Our Wigeon and Teal numbers are increasing day by day now. Five Pintails dropped in for two minutes on the 26th before flying up the river. Red-breasted Mergansers are displaying on the deep-water lagoon. A Peregrine has been seen almost daily on the reserve and a Sparrowhawk has also been seen circling over the wildlife garden.
At least 3 Water Rails have been calling in the reeds with the occasional sighting from the Coffee shop and Tal-y-fan hide. A mini influx bumped our usual pair of Moorhens, to a flock of 11 on the 27th. Passage waders are taking advantage of the reserve. A Knot was seen on the 29th with 6 Dunlin. Greenshanks peaked at 3 on the 28th. Black-tailed Godwits have been showing very well from the Tal-y-fan hide with 7 the highest count on Nov 1st. 12 Common Snipe was the highest count for a while on the same date.
A Kingfisher was seen on November 2nd. Small numbers of Redwing, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtails can be heard migrating high overhead in the mornings. A male Blackcap was seen on Oct 27th and a female on Nov 2nd. A Chiffchaff on Nov 3rd completes our Warbler numbers. A Crossbill flew south over the car park on Oct 26th. A Lesser Redpoll lingered around the wildlife garden on the 27th and 28th. Linnets peaked at 7 on the estuary track on the 28th. One of the birds of week was a Yellowhammer that flew over the reserve towards Glan Conwy on November 1st, now a rare bird locally.
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Julian HughesSite Manager, Conwy