Getting 'savvy'. See what I did there? Newport Wetlands - 01/06/2014

With the forecast for nice weather today I made an early start and set off the the Wetlands before opening time. Upon arrival there was already a small gathering for the Savi's Warbler, and the bird had been in the same spot for over a week. He was showing much better today, and even allowed for some half decent shots. Only the 5th for Wales apparently, and first for Gwent!

Giving it some beans

After seeing Beardie's for the first time in Radipole a couple of weeks back, the gods of birding saw fit to mock me with some near the pontoon briefly. There was also a showy (and sing-y for that matter) Sedge Warbler in a tree of all places. After a quick chat with Rob and Mat, there was also a very showy Lesser White Throat in the lane. The sun seemed to be bringing them all out.

At Goldcliff there was an avalanche of Avocet, with three young 'uns feeding out on the lagoon. From the back hide I thought I had found a rarity, seeing what I thought was a golden plover, but with odd markings more similar to Yankee.. Humbling though, turned out to be a grey plover in breeding plumage, but I'd never realised how similar they get, having never seen grey this time of year. Chalk up another learning point, but still, one for the 2014 list...