Good day at the reserve.

Hi David, you saw a great variety there.When I come back home to Wales(all my family are still there), I can't wait to get to the Wetlands, it's a lovely reserve. I tried to find Goldcliff when I was last home, but got lost and gave up, but looks as if it's well worth me trying to find it again.

Jayne

David I'm doubly sorry that I didn't get down to Goldcliff today because one of my chief reasons for going down yesterday was to try and catch the Great White Egret. Congrats on getting a photo of the Pectoral Sandpiper - a tiny subject from such a long range.

In Uskmouth virtually all of the Stonechats were around that bush on the right hand side of the path, between the two sets of screens. There were several there and the males were obviously trying to establish territories involving furious chases and poses on the bush and on various reeds. I was having a golden period when an elderly couple ( well, older than me and that's saying something! ) who had previously disturbed a bird I was filming on the corner by the floating bridge (not deliberately obviously) caught me on the return lap and apologised for disturbing the first bird. At this point the scene in front of me was literally dripping with Stonechats, but unfortunately the couple were oblivious to the birds and lingered a little while to chat. I was tucked away against the reeds and the birds were ignoring me but once I'd spoken that was it and they didn't come back. Anyway very pleased with this shot - my first from a reasonable distance and in good light.

Jane they don't exactly advertise Goldcliff and it's almost like its kept on a 'need to know' basis but hopefully you'll find it on your next trip. post on here closer to your visit and i'll give you clear instructions!

Thanks John, that would be very kind and helpful -no wonder I couldn't find Goldcliff! E-mailing me via the forum with instructions to get there may be the best way to do it I think? I'll let you know  when I'm planning to come up. Lovely photo of the Stonechat, beautiful colours-males are very striking.I see lots of them here in Cornwall and are one of my favourite birds

Regards, Jayne

So that's where they've been hiding! We haven't seen them here for months, obviously an extended holiday in sunny Cornwall!

Going down again today while weather lasts and hope to see Stonechats, haven't seen one yet this year. We must also be close to the time for Redwing and Fieldfare to show themselves.

Amazing photo John!

Really need to get down there, not been for months! ;o(

Ant

Cheers Ant, we need more of your photos on here!

David it is great to have the Stonechats back! Looking on the GOS site somebody reported loads of Redwings in the fields adjacent to Goldcliff, I saw a Thrush down in Uskmouth the other day partially hidden by foliage that could have been a Redwing - what do you think?

On checking in Collins Bird Guide I would be inclined to say Song Thrush due to the "arrowhead" shaped spots and there doesn't seem to be a bold white supercilium which would be on Redwing.

Thanks David!

We were down the Wetlands yesterday, Sat for a couple of hours. Very blowy so not that much to see. A dog fox crossed Perry Lane near the zigzag path up the slope. A pair of stonechats managed to find a more sheltered spot to give good views on the top of the reeds. I saw about 10 swallows still flying through and there were quite a few redwings flying around and in the hawthorns on the path heading left after the rise. Here's the only shot I managed which has enough creamy supercilium and red showing to identify it.