A Glorious day today with lots of sunshine and quite warm in sheltered spots. I was completing my second round of TTV's for a tetrad of mine. This tetrad is situated between Cimla and Cwmavon. Lots of birds were singing and Spring was in the air, but I was surprised to see a Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta flying past and settling on some Ivy Hedera helix to warm up. A little later a Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni was seen in flight not far from the Red Admiral.
Pair of Crossbill, 80 Redwing and 15 Fieldfare were the best of the birds. Also rather unusually 6 adult Ross's Goose circling around Hawdref-fawr. This behavior and the fact that this species is often kept in captivity suggests to me they must be a feral flock. If I'd seen them yesterday on the Neath river I'd be a lot more excited! Probably saved my blushes!!
5 comments:
We're very jealous, convinced we'd have seen the odd butterfly today - nice pic pic too!
Thanks Barry. The Law of Averages reassured me that I would take a photo in focus eventually.
There is a private waterfowl collection at Hawdref-fawr farm owned by Rhodri Richards son of the late Dr D B Richards (see GBC forum, obituary)
Colin.
Thanks Colin. That's very sad news regarding Dr Richards. I have a copy of his Birds of Glamorgan and often looked on in envy when reading about the sorts of birds that were commonplace when he wrote it. His philosophy certainly shines strong at Hawdref-fawr. Some of the habitats there are amazing.
My apologies I seem to have confused two different books. Dr Richards wrote the chapter on "Bird Life" in Neath and District - A Symposium. Both Red and Black Grouse noted as breeding residents. That must have been pretty nice
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