A great day in Pembrokeshire

From Samuel Levy: A great day in Pembrokeshire today. We had a few random things and some more expected. 

• Lots of Swifts on the move heading North along the coast from the Marloes peninsula potentially in the region or 100 to 200 N during the middle of the day so likely many more passed. 
• We had a Lesser Redpoll briefly at Martin's Haven sat on the walk of the gangway to get on the skomer boats. 
• 2 Yellow Wagtail were in the field next to Marloes Mere car park.
• Finally the Gann had lots of life today with 75+ Curlew, 40+ Oystercatcher, 3 Redshank, 4 Sanderling and a minimum of 1 Common Ringed Plover but likely more.

Hobby, Martin’s Haven

A Hobby came over the Deer Park from the direction of Skomer this afternoon at about 1630. It was jinking around, but not obviously chasing any of the Swifts and Swallows also present, so maybe after insects?

Last night, in the mist and fog (!), hundreds of Manx Shearwaters over the valley. Most were remarkably quiet, but we could hear their wingbeats as the swooped low around the cottage.

Pembrokeshire Bird Group Event- Storm Petrel Ringing

 

Strumble - Storm Petrels

Last night we were at Strumble Head ringing and monitoring Storm Petrel movements.   The Pembs Bird Group and intern students from Sea Trust joined us for a couple of hours as we processed and released the birds.

A successful night involved a  Storm Petrel ringed on Bardsey last July and  birds we had ringed at Strumble in 2024 and 2025 amongst the 23 birds handled.

Many thanks to Mike Hayes for arranging the guests.

Click here for ...   A summary of our  movement studies in 2025..

Teifi Ringing Group

Spotted Flycatcher

I am delighted to say that we have a Spotted Flycatcher nesting in our garden here at Orlandon Kilns. This has happened once before, in 2006, when they used a nestbox. After that, there were rather few sightings until 2021 when we started seeing them again regularly in late summer, often juveniles or family parties, giving the impression that they had nested nearby. The current pair are in a climbing rose. Here are some pictures taken through the study window. 

Rosemary Royle 

Starlings

From David Butler:

In Johnston the first starling fledgling was noted on the 19th May, appear to have new arrivals most days since,  approx 30 birds in my small garden today.

At Hakin Point a GBB gull W339 was on the beach, ringed on Skokholm on the 17th June 2020, this was the 3rd sighting since. Thanks to the warden for the info.  

Teifi Marshes

 An Osprey over the Marshes this afternoon, seen earlier in the day by others too. 

Dartford Warbler

Earlier in the spring a pair of Dartford Warblers were discovered in the west of the county, and since then a few of us have been checking in on them when passing.  Last week I was delighted to locate the pair with at least 2 fledged youngsters (possibly more).  The male was regularly singing so hopeful that a 2nd brood could be on the cards.

You can read up about Dartford Warblers in Pembrokeshire on the Pembrokeshire Avifauna here:

https://pembsavifauna.co.uk/category/dartford-warbler/

Photos of the male taken from a public footpath with a long telephoto lens 8/6/26.

Swifts

3 swifts this morning (10am) over Broad Haven beach and sea front properties.    Ya! (First I’ve seen thus year 😊)

Vicky Pearson

Ty Rigg

Nightjar  heard 2/3 calling but didn't see any

Tawny owl 2 calling

Hornets

Not actually a bird but interesting none-the-less. See below from Steve Smith:

Not sure if this the right place but I'm sure that you can pass on the information to the relevant people but I have seen two European Hornets in Stepaside today.  About 5pm and at 18.45pm. They were definitely European and not Asian Hornets.  Brownish/ yellow about 1" 1/4 maybe 1"1/2 long. So chuffed as they are only the 2nd and 3rd time that I have ever seen them.