A FEW HOURS AT LLANDEGFEDD

 I went over to Llandegfedd Reservoir in mid April or as it's called now Llandegfedd lake. Although it is very commercialised now to what it used to be it still is a place where some good birds can be found.

The Gwent Ornithological Society members are allowed access now to certain parts of the reservoir where the general public are not. This is to try and protect certain wintering birds and keep disturbance of the delicate breeding areas to a minimum.

First stop for me was the Inlet hide where I watched the Great Crested Grebe's for a while quietly going about their day. I think the females must have still be on eggs as there were no signs of any Grebe chicks.

great crested grebe

After watching the Grebes for a while I slowly walked down towards the Greenpool Hide where I spotted a Blackcap singing away at the top of a tree.

male blackcap

Once in the hide nearly straight away I could hear Reed Warbler calling they were flitting back and fore the reed beds. I sat patiently until they came close enough so I could grab an image.

reed warbler

Nice to see them at the reservoir where they'll be settling down to breed in the next week or so.

While sitting in the hide this Chiff Chaff came straight in front of me landing on a reed before shooting off again.

chiff chaff

I'd spent that much time in the hide that it was time for me to head back to the car park to make my way home. As I came out of the hide a Sparrowhawk flew over my head and off into the distance.

sparrowhawk

There were lots of birds about all singing and calling setting up territories and trying to find a mate but couldn't get close to most of them as they were keeping their distance or in amongst the canopy. I did manage to get close enough to this Long Tailed Tit to get an image even though it was at the top of a tree.

long tailed tit

It was time for me to get myself home though I was quite pleased with my visit the birds I had seen and the images I'd managed to capture. I was at one time unhappy in the direction Llandegfedd was going but it's still a good place to go birding and can throw up the odd rarity, I think I'll  be definitely coming back.