Maes y Garn, Crymych

Mixed flock of redwings and fieldfares seen this afternoon, estmated c350+ redwings and 70+ fieldfares feeding around the fields and bushes. 2 red kites also seen around the house today.

Pen Anglas

I saw a Merlin floating in the wind before circling round inland at 13:15.

Ring-billed Gull and other birds at West Angle

Adult Ring-billed Gull again on beach at West Angle from 10:00-10:30. Also a couple of Greenshanks, a Kingfisher and 16 Brent Geese in Angle Bay harbour, Merlin and five Choughs at Freshwater West, and good numbers of Fieldfares and Redwings in the fields around the Castlemartin area.

Firecrest etc

Firecrest Goodwick Moor this am. At Sealyham Male (I think) Goshawk and Green sand pm.

Snow Bunting etc... & Llys-y-fran Resr.

Fishguard harbour;-

1 Gt.ctd Grebe from the Flagpoles.

Outer breakwater;-

1 Snow Bunting stilll, 3 Purple Sandpipers, 6 Ringed Plovers.

(Adrian & Richard D.)

Llys-y-fran resr;-

No interesting gulls could be found, perhaps less gulls than the previous visit, but 1 Shoveler with 4 Wigeon amongst the gulls.

Opp. as plastic a bird as you can get Jon!

Firecrest etc

A Firecrest mid afternoon at Monk Haven, about 100m beyond the Manor House, where the stream goes under the path and then under the wall. No sign of any chiffs. At Dale, a male Blackcap in an apple tree in the garden of no.145, and a bit further along the road, a pale chiffchaff in the trees and scrub behind the church - you need to walk in to the church grounds to view (plumage looked good for Sibe but I heard it call twice and it didn't sound like one, so perhaps a scandinavian abietinus instead? At the Gann a similar selection to yesterday, the possible Grey-bellied Brant with 17 pale-bellied, 5 adult Med Gulls (one with green ring), 2 Grey Plover, 3 Dunlin, 8 Wigeon etc.

Carew / Bosherston

No sign of the Long Tailed Duck this morning at Carew (not seen yesterday either).

At Bosherston the Goosanders showing well (16 birds). Also 12 Goldeneye but otherwise very quiet still with a few Coot, Gadwall and several Little Grebes.

peregrine all at sea

Yesterday (Sat 29th) a peregrine was seen from the Irish Ferries 3 miles off the coast chasing kittiwakes.

Ringtail

A smart individual this morning at Marloes mere.
Good numbers of Starlings, some 10,000 birds in 3 large flocks + smaller groups, Blackbirds & Song thrushes seem to be everywhere too.

Pembrokeshire Bird Group Conference 29th November 2009

Yesterday, 29th Nov, the 25th Annual Pembrokeshire Bird Conference was kindly hosted by Chevron Refinery in their Conference Suite near Pembroke.
Already it has been said to have been an excellent Conference – Those who did not attend missed a full programme of very interesting and entertaining speakers together with an opportunity to catch up with ‘old’ friends and also did not enjoy an extremely good roast dinner provided by Chevron.
Thank you from the Bird Group to all our participants, to those who supported our raffle, provided equipment, to those who were present, to the Wildlife Trust and, of course Chevron.
We do hope to see you again next year.
Lyndon Lomax - Pembrokeshire Bird Group part of The Wildlife Trust

Black Redstart & (Long- tailed duck?)

Broad Haven;-
1 Black Redstart on rooftops in Puffin Way today. Also off Broad haven, 4 Red-thd Divers & c250 Common Scoter.
(Paul G.)

Carew Mill Pond;-
1 recent sighting of an imm. Long-tailed Duck , was mentioned at the Bird Conference today. Further news would be welcome!

Water rail & other bits & bobs

At the entrance to Winterton farm Marloes, there is a small stream that drains from the pond & goes under the road. Twice now I have seen a shadowy figure dart for cover in the small pool to the left as one goes up the road towards the village. First time was late in the evening (when I was half asleep) Second time was early this morning (when I was half awake) I`m satisfied that it is a water rail - if someone more alert than me passes by - please check that I`m not dreaming!
Also Lapwings appear to be on the increase in the Mere area,(c70) with a possible Golden plover with them.
Just to add to Dave`s comments, 1 Med gull also had a green ring on it`s left leg + 2 Grey plovers. Checked out Milford docks for other Gulls, but bad light stopped play.

Gann

At the Gann late afternoon today, the possible Grey-bellied Brant with 17 pale-bellys, as well as 5 Med Gulls (4 adults, one with a red ring, and a 2ndW), and an adult Kittiwake.

WALES WIN! there were some birds too.

Whilst a lot of Pembrokeshires birders were sitting around gassing and eating somewhere in the south, we salty sea dogs of Sea Trust were out there in the Irish Sea, looking for blubbery things and even some fluttery things.

Not much of note on the way out yesterday, apart from odd auks a couple of Fulmars and the usual motley gulls keeping us company.

Despite a stiff N Easterly breeze ruffling Rosslare Harbour this morning, a few winter plumage Tysties were hanging around as we set off. There were several mixed Sea Bird feeding flocks up to and around Tusker. A distant feeding frenzy with a dozen Gannets and mixed gull flock probably had porpoises below but none were seen. Another flock of mainly Kittiwakes had amongst them a late Manxie and a Balearic both of which crossed our bows as the flock broke up.

A couple of hundred Starlings came in over our heads followed by two smaller groups showing things were still on the move. Auks and kitties were sighted along the way and a small pod of Common Dolphins preceeded a single Purple Sandpiper about 20 miles off Strumble. Snowdonia lived up to its name glistening white in the clear northern airflow.

The afternoon ended with a hard faught win for Wales over the wallabies, enjoyed from the comfort of my sitting room as I thawed out in front of the woodburner. It dosent really get much better does it? allthingsgood&hwyl, cliff

Short-eared Owl -- Trefeiddan

Well done!
John & Marion completed their first visits to the TTV's they volunteered to cover (seven!).
The highlight today being a Short-eared Owl flushed from their feet on the edge of Trefeiddan at dusk.

Starlings

Guestimated some 2,000 Stalings flying low in a NW direction, over St Ishmaels late this afternoon. What I enjoy most is the sound of their wings.

Male Hen Harrier on Plumstone Mountain

There was a male hen harrier on Plumstone Mountain late this afternoon; very probably a second winter bird.

Teifi Est. & Marshes

Twite;-
No further sighting of the bird since first thing, looked for on/off until 16:30.
Birds noted in the Patch, Railings area;-
c100 Dunlin, 33+ Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Knot, 1 Sanderling, 1 Turnstone, 1 Gt. Ctd. Grebe, c5 Little Egrets.
Both the 2 Snow Geese & the Bar-headed Goose were present first thing amongst c 700 Canada's present.

Teifi Marshes;-
Something flushed birds from the marshes, the most notable of the flushed birds being a flock of c200 Snipe. (Arfon W.)

Another bird of note was a female Goshawk over Llechryd, where a flock of c1000 Woodpigeons.

Ring-billed Gull at West Angle

The adult Ring-billed Gull was on the beach at West Angle again today between 08:00-09:00 before flying inland with the other gulls. The female Eider was still in Angle Bay.

Teifi

The Twite was by the railings at 8.30 this morning.
It flew off into pines with a Chaffinch flock and hasnt been seen since.

Twite - Teifi Est - (Ceredigion though!!)

The Railings , Teifi Est;-
At c15:30 I noticed a finch feeding on the ground c2m away. The winter Twite was feeding away on Stonecrop seeds, watched for a few minutes before it dropped down onto the tideline area below, from where it could not be relocated. The bird was alone.
The bird was c30m from Patch end of railings. Weather permitting it will be looked for early tomorrow.

Pembroke Upper Mill Pond

Yesterday, a couple of counts from John, although water still too high;
38 Black-tailed Godwits & 2 Knot.

Ring-billed Gull on beach at West Angle

Adult Ring-billed Gull with other gulls on beach at West Angle between 09:00-10:00 this morning.

Llys-y-fran Resr -- Gulls..inc Iceland !!

Llys-y-fran Resr;-
Following the 2 Iceland Gulls on Ramsey y'day, a must do visit Llys-y-fran this pm!
Sure enough within one minute of looking a 1st year, very young looking Iceland Gull was picked out.
The make up of the roost tonight, c3500 LBB Gulls, c50 Herring Gulls, c6 Common Gulls, & as is the pattern for early season roosts a proportionately high percentage of Black- Headed c 1500 tonight.
(Paul G. & Richard D.)

Starlings at Plumstone

The Nightly Starling roost at Plumstone, is to say the least, spectaculer, especially on a lovely evening like today. From 4pm onwards.

Left click to enlarge photo.

Whooper Swans -- River Teifi - Teifi Marshes NR.

(photo Mike Snow)

3 ad. Whooper Swans were found on the River Teifi opp. Curlew hide this am.
(Karen, Newport)
Still present at 15:00 but moving around, currently upstream & now in Pembs!!
Also 1 ad. Med. Gull & 1 m. Goldeneye on the river here. Plenty of Teal c50+ & Snipe c25+ too.

Angle Bay / Bosherston

A quick look at Kilpaison this afternoon - still 19 Brents, 2 Barwit, 200+ Dunlin, 8 Redshank, 10 Knot, a few Curlew and lots of Wigeon. At Angle Harbour 1 Greenshank, 60 Dunlin, 40+ Dunlin, 6 Turnstone.

Middayish at Bosherston 16 Goosander, 5 Gadwall, 30 Coot.

Blackpool Mill/ Slebech Estate

Several flocks of finches, some over a 1000 in number. Identified two Bramblings in one flock. Scores of Redwings around with Mistle Thrushes and 40+ blackbirds on one field. Pair of Goosanders in front of manor house with a common sandpiper nearby.

Dowrog Roost & Teifi..

The Dowrog;-
1 Rt Hen Harrier, 2 Merlin, & 1 v.late flying prob. Short-eared Owl.(dark bird but fading!! light.)
(Paul G.)

The Teifi;-
All from the Railings tide racing in, getting dark.
5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 22 Ringed Plover, c30+ Dunlin, 12 Shelduck, & a min. of 20+Redshank. Also the ad. Gt.Ctd. Grebe.

Teifi Marshes;-
5 Goosander on the river, & Goosander regularly present on the river in Abercych.
(Paul M.)

As I can't edit my previous post, for Cormoration read Cormorant! No idea where that came from. It's been a bad day. And before you ask, no I don't watch Coronation Street.

Gann

An amazing (for the Gann) array of birds late afternoon in beautifully still conditions (majority of birds on the lagoon as the tide was in). Birds included a Kingfisher, a Grey Plover, several Redshank, 3 Dunlin, 8 Goldeneye, 15+ Little Grebe, 10+ Teal, 5 Mute Swan, 2 Shelduck, several Little Egret, Cormoration, Curlew etc etc.

Brents are now up to 21 - although they were a little distant (being up the river) there was clearly a new single dark-bellied amongst them, as well as the interesting Grey-bellied/intermediate type bird.

And following on from the Goosander there on Sunday, a red-head Red-breasted Merganser close inshore! Further out 2 Great-crested Grebe, and an adult Med Gull in amongst the gull roost.

Finally, amongst 5 Snipe on the western shore of the lagoon (below the road, more or less opposite the central island) a noticeably darker bird, particulalry on the underparts/belly. Worth a look in good light. Does anyone have the Snipe ID article that was British Birds 101: 189-200? I wouldn't mind a copy/look if so.

Ramsey

2 Iceland Gulls together today - 2nd and 3rd known records for island. First in 1973

Haverfordwest Goosander & Nevern est.

Goosander, the drake was present on the river outside Minnies NiteClub this am.
(Paul G.)

Nevern Est;-
A great deal of dog walking disturbance on this fine morning but an attempt, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits(4 y'day, Janet), 3/4 Little Egrets, c40+ Dunlin, c20 Ringed Plover, c22+ Wigeon, c10 Redshank.

Bosherston Lakes & Carew River

Today at Bosherston lakes still 16 goosanders present (only 3 adult males today) but most other waterfowl still only in low numbers. Firecrests heading to roost down the eastern arm late this afternoon numbered at least 6 with blue tits, LT tits, goldcrests,and a couple of prob abietinus chiffchaffs.

A Black Redstart is still present at Home Farm (Stackpole) - possibly the same individual seen there more than a week ago.

Yesterday around 225 wigeon on Carew River at New Shipping roost, plus small numbers of grey plovers (14) c. 200 dunlin but just 35 curlew. Nice views of 12 black-tailed godwits roosting with the curlews. Shelduck numbers increasing again - c. 125 seen. Plenty of fieldfares around south Pembs now since Friday.

The Gann

At the Gann today there were 20 Brent Geese on the shoreline including the probable Grey Bellied Brant.Click on pics for larger versions.
On the pools there were 5 Goldeneye, 12 Redshank, 3 Bar Tailed Godwits, 1 Knot, 14 Little Grebes, 2 Little Egrets and 20 Teal.

Goosander -- Haverfordwest & Teifi

Goosander - Haverfordwest;-
Julie phoned at 15:30 to tell us about a Goosander on the river outside County Hall this pm, I believe a couple of locals contacted, saw the bird as well. Present for at least 30 mins!
(Many thanks Julie.)

Teifi;-
1 Common Sandpiper at Jewsons.
Opp. St. Dogmael's Quay, the bulk of the Wigeon c100+.
From the Railings, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Gt. Ctd Grebe & c 20+ small waders flying about as the tide rose.

Blackpool Mill

Firecrest on the left over the stone bridge

Teifi estuary

From the railings - 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, a female Red breasted Merganser and 50 Wigeon sheltering from the gale by the boat builders. Increasing numbers of Shelduck around the estuary.

The Gann

Just to add, now 20 Brent, no Whoopers or further Sawbills!!
1 adult Med, 50 Lapwings over

Grey- bellied Brant (prob.) -- The Gann

The prob. Grey-bellied Brant still present at The Gann this am with 18 LB Brent Geese.
(Wendy J.)
See Dave's posting from last Sunday for photos & further details, inc. links.

ANGLE BAY

Sorry Richard missed the female Eider , which was amongst the mooring buoys. the Slavonian grebe was straight out towards Kilpaison.
Also just minutes before seeing Richard Crossen 4 Whooper Swans flew from of the
Castlemartin Corse low over Freshwater West heading for Dale / Gann area !!!

Sawbills at the Gann

Those interesting records of Stuart's from Feb 86 had us looking through our weather records and note, that a year later, we drove over for a walk on Rhossili Beach from a frozen Oxfordshire, and found hundreds of dead Redwing across the sands and a sea of ice. When next for severe winter weather and a fullhouse of Sawbills at the Gann?

Goosander - Gann

David - my first record of Goosander at the Gann was in 1986, when one was present from January into early March. I saw others in December 1990 and in December 1991; but I suspect there are more records ??
In February 1986 one was able to see Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander and Smew, on the same day, in the Dale - St. Ishmaels area.

Milford dock

1 adult Med Gull, with alloy ring on right leg, with some 30 B/H/Gulls.

Brents & a surprise

19 Brents at the Gann late afternoon, including the probable Grey-bellied Brent (which isn't that obvious when swimming, but is when walking about). A major surprise was a drake Goosander, swimming in the shallows close to the shore, which then flew a short distance onto the river and started fishing. From memory my first Goosander at the Gann in 20 years of watching, Stuart I suspect can tell us when the last one was (they may have occured in this time but I can't recall one)!

Newport

Ad male Goldeneye fishing up beyond the bridge (same as Sam's on 18th perhaps). 22 Dunlin, 8 Ringed Plover, 6 Turnstone, 4 Redshank, 4 Oystercatcher seaward of bridge.

Heathfield GP

A planning application has been posted for this site. It is intended to build 10 log cabins and an office. The site will be used for 'diving/sailing/fishing' and is described/marketed as a 'nature reserve development' presumably because it will have a nature trail! It may not have attracted many rarities of late but it is a good site for birds at all seasons and the semi natural grassland is rich in insect life and covered with marsh orchids in summer. The reference for the application is 08/0903/PA and any comments/complaints etc should be sent to the Director of Development by 5th December. I hope there is a wildlife body or persons in the county that can influence matters for the benefit of wildlife.

On a lighter note, I have British Birds vols 67-95, unbound, free to good home. Contact me if you're interested. Oh and there's a Green Sand on my pond virtually daily.

Bosherston & Angle

At Bosherston late morning the Goosanders had increased to 18 including 4 ad. drakes. Otherwise very little on the lakes.

At Angle Harbour 1 Greenshank, 43 Redshank, 10 Dunlin, 6 Curlew, 30 Oystercatcher, 17 Great Crested Grebe and a Kingfisher. No sign of the Slavonian Grebe or Eider which Morris North & Owen Roberts had seen earlier.

Round at Kilpaison the 19 Brents still present.

Watch out for stinging nettles!!!

Tomorrow some of us will set forth on a bird group outing and into the "wilds" of the Pembrokeshire countryside.

Is it too much to hope that those who dictate the rules of engagement will take heed from the leader in today's Times, "Trust in common sense", and save us from a pre-walk lecture on the horrors that await the unwary bird watcher?

Colourful item on Sparrowhawks menu!

Whilst paying a visit to Scolton Manor midweek, I took the opportunity to have a look in the dense bit of woodland just behind the house. This can be a frustrating occupation with half seen flutterings amongst the foliage but a nice bright cock bullfinch perched on a bare twig in full view. The sparrowhawk was less obvious and neither the unfortunate finch nor I saw it until it pounced!

Winter thrushes of all types have been in evidence in our small corner of North Pembrokeshire. Field fares have been particularly obvious but photographing them not so easy!. this is my best attempt so far, allthingsgood, cliff

Green Sandpiper

There was a green sandpiper on the river near Blackpool Mill late this afternoon.

Brents

Given that we seem to be recording increasing numbers of pale-bellied Brents moving between Ireland and France (quite a high turnover I suspect), and that there are two Black Brants just across the Irish Sea at Dungarven, I would urge everyone to check the usual locations as regularly as possible as we may get lucky with one.

Winter tetrads

Ah yes, the tetrads of Oxfordshire in the early 1980s. My first taste of contributing to organised atlassing.

Anyway, to bring things up to date. We still have a few tetrads that need surveyors:

SM72 - 2
SM81 - 2
SM83 - 6
SM92 - 4
SM93 - 7
SN02 - 2
SN03 - 3
SN04 - 4
SN23 - 8
SR09 - 4

That's a two-hour walk in each of Nov-Dec, Jan-Feb, April-May and June-July to complete a tetrad. So, we need a few more volunteers, and also a reminder to a few people that we know you haven't done all the tetrads that you volunteered for last year. Please don't leave it all to the last minute. We've had a great start, let's keep it up.

Thanks
Annie

Tetrading brings a late summer migrant

It was back in the early 80’s while working the tetrads of Oxfordshire for the BTO’s first Winter Atlas that set us on a path from which we have never looked back.

Counting and listing all the birds and their numbers was a competition, a game between us and the birds, a sort of hide and seek, and from those early days in the field grew an appreciation of the joys of nature and with it our passion for birding.

And had you been with us yesterday while we carried out a Timed Tetrad Visit for the BTO’s next Winter Atlas in a square that is centred on the attractive hamlet of Tretio, you would understand our enthusiasm and motivation to count and list for such surveys.

Highlights of this disciplined 2-hour walk on remote and traffic-less lanes to the north of St David’s airfield include:-

The unexpected discovery of a small pond that held 11 Teal, 9 Moorhen and a single Little Grebe.

The finding of a flock of C100 Chaffinch that challenged us to find other species associating with them - Brambling, Tree Sparrow and Yellowhammer would have been special, but we were satisfied with 3 Reed Buntings.

Of 3 Merlin sightings in the course of the day, for this tetrad we recorded one male, our first of the winter, a really dapper little individual sat patiently on a hay bale, eyeing up the pipits no doubt. Sparrowhawk, Peregrine and Kestrel were all present, and no wonder when there are so many birds about; massive flocks of Wood Pigeons for instance. The challenge here was to find the Stock Dove and as R.D. mentioned yesterday, we found only 2 in 2000 birds.

But most impressive of all the sightings was the incredible number of Starling. In ever-restless flocks they wheeled and fed on large areas of cereal stubble and grassland. It is notable this year how much more cereal stubble there is compared to previous years, which might account for the very large numbers of pigeons and starlings. One such flock of Starlings we estimated held 25 to 35 thousand birds, all leap-frogging each other across the fields - the largest flock of this species we have ever encountered on the ground - a sight to behold.

But thrill of thrills goes to a single Swallow seen while the rays of the November sun warmed our faces. Briefly, it was like a breath of summer.

Angle Bay

At Kilpaison this morning as the tide rose there were c.200 Dunlin, 2 Knot, 1 Barwit, 2 Turnstone, 16 Redshank, 60+ Oystercatchers, 10 Curlew and a load of Wigeon. Highlight was 19 Light Bellied Brent Geese which were close in on the tide line. I spent a couple of hours watching them from the comfort of the car out of the cold NW wind which was howling into the bay.

Thrushes

This week has seen a big arrival of Redwings down in the south of the county which are quickly stripping the berries from the trees. Few Fieldfares about but loads of Song Thrushes and Blackbirds - 13 of the latter in two Hawthorn Trees at home this morning!

Cold weather movement & a Swallow!

The increase in waders noted below on the Teifi, was not the only movement. John & Marion were out TTV'ing today, on Tretio Common, watching 1000's of Wood Pigeons, & finding 1 Stock Dove per 1000. Also amongst the flocks of thrushes & Starlings moving, they were delighted to find one more Swallow!!

(The male Bearded Tit (Cosmeston CP) is well worth the visit if in Cardiff direction!)

Teifi estuary

2 Light-bellied Brent Geese on the salt marsh in front of the Webley Hotel at high tide.
Also 47 Dunlin, 35 Ringed Plover, 1 Turnstone and over 100 Wigeon.

Skomer

News from Dave Boyle - Not really getting the chance to do much birding at the moment but counted 3000 Woodpigeons flying west this morning without any effort before 9 a.m. & there's still a female Firecrest in the ivy at North Haven.
Many thanks to Dave for news from Skomer over the last couple of months - he will be leaving the island shortly now.

Llawrenny and Minwear

Pictures from today of Grey lag geese at llawrenny and Starlings at Minwear - see Richard's posting below.

Hen Harrier over the Dowrog

A female hen harrier passed over the A487 from the direction of the Dowrog heading towards St David's airfield this afternoon, 19 Nov 08, at around 1600hrs. Probably another sighting of the same bird previously reported

Landshipping / Minwear

Did a recce for next Sunday's Bird Group walk, with Lyndon and Morris. Highlight was 11 Greylag Geese which flew over Llawrenny and we later saw them over at Sprinkle Pill from Landshipping. Also at Sprinkle some 500 Golden Plover, 250 Lapwing and 40+ Shelduck. At Landshipping a Peregrine,Teal, Wigeon, Redshank and 400+ Dunlin.
We ended up at the Minwear lookout for the Starling roost which was pretty spectacular. First birds arrived around 4 p.m. and several thousand came in with much swirling around in clouds before settling in the reeds at 4:45.

Cattle & Egrets

At Sandy Haven this morning three white birds in a cattle field - hopped over the hedge into a muddy field to get a closer look. A big flock of cattle and 3 Little ones not Cattle ones sadly, but at least I tried!!!

Hawfinch -- St. Nicholas

I have just retuned from the site, no sign of the Hawfinch again between 1115 & 1315.
The bird was seen at c915 this am in a mixed bird flock. The bird has been well described . There is a good passage of thrushes, & finches this morning through the Pen Caer area.
The last Hawfinch records in Pembs were in Oct. 2005, with single birds in Pembroke & on Skomer .

Hawfinch in St Nicholas

I just had a report in 10.15 (from Gaynor McMorrin) , of a Hawfinch seen briefly near her house in St Nocholas which is near the church. Gaynor is a competent garden birder and she described it as pinky grey, with a huge bill and a black bib, which sounds good to me! RD is going to investigate later, it would be a nice Pemb's Record if confirmed.
Thanks for the bat knowledge Annie, I wonder if they get the same species as us in warmer southern parts such as Spain, Italy and Greece. I suppose if they were in mountainous areas then they might be cold enough to hibernate, otherwise maybe not? I dont remember seeing many bats in the Med' although once diturbed a big roost in an abandoned mill in the Pyrenees which was quite spectacular but I dont know what they were!
allthingsgood,cliff

Porthclais and Nine Wells

Yesterday afternoon (18 Nov 08) at Porthclais car park I had a buzzard, closely followed by a female sparrowhawk, which was itself followed by a female kestrel. Nine Wells produced a RT hen harrier which flew over the valley from east to west; probably the same bird seen on St David's airfield on Sunday.

Newport Tues am

An adult Med Gull & a m Goldeneye at the bridge pre high tide. Then at high tide 84 Curlews & 21 Redshanks roosting + an ad Shelduck. A final look upstream & an amazing 7 Goosanders, including 2 ad males for just c 30 secs before moving back upstream round the bend.

Snow Bunt. & North Pembs.

Fishguard Outer Breakwater;-
1 Snow Bunting still, 3 Purple Sandpipers, 7 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, & 4 Common Scoter still in the harbour by the ferry berth.

Rosebush Resr;-
Tufted Duck now up to 8, 3 Goldeneye (1m).

Teifi;-
St. Dogmael's Quay, 17 Dunlin, 1 R. Plover
Off The Webley, 1 L.B.Brent Goose,c110+ Curlew,
1 Red btd. Merganser(fem.)-- 3 present y'day,(Wendy) this bird & the 2 1st yr. looking birds, which with the imm male type bird seen recently is 4 different birds on the Teifi, a record by recent winters!

Jewsons, of the Mute Swans present, 4 colour-ringed , 3 I believe/ know are Teifi birds, & the other white PO25, was seen in Newport in feb-mar. 2008 & previously in mar 2007. Visited Fishguard with it's mate recently, & is now muscling in on the Jewsons breeding site which lost it's resident pair to lead poisoning(& all the young).
(Thanks Sam for Newport details).

harriers

just some feedback from the harrier count on Sunday
one ringtail at St David's airfield (Andrew T) in addition to the ringtail seen by Lyndon and I on Dowrog - the latter seemed to head off towards Tretio
This morning I saw a male Hen Harrier from Treffgarne - eastwards

Bats in November

With regard to Cliff's comment about bats flying at this time of year - they probably had a hard time over the past couple of months trying to fatten up for hibernation. The cold and/or wet weather meant few insects flying in the evenings and hence the spate of reports about bats flying during the day a few weeks ago. Any bats that haven't reached hibernation weight will still be trying to feed up at any opportunity.

Bats can go into torpor at any time of year to save energy when it is cold or wet - could be for just hours, or perhaps days at a time. If warmer winters mean that insects are flying during winter, then bats can stay relatively active too. However, mammals that hibernate live much much longer than mammals of a similar size that don't hibernate, and I suspect that the longevity of bats (10-30 years depending on species) would decrease if they were active all year round. I don't have any information to hand on tropical bats that don't hibernate to compare - and this applies to only insectivorous bats, not fruit bats.

Hedgerows lose colour

It may be a mental aberation on my part but it appears that the hawthorns have had an excellent crop hereabouts which they have held on to despite the frequent high winds that usually drop the haws on the roadside.
I suspect the wet summer and (for trees) perfect weather of mild and wet have allowed the fruits to ripen slowly and stay attatched longer. Either way the hedge banks around here have been full of winter thrushes for the past couple of weeks, mainly Redwings but significant numbers of obvious (male) Blackbirds and plenty of Fieldfares, "chach - chacking" like trainee Magpies. Song thrushes seem less in evidence but not sure.
Inevitably the depredations of incoming thrushes have begun to deplete the rosy flush of thje sceletal hedgebanks along with prolonged winde and rain,but I have found our winter visitors arrival some recompense for the loss of our swallows and other summer visitors.
Driving back from Bangor last week and over the past few evenings bats have been much in evidence with 12 counted in the half mile or so up our lane. I wonder if warmer winters might mean these and the other few animals that traditionally hibernate here will stop doing so? Are they equipped for life without a winter snoose?
Chris's porpoise with calf is probably the same one I reported a couple of days previously. Its really frustrating that weather conditions make observation of cetaceans so difficult , its really hard to keep consistant records.
Thats another good thing about birding, its so easy - you can see them out of the window most of the time !
allthingsgood, cliff

Amroth

At Amroth this morning 14 Red Breasted Merganser, 2 Goldeneye, 5 Red Throated Diver, 22 Great Crested Grebe, 250+ Common Scoter, 4 Shoveller. Most birds a fair way out.

Gt Northern Diver

Flew over the mere at Marloes from St Brides bay, heading south.

Firecrest, Gt. Spot's & The "brent"

Mullock;-
Ringing at Mullock today, 162 birds caught,-perhaps surprising during this mild spell.
A nice male Firecrest was the best bird, but also a Treecreeper caught isn't a regular.
The most interesting species was the 6(six) Great Spotted Woodpeckers caught, all females, 5 of them first year birds & the other was ringed as an adult in 2003, ie at least 6 yrs old!
(Pembs. R.G.)

The Gann flats;-
A very low tide when I caught up with the brent geese flock(1430-1530), on the tide edge but at this distance the(grey brent) bird was obvious, see Dave's posting below.
In the light this pm, the true colours look more like the top photo, if not exactly!!

Interesting Brent Goose...

Paul G and I did Dale/Marloes peninsula today, highlights includes a 1stW male Black Redstart in Dale (on roof of Townsend Cottages), as well as a Blackcap and numerous (continental?) Coal Tits, 5 Tufties at Bicton, and 17 Brents at the Gann. 16 were obviously pale-bellied (a mixture of adults and first-winters) but one (adult) was clearly not. It had a clearly darker grey/brown belly, all the way through the legs, but far more white on the flanks than any dark-bellied should show, and not as dark as dark-bellied either. The upperparts were perhaps a shade darker, and the white collar mark was clear but perhaps a little smaller than some of the adult pale-bellied with it. The question is, us this a Grey-bellied Brent? Two pics of today's bird above, plus one of a similar bird at Newgale in December 1996, which I've subsequently circulated to a few experts, but that one didn't receive a warm welcome for some reason. A few useful links for Grey-bellied:

http://www.spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/gallery/greybelliedbrentgoose.html

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=53126

http://www.birdsireland.com/pages/rare_bird_news/2006/april_photos.html (7th pic)

And, perhaps most informative, this article

http://www.oceanwanderers.com/IntrmBrantNY.html

Given that we know from previous ringing recoveries that our pale-bellied are moving from Northern Ireland to France and back, and that Grey-bellied turn up with pale-bellied in Northern Ireland, it's got to be possible!

Around St David's

Single Kestrels at Treffiaddan, St Justinians and Ivors Pond
Late afternoon on The Dowrog -
2xShort ared owls, 1 x Sparrow hawk, 1xRingtail, 2xKestrel, 1xMerlin

Goodwick Harbour

Sunday 12:00 - 1 x Gt. Crested Grebe (winter plumage cf. transition adult a couple of days ago).
Did anyone happen to see the small brown-headed duck out on the sea - Goldeneye?

Blackpool Mill

A Firecrest in the bushes about 50Yds over bridge early this afternoon.

More Merlins

Did the Webs count at Catlemartin Corse this morning with Morris North. Must be my weekend for Merlins as we had good views of one dashing over the rough pasture and reed beds. It was then joined by a second bird and there was a brief scuffle between them. Then amazingly a third Merlin appeared before they split up and went their separate ways. Particularly surprising to see 3 Merlins as there were relatively few small birds about. Also on the Corse - 1 Kestrel, 3 Buzzard, 40 Snipe, 110 Lapwing, 5 Bar Tailed Godwit flying through, 65 Wigeon, 50 Teal 3 Shoveller, 3 Pintail, 1 Stock Dove.

Teifi estuary

A few highlights while doing the WeBS count at high tide;
Patch - just 10 Dunlin
Poppit beach - 1 Knot, 20 Ringed Plover and 12 Dunlin
Webley Hotel - unusually, 2 Snipe. 1 kingfisher, 1 adult Med gull
Jewsons - 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Little Grebe
Around the estuary- 280 Wigeon, 44 Redshank and 4 Little Egrets.

North Pembs.

Llys-y-fran Resr;-
Highlight & maybe a site tick? 3 Shoveler(2m).
Nr. Llys-y-fran / Tufton;-
A mixed flock in a field, 2 Brambling, 1 Yellowhammer, c100 Chaffinch, plus Starlings, Redwings & Fieldfares.
Ty- Rhyg;-
A pair of Mallard & a few Meadow Pipits. - Nothing more exciting!
Rosebush Resr;-
Much as the other day, 6 Tufted Ducks & 2 Goldeneye(fem), the highlight.
Teifi Marshes, 1630;-
At least 4/5 Cetti's singing in the drizzle!

Fishguard harbour;-
2 ad Med. Gulls,
(Adrian R.)

Merlin............Birding

Finally shook myself out of a weather induced torpor at 3:30 this afternoon and went for a walk round the fields near home (St. Florence). Glad I did as almost the first bird I saw was a Merlin in hot pursuit of a pre roost snack. 30 or so Redwings, which have been few and far between round here, then passed and a Grey Wagtail lightened up the gathering gloom. Managed to get back home before some serious drizzle set in. That's the great thing about birding - you never know what will turn up and it so often brightens your day.

P.S. Webs count tomorrow and please remember to look out for Harriers as per posting on 11 November

kestrel activity

some kestrel activity for Paddy and Bethan if you are reading..

Female kestrel at Dudwell mtn abbatoir last Weds (12/11/08) evening
but no roosting hen harriers or starlings there yet, maybe tomorrow...
also saw a kestrel hovering over St David’s airfield on Tuesday 11/11/08

They seemed to have a successful season in the vicinity of Dinas Fawr near Solva
and I've seen one or two regularly at Stacen y Brenhin

I've seen a Barn Owl a couple of evenings last week quartering near the Brawdy to Solva road

will try to post these quicker next time

Rob D

why birds

I have always had poor eyesight and birds are mostly vocal and can be identified by sound, but my great grandfather Joseph Tomlinson was an expert on roller canaries, so perhaps it is in my genes. The first organisation I joined was the JBRC in the late 1950s.

Marloes

This afternoon, two large flocks of Starlings, some 2500 feeding on the fields above the sands, followed by another c5000 flying east over Trehill farm, in a massive teardrop formation. Impressive.
1 female Merlin chasing a sparrow around the YHA buldings.
Continuing in the vein of why birds ? Most of it`s been said really, from Rye Harbour in the 1970`s with Dave Flumm, to now - albeit with a big gap in the 80`s, there`s something satisfying being in a rugged landscape watching Pregrines, Ravens, even large flocks of Starlings. What about the New Forest dawn chorus? that certainly has the wow! factor. Cold estuaries at dawn etc etc.
Take a look at notquitescilly.blogspot.com/ to see inside the mind of a birder!!

North Pembs

The Teifi;-
Jewsons, 1 Common Sandpiper.
St. Dogmael's Quay, 170 Wigeon, & 87 Lapwing from the gull viewpoint.
Patch, 1 Red-breasted Merganser- rh.

Fishguard Harbour;-
Again a couple of pre-WeBs records, 10 Redshank, & 5 Moorhens.
(Adrian)

Snow Bunting

Sighting via e mail from Alan Hodgson:- One male Snow Bunting 0800hrs 14.11.08. - crossing Ffordd Bedd Morris [running from Newport to Bessie's in Cwm Gwaun] in sheep meadow between the two cattle grids on the south side of the ridge that leads to Carningli.

Why Birds....?

E Mail contribution from Derek Moore:- When asked when I started birding I say without flippance "from the womb...". When my mother died my sister discovered awful sketches and notes on birds taken when I was jst 5 years old. I was nurtured first by my form master G.B.G.Benson then BTO rep for Suffolk and later by the notorious Herbert Axell. Approaching my 66th year there are decades of birding behind me. Just looking, twitching, ringing, surveying, WEBS counts, atlases, practical conservation etc.etc.etc.Why? Well I cannot explain why except that I grew up disappointed that everybody was not a birder now I wonder if there are not too many at it especially when my tired legs need a rest and every hide at Minsmere is full. I jest - the transformation in the number of people now interested in birds is most encouraging yet we still lose our birds rapidly.There are many memories over the years that make this obsession worthwhile - my first Waxwing whilst doing my paper round as a boy, the joy of witnessing the recovery of Marsh Harriers in the UK, the first visit to Skomer, Wilson's Petrel courtesy of dear Graham at Strumble, Resplendant Quetzal etc.etc. It is unfair to mention any as there has been so much.All I know that it makes you quite mad and you react with so many emotions. I cannot get to desert at a dinner party without boring people about birds. I have missed a vital catch in a cricket match because I glance at a nearby Wryneck.My wife attempts to summarise when questioned by astonished friends - "Well he could be a drunk, gambler, pervert........." Phew what a relief!
Photo shows my first Cerulean Warbler Mass USA 1990's and my first parula Warbler Isles of Scilly 1970's!

Goodwick - cetaceans & slugs

Goodwick breakwater this morning 9 am, calm and only mildly damp once the drizzle stopped:

1 x Great Crested Grebe (ad. with plenty of rusty brown still on its cheeks)

2 x Red-throated Divers.

Then while watching the divers amongst the keep-pots, 2 x Harbour Porpoises popped up - I can't remember seeing porpoises so close in at Goodwick before. This was an adult with a very small calf close alongside. Exciting stuff!

Then, to top it all perhaps, a first for me - Leopard Slug, half way along the breakwater path(!)

Here's an ad. Med Gull from the high water mark, SW corner of Fishguard Harbour a couple of weeks ago.

Why Birds...?

Continuing the thread ,
What makes me tick after completing 30 years of birding this week?
(Recorded date 12 Nov. 1978).
Was it on the Nevern est. recently, marvelling at 3 juvenile Whoopers arriving looking bewildered & lost as they entered a new chapter in their short life so far, now without parents!
Or was it a couple of weeks previous, after an exhilarating trek through some fierce Madagascar rain forest, finding the "mythical rarity" in the form of a female Bernier's Vanga.
Or tomorrow, trying to catch Oystercatchers, to help unravel their strategies for wintering in South Wales.
So is it seeing new birds? seeing new birds in new places? or the more scientific study of birds that makes me tick??
I don't know... but every day it happens..

Skomer

Skomer news from Dave Boyle - The Firecrests still in the ivy at North Haven, there was a stunning adult male Black Redstart at Castle Bay and 2 Lapland Buntings flew over in a flock of Skylarks.

Newport

Sighting via e mail from Emma Ford - I was in Newport on Wednesday 12th November and watched an otter for over an hour (losing him for about 20 minutes) from about 8am until 9am. He was looking for food, working his way along the half submerged wall upstream of the road bridge and over to the patch of water by the small island on the right. Whilst we were there we also saw a water rail (PM of Tuesday 11th) and four snipe (PM Wednesday 12th), all were feeding in the small patch behind the wall along the edge of the reeds. There was also a kingfisher around.

Skomer

Skomer news from Dave Boyle - Highlight of the day was a Whitethroat! Never seen a November one before. A Firecrest was in the ivy at North Haven today, there were 1000s of Starlings flying around this morning, didn't really seem to be going anywhere, and saw a Peregrine take a Woodcock.

Why birds?

Continuing GHRs thread, my interest in birds I think is rooted in the fact that they are all around us, comparatively quite easy to watch, full of amazing variety, challenging to identify and understand but not impossibly so, and so indellibly linked to the changing seasons. It certainly wasn't to help me win friends and influence people (generally) - it amuses more people I meet than it inspires, but either way it's a conversation piece! (and no-one can fathom my diverse hobbies of birding and triathlon....)

N. Pembs, inc. - TTV's!

Fishguard Harbour;-
Ad. Med. Gull. (Steve B.)

Nr. Monington -TTV;-
Highlights of visit , 3 Woodcock, c500 Golden Plover, c80 Lapwing.
(Janet A. & Richard D.)
(Annie, you will be delighted to know John & Marion B. are out too --TTV.)

Carregwastad

I saw a Light-bellied Brent Goose fly west past the headland at 14:45.

Hen Harrier Survey

E mail info from Rob Davies:- There is a wintering Hen Harrier count day coming up this Sunday. Generally these count days are the middle Sundays of the month during the winter. Along with others, particularly National Trust personnel, Steve Gerlach and recently Lyndon, I have helped Roger Clark (Hawk and Owl Trust) gather these data on the wintering Hen Harriers in Pembrokeshire over the last few seasons. Sadly we lost Roger two years ago but it would be wonderful if we could keep the counts going, partly in honour of all the good work he did and also because we have some of the longest data series for the UK, notably for the Dowrog. The BTO have taken on the safekeeping of the data now and I am hoping to relay to Chris Wernham as many counts as possible from West Wales. We have the North Pembs sites fairly well covered now (Trefeiddan, Dowrog, Airfield, Plumstone) but any sightings or formal counts of Hen Harriers in the vicinities of Marloes, Castlemartin Cors would be much appreciated. It would be tremendous if we could get as wide a coverage as possible. Has anyone seen them roost at other Pembs sites e.g. Puncheston Common? Count dates for this season: 19 oct (not many around), 16 nov (this Sunday), 21 dec, 18 jan, 15 feb, 15 mar. Any sighings/info to Rob please - ragd@btopenworld.com
If you are a bird watcher you nearly always have something to do, wherever you are and almost whatever the weather! Rob Davies

Angle

At Angle Harbour around 2 p.m. 66 Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 11 Turnstone, 15 Oystercatcher, 10 Curlew, 8 Shelduck, 3 Ad. W Med Gulls, 12 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Great Northern Diver.

Earlier at Bosherston failed to connect with any Firecrests. Goosanders now up to 8 Red Heads.

Strumble Head & Scaup

Strumble Head;-
This am, for c1hr. quiet, Fulmars moving again, 2 L.B. Brent Geese, & 1 2w. Pomarine Skua.
A Merlin as we pulled into the car-park.
Pen Beri Pond;-
1 Scaup(f), 18 Wigeon.
Ivor's Pond & The Dowrog visited, both quiet.

Fishguard Harbour;-
1 Kingfisher, 3 Dunlin, c40 Common Gulls amongst a large nos. of gulls in the harbour today.

(Adrian R. & Richard D.)

Stackpole/Bosherston area - recent records

Last week saw a further arrival of firecrests (first 2 of which were found in the Manor House garden, along with a chiffchaff or two (pale, probable abietinus race - typical of this time of year). Further down the lake system a day later I found at least 8 firecrests between the Stackpole NT base and Grassy Bridge, plus at least 4 more in Lodge Park (going to roost in Holm Oak). To see (mainly hear) this number of firecrests in a relatively small area made me wonder just how many there are around! There were also good numbers of chiffs around - at least 10 I would guess.

On the lakes the first 9 goldeneye were in their usual location on the Central Arm, including a female pochard and a male tufted duck. Curiously a similar group of Goldeneye with a single female pochard and male tufted duck turned up in mid Nov last year, same place. I strongly suspect this to be the same group of birds hanging around together a year later!

Thoughts

I've just heard that Hywel Roderick, the ex-county recorder for Ceredigion, is seriously ill in hospital, and been asked to pass the news to all those who knew him. Fingers crossed.

jon

Porpoises in big seas with a female Merlin winging in at Strumble on Saturday. Mistle Thrush and a GSWoodpecker between Strumble and Tresinwen which when you consider its pretty treeless therabouts was interesting in a minor way. 1 porpoise with calf, 12 Curlewin a tight group, 6 Ringed Plover and one, possibly two Purple Sandpipers on outer breakwater (today 4pm) light bad=bad photo excuse!but no sign of Snow Buntings.

OK big G, For me birding is /was always an escape from the crazy world into the saner world of nature. Generally its best done with friends that share that view, or more often just getting away from it all alone. Bird watching, seeing what birds do is endlessly fascinating, common or rare, allthingsgood, cliff

number 100

The only list I keep is of birds seen in or from the garden, and today the addition of a firecrest brought the total to 100. Whilst there has been nothing that unusual (such as Grey Phalarope!) a fly over Osprey in 2001 and a Green Sandpiper on the neighbour's pond in 2006 were quite exciting finds at the time. A Gannet a few years ago didn't make it to category A on the grounds of it being in a cardboard box, though who put it there I never found out!

Rosebush Resr. & Teifi

Rosebush Resr;-
3 Goldeneye(1m), 6 Tufted Duck, c17 Coot, 2 Little Grebes & 1 Woodcock.
Teifi;-
A few sightings from the Pembs. side;-
c 30 Redshank(mainly Jewsons), 1 Knot, 14 Dunlin, 9 Ringed Plover all moved to Poppit with the rising tide. c180 Wigeon all off the webley at HT.

Bramblings

Couple of Bramblings in our garden this morning , first of the Winter. Hard to imagine they are the same stunning birds we saw in Finland this spring.

Birdwatcher's Psyche

An E-mail contribution : -
Unlike Mike, I would be very interested in why various people consider they are birdwatchers/birders, ornithologists or generally interested in birds. Here is hoping others are willing to share their views.
My initial interest was kindled by a wonderment that birds were equally at ease in the air as on the ground. This led to a realisation that they have evolved to live in all kinds of habitat and that any understanding I might realise, meant taking an interest in all aspects of the "natural world". Trying to understand what makes it all tick, has led to lifetime's fascination and challenge, an enrichment of my being. GHR - The Ancient Strumbler.

Yellow-legged Gull

A first-winter Yellow-legged Gull amongst a large flock of large gulls on the foreshore at the Gann on the rising tide - took a bit of picking out! Well worth a good look through, as studying the variability amongst the Herring Gulls in particular will stand you in good stead for when that Caspian Gull or American Herring Gull presents itself! In fact there was an adult Herring with extensive streaking around the head, neck and upper breast sides that looked interesting....

re Simon Barnes

Simon Barnes is a wonderful writer about wildlife and birdwatching. I frequently use him for talks I give to 800 people (once called morning assemblies)and recommend him to all. As for the psyches of birdwatchers, I don't think I want to go there!

An opinion

If you have not read Simon Barnes' column in today's Times then we quote, "You can't begin to understand any place until you have been introduced to its birds".

Oh how comforting it is that such a celebrated journalist has broadcast to the Nation one of the many dimensions of a birders' psyche that makes us tick.

Newport Sat am

48 curlews on the mud with 1 Bar T Godwit that has been there several days & 9 Redshanks. c20 Ringed Plovers & 9 Dunlin hiding in a mass of dead leaves. 2 Little Egrets, a Kingfisher, & 55 Wigeon between the Parrog rocks & the mudflats.
Definite influx of Common & GBB Gulls but nothing more esoteric.
In the last few days there has also been a Knot & Snipe upstream, before the river rose again.
An adult Med Gull on Nov 4 was ringed as a pullus in Holland in June 05, went to Morocco in its 1st winter (Nov 05), wasn't seen in 06, spent the Summers of 07 & 08 in the Holland/Belgium/Calais area, but seems to have switched its Winter hols to the Uk-9/07 in Gloucestershire & this 11/08 sighting.
There are still reports of "tame" otters around, but from the rocks at the Parrog rather than the bridge.

Teifi Estuary & Marshes

The Marshes;-
Interesting, c30 Wigeon(unusual site) from Creek hide first thing with c30 Teal. Only 1 Snipe!
10's of Blackbirds, Redwings & Song Thrushes feeding as leaving roost. 3 Little Egrets around the marsh. 3+ Cetti's singing around the reserve, Water rails calling everywhere. 1 Kingfisher & 2 Little Grebe at the by-pass bridge.
Jewsons;-
1 Common Sandpiper, 15 Redshank.
St. Dogmael's Quay;-
30 Lapwing, ad & juv. Gt. Ctd. Grebe, 8 Shelduck. More Common Gulls appearing.
The Webley;-
The bulk of the wigeon here, c135 with another c65 around the estuary. A total of c60 Teal around the estuary.
Patch;-
1 Kingfisher, 6 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Egret.

Cattle Egret

feeding in the pill close to the chapel/road this afternoon.
Later, walking the dogs on the coast path on the St Ishmaels side of the Gann, there were some 1500 Gulls on the foreshore & lagoon areas. As I only had bins, most appeared as the usual - no doubt there were Meds as well- but what else was hiding in the vast multitude? Could be worth a look tomorrow.

Black Redstart - Tregwynt

A male Black Redstart Tregwynt this pm.(Carole R.)

Snow Bunt's, Scaup, Pochards, Harriers? etc...

Sorry, but in chronological order rather than scarcity;
Boncath;-
Small nos. of Fieldfare in hedges first thing.
Pen Beri Pond;-
1 Scaup-fem, c15 Wigeon, c15 Teal, -- no Goose,(Ivor's Pond quiet)
The Dowrog;-
A stop provided, very brief but tantalising views of a
fem. type Marsh Harrier, equally brief views of Merlin(fem), & a ring tail harrier. A pm visit without the wind (& rain) could bring excellent rewards.....!!
Fishguard Outer B/w;-
7 Common Scoter(fem) feeding still in the harbour, 2 Snow Buntings & 1 Purple Sandpiper on the B/w.
Fishguard harbour, Stena side;-
2 ad Med. Gulls, both v. diff. head patterns & leg colours.
Heathfield G.P.;-
2 Pochard, 5 Tufted, c4 Wigeon.
Fishguard Lower Town Harbour;-
2 Dipper & 1 Grey Wagtail.
(Wendy J. & Richard D.)

Skomer

News from Skomer from Dave Boyle - Been pretty good birding last couple of days, plenty of thrushes around first thing in the mornings and a few finches, but they've dropped off a bit from last week.A ringtail Hen Harrier seems to have taken up residence, there was a Lapland Bunting flying around yesterday and a Firecrest today at N Valley crossing

Around St David's

A Black Redstart decided to join us inside the St Justinian's Lifeboat Station before leaving to rejoin it's friend left outside. Later in the day a female Scaup at Penberry with wigeon was joined by an incoming White Fronted Goose.

Porthclais and Nine Wells 6 Nov 08

A female sparrowhawk chased off an intruding sparrowhawk at Porthclais this morning; two flocks of woodpigeon totalling c 300 passed over going East and 40 lapwing headed North. There were many more blackbirds present than recently, including many immature males. Nine Wells also had good numbers of blackbirds and, most interestingly, a late honey buzzard heading SE along the coast, harried for a time by 2 carrion crows.

Snow Buntings & Fishguard Outer Breakwater

On the Outer B/w the 2 Snow Buntings feeding well, 2 Purple Sandpipers & 8 Ringed Plovers. Just inside the Outer B/w the unusual site of 7 Common Scoter feeding!

The major "tick" if the day being the "Welsh Ladies Sea Angling team " practising!

(Adrian, photo's & Richard D.)

Other Pembs sightings today - G. N.. Diver

Broad Haven;-
1 Great Ntn. Diver, 2 Red Thd. Diver, c 250 Common Scoter, & ad. Med. Gull & 1 Goldeneye-m.
(Paul G.)
Pen Anglas;-
Quiet, 1 fem. Merlin nr. the cliffs, c120 Linnets & c20 Chaffinches by the allotments. The odd Meadow Pipit & Reed Bunting.
Newport;-
Wigeon seem to have increased suddenly to c58 birds feeding off the Parrog today.
Boncath;-
As they seem scarce a flock of c20 Fieldfare feeding.

Lampeter Vale

The Lampeter Vale is well stocked with mature Hawthorn trees especially along the railway and most years this brings in good numbers of thrushes. This year is no exception and there are now 1000+ Redwings scattered between Whitland and Llanmill. The second most numerous thrush species is Blackbird with a noticeable increase during the last week. Many of the females appear darker and greyer than our residents whilst the males look scallopped with brown feather fringes, and occasionally I see one thats hard to decide what sex it is. There are recent much smaller influxes of Song Thrushes and Fieldfares (twos and threes).
In some unharvested Barley, 38 Stock Doves, 200 chaffinches 3 Bramblings and 12 Reed Buntings and in flooded meadows 10+ Snipe and four Pintail.

Sandy Haven

Yesterday (5th Nov) the Catlle Egret was in the field above Sandy Haven chapel again - same field as recorded by Stuart last saturday. No cattle though!!

Strumble ...

Strumble Head;-
2 Black Redstarts, 1/2 Dartford Warblers & a Merlin, seen today around the head.
(Adrian), also see Cliffs posting below.

Teifi;-
1 Red- breasted Merganser offshore, & the more interesting resident geese, 32 Barnacle & 2 Snow off Patch, then flew back to home, ie Cardigan Island!

Scaup

News via e mail from Alan Collens -there was a female scaup on the Carew River (West Williamston end) pm. 4th Nov. Also 165 golden plover,75 lapwing and 120 dunlin at low tide.

Amroth front

8-30 am 300 + Common Scoter . 11 Great Crested Greb's . 1 Red Throated Diver's

Snow Buntings

News from Cliff Benson. A couple of nice scarcities today , One Black Redstart at Tresinwen nr Strumble and two Snow Buntings on the outer breakwater Fishguard Harbour.
The snow buntings seemed to have just arrived as I saw them on the way back but not on the way there. They were on the roadway and quite obvious but flew over the breakwater wall as I tried for better photo’s . They may well be on the central breakwater now , a regular wintering spot for them in recent years.
Allthingsgood,cliff

Martin's Haven 4 Nov 08

Small numbers of starlings and thrushes coming in off the sea; very few pipits and little other movement. A merlin, probably female, was hunting over the valley, with a kestrel over the fields by the car park. I saw another merlin crossing the B4327 near the Walwyn's Castle junction at GR SM 869 117 later - possibly the same bird?

Bird Group Conference 29 November 2008

There are still a few places left for the Conference - for further detals and for bookings please contact Wendy Barnes-Junes at The Wildlife Trust on 01239 621212

Pen Anglas

3 species of falcon, a Kestrel, a Peregrine circled overhead before heading inland at 15:30 and at 16:15 a Merlin flew east then back west.

Little Milford, Hook,& ...

Little Milford & Hook;-
Quiet, small nos. of Teal ,Wigeon, Redshank,1 Greenshank & a few Little Egrets as the tide dropped.
Fowborough Point;-
1 Gt. Ctd. Grebe, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, c200 Golden Plover, c100 Lapwing & small parties of Dunlin. c50+ Redwings in the trees.
(Paul G. & Richard D.)
Preselli's;-
1 fem. Merlin from the main road across the top.

Skomer

News from Skomer from Dave Boyle
Monday 3rd - another 300 Chaffinches & 9 Bramblings went over this morning, quite a lot of thrushes around early on, including our first Mistle Thrush of the autumn, 25 Long-tailed Tits (a flock of 12 headed off towards Grassholm!), 2 late Swallows and a ringtail Hen Harrier, also our first of the autumn.
Today -Another good morning, plenty of Blackbirds, Song Thrushes & Redwings around, a few Fieldfares, 15 Long-tailed Tits and a flock of 13 White-fronted & 2 Barnacle Geese flew east - they nearly went down on N Pond so could easily be on Marloes Mere now

Winter Atlas kicks off again - summary of last winters recording effort

We now have the Pembrokeshire data for the first winter season of the new BTO atlas. There are almost 15,000 records for Pembrokeshire - a huge effort and many thanks to those who have contributed.

The map below gives an indication of the number of species recorded so far in winter in each tetrad.

Green patches - no records yet.

Grey squares have less than seven species recorded and probably mostly represent birds recorded while someone is driving through a square.

The darker red the squares are, the higher the number of species recorded. Darkest red squares have between 35 and 70 species - based on "timed-tetrad" visits, and people recording in the tetrads where they live or visit most often.

So far we have records from 358 tetrads and of 152 species. A minimum of 225,573 individual birds were recorded (where no count was entered, the number is assumed to be one - so really there were lots more). At least 59 people contributed - not all from Pembrokeshire, and indeed one person has an address in Finland! Soon we will be sending last winters records to Jon Green and Steve Berry for the local archive.

Lots more effort is needed this winter, especially in the middle and north-east of the county, so please do contribute in the coming season - fieldwork for the second winter period started again on November 1st.

So, have you logged yet those recent records of brent geese, whooper swans (none were recorded last winter!) black redstarts, bramblings etc? You can do this easily on-line directly to the Atlas or if you enter them via BirdTrack they will also go automatically into the Atlas.

A couple of 1st Nov records we will be adding include a nice female goshawk coming into roost nr Martletwy; a red kite on Castlemartin peninsula plus black redstarts and firecrests at Stackpole.

Ramsey Monthly Round Up - October 2008

Highlights of October were 4 great spotted woodpeckers. A single bird on 5th was only the second record for the island, followed remarkably by 3 more on 17th. A ring tail hen harrier was present on 28th, 3 house sparrows in the month, a Lapland bunting on 12th plus 3 pintails flying south on the same day. Red throated and great northern divers were seen on a seawatch on 26th. A single whinchat was present on 12th and a short eared owl was logged on 27th. After an absence of 12 years, we experienced a long tail tit invasion. 6 birds were present on 22nd with 4 on 30th, followed by a roving flock of 25 on 31st.
Seawatching at the start of the month produced 10 arctic and 6 great skua, 28 common scoter and 7 sandwich terns. Manx shearwaters were recorded heading south at a rate of 1000/hr on 1st. Towards the end of the month a large movement of kittiwake (350/hr) was noted.
Also of note were 3 yellow wagtails in the month, large movement of skylarks (total 298 west), siskin (total 123 west), goldcrest (71 in total, max 24 on 17th), 42 goldfinch on 17th, 4 chiffchaff on 12th and6 coal tits through the month. The first redwing appeared on 12th but the first fieldfare didn’t show until 31st. 5 house martins on 6th were the last records of this species, along with 13 swallows on 22nd. The final date for wheatear was 18th. Song thrush appeared during the month with a max of 23 on 17th. Single merlin were recorded on 4 dates in the month with a max of 4 kestrels on 6th.
Max flocks of 13 chough and 75 curlew.
Offshore, single basking shark (1st) and common dolphin (3rd) were the only records of note.
Late addition – female ring ouzel on 1st November. Greg Morgan

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting;-
Just received a report from John C.of a male Snow Bunting in the Gwaun Valley this am. Seen at 0750 this am feeding on his property. I will follow up the record in the morning.

Porthclais

The resident Sparrowhawk is back at Porthclais, but apart from 4 Bullfinches and a flock of about 15 Long-tailed Tits, there was nothing of great interest.

Scaup & North Pembs.

Pen beri Pond;-

1 Scaup, fem. type, 2nd day.

(Jan & John M.)

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Trefasser/Garn Fawr;-

At least 1 Brambling with mixed finch flock today, c100 birds, 50% Linnets.

Pen Anglas, v. quiet.

Goodwick Moor, no sign of any chiffs today. But 2 dragonflies, late flying Southern Hawkers?

Fishguard Harbour;-

1 ad Med. Gull, Kingfisher & Common Gulls increasing, c6+ today .

(Adrian R. & Richard D.)

Dowrog Common;-

1 rt Hen Harrier y'day.(Jon B.)

Angle Bay

At Kilpaison this morning pretty much the same numbers of birds as on Saturday - 18 Bar Tailed Godwit, c.130 Dunlin, 10 Knot, 10 Redshank, 20 Curlew, 30 Oystercatcher, c. 40 Mallard and 500+ Wigeon. The 8 Brents still present, close to the tide line.

Red kites

Maes y Garn, 10.00 - present (12.00), as we are cutting the grass in the lower fields there are 12 red kites present, 4 common buzzard (one very pale), 4 ravens and numerous magpies and crows. Three of the kites are tagged, one green, one black and one red/brown? Unfortunately because of the wind and the gyrations of the kites whilst feeding I am unable at present to get the lettering on any of the tags.

North Pembs.

Teifi;-
1 Common Sandpiper & Little Grebe -Jewsons.
1 juv, Great Crested Grebe off the railings.

Moylegrove;-
Quieter than of late but a Dipper in the middle of the village.

Aberbach;-
1 m Blackcap & c12 Goldcrests
(Adrian R.)

Dale area

Gann: 2 Whooper Swans flew over and continued across the Bay towards the Fort when lost to view into the rising sun c.9am this morning. Also a red-head Reb-breasted Merganser on the river, 15 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 1 Turnstone, 15 Redshank & 4 Fieldfare over.

Dale: a fair amount of activity in the sheltered spots, including Long-tailed Tits, Goldcrests and a few Siskins over, but not a lot else.

Sandy Haven: a Little Egret in the field with the blue feeder so be careful!

Nothing much..

1 femail Merlin at Marloes mere, 2 ad Meds at the Gann, 1 alloy ringed adult Med at Milford docks

Tristis type chiffchaff

Present this morning Goodwick Moor. Calling constantly the monosyllabic thin 'young chick' call. Quite brown on head/mantle, greyer wings with hint of great covert bar at some angles. Lacking strong 'tobacco wash' on cheeks, some olive to fringes of flight feathers at least. Overall plumage tones lacking any 'warmth'. Monday last a Black Redstart St Davids Hd with 2 imm merlins (m+f judging by size difference)and 2 yesterday. Otherwise a disappointing week.

Skomer

News from Dave Boyle on Skomer - A lot quieter today, only about 200 Chaffinches over & 3 Bramblings, 950 Starlings, 200 Woodpigeons, 20 Fieldfares, 60 Redwings, 10 Long-tailed Tits and highlight of the day - a Red Kite flew west in the early afternoon.

The Gann & other miscellaneous

This evening, 5 Med gulls - 2*1st, 1*2nd, 2 adults, 3 Brent, c200 B/H/Gulls, 1 Knot, 18 Wigeon on the sea, c20 Common Gulls, (I was trying to string one of them into an RBG, but being upright & honest, I couldn`t do it!) 2 Redwings, 1 Fieldfare over.
There`s been a femail Kestrel around the St Ishmails area for about a week.
Last Wednesday evening, driving home from work, 1 Barn owl, to the west of Thornton + 1 Tawny on a gravestone, at Sandy hill chapel. Spooky!

Cattle Egret

With cattle in field above Sandy Haven Pill; field adjacent to the junction with the minor road to Hasguard.

Bramblings - Garn Fawr (nr. Strumble)

At least 3 Bramblings in the mixed finch flock, also Yellowhammer & Reed Buntings.

(Adrian R.)

Black Red, Goosanders & .....

Stackpole Quay;-
1 male Black Redstart on the cottages just before the Quay. A few Goldcrests amongst a c30 strong L.T.Tit flock.
Bosherston Ponds;-
Almost devoid of water birds! I could only see 2 r.h. Goosanders by c1300.

Texaco;-
Whilst ringing today(quiet), 6 Swallows flew through The max. seen this week is 18 which are still around the refinery. Also 2 late juv. Manx Shearwaters picked up this week, good weights too. On the way early am, 1 Tawny Owl in the road nr. Canaston Bridge.

Llys-y-fran Resr;- a quick look at c1500;-
Gt. Ctd. & Little Grebes present, c30 Canada Geese, gulls, mainly c500 L.B.B. & c200 B.H. Gulls

Opp. Llethmawr plantation(being felled) nr. Crymych;-
Looks a good winter site, 2 Kestrels hunting, & c50 Fieldfare.

Angle Bay

More birds than of late at Kilpaison this morning with 8 Pale Bellied Brents being the stars. Also 20 Bar Tailed Godwit, c.130 Dunlin, 12 Knot, 10 Redshank, 20 Curlew, 30 Oystercatcher, c. 60 Mallard and 500+ Wigeon.

At Bosherston midday the 3 Red Head Goosanders were showing well near the Boathouse.