🐦 Woodland & River Highlights

Some of the Wye Valley’s most elusive gems live in the woods and along the riverbanks. They’re harder to find, but worth the patience.

Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis / Glas y dorlan)

• Description: Jewel‑bright bird with electric blue back and orange underparts.

• Size: 16–17 cm.

• Where it lives: Rivers, streams, ponds with clear water.

• Nest: Tunnel dug into riverbank, ending in a chamber.

• Eggs: Glossy white, laid in clutches of 5–7.

• Call/Song: Sharp, high “peep” in flight.

• Seasonal Presence: Year‑round, but easier to spot outside breeding season.

• Similar Species: None locally — unmistakable.

• Spotting Tip: Look for a flash of blue darting low over water.

• Photo Tip: Best near perches over water; early light enhances colours.

• Rarity: Local Speciality — breeds along the Wye.

• Folklore: Symbol of peace and prosperity; said to nest during calm weather.

Nuthatch (Sitta europaea / Telor y coed)

• Description: Blue‑grey back, chestnut flanks, black eye stripe.

• Size: 14 cm.

• Where it lives: Mature woodland, large gardens with old trees.

• Nest: Tree holes, often plastered with mud to reduce entrance size.

• Eggs: White with reddish speckles; 6–8 per clutch.

• Call/Song: Loud, whistling “dwit-dwit” calls.

• Seasonal Presence: Year‑round resident.

• Similar Species: Treecreeper (but Nuthatch climbs downwards).

• Spotting Tip: Watch for horizontal movement on trunks.

• Photo Tip: Side‑on shots show eye stripe and posture.

• Rarity: Occasional — present but patchy.

• Folklore: Associated with determination and cleverness.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dryobates minor / Cnocell fraith fach)

• Description: Tiny woodpecker, black‑and‑white with red crown (male).

• Size: 14–15 cm.

• Where it lives: Deciduous woodland, old orchards.

• Nest: Hole in dead wood, lined with wood chips.

• Eggs: White, 4–6 per clutch.

• Call/Song: Soft drumming and high “kee-kee-kee.”

• Seasonal Presence: Year‑round but elusive.

• Similar Species: Great Spotted Woodpecker (larger, louder).

• Spotting Tip: Listen for gentle drumming in spring.

• Photo Tip: Use long lens; often high in canopy.

• Rarity: Declining / Conservation Concern — very scarce.

• Folklore: Symbol of rarity and hidden beauty.

🐚 Gulls & Water Birds

Occasional visitors from the coast or wetlands, these birds bring a different flavour to the valley when they appear.

Common Gull (Larus canus / Gwylan ganolig)

• Description: Medium gull with pale grey back, white head, greenish legs, neat appearance.

• Size: 40–46 cm; wingspan 110–125 cm.

• Where it lives: Coasts, estuaries, fields; occasional inland along rivers.

• Nest: Ground scrape lined with vegetation on islands or coastal grass.

• Eggs: Olive‑brown with dark blotches; 2–3 per clutch.

• Call/Song: High, plaintive calls; softer than Herring Gull.

• Seasonal presence: Primarily winter visitor inland.

• Similar species: Black‑headed Gull (smaller, red legs, chocolate hood in summer).

• Spotting tip: Scan winter fields and mixed gull flocks.

• Photo tip: Flight shots to show wing pattern and clean head.

• Rarity: Occasional.

• Folklore: Weather sentinel — flocks foretell changing winds.

Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos / Pioden y traeth)

• Description: Small brown‑and‑white wader; distinctive tail bobbing and low, fluttering flight.

• Size: 18–20 cm.

• Where it lives: Riverbanks, lakeshores, gravel bars.

• Nest: Ground nest near water, hidden in vegetation.

• Eggs: Cream with dark speckles; 3–5 per clutch.

• Call/Song: Rapid “swee‑wee‑wee” call in flight.

• Seasonal presence: Summer visitor (April–September); passage in spring/autumn.

• Similar species: Green Sandpiper (larger, darker upperparts, white rump patch).

• Spotting tip: Watch for a jittery run along margins followed by a short flush flight.

• Photo tip: Low angle at water’s edge; reflections add context.

• Rarity: Occasional.

• Folklore: The river’s little messenger.

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus / Ibis sgleiniog)

• Description: Dark, long‑billed wader with bronze‑green iridescence; slim neck and curved bill.

• Size: 55–65 cm.

• Where it lives: Marshes, floodplains, wet meadows.

• Nest: Colonial nests in reedbeds or trees over water.

• Eggs: Pale blue; 3–4 per clutch.

• Call/Song: Harsh croaks at colonies; generally quiet when feeding.

• Seasonal presence: Rare visitor; most records in autumn/winter after storms.

• Similar species: Curlew (larger, streaked, long legs); Cormorant (bulkier, different posture).

• Spotting tip: Look for metallic sheen in sunlight over shallow wetlands.

• Photo tip: Golden hour to reveal iridescence; include habitat for scale.

• Rarity: Occasional.

• Folklore: An exotic omen of high waters.

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo / Mulfran)

• Description: Large, dark waterbird with long neck and hooked bill; often seen drying wings.

• Size: 80–100 cm; wingspan 130–160 cm.

• Where it lives: Rivers, lakes, reservoirs, coasts.

• Nest: Stick platforms in trees, cliffs, or man‑made structures.

• Eggs: Pale blue, chalky; 3–4 per clutch.

• Call/Song: Deep croaks at roosts/colonies.

• Seasonal presence: Year‑round; numbers swell in winter inland.

• Similar species: Shag (smaller, slimmer bill, more coastal).

• Spotting tip: After fishing, watch for classic wing‑spreading posture.

• Photo tip: Backlit silhouettes when drying; close focus for emerald eye.

• Rarity: Occasional inland.

• Folklore: Fisher’s rival — once feared, now a dramatic fixture.

Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla / Gwylan y graig)

• Description: Graceful gull with clean white plumage, black wingtips, yellow bill; short legs.

• Size: 37–41 cm; wingspan 95–110 cm.

• Where it lives: Sea cliffs, coastal waters; rarely inland.

• Nest: Mud and vegetation cup on narrow cliff ledges.

• Eggs: Olive with dark blotches; 2–3 per clutch.

• Call/Song: Distinct “kitt‑ee‑waake” cry.

• Seasonal presence: Summer breeder on coasts; scarce inland in storms.

• Similar species: Common Gull (green legs, broader wing panel).

• Spotting tip: Look for tight cliff colonies and black “hand” wingtips.

• Photo tip: Side‑light on cliff flights; include waves/cliffs for context.

• Rarity: Occasional inland.

• Folklore: Sailor’s friend — herald of safe passage.

Lesser Black‑backed Gull (Larus fuscus / Gwylan gefn‑ddu lai)

• Description: Medium‑large gull with dark grey mantle and bright yellow legs; powerful bill.

• Size: 52–64 cm; wingspan 135–150 cm.

• Where it lives: Coasts, estuaries, urban rooftops, fields, tips.

• Nest: Ground nests on cliffs/roofs; lined with grass and seaweed.

• Eggs: Olive with dark blotches; 2–3 per clutch.

• Call/Song: Harsh, laughing “kyaa” calls.

• Seasonal presence: Summer breeder; some birds present inland in winter.

• Similar species: Herring Gull (paler back, pink legs).

• Spotting tip: Yellow legs are the quickest field cue; darker mantle than Herring.

• Photo tip: Flight shots to show mantle contrast and clean wing pattern.

• Rarity: Occasional inland.

• Folklore: Storm chaser — tied to changing seas and scavenger tales.

🎶 Finches & Songbirds

Songbirds are the soundtrack of the valley. Most are familiar, but a few rarities sometimes drop in, adding a surprise note to the chorus.

Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra / Crossbill)

• Description: Chunky finch with unique crossed bill tips; males usually red/orange, females greenish.

• Size: 16–17 cm.

• Where it lives: Conifer forests; follows cone crops.

• Nest: Twigs and moss high in conifers.

• Eggs: Pale green with reddish spots; 3–4 per clutch.

• Call/Song: Metallic “chip‑chip” flight calls; twittering song.

• Seasonal presence: Irregular; often winter irruptions when cone crops fail elsewhere.

• Similar species: Bullfinch (short, stout bill; very different calls).

• Spotting tip: Listen overhead in pines; watch flocks feeding, dropping cone scales.

• Photo tip: Aim for feeding sequences on cones; overcast light shows colours well.

• Rarity: Occasional.

• Folklore: Said to have crossed its bill trying to free Christ from the cross — a mark of devotion.

⚠️ Disclaimer

These guides are designed for guest enjoyment and casual identification at Reddings Retreat. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, they are not a substitute for professional field guides. Bird presence and nesting behaviour can vary seasonally and annually. Please observe wildlife responsibly and avoid disturbing active nests.

🌿 Final Note / Share Your Spotting

Every sighting adds to the story of Reddings Retreat. If you capture a special moment — whether it’s a robin feeding chicks or a buzzard circling overhead — we’d love to hear about it.

📩 Share your spotting with Charlotte directly, or tag us on social media. With your permission, we may feature your photo or story in future updates of our guides.

📚 Further Resources

For quick help identifying calls and photos, try the free Merlin Bird ID App. It’s a great way to log your sightings and build your own record of birds spotted at Reddings Retreat.