Gods Country.

The Welsh are very quick to tell us that Wales is Gods country and after a 2 day stint in Powys and in particular the Elan Valley I am tempted to believe them. The Elan valley, close to Rhayader, is truly one of Gods best attempts to give us heaven on earth. Most of you reading this will have been there, but if any of you haven't then you should go. If for no other reason than to spend time in the open to admire the stunning views and the countryside at its best. The reservoirs and dams are beautiful, although if I had a choice of when to go to see them at their best it would be autumn/ winter.

Birds were our target, obviously, and Powys and the valley did not let us down. Let me list what what I've added to my yearly list from the 2 days spent there.

Red Kite, Ring Ouzel, Swallow, Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Grasshopper Warbler, Lesser Redpoll, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Whinchat, Stonechat, and Dipper.

We also saw lots of stuff that I've already got this year, infact most of my yearly list to date was seen. The Highlight though were nesting Kestrels. I'm not going to say where we saw them, I'm sure you will understand why, but we did and although the views of them were very distant, it was great to see a pair of one of  Britains most loved bird of prey hopefully bringing more of their number into the world.

Thats all well and good Brian I hear you say but lets see some photo's. Okay here goes.

Wheatear.

The top bird is the male of the species.

Meadow Pipit.

Buzzard,

Whinchat,

and finally Pied Flycatcher.

There will be more going into the gallery in the next day or two so have a look, its in my links. As usual you can click on each picture for a larger version.

I will be returning to Powys and the Elan valley again throughout the summer and will post anything more that I get on those trips in due course.