Publication of ‘Breconshire Birds’ Annual Bird Report – 2016.
The ‘Breconshire Birds’ Annual Report for 2016 has just been published by Brecknock Wildlife Trust and is now available to purchase. This edition continues a long tradition of annual reports describing local birdlife sightings since 1962.
The report lists 176 species and sub-species seen within the Brecknock bird recording area in 2016. Considering the county’s geographical position away from coasts and predominantly upland in nature, this is a healthy total and testament to the hard work put in by both local and visiting bird-watchers.
The Report describes one new species added to the County list – Avocet. A decade or so ago a sighting of this elegant wader in Breconshire would have seemed highly unlikely, but with new breeding populations on the Severn Estuary and inland in North-west England it became a reality in 2016. Discovery of this species at Llangorse Lake, the familiar emblem of the RSPB, is described in a short article by Peter Seaman who knows the species well.
Other unusual species found in the county in 2016 included just the second and third sightings on record for Shorelark and White-winged Black Tern. The Report also describes occurrence of other scarse species such as Long-tailed Duck, Manx Shearwater, Little Tern and Yellow-browed Warbler, all of which were seen at Llangorse Lake. The hills and farmland elsewhere in the county also made rarity contributions with Dotterel, Turtle Dove, Water Pipit and Snow Bunting. However, interesting sightings for all 176 species seen are presented with, where possible, some indication of how each species is faring.
The Report also publishes 2016 data from the Llangorse Ringing Group, a small group of fully-licensed ringers active in the Lake margins and on surrounding farmland. Over 2600 birds of 51 species were handled, with re-trap results contributing much knowledge about breeding performance and movements, including several migrant warblers across France and Spain. Furthermore, an article on Ravens in Breconshire gives readers an insight into how changes in livestock-rearing have changed this bird’s distribution over the last 20 years.
A fine selection of photographs and sketches are also included in the Report that extends to 80 pages.
Copies of the Report are great value at £7 (£8.20p inclusive of postage) from the Brecknock Wildlife Trust (01874 625708) either by post, or by collection from the Trust offices at Lion House, Bethel Square, Brecon, Powys LD3 7AY.
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