Teifi Birding and Wildlife

Snow and rain... the freezing conditions at the Reserve ponds...  Mallard Pond thawing before another overnight freeze. During weather systems like this we are on the look out for waterfowl - forced to move. A pair of  Gadwall on the 5th on Mallard Pond, with a female still present in the Creek on the 15th. The female was seen prior to the above date too (Joshua B ) Gadwall - Diane Williams Six Goosanders were on the river from the view point on the Reserve during the afternoon of the 10th, four males and two females. One pair of the Goosanders were displaying (Andy Simms ) The monthly WeBS count of the estuary and river through the Teifi Marshes was done on the 12th.    A regular wintering Common Sandpiper was seen in the usual stretch of the river from Quay Street car park. Common Sandpiper - Dyfed James During the count, a Cattle Egret was seen flying away from the estuary. Later that day, Diane Williams took a photo of it as flew past Curlew Hide Cattle Egret ...

 A Great Northern Diver was on the river in front of Curlew hide on the 9th December. Great Northern Diver  Presumably a result of Storm Darragh.  Aberporth recorded wind gusts of 80mph or more for 9 consecutive hours -  " a remarkable weather event for the UK"" Apart from trees down and power cuts, not sure that our wildlife was too affected. Goosanders (male and 2+ female) and Goldeneye (2 male and 2 female) are the current diving ducks on the river. Sixty Teal and 120 Wigeon are passed their peak winter counts, and returning Shelduck are now in double figures - 14 on the 30th A flock of 250 Lapwing drops in on the falling tide from surrounding farmland and 40 Curlew and 40 Redshank in the estuary. Two Black-tailed Godwit s are wintering on the reserve . Black-tailed Godwit with a Curlew - Tommy Evans At least 100 Snipe are often rather showy at lower tides.  Snipe from Curlew hide - Diane Williams 1 Greenshank appears to be the only wader of note in ...