16/10/25 A dull but dry day with a surprise midday sighting! Also Steve and Mike...

 A bit of a North Pembs birding mooch starting at  Porthclais National Trust car park. A ptetty innefective padlock and a "No Entry" sign on the gate which barred the way to what has in the past a birding hotspot. It would have been easy enough to sneak through but despite being strongly tempted I resisted my strong inclination to do so.  

Trefiddion was next but apart from some Widgeon nothing much to see there, although it was not easy to see much of the marsh from the road.. Down the adjacent  road to the old Lifeboat Station carpark, for a quick look at Ramsey sound which was equally uninspiring with only a distant Diver (sp) of any note. Similarly 

Penberi Pond next and its lovely little Dabchicks, but little else than gulls. Then on to the Dowrog with little expectation, as it was just gone midday several hours before roosting time. We stopped at the western cattle Grid scanning the coarse grassy scrub, corvids crowed and gulls screamed and then wonder of wonders over to the southern edge, a male harrier heading towards the airfield.

It became sillhuetted despite the poor light and with nothing more than a brief rear view, all i could reliably ascertain was that it was a male Harrier and not a Marsh Harrier . Could it have been the elusive Pallid? who knows! We motored over to the track thet offers some parking with a view over the main moor, Fran walked the dog a nd i half heartedly scanned around and then well beyond the willow carr another grey Harrier too distant for further identification. It seemed unlikely they were both the same birds but although they were brief inconcusive views they brightened up a dull day!

I was saddened to hear of Steve's passing I was lucky enough first meet up with Steve and Anna when they were Skomer Wardens. I was also fortunate to spend time on Skokholm with Steve a couple of times and otherwise would bump into him and Anna here, and there, last time being at Dowrog about a year ago. Their dedication to the islands over the years was epic as has been decribed by Bob. My thoughts are with Anna and family for their loss.      

I first met Mike during my Cambrian Bird Holiday days with Graham Walker back in the late 1970's. On a very foggy day the  mercurial Skomer boat man, Terry Davies, skippering the "Arklow", decided conditions were OK, then misjudged our whereabouts until we accidentally ventured into South Haven. Possibly smarting a little due to his obvious and somewhat erratic navigation in the thick fog, Terry manouvered us next to a flatter piece of the rocky shoreline.and told us to jump off the boat. Being young and limber (45 years ago) i took him at his word and leapt from the Arklow onto  the rocks. Two elderly American ladies also leapt and i just managed to catch them.. And then from somewhere above, a loud voice boomed out of the fog, "Get off my F*%* island!" 

Terry was making the boat ready for a second landing, for the others to get off, ignoring Mike the warden.  I was in a quandry; who did i need to obey and what consequences would occur for either option? I quickly decided that the warden could ban us from ever landing on Skomer again, whereas Terry was obviously in the wrong. As Terry edged closr towards the rock we were standng on again, I told the ladies to jump back on the boat where the other members of our party caught them, I then hopped back on board.the Arklow much to Terrys annoyance. Terry was annoyed and probably not wanting to do the return journey back around the island or back through the notorious Jack Sound in the fog.. He dropped us off at the Remy Slip a small cove on the deer Park, Marloes, where he left us,him and the Arklow heading  off for the safety of Milford Haven. We had to wade ashore, piggy backing the elderly ladies and then scramble up the side of the cliff!.You dont forget days like that!

Later talking to Mike on a subsequent visit, explaining what had happened, we had a bit of a laugh about it. Terry never mentioned it again! It should also be mentioned that after the Sea Empress  oil spill, Mike and a team of volunteers, (probably including Steve?) cleaned up the Wick on Skomer, a herculean effort and  just in time for the safe return of the Puffins etc! 

The knowledge and experience of both these Pembrokeshire naturalists will be sorely missed, along with the likes of Ian Bullock, David Saunders, Graham Rees, Jack Donovan, Stewart Devonald and Peter Tythcot, all  legends in their way and people i was privelidged to have known. RIP all.

 

     

 

Black Redstart, Uzmaston

A smart, but windblown Black Redstart was busy flitting over the roof and around the gravestones at St Ishmaels in Uzmaston ths afternoon. It never settled for more than a few seconds in any one place, so my pictures of it on the various crosses were all out of focus. It was presumably busy feeding in the gaps between the showers. 

Caspian gull, Llys-y-fran

An adult Caspian gull among the early birds at the dam (first reported by George on Sunday). Minimum 3 adult Yellow-legged gulls plus a couple of argentatus-type herring gulls to add to the mix of greys. For once most of the gulls were down at the dam end. Also a silent chiffchaff snatching flies by the boat house.

St Govan's Hd / Manorbier / Penally

A steady movement of birds at St Govan's this morning. In about an hour or so, 97 Chaffinch, 38 Linnet and 41 Skylark flew east. Quiet in the bushes - a handful of Song Thrush and Blackbirds. 
Offshore 2 Common Scoter flew south, a Dark-bellied Brent Goose flew east towards Broad Haven South beach (may have landed there) and a Black-throated Diver flew west. 
A quick check of Bosherston village produced a female-type Black Redstart.

Later in the afternoon a Swallow flew over Penally marsh. (One flew east at Skrinkle yesterday morning too, or maybe it's the same one?). 

Also yesterday 2 Firecrest at Manorbier, one along the footpath by St. James's Church and another by the car park.

Barn Owl?

 

Lucy found these well-predated remains by our garden gate. Pretty sure it is what is left of a Barn Owl, which are pretty scarce at our far end of the Marloes Peninsular

Yellow-browed Warbler, Trehill Farm

Walking up from Martin’s Haven to Trehill today, we passed a field on the south side of the road, about 300m before the brow of the hill. The field still has a standing crop intended to improve the ground for potatoes - it has small black “fruits”, and remarkably spiny leaves/stems!

This crop has been planted at Trehill before, and it is incredibly attractive to birds - we remember Steve Sutcliffe ringing over one hundred Reed Buntings one morning!

Today the crop had Wrens, Goldfinch, Chaffinch and, showing incredibly well, a Yellow-browed Warbler! Not calling, but wonderful views in the sun.

Later, over Martin’s Haven, a Merlin being mobbed ineffectually by a crow. And 2-3 Siskins over from the west.

Hen Harrier

Highlight of a circular walk from Marloes Mere out to Martin's Haven and back was a juvenile Hen Harrier that we bumped into twice, once over West Hook fields and then at the mere.  Lots of ducks and Lapwing at the mere, the amount of visible water since the recent cut back of vegetation is significant and makes seeing the birds so much easier. (Dave & Lisa)

Whoopers

Early morning trip out, no sign of the swans in their favourite fields at Sandy Haven but stopping at the pull-in to check the estuary whoops low overhead heralded the six swans arrival as they flew in from the west at 7:30 and settled in the field above the chapel. Merlin same area.

Gann and Marloes

A visit to the Gann gave us great and extended views of a Red Throated Diver just offshore near the river. A red kite went over shortly afterwards. There were 3 greenshank on the river and a black tailed godwit on the lagoon.

A walk then from Marloes mere to the deer park was quiet but on our return leg about 10 Chough were seen heading to skomer to roost and a further 6 were seen near the end of the mere.

Gary and Sarah Manning 

Skokholm

A late Arctic Tern was in Broad Sound and a Ring Ouzel was on Ann's Knoll

Bits & pieces

The gorgeous family part of 6 Whooper Swans still in their favoured field at Sandy Haven this morning.

An enjoyable couple of hours with Leo at the Gann late morning included the long-staying Spotted Redshank and a green-ringed Herring Gull that wasn't from Skomer - details awaited.

Lisa and I had a good search of Dale Airfield in the hope that the recent Killdeer might be lurking there somewhere.  Several parts look superb but alas no luck.  At least 19 Snipe seen, along with around 30 Lapwing and 4 Golden Plover.

St David's, Dowrog and Wiseman's Bridge Yesterday

 Two records sent in via email for yesterday - apologies for the late posting.

From Gary and Sarah Manning - 

On a long weekend in Pembs so  took a trip to St David's Head this afternoon.  Peregrine kestrel and  2 very obliging Merlin. 2 chough and a small pod of dolphins ( probably Common) which looked to be  2 mother's and 2 calves.

From there to Dowrog and sparrowhawk and kestrel kept us entertained initially.  A cettis warbler was calling as the light faded. Then a male Hen harrier landed after a brief look around. A ringtail bird then arrived, and about 5 minutes later a second(?) Male hen harrier appeared and for the next 10 -15 minutes seemed to fall up settle,flap up again until we lost it as the light failed.

 

From Steve Thomas - 4 crossbill in the conifers opposite the Wiseman’s Bridge Inn.  

 

Skokholm

Two Sooty Shearwater were off the Quarry this morning

Steve Sutcliffe

Steve had a remarkable and lasting impact on the conservation of (at least) four Pembrokeshire islands: Skomer, Skokholm, Caldey and St Margaret’s. Two pictures that capture his incredible dedication to, and love of, our islands: 

1) Carrying the figurehead of the Alice Williams ashore at Dale, having brought her off Skokholm for repainting and restoration. She is now back in the Wheelhouse on Skokholm.

2) Steve and Anna on Caldey in July of this year, checking one of the arrays of nearly one hundred newly-dug Manx Shearwater nest boxes. As typical with Steve, he had the amazing vision to restore the breeding colonies on the island, and then cajoled friends, contacts, the authorities, and funders until the boxes were paid for and made. And the work parties to install them, and the sound systems that have already lured birds back to the area. 

Mike Alexander left us last week and now Steve Sutcliffe

It’s been a bad several days! 

Two giants in the world of Nature Conservation, especially for their huge input to the management of the Pembrokeshire Islands (Skomer and Skokholm in particular)  have left us: Mike Alexander last week, and now Steve Sutcliffe.

I had known them both for many years. I first became aware of Mike who, at a very young age, had been warden at the Calf of Man Bird Observatory back in 1967 (where I was to work several years later). Mike did an excellent job, getting the work of the Observatory back on track after a difficult period. Some time later of course, Mike (like Steve a bit later on) made a considerable mark on Skomer. Much later, when working for the Countryside Council for Wales, Mike was instrumental in the development of the Countryside Management System (CMS). This computerized planning and recording system (aimed at nature reserve managers like myself back then) was way ahead of the game, not only at a UK level but also at an international level!  

I first met Steve at a BTO Ringers Conference at Swanwick in Derbyshire probably in about 1970. At that time I was a keen trainee ringer, living in the West Midlands. It was some years later, that I got to know Steve and Mike much better when I moved to Pembs. in 1984.

Steve, a very keen ringer, a passionate and excellent golfer, had a considerable interest in the islands of course. His contributions to the development and work of the “Friends”, and his passion for seabirds (notably his very long-established ringing studies of cormorants and large gulls on Caldey and St Margarets Islands) are all legendary!

More recently Steve, with Anna and others, had started a new and exciting project aimed at encouraging Manx Shearwaters and Storm Petrels to breed on a now "rat-free" Caldey Island - a place Steve had been involved with since his teenage days (possibly earlier). It is such a great pity that he will not see how the efforts of his labours come to fruition in the years to come.  

So much more could, and will be said about Steve and about Mike. There just isn’t enough space here. 

Annie and I are so pleased to have had the privilege of knowing them both…. RIP!

Bob

Porthclais and St Davids airfield

3 firecrest in Porthclais, 2 by the caravan and one opposite the house. Pair of blackcaps and a few redwings. Good to bump into Huw and share a firecrest.

Met Paul at the airfield to see if any harriers roosted. Just a female hen harrier which headed over the bug farm towards the Dowrog around 4pm. A few redwing and couple of fieldfare, 300 lapwing flying over, c100 chaffinch in maize field stubbles. Barn owl over the road on the way home. 

Manorbier late afternoon.

3 Firecrest and a Chiffchaff with the mixed tit flocks in the woods behind the castle on a short walk this afternoon.

Manorbier

 A meander around the woods by Manorbier Castle with Richard Ellis this morning started off well with 3 Blackcaps (2 males and a female type) in the trees at the back of the car park. Another male Blackcap was seen in the woods on the north side of the castle. Otherwise the woods were pretty quiet apart from plenty of Long Tailed Tits, a few Goldcrests, Blue and Great Tits and a couple of G S Woodpeckers. In the fields between Jamestown and Manorbier there was a large flock of Skylarks - 200+. A group of berry laden Hawthorn trees held 20 or more Redwings and with them a couple of Greenfinches and some Chaffinches.

Egrets at Quoits Mill

From Melanie Felton: Have 23 little egret on Quoits Mill Pill at 14.20 , largest number I have seen here for a few years.