BRECONSHIRE

HIGHLIGHTS: A single Black-tailed Godwit (5th) was at Llangorse Lake. A Lesser Whitethroat, scarce here, sang from Llangorse hedgerows from 7th. A Hawfinch attended garden feeders at Llanwrthwl (19th). Hobbies hunting moths and dragonflies over moorland in the Black Mountains were seen on several dates. The second first-summer Med Gull of the spring occurred at Brechfa Pool (25th), possibly the same seen with two Common Terns at Llangorse (31st). A Greenshank fed there (25th-26th). LLANGORSE LAKE: Four Dunlin, two Ringed Plovers, two Little Ringed Plovers and a Common Sandpiper fed along the Llangasty shore (2nd), while single Little and Great White Egret fed in the shallows. Up to five Little Egrets were seen later on. The first Hobby returned (3rd). Four pairs of Lapwings that laid a first clutch of eggs in arable crops in Talyllyn all failed, then relocated mid-month to drying meadows for a second attempt. Seven Great Crested Grebes and a non-breeding herd of 72 Mute Swans were seen. The crèche of Canada Geese goslings increased to 40 by the month’s end, and four pairs of Barnacle Geese marshalled 16 goslings at Lakeside. Passage Shelduck and Redshank called in on several dates. OTHER SITES: The Black-headed Gull colony at Brechfa Pool increased again to hold 250 adults (1st). Barn Owls were noted at three locations on the A40 – Crickhowell, Bwlch and Llanhamlach. A better arrival of Common Sandpipers on the River Usk below Brecon was apparent with 16 evenly spread between Pencelli and Llansantffraed (4th). Whinchat territory counts in the Black Mountains were promising, as were Tree Pipit and the occasional Whitethroat in ‘ffridd’ habitats. Pairs of Red Grouse were found on Abergwesyn Common and in the central and eastern Beacons. Wood Warbler arrived back on time with several at Fennifach, Yr Allt (Sennybridge), Talybont Reservoir and Carngafallt, but return of Spotted Flycatcher, House Martin and Swift was slow and incomplete by month’s end. Breeding Goosander were seen on the Wye and Usk, and at Dolymynach Reservoir. Single Ringed Plover and Dunlin were feeding at Talybont Reservoir (25th). Andrew King, with Keith Noble, Mark Waldron and www.brecknockbirds.co.uk