You never know whats going to arrive next, so every trip to the reserve is an adventure! Turn your back and you may miss it - like I missed the Stone Curlew that was down in Goldcliff last Thursday. We don't see many of those in Newport. The Cranes have also been making fairly regular stop overs but I haven't seen any of those since my last post.
Anybody walking around the reserve will be struck by all of the Warblers singing. Reed, Sedge, Willow, Cetti's, Grasshopper, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap and Chiffchaff. The majority of these can be heard without leaving Perry Lane, next to the visitors' Centre, although the Grasshopper Warblers that seem to be resident are at either extreme of the reserve.
Some photos.
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Grasshopper Warbler
Whitethroat
Lesser Whitethroat
Cetti's Warbler
Sedge Warbler
No Reed Warbler photos yet - just missed one this morning which was singing from the top of a reed but dived when I approached!
Of course there are lots of other species about, the most unusual being the Drake Garganey that has been with us for a couple of weeks.
Garganey
I took this backlit male Beardie a couple of weeks ago and below a very distant female today. She looks full of eggs to me!
Wheatears keep turning up - two were seen on the tree by the lighthouse only yesterday (not those pictured which arrived earlier in the month.
A female Wheatear
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A male Wheatear
Linnets and Whitethroats down in the brambles on the foreshore.
I think that's probably enough about Uskmouth for now! my ambition this year is to try to get some decent photos of a Cuckoo.I heard my first one yesterday and heard and saw one today so hopefully I'll be able to develop a sense of where and when to get the best shots. Watch this space!
Great shots John, testament to your dedication and patience.
Wow John, awesome update and photos - what a collection of beauties - thanks for sharing these delights :)
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Regards, Hazel
Thanks so much David and Hazel, it's been a while, hopefully won't be so long until the next post! This is definitely the time of year when there is always something worth posting!
A great set of photos John. Only had a spare half hour today so went down to Goldcliff to see the avocets. Was surprised to see these spotted red shanks. Must find time to wander the wetlands while it is still nice. Good luck with your cuckoo quest, though with your dedication I do not think it will be long
Fabulous photo of the Spotteds! No mistaking them now - more difficult when they're not in full breeding strip! Must get down there and have a look while they are so distinctive!
Great photographs. What a variety of warblers you have managed to photograph already. It's great to see photos of all the birds we're lucky enough to get locally.
Cheers Colin - as you say we are so lucky with the number of different species we see here in Newport!
Fantastic selection there, John. I can only dream of seeing the variety that you get down there. Lovely photos as well.
Paul
My bird photos HERE
Thanks for the kind comment Paul - appreciated! I certainly know how lucky we are to get so many different migrants each year. hope you see some soon!