Hi,
The fine and relatively dry weather continued this week resulting in a further reduction in height of the lake’s water levels. Unfortunately this looks to have put an end to the Great Crested Grebe’s nesting attempt for the time being. On the flip side the Centenary Hide saw an increase in activity as 1x Kingfisher (12th), 4x Grey Heron, Mallard and Grey Wagtail took advantage of the small pools which have established in front of the hide. Other birds utilising the lake during the week included, 35x Canada Geese, 2x Goosander, 50x Mallard, Black-Headed Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull.
The receding water has resulted in the formation of small pools in front of the Centenary Hide.
The pools proved popular with a variety of birds including this Grey Wagtail.
Earlier in the week we unveiled the following photo on the RSPB Mid Wales Facebook Page.
We asked our followers which species of bird had a Goshawk eaten for its dinner. Well I can now reveal that the bright blue feathers in the photograph belong to a Jay. Well done to everyone who answered correctly. Jay’s can currently be seen on most of our trails with family groups being particularly vocal. Look out for the large white rump of a Jay as it flies across a track. We also had a few Goshawk sightings during the week with the Blue Trail accounting for most of them.
Other interesting avian sightings this week included, 1x Sand Martin (headed north along the Penybontfawr road, 8th), Blackcap (singing in Sculpture Park, daily), family parties of Redstart (most trails, daily), Spotted Flycatcher (family party regular at the Sculpture Park) and Crossbill (small numbers frequent on the Blue, Red and Green Trails, including singing birds).
Family parties of Redstart are currently common on most of the trails. You may even see a striking male like the one in this photograph (Many Thanks to Gavin Chambers for the image).
During the week we undertook our first Field Survey for the National Bat Monitoring Programme on a section of open heather moorland. As expected bat activity was low with a single Noctule and Daubenton’s bat recorded. However a reeling Grasshopper Warbler more than made up for the low levels of activity.
Look out for the bright yellow flowers of Bog Asphodel whilst driving along the Bala and Dinas Mawddwy roads.
Large numbers of Ringlet butterfly remained on the wing whilst a fresh emergence of Small Tortoiseshell was noticeable. Brown Hawker dragonfly was a new addition to the odonata year list. Golden-ringed dragonfly and Large Red damselfly were frequently observed on most of the trails.
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary has been a recent highlight whilst undertaking the weekly butterfly transect (Many Thanks to Gavin Chambers for the image).
Macrolepidoptera Of The Week
Garden Tiger takes the accolade of top moth this week. The blotchy brown and cream pattern on the forewing is highly variable and unique to each individual moth just like fingerprints in humans.
The Garden Tiger certainly has the wow factor.
Cheers,
Adam