Happy Anniversary!

It was two years ago today that I set foot on the Newport Wetlands reserve at Uskmouth for the first time.

As I have said in a previous blog I only found out about the Newport Wetlands reserve whilst visiting Frampton Marshes. I was not a member of the RSPB back then, so I really had no idea where the various reserves were, other than the ones featured on Springwatch and Autumnwatch. This seems quite amusing now, as I have “ticked off” a number of reserves that RSPB manage, but Newport Wetlands has become my second home. Rarely a week goes by without me visiting Uskmouth now, and I owe the staff, other visitors and the wildlife there a debt of gratitude, as I am sure my bird knowledge would be considerably poorer without their help! I still have lots to learn, which is great, as the area is an experience that just keeps on giving!

I had been vaguely aware of the need to “relocate” the wetlands area when they were developing Cardiff Bay towards the end of the nineties; Newport Wetlands was born out of this. It is a popular reserve consisting mainly of large reedbeds and there are a number of large saline lagoons on which decent numbers of diving ducks and Mute Swans can be seen. From the seawall, with a decent set of binoculars or a scope you can see good numbers of waders picking through the mudflats of the estuary for tasty morsels. In the past twelve months a hide has been added at one end of the reserve.

Pretty much all the identification and photography skills I have learnt so far I have gained from sitting at the various viewing points on the lagoons. I have learnt that sitting very quietly for long periods of time to allow the birds to come out of the reed beds, or for Little Grebes and other waterfowl to get confident enough to swim closer to the screens. It’s one of the things I love about Newport Wetlands; you can sit with the sun on your back, and watch and wait for things to happen. It is sometimes easy to sit in a hide and watch birds from a safe distance, but the fact you are “hiding” leaves me feeling a little detached from the wildlife at times.

Newport Wetlands has given me some of my wildlife highlights so far. I saw my first Cuckoo calling there on my birthday last year, it was quite some present. The Wryneck that hopped onto one of the screens was the bird of the year for me last year, even though I hadn’t have it identified until I got back to the visitor centre, I know I will never have that ID problem again! The Starling murmurations the winter just gone were massive, and hugely impressive, many tens of thousands of birds swirling and swooping in the sky, before diving into the reed beds for cover. During one such murmuration I watched my first Hen Harrier hunting in typical fashion just above the reeds; it was soon joined by the local Sparrowhawk and Peregrine. I had already seen the resident Kestrels and Buzzards earlier in the day, five birds of prey in one afternoon stacks up to a decent afternoon’s bird watching in anyone’s book! Alas I didn’t see the Marsh Harrier that frequents the Eastern edge of the reserve, or else I would have got a full house! Shortly, the Hobbies, small Kestrel sized falcons, will start arriving, and hopefully this year I will see them once again hawking dragonflies over the lagoons.

And it is not just birds. I have seen foxes, numerous species of butterflies, a beautiful grass snake that crossed the path just ahead of me and a stoat that ran out of the reedbeds with a mouthful of freshly caught prey. All amazing wildlife moments that I carry with me.

My last visit, just a couple of days ago, gave us brilliant views of Stonechats nest building, Chiffchaffs singing everywhere, Cetti Warblers calling from within the reedbeds, and Perry Lane was a cacophony of bird song in the early evening.

But there is still one bird that eludes me. I have heard it countless times, its “ping-pinging” call from the reedbed, tantalising hints of what lurks there.  In the two years and countless visits I have only seen a Bearded Tit once, and that sighting was fleeting. It has led me to believe at times that they are myths, and surely don’t exist! I know they do, maybe 2012 will be the year I finally get to watch one. I know that one thing is for sure, there will be plenty more opportunities to hopefully catch a glance!

I have written this blog with a tinge of sadness, a fire was started within one of the reedbeds at the weekend and has burnt about 10% of the available reedbed habitat on the reserve. If you saw anything suspicious or see anything in the future, there are number of ways it can be reported.

The Countryside Council of Wales: 01633 275813.

The Local Police Wildlife Liaison Officer: 01633 244999.

Newport Wetlands Visitor Centre: 01633 636363.