garden is perfect! Slugs, Snails and shelter. What more could a hedgehog ask for? well, maybe a water bowl ;)