Thursday 13th October (Tredegar)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into the trees of Tredegar Country Park. From the small pond a mallard quacked and from a tree near the pond a little owl called. The day looked promising and Mr. Kite was full of energy.

So at ten o'clock Mr. Kite was on route 4 cycling from Tredegar Country Park. Ten minutes later Mr. Kite was admiring Newport Transporter Bridge and soon was ferried across The Usk on a suspended Victorian platform; a very impressive ride.

Once over the river Mr. Kite headed along the roads and reached The Solutia Nature Reserve. Today Mr. Kite read the notice had a brief look and then carried on to The Great Traston Meadow. But Mr. Kite's target was Newport Wetlands.

Eventually Mr. Kite arrived at Newport Wetlands and was walking through the reserve towards The Lighthouse. Now Mr. Kite had a very pleasant day in the wetlands and watched at least thirty species of bird included spotted redshank, ruff, a good range of ducks and a female blackcap. Mr. Kite enjoyed the varied habitat that included the sea, the sea shore. reed beds, freshwater pools, woods, pools of sea water and plain simple trees and bushes.

Mr. Kite had a relaxing day in the sun sitting on seats and scanning the area. Now Mr. Kite then focused on two birds; the cetti's warbler and the bearded tit. Now Mr. Kite heard five cetti's warbler and possibly had a glimpse of one as it popped up out of the undergrowth before dropping back down. The bearded tit will have to wait for another day.

At the end of the afternoon Mr. Kite returned stopping at Gwent Level to look over the wall but nothing was there. Mr. Kite arrived at The Joint and enjoyed a tipple of Becks and the large flock of jackdaws appeared. Cheers from Mr. Kite who had a good day bird-watching.