A lovely day started out overcast and misty at Ynyslas, where two Brent
geese (probably Dark-bellied) flew down the estuary just before high tide
and out to the north it seemed. There were 7 Dunlin and 9 Ringed Plover
attempting to settle on the only bit of dry ground remaining, near to the
car park entrance/signs. At the turn car park there were plenty of Common
Scoter scattered about the sea, with a lone bird quite close in and
allowing good views.
Round to the Leri, which looked fairly quiet on passing and on to the pill
box, where there were good numbers of Meadow Pipits in nearby fields,
singing Skylarks, some Redshank and plenty of Oystercatcher, Curlew and
Shelduck as usual, there were also 3 Grey Plover and 3 Red-breasted
Merganser, 2 females and one male.
The Clettwr was quiet, with only 2 Oystercatcher and 1 Redshank, and a
pair of Goosander near the footbridge on the way back up.
Back at home and the sun came out for lunch, with up to 8 Buzzards up at
the same time, 4 Kites, 2 Ravens (which appear to be nesting) and a lone
Peregrine all enjoying the weather over Llanbadarn Fawr.
In the afternoon, a university field trip up the Rheidol Valley past the
dam produced plenty of soaring raptors, including a couple of very distant
hawks/falcons and a Great Spotted Woodpecker but little else of any note.
David Bratt