I didn't know what to expect when I first started filling the feeders at Llandegfedd but after only a week we had Marsh Tit and the species list has been growing ever since. We've had a few visits from Siskin though a bit randomly and finally the local Nuthatches have caught on. They were actually the slowest of the native species to get onto these feeders.. I'm not sure why that is but i'm happy they have arrived. Even if they do steal all the nuts...
Let's face it, Winter hasn't really happened yet in terms of cold weather.. It's been so warm that I've witnessed courtships between certain bird species and even nest building! The warm weather confuses them into a false sense of Spring arrival. It's not just the birds however that are getting excited! Today I've noticed that I have Daffodils sprouting up in my Garden already!
Been doing a lot of monitoring the last 2 days to make up for a busy weekend to come and each day has been completely different. Yesterday brought similar weather but Great Spotted Woodpecker dominated the feeders and Marsh Tit was nowhere to be seen, yet today, it was the other way around! Had a quick birding session around the Res while I was at it and it was nice to see Teal numbers are up fairly high this year compared to previous. Which is really promising!
Forgot to mention! As the title suggests, we had a new species in on the feeders today but until I get a photograph, I can't announce it yet ;)
Listing is still up guys - Ebay listing here - but starting to think that the price may be just out of peoples reach in the lead up to Christmas. SO I'm offering a local price much lower. If you know of anyone in and around Pontypool Gwent area that is interesting in videography or field recording, please let me know. £300 ono
I miss spring! I shouldn't wish it upon us so soon into winter because it comes around so fast and before you know it, you have to wait an entire year again but, really, I cannot wait till spring 2016. I have so much planned! My sound recording is going to pick up massively in spring with new recording gear and with it, hopefully some interesting projects as a result. Recording bird song presents very different challenges to photography. Yes, getting close does help, just like photography but there are other factors that get in the way, like background noise! With photography, you need a clear background visually and with sound recording you need a clear background audibly. To rule out traffic, wind, rain, people, farm animals, planes, helicopters and other forms of human related noises is very very difficult in this day and age. It's safe to say that sound recording is becoming harder and harder every day which is why it's becoming less popular. Despite all those challenges, when you get it right, you get rewarded in such a way that is unforgeable. Just like photography, when you get it right, its an experience you'll never forget.
So that I don't bore you all with news about Llandegfedd's feeding station, I thought I'd re-edit an old photograph. A moment that I've not had since, certainly not like this anyway. This is a young fox taken at Nagshead Nature Reserve. One of the locals regularly fed the foxes from one of the hides so it was lucky on our behalf that we timed our trip in accordance to this local's feeding patterns. We watched the foxes come out of the forest and suddenly the place came alive. It was magical.
Early morning session today and with it, Zero temperatures! Car was frozen and there was frost on the ground but it was all worth it as the Marsh Tit was already there waiting for me. Just about managed to get some shots of it before the harsh weather turned up. I stayed for quite a few hours today and it seems like the Marsh Tit does not like rain lol. As soon as the rain turned up at 10:00, it did not return for the rest of the day. Had 2 Pheasants in today! which wasn't even on my monitoring list but I'll note it down incase they become regulars.
LR Winter Feeding Project started just a week ago and already I've met my target species in the flesh! I had suspicion that they were still present in the area but never got the chance to see them until today. This feeding station has previous records of producing Marsh Tit so in theory it was just a matter of time and today has confirmed that. I'm so happy that my efforts have been rewarded so soon. I look forward to spending a lot more winter days at the feeding station and I hope that I get more opportunities with these illusive woodland birds.
You may get fed up of hearing about this feeding station this winter because I do intend on spending a lot of time there. Today I had a great session with good friend Paul Joy. Our day started off as a rather wet one up Blaenavon which for most of the morning was in a thick fog like rain. Upon arrival to Llandegfedd, we must have just spooked a Sparrowhawk off a kill because right at the gate laid a Wood Pigeon that was on it's last legs. Half plucked but still alive! We had to make a judgement call and we opted to put it out of its misery as it had lost a lot of blood and there were hardly any feathers left on the wing. Rather than waste the pigeon, we put it in the feeding station. Of all things to take an interest, the first bird that came in on the pigeon was actually a Greater Spotted Woodpecker! I've seen this before with GSW but to come in so soon on this kill was quite impressive. In other news, Long-tailed Tits were the highlight on the feeders for me. It won't be long before we start getting Gold Finches as they did take an interest today but for the time being they are remaining a little spooked by our presence. Here are some of the photographs from todays session. Not great light but still nice day.
If you have visited Llandegfedds Feeding Station this winter, I would be really interested in knowing what you saw during your time there as the data will contribute to the end of project result and will be submitted to Gwent Ornithological Society.
Please click this button and it will take you straight to the page, fill in the form as best as you can but if you have any issues, please contact me via the contact page.
