Angle area

A party of 34 Pale-bellied Brent Geese was at Kilpaison this morning, and three adult Mediterranean Gulls were in the fields to the south of Angle Village (near Hubberton Farm).

Harriers - Dowrog

Tuesday afternoon;-
2 male Hen Harriers, also 1 female, and 1 ring-tail .. a likely juvenile.
1 Short-eared Owl.
(Jan Morris)

Strumble & Dowrog

Paul G & I undertook a seawatch from 8am to 11.30, joined by Wdigbirder & Rich D from 10am, totals included:

Pomarine Skua 3 juvs (1 after PG & left)

Great Skua 7

Great Northern Diver 5

Red-throated Diver 5

Common Scoter 17 (2 females)

Manx Shearwater 4

Puffin 1 (late!)

Wigeon 2

A sample 5 minute count of auks came up with 1,440 per hour. Kittiwakes also moving in good numbers, maybe around 20-30 Fulmar and similar numbers of Gannets.

On to Pen Anglas where we were treated to great views of a male Dartford Warbler by the coast path. A search of suitable habitat around the Llangloffan/Castlemorris area failed to produce any Tree Sparrows. We finished up at the Dowrog with 3 Hen Harriers (2 males & 1 juv), 2 Short-eared Owls hunting in daylight, and a Barn Owl doing the same. Stopped in Camrose on the way home and heard a Tawny Owl calling and saw another fly across the road. Owl-tastic!

The Gann at last light

Following in the heels of Kim, 12 L/B Brent, 3-4 of which looked juvs, 5 Redshank, 5 Ringed Plover, Common Gulls, B/H/Gulls, 1 Bartail...... then the lights went out.

Various

A Mute Swan on the mudflats at the Gann was somewhat unusual, a smattering of Brent geese were also in attendance, heading towards Sandy Haven a Ring Tail crossed the hedge above the turn for H'west and at the junction for Ratford Bridge on the Broad Haven road a hovering Kestrel was briefly in company with a passing Short Eared Owl.

Hen Harrier - Watwick

Hen Harrier (female) snatching a skylark/chaffinch from stubble field above Watwick. Flushed about 50 skylarks and 20 chaffinch, managing to pick one out which it settled in adjacent field and wolfed down before passing back over same fields and then drifted off towards Dale. Peregrine also working same area. Male kestrel at Kete, 2 chough at lighthouse with a pair of Mallard, 2 moorhen and 2 drake Teal on the small ponds above Mill Bay. Fox crossing cattle field near Merryboro.

PembsBirdgroup Conference 26Nov2011

Many thanks to the Valero refinery at Pembroke for again hosting our annual conference and to all those who helped, came to or were involved in any way. More info via the Pembrokeshire Bird Group Link

City News

A most unusual sighting this morning by Jonathan B., a group of 7 Choughs feeding in amongst the Canada Geese on the bank side of Penberry Pond.

Pembrokeshire Avifauna

Congratulations to the Pembrokeshire Avifauna Committee - Graham Rees, Steve Sutcliffe, Bob & Annie Haycock, Jane Hodges - on Pembrokeshire Avifauna. As Bob & Annie say in the posting below this is the beginning of the project. But what a beginning! This new on-line facility contains a wealth of fascinating information on the birds of Pembrokeshire, both historic and more recent. A fantastic amount of work has clearly gone into the Avifauna and more is promised. Well done again!
A permanent link to Pembrokeshire Avifauna is now in the Links section of this blog.

Pembrokeshire Bird Conference and Avifauna

Thanks to everyone who supported the Pembrokeshire Bird Conference today.  Those who weren't there missed a good day out!

The beginnings of a comprehensive Pembrokeshire Avifauna are now on-line, with lots more items to be added during the coming months . .  and years . . .

Nordic Jackdaw & fun at the "Court of Crows"

The Nordic Jackdaw paid a brief visit to my garden feeders this morning, no doubt it's around the Dale Road/Furzy Park area somewhere.

A little trip out this afternoon with Paul G in search of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker proved fruitless, but Llys-y-fran (despite poor weather initially) provided ample compensation: an adult Ring-billed Gull (presumably the returning bird), 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls and an impressive (for this site) 6 Mediterranean Gulls (5 adults, 1 2nd year). Good number of gulls in the roost, and an impressive flock of Canada Geese (c. 270). Also a single drake Goldeneye and one Great-crested Grebe.

Preseli Woodlands

Had a good look through Glynaeron and Pantmaenog with a quick check at Ty Rhyg. Very little of note apart from Red Kite over Glynaeron and same bird at Pantmaenog. Pair of Peregrines sparring at Pantmaenog. No sign of any GGS's, but weather probably didn't help.

Ringtail Harrier

1, at Mullock Bridge marsh, 1 Merlin there also.

Newport

I stopped briefly by the Iron Bridge this morning and saw a Red Kite (on the white House side of the river) It's LHS outer tail feather was bent upwards at 45Degrees. To far to see if it had any tags

Lapwings

Flock of 194 Lapwing and a lone Golden Plover in field just north of Rosepool on B4327 Dale Road, also large flock of Wood Pigeon in valley beyond (50+). Merlin the only bird of note in St Brides area.

Colour-ringed Little Egret

The bird I recorded at Sprinkle Pill on Saturday was ringed as a nestling in Bangor on 5th June 2011.

Dale airfield

Very blustery stroll from Kete to airfield. Peregrine ploughing through flock of bh gulls near West Dale. Large flock of Chaffinch (50+) in cattle field above beach.
Airfield:
Big flock of lapwing (100+) lifting off and heading towards Dale. 2 peregrines sat out in middle of airfield (1 big adult, one younger looking bird nearby) the younger bird spooked but the other stayed, possibly on a kill but didn't notice any plucking. Highlight was a fine male Snow Bunting that appeared on fencepost less than 10 feet away by the Flying Club gate.
Pickleridge:
7 Goldeneye (2 male 5female)
7 Little Grebe
8 Redshank
22 Teal
2 Little egret
Merlin across road at Ratford Bridge

merlin

A merlin seen in Frenni Fach area Wed lunchtime.

Eider

Not an award winning pic I know but as the Eider were so close inshore today (despite the low tide) I was able to take some digi-scope shots, not often I guess that Eider are photographed in our County? This I believe to be a juvenile male (due to the pale flash above the eye which isn't as obvious in the photo as it was in the field) - the other bird was similar in plumage but minus the flash.

A windy 6 hrs watching Ramsey Sound

As part of a weekly input to the Ramsey Sound "tidal energy project", it is always interesting to see what flies through the sound. Today numbers of birds were quite small but, despite the cold blustery conditions, we were delighted to see 2 adult med gulls (flying north through the Sound this morning) plus a small mostly northerly passage of kittiwakes. There have been one or two med gulls in the area during the last few weekly visits and they have been seen fairly often in previous years. No divers were noted today and only a single scoter this morning. Annie though, doing the afternoon shift, had the days highlight; a fine sabines gull heading south through the centre of the Sound - a first for her at this location in three years of more or less weekly-watching. Porpoises also put in a typical appearance - those seen today were heading north.

Last Sunday (WeBs) noted that there were more wigeon and teal around in the Carew/Cresswell estuary than this time last year - around 600+ and c. 500+ respectively. Four pintails were nice to see as was an unexpected female merganser on Carew Millpond - they have become quite scarce in the Carew/Cresswell complex of late. Numbers of little egret were quite low compared with usual typical counts in recent late autumns. A single merlin was chasing finches etc near Lawrenny along the shore.

Eider at Amroth

2 juvenile Eider still at Amroth first thing this morning, showing very well close inshore viewed from opposite Amroth Castle.  Very few scoter visible (5!), 3 Red-breasted Merganser, but no divers.  2 Dipper on the stream at the east end.

Newport

10.15 ~ 13 pale belly Brents from the Boat Club.

Sam Baxter.

Flagpoles 15.30 22nd Nov

7 Pale Bellied Brent Geese & Fishguards regular visitor Med Gull 3E71 back again.

Llys y Fran

Llys y Fran
Peregrine, Red Kite, Sparrowhawk
Little Grebe 3, Mallard 12, Teal 8'ish, Goldeneye 1

Ty Rhyg
Female kestrel, Red Kite (could be same one seen earlier)
Goshawk
No sign of GGS here or from car park at Pantmaenog

Strumble -- Pom plus....

0745-0845;
4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 14 Common Scoter, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 juvenile Pomarine Skua, 2 Med. Gulls, and 4 Risso's Dolphins.
(Adrian)

Eiders -- Amroth

1 imm male and a female off the eastern end of Amroth c11:00 this am.
(John & Marion)

Outer breakwater snow buntings and BTD.

Hi Rich,
its difficult to keep tabs on the snow buntings but so far, I have seen several birds. A minimum of five on Friday in a group that took to flight, but previously a pair of males seen a couple of times, maybe the same ones? and a single male a couple of times, same question??
On Saturday I had another pair but this time a male and a female or juvenile. Today I couldn't find any but when you think about it, there is so much suitable habitat in the vicinity there could be a dozen or more.

Bird of the day today, was a nice Black Throated Diver, close enough for me to get a couple of fuzzy record shots.
A Kestrel was hunting on the cliffs above and I saw two there the other day. You would think the buntings would be easy prey for them.

R T Diver, Saundersfoot

From Peter Cadogan visiting from Cheltenham -There was a red throated diver in Saundersfoot this morning (21st). A dipper on the stream at Stepaside on 20th. A dark bellied brent goose, a goldeneye and a little egret at Dale on 19th. 1 family of 4 goosanders (1m 1f 2 juv)at Bosherston Lily ponds on 18th

Teifi

WeBS over the weekend held no surprises. The Canada Goose flock is now up to 1,200 with 2 Bar-headed Geese, 2 Snow Geese and 49 Barnacles.
These 2 Grey Plover have been around the estuary for a few weeks and are usually by the Webley at high tide with a few Dunlin.

Solva

Merlin put up 38 snipe along St Elvis stretch. 2 chough. Rabbits galore with two buzzards out on the hunt. 1,000s of starlings on the telegraph wires over fields at Pen-y-cwm and large flock of finches flying across road.

Strumble Head 09.45 - 11.45 21st Nov.

Wind : SW , very slight.

Brent Goose - 6 ( Dark Bellied )

Common Scoter - 12 ( 10 M , 2 F )

Red Throated Diver - 1

Great Northern Diver - 1

Curlew - 1

Bonxie - 1

Med. Gull - 1 ( Ad )

Little Gull - 1 ( 1st W )

1 very energetic Merlin which was chasing prey for most of the 2 hours !

A few Porpoises showing.

From Fishguard Fort at 16.00 1 each of Great Northern & Red Throated Divers. A sgl Adult Med. Gull in the roost.

Llys-y-fran Resevoir & bits

Very low numbers of waterfowl at Rosebush & Llys-y-fran resrs....not unexpected.
Black-headed Gulls numbers were a surprise though, with a massive 2000 birds alongside 4500 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. 10 Common Gulls were nice here too.

Fishuard;-
2 Snow Buntings on Saturday's visit, we wondered if different individuals from recent visits...
Cliff had 5 Snow Buntings on Friday on the Outer b/w.....later news and the answer.

Skomer

2 Hen Harriers came in to roost tonight - juv male & female, but only saw 5 Short-eared Owls.

That's it from Skomer this year, we're off tomorrow before the next lot of wind comes in

Plumstone mountain roost

A great variety of raptors at Plumstone late this afternoon. 3 Hen Harriers (1 male) came in to roost, 1 Goshawk, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Peregrine, 6 Buzzards and a Merlin which flew very close to our viewing point a couple of times.
The Starlings put on a good display with numbers which, by a rough estimate, must be at least one million.
(Paul G, Dyfed and Wendy J)

Dowrog roost

Four Hen Harriers (two male and two female) came into roost at Dowrog between 15:50 and 16:30, waited until 17:00 but no sign of any Short-eared Owls - all on Skomer by the sounds of it.

Common Gulls

Took a late afternoon stroll around the fields between Trewarren farm & the Gann, hoping to find something - what did surprise me somewhat, was about 50 Common Gulls feeding. 16 Moorhens on the irrigation pond was an odd experience too. Otherwise quiet

Out & about

Broad Haven: female Velvet Scoter with around 140 Common Scoter (in 2 flocks) also a drake Pochard and a drake Wigeon

St. Bride's: 2 Blackcap (pair), 1 Chiffchaff, 20 Blackbird, 2 Redwing

Dale: male Black Redstart on the roof of 97 Blue Anchor Way (south side of village, near cemetery)

Kete: female Merlin flew west

St. Ann's Head: Chiffchaff at the coastguard cottages by the new lighthouse

Dale Airfield: 180 Lapwing

Martin's Haven: male Blackcap

Marloes Mere: 250 Lapwing

This morning from Jonathon B

Jonathon had a great morning at St Justinians with a female (type) Black Redstart on the RNLI Station hand rail, a Merlin flying towards Ramsey Island and four Risso’s Dolphin right under the cliffs heading north – so close the blows could easily be heard and the so close he could see the blow holes opening and closing.

Richard's Pipit & WeBS

Pleased to find a Richard's Pipit this afternoon at Marloes Mere. It was in the long grass/stubble field behind the Britton Hide, and then flew N/E and appeared to land in fields to the east of Murchin Cottages. I had a look over there but couldn't relocate it, but the field I think it went down in looks perfect and is on your right just after you crest the hill leaving Marloes for Martin's Haven - it has some stubble at the bottom and the rest is medium length grass being grazed by sheep. Worth a look. Also at the Mere a juvenile Hen Harrier and plenty of ducks - c.20 Gadwall, c.30 Wigeon, c.25 Mallard and 40+ Teal. A flock of 30+ Chaffinch feeding behind the hide and 8 Reed Buntings. At the Gann 6 Goldeneye, 3 Little Egret, a Greenshank and a pale-bellied Brent.

Highlight of my WeBS this morning at Hook/Sprinkle Pill was a colour ringed Little Egret (I'm fairly confident it was an L in black on a white ring on the left leg, and a V in black on a yellow ring on the right leg - will submit and see what I get back). Also 16 Greylags flew over, heading towards Little Milford. Good numbers of waders here: 111 Redshank, 7 Greenshank, 480 Lapwing, 253 Dunlin, 350 Golden Plover & 89 Curlew. Good numbers of Teal, less Wigeon, but 4 Pintail was nice.

Mixed Bag

Early this morning a male Ring Ouzel showed briefly on a roadside post near the lay by’s at St Justinians whilst later as the sun was setting a flock of c100 Lapwing high at Crug Glas and c50 at Carnehedryn with a SEOwl floating inland over the main road from the Dowrog

Skomer

Nice to be able to do a bit of birding again!
Highlight of the day was a flock of 19 Short-eared Owls I flushed out of a 50m patch of bracken in North Valley!
Pretty quiet otherwise but still a Black Redstart in North Haven

Freshwater West

A Great Black-backed Gull picking clean a Seal pup carcas on the beach at Freshwater West this morning. In the dunes the other side of the road from the beach the male Hen Harrier again performing, at one point swooping down and putting up an immature Peregrine. Also 16 Chough, a Kestrel and, on Castlemartin Corse, in excess of 700 Lapwing and c.80 Golden Plover. Many Starlings about near the bridle path which leads up from the beach road together with several hundred finches.

Shrike alight

Ty Rhyg
8.20am - Great Grey Shrike (Shrike 1), south side of track. SN054296.
Pantmaenog
9.00am - no sign of GGS in usual spot by paddock.
10.00am - Great Grey Shrike (Shrike 2), on wires over paddock, then on conifers northside of paddock. SN082311.
10.50am - Great Grey Shrike (Shrike 3?), beneath car park moving between high perches. SN073300.
Ty Rhyg
11.15am - Shrike 1 distant view on northside of track. SN056298.

Llanstadwell.

Neither the Scandanavian Rock Pipit,or the Whimbrel could be found this morning,but two Red Breasted Merganser added to this weeks unexpected birds.

Marloes Mere

2 Ringtail Harriers this morning - 1 flew off East. Wigeon & Teal in good numbers, but all ducking & diving because of the Harrier. A Peregrine joined in causing more panic. A few Snipe (6) also. Many thousands of Starlings flying in to the fields around Trehill farm. Quite a spectacle.

Rare Wheatears & Pembrokeshire Islands

I can sympathise with Mike's frustration at his Northern Wheatear the other day when Dave B trumped him with a Desert Wheatear on Skomer. By my reckoning (reference to Birds of Pembrokeshire & Birding in Pembrokeshire), we have had 7 rare wheatear records and all of them have been on the islands: Ramsey (Pied), Skomer (Desert & Black-eared) and Skokholm (Isabelline, Pied & 2 Deserts). No doubt observer coverage is an issue as there should be no reason why one shouldn't occur on the mainland, for instance the proportion of mainland Yellow-browed Warblers to the islands is clearly in the mainland camp (habitat perhaps helping here).

It's also worth pointing out that this prolonged run of south easterlies continues to produce birds you wouldn't expect at this time of year, or some species in very high numbers: e.g. Red-rumped Swallow today (Norfolk), Sharp-tailed Sandpiper today (Avon), Temminck's Stint yesterday (Devon), influxes of Desert Wheatear, Hume's Warbler, and grey geese (especially Tundra Bean & European White-fronted). Get out there - the autumn is well and truly still alive!

MidPembs section of The WildlifeTrust 21 Nov 2011

The next indoor meeting is on Monday the 21st November starting at 7.30pm at The Patch, Furzy Park, Haverfordwest. A presentation ‘The Natural History of Pengelli Forest’ will be by Dr Mike Snow. There is no charge for admission, members and non members are welcome. For further details please contact Robin on 01348 840617

St Davids Hd

A male Ring Ouzel flew up to Carn Llidi from above the Youth Hostel. A small wader flushed from the tiny reedy pool in Porthmelgan valley (calling luckily)turned out to have been a Little Stint. At Goodwick Moor, a Merlin.

Newport

08.00~ From my kitchen window (looking towards Berry Hill/ Gethsemane direction), the largest flock of Lapwing c250+ that I've seen so far this autumn.

Blackcaps

From John Shrouder in Berea near Abereiddy - In my garden this morning were three Blackcaps (2 male and 1 female) together in the same cotoneaster bush eating their berry breakfast.

Lesser spot and crossbills

At Llandilo yesterday a Lesser spotted woodpecker was calling, the first here since August 2010. Also the crossbills which seem to commute around the various conifer plantations in the Preselis have have been displaying and singing as if starting their breeding season. Although they have been present all summer, numbers have recently swelled with a flock of 45 at Llandilo last weekend and flocks of up to 30 are regular at Coed Glynaeron and Ty Rhyg.

Many of our wintering woodcock have turned up during the last two weeks with a count of 12 at Lawrenny last night in a set of regularly monitored fields. Peak numbers can be as high as 25 here but 15 to 18 is a typical count in mid winter.

Two and one makes three

CB

A wander along the outer breakwater (Fishguard Harbour) confirmed there are at least 3 snow buntings present, two which seem insepereable and a loner, the loner flew past as I was photographing these two

Angle area

Three Mediterranean Gulls (2 ads and 1 2nd W) and a Little Egret in Angle Harbour this morning, and a wet and slightly bedraggled looking Wheatear (pic attached) in the fields along the B4320 near the old telephone exchange. The leggy appearance of the Wheatear suggests it is probably the 'Greenland' form.

Llanstadwell.

A Scandanavian Rock Pipit,and a Whimbrel present this morning.

Newport

High Tide ~ 10 Dunlin, 1 Sanderling, 7 Redshank, c50 Wigeon, 1 Little Egret.

Janet.

Skomer

This male Desert Wheatear was a nice surprise this morning!

First saw it at about 10:50 along the track near Captain Kites. It seemed quite happy there jumping around chasing insects despite being the coldest, windiest spot on the island! At about 11:20 it worked its way down the slope towards South Haven and I haven't seen it since, despite looking again a couple of times.

It was already a pretty good day before the wheatear - a flock of Crossbills flew west (that's the fourth time I've heard Crossbills on here & still never actually seen one!), a summer plumage Great Northern Diver flew north over the island, there were a few Blackbirds and Song Thrushes in, still a couple of Blackcaps in the ivy and there's a flock of 4 Black Redstarts in North Haven, including a stunning adult male

Teifi

From The Webley this morning - a late juvenile Sandwich Tern, 2 Grey Plover,3 Redshank and 7 Dunlin. Further upstream behind the old Jewsons, 1 Common Sandpiper and 6 Redshank.

Around the Teifi marshes there seemed to be quite an influx of Bullfinches - there were 3 males together in one bush near the car park. The Marsh Harrier that was seen there last Tuesday has been looked for every day since but seems to have gone.
Goosander are back on the river with 11 near the river viewpoint.

Angle Area

At Kilpaison mid morning 16 light Bellied Brents. Quite a few waders (Dunlin & Knot pictured) but they were flying about or stayed off on the far side of the bay so I couldn't get a handle on numbers.
In the dunes at the back of Freshwater West the smart male Hen Harrier was quite close to the road and was mobbed by a Merlin as it hunted. The Merlin then switched its attention to a passing Buzzard before seeing off a Crow. A feisty individual!
At Bosherston late morning I failed to find the Bitterns below Stackpole Court although I met Lyndon there who had had some brief glimpses of one keeping low in the reeds. I did see 4 Goosander, 2 Goldeneye and 2 Kingfishers by way of compensation.

St Davids Hd

Northern Wheatear (gutted!),Black Redstart, Dartford Warbler and continental-type Robin again. Also a dead Adder.

Desert Wheatear -- Skomer

More from Dave Boyle later,

photo on Skomer blog........here

Bittern

Excellent views of two Bitterns at the Stackpole Court end of Bosherston Pools, this afternoon.
Record shot by Gerallt Devonald.

Fishguard Fort Monday 14th Nov 16.00ish

Still 1 Great Northern Diver present & a flock of 12 birds which comprised of 11 Dark Bellied Brent Geese & a sgl female Gadwall. Still not many gulls present though.

A sgl Mute Swan was present at the Flagpoles earlier in the day but i couldn't locate it this evening.

Abereiddy

From John Shrouder - Black Redstart and Blackcap in Abereiddy today.

Marloes Peninsular this weekend

A wonderful weekend in the Marloes area, with a very large flock of starlings (many thousands, perhaps 10,000+) doing the rounds of the local fields. Martin's Haven had a really interesting "fall" of thrushes, with a handful of Redwings and a Fieldfare adding to up to 30 Blackbirds that were feeding heavily on sloes in the valley, along with 4 Blackcaps (1M, 3F-type). Interestingly, a substantial majority of the Blackbirds were male 1W birds, with very dark bills. The valley also saw a steady stream of Chaffinches and Skylarks in and across, as well as regular small groups of tits and a pair of Reed Bunting.

A lovely surprise this morning was a Short-eared Owl that I flushed in the valley and which flew across the Deer Park. This evening it was back, hunting in the dusk. On the fields we have had up to 27 Chough on the Trehill Farm fields.

A couple of quick trips to the Gann gave up to 25 Teal, 27 Redshank, and 20+ Snipe, a Bar-tailed Godwit and a solitary Dunlin. Also up to 6 Dabchicks, my the first Goldeneye of winter (1M, 3F) and a pale-bellied Brent.

On the way to St Bride's, a male Black Redstart at Orlandon Farm cottages and a Female-type at St Bride's Church were my first ever in Pembrokeshire! Over St Brides Haven, a male Merlin chasing a Snipe (unsuccessfully).

Fishguard Fort Sunday 13th Nov 16.00

2 Great Northern Divers ( Ad & 1st W ) but no gull roost to speak of.Earlier on from Flagpoles only 1 G C Grebe & again very few gulls.

Bosherston Great White Egret

A record shot of the GWE in the tree opposite the boathouse at Bosherston this afternoon.

Great White Egret at Bosherston

A Great White Egret, initially found by John and Chris Hayes, was roosting in a tree (with Cormorants and Grey Herons) opposite the boathouse at Bosherston until at least 15:00 this afternoon. Some record shots to follow later.

Bosherston

Black Redstart on the roof of the houses immediately to the north of the church in Bosherston village this morning, also one on buildings in the Orielton estate yesterday. This week has also seen the arrival of the first Goosanders and Goldeneyes on the pools.

Otherwise, small groups of winter thrushes scattered across the Castlemartin Peninsular, including an noticeable influx of Blackbirds and Song Thrushes in the valley at St Govan's over the past two days.

Richard's Pipit, Firecrest & Bittern.....?

Skomer;-
1 Richard's Pipit over at 09:30.
(Dave B)
Kilpaison;-
1 new Firecrest trapped & ringed this evening
(Paul W & John H)

Hi - a description from a gentleman who lives in Stackpole of what sounds like the first Bosherston bittern of the winter. It was a "mystery bird" description. Below the site of Stackpole court, evening, 3-4- days ago, on the edge of the reedbed, "heron sized, brown, speckled in front, strong flier". When I suggested reedbed-coloured, points head skywards, he eagerly agreed.
(Richard Ellis)

St Davids Hd

At least one Dartford Warbler, a couple of Redpolls over and a Merlin present. One of two pale Robins seen well showed all the characteristics of a continental bird.

Newport Sat am

A lovely morning & plenty of activity. 20 Curlews with another 50 on the roost. 12 Teal, 4 Herons, 6 Little Grebes, 9 Redshanks, 40 Lapwings, 60 Wigeon, 13 Ringed Plovers.
Gulls included 4 ad Meds including one ringed as a pullus in N France in 08 which reached the Isle of Man 3 months later. It then disappeared before turning up at Newport 3 years later, where its been seen 4 times in the last fortnight. 2 old friend Gloucester land fill Herring Gulls, & rarest of all, a Tufted Duck moulting into ad M plumage.

Skomer

The Ring Ouzel was at the farm again today & there were lots of Blackbirds in, saw 65, & a Woodcock - but I'm sure there was more about but not showing in the weather

Mid Pembs section of the Trust - Sunday 13th November 2013

The next outdoor meeting of the Mid Pembs section of the Wildlife Trust is as follow
A walk to see the wildlife of the Newport estuary. Meet at 10.30am at the Parrog car park Newport - please bring a packed lunch and suitable clothing
When – SUNDAY 13th November 2011
Both members and non members are welcome and there is no charge.
Further details from Robin Taylor on 01348 840617


Lyndon

Porthclais and Nine Wells

Two woodcock flushed at Porthclais joined several wasps and a red admiral on the wing. There were 3 redwing with a multitude of blackbirds, a coal tit, and several blue and great tits in one of the hawthorns just past the car park at Nine Wells.

Skomer

A few nice birds around today - 2 Lapland Buntings & a Snow Bunting flew over this morning, there's a Ring Ouzel at the farm and a Black Redstart at North Haven

Castlemartin Corse

A superb adult male Hen Harrier at Castlemartin Corse this morning. Also 2 Sparrowhawks, a Kestrel, 600+ Lapwing, 18 Curlew, 20 Snipe flying over the reeds and a few Wigeon, Teal & Shoveller on the flooded area by the reeds. In the Dunes behind Freshwater West 10 Chough and on the Bridle Path behind the car park a big flock of finches - 200+ Greenfinch, 150+ Linnets, 100+ Chaffinch and a few Goldfinch. Also several thousand Starlings in the area and a hundred or more Wood Pigeons. Rich C & Morris North

St Davids

Snow Bunting on Carn Llidi this am. Also 2Merlins 2 Sparrowhawks and 2 Kestrels

Late Swallow

On the way to Porthclais this afternoon I had a red-throated diver fly west over the A487 at Pen y Cwm towards the sea. Porthclais was thronged with birds, in particular blackbirds, of which there seemed to be two or three to a bush, busily feeding on haws and sloes. There was a single song thrush, many dunnock, some robins, lots of blue tits, several great tits and 6 or so long-tailed tits. At least 4 goldcrest were seen in the valley. Overhead, there was a steady but sparse movement of small birds, especially chaffinch; and three flocks of lapwing, totalling c130. There was a single raven and a lone sparrowhawk, but the highlight was a late swallow which came down the valley towards the sea and then flew around for several minutes feeding on the flies which, as the sun had come out, were buzzing around in the lee of the bushes along the valley edge.

Starlings

As an addition to my piece last night I have been told that there is allegedly shooting of starlings going on in this area & the police have been informed!

starlings

Several thousand starlings were trying to roost around the village area (Tegryn), but someone doesn't like them, so very disturbed by what I assume is a shotgun, they worked their way around & eventually settled for the trees in our garden. I have no problem with them stopping here, in fact they are welcome; any port in a storm!

Pigeons & owl

Yesterday, (Monday) a jay was calling loudly down the valley, & the reason soon became apparent as a tawny owl hooted, obviously disturbed from it's roost. We used to have regular tawny owls here but in recent years it has become more & more unusual to hear them.

Also yesterday on the south side of the Preseli ridge, near Bwlch-Gwynt, over 100 wood pigeons flying towards Rosebush.

Ring Ouzel

A male at Point St. John this morning, Pencarnan, St. David's.
(John & Marion)

Yellow-legged Gull -- Abermawr

1 adult in roost off Abermawr this evening, also 1 summer plumage Great Northern Diver.
(Adrian)

Ramsey

Red kite was the highlight today along with a female type black redstart plus 7 snow buntings moving west. A good raptor day also saw hen harrier, merlin, peregrine, sparrowhawk, kestrel and buzzard logged. Small numbers of fieldfare and redwing passed over this morning along with a good movement of starlings (320+ west)

Skomer

Been pretty quiet over here for the last few days, we seem to have missed out on the big thrush movements but we're having a good autumn for Mistle Thrushes - normally only see them once or twice been they've been quite regular in the last couple of weeks.
There's been just a few finches and Skylarks going over in the mornings, including the odd Siskin, Brambling, Redpoll and lapland Bunting, and about 500 Woodpigeons flew west on Friday morning

Isabelline Shrike -- Porthclais

The shrike still present but no sign of the Barred Warbler this morning -- 12:00
1 Ring Ouzel, a flock of 31 Long-tailed Tits.
Other highlights, large winter thrush movements -- which were noted elsewhere around the county this morning.
120 Fieldfare being the largest single flock over, also good movements of Woodpigeons.
(John & Marion)

harriers - Dowrog

Saturday...
2 short-eared Owls, male & female Hen Harrier on the the Common.
(Chris G.)

Barred Warbler

Hi Guys,

My name is Dave Collins, i am a birder from the West Midlands
and i was lucky enough to find the barred warbler this afternoon.
I was watching the shrike on the perimeter fence when this bird
just popped out and showed quite well for 10 mins in the sun.
I telephoned Bird Guides because I hadn't got the number for RBA.
After having a pager for over 10 years I decided
to give it up in August as I thought  my twitching days were over!
but with an Isabelline Wheatear and an Isabelline Shrike,
the temptation was too great.
A local couple got me on to the Shrike in the valley,
i think they were the guys that found it originally.
I did try to find them to tell them about the Barred warbler
but was unable to locate them.
Although the photo is not brilliant,
due to trying to shoot through a fence,
if it's any use to you guys i have no objections
to you using this photograph.
Kind regards,
Dave Collins (West Midlands)

Cemaes Head -- a new Dartford site?

3 pale-bellied brents on the estuary Saturday lunchtime, juv Dartford on Cemaes saturday evening and soaring Male Goshawk and Female Peregrine (on the same thermal) Sunday morning.

Not much movement overall with only a few skylark, mipit, assorted finches best 2 siskin overhead, in the bushes quite a few song thrushes including 5 in one bush and a few goldcrests.
(John O'Sullivan)

Firecrest, Short-eared Owls ....Freshwater East &....

Just a quick note on the most note worthy birds seen whilst staying at the chalet park at Freshwater East.

We started the day with a Firecrest at the back of the chalet park, Freshwater east by the Boat Park sign. Not a bad way to start the day, and I hadn't travelled more than 100metres from my front door. A trip to Fishguard harbour was tame with just a little gull and around 20 brent geese circling overhead. Back to south pembrokeshire and Freshwater West where a merlin was hunting amongst a flock of meadow pipits and a short eared owl heading straight out to sea! We finished the day at St Govans and an excellent cup of tea at the tea rooms follwed by 4 whooper swans flying east and two short eared owls hunting near the white building 500yds from St Govans head car park.

Sunday was less exciting but a quick look from the beach at Freshwater east found us a Great Nothern Diver in almost full summer plummage! Finally as we packed up a red kite flew over the chalet being harrased by the resident gulls and crows.(my list for the chalet park is getting better with every visit including chough, peregrine, tawny owl, firecrest, most of the warblers, greater spotted woodpecker and a decent list from the beach). I'll keep watching as I think the area isn't watched much and the area at the back of the beach must be ideal for a mega.

Best Wishes

Craig Lewis

Wryneck @ St. Govan's

Mervyn Jones found a very late Wryneck at St. Govan's Head this morning, quite mobile but frequenting the valley that runs eastwards away from the car park.

Barred Warbler, Spoonbill, Lapland Bunting

A dawn to dusk epic with Paul G, started with a superb sunrise at the Gann and plenty of birds: a 1st-year Spoonbill high over west at 9am (presumably the bird seen here in October?), a Brambling over, 35 Meadow Pipits (usual to see 0-5 here!), a pale-bellied Brent, an adult Med Gull, a Knot, a Greenshank, 6 Redshank & a few Reed Buntings and several Skylarks over. On to the airfield and a single Lapland Bunting with a few Skylarks in the central triangle, and nice Short-eared Owl with prey flushed from the tussocky area between the Hookses and the main runway. 2 Redpoll and a Siskin at Dale Fort, and 2 Kestrels at St. Ann's Head. Very quiet in Dale village, so on to Marloes village where more birds but little of note. A long circular walk from Marloes Mere out to the Deer Park and back produced c.80 Lapwing, usual selection of ducks, 10+ Reed Buntings and fleeting glimpses of what was probably a Dartford Warbler on the DP but couldn't confirm it. Whilst here heard of a Barred Warbler at Porth Clais via Birdguides, so after a 20 minute walk back to the car and a 40 minute drive to Porth Clais, we joined others on site and within 5 minutes relocated the bird on the bank above the harbour, opposite the bungalow. It showed well in sunshine for no more than 10 minutes as it worked its way back towards the road which it eventually crossed (heading back towards the sewage works where it was first found) but it was not seen after about 4.05pm. Managed 2 record shots, the rear view at least shows the diagnostic pale fringes to the tertials.

Strumble & Tresinwen (06 Nov 11)

Lapland Bunting flew south over the old coastguard station at 1030.  8 Mistle Thrushes around Tresinwen and a female Blackcap in the garden.

Whoopers?

Just had 4 swans fly fairly high over Haverfordwest heading north which were almost certainly Whoopers.

St David's Hd

Another Dartford Warbler (all 3 migrants of last couple of days each about 1/4 mile apart). Red-breasted Merganser high overhead flying south. Female Merlin still present.

Bittern and Red Kites

Manorbier;-
6 Red Kites together- a very good count this far south in the county.
(Alan Morris)

Teifi Marshes:-
1 Bittern, in flight across the kingfisher Hide reed-bed at 16:40.
Starling numbers well down this evening from last night. This evening c7-8k, last night c50k.

Porthclais (05 Nov 11)

Another cracking Shrike, another long week..... but it was worth it!  Isabelline Shrike showing well between 0930 and 1330 in usual spot.  Also Hen Harrier (Fem) in fields other side of valley and at 1300 a Red Throated Diver flying high over the City heading westwards roughly towards Whitesands.

Deer Park & St. Brides

A walk round the Deer Park this morning produced a nice Dartford Warbler - the first I have seen at this site. It appeared in a bush near the Cliff top and then flew of into the centre where there is plenty of Gorse. Also 8 Chough and on the beaches at the end of the park a total of 25 Grey Seal pups of a wide variety of age and colouring.Marloes Mere was pretty quiet with 26 Wigeon, 5 Shoveller, 11 Teal and 80 Lapwing.
Following up a tip (thanks Dave) I went on to St. Brides and the male Black Redstart was performing brilliantly on the porch of the Church - a real stunner. More pics here

Ty Rhyg

Great Grey Shrike in usual area by the gate at 12.30pm. Numbers of crossbill calling with groups of 22, 17 and 7 flying eastwards. Kestrel hunting - first I've seen here in a good while. Flushed a woodcock in the forestry at the farside. The shrike was being rather elusive on return but eventually relocated on southside of track by gate at 2.20pm.

Firecrests & Blackcaps - Teifi Marshes today

Click on the photo for more details of recent activity by the Teifi RG






(photo Tommy E)

Male Black Redstart at St Bride's

A walk at St. Bride's with my daughter and our dogs was livened up with this stunning male Black Redstart on the church roof. I don't think I've ever had such good views of a male before - it really was a star performer, I even had to move back with the scope to fit it in the viewfinder of the camera! The trick was trying to get it centred and focussed before it darted off after another fly. left as Richard Crossen was arriving so decided to get in quick with blogging my photos before he gets his up!

Skomer

Lovely day, but pretty birdless except for the Firecrest still in North Haven

Nice Sky, shame about the Starlings

I visited the Starling roost at Minwear this evening expecting a spectacular show after the large numbers there last week. Amazing how things change so quickly. Great sky but disappointing numbers of Starlings with "just" a few thousand which came in in small groups and dropped into the far end of the reed bed very quickly. I wonder if they have moved on to Plumstone already.

Great Grey Shrikes

I'm now firmly in the two bird camp!
2.50pm Great Grey Shrike at Ty Rhyg north side between gate and pond, moving freely.
3.25pm Great Grey Shrike at Pantmaenog on telegraph wires over the paddock, still on the same perch at 4.10pm and joined by 5 Pied Wagtails.

Scarce but not scared

images CB

One of the nice privelidges of working with Stena Line is access to the outer breakwater at Fishguard Harbour. These two  Snow Buntings have been around for a couple of weeks but not showing well untill today, when they allowed me to approach within about ten yards. The first two seemed to be  pretty much acting as a twosome but the other bird pictured below may well have been a third one as I saw no sign of its mate.

North Pembs

At Heathfield GP a Cetti's Warbler, probably a site first. At St Davids Hd 2 Dartford Warblers including a showy male at the Burial Chamber, also Chiffchaff, (probably abietinus) and Merlin.

The Isabelline Shrike moving more widely, at 1:30 it was further up the road at the farm.

Isabelline Shrike

Still present, usual spot. Also a Lapland Bunting south over Warpool Court, St. David's (Paul G). Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

Isabelline Shrike

Still present and showing well by 5 bar gate up hill from car park at 215pm (per Birdguides). Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

Skomer

This Yellow-browed Warbler was a nice surprise down the bottom of North Valley and the Firecrest is still in North Haven

Ramsey

First woodcock of the autumn today. A single wheatear at the south end of the island was only the second November record in 6 years. Ring tail hen harrier and a merlin have been here for around a week on and off.

Hen Harrier - nr. Abereiddy

Hi,

12.30 pm today, good view of a female Hen Harrier half a mile inland from Abereiddy bay and flying south.

(John Shrouder)

Yellow-browed Warbler -- Skomer

1 this morning,
(Dave Boyle)

Northern Wheatear -- Ceibwr

1 on the cliff top this morning.
(Peter Byles)

Skomer

The first Firecrest of the year was in the ivy at North Haven but not a lot else

Bosherston, Angle

No sign of the Black Tern at Bosherston this morning and pretty quiet there with 53 Mallard and 4 Wigeon. A loud blast from a Cetti's Warbler near the Grassy Bridge was unexpected and a Kingfisher sped past at the 8 Arch Bridge.
At Kilpaison late morning 10 Light-bellied Brents, 200+ Wigeon, 15 Bar-tailed Godwits, 27 Dunlin, 14 Ringed Plover and a lone Redshank. A juv Peregrine zoomed over and put everything up, geese and ducks included - you'd think they would be safer on the water than in the air!

Richard's Pipit

A flyover at Carn Llidi, St Davids at 10:20 this morning. A few Chaffinches and Starlings moving but not a lot happening, only 2 Skylarks. Merlin present.
No sign of the Isabelline Shrike at the usual place, late morning but it could just have moved into the valley out of the wind perhaps.

A Peregrine and a Kestrel

I have just received a phone call from a very nice lady who lives in the Hereford/Shropshire borders. She told me that about three weeks ago whilst walking the cliffs near St Justinaian that she and her sister watched a Peregrine kill and feed on a Kestrel. It was apparently quite a battle and she asked me to blog the sighting so it could be shared with all of you/us

Skomer

Pretty quiet out here again, just a few finches and Skylarks going over first thing and Jerry saw a Ring Ouzel again at North Pond
I was sat in my kitchen in North Haven this afternoon looking out the window and could see, naked eye, some massive flocks of Starlings wheeling around behind Solva - there was thousands of them I thought it was smoke at first!

North & South

After a few days of poor/wet/dull weather I decided to venture forth and see the excellent birds on offer. Starting in the south at (a drizzly) Bosherston the juv Black Tern was quickly found and spent most of it's time near the 8 Arch Bridge hawking over the water and occasionaly resting on a log. When I left around 12 noon it had started to favour a stretch of water further up towards the grassy bridge. Good views also near the grassy bridge of the Otter mother and 2 well grown cubs.
On to the north of the county I got to Porthclais soon after 1 p.m. and found a couple of birders at the 5 bar gate up the hill from the car park. The Isabelline Shrike soon put in an appearance and over the next 2 hours or so performed fantastically - down to 10 feet or less in the hedge, eating insects, placing insects on thorns in true Shrike-like fashion and completely ignoring the small contingent of birders who came and went. A stunner - well done Marion and John (again) for a great find.
Finishing at Dowrog Common I had Merlin, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel and, at the last knockings, a ringtail Hen Harrier close to and flying over the road. In the distance large flocks of Starlings were gathering - part of the Plumstone roost perhaps? An excellent day.
More pics of the Shrike here and of the Black Tern here

Shrike Photos

Some great shots of the Isabelline Shrike taken on Sunday, in addition to the one above, by Jeff Slocombe here

Odds & Ends

At Newgale am 3 Med Gulls: an adult, 1stW & 2nd W. Vis mig noted at St Davids but too late to get a handle on numbers. Skylarks and Chaffinches seemed to be the majority but I counted 50 Blue Tits which suggests an exceptional movement. 3 Bramblings and 2 White Wagtails noted too. A Merlin was still present. At sea Kittiwakes were passing at about 300 an hour mid-morning.

A night not to be missed - Pembs Bird group

Monday the 7th November 2011
At the next indoor meeting, at the Patch, Haverfordwest, there will be a presentation by Derek Moore OBE titled the birds of Southern Spain.
Not only is Derek a fantastic speaker and a wonderful character but also a first class photographer as well.
Please use the link on the right to the Pembrokeshire Bird Group Blogsite for further info about location and other events.

Black Tern - Bosherston

Still present this morning, more later.
(Rich C)

Spoonbill

Our neighbour saw the Spoonbill at the Gann on Sunday. Not there today but still a late Wheatear on the beach amongst the pipit-fest on the seaweed.

Isabelline Shrike

Still present this morning in usual spot, up hill from car park by 5 bar gate (Mike Y-P). Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android