Hadyn Jones

Collister Pill 2 GWEgrets east 30 mins apart,3 Sand Martin,216 Curlew,105 Shelduck,13 Redshank,63 Wigeon,2 Teal,3 Pintail,1 Grey Heron being main birds. Also 20 Fieldfare at Magor Marsh.

Dark bellied Brent Goose feeding low tide at West Pill, Peacock butterfly and a Weasel ran across my path.

@sferguk They are doing well in my local wood also.

Hardly worth an honorary mention anymore, these birds are becoming more and more common on our little reserve. Long may it be so... Firecrest. 😍

Collister Pill a.m. and Dark Bellied Brent Goose present again.Also 260 Common Gulls in adjacent field.

Daffodils flowering all over the allotments now but this one is my favourite.

@models_by_Russ Worth looking into.

Dear Prime Minister & Home Secretary, I hope this letter finds you well, fully caffeinated, and in possession of a calculator. I’m writing with what I believe is a modest, fiscally responsible proposal. I understand the Government is offering up to £40,000 to certain individuals to voluntarily leave the United Kingdom. First of all — bold strategy. Nothing says “strong borders” quite like a cashback scheme. Now, I regret to inform you that I am, in fact, a fully tax-paying, law-abiding British citizen. I know — awkward. I appreciate this may disqualify me from the premium exit package, but I’m willing to negotiate. I would like to formally apply for £35,000 to leave. You see, unlike some applicants, I haven’t broken any laws to get here. I didn’t arrive by dinghy. I didn’t require processing, housing, or legal appeals. I’ve actually been funding the whole operation through PAYE for years — which I believe makes me a loyal shareholder in this enterprise. Given that you’re prepared to offer £40,000 for someone to depart voluntarily after entering illegally, I feel £35,000 for someone who’s been here legally all along represents excellent value for money. Think of it as a “Buy British, Get One Gone” discount. For £35,000 I will:    •   Leave quietly.    •   Not require a press conference.    •   Not demand a diversity officer to wave me off.    •   Even carry my own suitcase to the airport. I may also tweet a polite thank-you note on departure, praising the efficiency of the scheme. Frankly, it feels like I’ve misunderstood how incentives work in modern Britain. All these years I thought obeying the law, paying taxes, and contributing to society were the winning strategy. Turns out the real pro-move is to arrive unlawfully and wait for a loyalty bonus. Who knew? While British families are juggling rent, energy bills, and the weekly food shop like contestants on a dystopian game show, it’s reassuring to know the Treasury has located a spare £40,000 per head for voluntary goodbyes. May I ask — is there a points card? Ten years of National Insurance contributions and I get a free exit bonus? If so, I believe I’m overdue. In the spirit of fairness and fiscal responsibility, I am not even asking for the full £40,000. I’m trimming £5,000 off to help balance the books. That’s the kind of responsible budgeting I was raised on. If successful, I promise to:    •   Leave via a scheduled flight (economy is fine).    •   Not stage a protest on the runway.    •   And refrain from re-entering on a small boat to see if I qualify twice. All I ask is equal treatment. If departure is now a funded career pathway, I would very much like to submit my CV. Yours in hopeful relocation, A slightly confused taxpayer

A healthy population of Firecrests in Lower Minnetts Wood singing already.

Whimbrel on the saltmarsh at east side of Newport Wetlands.

Collister section,WeBS .1 D bellied Brent,334 Curlew,296 Wigeon,134 Shelduck,1 Snipe,7 Redshank,51 Dunlin,30 Canadas,8 Common,96 BH,3H,1 LBBGulls,6 Mallard.Magor Marsh 1 Hen Harrier,12 Gadwall,11 Teal,2 Water Rail,1 L Grebe,1 Chiffchaff,14 Grey Heron,12 Mutes,1 Cettis,2 Stonechat

@jer63 Weather like that in short supply at the mo.

Blue skies and sunshine... perfect morning for a walk 😎

WeBS count section Collister. 355 Curlew, 700 Dunlin,300 Wigeon,45 Redshank,280 Common Gull(most in adj field),2 Barwit, 11 Grey Plover,306 Shelduck,1 Lapwing,33 Snipe(personal patch record),11 Herring Gull,7 BHGull,31 Canadas.

Thought I’d have no chance when I arrived on site this am with 1000+ waders scattered everywhere most of them asleep then this little beauty picked its head up😍 Spoony Sandpiper, Khok Kham, Thailand #BirdsSeenIn2026

Collister over 3000 Dunlin and 40 Grey Plover. Uncountable number of Fieldfare in hawthorn hedges between Collister and West Pill. 400+ Lapwing in fields east of Collister track. 1 Stonechat.

Whooper Swan with the Canadas at Collister this morning.

RSPB Newport saltmarsh and my latest Whimbrel ever today. Expect it to be my earliest next year. Presumably wintering.

Sitting in my sunny conservatory reading Birdwatch and my 1st Winter garden Blackcap,a female, appears.

At West Pill this late a.m. 90+ Grey Plover,(nos recently increased),@1700 Dunlin, 50 Redshank 1 Jack Snipe,1 Knot,1 Turnstone and 4 Scrambling bikes.Also 200 Common Gulls in nearby field.

@AllanConlin Brilliant. Had to go up to about 14500 feet to get a couple, gasping for air but worth it. Years ago now.

WOW!!! 😊 After 5hrs at 9300ft in the Andes 🏔 lungs bursting, heart pounding & spine truly tested it wasn't looking great. One last go at a likely looking spot when the shout came from good pals Brian & Kim. BLOODY HELL! 2xad Diademed Sandpiper Plover. DELIGHTED👊 🇨🇱

@01000011S I'm very envious.

Collister Pill a.m. part of WeBS.320 Curlew, 2000 Dunlin,172 Shelduck,1 Whimbrel,32 Redshank,6 Black tailed Godwit,1 Oyk, 20 Grey Plover,2 Jack Snipe,28 Wigeon,4 Teal,28 Canadas,4 L Egret,15 H Gull,1 BH Gull,1 Rock Pipit.