18/03/2012 - A morning session at Rhiwderin on the outskirts of Newport for me and Phil Owen produced lovely views of the first-winter male Common Yellowthroat. Favouring a dense section of hedgerow, it could easily disappear for short periods but was thankfully quite vocal, making a rather wren-like chip call, which allowed it to be tracked. Also seen were:
Elan is just over a few hills from us! A superb place full of varied habitats. Not done any birding there just yet, but its on the list to go and have a wander round. Local contacts tell me that the Ring Ouzel population is almost non existant now even though there is abundant habitat. aparently the Juniper forests in Morrocco where they winter are being chopped down for fire wood!
Still, will keep looking for them!
Cheers.
p>
yes you are right matt should be mid wales,forgot to mention this
Elan is just over a few hills from us! A superb place full of varied habitats. Not done any birding there just yet, but its on the list to go and have a wander round. Local contacts tell me that the Ring Ouzel population is almost non existant now even though there is abundant habitat. aparently the Juniper forests in Morrocco where they winter are being chopped down for fire wood!
Elan Valley I started some new surveys in the Elan Valley area of south Powys this week with a long day in the field on Wednesday 27th April. I've not been to this area before, but if you can imagine a series of small valleys running out from a larger one, with wooded river banks, grassy tops with crags and remote plains at the tops of these valleys then that is what you have here.
All the Welsh woodland specialists can be found in abundance and the dawn chorus was absolutely fantastic. Wood Warblers sang their spiraling calls, whilst vibrating their tails with excitement. Pied Flycatchers and Redstarts competed for attention around the water bodies' trees, with males of both species calling throughout the day. Tree Pipits danced from the tree tops and sang melodically before parachuting back onto the tops of nearby trees. Cuckoos called in the distance, but as is the case in most instances, none could be seen. Red Kites screeched from the skies and gently flew along the valleys, accompanied by Buzzards on the thermals and the occasional Peregrine for good measure. Goosander were paired up on the lakes, Dippers flew by to manage their nests and Common Sandpipers wasted no time in preparing for a new generation, calling, displaying and mating on the lake shores.
The following are what I saw this time between 4 small valleys I was surveying:
All in all a cracking place and I look forward to visiting next month for 2 day survey.
hi sean,have been going here for the last 5 years usualy have 4-5 days around the elan valley it is a beautifull place. i normally go the 2nd week in may to make sure i catch up with the spotted flycatchers, but all the other birds you mention it is always absolutely buzzing with them. everywhere you walk cuckoos calling like you say not always seen but still great to hear, also red kites amazing & if you go to gigrin farm you get spectacular views off them. if you go to the elan valley village & visitor centre do the nature trail its a zigzag path going up and you should get the chance to see redstarts,wood warblers,garden warblers,spotted flycatchers,pied flycatchers,tawny owl all at close range and if you are lucky ring ouzel (ive never had one yet though) as you can probbably tell i love the place. good luck when you next go.
Elan Valley I started some new surveys in the Elan Valley area of south Powys this week with a long day in the field on Wednesday 27th April. I've not been to this area before, but if you can imagine a series of small valleys running out from a larger one, with wooded river banks, grassy tops with crags and remote plains at the tops of these valleys then that is what you have here.
All the Welsh woodland specialists can be found in abundance and the dawn chorus was absolutely fantastic. Wood Warblers sang their spiraling calls, whilst vibrating their tails with excitement. Pied Flycatchers and Redstarts competed for attention around the water bodies' trees, with males of both species calling throughout the day. Tree Pipits danced from the tree tops and sang melodically before parachuting back onto the tops of nearby trees. Cuckoos called in the distance, but as is the case in most instances, none could be seen. Red Kites screeched from the skies and gently flew along the valleys, accompanied by Buzzards on the thermals and the occasional Peregrine for good measure. Goosander were paired up on the lakes, Dippers flew by to manage their nests and Common Sandpipers wasted no time in preparing for a new generation, calling, displaying and mating on the lake shores.
The following are what I saw this time between 4 small valleys I was surveying:
