Nightjar, Ty Rhyg

A first visit of the year. Just a single nightjar flying around and likely same bird churring in the big clearfell between 10:15-11pm. At times it flew up surprisingly high. Lovely evening for it.

 

Pickleridge Pools

Shame on me - I have only just got round to twitching the Reef Heron. Having only seen this species in non-breeding plumage before I was struck by how smart the breeding plumage was - a silvery bluish grey - and how bright the feet were! It was continually moving along the far bank, fishing as it went, half-opening its wings before diving forwards - it must have been catching fry I suppose. There was also a big flock of Oystercatchers - about 50 - and also a flock of Redshank. 

I have never seen the pools so low - the outlet stream was completely dry and the sea level wasn't going to come anywhere near - high tide today was only 5.64 metres - barely enough to cover the bridge. There were shingle banks in places where I never knew they existed. 

NB Not birds: A nice piece of grasslands is developing at the far end of the bank - good grassland plants (trefoils etc) and plenty of 6-spot Burnet moths.  

Rosemary Royle 

Skokholm

Turtle Dove still here today

Western Reef heron, still at the Gann

The heron was skulking around under the roadside trees at 8:30pm, fishing along the edges up to Crabhall Barn and back. Hard to see in the shadows and overhanging branches. It eventually flew across towards the beach. 6 Little egret clustered on the low tideline. Note: It spent around 15 days in North Wales before coming back to Pembrokeshire, it's been here around 15 days now, might it be getting itchy feet for another adventure?

2 black-tailed godwits at Marloes Mere. The field that last weeks quail flew into has been cut.

Skokholm

Turtle Dove here this evening

Brynberian Moor

Lots of youngsters on the moor this afternoon included meadow pipits, reed bunting, stonechat, whitethroat, chaffinch, linnet. Nice to see two Whinchat families (and a singing male), and a young redstart being fed by his mum. Crossbills and redpoll flying over. First Small red damsel of the year.

 

 

Western Reef heron, still at the Gann

The heron was just below the crossing point at the mouth of the river when I arrived. As the tide flooded in it moved above the crossing, a Little egret chased it around quite vigorously but soon gave up and left it fishing above the submerged crossing when I left around 8:45pm. Sandwich tern flew over and a Common sandpiper on the pools.

Earlier at Marloes Mere a black-tailed godwit, bits of muddy bank starting to appear so might draw in a few waders. No sign of any quail tonight.

Quail, near Marloes beacon

Had a walk along the road from Musslewick to West Hook and back along the coast path to look for quail, only one quail was slightly disappointing considering the number of birds appearing elsewhere across Pembrokeshire and the UK and the number of promising looking weedy fields. It was by the field that had a spectacular show of poppys last year not far from Marloes beacon.

Western Reef Heron

 Looked everywhere from the Gann to spread eagle  pill (Rickeston) & everywhere else in between  this morning with a visiting birder from Bournemouth, only to find out it had "flown in" to the  Gann. So we were able  to get good views of it on the small island with the Cormants. Six Sandwich Terns high over calling first thing.

Kestrels

From Vicky Pearson: A family of kestrels - 4 birds seen - on the cliff north of Broad Haven.  One seems to be on a possible nest, the others out on the cliff top all together.  

Haroldston Chins Chough

From Vicky Pearson: 

I’ve been seeing between 3 and 5 chough flying  together over the last few days (rather than just the normal 2), and this morning saw them close and can definitely confirm at least one juvenile.  Pale beak and being fed.  Possibly a second, but it was facing away feeding itself, so can’t confirm.