We had an unusual sight on 9th November, when a visitor to the reserve alerted us to the presence of an avocet which had decided to drop in to sit with the curlews at high tide on the Deep Lagoon. On a cold grey autumnal day, it looked very exotic sitting next to its dowdier neighbours. Unfortunately, it only stopped with us for an hour or so, presumably disappearing back out onto the estuary with the retreating tide, and wasn’t seen again. Other less common birds seen in the last fortnight include a firecrest near theTal y Fan Hide on 20th November, a very active wee chap hopping busily about in the willows. Two chough flew over on16th November, and a jack snipe was seen on 11th November. A greenshank was also seen on 8th and 21st November.
The wader numbers are starting to decrease as we head into winter and lose the autumn migrants that have been swelling the ranks up until now. We count all the waders and wildfowl once a month on a designated day as part of the national Wetland Bird Survey. This scheme monitors non-breeding waterbirds in the UK, and since it began in 1947 has collected invaluable data on trends in species populations and the importance of individual sites for waterbirds. A full count of the reserve on 11th November at high tide saw lower numbers than we’ve seen for a while, but even so we managed 302 redshank, 104 curlew, 241 oystercatcher, 2 black-tailed godwit, 1 bar-tailed godwit, a grey plover and a grand total of 442 teal. Teal numbers have been gradually building over the last month or so, and they’re now an extremely welcome sight on the gradually filling Shallow Lagoon.
Smaller birds have been of interest too, with a brambling, rock pipit and a lesser redpoll seen on 18th November, a male stonechat on 16th November, and a grey wagtail on 7th November. Small parties of linnets have been passing through, siskins are a regular sight in the Wildlife Garden, skylarks have been seen more or less daily, and we also have a couple of blackcaps with us still. A peregrine has also become a regular sighting, often sitting in full view on one of the islands in front of the Carneddau Hide.
The starling roost continues to build, but at the moment it seems that they are heading straight into the reedbed to roost, rather than doing the spectacular swirling displays first. We’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed that they get a little less shy and become more exuberant performers soon!