Saturday 24 April 2010

Stackpole/Castlemartin peninsula this week

Plenty of whitethroats around on the peninsula since 19th April - at least 20 singing males estimated by 23rd including a pair back at usual breeding location at Stackpole. Grasshopper warblers also calling in half a dozen or so locations and lesser whitethroats at three separate places during the week. Reed warbler singing at Bosherston Lake on 23rd. Many house martins back now around Stackpole Centre.

A flock of 42 whimbrels feeding on the dune grassland above Frainslake and small numbers flying through all week. A pair of ringed plovers near usual nest-site but not yet settled. Sandwich Terns offshore daily (6 off Stackpole coast yesterday).

Clive Hurford confirmed that there is still at least one male green woodpecker at Stackpole - calling during the mornings this week - encouraging - and one was calling near Axton Hill on 23rd (seen by RJH).

The five goosanders probably left Bosherston Lakes between 16th and 19th April (similar pattern to last year).