Thursday 30 November 2023
Marloes Mere - Harriers
Wednesday 29 November 2023
Bosherston - follow-up to the odd duck
Thanks to Gary and Sarah for their report of their birding and, in particular, their notice of the unusual duck at Bosherston. So as not to leave such an intriguing sighting hanging in the blog - some further detail here as a follow up. I missed the Lesser Scaup earlier this month, so it was worthwhile going down to the lakes yesterday to have a look at this new bird. It was not hard to find, showing well on its own in the eastern arm. I also found it to be very distinct from the other Tufties present - black on the nail only, somewhat slighter in appearance and no tuft. The slight appearance was probably enhanced also by its frequent habit of stretching its neck. It was keeping itself to itself and, on one occasion, was being bullied by a young Moorhen. My initial thought was yes, this could well be a Lesser Scaup. I took a few photos for later confirmation - crops below. Looking in detail at the photos last night I'm less sure of the ID, which may have been coloured at the time by looking through the 'rose tinted binoculars of expectation', and leaning towards an unusual Tuftie. For example, the small white patch around the base of the bill and a lack of grey in the feathers suggests a juvenile bird (if L Scaup) - in which case is the yellow eye problematic at this stage? More experienced people to me may be able to make the call from the photos below. Otherwise the jury is out until someone manages to get a good look at the wing detail. Whatever the outcome, it was an interesting bird and worth going to have a look at - thanks for the tip off.
Monday 27 November 2023
This weekend
Spotted Redshank - Hook
A Spotted Redshank was on the Western Cleddau at Hook Quay this afternoon (bird on the Boulston side). Also, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits.
Swallow
From Phil Spence: Hardly believed my eyes, but I saw a swallow flying east over Tenby this morning. Got a second glimpse a minute or so later so could have been a pair. The latest I have ever seen a swallow over Tenby before was 30 October last year.
Newsletter
I would just like to draw your attention to the latest edition of the
Pembrokeshire Bird Group and BTO newsletter, November 2023
You can access it using the "Newsletter" button on the right, and if you want to sign up to regular email copies, then scroll to the bottom and enter your details.
Marloes Mere
As I arrived yesterday morning, 30+ snipe rising from the marsh announced the presence of a young Hen Harrier. This bird continued to harass snipe and ducks while I was there, at one point landing on the reeds immediately in front of the Britton hide. No swans on this visit but plenty of Mallard, Wigeon, Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck a Gadwall and loads of gulls (mainly Herring).
Saturday 25 November 2023
Newport parrog
A single swallow headed south over the parrog and a red throated diver was fishing around the rocks by the old lifeboat station this afternoon.
Jack Snipe - Marloes Mere
I spent almost three quarters of an hour in the Britton Hide at Marloes Mere earlier today, mainly looking through dozens of Snipe to see if I could find any Jack Snipe among them. The photos that I took show at least one Jack Snipe, which was at the far right of the nearest reeds to the right of the hide. During the time that I was there, a Ringtail Harrier flew over putting most of the Snipe and Wildfowl up, but it was going too fast for me to get a clear view as to which kind it was.
I could see no sign of the Whooper Swans that have been reported recently, but there were still some Tufted Duck present amongst the wildfowl. It was great to have a much clearer view from the Britton Hide.
On another note, I spotted a male Pintail amongst the Wigeon at the Gann earlier this week.
Corse - more Whoopers
Two whoopers were on the flooded fields at the inland end of the Corse, along with the usual two mute swans. The mutes headed west, settling in front of the hide, the whoopers whooped quietly to themselves for ten more minutes before also heading west, though they kept on going. Noting Skokholm's 11.30 sighting, the Corse Two flew west at around 10.20. Quiet otherwise, a sparrowhawk the only raptor on offer at least while I was around.
Garn Gelli
Decent passage of wood pigeon this morning, I counted 1835 in just over an hour in flocks of between 10 and 300.
On the sea a red throated diver, first heard in flight and then picked up close in from the coast path, along with a couple of great crested grebe.
Also a small pod of common dolphin, minimum of 12 individuals but possibly up to 20.
Friday 24 November 2023
Whoopers
Met Brian at the Mere as light was fading, managed to get a few pics of the Swans, one in particular seemed to have different head /bill profile, though it`s stained head may have been the reason for the contrast. Anyone doing bill "finger printing"? Also a Polecat shot across the track in front of us close to the cafe.
Whoopers, Marloes Mere
Yesterday's single Whooper had been joined by 4 others this afternoon bringing the total to five. A Mute swan was keeping them company. Mere looking really good at the moment, plenty of water and plenty of wildfowl included 5 Tufted duck (2 male). There seemed to be total panic as I approached with 1000s of birds wheeling around, starlings going one way, ducks another gulls everywhere, couldn't see the culprit but suspect a Peregrine seen later towards Martin's Haven was the cause. 2-3 Merlin were zipping around the mere and the wildflower field at dusk. The 200 Lapwing and 100 Golden plovers were still in Trehills fields along with 400 Herring gulls.
Yesterday I had 3 unsatisfactory views of a ringtail between the mere and Martin's Haven, no sign of anything tonight.Carew Cheriton
Two cattle egrets feeding with six little egrets alongside the beef cattle in the field next to our house. Red kite overhead. Too far away to tell what the egrets were catching, but judging by the gape and the bulge in this one's crop it took some swallowing - presumably amphibians (stream nearby, wet field).
Thursday 23 November 2023
Skokholm
A juvenile Pallid Harrier was here for at least 25 minutes this morning. A Whimbrel remains.
Marloes Mere news
Work has progressed nicely at Marloes mere in recent weeks, and NT are now in a position to re-open the Britton hide. It's now accessed via the new track, which is to be signposted in the next few weeks. The track is pretty tidy, but much of the surrounding area is very muddy, so probably still worth waring wellies or boots. We expect everything to settle, as the material dries over the coming months.
It's well worth a look - the views across the mere are vastly improved. It will be obvious to anyone who does visit, that there are further improvements to be made, we're already planning our next steps.
In terms of bird sightings, a single adult Whooper was there today, alongside a good number of teal, shoveler and widgeon. A pair of tufted duck were on the irrigation pond in front of the Britton hide. A large flock of chaffinches were feeding around the new track, alongside a handful of reed buntings. About 100 each of Golden Plover and Lapwing over the Trehill fields. I briefly saw a ringtail Harrier at about lunchtime, quartering low over some of the Trehill fields, before dipping out of sight. I would have payed more attention to it had I seen the news from Skok.
St Davids Head Wednesday
The first big flocks of Starling here this year, and 50+ Redwing with a couple of Fieldfare. A single Hen Harrier (female) over Carn Llidi, several Chough and Stonechat and, flying fast and low over the Golf Course, a Green Sandpiper.
Green Sandpiper
From Alan Seago: A green sandpiper flushed from a muddy puddle at the entrance to the
solar panel farm at Tiers Cross this morning. Elegant wader flying off
with black wings and white rump - just like a house martin.