January and into February
January started with hail, sleet and snow but soon settled into a mild, wet and windy pattern. The high tides towards the end of the month flooding the reed beds and over the highest tides, the paths through the reserve too. There has been little change in the numbers or variety of birds around.
A drake Goldeneye was first seen on the 14th Jan and still present on the 10th February
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| Goldeneye - Mike |
It is mostly seen from Curlew hide but sometimes its bright plumage can be easily picked out on the river between the bridges
Black-tailed Godwits have been seen regularly roosting on Kingfisher pond, Creek or on the river from Curlew hide, A peak count of six was reported on the 9th.
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| Black-tailed Godwits - Diane Williams |
A walk from Poppit car park through the woods to shelter from the wind on the 14th was worthwhile with 2 Firecrests feeding very actively just past the new apple trees. Always on the move they were tricky to photograph.
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| Firecrest - Dyfed James |
A Marsh Harrier was first reported by Catrin Williams on the 19th January from Mallard hide then seen again by Tommy and Jen on the 21st
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| Marsh Harrier - Tommy Evans |
Up until about 5 years ago a small number of Common Scoter could often be found in the Teifi Estuary. Now the nearest regular sightings are just up the coast from the footpath from Aberpoth to Tresaith. These are usually quite distant but on the 19th Tommy and Jen were fortunate to see them close in.
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| Common Scoter - Tommy Evans |
The fields at Gwbert are a good place to look for unusual geese. On the 25th Jan a dark-bellied Brent Goose was seen.
Large numbers of Lapwing have been settled in the estuary at low tide. 860 counted on a photo one day. Sometimes a smaller part of the flock fly over the marshes.
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| Lapwing - Jen Evans |
The annual reed cut by Mallard pond has been done. As well as providing reed for thatching it opens up the habitat for roosting waders in particular Snipe and Curlew.
February started with a continuation of mild, damp and windy weather. A Cattle Egret was seen by Diane on the 9th opposite Curlew hide and again on the 10th by Jon Green.
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| Cattle Egret - Diane Williams |
As Spring draws closer, the variety of birds should increase, as migrants arrive and the breeding season commences. We hope to continue to report on other subjects like mammals and butterflies...
(Wendy J and Rich D)