Manxies in the dead of night

 Went kayaking out of Lower Town Fishguard yesterday afternoon and spent the night on a small inaccessible (by land) beach near the fort. I didn’t sleep that well but didnt expect to hear in the dead of night several Manx Shearwaters just off the fort flying around and calling. No idea how many were around and probably not that unusual so close in, it was just a first for me. On the paddle out a pair of Oystetcatchers with 2 juvs protested loudly and single Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper, while after sunrise this morning a Kestrel explored the cliffs while 2 Chough tumbled around near Goodwick beach.

Yellow wagtail, Marloes Mere

A Yellow wagtail among a dozen young Pied wagtails picking flies from the wallowing Welsh blacks on a quick check this evening. 3 swifts flew over, a single dunlin. 1000s of butterflies mostly red admiral, meadow brown, painted ladies, gatekeeper and large whites. 2-3 Lesser emperor and a few red-veined darter.

Quail in Moylegrove

Quail heard calling regularly over the last few days at Llech Y Drybedd, Moylegrove. 

Steve Halton 

Quail in Sutton

 2:50 AM I am looking out of the bedroom window at the stars, and a Quail starts calling from a nearby field, no idea where exactly, but its a first for the village as far as I know. Seem to be quite a few about too.

Gann

The Western Reef Heron still present at the Gann this evening, feeding along the foreshore on the falling tide.

A nice selection of waders, including a male Ruff, 3 Dunlin, 3 Whimbrel, a Greenshank, 18 Redshank and 8 stunning adult Black-tailed Godwits. Nice to enjoy the birds with Rob Cox (Dave & Lisa).

Quail, Llanteg 10.07.2026

Following on from Mike's record  of this morning at Stackpole, I am delighted to say that we've also had a quail calling on our property this evening, from the long grass and bracken that borders our northern hedge - its distinctive whet -whit whit call continued from 7 pm to at least 7.45, when I had to come in to calm me nerves!

Dr Kevin J. Caley

Western Reef heron, still at the Gann

The heron was on the foreshore around 8:30 this morning. 

3 greenshank on Marloes mere first thing but soon flew off as I approached. Another example of what can drop in here. 100s of gatekeepers.

Quail at Stackpole

A quail heard calling late this morning whilst walking from the 8 Arch Bridge to Stackpole Quay Car Park. About halfway between in a long grass field on the right of the track.

Nightjar, Ty Rhyg

A first visit of the year. Just a single nightjar flying around and likely same bird churring in the big clearfell between 10:15-11pm. At times it flew up surprisingly high. Lovely evening for it.

 

Pickleridge Pools

Shame on me - I have only just got round to twitching the Reef Heron. Having only seen this species in non-breeding plumage before I was struck by how smart the breeding plumage was - a silvery bluish grey - and how bright the feet were! It was continually moving along the far bank, fishing as it went, half-opening its wings before diving forwards - it must have been catching fry I suppose. There was also a big flock of Oystercatchers - about 50 - and also a flock of Redshank. 

I have never seen the pools so low - the outlet stream was completely dry and the sea level wasn't going to come anywhere near - high tide today was only 5.64 metres - barely enough to cover the bridge. There were shingle banks in places where I never knew they existed. 

NB Not birds: A nice piece of grasslands is developing at the far end of the bank - good grassland plants (trefoils etc) and plenty of 6-spot Burnet moths.  

Rosemary Royle 

Skokholm

Turtle Dove still here today

Western Reef heron, still at the Gann

The heron was skulking around under the roadside trees at 8:30pm, fishing along the edges up to Crabhall Barn and back. Hard to see in the shadows and overhanging branches. It eventually flew across towards the beach. 6 Little egret clustered on the low tideline. Note: It spent around 15 days in North Wales before coming back to Pembrokeshire, it's been here around 15 days now, might it be getting itchy feet for another adventure?

2 black-tailed godwits at Marloes Mere. The field that last weeks quail flew into has been cut.

Skokholm

Turtle Dove here this evening