Two male Redstarts were singing not far from the path, as I walked past the quarries near Rosebush this morning. On the way back, I also had good views of a male Redstart, and a brief view of a female. Near the lower path, a Willow Tit could be heard singing.
Thursday 18 April 2024
Wednesday 17 April 2024
Tuesday 16 April 2024
Marloes peninsula
A short-eared owl across the Dale road, by Walwyn's Castle 4:30pm was a bit of a surprise. Plenty of warblers on the usual circuit 20+ Willow warbler, a dozen Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcaps and first 2 Whitethroat on the Deer Park. 8 Wheatear all in Martins Haven. Duckwise, pair Shelduck, pair Gadwall, pair Wigeon, 3 pair Teal, 6 pair and 8 m Shoveler with a few of these sitting tight to likely nest sites. The 5 Tufted duck still here. Most interesting bird was another European rubicola-type Stonechat in the same area of the Deer Park as a previous bird of a few years back. Big white rump, whitish belly with bright orange breast, it was roaming quite widely from beneath the lookout to the top of the steps.
Sunday 14 April 2024
South coast this morning
We had a nice walk along the south coast from Skrinkle to Freshwater East this morning. Sand martins (several birds) were excavating holes in vertical sandstone cliffs at Manorbier where small numbers have bred regularly in recent years. The population might be expanding. Numerous swallows were moving along the coast.
At least 4 male whitethroats were singing in usual territories between Manorbier and and Fresh East. Good numbers of linnets were collecting nest material. There must have been at least 50 pairs or more between Manorbier and Fresh East. At least five pairs of stonechats included a couple collecting food for nestlings.
The best birds though were 2 pairs of yellowhammer (males singing with females present) in the coastal scrub at Privar. Freshwater East is quite an important area for this species, but these were the first ones that I (Bob) have seen in the coastal scrub here for possibly 20-years. Hopefully various feeding stations are helping to boost their survival in the county.
Two or three starlings at Whitehill (seen from the car on our way home) were probably part of a small, but regular, breeding population here. It is not a particularly common breeding species in Pembs., with a scattering of colonies in various places.
Later at Landshipping, a little egret displaying fine breeding plumes was feeding in the lagoon. Four greenshanks were also feeding in the area plus 3 redshanks. It was also nice to hear greenfinches singing nearby. They have not been especially common in this area in recent years.
Waldo stone presseli hills
Cuckoo male
Grasshopper warbler 3
Willow warbler 10
Chiff chaff 6
Swallow 4
House Martin 2
Wheatear 2 males
Stonechat 5
Skomer boat trip
From Graham Sharples. The first Skomer sunset boat trip of the year saw thousands of puffins and guillemots, good numbers of razorbills and fulmars, gannets diving, and a harbour porpoise. Further out were 2 small rafts of manx shearwaters with others flying around. Just the kittiwakes were absent.
Newgale, Short eared owl
From Alan Collens. The Short-eared Owl was active near the lay-by again at 4.10pm Friday. A female kestrel was also in the area at the same time. Not sure what the attraction is of this little field
Saturday 13 April 2024
Friday 12 April 2024
Pied Flycatcher St David’s Head
Male pied flycatcher this afternoon in the valley at St David’s Head , based in willow scrub with willow warblers and blackcaps for company . 2 male wheatear on the headland.
Grasshopper Warbler
Cuckoo
Cuckoo - Fresh in last night I reckon, no song to speak off, just scoffing caterpillars around the rocks above Ty Canol (Den Vaughan)
Dipper, Llawhaden
From Graham Sharples. A couple of dippers around Llawhaden Bridge. They had a good look at the fast-flowing water but it didn’t appear welcoming.
Tuesday 9 April 2024
The Gann (8th April)
Yesterday afternoon it was persistently blustery so not too much to see. Two pairs of Shelduck, a Common Sandpiper, two Greenshanks and a Turnstone, plus a pair of Chough on the marsh in the middle of the lagoon.
The Turnstone was showing nicely. |
Choughs on the marsh. |