Christine and I heard a Green Woodpecker yaffling several times today as we walked around the Cross Inn woods. Unfortunately we didn't catch a sight but it is always good to know there are some in the area. I saw 2 at Llanerchaeron last year and saw one between Felinfach and Lampeter the year before. This is our third hearing or sighting in Cross Inn woods during the last 4 years.
A ring tail hen harrier also flew by near the edge of the woods. Whether I am getting better at spotting birds or whether they are starting to enjoy the surrounding fields and marshes I am not sure. All I know is that I went 10 years regularly walking the woods before I saw one about a year ago and have now seen 2 in the last 2 months.
No sign of the shrike.
Parakeets !!(in Hyde Park, Battersea Park and Regents Park when I was in London mid week!) I knew that there were significant populations but hadn't realised that they were so abundant. Can we put up a "Parakeets. Go home!" sign on the Welsh border just in case they decide to head this way.