Back on the patch

 Last weekend, I returned to my favourite local patch for birdwatching - Goldcliff Lagoons.  I have not been as faithful over the winter to the reserve that I fell in love with many years ago. I've wandered and been visiting some other Gwent locations, such as Peterstone Gout.

Now, I plan to be back at least once a week when I can find the time. The reserve has undergone some changes over the last year or so. A new electric fence has been installed. This caused some controversy amongst birders and photographers alike. Much of the fence is closer to the hides, and the view is not as good anymore as the posts or mesh are in the way - it's made life a bit more challenging, but I am sure we can adapt.

There has been some long-needed maintenance completed by contractors for NRW in addition to the fence work.

1. A path and steps have been implemented for Hide 1. 
2. New steps have been built for Hide 2.
3. The Redshank Platform has been completely demolished. More on this later.
4. New wood screens on the Snipe Platform
5. The Lapwing Platform has been completely demolished
6. New wood screens ( in progress) for the Marsh Platform.
7. New wood screens for the Avocet Hide
8. Doors were replaced on all three of the hides.

Steps have been repaired to Hide 1.

Hide 2 now has steps leading up to it. Much better, as the slope used to get very slippery.

The Marsh Platform has new timber panels.

Avocet Hide with fence panels. These are ok, but this actual spot used to be great for watching Wheatears on the fence posts.

I am encouraged that the NRW have implemented the maintenance work, although I must admit I don't agree with how some of it has been completed and I think overall whilst the fence work was well needed to protect the birds I am really unhappy that the Redshank Platform has been demolished and will be no more.

Red-Necked Phalarope

The Redshank Platform was, in my opinion, one of the best platforms for watching the birds on Monks Lagoon. I have taken a huge amount of photographs, watched incredible flocks of waders and enjoyed the company of many enthusiastic and friendly birders. I will never forget spotting a Red-necked Phalarope in a flock of Dunlins in 2019 from the platform.

Demolished Redshank Platform and Hawthorn Tree.

Sadly, the platform was neglected from repair work. I remember visiting just after the new electric fence was built, and the platform was falling apart, and the fence had been erected so close to the platform that the view was now very obstructed by wire mesh, making it almost useless for birdwatching.

The final nail in the coffin was when a contractor apparently demolished the platform by mistake!

The Redshank Plaform - RIP. I loved watching many sunsets from this platform.

There is little trace of the Redshank Platform now. Even the Hawthorn Tree, in which Common Whitethroats regularly built a nest in, has been cut down and obliterated. Other similar vegetation has been removed all around the perimeter of the fencing, which used to serve as a habitat for many birds. I suspect that the removal may be to prevent predators using them to climb the fence or dig underneath it, but it just does not feel right to me.

The new fence now dominates the reserve and has earned many derogatory names for its resemblance to a POW camp. Ultimately, I hope it does a good job at keeping the predators out this year.

The disabled ramps - which were always in my opinion a waste of money being built as access to the reserve is not disabled friendly are in a poor state. Hide 1's ramps are in total ruination and inaccessible, and Hide 2's are starting to look worn.

It has been good to see the new fence panels erected on Snipe, Marsh Platforms and the Avocet Hide, although I am not really overwhelmed with the look of them - it looks too rough and raw for my liking.

So, that's my review of the state of the reserve as I see it at the moment. There are good and bad things, really, compared to a few years ago.

On the bird front, however, things are looking much better, and I am hoping 2025 will be a great year for birding at the reserve.

Black Tailed Godwits

There was a big flock of Black Tailed Godwits - 300+ birds. As many of my readers will know, I love wader flocks in flight, and I was really pleased that on several occasions, they took to the air and put on some amazing acrobatic displays.

I counted at least 60+ Avocets around the reserve. At this time of the year, the Avocets come into the reserve in readiness for breeding. Many of them were pairing up, and I saw one pair mating.

I noticed that one of the Avocets was colour ringed -

I could not read the digits on the red coloured ring, although I suspect this bird H9, which in previous has been sighted at the lagoons.

Whilst walking around the reserve, I got to see my first Chiffchaff of 2025. It was singing away in a Hawthorn Tree.

ChiffChaff

It felt good to be back, and I am really encouraged by the numbers of birds on the reserve and must concede it is good to see some of the maintenance work having been done by the NRW.