Montgomeryshire Bird Report 2014A w idespread and common breeder. The largest flock was 200 at Dolydd Hafren on 14th Dec. The Upper Dyfi Estuary reported 139 on 10th Aug and Llyn Coed

Montgomeryshire

Bird Report

2014

Compiled by

M.D.Haigh

2

Montgomeryshire Bird Report 2014

Contents

3 The Weather 2014

4 Systematic Species List 2014

31 Places to Visit – Llyn Coed y Dinas by Chris Townsend

33 Ringing Report 2014

Acknowledgements

Thanks to all individuals who have taken the time to contribute sightings, complete surveys or take

photographs.

The following organisations have helpfully provided assistance and data –

• British Trust for Ornithology

• Montgomeryshire Barn Owl Group

• Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust

• RSPB

Special thanks to Tony Puzey for collating the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust Bird Survey forms and

compiling the Dolydd Hafren Bird Report.

M.D.Haigh

Montgomeryshire County Bird Recorder

August 2015

Front Cover: Male Crossbill by Mark Wilson

3

The Weather 2014

2014 was the warmest year on record for the UK. Montgomeryshire saw temperatures around 1°C

warmer than the 1981-2010 average. It was also quite wet with county rainfall at 105-115% of the average.

January was unsettled with gale-force winds at the start of the month and was the wettest January in

Wales since 1974. Although temperatures were above average, unsettled weather continued and February

produced some reasonably miserable days e.g. 44.8 mm rain fell at Lake Vyrnwy on 5th. By mid-March

sunny, warm spells took the month to 1.1 °C above average and rainfall was just 68% of the norm. A few

cold nights were nothing unusual and certainly no repeat of the calamitous 18" of snow in 2013.

The 6th warmest April since 1910 followed with temperatures 1.6 °C above average. Prospects for a

bumper breeding season were starting to look promising. May was less pleasant (152% of average rainfall

and 77% of average sunshine hours) and whilst most species' breeding attempts were unaffected,

Peregrine did suffer, presumably because of a lack of prey.

Changeable weather continued into June which, whilst warmer than normal, carried the threat of heavy

rainfall. One such deluge on 7th seriously affected birds using Lake Vyrnwy's nest boxes, with caterpillars

washed from trees causing high mortality of chicks aged 6+ days. However, such incidents were isolated

and a warm July with plenty of dry, sunny and occasionally hot weather, produced ideal conditions for

fledgling birds to thrive in. August was colder than normal with temperatures 1 °C below average and

rainfall up 133%. But September saw a return to the typically "warmer than normal" trend of 2014. October

also contained notably warm days towards the end of the month (i.e. 20 °C+ on 31st).

Frost was actually recorded on November 6th but overall November was another month of above average

temperatures and rainfall with strong winds mid-month. December did produce a cold snap at the end of

the month, with snow on high ground, but was otherwise mild. The warm, settled, 2014 generated plenty

of natural food - especially tree seeds. This bounty was not confined to the UK and consequently winter

migrants i.e. thrushes and Brambling, were significantly reduced in number.

Sunbathing Wren by Brian Pollard.

Wrens have prospered since suffering big losses in the deep snow of 2012/13. The mild winter periods and warm

summer of 2014 caused Wren to show the greatest rise in frequency of all species when compared to the

previous 3 years (MWT Winter Garden Bird Survey 2014/15).

4

Systematic Species List 2014

Overview

A total of 167 species were recorded in 2014 of which 1 (Common Redpoll ) was new for the county. The

most obvious absence from this year's list is Pochard.

Key: - Status/Frequency – An estimate for Montgomeryshire in 2014

R - Resident; W - winter; S - summer; B - breeding; P - passage

1 Very rare, fewer than 10 records ever

2 Rare, > 10 records but not annual

3 Scarce (10 – 100 birds occurring or pairs breeding annually)

4 Reasonably Common (100 – 1000 birds occurring or pairs breeding annually)

5 Common

MUTE SWAN Cygnus olor Alarch Dof

RB4

Widespread throughout the year in small numbers. Wintering/passage birds at Dolydd Hafren

provided the largest counts with 8 on 12th March, 22nd April, 15th Oct and 21st Dec. Llyn Coed y

Dinas held 6 Mute Swan on 28th April.

WHOOPER SWAN Cygnus Cygnus Alarch y Gogledd

W3

2014 returned the lowest counts for some time with just 5 at the usual wintering site at Aberhafesp

on 24th Jan. In the 2nd winter period there were 5 at Caersws on 15th Dec. The only other records

were 2 flying down the river at Dolydd Hafren on 24th March, 2 at Machynlleth on 29th Dec, and a

single juvenile on the Upper Dyfi Estuary on 11th Oct.

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE Anser brachyrhynchus Gwydd droed-binc

W1

A bird of unknown origin was reported from Llyn Coed y Dinas on 21st Apr and 8th May.

WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Anser albifrons Gwydd Dalcen-wen

W2

2 birds of the European race (a.albifrons) were present at Dolydd Hafren between 16th

Mar and

22nd March, mixing with Greylag & Canada Geese.

Greenland race birds (a.a.flavirostris) were heard overhead at the Upper Dyfi Estuary on 12th Oct.

GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser Gwydd Wyllt

RB4

Reported from 3 sites in smaller numbers than last year. The highest counts were 54 at Dolydd

Hafren on 14th Dec, 7 at Llyn Coed y Dinas on 24th March, and 6 at Cors Dyfi on 7th January.

5

Mandarin Duck records in Montgomeryshire 2013-14

CANADA GOOSE Branta Canadensis Gwydd Canada

RB5

Canada Geese have a widespread breeding distribution across the county and were reported from

20+ locations, often numbering in excess of 18 birds. As with Greylag, reported flocks were smaller

than in previous years which may be a result of organised shooting/culling in fields adjacent to

Dolydd Hafren (the reserve itself held a maximum of 300 live birds on 17th August). Elsewhere, the

largest counts were on the Upper Dyfi Estuary with 350+ on 15th Aug & 300+ on 27th Nov. There

were 126 at Llyn Coed y Dinas on 16th Dec, and 89 at Llyn Clywedog on 18th Dec. 3 wintering birds

at Llyn Coed y Dinas were originally ringed in the Lake District (see Ringing Report section below).

BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis Gwydd Wyran

R3/W3

The usual feral flock appeared on the Upper Dyfi Estuary from 9th Sept with numbers reaching 400+

by 13th September. It's likely the 12 seen at Cors Dyfi on 11th Sept were part of this flock. In 2013

some of the geese were colour ringed and it was found that these birds summer in the Lake District -

the same area as the colour ringed Llyn Coed y Dinas Canada Geese (above) came from.

SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna Hwyaden yr Eithin

RB3/W3

Reported from the same 3 locations as in 2013 (Dolydd Hafren, Dyfi Estuary and Llyn Coed y Dinas).

Highest counts were 18 on the Upper Dyfi Estuary on 17th Apr and 12 on 16th May at Cors Dyfi.

Breeding was recorded at Llyn Coed y Dinas with 2 adult and 9 juvenile present on 30th June.

MANDARIN DUCK Aix galericulata Hwyaden Gribog

RB3

Montgomeryshire records of Mandarin Duck 2013-14 (see map) all originate from the River Severn

and its tributaries the Cain and Vyrnwy. Clearly the species favours this part of Montgomeryshire but

an absence of records from elsewhere does not necessarily mean the birds are not present

(particularly as Mandarin are secretive birds). The species breeds in tree holes/nest boxes and in

2014 RSPB Lake Vyrnwy recorded the first Mandarin breeding attempt on the Reserve.

6

WIGEON Anas Penelope Chwiwell

W5

The highest counts of this wintering duck were 200+ at Upper Dyfi Estuary on 18th Sept and 150 at

Dolydd Hafren on 9th Feb. Elsewhere Llyn Coed y Dinas held small numbers of Wigeon throughout

the winter period and 69 were there on 12th Jan. The species was also reported from Lake Vyrnwy,

Lymore Pools and Cors Dyfi.

GADWALL Anas strepera Hwyaden Lwyd

R3/W3

A scarce duck in the county with 2 sighted at Pwll Penarth on 9th March. There were also 2 at Llyn

Coed y Dinas from 1st-3rd April and another 2 at the same location on 10th July.

TEAL Anas crecca Corhwyaden

RB1/W4/P

Widespread within the county throughout the year. The highest counts were wintering flocks on the

Upper Dyfi Estuary which peaked at 1000+ on 25th Nov (900+ was the highest count there during

the first winter period on 9th Jan). Elsewhere there were 150 at Dolydd Hafren on 9th Feb, 120 at

Llyn Clywedog on 27th Sept, 70 at Tre-derwen on 12th Nov, and 50 at Llyn Coed y Dinas on 30th

November.

MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos Hwyaden Wyllt

RB5/P/W5

A widespread and common breeder. The largest flock was 200 at Dolydd Hafren on 14th Dec. The

Upper Dyfi Estuary reported 139 on 10th Aug and Llyn Coed y Dinas held 130 on 15th January, 124

on 29th July, and 123 on 30th November.

PINTAIL Anas acuta Hwyaden Lostfain

W3/P

Highest counts were 57 on 7th Jan and 40 on 5th Jan on the Upper Dyfi Estuary. Elsewhere, Pintail is

a scarce visitor to the county with 12 at Dolydd Hafren on 16th Feb plus 2 there on 12th Jan, 4 on

18th Feb and 3 on 11th Oct. A drake graced Llyn Coed y Dinas on 11th Feb, and there were 2 birds at

Pwll Penarth on 6th April and 1 at Lake Vyrnwy on 20th September.

GARGANEY Anas querquedula Hwyaden Addfain

P3

A drake at Llyn Coed y Dinas on 8th May was the only record in 2014.

SHOVELER Anas clypeata Hwyaden Lydanbig

RB1/W3/P

Llyn Coed y Dinas held a monopoly on this species in 2014 with a drake present on 3rd March and a

drake wintering from 11th November (a 2nd bird was also reported from there on 12th November).

TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula Hwyaden Gopog

RB3/W5

As usual the majority of records came from Llyn Coed y Dinas but the species is present wherever

there is suitable water and other records were received from Dolydd Hafren, Llyn Mawr, Llyn Hir,

Lake Vyrnwy and Powis Park. Highest count was 34 at Llyn Coed y Dinas on 14th August.

7

Common Scoter at Lake Vyrnwy, 19th June 2014 by Gavin Chambers

COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra Mor-hwyaden Ddu

P2

A spectacular inland find of 90 Common Scoter were at Lake Vyrnwy briefly on 19th June. A further 8

were then present there on 18th July with another reported on 20th Sept.

GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula Hwyaden Lygad-aur

W4/P

Most records came from the Upper Dyfi Estuary with up to 16 birds there on 1st March. Elsewhere, a

handful of records (all from Nov-Dec) were received from the usual sites at Llyn Mawr, Lake Glaslyn,

Llyn Clwegog and Llyn Coed y Dinas. Lake Vyrnwy recorded a bird on 29th March. An unusual

Goldeneye record came from the MWT Garden Bird Survey with 1 present on a wild pond near Cefn

Coch w/e 30th November.

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator Hwyaden Frongoch

RB3/W3

A drake at Lake Vyrnwy on 26th November was a good inland county find.

GOOSANDER Mergus merganser Hwyaden Ddanheddog

RB4

A breeding resident with widespread reports from most rivers and lakes in Montgomeryshire. The

highest counts were 51 on the Upper Dyfi Estuary on 16th July and 43 (including young) at Dolydd

Hafren on 17th May.

RED GROUSE Lagopus scoticus Grugiar

RB4

The majority of records were received from the northern section of Plynlimon with Lake Glaslyn

prominent (and from where breeding was also confirmed). Red Grouse also enjoyed another good

breeding season at Lake Vyrnwy with several large broods observed in July, the largest group

containing 10 adults plus young on 14th July.

8

BLACK GROUSE Tetrao tetrix Grugiar Ddu

RB3

The 6 males heard lekking in the Lake Vyrnwy area was the same count as in 2013. Elsewhere a

single bird was sighted at Bugeilyn in March.

RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufa Petrisen Goesgoch

RB4/W5

Surprisingly few records (just 8) in 2014 of up to 3 birds. Perhaps numbers released for shooting are

reduced or people have just stopped recording them?

GREY PARTRIDGE Perdix perdix Petrisen

ACE/RB2

2 near Abermule on 1st April were the first reported in the county since 2012.

PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus Ffesant

RB5/W5

Widespread and abundant, especially in areas where they are released for shooting.

LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis Gwyach Fach

RB3/W4

No breeding records in 2014 with all sightings confined to winter and passage dates. Max counts

were both at Dolydd Haffren with 5 on 16th Feb and 7 on 21st Dec.

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus Gwyach Gopog

RB3/W4

Reported from just 3 sites - Llyn Clwydog, Lake Vyrnwy (where a pair failed to breed despite 3 nest

attempts) and at Llyn Coed y Dinas. Breeding was confirmed at the latter location.

CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo Mulfran

R4/W

Reported throughout the county with the maximum count from the winter periods of 18 at Llyn

Coed y Dinas on 15th Jan, and 17 at the same location on 30th Nov.

BITTERN Botaurus stellaris Aderyn y Bwn

P1/W1

Llyn Coed y Dinas recorded a bird, most likely on passage 21st-23rd Feb. Another at Cors Dyfi was

recorded on a trail-cam on 5th Dec and may well have over-wintered in the area.

LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta Creyr Bach

RB3/W

Scattered records from around the county - mostly outside the breeding season. An adult was seen

in June at Dolydd Hafren where 2 young birds were also reported on 13th July (although there is no

evidence of breeding yet taking place within the county). The highest count was 11 on the Upper

Dyfi Estuary on 1st August, whilst inland, there were 5 at Llyn Coed y Dinas on 28th July & 1st

September.

9

Great White Egret at Lake Vyrnwy, 6th May 2014

by Gavin Chambers

GREAT WHTE EGRET Egretta alba Creyr Mawr Gwyn

V2

Sightings of vagrant Great White Egret are

increasing throughout Britain and the county

recorded more than in previous years.

A single bird in breeding plumage was at Lake

Vyrnwy between 6-7th May and it or another

was reported flying over the A483 near Llyn

Coed y Dinas on 8th May.

On the Dyfi Estuary the first record of the

year came from the Upper Dyfi on 29th June.

A single bird was then seen occasionally there

up to 16th July. Cors Dyfi reported a bird on

25th Sept and 2 birds were seen at the same

location on 29th Sept. In November, there

were 3 records of singletons from the Dyfi

area. 2 birds were recorded on the Dyfi from

the Cemmaes Rd on 9th December.

GREY HERON Ardea cinerea Creyr Glas

RB4

Effort was made to count all Montgomeryshire heronries in 2014. 7 heronries were found to be

active, containing a total of 46 apparently occupied nests (AON). The largest heronry contained 17

AON and the smallest just 1. Away from breeding sites the largest siege of Grey Heron was 14 at

Llyn Coed y Dinas on 24th Sept, with 8 present there earlier in the year on 16th January.

HONEY BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Bod y Mel

SB2/P3

A single sighting at Dolydd Hafren on 31st Aug of a bird that flew out of the wood on the opposite

side of the valley to Dolydd, soared around for a short time then drifted south over the Reserve. See

the Ringing Report section (below) for an interesting Honey Buzzard ringing recovery from Liberia.

RED KITE Milvus milvus Barcud Coch

RB4

Widespread but apparently less numerous in the north of the county than elsewhere. A roost in the

Severn Valley held 27 birds in mid December and 20 were seen together in the Wye Valley in

October. No breeding records have been forthcoming but the species undoubtedly does breed in the

county. Red Kite is the 2nd most reported raptor within Montgomeryshire (after Buzzard).

MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus Bod y Gwerni

P2

A first Reserve sighting was made at Dolydd Hafren on 15th April when "a male Marsh Harrier came

cruising over the reserve then proceeded to disappear back from where it came from, heading

roughly towards Marton". A more typical passage female was observed at Cors Dyfi on 18th

Apr.

10

Juvenile Goshawk at Cors Dyfi,

29th Sept 2014 by Emyr Evans

HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus Bod Tinwen

RB3

2 nest attempts were made in the Lake Vyrnwy area, one of which fledged 2 young. Elsewhere,

sightings during the breeding season suggest at least one other pair present elsewhere in the

county. Wintering birds were on the Dyfi Estuary with female (6th Feb) and male (26-27th Oct) at

the Upper Dyfi Estuary, and male (23rd Nov) and female (13th Dec) a bit further along at Cors Dyfi. A

late spring bird was also at Cors Dyfi on 9th May. An unusual winter record of a juvenile male was

reported from near Llyn Hir on 10th Dec and a male was also seen between Berriew/ Dolydd Hafren

on 17th June.

GOSHAWK Accipiter gentiles Gwalch Marth

RB4

Two-thirds of the Goshawk sightings

received in 2014 were for birds seen

between February and April , the

time of year when Goshawk are most

active establishing territories.

4 nests were found at Lake Vyrnwy

and at least one other nest in the

county is known to have produced

young. Judging from the locations of

the spring sightings, Goshawk breed

throughout the county wherever

there are suitable clumps of mature

conifer e.g Dyfnant Forest and

Hafren Forest (as well as much

smaller plantations).

SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus Gwalch Glas

RB4

Widespread sightings. The MWT Garden Bird Survey recorded Sparrowhawk in 66% of

Montgomeryshire gardens in summer and approx 75% of gardens in winter. An understandable

seasonal uplift as the birds make full use of feeders.

BUZZARD Buteo buteo Bwncath

RB5

No such seasonal variation with the Buzzard which is seen flying overhead from 95%+ gardens in the

MWT Garden Bird Survey, whether summer or winter. The most commonly reported raptor in the

county. Winter gatherings were again large with a remarkable 55 reported in a field near Meifod on

14th Jan (the number had dwindled to 'just' 30 there by the 13th Feb). Elsewhere, Dolydd Hafren

managed 20 Buzzard on 23rd November.

OSPREY Pandion haliaetus Gwalch y Pysgod

RB2/P3

There were 2 Montgomeryshire breeding pairs in 2014, both of which fledged 2 chicks. The best

known of the pairs is of course the Dyfi Osprey Project at the MWT Reserve, Cors Dyfi. Passage birds

were seen at Llyn Coed y Dinas (7th Mar), Lake Glaslyn (2 on 15th April), Welshpool (23rd April),

Machynlleth (also 23rd Apr), and Lake Vyrnwy (singletons on 10th Apr, 19th June, and 23rd July).

11

KESTREL Falco tinnunculus Cudyll Coch

RB4

Scattered sightings from across the county in a similar volume to 2013 i.e. disappointingly few.

MERLIN Falco columbarius Cudyll Bach

RB3/P3/W

No evidence of breeding in the county in 2014 with a pair at Lake Vyrnwy failing to settle down and

another pair in the area that may have bred, but over the border in Gwynedd. There were a few

scattered records of wintering/passage birds mostly from Llyn Clywedog /Glaslyn (both winter

periods), Llyn Mawr/Gwgia Lake(2nd winter period), Upper Dyfi Estuary (2nd winter period) and

one in the Meifod/Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain area (14th-21st March).

HOBBY Falco subbuteo Hebog yr Ehedydd

RB2/P3

There were 5 times more reports of Hobby on 2014 compared to 2013 (and more records received

than for Kestrel). Traditionally a late summer visitor, in the first half of the previous year, 2013,

Hobby were reported from just 2 locations in the Severn Valley. However, in 2014 there were

apparently more Hobby early on with reports from 5 widespread locations before July. There is a

good probability that breeding was successful in at least one southern county location with an adult

present in May and multiple juveniles observed there in August. Sightings were relatively numerous

and widespread in the 2nd half of 2014 with the final reports on 27th Sept from Lake Glaslyn and

Dolydd Hafren.

PEREGRINE Falco peregrinus Hebog Tramor

RB3

The BTO carried out a Peregrine Breeding Survey in 2014 and Peregrine were found at 18 sites

within Montgomeryshire, of which 16 pairs attempted to breed. It's thought only 50% of the nest

attempts were successful fledging at least 16 young. The nests that were checked seem to have

failed at chick stage, suggesting food shortage the most likely cause of failure. In addition to the 18

sites surveyed another nest site (definitely active in 2014) has since come to light making 19 for the

county in total.

WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus Rhegen y Dwr

RB2/P3/W

Confirmed breeding at Dolydd Hafren where the maximum count was 11 on 9th November.

Elsewhere, sightings were all from outside of the breeding season at Cors Dyfi, Pwll Penarth, Llyn

Coed y Dinas, The Flash (Welshpool), Powis Castle, The Wern and Llandyssil.

MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus Iar Ddwr

RB4/W

An reasonably unobtrusive species that occurs throughout the county in small numbers wherever

there is suitable wet habitat. The maximum count was 16 (including young) at Dolydd Hafren.

COOT Fulica atra Cwtiar

RB4/W/P

Coot also successfully bred at Dolydd Hafren. The highest count received was 15 at Llyn Coed y Dinas

on 15th March although numbers are usually higher in the autumn there. An under-reported &

under counted species.

12

OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus Pioden y Mor

RB3/W

Llyn Coed y Dinas is a good site in the Montgomeryshire to see Oystercatcher during the breeding

season and a nest with 3 eggs was reported there on 25th April. Elsewhere the species was present

at Dolydd Hafren Feb-July (although no breeding records this year), the Dyfi (highest count from the

Upper Dyfi Estuary of 20 on 29th Aug) and there was a singleton at Lake Vyrnwy on 24th April.

AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta Cambig

P1

A bird at Llyn Coed y Dinas on 12th January was probably only the second county record of Avocet

for Montgomeryshire (the first being of a flock of 12 at Lake Vyrnwy in March 1995).

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius Cwtiad Torchog Bach

RB3/P

Recorded from just 3 sites with Dolydd Hafren holding up to 3 pairs, and from where successful

breeding was noted. The first record of the year from Dolydd Hafren was on 9th March with the last

record on 15th Oct. A pair were seen on 26th March at a site further south on the River Severn.

RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula Cwtiad Torchog

P3

Small groups of 5-7 were recorded passing through the Upper Dyfi Estuary e.g. 7+ 11th Sept. Inland

passage records came from Lake Vyrnwy on 2nd April and Dolydd Hafren on 12th April.

GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria Cwtiad Aur

RB3/W3/P

Passage records only, with 200 at Corndon Hill 14th March, and up to 96 at Pant-y-Milwyr during

Feb-April. 50+ visited the Upper Dyfi Estuary on 8th May. In the autumn the highest counts were 500

at Carno on 5th Nov, 150 at Llyn Hir on 9th Nov, and 140 at Cors y Carreg on 13th November.

GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola Cwtiad Llwyd

P1

Upper Dyfi Estuary records were between 31st Mar-2nd April with 7 birds the highest count on 31st

March.

Avocet at Llyn Coed y Dinas, 12th Jan 2014 by Edd Cottell

13

LAPWING Vanellus vanellus Cornchwiglen

RB3/W4

Dolydd Hafren recorded the maximum count with 270 there on 24th December. Elsewhere numbers

were generally low with Llyn Coed y Dinas supporting the only other sizeable winter flocks of 75 in

the first period (5th Feb) and up to 92 in the second winter period (24th Nov). 50+ was the highest

count from the Upper Dyfi Estuary on 15th Oct. Records of breeding came from close to Dolydd

Hafren and there was a displaying pair near Montgomery on 20th March.

DUNLIN Calidris alpina schinzii Pibydd y Mawn

P3/W

300 were recorded from the Upper Dyfi Estuary on 4th May. Inland records were all of spring

passage singletons at Dolydd Hafren (23rd Apr, 6th & 20th May), Lake Vyrnwy (2nd Apr & 8th May),

and Llyn Coed y Dinas (15th May).

RUFF Philomachus pugnax Pibydd Torchog

P2

2 were on the Upper Dyfi Estuary on 12th April.

JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimus Giach Fach

W3/P

The only sightings were at Llyn Hir with a maximum 8 on 26th Jan, and 4 on 15th Oct.

SNIPE Gallinago gallinago Giach Gyffredin

RB3/W4

The maximum count of 40 Snipe on 15th Oct also came from Llyn Hir (which is not necessarily the

best location for snipe species in Montgomeryshire, it's just that someone looks for them there). On

the same date, 30 were counted at Dolydd Hafren. Earlier in the year 20-30 flew over Guilsfield on

16th Jan. There were scattered winter records elsewhere. Breeding was recorded on the Upper Dyfi

Estuary and two locations also recorded summer birds - Dolydd Hafren and Lake Vyrnwy (where at

least one drumming male was heard).

WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola Cyffylog

RB3/W5/P

Predictably perhaps, it's Llyn Hir that provides the maximum count with 10+ on 26th Jan. The

second winter period produced 4 at Llyn Hir on 29th Nov. Small numbers of Woodcock (all in 1's and

2's) were recorded throughout both winter periods at a wide range of locations across the county.

The Woodcock's nocturnal feeding habit (venturing onto open pastures to eat worms) hampers

accurate recording of what is a relatively common wintering bird in the county (many having

travelled from Eastern Europe to winter here).

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa Rhostog Gynffonddu

P2

All records came from the Upper Dyfi Estuary, with birds present most of mid-August (max count 18

on 17th Aug) and occasional other dates during September - November.

BAR-TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica Rhostog Gynffonfrith

P3

2 on the Upper Dyfi Estuary on 4th Sept (with 5 Black-tailed Godwit) was the only record.

14

WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus Coegylfinir

P3

A good passage of birds was recorded from the Upper Dyfi Estuary late April-early May with 100 per

day passing through in May and a max 150 counted on 9th May. Smaller numbers were observed in

the autumn with the first appearing on 10th Aug. There were 6 Whimbrel at Dolydd Hafren on 4th

April, with singletons also there on 30th April, 14th & 17th May.

CURLEW Numenius arquata Gylfinir

RB3/W4

The maximum count of was at Dolydd Hafren with 125 on 18th March. There were 32 on the Upper

Dyfi Estuary on 4th April. The only other site in the county to record double figures was Lake Vyrnwy

also on 4th April, when 14 flew over. Scattered breeding attempts were reported but Curlew, like

Lapwing, are struggling to retain a breeding population in the county. The widespread farming

practice of cutting silage during the breeding season destroys nests and chicks.

REDSHANK Tringa tetanus Pibydd Coesgoch

RB3/P4

Recorded breeding on the on the Dyfi Estuary but scarce elsewhere. A passage bird was seen at Lake

Vyrnwy on 14th March with autumnal records there of 3 on 23rd Aug and 1 on 25th Aug. Llyn Coed y

Dinas held a single bird on 19-20th December.

GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia Pibydd Coeswerdd

P3

3 spring passage birds were on the Upper Dyfi Estuary on 4th May. 4 returning (early) passage birds

were there in mid July with 5 on 21st Aug and 7 on 2nd Sept. A single bird dropped in at Llyn Coed y

Dinas on 1st September late afternoon.

GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus Pibydd Gwyrdd

P4/W3

Regularly seen outside of the breeding season at Dolydd Hafren (max count 9 on 11th Dec) and at

Llyn Coed y Dinas (max count 3 on 29th July, 14th & 24th Sept). Also records of wintering birds on

the River Vyrnwy with 2 near Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain on 13th Nov, 1 there on 11th March, and 1

south of Bwlch-y-cibau on 20th March.

COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos Pibydd y Dorlan

SB4

Unlike Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper is a breeding summer resident and consequently

present in far higher numbers than the former. Lake Vyrnwy held at least 5 pairs and breeding was

confirmed (although high water levels are thought to have had some detrimental impact). Common

Sandpiper also bred at Dolydd Hafren with a max count of 10 birds on 25th May. Further records

came from the River Vyrnwy at Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain, Llandinam Gravels, Pontrobert and Llyn

Coed y Dinas. The latter location produced the latest bird of the year on 30th Nov (just ahead of a

sighting on the River Servern at Caersws on 29th Nov). The earliest bird of the year had been seen at

Dolydd Hafren on 9th March.

MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus Gwylan Mor y Canoldir

P3

Adults were recorded at Llyn Coed y Dinas on 18th March and 22nd June. A 1st summer bird was

present there on 23rd May.

15

COMMON GULL Larus canus Gwylan y Gweunydd

P3/W

The only records came from Machynlleth with a single bird on 3-4th Jan, 3 on 14th May and 4 on

29th December.

BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ridibundus Gwylan Benddu

RB4/W5/P

Most sightings come from Llyn Coed y Dinas in spring and summer. There were c.240 breeding pairs

at the reserve in 2014. Spring passage birds at Llyn Coed y Dinas reached 2100 on 18th March with

1000+ on 1st April and 650 on 21st April. The largest counts elsewhere were 200 at Dolydd Hafren

on 16th March, 6th May and 30th Nov, and 50 at Granllyn Pool in 6th November.

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus Gwylan Gefnddu Leiaf

RB2/P4/W4

240 roosting birds at Lake Vyrnwy on 7th Sept was the highest count of the year. 104 were also

there on 22nd July. Dolydd Hafren recorded the species in every month of the year and 150 were

present on 5th January. A flock of 50 were around the Meifod area on 13th Feb. Llyn Coed y Dinas

records marauding Lesser-black Backed Gulls daily during the breeding season when they predate

chicks of other species to feed their own young in the small breeding colony at Welshpool.

HERRING GULL Larus argentatus Gwylan y Penwaig

RB4

170+ was the largest count from the Upper Dyfi Estuary on 25th Oct. Inland, there was a scattered

distribution in small numbers only. 28 were at Llyn Clywedog on 7th November. There is a breeding

presence in Newtown.

GLAUCOUS GULL Larus hyperboreus Gwylan y Gogledd

P1

A 2nd winter bird was recorded from the Upper Dyfi Estuary on 5th October.

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus marinus Gwylan Gefnddu Fwyaf

P3

As usual, scarce inland within the county with 3 at Llyn Coed y Dinas (10th Oct) being an unusually

high count. Elsewhere, singletons were seen on a range of dates during the year at Llyn Coed y

Dinas, Lake Vyrnwy, Dolydd Hafren, Cefn Coch and around the River Dyfi.

COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo Morwennol Gyffredin

P3

Just one spring record of a bird at Llyn Coed y Dinas on 23rd May and an autumnal singleton at Lake

Vyrnwy on 25th August.

ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea Morwennol y Gogledd

P2

3 on 20th April at Llyn Coed y Dinas were followed by occasional sightings there until 11th May . A

bird was also reported from Dolydd Hafren on 11th May.

BLACK TERN Chlidonias niger Corswennol Ddu

P2

A pair were present on 27-28th May at Llyn Coed y Dinas.

16

Turtle Dove at Morban Isaf/Cors Dyfi - 22nd May 2014 by Gill Ratcliffe

ROCK DOVE/FERAL PIGEON Columba livia Colomen y Graig/Colomen Ddof

RB5

Feral pigeon are typically under-reported and overlooked. Sometimes it's impossible to ignore them

though, as one unfortunate Newtown resident reported during their MWT Bird Survey, "plagued by

feral pigeons - now more than 30!" It's debatable which of Newtown or Welshpool contains the

most Feral Pigeon, but as the majority of 2014's records came from Newtown, perhaps this is the

pigeon capital of Montgomeryshire.

STOCK DOVE Columba oenas Colomen Wyllt

RB5

Probably deceptively numerous and widespread within the county. The peak counts were much

higher than in 2013 with 200 at Dolydd Hafren on 2nd March and 130 there on 3rd Feb.

WOODPIGEON Columba palumbus Ysguthan

RB5/P/W

750 Montgomeryshire sightings in total were received for Wood Pigeon in 2014 and this illustrates

just how common the species is. In fact the sightings were 50% up on 2013 (only Wren and

Goldcrest reported a higher rate of sightings increase). It's possible Woodpigeon had a good year, or

maybe they just dispersed as there was no repeat of the tens of thousands flock phenomena of

autumn 2013. The highest count in 2014 was just 500 at Dolydd Hafren on 26th October.

COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto Turtur Dorchog

RB5

Seemingly favouring human settlements within Montgomeryshire, the species is not often

encountered in the open countryside but is common in suburban gardens. No large flocks were

reported in 2014.

TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia turtur Turtur

(SB)/S1

A single bird was present at Morben Isaf (adjacent to Cors Dyfi) for the whole day on 22nd May.

RING-NECKED PARAKEET Psittacula krameri Paracit torchog

V1

3 flew over Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain on 23rd August.

17

Tawny Owlets at Lake Vyrnwy - May 2014 by Mike

Haigh

CUCKOO Cuculus canorus Cog

SB3/P

The first bird of the year was at Lake Vyrnwy on 2nd April with the last sighting in the Hafren Forest

on 6th Aug. Scattered records came from throughout the county with birds showing a preference for

higher ground and (probably/mostly) Meadow Pipit hosts. Lake Vrywny was as good a place as any

to catch up with the species with multiple birds present and juveniles later in the summer. Cors Dyfi

and the Hafren Forest were other 'hot-spots'.

BARN OWL Tyto alba Tylluan Wen

RB3

Following the catastrophic year in 2013 when deep snow eliminated all Barn Owl breeding except in

the south west corner of the county, 2014 was a significant improvement. A total of 37 breeding

pairs were recorded which returned the species to 2012 levels. Barn Owl remain a species rarely

seen in Montgomeryshire although they are present throughout the county with more birds in the

south than the north.

LITTLE OWL Athene noctua Tylluan Fach

RB3

Just 3 late summer sightings in 2014 from near Welshpool, Pwll Penarth and Trefeglwys.

TAWNY OWL Strix aluco Tylluan Frech

RB5

By far the most common owl species

in the county, Tawny Owl were

reported from 71% of summer

gardens in the MWT Breeding Bird

Survey. In the winter they are

apparently slightly more obvious with

80% of winter gardens reporting the

species.

Breeding throughout the county,

Tawny Owls enjoyed a much better

season than the previous year (for

example, 7 nests were found at Lake

Vyrnwy in 2014 compared to just 1 in

2013).

LONG-EARED OWL Asio otus Tylluan Gorniog

RB2

A bird was trapped and ringed east of the Moelfre Hills on 15th Nov. Earlier in the year sightings

came from Llangurig (15th May) and Lake Vyrnwy (where there were at least 2 territories occupied

by 2 immature birds).

SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus Tylluan Glustiog

RB2/P/W3

All reports came from Llyn Hir with sightings on 26th Jan, 15th Oct and 2 birds on 29th November.

18

Green Woodpecker sightings 2014

NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus europaeus Troellwr

SB4

Just 3 records in 2014 is more indicative of the rarity of nocturnal bird watchers in Montgomeryshire

than the Nightjar which is present on conifer plantation re-growth and moorland throughout the

county. Birds were recorded at Cors Dyfi, Lake Glaslyn and Lake Vyrnwy. A survey in the Dyfnant

Forest also apparently found multiple birds (the results have not been published).

SWIFT Apus apus Gwennol Ddu

SB5

The first of the year was at Dolydd Hafren on 20th

April and the last was reported from Meifod on

26th Aug. Highest counts were relatively low with 50 at Dolydd Hafren on 11th May and 28 at

Llanfair Caereinion on 3rd June. Bad news for Swifts came from Middletown where apparently the

last known nest site in the village was re-roofed and no longer has Swifts - indeed Swifts were only

seen on a few dates in June there.

KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis Glas y Dorlan

RB5

A species that will have benefited from a warmer year and there were twice as many sightings as in

2013. Whilst water levels were probably a bit high for a perfect breeding season, Kingfisher probably

did well. Widespread records were received, with many from the River Severn and its tributaries.

HOOPOE Upupa epops Copog

SB1/V2

The first Hoopoe since 2012 was seen and heard calling at Mochdre from 11th to 13th May.

GREEN WOODPECKER Picus viridis Cnocell Werdd

RB4

2014 sightings are shown (below) and this gives a good reflection of Green Woodpecker distribution,

with a bias towards the north east (accepting though that records will be higher from here as there

are more birdwatchers in this area). Green Woodpecker favour mature parkland/untreated

grassland and Powis Castle Park is as good a place as any to see and hear them all year round.

Breeding in 2014 was recorded from Lake Vyrnwy, Llanfyllin, Llanymynech and Roundton Hill.

19

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopus major Cnocell Fraith Fwyaf

RB5

Recorded in 90%+ of Montgomeryshire gardens (MWT Garden Bird Survey) in winter and summer,

the species is clearly a common sight on fatballs and peanuts.

LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopus minor Cnocell Fraith Leiaf

RB3

Totally the opposite of the previous species, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is rarely seen in the county.

Records came from Dolydd Hafren (30th Mar & 29th Apr), Upper Dyfi Estuary on 15th Dec, and

Trewern on 20th December.

SKYLARK Alauda arvensis Ehedydd

RB4/P/W

Breeding on suitable high ground in the county with 34 the highest count at Llyn Hir on 21st April.

Most sightings were made between March and October with only Dolydd Hafren recording birds in

January and November.

SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia Gwennol y Glennydd

SB5

The first 4 birds of the year passed through the Upper Dyfi Estuary on 10th March. Thereafter,

Dolydd Hafren dominates the sightings from the first 3 birds there on 16th Mar to the last county

sighting of the year of 6 on 27th Sept. The county maximum of 200 was also recorded at Dolydd

Hafren on 27th and 29th April.

SWALLOW Hirundo rustica Gwennol

SB5/P

The first records of the year were on 30th March at both Llandyssil and Dolydd Hafren. The latest

were at Dolydd Hafren on 19th Oct. The highest counts of the year were 300 at Trewern on 14th

Sept, 200+ at Upper Dyfi Estuary 8th Aug, 200 at Castle Caereinion on 31st Aug, and 150+ at Pwll

Penarth also on 31st August.

HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbica Gwennol y Bondo

SB5

The earliest records of the year both came on 13th April from Llangynog and near Berriew. The

latest were 6 birds at Machynlleth on 11th Oct. Max counts were at Dolydd Hafren with 100 birds

there on 11th May and 16th Aug. House Martin numbers seem to be declining in at least some parts

of the county. A survey in Newtown which counts nests in the same area of the old town in late June

and early July gave 19 nests in 2010, 20 nests in 2011 and 2012, 15 nests in 2013, and 11 nests in

2014.

TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialis Corhedydd y Coed

SB4/P

Early birds were reported from Cors Dyfi on 26th March and y Golfa on 28th March with a steady

flow of records then coming from 14th April onwards from across the county. The latest sighting was

at Llanymynech Rocks on 12th Sept.

20

Yellow Wagtail - May 2014 by Chris Townsend

MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis Corhedydd y Waun

SB5/P

Lake Vyrnwy reported an excellent breeding season (good news for all species dependant on

Meadow Pipit from Cuckoo to Hen Harrier). As usual true Meadow Pipit numbers are under-

reported and the highest count in 2014 was just 100 at Llyn Hir on 21st April. Migrating flocks in the

autumn, containing mostly juveniles, will potentially be much larger than this.

YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava flavissima Siglen Felen

SB3

A count of 16 Yellow Wagtail at Dolydd

Hafren on 16th Aug was an excellent

number for what is now a relatively

scarce species in Montgomeryshire.

All records received came from east of

the county with the first at Dolydd

Hafren on 13th April and the last also

from there on 31st August. Sightings

were also received from Llanymynech,

Churchstoke, Llyn Coed y Dinas,

Llandyssil, Meifod, Llansantffraid-ym-

Mechain. The furthest west was

reported from Cwmderwen. Breeding

was noted at Dolydd Hafren.

GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea Siglen Lwyd

RB4/W

Although probably not as common as Pied Wagtail, more sightings of Grey Wagtail are submitted

than Pied suggesting Grey Wagtail are frequently encountered along Montgomeryshire waterways.

A widespread breeder, at least 7 pairs were recorded at Lake Vyrnwy.

PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba yarrellii Siglen Fraith

RB5/P/W

The highest count was 80 from the Upper Dyfi Estuary on 5th Oct, with 70+ at roost at Pwll Penarth

on 31st Aug. 17 were at Dolydd Hafren on 13th July and 15 at Llyn Clywedog on 19th Aug. There

were also at least this many in a winter roost near Llyn Coed y Dinas.

Records of M. a. alba [White Wagtail] are difficult to separate from M. a. yarrelli [Pied Wagtail] due

to ‘lumping’ of the two on various recording systems. However, White Wagtail does occur on

passage in the county and was reported at Dolydd Hafren (5 singletons and a flock of 6 on 19th Oct),

Upper Dyfi Estuary (3 on 15th Sept) and from Lake Vyrnwy in March.

DIPPER Cinclus cinclus Bronwen-y-Dwr

RB5

A widespread breeder along all suitable county waterways.

21

Redstart at Lake Vyrnwy by Gavin Chambers

WREN Troglodytes troglodytes Dryw

RB5

Wren has made a good recovery from losses due to the snow of 2013. It was the 11th most reported

county species in 2014 with a 136% increase in overall records from 2013 (when it was 23rd on the

'most reported' list). Wren also recorded increases in sighting frequency from the MWT Garden Bird

Survey with a 32.6% uplift on Winter 2014/15 compared to the previous 3 winters, and a 21.7%

increase in Summer 2014 compared to the previous 2 summers.

DUNNOCK Prunella modularis Llwyd y Gwrych

RB5

The same comment made in 2013 applies : "Dunnock is the 6th

most reported species in the county,

a sighting rate no doubt helped by the species propensity to visit bird feeders throughout the year".

The highest count of 20 at Dolydd Hafren on 30th November was indeed high.

ROBIN Erithacus rubecula Robin Goch

RB5/P

Robin was the 2nd most reported species of 2014 and common everywhere. Pontrobert particularly

seems to have lots of Robins with counts of 10+ birds there on 12 occasions in 2014.

REDSTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus Tingoch

SB4

An early bird was reported from Lake

Vyrnwy on 2nd April and 2 late birds

were reported from Dolydd Hafren on

9th Nov. This is a very late date, but was

not the only late sighting, with a female

found at Mochdre on 26th Oct. Dolydd

Hafren recorded the maximum count

with 12 birds on 25th August.

The bird from Lake Vyrnwy pictured

opposite is a female that exhibited some

male plumage coloration e.g. a dark

throat, greyish mantle and white

forehead.

WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra Crec yr Eithin

SB4

The first records of the year came from Lake Vyrnwy on 2nd April with the last, a juvenile, at Dolydd

Hafren on 7th Sept. Whinchat were reported from Bugeilyn, Cefn Coch, the Llyn Hir area, Llyn Mawr,

Lake Vyrnwy, and on passage at Dolydd Hafren.

STONECHAT Saxicola torquata Clochdar y Cerrig

W3/SB4

RSPB Lake Vyrnwy's assessment of Stonechat is that they're "slowly recovering after the winter of

2013". Records came from similar, but more widespread, sites than for Whinchat. No records were

received for the first winter period but probable wintering birds were recorded in December at

Llanfyllin and Llyn Clywedog, perhaps adding further evidence of slow recovery.

22

Redwing at Llyn Coed y Dinas by Brian Pollard

WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe Tinwen y Garn

SB5/P5

A widely recorded bird on spring passage with breeding records received from suitable upland

habitat. The first of the year were at Dolydd Hafren on 22nd March and the last at Llyn Hir on 9th

Nov. The latter was a bird of the Greenland race (O.o.leucorhoa) of which there were also reports at

Llyn Hir on 30th Nov and 17th Apr, as well as at Cwmderwen on 23rd April.

RING OUZEL Turdus torquatus Mwyalchen y Mynydd

SB3/P3

Just 3 passage records of 2 birds at Lake Vyrnwy on 9th April and 1 there on 24th Oct, plus a bird

near Llyn Hir on 17th April.

BLACKBIRD Turdus merula Mwyalchen

RB5/W/P

The most commonly reported bird in Montgomeryshire and one of 3 species counted in 100% of

gardens in MWT Garden Bird Survey throughout the year (the others are Robin and Blue Tit). 2014

was an excellent breeding season with some birds producing 3 broods. The highest count was 50 at

Dolydd Hafren on 6th July.

FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris Socan Eira

W5/P

Reported sightings were down by a third on the 2013 and there did seem to be fewer birds in the

county, especially in the 2nd winter period. Largest counts in the first winter period were 150+ at

Cwmderwen on 13th Mar, 100+ at Lake Vyrnwy on 21st Mar, and 100 at Dolydd Hafren on 22nd Jan.

In the 2nd winter period there were 125 near Llyn Clywedog on 7th Nov. The last in spring was seen

at Lake Vyrnwy on 9th April with the first 12 birds of the autumn at Dolydd Hafren on 19th October.

SONG THRUSH Turdus philomelos Bronfraith

RB5/P/W

Widespread records at about the same level as in 2013. Highest count was an impressive 31 at

Dolyfdd Hafren on 19th October.

REDWING Turdus iliacus Coch Dan-aden

W5/P

Reported in similar numbers to the

previous year, the highest counts were

200 at Dolydd Hafren (14th Dec) and

200 at Trewern on 29th Dec. The last

bird of spring was seen on 25th April at

Lake Vyrnwy and the first of the autumn

arrived at Dolydd Hafren on 8th Oct.

Arguably the most interesting Redwing

of 2014 was a bird trapped at

Bwlchyddar on 23rd Nov wearing a

Belgian ring (where it had presumably

been ringed on a previous passage). The

bird was actually caught 20 yards inside

the Denbighshire county boundary but

gets a mention here because it flew into

Montgomeryshire when released!

23

Blackcap at Montgomery, Dec. by Edd Cottell

MISTLE THRUSH Turdus viscivorus Brych y Coed

RB5

Present throughout the county, juvenile birds congregate in small flocks in early autumn as

evidenced by the highest counts of 22 near Gilfach on 28th Aug and 20 at Llanfyllin on 31st August.

CETTI'S WARBLER Cettia cetti Telor Cetti

R1

A late spring passage sighting came from Cors Dyfi/Morfa Dyfi on 24th and there was an autumnal

record of a bird singing briefly at Pwll Penarth on 2nd November.

GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Locustella naevia Troellwr Bach

SB4/P

The first was at Cors Dyfi on 14th April and the last accepted record there on 14th Aug. Birds were

present in the breeding season on the Dyfi Estuary, Llyn Hir area, Hafren Forest and at Lake Vyrnwy.

SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Telor yr Hesg

SB4

The earliest record was at Cors Dyfi on 17th April with the last seen at Llyn Coed y Dinas on 24th

Sept. The highest counts were 20 at Dolydd Hafren on 29th April and 10 at Cors Dyfi on 5th May. The

Severn Valley and Dyfi Estuary were the most likely places to encounter the species in 2014 although

some did pop up elsewhere e.g. Lake Vyrnwy (4th May), Cefn Coch (7th May), Llyn Mawr (a singing

male 15th May & 14th June), and Staylittle (17th July).

REED WARBLER Acrocephalus scirpaceus Telor y Cyrs

SB4

Reed Warbler is limited to reedbed habit which pretty much confines it to places that possess one

e.g. the Dyfi Estuary, Dolydd Hafren and Llyn Coed y Dinas. This year a record was welcomed from

somewhere else; Red House on 19th June. The first sighting of the year came from Dolydd Hafren on

13th April and the latest from Llyn Coed y Dinas on 24th September.

BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla Telor Penddu

SB5/P/W3

Widespread, common, and enjoyed a good

breeding season in 2014 with a 32% uplift on

reports from 2013. Maximum counts were 24 at

Llanfyllin on 21st Aug and 16 at Dolydd Hafren

on 4th May.

An increasing number of Blackcap over-winter in

the county. In the first winter period there were

singletons on 2 dates in January & 2 dates in

February at Guilsfield; and on 2 dates in January

& 2 dates in February at Newtown. In the

second winter period there were singletons on 3

dates in November at Dolydd Hafren; on 5 dates

in November & 3 dates in December at Crew

Green; on 1 date (a female) in November at

Llanfyllin; on 1 date in December at Welshpool;

on 1 date (a male) in November & then 3 birds

together (2 females/1 male feeding on apples)

on multiple dates in December at Montgomery.

24

Wood Warbler record locations 2014

GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borin Telor yr Ardd

SB5/P

Widespread in the county but in smaller numbers than Blackcap and generally a more reclusive bird.

First of 2014 was at Llanerfyl on 8th Apr with the latest confirmed sighting at Llanfyllin on 31st Aug.

LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca Llwydfron Fach

SB3/P

Scarcely recorded in the county with the earliest at Dolydd Hafren on 15th April. Other records came

from Middletown, Pontrobert, Guilsfield, and Trewern. The final sighting of the year was at Dolydd

Hafren on 21st Sept.

WHITETHROAT Sylvia communis Llwydfron

SB4/P

There were few sightings received for this species which, whilst probably under recorded, suggests a

scattered distribution throughout Montgomeryshire. The first record of 2014 was from Cors Dyfi on

15th April and the last at Dolydd Hafren on 27th Sept. Most records came from Middletown Hill and

Lake Vyrnwy where the species was described in 2014 by the Reserve Warden as being "relatively

common on fridd and forest edge".

WOOD WARBLER Phylloscopus sibilatrix Telor y Coed

SB4

A reasonable number of records were received in 2014 and unlike most Montgomeryshire

distribution maps that show an easterly bias (often just because there are more birdwatchers in the

Severn Valley), the mapped Wood Warbler sightings indicate a broadly central county distribution.

Lake Vyrnwy and the Hafren Forest area are particularly good places to hear and see Wood Warbler.

The first bird of the year was at Llanidloes on 18th April and the last at Lake Vyrnwy on 11th July.

25

CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita Siff-saff

SB5/P/W2

Once again Chiffchaff are by far the most reported warbler species in the county. Clearly common

and widespread but especially noticeable because of their spring song. Interestingly, as in 2013,

birds seem to remain in the county through the November/December period but are then noticeably

absent in the January/February winter period as follows :

Chiffchaff - number of winter records in Montgomeryshire 2014:

Jan Feb Nov Dec

0 0 9 4

Chiffchaff were not reported in Montgomeryshire in 2014 until 8th March at Pwll Penarth but then,

like most small passerines, they went on to enjoy an excellent breeding season. Highest count was

21 at Llanfyllin on 12th July.

WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus Telor yr Helyg

SB5/P

Unlike the similar-looking Chiffchaff which migrates as far as north Africa, the Willow Warbler is a

Sub-Saharan migrant and consequently there is no chance of seeing one of these during the

Montgomeryshire winter time. They are probably as abundant as Chiffchaff in the county but are

less recorded. The first records of the year were on 30th March with 1 at Newtown and 2 birds at

Dolydd Hafren. The final sighting came from Dolydd Hafren on 28th Sept.

GOLDCREST Regulus regulus Dryw Eurben

RB5/P/W

Numerous in county conifer plantations throughout the year, but particularly high numbers were

reported in autumn 2014, presumably the result of a good breeding season plus the arrival of

northern/continental birds. The highest count was 100+ in the Hafren Forest on 9th Nov.

FIRECREST Regulus ignicapillus Dryw Penfflamgoch

SB2

Just one record on 11th March at Lake Vyrnwy and sadly, no reports of Firecrest breeding in 2014.

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa striata Gwybedog Mannog

SB4/P

The first of the year was at Llyn Coed y Dinas on 8th May and the last at Welshpool on 17th Sept.

Scattered breeding records with evidence of 2 broods in some cases e.g. north of Welshpool.

PIED FLYCATCHER Ficedula hypoleuca Gwybedog Brith

SB5

A male on 3rd April near Llanerfyl was the first of the year and as the landowner reports, "the

earliest arrival date in 24 years of records at this site". The last in 2014 was at Lake Vyrnwy on 10th

Aug. Records were received from throughout the county where the species take readily to nest

boxes. The long-running Pied Flycatcher study at Lake Vyrnwy found more nests (90) than in 2013

and produced more young than the previous year, fledging on average on 14th June. The warm

weather was not without its problems though - torrential rainfall on 7th

June causing a shortage of

caterpillars and high chick mortality over a few days.

26

Long-tailed Tit by Mark Wilson

LONG-TAILED TIT Aegithalos caudatus Titw Gynffon-hir

RB5

Overall records received for 2014 were down

20% compared to 2013. The MWT Summer

Garden Bird Survey found Long-tailed Tit in just

42% of gardens compared to 64% in summer

2013, and the frequency with which the species

was observed in gardens was down 48% on the

previous two summers. Findings from the MWT

Winter Garden Bird Survey are consistent with

previous years, with Long-tailed Tit consistently

seen in 75%+ of winter gardens (and frequency

actually rose 10% in winter 2014/15 compared

to the previous 3 year average). The reduction

in summer sightings is probably explained by

the warm weather of 2014 enticing birds back

into the countryside (to natural food) and they

consequently became less reliant on garden

feeders and therefore less visible. There were

plenty of Long-tailed Tit at Dolydd Hafren with a

count of 30 there on 25th May, 26th Oct & 23rd

November.

MARSH TIT Parus palustris Titw'r Wern

RB4

Present in small numbers only throughout the county but widely distributed with the most likely

places to see Marsh Tit being Coed Pendugwm, Powis Castle Park, and Lake Vyrnwy.

WILLOW TIT Parus montanus Titw'r Helyg

RB3

Also present in small numbers with scattered reports of sightings throughout the county. The

Dyfnant Forest and surrounding area seem to contain at least as many Willow Tit as elsewhere. A

survey at Lake Vyrnwy (March-April) found a remarkable 18 territories on the Reserve. Prior to the

survey it had been thought there were just a handful of pairs there.

COAL TIT Parus ater Titw Penddu

RB5

Common in Montgomeryshire conifer plantations although the numbers seen on garden feeders and

counted in the MWT Garden Bird Survey were down throughout the year compared to 2013

(possibly for a similar reason as Long-tailed Tit). 50+ were reported in the Hafren Forest on 9th

November.

BLUE TIT Parus caeruleus Titw Tomos Las

RB5

The most reported bird species in 2014 and the most frequently seen in Montgomeryshire's gardens

in summer and winter (MWT Bird Survey). A successful breeding season (e.g. there were more Blue

Tits using nest boxes than ever before at Lake Vyrnwy) further increased numbers.

GREAT TIT Parus major Titw Mawr

RB5

As per Blue Tit although Great Tit are generally not as numerous.

27

NUTHATCH Sitta europaea Delor y Cnau

RB5

Last years summary read : "A familiar user of garden feeders and nest boxes and consequently, very

well reported. Nuthatch apparently inhabits everywhere in the county where there is woodland"!

TREECREEPER Certhia familiaris Dringwr bach

RB5

Less visible than Nuthatch and consequently less well reported but a common species throughout

the county nevertheless.

GREAT GREY SHRIKE Lanius excubitor Cigydd Mawr

W3

Lake Vyrnwy was the only location for sightings in 2014 on 11th Mar, 13th Mar and 9th April.

JAY Garrulus glandarius Ysgrech y Coed

RB5

Recorded on 70% of MWT Garden Bird Surveys in 2014, Jay are regularly seen throughout the

county. The most impressive flock was one of 30+ at Llyn Coed y Dinas on 24th Sept.

MAGPIE Pica pica Pioden

RB5

Present throughout the county, the largest congregations were 40 at Dolydd Hafren on 14th Dec and

37 at Pwll Penarth on 2nd Nov.

CHOUGH Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Bran Goesgoch

RB2

A report of 2 at Cors Dyfi on 22nd June.

JACKDAW Corvus monedula Jac-y-do

RB5/P/W

A familiar bird throughout the county, the sociable nature of Jackdaw can produce relatively large

flocks e.g. 100 at Dolydd Hafren on 24th Sept & 31st Dec, and also 100 at Trewern on 26th March.

ROOK Corvus frugilegus Ydfran

RB5/P

Proximity to rookeries influences the frequency with which Rooks are seen. The largest flocks were

150 at Llanerfyl w/e 6th July, 100 at Pontrobert on 26th Aug, and 77 at Llyn Clywedog on 17th July.

CARRION CROW Corvus corone Bran Dyddyn

RB5

The most common corvid in the county. Max counts were 117 at Lake Vyrnwy on 4th April and 100

at Dolydd Hafren on 28th

Sept.

RAVEN Corvus corax Cigfran

RB5

Raven are reported in approx. one-third of MWT Winter Garden Bird Surveys and approx. half of the

Summer Garden Bird Surveys. Presumably the summer uplift is due to more readily detectable noisy

breeding birds and youngsters flying overhead. A widespread breeding species in the county, the

largest counts reported were 25 near Llyn Hir on 10th Dec and 20 at Dolfor on 14th Sept.

28

Starling by Edd Cottell

STARLING Sturnus vulgaris Drudwen

RB4/P5/W5

73% of the records received in 2014 were of wintering

birds (November-March). Overall the Montgomeryshire

records received for Starling were down 23% on 2013.

The MWT Winter Garden Bird Survey recorded the

species in 67% of gardens which is consistent with the

previous year, but the Winter 2014/15 sighting

frequency was down by 11% compared to the previous

3 winters' average. The MWT Summer Garden Bird

Survey also recorded a slight decline in gardens seen

(39%) and frequency of sightings on the previous 2

summers (-3%).

The largest flocks were 7600 near Llanerfyl on 15th Jan

with 4500 (presumably part of the same flock) on the

same date near Llyn Hir. There were 3000 at Cefn Coch

on 20th Feb.

HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus Aderyn y To

RB5

A well-reported species in the county and present in 90% of MWT Garden Bird Survey gardens

throughout 2014. The largest count was 50 at Trewern on dates in June and December.

TREE SPARROW Passer montanus Golfan y Mynydd

RB3

It would seem that there are very few Tree Sparrow left in Montgomeryshire. The most likely

remaining location for them is the south-east corner of the county. The species was seen on 9 dates

at Dolydd Hafren in 2014 with a max count of 8 on 30th Sept. 2 separate sightings of flocks of 4 birds

were made in the Meifod area on 9th April and there were summer records of Tree Sparrows visiting

a Churchstoke garden. The very few records received from other gardens (particularly in the mid

and western parts of the county) have either been found to be House Sparrow or are unproven.

CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs Ji-binc

RB5/P/W

Abundant, the largest winter flock numbering 1000+ on the Ceri Ridgeway on 29th November.

BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla Pinc y Mynydd

W4

There were more Brambling in the first winter period than the second. 200 were at Cefn Coch on

20th Feb with other scattered records of small flocks throughout the spring, the largest of which was

15 at Llanfihangel on 24th March. Brambling were very scarce in the 2nd winter period with the

warm autumn and plentiful food retaining the birds in Scandinavia. 150 were seen on the Ceri

Ridgeway on 29th Nov but otherwise just a handful of scattered singletons were reported (the

earliest of which was at Dolydd Hafren on 26th Oct).

29

Common Redpoll at Llanfyllin,

24th March 2014 by Mike Haigh

GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris Llino Werdd

RB5

A species susceptible to outbreaks of the disease Trichomonosis which seemed prevalent in the

warm summer of 2014. The distribution of Greenfinch in the county appears to fluctuate and it may

be related to how the local population copes with the disease. The MWT Garden Bird Survey

recorded a reduction of approx 25% in frequency of sightings in 2014 (compared to previous 3 years)

and a reduction in the number of gardens recording Greenfinch (usually about 80%, fell to 73%). The

largest flock was 100+ (with similar numbers of Chaffinch) at the Upper Dyfi Estuary on 10th Jan.

GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis Nico

RB5/P

Common throughout Montgomeryshire and in county gardens (about 90% of MWT Bird Survey

gardens reported the species). The largest flock was 300 at Llanymynech on 12th September.

SISKIN Carduelis spinus Pila Gwyrdd

RB5/P/W

Siskin are present throughout the year and breed in relatively large numbers in Montgomeryshire's

conifer plantations. They are most frequently seen when returning resident and passage birds visit

garden feeders Feb-April. 2014 was typical of recent years in this respect and the largest count was

39 at the Lake Vyrnwy feeders on 13th April.

LINNET Carduelis cannabina Llinos

RB5/P

Widespread records were received for this under-reported species. Largest counts were 200 at

Cwmderwen on 18th Sept and 100 at Dolyydd Hafren on 12th January.

LESSER REDPOLL Carduelis cabaret Llinos Bengoch Lieaf

RB5/P/W

Similar to Siskin in that they are present all year in the county but are most often reported during

spring passage. 2014 was a good year to see Lesser Redpoll with plenty of birds visiting garden

feeders during spring. The highest count was 50 at Lake Vyrnwy on 9th April.

COMMON REDPOLL Carduelis flammea Llinos Bengoch

P1/W

Common Redpoll are difficult to identify with 100%

certainty because Redpoll species are prone to

variation and potential hybridization. Common (aka

Mealy) Redpoll are 'generally larger and greyer' than

Lesser Redpoll which are 'generally smaller and

browner'. As a result of the identity issue, all

previous county 'sightings' of Common Redpoll had

been rejected by the Welsh Records Panel.

On 24th March a large grey Redpoll was trapped at

niger feeders at Llanfyllin. It looked noticeably

different to the accompanying Lesser Redpoll.

Fortunately, plumage characteristics and biometric

measurements clinched the bird's identity as

Common Redpoll and therefore, a new County

Record.

30

Yellowhammer record locations 2014

COMMON CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra Gylfin Groes

RB4/P/W

Probably not a very good breeding season for Crossbill in 2014, but there were plenty of sightings

mostly from the Hafren Forest and Lake Vyrnwy. Max count was 15 at Lake Vyrnwy on 19th Nov.

BULLFINCH Pyrrhula pyrrhula pileata Coch y Berllan

RB5

Widespread records. The largest flock was 20 at Dolydd Hafren on 12th April.

HAWFINCH Coccothraustes coccothraustes Gylfinbraff

RB3

One on feeders at Newtown on 7th May was a welcome surprise with the only other county sighting

coming from the traditional location of Powis Castle car park. Up to 9 birds were present there

between 29th-31st December (the flock increasing in size into the new year).

YELLOWHAMMER Emberiza citronella Melyn yr Eithin

RB4

The map below illustrates that whilst Yellowhammer is generally recognised to be a declining

breeding species, a population remains in scattered pockets across the county. More than half of the

54 records received were within the breeding season.

REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus Bras y Cyrs

RB4/P/W

Widespread records, mostly from locations with suitable habitat, notably the Severn Valley, Llyn

Clywedog, Llyn Hir, Dyfi Estuary, Llyn Mawr and Lake Vyrnwy (although numbers were noted as

"declining" here). The highest count was 50 at Dolydd Hafren on 30th November.

Systematic Species List - Excluded Records

• Bean Goose at Caersws, 21st April 2014, assumed to be an escape of Feral origin

Places to Visit – Llyn Coed y Dinas

Owned and maintained by Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust,

Llyn Coed y Dinas (affectionately shortened to L

a revelation in respect to the species which occur in the

Severn Valley. Situated 2 miles south of Welshpool, the lake

was created in 1988 when gravel was extracted to raise the

level of 'The Welshpool Relief Road'

large roundabout on the A483 (OS grid ref

hectares site has an orchard in a meadow, teaching facilities,

a picnic area, sizeable car park and a comfy hide

Planted only with native species, the reserve has developed

into a notable wildlife area and an impressive avian migration

site. Worsening weather conditions

appear in numbers e.g. A passing April shower can

of hirundines materialise, only for them

disappear as the weather improves. As water

summer, returning migrant waders

find invertebrates to further fuel their journey

Winter

The resident Canada Goose flock swells, with numbers sometimes topping 400, and ringing returns have

shown birds travel here from north England. Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck and Wigeon are all regular in good

numbers, with Snipe, Lapwing, Cormorant, Shoveler, Pintail, Gadwall, Pochard and Goldeneye present in

smaller numbers at some time in most winters. A Red

which, following the report of one

subsequent day) may have been a wild bird. Bittern has occurred

bird present for over 3 weeks in early 2015.

Spring/Summer

Breeding species include a colony of Black

pairs, present from the end of February to the end of July. Other

regular breeders include Mallard, Tufted Duck, Canada Goose, Great

Crested Grebe, Reed Bunting, Sedge

Garden Warbler, Great & Blue Tit, Pied & Grey Wagtail,

Song Thrush, Dunnock, Wren, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch.

Shelduck, Common Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover have also

bred in the past. Whilst Sand Martin have not bred

are often present, as are Swift, Swallow and House Mar

migrants have included Garganey, Common, Arctic, Little and Black

Terns, Kittiwake, Little Gull, Dunlin, Redshank, Whimbrel, Green

Common Sandpiper, Yellow Wagtail

Godwit. Barnacle, “small” Canada Goose, and Pink

records are probably feral in origin, whilst

occasional Egyptian Geese and Swan Goose

31

Bittern

House Martin, Sand Martin,

Llyn Coed y Dinas by Chris Townsend

wned and maintained by Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust,

tionately shortened to Lcyd) has been

a revelation in respect to the species which occur in the

miles south of Welshpool, the lake

when gravel was extracted to raise the

'The Welshpool Relief Road'. Located just north of the

(OS grid ref SJ223052), the 7.6

site has an orchard in a meadow, teaching facilities,

and a comfy hide.

Planted only with native species, the reserve has developed

fe area and an impressive avian migration

orsening weather conditions can cause species to

passing April shower can make 100's

only for them to suddenly

as the weather improves. As water levels fall in

summer, returning migrant waders use the mud exposed to

their journey.


m north England. Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck and Wigeon are all regular in good


smaller numbers at some time in most winters. A Red-Breasted Goose once stayed for about 2 hours,

following the report of one on the Severn Estuary the previous day (and then

may have been a wild bird. Bittern has occurred in several winters, with a well

eeks in early 2015.

Breeding species include a colony of Black-Headed Gulls of c.200

pairs, present from the end of February to the end of July. Other

regular breeders include Mallard, Tufted Duck, Canada Goose, Great

Crested Grebe, Reed Bunting, Sedge & Reed Warbler, Blackcap,

Pied & Grey Wagtail, Blackbird,

Song Thrush, Dunnock, Wren, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch.

Shelduck, Common Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover have also

Sand Martin have not bred recently, they

are often present, as are Swift, Swallow and House Martin. Spring

migrants have included Garganey, Common, Arctic, Little and Black

Terns, Kittiwake, Little Gull, Dunlin, Redshank, Whimbrel, Green &

Yellow Wagtail and occasional Black-Tailed

Barnacle, “small” Canada Goose, and Pink-Footed Geese

are probably feral in origin, whilst frequent Greylag and the

and Swan Goose are certainly so.

Bittern

House Martin, Sand Martin,

Swallow


m north England. Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck and Wigeon are all regular in good


yed for about 2 hours,

then on the Solway the

in several winters, with a well-watched

Autumn.

Waders of many species can occur in small numbers and Dunlin, Black

Redshank, Green and Common Sandpipers, Snipe, and Lapwing are regular, with Little Stint also

occasionally recorded. This is the time of year which has produced Hobby, Common Scoter, Great White

Egret and Spoonbill, while Little Egret and Little Grebe can appear at al

Crake, an immature Gannet, and Short

Throughout the year Cormorants are likely, roosting in the Oak tree on the island, and Grey Heron, Mute

Swan, and the common corvids are usually present

Kite, Sparrowhawk and Peregrine are

32

Little Egret

Waders of many species can occur in small numbers and Dunlin, Black-Tailed Godwit, Greenshank,

een and Common Sandpipers, Snipe, and Lapwing are regular, with Little Stint also


Egret and Spoonbill, while Little Egret and Little Grebe can appear at almost any season. Even Spotted

Crake, an immature Gannet, and Short-Eared Owl have been recorded.


Swan, and the common corvids are usually present. Buzzard are seen daily, and Kingfisher,

are regular.

Tailed Godwit, Greenshank,

een and Common Sandpipers, Snipe, and Lapwing are regular, with Little Stint also


most any season. Even Spotted


seen daily, and Kingfisher, Water Rail, Red

33

Ringing Report 2014

For the first time this year, the BTO have provided ringing data specifically for Montgomeryshire. The total

birds ringed by species for the county in 2014 is shown below. Report source and more information can be

found at : British Trust For Ornithology (http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/ringing/publications/online-ringing-reports)

Species Pullus Juvenile Adult Unaged Total

Mute Swan 16 0 2 0 18

Goosander 2 0 0 0 2

Sparrowhawk 0 1 4 0 5

Kestrel 5 0 1 0 6

Golden Plover 0 23 11 0 34

Lapwing 0 3 0 0 3

Jack Snipe 0 0 6 0 6

Snipe 0 0 3 6 9

Woodcock 0 14 58 0 72

Curlew 0 0 1 0 1

Common Sandpiper 0 0 1 0 1

Stock Dove 13 0 0 0 13

Barn Owl 77 2 1 0 80

Little Owl 0 1 1 0 2

Tawny Owl 11 0 1 0 12

Long-eared Owl 0 1 0 0 1

Short-eared Owl 0 1 0 0 1

Nightjar 0 0 1 0 1

Kingfisher 0 4 1 0 5

Green Woodpecker 0 1 0 0 1

Great Spotted Woodpecker 0 3 5 0 8

Magpie 0 0 1 0 1

Jay 0 2 7 0 9

Jackdaw 8 0 0 0 8

Carrion Crow 1 0 0 0 1

Goldcrest 0 68 7 1 76

Blue Tit 365 132 288 0 785

Great Tit 112 63 110 0 285

Coal Tit 27 16 39 5 87

Willow Tit 0 0 5 0 5

Marsh Tit 7 1 1 1 10

Skylark 0 0 3 1 4

Sand Martin 0 6 21 0 27

Swallow 126 84 29 0 239

Long-tailed Tit 0 5 13 38 56

Wood Warbler 24 0 0 0 24

Chiffchaff 5 217 37 3 262

Willow Warbler 0 43 35 1 79

Blackcap 0 160 27 1 188

34

Garden Warbler 2 28 24 0 54

Whitethroat 0 20 0 0 20

Grasshopper Warbler 0 0 2 0 2

Sedge Warbler 0 44 18 0 62

Reed Warbler 0 31 14 2 47

Nuthatch 63 1 7 10 81

Treecreeper 0 11 5 0 16

Wren 0 37 16 0 53

Starling 0 0 3 0 3

Dipper 31 15 6 0 52

Blackbird 49 89 39 0 177

Fieldfare 0 0 4 0 4

Song Thrush 5 18 8 0 31

Redwing 0 8 13 0 21

Mistle Thrush 0 0 1 0 1

Spotted Flycatcher 16 1 1 0 18

Robin 29 57 28 0 114

Pied Flycatcher 655 0 78 0 733

Redstart 103 19 6 1 129

Stonechat 0 2 0 0 2

Wheatear 0 0 0 1 1

Dunnock 0 21 24 1 46

House Sparrow 11 14 34 17 76

Grey Wagtail 28 5 1 0 34

Pied/White Wagtail 25 2 1 0 28

Tree Pipit 0 6 0 0 6

Meadow Pipit 0 303 14 10 327

Chaffinch 13 54 174 3 244

Brambling 0 0 174 0 174

Greenfinch 4 19 83 1 107

Goldfinch 4 79 228 7 318

Siskin 0 4 293 1 298

Linnet 10 0 0 0 10

Lesser Redpoll 1 3 114 0 118

Common Redpoll 0 0 1 0 1

Redpoll (Common/Lesser) 0 0 1 0 1

Bullfinch 0 5 19 0 24

Reed Bunting 0 15 8 0 23

Total 1,848 1,762 2,162 111 5,883

35

Canada Geese no's 5272820 & 5272720 at Llyn Coed y Dinas 3rd Nov by Brian Pollard

Reports of birds ringed or found ringed in Montgomeryshire

Canada Goose

5274047 Adult Male 28/06/2014 Bowness-on-Windermere: 0°54'N 0°2'W (Cumbria)

Alive (colour rings

seen)

30/12/2014 Llyn Coed Y Dinas, Welshpool: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys)

194km S 0y 6m 2d

5272820 Adult Female 28/06/2014 Fellfoot Park, Lake Windermere: 0°54'N 0°2'W (Cumbria)

Alive (colour rings

seen)


182km S 0y 4m 6d

Alive (colour rings

seen)


182km S 0y 6m 2d

5272720 Adult Male 28/06/2014 Fellfoot Park, Lake Windermere: 0°54'N 0°2'W (Cumbria)

Alive (colour rings

seen)


182km S 0y 4m 6d

Alive (colour rings

seen)


182km S 0y 6m 2d

Honey-buzzard

GC05850 Nestling Male 10/08/2005 Site Confidential (Powys)

Freshly dead (shot) 06/04/2014 Gbonyea, Lofa, Salayea District: 0°7'N 0°9'W (Liberia) Liberia

5,033km S 8y 7m 27d

Red Kite

HT25680 Nestling 21/06/1990 Site Confidential (Powys)

Freshly dead

(disease)

20/01/2014 Aberarth: 0°52'N 0°4'W (Ceredigion) 68km WSW 23y 6m

30d

GR47538 Nestling 02/07/2013 Site Confidential, near Kingsland: c. 0°52'N 0°2'W

(Herefordshire)

Alive (wing-tag

seen)

12/03/2014 Cefn Coch, Llanfair Caereinion: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys) 57km

NW 0y 8m 10d

36

Golden Plover

DK38653 First-year 12/10/2014 Gwenlas, Llanbadarn Fynydd: c. 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys)

Caught by ringer 14/10/2014 Tre-Gwynt, Llanerfyl: c. 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys) 27km NNW

0y 0m 2d

DD91714 First-year 04/11/2010 Tre-Gwynt, Llanerfyl: c. 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys)

Caught by ringer 15/10/2014 Clun Forest, Clun: c. 0°52'N 0°3'W (Shropshire) 28km SE

3y 11m 11d

Woodcock

EX73524 First-year 16/11/2011 Rhiwgoch, Llanbrynmair: c. 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys)

Freshly dead (shot) 09/11/2014 Oakworth Moor: 0°53'N 0°2'W (West Yorkshire) 178km

NE 2y 11m 24d

EX28293 Adult 22/02/2011 Cerrig Y Tan, Pandy: c. 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys)

Freshly dead (shot) 31/12/2014 Caerleon: 0°51'N 0°2'W (Newport) 120km SSE 3y 10m 9d

EX42257 Adult 10/12/2012 Tre-Gwynt, Llanerfyl: c. 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys)

Freshly dead (shot) 29/10/2014 Auberville-La Manuel: 0°49'N 0?0'E (Seine-Maritime) France

421km SE 1y 10m 19d

EX73517 First-year 16/11/2011 Rhiwgoch, Llanbrynmair: c. 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys)

Freshly dead

(domestic animal)

20/11/2014 Tensbuttel-Rost: 0°54'N 0?9'E (Schleswig-Holstein except

islands in the North Sea) Germany 872km E 3y 0m 4d

FRP

GY91416

First-year 29/11/2011 Incheville: 0°50'N 0°1'E (Seine-Maritime) France

Freshly dead (shot) 12/01/2013 Site Confidential (Powys) 435km NW 1y 1m 14d

Raven

HT83156 Nestling 22/04/1999 Black Rhadley Hill, Bishop's Castle: c. 0°52'N 0°2'W

(Shropshire)

Freshly dead 18/08/2001 Newtown: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys) 25km WSW 2y 3m 27d

Sand Martin

D074990 First-year Male 25/07/2013 Kilnsea Clays: 0°53'N 0°0'E (East Riding of Yorkshire)

Caught by ringer 11/07/2014 Caersws: c. 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys) 267km WSW 0y 11m

16d

Chiffchaff

EHC884 Juvenile 20/08/2013 Llanfyllin: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys)

Caught by ringer 06/10/2013 Beachy Head: 0°50'N 0?0'E (East Sussex) 333km SE 0y 1m

16d

Sedge Warbler

Y717375 First-year Male 06/08/2013 Titchfield Haven, Hill Head, Fareham: 0°50'N 0°1'W

(Hampshire)

Caught by ringer 15/07/2014 Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve: c. 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys) 268km

NW 0y 11m 9d

FRP

6885447

Adult 08/08/2012 Trunvel, Treogat: 0°47'N 0°4'W (Finistere) France


N 1y 10m 19d

Reed Warbler

Y049899 First-year Female 15/09/2011 Pett Level: c. 0°50'N 0°0'E (East Sussex)


WNW 2y 10m 6d

Z115626 Juvenile 21/08/2014 Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve: c. 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys)

Caught by ringer 05/09/2014 Pett Level: 0°50'N 0?0'E (East Sussex) 366km ESE 0y 0m

15d

37

Dipper

RF11126 Nestling Female 03/04/2009 Glynfach, near Llandinam: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys)

Caught by ringer 21/10/2009 Llananno: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys) 14km SE 0y 6m 18d



Alive (colour rings

seen)

16/04/2012 Llananno: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys) 14km SE 3y 0m 13d


Alive (colour rings

seen)




Alive (colour rings

seen)


Redstart

Z069550 Juvenile Female 06/07/2014 Llanfyllin: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys)

Caught by ringer 16/08/2014 Westdown Plantation: 0°51'N 0°1'W (Wiltshire) 193km

SSE 0y 1m 10d

Brambling

L965925 Full-grown Male 21/01/2013 Welshpool: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys)

Alive (ring read in

field)

01/03/2014 Gilsland: 0°54'N 0°2'W (Northumberland) 261km N 1y

1m 8d

DEW

82170540

First-year Male 11/04/2013 Schortens, Wilhelmshaven: 0°53'N 0°7'E (Weser-Ems exept

islands (Aurich & Oldenburg & Osnabruck)) Germany

Caught by ringer 09/02/2014 Bryn Picca, Dolfor: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys) 767km W 0y

9m 29d

Goldfinch

L980117 First-year Male 12/02/2012 Redditch: 0°52'N 0°1'W (Worcestershire)

Caught by ringer 13/04/2013 Llanfyllin: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys) 104km WNW 1y 2m 1d


Siskin

D384069 Full-grown Male 23/04/2013 Welshpool: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys)

Caught by ringer 03/04/2014 Callander: 0°56'N 0°4'W (Stirling) 403km N 0y 11m 11d

L421991 Full-grown Male 20/03/2012 Clonyard Loch: 0°54'N 0°3'W (Dumfries and Galloway)

Freshly dead (bird

of prey)

30/07/2014 Llangadfan: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys) 244km S 2y 4m 10d

Y235359 Adult Male 16/02/2014 Bevercotes Mine, Lound Hall, near West Drayton, Retford: c.

0°53'N 0°0'W (Nottinghamshire)

Caught by ringer 24/02/2014 Llandinam, near Newtown: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys) 189km

WSW 0y 0m 8d

D445525 Juvenile Male 22/07/2013 Port E Vullen: 0°54'N 0°4'W

Caught by ringer 10/04/2014 Llanfyllin: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys) 184km SSE 0y 8m 19d

Y715371 Adult Male 21/02/2013 Pope's Hill: 0°51'N 0°2'W (Gloucestershire)

Caught by ringer 09/07/2013 Llwynmawr: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Wrexham) 132km NNW 0y

4m 18d

Alive (ring read in

field)

05/05/2014 Lake Vyrnwy: c. 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys) 124km NNW 1y

2m 14d

38

Lesser Redpoll

D421320 Adult Male 02/11/2013 Sandwich Bay Estate: 0°51'N 0°1'E (Kent)



Y066472 First-year 15/10/2011 Pett Level: c. 0°50'N 0°0'E (East Sussex)

Caught by ringer 07/04/2014 Llanfyllin: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys) 342km NW 2y 5m 23d

Caught by ringer 09/04/2014 Llanfyllin: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys) 342km NW 2y 5m 25d

D429379 Adult Male 02/05/2013 Coolcush, near Dungannon: 0°54'N 0°6'W (Tyrone)

Caught by ringer 08/04/2014 Llanfyllin: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys) 298km SE 0y 11m 6d

Caught by ringer 09/04/2014 Llanfyllin: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys) 298km SE 0y 11m 7d

D139581 Adult Female 07/04/2013 Heysham Harbour, Heysham: 0°54'N 0°2'W (Lancashire)

Caught by ringer 17/04/2014 Llanfyllin: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys) 141km S 1y 0m 10d

Caught by ringer 25/04/2014 Llanfyllin: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys) 141km S 1y 0m 18d

D294320 First-year 12/11/2013 Woorgreen Lake: 0°51'N 0°2'W (Gloucestershire)

Caught by ringer 12/04/2014 Llanfyllin: 0°52'N 0°3'W (Powys) 120km NNW 0y 5m 0d

Documents

Montgomeryshire Bird Report 2014A w idespread and common breeder. The largest flock was 200 at Dolydd Hafren on 14th Dec. The Upper Dyfi Estuary reported 139 on 10th Aug and Llyn Coed