Saturday 28 February 2009

Bird Atlas - update

Well, the second winter phase of the Atlas has now just ended so please try and get your last TTVs or Roving records in as soon as you can. We are now going through the huge task of checking and validating some 43,540 records entered so far by some 141 observers - quite a long slog!

If you get an automated email concerning any records we are querying please be patient with us as it is quite an onerous task! So far we have found very few errors (mostly location names not inside the tetrad - though we realise that this is not an easy thing to get off the Google map).

We have only checked 10% of the records, so there is still a long way to go. It will probably take most of our all too precious spare time in March to go through the remainder.

Coverage has been excellent. Thanks to everyone who has contributed records so far. We hope to produce a summary update for the Bird Report.

Spring is not far away, so please be ready to carry on the good work with TTVs etc from April onwards.

Pembroke millpond update 28th Feb

Black-tailed Godwits up to 63 wuth the colour ringed bird still present (right leg tarsu orange over yellow, Left leg Tarsus white or pale blue) this bird was present last year from 4th Feb to the 23rd March.
Greenshank -10

Black Redstart Amroth




Thanks to Mike Jones I eventually caught up with the Black Redstart
this afternoon.


Impressed

I'm not sure what I'm most impressed with - the fact that John & Marion had a Red Kite from their window, or the fact that they were listening to The Cure..... :-o

Black Necked Grebe

Photo taken recently of the Llys-y-Fran Black Necked Grebe by Melvin Grey. Click photo for larger image.

Whimbrel over Haverfordwest

Pete Howe had a Whimbrel calling over Haverfordwest last night c. 11.00.p.m.
Dave Glanville

Cattle Egret

The Newport Cattle Egret was roosting in the grass by the iron bridge with a Little Egret and Grey Herons at high tide this morning.
Also 15 Redshank, 19 Dunlin, 11 Ringed Plover, & 60 Wigeon on the estuary.
(Richard D.)

That Narberth bird

Saturday, 10am. So OK, Red Kites are now seen frequently in Pembs, and no doubt will become less reportable as their breeding success increases, but the one we have just observed cannot go unmentioned.
While sat in the conservatory drinking perk coffee, reading the sports page and listening to the Best of The Cure, the Narberth bird soared effortlessly above us - pure magic.

Who will be first to report Wheatear and Sand Martin?

Teifi.Marshes... first visit today!

No sign of the Bittern around the reserve before 09:30.
Cetti's Warblers,
2 singing from the Creek/Kingfisher hide area. 2 singing from near & far in front of Heron hide.
A stunning pair of Goosander on the river at dawn, also the regular 3 Otters together by Priory Bridge.
2 Little Egret's, Teal in decreasing numbers, but plenty of Reed Buntings singing throughout.
(Wendy & Rich D.)

Friday 27 February 2009

The Newport Cattle Egret







By Melvin Grey, some shots today..............

"Cracking" -- Black Redstart -- Amroth

Amroth;-
Mike Jones, today at 1300 was watching a "cracking male" Black Redstart in the car-park behind the shops, the bird also on the pebble cages that hold the bank together.

Harriers at Marloes

Walking the dogs this afternoon, met a birder from Haverfordwest - he`d seen 1 Ringtail catch some prey on the mere & was robbed of it by another bird, which he felt was "Kite" like in appearance, before it vanished in the reeds. Last week`s Marsh harrier perhaps?

Iceland Gull at Stackpole

Now back on line more regularly I hope - having moved back home.

A very fine adult Iceland Gull coasting around Stackpole Head this evening from the east, heading towards Broadhaven where other gulls were gathering on the beach. Seen very well at close range by four observers - a new site record.

Remains of a woodcock on Stackpole Head (fox-kill) and a very close in-shore Harbour Porpoise feeding litterally below the cliffs on east side of the head.

Firecrests (x2) calling in Holm oaks near the lakes eastern arm (where there are still 19 goosanders and 15 gadwall present). No obvious signs of sand martins yet.

A verbal report today from Kiri Howells (very well described) of an adult summer plumage Mediterranean Gull at Hobbs Point yesterday lunch time.

A chiffchaff also flew across the road near Sandy Haven yesterday.

Last Sunday fine quite large (suspect ad female) hen harrier hunting over Linney Head and a merlin hunting near Brownslade.

Cattle Egret -- Newport

Present this pm, from the iron bridge, either on the mud, or in the field with cattle.

Hen Harriers to Divers

Castlemartin Corse;-
Star birds this am, a lovely looking male Hen Harrier & a considorably larger ring tail Hen Harrier.
Not counted, but the ducks present included Pintail, Gadwall, Wigeon, many Teal, & a large number of Shoveler still. Several hundred Golden Plover passing through the area in various size flocks.
(no sign of the "Angle " Cattle Egret, Marsh Harrier, or Greylags)

Angle Bay;-
1 Great N. Diver, & 19 L. B. Brent Geese the highlights.
Bosheston;-
c8 rh Goosander still.
Fishguard Fort;-
3 Red Throated Divers.
(Wendy, Paul G. & Rich D.)

Whales in Wales Blog

A new Blog for sightings of Dolphins, Porpoises and other Cetaceans and marine wildlife around the Welsh coast has just been launched. Anyone interested in viewing it or sending in sightings can see the Whales in Wales Blog at www.whaleswales.blogspot.com

Thursday 26 February 2009

Bittern - Cilgerran

News from Tommy Evans - At about 3.30 today I saw a Bittern take off and land in some nearby reeds from the Kingfisher hide on Teifi Marshes - just inside Pembrokeshire!

Newport Cattle Egret

With the BH Gulls at the bridge @ 15-30 & still there @ 16-15.

Angle Area

At Kilpaison around 10 a.m. 300+ Dunlin, 12 Curlew, 100 or so Wigeon. 18 Pale Bellied Brents flew in - probably the birds from Angle Harbour. At the cattle feeder by the road to Angle 1 Brambling in with the Chaffinch flock.
At Angle Harbour there was 1 Greenshank and 13 Knot of note.
Tried Studdock Farm but no sign of the Cattle Egret reported yesterday.
Castlemartin Corse was very quiet with no Harriers seen. 2 Greylags still present viewed from the footpath behind Castlemartin Church together with 35 Lapwing.
Rich C, Morris N & Dave G.

more canada geese

There are 90 or the things on Midland now - loads of them displaying and creating what looks like terrritories - it will be interesting to see how many eventually settle down there.

Not much else on the Deer Park except a a couple of Stonechats, probably three pairs of Skylarks and a flock of 12 Meadow Pipits but otherwise quiet.

Chiffchaff on Tenby Golf Course yesterday afternoon.

North Pembs.

Newport;-
No sign of the Cattle Egret since first thing this am, at it's usual sites at least.

Teifi;-
1 Common Sand. still at Jewsons with 27 Redshank.
Around the estuary mouth 4 Turnstone, c35 Dunlin, c10 Ringed Plover.

Two Cetti's sites

This A.M. Site One - two Cetti's calling on opposite sides of Ritec Marshes, south of Gumfreston. Site Two - single bird calling from behind, and close to, Penally Station.

Newport -- Cattle Egret

The Cattle Egret present in the usual field beyond the bridge this am.(07:30)
(Karen)

Wednesday 25 February 2009

St David's Airfield

Bewick swan still present on pool this afternoon with 2 Canada Geese. Near the western entrance, a Peregrine and 3 Curlew.

Newport Cattle Egret

News from Tommy Evans - I note that yesterday the cattle egret in Newport went missing. It was certainly about today - at least for part of the time. I was at the bridge 10.15 to 10.30 and saw it perched on a tree on the right - looking upstream from the bridge. When I came back about 11.30 it was downstream of the bridge amongst the gulls, but then took off to land on a field being ploughed - again in the middle of a flock of gulls.

Angle Cattle Egret

Had a drive around Angle area today with a visitor to the area and found a rather scuffy Cattle Egret at South Studdock Farm, has this been in the area unnoticed all the time??? There was also several Brambling with a flock of Chaffinch at the same location.
The Marsh Harrier was also seen again on Castlemartin Corse, no Lapwing or Golden Plover.

Snow Bunting & (Irish) Black Guillemots


The remaining Snow Bunting on Fishguard outer breakwater allowed amazingly close views yesterday as it fed vigorously in a small patch of mud in the concrete.

I did a Ferry trip to Rosslare with Cliff and in the glassy calm conditions yesterday we saw a total of 27 Porpoises, mainly singles, some in groups of 2 and 3, several just resting/logging on the surface. On the bird front plenty of auks in small groups all across the Irish Sea, several Fulmars and Kittiwakes, 4 Gannets and, near Rosslare, a Red Throated Diver. In the morning there were 25 Black Guillemots in the harbour, all in summer plumage and with much courtship/display going on.

The return leg this morning was rather different - a slightly rougher sea meant we saw only 2 Porpoises but we had 42 Gannets, plenty of auks again and, back at Fishguard, 3 Red Throated Divers just outside and one inside the harbour.

Tuesday 24 February 2009

Spotted Redshank, Marsh Harrier, Bewick's etc...

Spotted Redshank;-
Guilford Pill;- tour with Mervyn Jones this am sorted this lovely bird out at last.
Many Thanks Mervyn, & a visit to Llangwm SWT at Port Lion, where quiet.

Marsh Harrier;-
Still quartering Castlemartin Corse today.
(Karen)

Bewick's Swan;-
The bird still on St. David's Airfield Pond.
(Mervyn J.)

North Pembs (No sign of Cattle Egret)

No sign of the Cattle Egret all day, (news from 4 observers)

Fishguard;-
Red Kite;-
A good record for town with Adrian having 4 over the house today.
Redpoll;-
An email from Bethan Evans, 3 feeding on Niger seed in her Fishguard garden today.
Fishguard Harbour;-
1 Shelduck, not a regular visitor.
Felindre;-
Brambling still feeding in Janet's garden

Newport, Little Owl;-
Singing from his chimney pot at 18:20 this evening.
(Janet & Sam)

Dartford Warbler

I saw one at the coastal site in the north of the county at 16:00.

Too many Canada Geese!!

At Marloes Mere today 62 geese with at least five pairs seemingly being territorial but on Midland Island c.40 birds (as on Friday last week) with at least 10 pairs settling down around the east coast of the island and lots of noise from the others. I wonder how many are settling down on Skokholm as there were numbers of birds from Marloes also heading out there.

There were at least 33 Gadwall on Marloes Mere this morning - highest count I have had. Usual other species in smallish numbers - probably two pairs of Little Grebe establishing themeselves.

No sign of any raptors. Deer Park quiet too - still only finding two or three Stonechats around.

Monday 23 February 2009

Iceland Gull

A 1st winter Iceland Gull was floating on the water, close in, at St Bride's Haven at 1400 hr. It seemed to be just resting so I left it undisturbed in case anyone else came along looking.

The adult Yellow - legged Gull was still at the Gann about half an hour later.

Cattle Egret -- Newport

8:54 until 9:30 at least, the bird was still at roost in the trees, upstream from the iron bridge.
(Karen & Wendy)

At 15:00 the bird was in the nearby field feeding with cattle, but then flew back to the river & preened amongst the Black-headed Gulls on the waters edge.
The little Egret is around the river/cattle too.

Harriers & Bewicks Swan

Castlemartin Corse;-
Not to be disappointed, I arrived at 8:30 & after 10 mins. of looking through ducks, males only counted, c40 Shoveler, 6 Pintail, 10's Teal, nos. of Gadwall, Wigeon & Mallard, a flock of c50 Teal dropped in, a quick scan to the west & the (large female) Marsh Harrier was quartering the reeds.

Bosheston;-
10 Goosander from 8 arch bridge.

St. David's Airfield;-
The Bewicks Swan still present on the pool.
Peregrine & Kestrel passed by.
A ring-tail Hen Harrier hunted low, putting up c30 Starlings as it dived down, but not re-appearing itself, so presumably caught one!
(Wendy & Rich. D.)

Whilst walking to the pool, in the distance, to the north, 4 smallish grey geese dropped down, presumably into a field, they were not Canada's! ..... To be looked for.

then there was 1


Marloes area - WW Gull and Marsh Harrier

I had the whole coast path from Marloes to Wooltack Point to myself this morning - not a soul in sight! Not an awful lot of birds either to tell the truth but those seen were nice ones. 9 Chough in all and a pair of Peregrines. On rocks just below Wooltack Point there was a first winter white winged Gull which was a little distant to pin down through the bins but I erred towards Glaucous.
In Jack Sound there were c.120 Kittiwakes and then walking back towards Marloes by Rath Cottage I had a fly past Marsh Harrier -a immature/female bird which could be the same one I saw at Catlemartin Corse yesterday and seen again early this morning by Richard Dobbins.
As I approached the hide at Marloes Mere all the ducks got up and I saw a Buzzard quickly followed by (yes you guessed it) a Marsh Harrier - no doubt the same bird seen 20 mins or so before. The Harrier briefly quartered the marsh before soaring and drifting off south east. On the mere the usual assortment of birds - 5 Little Grebes (a pair courting in front of the hide), 6 Gadwall, 70 Teal, 30 Mallard, 28 Wigeon, loads of very noisy Canada Geese, 2 Buzzards.
A quick look at the Gann was a bit of a waste of time with the tide right out but there were 12 Brents and 6 Goldeneye.

Sunday 22 February 2009

Pembroke Millponds

Pembroke Millpond update.
60 Black-tailed Godwits including one colour ringed bird, the water is too deep to see the lower colour but i think its the orange/yellow if seen here previously, I will let you know when it gets its legs out of the water.
Still 4 gadwall, 1 Male Pochard, 1 Tufted, 15 Dabchicks on the mainpond.

Cattle Egret & Little Owl..singing....Newport

Nevern Est;-
The Cattle Egret went missing from c11;30 this am.
It's position in the field (see blog below) was taken with a Little Egret, & the cattle wandered into a different field too!
Roost time 17:15,
& another visit to the iron bridge, & sure enough there is perched the Cattle Egret, 4m from the roosting Little Egret. The trees used for the roost are up-stream of the bridge, usually on the Newport side of the river.

To cap the day, a visit to the Little Owl site, where at 18:00 we could hear a Little Owl. At 18:10 it appeared on top of the chimney & started "singing", really throwing it's body into it!
A simple but amazing sight, is this the only "singing" Little Owl we have on the mainland.
Now is the time to find them......if we have any others????
(Karen & Rich D.)

Gann

9 Med Gulls in the roost tonight (8 ads, 1stW). One of the ads had a green ring on its left leg, but it flew off before we could read it. Also 24 pale-bellied Brents on the lagoon, and the Red-breasted Merganser in the bay. A search of St.Ann's Head & area earlier produced an adult Med Gull in a field following a plough, with another one doing the same near Marloes.

A cunning plan...

After spending the last few weekends covering every inch of the coast from Neyland to Wooltack searching for & not seeing this Gyr, I voiced my frustrations to Mike "the moth." "I`m going to sit in my garden and wait for for it to fly over St Ishmaels" he said. Brilliant! why didn`t I think of that?
Next weekend I shall arm myself with my trusty Leica bins, maybe a few bottles of Thatchers vintage cider & recline on a deckchair looking at the sky above the village. The only flaw I can see is which direction do I look?

Castlemartin - Harriers

At Castlemartin Corse this morning excellent, prolonged views of a well marked female /juvenile Marsh Harrier as it quartered the marsh putting up all the wildfowl. Also very brief views of an adult male Hen Harrier.
Quite good for wildfowl with the long staying 2 Greylags still present as well as c.200 Teal, 50 Wigeon, 60 Shoveller and 6 Pintail. Lapwings noticable by their absence with only 15 birds and just 60 Golden Plover.
By some cattle feeders on the road (B4320) overlooking Angle Bay 1 Brambling in with a flock of c.100 Chaffinch. (Rich C & Morris North)

Cattle Egret -- Newport




A couple of record shots from Adrian's trusty camera!



Newport -- Cattle Egret

The bird flew(all birds flushed by a buzzard) from the waters edge to the field with cattle beyond the bridge at c1030.
This field is best viewed from the open gate c400m from the iron bridge, beach side. The field has cattle , a cattle feeder & a nice pond with c20 Teal & 3/4 Wigeon, So pretty homely...
but at 1115 the bird then flew off upstream & lost to view.
Paul M. & Karen still looking.

A Merlin flew through whilst Adrian & I were watching from the bridge towards the reed-bed.

Glaucous Gull -- Withybush

The usual juv. Glaucous Gull was flying around the silage dump at 12:09.
(Paul G.)

Another Cattle Egret

The Webs count at Newport this am was entirely predictable, apart from 30 Common Gulls. Finally scanning the small flock of BH Gulls at the iron bridge in the hope of a Med or a darvic ring, there, at the water's edge, in with the gull flock, was a Cattle Egret.
It just sat there.
Richard Dobbins rang to say it was still there @ 10-45.

Cattle Egret at Newport

A Cattle Egret was found at newport by the iron bridge by Sam Baxter who rang Richard Dobbins who rang me to put out the news on the blog see you there Paul

Saturday 21 February 2009

"Gyr"........ Dale

A note from Andy Davies,
the gyr seen flying over West Dale towards st. Anne's Head,..sat lunchtime.

Glaucous Gull.(.s) -- Llys-y-fran ...&

Llys-y-fran resr;-
Gull roost very quiet, less than c500 birds, but very close!
1 larger, paler 1st year Glaucous Gull than the airfield bird, & 1 ad. Med. Gull.
Still 15+ Great Ctd. Grebes, but only 1 Goldeneye.

Rosebush Resr;-
No Goldeneye, 1 pr Great Ctd. Grebes,1 Goosander (f), & 7 Tufted Duck.
(Adrian & Rich D.)

The Gann;-
Dave A. did text from the Gann this pm, of a "monster" juv. Glaucous Gull present & an ad. Yellow-legged Gull.

Hen Harrier etc

21/02/09
Female Hen Harrier over Wallis Moor this morning along with a male reed bunting.
A quick visit to rosebush resevoir produced two pairs of tufted duck and a few little grebe.
Driving over Preseli top there were two red kites.
An afternoon visit to Newport estuary was quiet but a few common gulls, ringed plover, dunlin, little grebes and a curlew were seen.

Pen Anglas

I saw a Merlin fly west in the fading light at 17:30.

Now you see em, now you..

a brief visit to the outer breakwater yesterday afternoon produced two snow buntings seen at distance flying up onto the cliffs above the sewage treatment plant. A porpoise with a small calf was seen heading out from the harbour towards pen Anglas where at least five more porpoises could be seen.

Friday 20 February 2009

Events for March and April 2009

Pembrokeshire Bird group and the Mid Pembrokeshire Section of the Wildlife Trust – events for March and April 2009
Due to snow, illness etc it has been necessary to reschedule some Indoor meetings and Field Trips of the Pembrokeshire Bird group and the Mid Pembrokeshire Section of the Wildlife Trust. The revised meetings are detailed on the Bird Broup site - please see link on the right.

Part 2 -- Slavonian Grebe to Bewick's Swan

The Gann;-
1 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Great. Ntn. Diver, 1 Red Btd. Merganser with 1 Great Ctd. Grebe on the sea from the car park. Also c26 Light bellied Brent Geese still on the shore.
Marloes Mere;-
1 Pochard(fem), also Shoveler, & Gadwall present.
St. Brides Bay;-
Goultrop Roads, & off Newgale quiet, off Broad Haven North, c100 Common Scoter, with 1 Great Ctd. Grebe, also 2 Red thd. Divers.

St. David's Airfield;-
With reports of various "goodies" recently, a look from 16:30-18:00 produced 1 ring-tail Hen Harrier, a couple of Shoveler, & a super Bewick's Swan-- been present for a couple of days...
(Paul & Rich D.)

Part 1 -- Black-necked Grebe to Firecrest

Llys-y-fran Resr;-
A visit this morning, walked from the dam to the Northern-most inlet,
The Black-necked Grebe, 1 Pochard(m),16 Great Ctd. Grebes(3 prs. displaying), 2 prs. Goldeneye, & a fine Peregrine.
Picton Point & Millin Pill Woods;-
No sign or sound of hoped for Lesser Spot.
Sandy Haven;-
2 Greenshank, 1 ad. Med. Gull, & Little Egret.
Bicton;-
Again Pochard (2 males), with c10 Shoveler, & c6 Gadwall.
Monk Haven;-
1 Firecrest only,-- no Chiffchaffs seen.
(Paul & Rich D.)

Wood Duck -- Little Milford

This is going to liven up the week-ends WeBs!
A male Wood Duck on the mud at Little Milford at c2pm today, also c40 Curlew, & c40 Cnipe.
(Jon Hudson)

Strumble

A quiet hour at Strumble this afternoon produced little over the sea, but there was a male Merlin on a fence post by the cattle grid as we left and a Red Kite circling over the high ground around Penrhiw Fach (GR 941 390) above Harbour Village.

Thursday 19 February 2009

Sightings -- today... Black Redstart


Fishguard Harbour;-

Quiet, but one of the Red-Throats in close!
(Adrian)
Milford, Smokehouse Quay;-
The fem. Black Redstart on the rocks with ad. & 2w Med. Gulls.
"Greenland Peregrine";-
A report from a farmer at Plumstone (received 4th hand) of a bird today.
No other details.

St David's

Sightings from Jon Hudson - On St Davids Airfield on tuesday (17th) morning there were 2 Short eared owls, 3 water rail and a juvenille Bewick swan
Peregrine over Wallis Moor this afternoon

First seal pup of 2009?

Is this the first grey seal pup of 2009? looks like its a few days old , maybe a couple of weeks so born early Feb, I would guess. It seems fit and healthy amongst the rocks in the gully that seperates the lighthouse from the mainland at Strumble Head, allthingsgood, cliff.

Iceland Gull

Sighting via e mail from Terry Gover - Iceland gull seen here at Withybush aerodrome this am. No other gulls around.

Strumble Afternoon.

Calm conditions after a ferry trip and loads of Porpoises pulled me back to Strumble where I met up with an old Strumble aqquaintance; Cliff Watson.
The glassy sea revealed loads of porpoises but a flock of 14 Chough beating around the lighthouse were a welcome sight in view of the recent quite severe weather. It was getting lateish by then and it looked like they were looking for somewhwere to roost. A large female Gos, on the way home just past Tresinwen was another welcome surprise.
I am guessing the Norman McCanch whose gorgeous Gyr illustrations grace the blog is the ex light house keeper who wrote a book of his experiences. I would love to meet up with him, any chance of exchanging contacts Rich? allthingsgood, cliff

Wednesday 18 February 2009

Gyr... !!


See notes below;

Sighting 17th Feb(y'day) The Gann. by Norman McCanch

Gyr Falcon, Dale, yesterday(17th)

I have just been speaking to Norman McCanch, who was down at The Gann yesterday.
Whilst sketching, the Ringed Plovers & L.B. Brent Geese, he noticed a large pale falcon, coming down the waterway. Norman watched the bird 09:25-0929, as it tussled with a Peregrine in front of the wood on the banks of The Gann, the bird then flew up the river heading in the direction of Marloes.
The bird was 'scoped, larger/equal in size, than than the Peregrine, being pale above & below. A more full description & sketches are on the way!
Many thanks Norman for contacting us via Birdline Wales.

Short Eared Owl, St Davids Airfield

Sighting via e mail from Julia G - At 5.15 tonight The short-eared owl sat on a fence post in front of the marsh land. Also 2 Buzzards and a Kestrel.

Ring Billed Gull & N. Pembs.

Llys-y-fran Resr;-
Continuing with poor numbers, again less than c1000 birds by 18:00.
But a classic adult Ring-billed Gull, presumed the same as last nights bird.
No ww gulls by 18:00, but the Black-necked Grebe showing well.

Fishguard;-
On the Outer Breakwater,
3 Purple Sands., 3 Ringed Plover, & 1 Turnstone.
From the Fort,
3 Red Thd Divers, & c6 Kittiwakes of various ages.
Adrian's Garden.
2 Lesser Redpolls with the usual finches.
(Adrian & Rich D.)

Felindre;-
At least 3 Bramblings feeding at Janet's feeders, inc a nicely developing male.

Little Owl..(s)..

The Little Owls near Newport are active again.
These birds were not found until late summer last year.
At the site this evening a bird was observed calling constantly.
Is this the only mainland site?
This is the best time of year to find any calling birds....
(Karen)

Common Sandpiper --Teifi

The wintering Common Sand. still showing at Jewsons this am. Also 2 Goosander on the river from the reserve. A fem. Goldeneye also seen on the river.
(Karen)

Tuesday 17 February 2009

Llys-y-fran Resr. -- RB Gull & .......

Llys-y-fran Resr;-
No sign of the Pacific Diver all afternoon, visits from several obs.
Black-necked Grebe still.

At the gull roost this evening, 1 1st yr. Iceland Gull, 1 1st yr. Glaucous Gull, & an adult Ring-billed Gull amongst only c500 gulls.
(Adrian).

the head

St.Davids head this morning- 8Chough,2Pairs of Raven,aPeregrine,and aRing-tail in the 'Boquer'valley. Also 2Med gulls on Whitesands beach before the dog walkers turned up.

Black Pool Mill

A pair of Dippers displaying and carrying nesting material - another sign that Spring is (hopefully) around the corner. Also 1 Common Sandpiper and a Woodcock. Otherwise pretty quiet.

Llys-y-fran Resr.

No sign of the Pacific Diver before 0800 this am.
When I left Melvin G. was going to the hide to continue looking.
The Black-necked Grebe still present & 13 Goosander(3males), although as usual 4 flew off before 0800. 2 Pairs of Great Crtd. Grebes displaying.

Rosebush Resr;-
4 Goldeneye(fem.)

Monday 16 February 2009

Llys-y-fran

Managed to get back to check the roost on the way home from work this evening: no sign of the Pacific Diver, in fact it appears it hasn't been seen since Paul, Richard & I left it at around 8am this morning, slowly heading up the reservoir towards the hide. I am not surprised that Richard was a little thrown by the diver last night in the poor light - it looked very odd with a black chin/throat and upper forneck, some obvious white spots on the scapulars, and some flecks of grey on the crown/hindneck! It also had a few white feathers underneath the right eye, and the paler base to the bill, when surrounded by black, gave it the impression of a fledgling's gape!

The Black-necked Grebe still present, and a single, relatively hefty, juvenile Iceland Gull in the field above the benches and then on the water with the roost. The number of gulls was initially low, but by dusk numbered 2,000 plus, with more arriving in the gathering gloom.

Newgale etc

A few records sent in by Jon Hudson:- Sunday 15th feb between Newgale and Nolton
2 red throated diver, 1 great northern diver, 2 chough, 1 kestrel and pair of raven nesting.
Monday 16th feb The Gann, Dale 8 goldeneye, 4 little grebe, 4 great crested grebe, 35 brent geese, 2 little egret 6 common gull, a few curlew and teal. Sandyhaven 50+ curlew, 3 greenshank, 40 common gull, teal, wigeon, 40+ great black backed gulls, redshank, little egret
Strawberry hill, Little Haven pair of peregrine falcon

Haverfordwest Bypass strikes again !!


Highlights from Angle & Gupton Corse

An enjoyable tour of the far west of our County in the company of John Best provided the following highlights.
Kilpaison. 85 Oystercatcher, c200 Dunlin, 17 Brent, 3 Great-crested Grebe. From the Point House, 42 Redshank and 2 Greenshank. Gupton Corse. 1 Ringtail, c2000 Golden Plover, c3000 Lapwing, 2 Greylag, a massive flock of Chaffinch which included several Brambling.
And finally the record of the day (in both senses) was a Pica Pica parliament of 24 members.

Slavonian Grebe...&............

Dale;-
On the sea at HT this am, the Slavonian Grebe, 1 Great N. Diver, & 1 Red Btd. Merganer(fem).
Broad Haven North;-
c100 Common Scoter, 3 Red Thd. Diver, & 1 fem. Wigeon.
(Paul & Rich D.)

Felindre;-
2 Bramblings in Janet's garden still at feeders.

Angle Bay - Sunday 15th February

A Pembrokeshire Bird Group Field Meeting.

Gt. N. Diver 1
Gt. C. Grebe 6
Brent Goose 17 lt.b.
Pintail 1 ad. m.
Bar-t. Godwit 17
Knot 16
Greenshank 1
Dunlin 200+

Pacific Diver at Llys-y-fran

No sign of the Pacific diver later this morning between 10.00 and 13.30, only bird of note a Ist yr Glacous gull seen flying over the field above the picnic area.

Pacific Diver at Llys-y-fran

News from Richard Dobbins, Dave Astins & Paul Grennard of an adult Pacific Diver moulting into summer plumage at Llys-y-fran. See Richard's posting of yesterday evening, bird checked at first light this morning.
The Diver is no doubt the same bird which has appeared the last two winters and appears to favour the stretch of water down towards the hide on the far side of the reservoir. Also there a Black-Necked Grebe and 8 Goosander.

Sunday 15 February 2009

Owls and Divers

I saw a Barn Owl perched by the road at Mullock Bridge on Saturday evening at c.1715 and I returned tonight. Although I could not see it perched, I got lovely views of it hunting across the marsh. Interestingly I also heard a Tawney Owl calling in the big stand of pines nearby. There were good numbers of Snipe calling in the marsh, and a Woodcock flew across the road.
A walk along the Coast Path this morning had over a dozen Gannets feeding actively in the Jack Sound current, and 2 Great Northerns and 3 Red-Throated Divers close to the cliffs between Martins Haven and Musselwick. Good numbers of Wigeon, smaller numbers of Teal, Gadwall and Shoveller on Marloes Mere, and Dabchick trilling and displaying actively. Of interest: the sightings book in the Britton Hide had a report of a Black-Necked Grebe on the Mere today, but I could not find one.

Divers ...... &... Llys-y-fran resr.

Strumble Head;-
c15 Divers recorded at Strumble this afternoon of which 40% were Black -Throated Divers.
(Adrian & Cliff.)

Llys-y-fran Resr.;-
See Maggies blog below, plus a bird(diver?) which I saw in the gloom on & off to 18:00.
This bird will be looked for early morning.

Gann - Slavonian Grebe

An excellent array of birds in the bay late afternoon on a very low tide: a first-year Slavonian Grebe, 1 GN Diver, 2 RT Divers, 5 GC Grebes, and a female RB Merganser. On the shoreline at least 26 Brents (my first count came to 32, but they were widely scattered and I may have double counted/some flew about!). A good gathering of small gulls, at least 13 adult Med Gulls, quite possibly more (one had a ring, which was partially submerged, but looked white). 8 Goldeneye on the lagoon.

Llys-y-Fran Reservoir

The black-necked grebe is still showing near the hide, together with at least 6 Great Crested. There were only about 100 Canada geese that we could see - possibly some were in the Long Arm. A Peregrine flew across the lake to the large rock below the picnic meadow. At the northern end were 2 Goldeneye, 4 Teal and 2 Wigeon. Lots of gulls on the water at 4.00pm, but couldn't spot any Glaucous or Iceland.

Maggie, 18.30

Glaucous and Iceland gulls

The 1st year Glaucous gull was on its own by the silage clamp to the N/E of Withybush Airfield at Poyston (SM967196) this afternoon. It seemed oblivious to the adjacent bird scarer.
The Iceland gull with a missing primary from its left wing was seen in flight.

Fishguard harbour from the old fort - 12 Red Throated Divers and 1 Great Northern Diver.

That Otter - again

Jill Wiseman told me she "rescued" the carcass from the middle of the road, and it was definitely an otter, webbed feet and all.

Please send mammal, reptile and amphibian records, with grid references (1km square at least) to me. I'm trying to put together a set of maps - one of the top jobs on my list of things to do once the house renovations are complete and we are back living at home.

Annie

Saturday 14 February 2009

Western Pembs...&... (Iceland Gull)

A visit to several St. Brides Bay sites, (Goultrop, Druidston, Newgale quiet)
Broad Haven North, c180 Common Scoter mainly in 2 main groups, & 6 Red Thd Divers.
Newgale Marsh;-
c100 Snipe, & c60+ Teal.

Little Milford;-
1 Common Sandpiper.
Fowborough Point/Hook/ Llangwm;-
c1000+ Golden Plover, c1000+ Lapwing, 6 Grey Plover the highlights.
Also in one of the Lapwing flocks a leucisitic Lapwing, colour only on upper breast, otherwise white.

Haverfordwest Aerodrome;-
1 Iceland Gull. -- the bird with 1 primary missing from left wing.

Fishguard Fort;-
1 Great N. Diver, 10+ scattered Red Thd. Divers(1 sum. plum.) & c30 Guillemots.

(Wendy, Paul G. & Rich. D.)

Pen Anglas

I saw a Merlin eating something in a coastal field at 17:00.

Only one now?

Only one snow bunting on outer breakwater but at least 3 porpoises and a RT Diver

New breeding bird for Tynewydd



Ok, not a great picture or a rare bird! but new birds for my "garden list" are few and far between. Along with my "swimming pool" list it is the only list I keep, so the twitchers amongst you will see its real merit as a "Domestic Mega"!!!

Birders of my generation will remember this critter was the subject of some of the first twitches as a new arrival to our shores in the 1950's. Back in the late 70's , early 80's whilst with Cambrian Bird Holidays, it was still something of a scarcity in West Wales. I see them daily below us in Goodwick but until now, they have not been seen up the hill as far as here. I wonder if they are absent anywhere else or was mine the last real pioneer?

The fact that it has been seen to feed on the seedheads remaining on our Buddleia was a nice bit of behavioural stuff and also the fact that it is in the process of nestbuilding presents a dilemma.

In the past when living in more gentle climes where these pastel pidgeons were prolifferating, I remember one very bad thing about them. The early morning wake up call, loud, persistent and as insistent as a banshee being strangled.

Of course with increased biodiversity come checks and balances. Sparrowhawks were also rare in my youth but not so rare now...

By the way well done Ray, good (if sad) to know the furry critter was a young otter! also forgot to mention the other day that there was quite a passage of auks heading south on Thursday morning at Strumble, with groups of up to fifty passing every few minutes. I estimated over 1000, in the hour I was there from 11 to noon, allthingsgood, cliff

Friday 13 February 2009

Maes y Garn, Crymych

Bramblings now up to 7, starlings 50+, 6 redwings in the garden and 7 collared doves along with usual chaffinches, dunnocks and blackbirds.

Around Pembs. inc. S E Owl.

Marloes Mere;-
A roosting Short-eared Owl early afternoon.(Matt Sutton)
The Gann;-
23 L. B. Brent Geese today.(Steve S.)
Felindre;-
At least 1 Brambling still.(Janet)
Fishguard Harbour;-
8 Ringed Plovers from the Flagpoles, a good number for here.(Adrian)
Teifi;-
Waders, 50 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, 3 Turnstone(Wendy)

Yesterday;-
The fem. Black Redstart still below Smoke House Quay flats, Milford Haven,
also the 2w Med. Gull.
An ad. Med. Gull at Milford Docks(Paul)

Marloes

The usual Friday afternoon stroll with the dogs was very quiet - c8o Lapwing high above the village, 3 Gannets fishing close inshore.

That Otter

It was an otter and not a mink or polecat. I parked the car in the layby and examined it through binoculars. It was small, as Cliff noted and, as I told mammal recorder Annie, I believe it may have been one of last year's cubs.

Feather in the cap for Morris!

Really great to see photographs of a bird that has only just in recent years taken to wintering here, showing a survival techneque that helps it to do so. Now thats what I call real birdwatching!
Fifteen years ago in my garden in Hungerford i was delighted to find Blackcaps overwintering in numbers and both sexes. I have a picture of four together on a garden table feeding on boiled rice and peas! Our garden backed onto the gardens of the mainstreet that were large and mature, a really nice mixed habitat except for the overabundance of cats.
The Blackcaps also ate ivy berries as well as the holly berries I left out for them after Christmas. Despite having Mahonia in the garden I never saw them feeding from it but having seen Maurices pic's I wonder if they did. The Mahonia was in the front garden largely out of view so its quite possible.

I also saw the "otter" on Freemans way on Wednesday morning, Ray but it looked small to me. I was going to try and stop for a better look on the way back but the volume of traffic had risen by then an it looked flatter. From colour I guessed it was a mink rather than a polecat. Have to say I did not fancy risking my neck to get a better view, so you may well be right.
allthingsgood, cliff

Blackcap






Landshipping yesterday morning

very poor bird numbers - 12 Redshank , 30 Dunlin , 20 Teal, 14 Wigeon, a pair of Common Sandpipers flew in and straight out, a Little Egret posed for a few moments and then went off.
After getting back home there was a female Blackcap on the Mahonia bush feeding like a humming bird with it's beak going inside each flower head.

Thursday 12 February 2009

Maes y Garn, Crymych

16.oohrs. Brambling numbers now increased to five with another male being seen at the feeders. A small mixed flock of approx 50+ redwings and fieldfares seen in the fields below the house. Single raven seen carrying nesting material. Two more kites also quartering the fields.

Otter Road Casualty

There was a dead otter on Freeman's Way in Haverfordwest yesterday. It was not possible to age or sex it as, firstly, it was in the middle of the busy road and traffic moves more quickly than I do, and secondly, it was rather flat.

Deer Park

On Tuesday afternoon a Black Redstartat Renny's Slip but not found this morning.

Several visits here recently and only two Stonechats present on the headland that I can find but passage should start in the next ten days so hopefully will see more birds arriving.

Ravens busy building on the headland and five pairs of Canada geese displaying noisily on Midland. Loads of Guillemots around Skomer this morning too.

Maes y Garn, Crymych

Birds around the feeders have increased today to: Brambling 4 (1 male, starting to show hints of breeding plumage), greenfinch 6, chaffinch 34+ (almost 50% are female), house sparrow 14, Starlings 9, Magpies 2, Collared dove 3 (were 4 earlier but one taken by a sparrowhawk), Blue tit 5, coal tit 2, blackbird 9 ( 3 females) feeding around each other without no apparent problems, Robin 3, dunnock 5, and a single wren. Red kite 2 seen flying over earlier.

Giltar Divers

Close in to Giltar Point, Tenby, this morning a Great Northern Diver. In Caldey Sound 3 Red Throated Divers and a further Great Northern as well as 15 or so Shags in breeding plumage with their crests erect. Around St Margarets Island there were quite a few Guillemots on the water and flying back and forth whilst on the cliffs near Giltar there were a dozen Fulmars.

Kite from Coach

Sea Trust volunteers travelling from Fishguard to Cardiff had a great start to their day when a kite was spotted wheeling above frosty fields just across the road from Scleddau quarry on Tuesday

Wednesday 11 February 2009

waxwing

Received news today of a Waxwing which briefly visited a Llangwm garden on sunday but not seen again. Might be worth checking any ornamental berry bushes if there are any......

A sunny morning and a TTV

This morning we did a TTV in Haroldston Woods and surrounding area, which was notable for the extraordinary number of singing Robins, often only a few metres apart. There were also plenty of tits and Chaffinches. But only one Wren - and Haroldston usually has loads of Wrens - I have counted one singing every 50 metres in the past - so this may be a real effect of the cold winter weather. Our garden Wren also seems to have disappeared. Though I note that Paddy's disappearing LTTs have re-appeared - good news! And on the subject of re-appearing, after a winter without any Greenfinches at all in the garden, one appeared today.

That's what so nice about birdwatching - you just never can tell!

Rosemary

Angle Area - Greylag Geese

At Kilpaison this morning the usual suspects - 20 Barwits, 8 Knot, c.200 Dunlin, 12 Ringed Plover, a few Wigeon. At Angle harbour 8 Knot and 1 Brent Goose. Problably a lot more to see there but the tide was way out when we got there.
Freshwater West - 15 Grey Plover.
Castlemartin Corse held large numbers of Lapwing again, probably 3000 plus. Also 300 Golden Plover and, viewed from the footpath behind Castlemartin Church, 2 Greylag Geese, 6 Stock Doves, 20 Shoveller and c.50 Wigeon.
Rich C & Morris North

Poyston -- Withybush

No sign of a Rose-coloured Starling in the above area this morning. Few Starlings feeding in the area but 100's flying through still at 9:30-10:30. Plenty of Starlings around the silage nr. the airfield though.

White-winged Gulls;-
No gulls at the airfield(helicopters landing), or at the silage, where loading trailers. All the gulls that I could find were in a field next to the Corner Piece pub. Where I couldn't seen any ww gulls.

But... talking to Graham this am, 3 ww gulls were present on Monday, & talking to Robin 3 ww gulls were present last Friday.

Black-necked Grebe

Llys-y-fran Resr;-
The B N Grebe showing from the bank, on way to the hide, at 12:00 (Karen).

Info. about Whoopers

An e-mail from Colin Butters;-
The difference in the colour of one cygnet could be that it is from a different brood & has lost it's parents, temporarily or permanently. You see this often in apparently large broods where they may be 7 plus young which would all not survive & some of them are different & certainly from different parents. I have seen this over the winter at Welney with their large flock, I believe of 8.

Tuesday 10 February 2009

Rose Coloured Starling

Report from Bob Haycock - This morning on my way to a meeting, I recorded a Rose-coloured Starling just north of Poyston Cross on the B4329. It was with a few other normal starlings flying/feeding along the roadside not far from gardens on the northern edge of this rather strung-out village. It was quite a well-marked individual (poss immature male?). I watched it for a few minutes from a vehicle at reasonably close range. There was no sign of it when I travelled south along the same road later in the day.

Water Pipit(s) & N. Pembs.

Newport;-
From the iron bridge at 16:30 1 Water Pipit. (Janet)
See the Milford posting below for 1 seen by John M.
Info. from Janet a further Water Pipit seen today by Robin, (Sandy Haven, top end)

Goodwick Moor;-
1 Cetti's singing, (Teifi Marshes seem quiet, hope I'm wrong!)
(Adrian)

Felindre;-
Bramblings still.
(Janet)

Glaucous & Iceland Gulls - Withybush.

Glaucous Gull, the first year bird was on the end of runways near the silage clamp at 11:00.

Iceland Gull, the first year bird appeared at early this afternoon at the silage clamp.

For exact location see postings below; but be aware that the farmer seems to have had enough of the gulls, & 100's of Starlings feeding & loitering around his fresh cattle feed.
Equipment is now on site producing a controlled "explosion" to deter birds!!
You are WARNED!

(Paul G.)

Smokehouse Quay flats-Milford Haven

Failed to find the Black Redstart but found a Water Pipit on the shore

Whoopers, & Teifi....

The 6 Whooper Swans were still in field nr. Llechryd Water Treatment Works until 09:53 when they flew off high, after circling up the valley.
The age of the swans being 3 adult & 3 juv. With 1 of the juv. being much paler than the other 2. This paleness not by moult. In some litt. it suggests Icelandic juv's are distinctly paler than Eastern/Russian juv's, other litt. doesn't mention this.
Thoughts from anyone who sees/knows wild swans?

Patch;- c100 Dunlin,(30 on N. side in wind!) the rest with 2 Turnstone, & 30 Ringed Plover on S. side, sheltered.
Webley, 60 Wigeon, 14 Shelduck with 4 elsewhere. 65 Curlew here with another 55 opp. St. Dogmael's Quay where also the fem. Goldeneye. 1 Little Egret, at Jewsons.

Fields toward's Cardigan island, held c280 Canada & 32+ Barnacle Geese.
On Cardigan Island only c30 Herring Gulls & 1 Barnacle Goose!

Monday 9 February 2009

Glaucous, Iceland & ...........

Withybush;-
At c14:30 both the first yr. Glaucous & Iceland Gulls standing together by the silage clamp.
Directions as previous postings below.
At c9:00 this morning c100 Herring Gulls, no white-winged gulls seen.

Black Redstart;-
The fem. showing on the shore below Smokehouse Quay flats,(Milford Docks) also c7 Turnstone.

I dipped a Brambling at Steve's (Sutcliffes) from the kitchen, but Janet(Felindre) has had 3 today (2m, 1f). Also still in Boncath.

Whooper Swans;-
These birds seen this pm in Ceredigion fields, will be looked for from Pembs. early in the morning!

Golden Plover

c1000 Golden Plover by Cryg Glass, St David's

Whoopers on the Teifi

6 Whoopers 1 mile upstream of Llechryd bridge (on Ceredigion side) near the waterworks at SN232435. Easily viewed from a layby on the A484.

Sunday 8 February 2009

Recent sightings

Teifi;-
Today,1 pr. Red btd. Mergansers & 1 Gt. Ctd. Grebe off the Railings. The wintering Common Sandpiper still at Jewsons.
(Wendy)
c200 Wigeon & 30 Curlew, HT at the Webley.

Pembroke Upper Mill Pond;-
Yesterday, 15 Black-td. Godwits.
Pembroke Mill Pond;-
Yesterday, 3 Pochard
(John H.)

Felindre;-
Bramblings still on garden feeders.
(Janet)

Llys-y-fran

A single 1st-year Iceland Gull in the roost this evening (impossible to tell if it was the Withybush bird or not). A reasonable count of birds in the end, very slow with many birds arriving after 5pm, of note were around 30 Common Gulls, and Herring Gulls (many first-years) outnumbering Lesser Black-backs. A pair of Goldeneye, 50+ Canadas, c.10 Great-crested Grebe but no sign of the Black-necked, on the lower part of the main reservoir anyway.

WWW - Withybush White-wingers

Paul & I had excellent views of the Iceland & Glaucous Gulls around midday today, by the silage dump to the N/E of the Airfield at Poyston (SM967196). On site, we were happy that the Iceland was a 2nd-year, but having studied the close-up picture more carefully at home we now feel it is a 1st-year, as the eye in particular isn't pale enough for a 2nd-year at this time of year. The Glaucous is really a small bird - as one of the pics below demonstrates.












Saturday 7 February 2009

A distinctive kite





This very distinctive kite was seen at Gigrin yesterday (6th Feb), the white wing tips are very noticeable even at a distance with the naked eye. It only stayed to feed for about 10 minutes before moving off. If you see this kite I am sure County Bird Recorders, the Welsh Kite Trust and those with an interest in bird movements may be pleased to hear from you.
The bird was not tagged or ringed.
Thanks to Janet Baxter for her photos and information

Black Red, Firecrests, Mandarin etc....

But no Spotted Redshanks...or Gyr! a few likely spots visited though.
Guildford Pill;-
2 Gt. Ctd. Grebes & 2 on the river upstrem off Hook.
Westfield Pill;-
The female Mandarin on the small pool to the west as you go upstream.
Landstadwell;-
2 Gt. Ctd. Grebes on the river.
Hazelbeach;-
6 Ringed Plover.
Castle Pill;-
1 Common Sandpiper & 1 Greenshank.
Smokehouse Quay, Milford Dock;-
The fem. Black Redstart in front of the flats, & a 2w. Med. Gull.
Milford RFC;-
An ad. ringed Med. Gull-no colour ring, so new bird.
Sandy Haven;-
Quiet.
Monk Haven;-
2/3 Firecrests, 1 pale Chiff, 3 collybita type Chiffs.
The Gann;-
21 Light-bellied Brent Geese, 1 ad. Med. Gull.
Marloes Mere;-
Quiet.

(Paul & Rich. D.)

Withybush gulls

Early afternoon : a few gulls were hanging around the tyre pile which included the 1st year Glaucous and the 2nd year Iceland. The rubbish tip was closed for the weekend which is probably the main counter attraction during the week. A large number of gulls were in the field by Poyston West farm but no clear viewing point was found from which to look through them. There were also literally thousands of Starlings there, which periodically perched along overhead wires before plunging down out of sight again.

Teifi and Cleddau

Highlights from various sites today
Teifi estuary - 1 Great Crested Grebe. 1 adult Med gull.
Flying over the road near Bridell, 1 Goshawk.
Landshipping Quay - 1 Greenshank, 1 Little Egret with usual Teal, Wigeon and Redshank.
Garron Pill - 1 Jack Snipe and 30 Common Snipe.
Lawrenny - 10 Shoveler, 6 Grey Plover, 240 Shelduck, 12 Little Grebe and over 500 Dunlin. In a field nearby there were 100 Lapwing and 50 Fieldfare.

Chaffinches and gulls and stuff

We managed a short ringing session near Chevron this morning and recaught around 40 birds but only eight new ones. Quite a lot of tits which was quite different to my Marloes feeding site and two male Chaffinches with wing lengths of 95mm and weighing almost 26gm indicating a much more northerly (northern Scandinavia) or easterly (eastern germany, poland, denmark or further, heritage.
Near Popton a first winter Iceland Gull floating along beside the car was very nice and a little later a Little Egret in one of the tiny streams on the Commons in Pembroke- virtually in the middle of the town.
Not so many finches around the cattle near Kilpaison Burrows today.

Brambling

Brambling under a bird feeder at Sealyham, along with a Greenfinch. Two, poss three Firecrests at Monk Haven today. Also a small white egret flying with a Grey Heron nr the Corner Piece Pub on the A40 midday, but we were unable to stop promptly enough to check it out.

Llys y fran Raptors

Sightings from Maggie Humphreys - Near Llys y Fran today at lunchtime a pair of dippers below Farthingshook bridge and just to the south,(from the path to the lake) a red kite and 3 peregrines - the peregrines seemed to be ignoring the kite but 2 of them were having a go at each other. A snowstorm put paid to further birding.

Angle Bay


A quick look at Kilpaison early afternoon - 17 Pale Bellied Brents, 100 Wigeon, 21 Barwits, c.150 Dunlin, 15 Ringed Plover, 6 Redshank, 2 Knot, 30 Oystercatchers.

Plenty of Redwing and a few Fieldfares in nearby fields.

heading back

Spent quite a few hours this week logging birds flying through the Waterstone oil siteon the north shore of the Haven, and there have been lots of Redwings and Fieldfares on the move. The biggest numbers were on Thursday when 450 Redwings and 80 Fieldfares past through but surprisingly (to me) they were all heading east into the weather. 30 or 40 Skylarks were all heading the same way. Had a good look for the Gyr but the only Raptors around were Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.

A few weeks ago I posted sad news of the demise of a flock of Long-tailed Tits that had been visiting the garden on a daily basis, but a couple of weeks ago there were 11 back at one of the feeders one afternoon at least seven of which were ringed implying they were the same individuals that had died of cold! I was delighted to be proven wrong.

Friday 6 February 2009

Llys y fran & Henrys Moat

Sightings via e mail from Maggie Humphreys - I saw the entry querying whether the 200+ Canada geese were still on Llys y fran and am happy to confirm that they were still there this morning (I made it 225), together with the Black-necked Grebe, several Great Crested Grebe, Wigeon, 4 Teal and 4 male Goldeneye and I think 2 females. But no diver that I could see!
On the garden front in Henry's Moat, we have up to 3 Great spotted woodpeckers feeding daily at the feeders, up to a dozen great tits, a couple of coal tits and several blue tits and Chaffinches - but no Green Finches here this year either.

Owls etc

Monk Haven had one or two Firecrests with several Chiffchaffs at the STW, one of the latter pale and interesting looking. There were 10 species on the sewage bed. Also present Barn Owl, Woodcock and Peregrine. Green Sand showing well here at Sealyham. Plumstone Mt late pm a Short-eared Owl, which is one more than there were Starlings.

Neyland and Greenfinches

News via e mail from Mike Jones - this afternoon 1400 nothing much at westfield pil 3 redshank 1 egret 6 teal and 5 G S W Iin the woods (mating time)
At the corner of Neyland seafront where you turn left to LLanstadwell there was 100 dunlin roosting 18 ringed plovers 4 turnstone
Greenfinches, usually I have a constant 30 to 40 in my garden at this time of the year, this year the most i have seen at any one time is 3. they normally come back in numbers around the end of October, last year they were scarce till January.

2007 Records

Many thanks to all those who got their records in by the 1st Feb deadline - much appreciated. Most have already been processed and will be passed on to the various sub-editors in the next few weeks.

Our aim, this year, is to get the 2008 Bird Report out by the end of May - ready for the Spring-Bank Holiday.

If you haven't got your records in, then please contact me or Steve, so that we know that they are on the way.

Thanks again.

Jon G.

Fishguard

7 Great Crested Grebes in the harbour.
(Adrian)

Landshipping and Llawrenny

At Landshipping Quay this morning c.100 Dunlin, 15 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 80 Teal and a few Wigeon. A pair of Mallard Mating. A Kingfisher hovered close by over the water but before I had the camera set up!
In the lanes nearby a Peregrine zoomed low over the car and in a field by Beggars Reach it was unusual to see c.200 Dunlin roosting in the middle of a field as the tide rose. Plenty of Lapwings and Redwings in the area.
At Garron Pill 1 Jack Snipe as well as 20 Common Snipe and a Greenshank.
Round at Llawrenny there were c.700 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 1 Grey Plover, 150 Shelduck. In the fields just by the river there were 500+ Chaffinch with at least 1 Brambling and 100 Linnet, 6 Reed Bunting. (Rich C and Morris North)

Withybush -- Gulls

Or rather no gulls;-
A visit to the aerodrome passing the usual gull resting/feeding points at 10:30 -10:45 showed no sign of any gulls; none on the runways, nr. the silage, or in immediate fields... or in the air.

Far and Near - comparisons

We have recently returned from Cyprus where we enjoyed the winter sunshine and eight hours daily of non stop birding. Twenty days netted a very poor average of 35 species a day. Today we spent two hours on a return walk to Slebech Church, starting out from Blackpool Mill during which, we counted 38 species that included nesting Raven, a massive (really massive) flock of Chaffinch (complete with Brambling and Reed Bunting) and a Green Sandpiper in the leat.

WE DON'T SHOOT THEM

Garden Birds

Picking up on Marks comment.

I have been watching my feeders pretty closely in the last week or so and have had up to 30 Chaffinches, the odd Brambling, around 15 House Sparrows all regular. Amazingly only ONE greenfinch in the last week or so - an observation through the winter. I guess the disease problems last year have clobbered them UNLESS all those birds which normally come to Pembs in the winter from NE Britain have simply gone on to Ireland this year.
In the last couple of weeks the numbers of Blue and Great Tits coming to the feeders has also dropped dramatically. Normally they disperse from winter feeding stations back to woodland breeding territories in february anyway but you would sort of expect them to hang around during this extreme weather - perhaps not though.
Summer ringing and BBS etc will be interesting to see how the mix of species has coped with the winter.
General Obs - loads of redwings around again, Ravens displaying even in the snow showers, buzzards soaring in display flights and Carrion Crows noisily claiming territories. Spring has sprung - or at least it should have!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday 5 February 2009

Garden birds

Tegryn: I too had a brambling yesterday, but just the 1 male. Not seen any here for a while although they used to be regular. The male siskin has not been seen for a couple of weeks & gt-sp-woody also not seen for a while.
Someone mentioned Greenfinches.....we always have a good flock of 15+ when feeding black sunfloweer seeds in the winter months, but this years max has been 3!
Kites yesterday (3) & one quite low in the driving snow today.

Bramblings to Barnacles....

Boncath, a fem. Brambling in the garden at feeders, a new garden bird for me where-ever I have lived in Pembs!
Also Bramblings still in gardens at Felindre,(Janet) & Haycastle Cross, (Robin) Newport,(Karen).

Teifi;- see posting below,
Amongst the c300 Canada Geese, 2 Snow Geese, 1 Bar-headed Goose & the new hybrids.
1Great Ctd. Grebe off Patch, c5 Little Grebes around the estuary. 11 Ringed Plover & c80 Dunlin the waders that could be seen.
(Wendy & Rich D.)

Patch today, & Barnacles


A visit in the snow produced the sight of more visitors, 36 Barnacle Geese, presumably from Cardigan Island, where they usually winter(?).
34 Barnacles was the post-breeding count towards the end of last year.
(Wendy & Rich D.)

Blackcaps


Garden bird news from Tess Pearson via e mail - 1 Blackcap, four long-tailed tits, six blackbirds, three blue tits, 2 chaffinch, 1 great tit, 2 starlings and 1 robin and a Grey Wagtail on our bird table and feeders at Valley Farm, Saundersfoot.

Coincidentally I was taking photos of the Blackcap resident in my St Florence garden this morning. Now on his second fatball. Seems to not mind the weather - the second shot shows him singing! Click on each photo for larger image.

Wednesday 4 February 2009

Black Red. -- Milford & nearby...

Black Redstart, the fem. still below Smoke House Quay flats this pm.

Llanstadwell;-
10 Turnstone, & 1 Peregrine.
Milford RFC pitch;-
Ad. Med. Gull,-- white col-ring...ringed, so a diff. bird from the other day there.
Milford Dock;-
Ad. Med. Gull.
(Paul G.)

That'Snow Bunting


Photo sent in by Mark Woodward and Wanda Wilkinson of an interesting bird in their garden near Milford yesterday. A Leucistic Chaffinch ..........but with the snow about not surprisingly initial thoughts were of a Snow Bunting!

Newport

No reports from Newport recently as nothing unusual to report.
Wed am eg; 4 Little Grebes, just 7 Redshanks, 5 Snipe, 2 Curlews, 1 L Egret, only 5 Ringed Plovers & I couldn't find any Dunlin, 1 Shelduck. At the Parrog 6 Turnstones & c 100 wigeon.
18 Teal at the bridge is q a lot & a Kingfisher from 10m was nice.
And yesterday a Brambling with the Chaffinches at our bird feeder - a new Pembs bird for me.

Landshipping to the Teifi

Landshipping;-
0915-1015, on the rising tide, c20 Redshank, 1 Grey Plover, 7 Ringed Plover, 1 imm. Peregrine, & the usual Wigeon, Teal, & Dunlin etc.. The river quiet.

Teifi;-
St. Dogmael's Quay, c450 Canada's, with 2 Snow Geese, 1 Bar-headed, & 2 Pairs of "new hybrids", so presumably some new Canada's-- are there still c200 at Llys-y-fran? also c50 Teal.
The Railings, the fem. Goldeneye, c20 Wigeon, & 100+ Dunlin.
The Webley, c100 Wigeon.
The Marshes, c30 Teal, & an Otter in front of Kingfisher Hide.

Felindre;-
2 Bramblings feeding in Janet's garden still.

Fishguard harbour;-
Now 6 Gt. Ctd. Grebes in the harbour this pm.
(Adrian)

Tuesday 3 February 2009

Heathfield GP

Barn Owl and Woodcock, both new for me here. 6 Tufted Duck and some Shoveler and Teal but light difficult late pm. Green Sand still at Sealyham.

Fishguard

In the harbour, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 1 female Common Scoter. 1 adult Med gull and 1 2nd winter Med gull.
(Adrian)

Firecrest Lamphey and a look around the Haven

News via E mail from Sid Howells of a Firecrest which has been in a garden in Lamphey for the last few days.
I did a little tour of Westfield Pill and the northern side of Milford Haven around lunchtime today but no sign of any large pale falcons. Best bird was a Redpoll at Westfield Pill.

Bird Group Meeting Cancelled

The Pembrokeshire Bird Group indoor meeting due to take place tonight (3 February) has been cancelled due to the adverse weather conditions. Apologies for the lateness of this cancellation which is due to the latest weather forecasts of a deteriorating situation.

The Gann yesterday

29 Brents and 7 Great Crested Grebe's notable at low tide.
10 Goldeneye in the river.
A great big falcon trying to catch herring gulls got me going a bit - it appeared at low level and took a swipe at a Curlew before trying a couple of gulls and then careered past me about 50 yds away (much too close) to land in the top of the pines. It was brown all over with an indistinct face mask and was probably a big female Peregrine (certainly bigger than the Herring Gulls) although the flight didn't look right and it was very bulky with bigger wings - can't claim anything as the light was crappy but it was quite exciting and you can make all sorts of things up in your mind!!!!!!!!!

Monday 2 February 2009

Newgale and St David's


At Newgale between 70 and 75 Snipe foraging in the open due to frozen conditions whilst the 5 Whooper Swans were still at St David's Airfield. 21 Shoveler were on Penberry pond.

Teifi estuary

More small waders than recently. Feeding near the boat club this afternoon - 160 Dunlin, 30 Ringed Plover and 5 Turnstone.

Landshipping Quay

2-30pm
For all you listers & tickers there is a very smart Spotted Redshank at Landshipping Quay ( the 1st I have seen this year ) +2 greenshank and the usual Wigeon, Teal, Dunlin, Knot, Ringplover, Lapwings, & 2 little Grebes

White - winger & more Whoopers.

Withybush;-
1030 this am, 1 white-winger seen amongst the mass feeding at the silage clamp, not sp. id. on this view. No birds on the airfield, all hidden in near adjacent fields. 7 Snipe in one field though.

Whooper Swans;-
8 flew in off the sea at st. Govan's this morning.
(Anna S)

Gyr and Cattle Egret

I have just received a text from Richard Dobbins - Gyr seen 11:30today flying from near the Cleddau Bridge towardsNeyland (downriver) then lost to view (Ed Hunter)
Paddy Jenks has received news of a Cattle Egret, in with Cattle, at Garron Pill (near Llawrenny) - if there is anyone going near there grateful if you could check it out.

sightings of a similar bird 5 weeks ago

this is a link to the Lancaster & District Birdwatching Site where a very similar bird was seen just before Christmas.. apparently a young gyr with blue jesses
http://www.lancasterbirdwatching.org.uk/forum/read.php?4,24377

gyr behaviour

Hi folks
just a comment from a raptorphile about the gyr
I too would love to see one in the wild but the fact that this bird is getting sighted in people's gardens and perching on walls makes me think this could be a falconry escapee. It's not really the behaviour I would expect from a wild gyr. I have checked on the falconry forums and there is a white gyr reported lost but that sounded like an adult male bird. Perhaps if anyone is lucky enough to get to see it again, have a look with a scope to see if it is close-ringed or carrying jesses. I hope I'm proved wrong and that more of you get to see this extraordinary bird.
Rob

Bittern St David's Airfield


My Neighbor Robert Lawrence dropped in this evening with a really nice shot of a Bittern that had dropped into the marsh on St David's airfield today, he managed to get this shot, the bird then skulked of into the sedge and so he got into a better position and set up a small protable hide and waited in the freezing wind for over an hour, but to no avail, the bird was well and trully hidden away and determined to stya that way!

But if you happen to be around the area it has to be worth a look.

here's a small jpg of the shot.

Sunday 1 February 2009

Cilgerran

A pair of Goosander on the river,also a Little Egret,several Siskins feeding on the Alder cones and a fly over Red Kite.

Further to Dave's white - wingers

Mid afternoon : 150 or more HG's with a few LB-b G's feeding by the Council's tyre dump, near the giant compost heap, on the old part of the war time airfield at Withybush - map ref 969197. In the course of an hour the 1st w Glaucous and two 1st w Iceland Gulls (together once) came and went. One Iceland was paler than the other but not the 2nd year which did not show. There were lots of gulls in a field by Poyston West Farm which were not fully visible from the road, perhaps the 2nd year was there.

The nearby rubbish tip was closed, it being a Sunday. I wonder what happens in this area during the week when the tip is open ?

Graham Rees

Garden in Narberth

Had four Bramblings in the garden today, 2 of each sex in amongst 40
chaffinches

Large grey and white raptor

Yes folks....a male Hen Harrier with the six Whooper Swans at Castlemartin Corse. Also, two Great Northern Divers and 16 Brents in Angle Bay.

Still searching....

Tried a different place today, for the aforementioned Falcon, I carefully considered all the options, wind direction, a warm west facing cliff, plenty of food close by. Perfect. I knew exactly where I could find it - between Lindsway bay & Sandy haven. Nothing!!
All I saw of note was a Gt/N/Diver & 20 Long tailers.
Next week - plan B/1

Gulls @ Llys-y-fran, Teifi & news

Llys-y-fran resr;-
This evening, 1yr Iceland & Glaucous Gulls flew in, also 1 Yellow-legged Gull. The Black-necked Grebe still present with 6 Wigeon.
(Adrian & Mark)

Newgale Marsh;-
Water Pipit showing by the stream yesterday.
(Mark)

Monk Haven;-
Firecrest still present at the sewerage works.
(Mark).

Teifi;-
1 ad. Med. Gull, the only gull of note, v. few large gulls going to roost.
(Wendy & Dyfed)
Teifi marshes;-
Whilst watching a Barn Owl hunt then then perch by the presumed "sand martin nestsite" a Merlin appeared, mobbed it, driving it off.
Whilst showing a couple the owl, they were delighted to tell me how they were shown a Bittern during the week, at around midday, seen flying in the Kingfisher hide area.

Gyr News

Info received via e mail from Angie Maggs -

On January 29th I was lucky enough to see what I am pretty sure was the Gyr Falcon.
The bird was in our garden at Honeyborough in Neyland, sitting on our garden wall, he then flew down into the field behind our house and sat there for approx' 20 mins.
I have been looking out for him ever since but no luck so far.

Keep looking folks, looks like it may still be around!

More Whoopers ... &....

Whooper Swans;-
See new sightings below(Angle), also 5 still on St. David's Airfield this morning, with a Kingfisher(new bird for site! - Jon B.)

Penberry;-
1 Goldeneye, 90 Wigeon, 22 Shoveler.(Jon B.)

Whitesands;- y'day
1 Little Gull with c100 Kittiwakes in tide race.(Jon B.)

Heathfield;-
8 Tufted Duck, & 6 Coot
(Adrian)

Rosebush;- y'day
2 Goosander, 1 Gt. Ctd. Grebe, 8 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye.
(Wendy & Dyfed)

Angle


At Kilpaison this morning 200+ Dunlin, 10 Knot and 6 Barwits, 4 Redshank. On Castlemartin Corse 6 Whoopers.
In my garden at St Florence a Blackcap for the last 3 days living exclusively, it would seem, off a fatball.

White-wingers & aeroplanes

This morning the juvenile Glaucous Gull again on Withybush Airfield, on the runway in the NE corner. Also a 2nd-winter Iceland Gull (presumably the bird Terry had earlier in the week) - be careful not to mis-ID, from a distance it does a good impression of a Glauc as the bill is distinctly two-tone which makes it look a bit chunky, but the paler plumage and especially the subtler, softer, structure, including longer primaries and lack of a tertial 'step' give it away. Best viewed from the corner near the entrance to Poyston Hall at SM965196. A good flock of mostly Herring Gulls roosting on the runway and in the grass, and another similarly sized flock attacking split silage bales about 200m further up the roads towards Poyston Cross, and sitting in the grassy field to the south of the road, opposite the silage heap. Well worth keeping an eye on, and relatively easy to watch.

Ringtail

Still present at Marloes mere early this morning, 0830 ish.