I did my first TTV of the breeding up at the Eastern end of the Presellis (SN13L) on Monday, covering Foel Drygarn and the large area of pine forest (partly clear-felled) by Carn Gyrfrwy. In the cold Northerly wind there was little on the tops save for 4 very territorial Wheatears on the summit of Foel Drygarn. In the clear fell, however, were remarkable numbers of Meadow Pipits (easily 30+, many singing and displaying), a female Kestrel (near one of Paddy's nest boxes), and a handful of Willow Warblers, Coal Tits and a Chiffchaff.
The highlight was a female and newly-fledged Crossbill that perched only a few feet above me at the edge of the trees, enjoying the evening sun. The female several times appeared to be feeding the young bird, and was wonderfully solicitous.
The Llethr road back along the valley had a reeling Grasshopper Warbler and good numbers of Chaffinches and tits, as well as a pair of Mistle Thrushes. However, I saw no Stonechats, either on the sides of the mountain or on the gorse in the valley.
