Merlin struggling to keep up today. What lovely garden sounds.

Any suggestions for Nicky please?

Agreed. Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru | Natural Resources Wales own report ‘By all reasonable means’ states 1 in 5 people have a disability (more if including temp impairments). So some people simply can’t access the reserve in this state, including myself at present.

Early BTO BBS (very muddy) completed at Llancillo this morn. Strangely quiet compared to last yr. Bumped into the landowner who had noticed the same. Still, a Red-legged Partridge was an unexpected lifer waiting for me in the lay-by! Gwent Ornithological Society BTO Cymru

No mow May is going well 😆

Very happy to have a Bullfinch pair in the garden, swooping down for Dandelion seeds. No-mow May benefits 😊

Well I haven’t had Bullfinches in my garden since I was a wee kid! How lucky I am to see them so close today. Through the patio glass but they didn’t give me time for any more.

Any thoughts on this funding from a local woodland? It looks like a Kestrel pellet to me (based on size and very light weight). Possibly fox scat though? I’m not clued up on these things.

Little-ringed Plover, kingfisher, Heron & Goosander (singles) + multis of Common Sand, Sand Martin, Swift, Grey & Pied Wag, made for a very enjoyable Usk walk this afternoon.

Lovely walk on the Blaenavon moorland. Shame I had to sort this out on my arrival!

Accidental birding… On a quick local walk, saw this Whitethroat - my 1st (and may be only) of 2024

BBS early & late surveys on Wales-Eng border now completed. 2024 highlights: Spotted Fly & GreenWP (both only my 2nd lifetime finds), Redstart, Red-legged P, family of Mistle, & x2 Mandarin (juveniles so don’t count but lovely to see) Breeding Bird Surveys BTO Cymru Gwent Ornithological Society

Trip to WWT Slimbridge this week. Thanks to Allan Hopkins 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏉🐯🦅🦎🦋🐞🦗🕸️🌻📷 for being my packhorse for the day 😊 30+ species but nothing beat the fluff-ball avocet chicks.

A calling male Whinchat perched in the blustery sea of fern on the Blorenge today. Good views for 15 mins. My first for 4 years! Worth the wait.

Nuthatch pair busily caching sunflower seeds into the oak trees. Predicting a cold winter perhaps?!

Only my 2nd Little Owl and made us work for it!