December, the start of Meteorological WINTER Friday 1st December

Not as frosty as recent days, and much less wind than forecast - could have gone ringing!

Anyway I visited Morfa Berwig LNR this morning with a view to finding additional ringing rides, I know its a wetland site, but give me a break, too deep too boggy, but I did find a nice area albeit wet, as an additional net ride.

In the process I disturbed a new bird for the site in the wonderfully camouflaged form of a WOODCOCK, it clattered through the willows before landing again, a good record.

Woodcock

Water Rails are well spread through the reserve with at least three calling this morning, a flock of c15 Long tailed Tits, with a mix of Blue, and Great Tits, Goldcrest and Robins, there were at least six Robins along the Afon Goch path.

A Raven and a single Lapwing overhead completed my visit.

Shorties show up Sunday 26th November 2017

I have been reading reports on the Carmarthenshire Bird Club sightings pages of a Short-eared Owl being seen on the reserve at Pembrey.

This evening I took myself off to see if I could get to grips with this magical owl, sure enough around 15:30 an Owl appeared, my attention being drawn to it by a couple of birders who were out on the marsh!

When I wandered over to have a chat I could see that there were TWO Short-eared Owls hunting over the lower marsh I love "shorties".

Short-eared Owl,

(I wish it was my photograph)

There was some interaction between one of the owls and the local male Kestrel, but I don't think they need to fight over food as my feelings are that there is a good supply of Voles.

Last year the owls only paid fleeting visits to the reserve, presumably wandering over from "Glamorgan", lets hope they stay longer this year.

Probably the best place to see them from is the information hut in the middle of the reserve, or along the path which runs along the edge of the Sea Buckthorn and the edge of the marsh, late afternoon is likely to be the best time.

The bird list for the reserve is a bit light this year at only 126 species V 141 last year, please remember to submit any bird records for the reserve to the CBC sightings page or send a list in the comments box on the blog.