Perry Lane is the jewel in the crown of the main reserve although missed by many visitors lured directly into the Visitor's Centre. Even if the roadbeds are apparently devoid of life this hedgerow can be relied upon to be full of the common Finches, Tits, Dunnock and more often heard than seen the Cetti's Warbler. in season also a great place for Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and lesser Whitethroat.
Walking along the other morning I noticed a kerfuffle as two Cetti's were chasing each other around and one, obviously agitated, spent a couple of minutes in the same spot giving me a chance to grab a couple of photos and some video.
At the top of the lane I spotted this handsome Bullfinch flying up to feed off the bramble above and hovering like a Humming Bird.
A very common bird in the hedgerow is the Dunnock
Probably the most frequent sighting was the Wren as they were advertising their presence by strong vocalisation, quite often from prominent positions.
Just over the sea-wall there were a number of Linnets in a tree, some then flew down onto the rocks.
Feeding by the side of the path were a few Redpoll
Well exciting times in Uskmouth as we've got a resident Bittern 'booming' away. Again I was hoping to see it and get a video for you but so far it has been elusive and all I've got is a sound recording which at least features the sound for recognition purposes. I'd never heard one before so if you've also not heard one this is what to listen out for,
It's been changeable over the last week or two so some days it's been amazing for photography and other days less so, The lagoons haven't been so busy but the other morning there was a nice group of Pochard near the floating bridge, although they always move away I managed to get some reasonable shots.
Pochard usually hang around with that other common diving duck the Tufty and there was a pair with the Pochard, here's the male of both species.
I believe that these are two colour variations of the female Pochard but happy to be corrected if this isn't the case.
Tufted ducks are rarely seen alone!
Mallard
A Gadwall's subtle beauty
The weather was atrocious when I took these photos of Teal so not as bright asI would have liked.
The only other shot from the lagoons was this Heron with one of a pair of Little Egrets in the background.
Waiting in the hide and hoping to see the Bittern I was there for a couple of hours during which time I was rewarded by seeing quite a few visitors!
My first Blackcap of the year.
Another as I left the copse. By this time the sun was shining.
OK it's not the best but lot's of these chaps about. A tiny Goldcrest.
This new arrival on the brambles in front of the hide.
As I was about to leave I met a guy at the bottom of Perry Lane who said that he'd been down to Red House Barn and seen the Ibis and that the hedgerows were full of Willow Warblers. I went down there and once again failed to spot the Ibis but he was right about the W.W.s
Of course we rarely see W.W.s without the company of Chiffchaffs
That's about it for this little round-up.
Looks like you had a lovely trip out, thanks for sharing the lovely photos John.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
In reply to Catlady:
Well I just had to join the group so I could comment on your marvellous photos John. The Cetti's are fantastic and so is everything else. Never heard or seen a Bittern so it was great to hear your tape.
Kind regards
Jenny
In reply to nairnred:
Fantastic thread John, I've never seen even a photo of a Cetti's Warbler, didn't know it was so much like a wren, brilliant, then the WWarbler, and Bullfinch, great to see, thanks for posting.
Lot to learn
In reply to gaynorsl:
A lovely collection, John. Thanks so much for posting and I can't wait to go back again (end of May/early June!)
Kind regards, Ann
In reply to Gardenbirder:
Thank you so much Jenny, Ann, Gaynor and Catlady for taking the time to post your lovely comments., so encouraging.
End of May/early June is a fantastic time Ann - Beardies are more visible and Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat will have joined the Reed and Sedge Warblers. If we're lucky we'll still have a reeling Grasshopper Warbler like we had all summer in 2014, although I don't think we'll see another Savi's Warbler like we did that year.
In reply to john_l_uk:
Thanks, John. Nearer our holiday I will be after more suggestions of places to visit. We've been to and will visit both Goldcliff and RSPB Newport Wetlands but further hints of where to look there and in other places will be most welcome.
It will be a pleasure!
Great set of photos, especially the Cetti's Warbler. They don't often sit still for long. Your patience pays off.
In reply to Colin L:
Cheers Colin, best time of the year before the leaf cover makes them invisible!