One big Black Kite dip

WEDNESDAY 3 MARCH

Another heavy frost overnight. Met up with Alan Stewart and Joan Thompson at Chorleywood at 0600 hours for a daytrip to Mid Wales.

THE FOREST OF DEAN (GLOUCESTERSHIRE)

Arrived in the Forest of Dean at 0853 hours. In fields just south of Speech House Hotel, some 30 Redwing were feeding.

We then spent two very cold hours (from 0900-1100 hours) at the very exposed New Fancy Viewpoint. There was a biting easterly wind and the sky was overcast. Despite this, COMMON RAVENS were everywhere, rolling in display over the vast woodland arena - perhaps 20 in all, with parties of four together. They were very vocal too, their deep guttural calls carrying great distances.

New Fancy View is one of the best sites in Britain for NORTHERN GOSHAWK and despite the very poor conditions, did not disappoint today. During the two hours that we watched, three different birds were observed - two males and one female - all over the extensive Larch plantations to the right (east) of the watchpoint. Although distant, some views in the 'scope were quite reasonable and at one point, a male was seen perched at the top of a Larch.

A Eurasian Sparrowhawk was also seen, along with 5+ Common Buzzards, 15+ COMMON CROSSBILLS, 1-2 HAWFINCHES, Coal Tit and several SISKINS.

PARKEND, FOREST OF DEAN

The DIPPER was showing very well on the stream just below the bridge adjacent to the Fountain Inn and Lodge.

YORKLEY ANGLING CLUB LAKE, CANNOP PONDS (FOREST OF DEAN)

The main lake held 11 MANDARIN DUCKS (8 drakes), as well as 2 Mute Swans. A Nuthatch was calling from trees in the car park.

MALLARDS PIKE LAKE (FOREST OF DEAN)

A further 5 MANDARIN DUCKS were observed (4 drakes), along with Greylag Geese, Mallard and Moorhen.

SPEECH HOUSE WOODLANDS (FOREST OF DEAN)

In the area of woodland opposite Speech House, up to 10 HAWFINCHES were observed, including splendid views of singing males at the tops of the Hornbeam trees. Two Nuthatches were also noted.

Driving west through WALES into Powys on the A40, 4 RED KITES were seen east of Trecastell, near Graig-goch Farm.

USK RESERVOIR (POWYS)

Some superb views were obtained of a wintering NORTHERN GREY SHRIKE in the clearfell area 1 mile south of the reservoir at the road junction. A further RED KITE and COMMON RAVEN were also seen here.

RED KITES

Driving north from Llandovery and Builth Wells, RED KITES were frequently encountered, with 1 in Llandovery town followed by 2 west of the A483 in the Afon Wyddon Valley and singles in Llanwrytd Wells and from the B4358 at Llanafanfawr.

GIGRIN FARM FEEDING STATION, RHAYADER (POWYS)

Arrived 45 minutes late at 1445 hours and consequently 'dipped' the juvenile Black Kite seen daily for over 7 weeks. It was not recorded all afternoon and we sat in a freezing hide until 1720 hours.

The RED KITE spectacle was something out of this world and truly amazing. Up to 300 of these majestic raptors flew in to the feeding station, some 70 or more sat in neighbouring trees. One was a 5-year old leucistic individual.

At least 40 Common Buzzards were also attending, along with 30 or more COMMON RAVENS, whilst when the food ran out, 30 Pied Wagtails flew in and fed on the grass. A single male Eurasian Sparrowhawk flew over.