Great Crested Grebes Llandrindod Wells Lake.

I’m afraid the inevitable has happened they have lost one chick ….down to three now….I was playing with Marley the frisby dog by the big oak tree….I heard the grebes alarm call turned around and witnessed the two adults hectically low flying towards the lagoon then both diving leaving  the… now three chicks stranded in the middle of the lake….  I missed to see what predated the chick ….there were three BBG’s and a Heron about but nowhere in the grebes vicinity……A carp or Tarka !!!!!!! when I came back with camera they were hugging the Island and seemingly none the worse as pic shows.

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L’dod Lake

At least 4 probably 5 Reed Warblers singing away still, split betwixt the 2 reedbeds ; Black backs still doing their best to cull the youngsters , but the goslings seem ok and the Mallard still has a large brood , tho the boatman saw 1 gobbled up yesterday.

Elan mix.

Some of the images from yesterday up the valley :Whinchat , Stonechat, Reed Bunting and Skylark all near Hirnant farm-female Redstart near VC. How much longer will this amazing weather hold?

Tawny Owl @ Rhayader Tunnel

(via Dave Townley) Entrance to the disused railway tunnel just outside Rhayader coming from Elan Valley on the footpath. Seen in the same place 2 days running last weekend at about 17.00. Perched on the wooden slats just below the hole at the top of the tunnel entrance.

Cuckoo @ Erwood

Single bird calling across the valley this evening

Rhayader Bird Race

Spent the morning and evening racing around sites within 5 miles of the town clock at Rhayader. Amassed 70 species – not bad for land locked Powys. Highlight was a pair of Nightjars in the forestry at Bwlch y Sarnau which gave excellent views at dusk. Grasshopper Warblers reeling there also with Curlew on nearby fields. 2 GBB And 4 LBB Gulls up the Elan, Whinchats and Wheatear up the Claerwen with 2 Sand Martins there which was unusual, pairs of Kestrel, Peregrines at 2 sites, GC Grebe on Dolymynach and Llyn Gwyn. Common Sandpiper at the junction pools and Llanwrthwl bridge with Grey Wagtail there. Dipper at Dolafallen. Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat at Nantmel Tip. Siskin and Redpoll at Caerhyddwen, Spotted Flycatchers in Caban Quarry. A supporting cast of Yellowhammer, Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler, Swifts, Swallows etc. The 70th was a Tawny Owl seen as we entered the village at 10.30 this evening. A great day out.

Elan Valley

River Elan, Elan Village.

Thank you to all those who turned up today for the Elan Valley RSPB Carngafallt Woodland Birds Event. A total of 33 species were recorded in just 3 hours, the woodlands were array of singing Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Redstart. Highlights included a close encounter with a Tree Pipit, and falling feathers from above, when a Peregrine Falcon decided to attack a Raven.

For news, gossip, pictures and events, check out Elan Valley Bird Watching Events on facebook. Next event is on Sunday 10th June, meet in the visitor centre carpark 9-30am, all welcome.