Fourteen members, including two on their first meeting, enjoyed a sunny Sunday at this RSPB reserve. At the feeding station just outside the visitor centre the activity simply wouldn’t stop. We quickly got our first 30 species including Little Grebe, Water Rail, Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker, Jay, Long-tailed Tit, Cetti’s Warbler, Starling, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Song Thrush, Stonechat, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Linnet, and Reed Bunting. On the way to the ‘Wetlands Experience’ trail, we came across Chiffchaff and Goldcrest, and a beautiful Little Egret perched high in a tree. We then walked along the estuary to look out for wading birds within the saltmarshes and mudflats. It was very enjoyable to observe flocks of species including Oystercatcher (52), Lapwing (65) and Curlew (70plus). A large flock of Dunlin was seen in the distance. Several species of duck were present as well, including Shelduck, Shoveler, Wigeon and Mallard. We were accompanied during the whole trip by an astonishing number of Stonechats and Cetti’s Warblers. The latter always seeming to be so close, but unspottable. On the way back to the visitor centre, we saw a Mistle Thrush, in order to complete our thrushes collection for the day. In total 51 species were seen at Newport Wetlands that morning. Keith Williams and others carried on at Goldcliff in the afternoon and added another 16 species including Gadwall, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Goosander,
Marsh Harrier, Avocet, Grey Plover, Turnstone, Snipe and Peregrine. Thanks a lot Mike for leading us!
Adèle Remazeilles
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