Bird meeting at Newtown NNR on 18th November

Nine members met at the National Trust visitor centre car park for a walk on the reserve led by Nicky Falconar. It was a beautiful morning with bright sunshine although the sun was low in the sky making bird watching at Causeway Lake rather difficult to begin with. Two Mistle Thrush made an appearance in the conifers near the car park, a good omen. The fields at Fleetlands Farm were peppered with Starling, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew and Lapwing and many Wigeon were on the mud at Causeway Lake. As we walked in the flower meadow  there were streams of Brent Geese flying by. We saw three Great Crested Grebe in Newtown River as well as some Cormorant and two LittleGrebe. Three Red Breasted Merganser flew towards Main Marsh. We also saw at least four Grey Plover, a Turnstone and a few Oystercatcher. A flock of Golden Plover were beautifully lit up in the November sunshine on Main Marsh and three Canada Geese were seen. Another three Great Crested Grebe were spotted. From the main hide we saw 16 Teal and some were lucky enough to see a Kingfisher. In all 33 species were noted.  Jackie Hart