Dartford Warbler

Earlier in the spring a pair of Dartford Warblers were discovered in the west of the county, and since then a few of us have been checking in on them when passing.  Last week I was delighted to locate the pair with at least 2 fledged youngsters (possibly more).  The male was regularly singing so hopeful that a 2nd brood could be on the cards.

You can read up about Dartford Warblers in Pembrokeshire on the Pembrokeshire Avifauna here:

https://pembsavifauna.co.uk/category/dartford-warbler/

Photos of the male taken from a public footpath with a long telephoto lens 8/6/26.

Swifts

3 swifts this morning (10am) over Broad Haven beach and sea front properties.    Ya! (First I’ve seen thus year 😊)

Vicky Pearson

Ty Rigg

Nightjar  heard 2/3 calling but didn't see any

Tawny owl 2 calling

Hornets

Not actually a bird but interesting none-the-less. See below from Steve Smith:

Not sure if this the right place but I'm sure that you can pass on the information to the relevant people but I have seen two European Hornets in Stepaside today.  About 5pm and at 18.45pm. They were definitely European and not Asian Hornets.  Brownish/ yellow about 1" 1/4 maybe 1"1/2 long. So chuffed as they are only the 2nd and 3rd time that I have ever seen them.

Caldey

From Steve Smith: Spent the day on Caldy island.  Highlights--- Meadow Pipits everywhere,. Linnets, Stonechat,  Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Goldfinch,  Goldcrest, Swallows,  Sand Martin, House Martin  sadly no Swifts even in Tenby before and afterwards, Heard a Chough but didn't get to see it. Whilst I was having lunch sat on the beach there was 3 Terns offshore but no bins or scope to identify them,  only had the 70mm-200mm lens with me.  

Brynberian moor

Another cracking afternoon on one of my favourite hideaways. Dragonflies were the main reason but these were a bit thin on the wing. Dozen Southern damsels the pick, golden ringed, four-spot chaser, emperor and a few keeled skimmers plus commoner species. 7 whinchat (4 male, 3 female), first cuckoos seen this year looked like a female getting grief from the pipits and male calling. Numbers of Redpoll, their buzzing was ever present today with groups moving between the patches of gorse. Siskins as well passing. Family groups of linnet, couple of whitethroat visiting nests and reed buntings also at a nest. Highlight for me though were 3 grasshopper warbler (just when I thought I was losing their song) and finished off with a family of Redstart.

Lower Fishguard

From Samuel Levy: This afternoon (11th June) we had a Drake Pintail hanging out with the moulting Mallards by the Lower Town Car Park in Fishguard. 

WESTERN REEF HERON, 13 May, Sandy Haven

Looks like another good bird that almost slipped through. A first for the UK if accepted. Images from Facebook via Whatsapp.

Dale Airfield and the Gann

From Samuel Levy: The Euro Golden Plover was still present on Dale Airfield this morning but then flew strongly North after being spooked by a Kestrel and didn't return. 

We then headed down to The Gann where little was happening, however while we were eating lunch 3 Black-tailed Godwit appeared over the Bay circling high up before continuing high South!

The best of the rest was a Drake Teal at Marloes Mere later in the afternoon. 

Dale Airfield

From Samuel Levy: 

A quick visit to Dale Airfield this morning saw a small passage of Sand and House Martin over head. But the biggest surprise was a summer plumaged Euro Golden Plover on the western runway    51.715350,-5.196216

Bullfinch

5 Bullfinch including 4 juvenile in the cottage garden where I'm staying in Stepaside and a Red Kite over this morning.  Hopefully i will update with plenty of sightings this evening after a visit to the Deer Park / Marloes / Dale areas later on

 

Steve 

Minwear 5/6 Llawhaden update

Unexpected sight of a Black Swan on the Cleddau down-stream from the viewpoint on 5/6!, loosely associated with a pair of Mute Swans. Despite its escape status it is amazing bird, check out those crinkly tertials!

Also brief view of a sub-adult Peregrine, and distant views of what looked like a family party of Shelduck (pair plus 5 juvs).

Good variety of song birds in the woods but no sight nor sound of any Wood Warblers.

Llawhaden update

First fledgling House Sparrows are out, House Martins are still busy nest building, a pair of Blackbirds are on their second nesting attempt (after we think losing the first brood possibly to a local cat), a male Bullfinch is visiting the apparently collecting seed food and a family party (or 2) of  7+ Mistle Thrushes are around. A pair of Swifts are taking an interest in a nest site under a loose tile in an adjacent house that is already occupied by House Sparrows that are feeding young!