Quiet compared to the Spring but there is increasing activity on the migration front - especially down in Goldcliff. The most notable of the arrivals on the Uskmouth reserve itself are the many Stonechats that keep popping up on various posts, shrubs and reeds. Also flocks of Goldfinches and more recently Linnets. Of course there is nothing like the birdsong of Spring but the Cetti's continue to call all over the reserve and there is the continual sound of the Robins, Long-Tailed Tits, Song Thrush and the occasional Goldcrest. Plenty of Teal tucked into the reeds and Gadwall taking centre stage in the lagoons.
A gorgeous Robin
A plump female Bearded tit
A few shots of male Beardies
Reed Buntings
A few shots of the beautiful Stonechats
Autumn linnet flocks
Finally plenty of Goldfinches around too - feeding on Teasel and other seed bearing plants.
Nice pics John, I'm hoping to get down to both Goldcliff and Uskmouth tomorrow to see what may have dropped in.
A bittern has been sighted on reedbed 5 today!
Thanks Helen, wish I could get earlier than tomorrow.
Thanks David, I'm posting a Goldcliff update next!
Exciting news Helen - let's hope this one sticks around for the winter - I was there when the last one landed but it wasn't seen again.
Yes, fingers crossed that we get some more sightings and that it hasn't just popped in for the day.
Thanks for sharing your lovely photos too - I particularly like the goldfinches, which we've seen flocking on the power lines by the scrape recently. As I was watching the stonechats bobbing up and down near the visitor centre yesterday a weasel popped up too!
It's always a pleasure to look at images of Bearded Tits. The most beautiful bird. I haven't noticed the flocks of Linnets yet. Well done on spotting them. Sandra visited Wetlands today and noted a Chiffchaff and Blackcap, maybe over wintering if still hanging around now.
Thanks Helen and Colin, I only saw a couple of Beardies yesterday, then again it was later than i normally go down. One was about a third of the way up the path to the first screen and another was flying over by the lighthouse. I did see a small flock a couple of weeks ago so there are definitely a few around.
The water level is very low by the short pontoon which is usually perfect for Water Rail sightings although I haven't spotted one so far.
Didn't see a lot yesterday, Curlews on the shore and a Buzzard at power station end.