Hi,

The Dyfi Estuary plays host to the only regular wintering flock of Greenland White-Fronted Geese in the whole of Wales and England, therefore news of our first returning birds, ten on the 28th October, was a real highlight on the reserve this week. The geese were sighted regularly throughout with 3 on the Breakwater field (29th) and at least 10 on the saltmarsh, viewed from the Ynys Feurig Hide (1st).

A superb male Hen Harrier was regularly seen hunting on the reserve with the first sighting from the Marian Mawr Hide (24th). Visitors also had exceptional views of the male harrier from the Wetland Trail Boardwalk (1st). A ringtail Hen Harrier also remained in the area where it was observed from the public footpath which runs parallel to the Afon Cletwr (Os Grid Ref: SN646939). Other bird of prey sightings included, 3x Red Kite (Wetland Trail, 27th), 1x Common Buzzard (regularly perched in a dead tree next to the Visitor Centre pools), Peregrine Falcon (saltmarsh, regular) and Kestrel (Visitor Centre and Ynys Feurig Hide, daily).

Kingfishers were regularly sighted throughout the week including this bird from the Domen Las Hide (Many Thanks to Keith Roberts for the photo).

The Breakwater field played host to an excellent variety of wetland birds which included, 3x Whooper Swan (29th), 350+ Teal (29th), 17x Shoveler (29th), 7x Black-tailed Godwit (1st) and Snipe (27th).

The Breakwater field can be viewed from the Breakwater and Ynys Feurig Hide. This photograph, which includes three Whooper Swans (can you see them?), was taken from the Ynys Feurig Hide during the week.

The Starling roost remained at the Ynys Eidiol screen providing some good viewing with c. 3000 birds roosting on the 27th. A single Little Grebe was also sighted from the screen (28th).

 This Redshank showed well from the Domen Las Hide (Many Thanks to  Keith Roberts for the photo).

Other interesting sightings this week included, otter from the Domen Las Hide (1st), Hare (Wetland Trail, regular), Red Admiral (Wetland Trail, 1st), 365x Barnacle Geese (saltmarsh, daily), 56+ Shelduck (Ynys Feurig Hide, 1st), 2x Gadwall (Marian Mawr Hide, 30th), 4x Goosander (Breakwater Hide, 1st), 7x Red-breasted Merganser (Breakwater Hide, regular), 1x Great Crested Grebe (Breakwater Hide, 27th), 1x Bar-tailed Godwit (Breakwater Hide, 1st), 23x Stock Dove (sacrificial seed crop near the Breakwater Hide, 29th) and 30+ Redwing (Visitor Centre, regular).

Feathered Thorn moths were occasionally found snoozing on the reserve's buildings. 

Finally, many thanks to everyone who emailed their Ynys-hir wildlife photographs over the past week. If you have taken any photographs of wildlife on a recent visit to the reserve and would be happy for them to feature in the Recent Sightings Blog then please email them to the following address: ynys-hir@rspb.org.uk.

Cheers,

Adam