Bosherston

The imm Black Tern was still at Bosherston this morning - feeding over the lake between the Eight-arch Bridge and Grassy Bridge - but always nearer to Eight-arch - and sometimes resting on logs near the bank. Also, 40+ Teal, 5 Gadwall and 30+ Coot, including the 'pied' individual present last winter.

Isabelline Shrike -- Porthclais

13:00 still showing very well, at 5m distance near the gate. (Bob Relph)

Click here for a cracking video of the Shrike from yesterday kindly set in by Mark Hipkin

Isabelline Shrike

Still present at Porth Clais late morning, up hill from car park towards St Justinian's, in hedge by 5 bar gate (Mike YP). Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

A pleasant morning on the Deer Park

Very pleasant in the mild morning weather yesterday - high points were a mob of about 15 young Ravens doing aerobatics in the updraft from the cliffs, families of quite approachable Choughs and a Short-eared Owl flushed from the ground at the Jack Sound end. Also a pair of Stonechats and lots of Blue-tits and Larks (see previous posts) - a flock of 50 Larks were heading straight for Skomer. Plenty of Dunnocks around too - I suspect they may have had a good breeding season. Plus excellent views of seals at Martinshaven high tide.

Rosemary

Isabelline Shrike + Artic Tern

Amazing bird showed well

Fishguard Harbour - Artic Tern juv, Med Gull 1 Ad, Turnstone 2

Isabelline Shrike update

The Isabelline was definitely present later than 15:00 - as I left several birders watching it at c.15:15. The bird was giving excellent views, albeit in poor light conditions, but had relocated to a field some 150-200m up the road (towards St Justinian's) from the car park at Porthclais. This field is on the left of the road - just before the brow of the hill above the car park.

Elsewhere today (and yesterday) - as David says - it was pretty hard work. The valley at St Govan's head had a single Chiffchaff (briefly) and a male Blackcap today, a slight improvement on the female Blackcap that was there yesterday. Plenty of Goldcrests around the house at Orielton today, along with a male Blackcap and a Chffchaff - but otherwise very quiet.

Bosheston pond

Juv Black tern feeding around the eight arch bridge for most of the afternoon.
Female Goldeneye, several pairs Gadwall, 30 Teal lots of Goldcrest and long tailed tits.
Otter busy fishing by the grassy bridge.

Bits & bobs

The last report I had of the Isabelline Shrike today was 2pm from Trevor, Birdguides has it still there at 3pm, anyone have it later than that? Out and about today quite hard work, as others plenty of Skylarks & Blue Tits moving, a male Blackcap at Dale Fort, 2 Chiffchaffs at St. Bride's, two visits to Marloes Mere produced a ringtail Hen Harrier (Skomer bound at 4.45pm), 2 Pintail, 4 Gadwall, 17 Mallard, 20+ Wigeon, 25+ Teal, 33 Lapwing, a female Blackcap and probably a Garden Warbler (in exactly the same spot as a few days ago).

Skomer

The Pallas's Warbler popped up again at North Valley Crossing this morning

There wasn't a whole lot else around, just a handful of thrushes, a few Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests but 2 Black Redstarts were new, about 150 Skylarks went west and we've now got 2 ring tail Hen Harriers

Little Haven - Mill Haven

Scrub along path full of bird life and fly life. Blue tits seemed to be everywhere. Robins setting up winter territories. Plenty of finches, Chaffinch, Bullfinch and group of 6 Goldfinch. Small groups of Skylarks steadily passing overhead. Large mixed flock of birds 8 Blue Tit, couple of Coal, 9 Long-tailed tits, 2 nuthatch, 2 treecreepers, 2 Goldcrest and 3 Chiffchaffs in the wooded area, 2 Jays same area. Another 2 chiffchaffs and another 2 goldcrest later. 7 Stonechats 'boomeranging' from their perches in pursuit of flies. Pair of Yellowhammers - with a robin competing for the males perch. Crow carrying a frog. Buzzard worming and a group of a dozen or so Meadow pipits in sheepfield above Mill Haven. Peregrine on its lookout. Mill Haven looked full of birds but only gave it a quick scan before heading back.

Isabelline Shrike at Porth Clais - it's back!

Isabelline Shrie has been refound by John & Marion. On track to sewage works at Porthclais, SM 739244. Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

Teifi Estuary (friday)

Jewsons
Common sandpiper 1
Redshank 5
Little Egret 1
Slipway
Greylag 1
Little Egret 2
Bar Tailed Godwit 3
Curlew 50
Webley Hotel
Curlew 50
Oystercatcher 30
Dunlin 3
Wigeon 150
Poppit Dunes
Willow Warbler 1
Chiff Chaff 2
Fieldfare 5
Redwing 10
Firecrest 1 male showed briefly on main track

Shrike

Shrike not seen to 11:20. Perhaps in better weather?

Minwear Starlings

Truly enormous numbers of Starlings at the Minwear roost this evening - many 10's of thousands and probably 100's of thousands. A lady I met there who has been several times in recent weeks said that this was the biggest roost she had seen yet so it would seem there has been an influx of birds in recent days. Something borne out by the large numbers of Starlings which have appeared at Castlemartin Corse this week.
The only down side to the display (from my perspective, not the Starlings!) was a lack of raptors (I saw only 2 distant Sparrowhawks and 1 Buzzard) which meant that the birds came in and settled pretty quickly in short vegetation right opposite the viewpoint. Nevertheless, an amazing spectacle and well worth a visit in the next week or two before the birds move on to Plumstone.

Skomer

A really good day, loads of birds going over in the morning but lots were really high & must have missed loads, did see - 8000 Starlings, 160 Chaffinches, 250 Skylarks, 65 Greenfinches, about 25 Swallows, 10 Siskins, 3 Bramblings and a Lapland Bunting.
There were loads of thrushes around first thing again - about 50 Song Thrushes, 50 Blackbirds, 12 Redwings, 2 Mistle Thrushes, a Fieldfare & a Ring Ouzel. As well as a Woodcock and our first Long-tailed Tit of the year

This Richard's Pipit flew over just after 09:00, heading towards the mainland

At about 13:00 I was walking down South Valley with Dominic Davidson and this Pallas's Warbler dropped in in front of us for a few seconds before heading off towards North Haven, but we never managed to find it again

St Davids Hd

Quite a lot of vis mig, with 650 Starlings, 230 Chaffinches, 180 Skylarks, 35 Greenfinches, 4 Reed Buntings, 3 Bramblings, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Blue Tits, 110 Jackdaws, 45 Carrion Crows all South-west. Woodcock, Blackcap and Wheatear present. Away from the mundane, Svensson (1992) suggests Dave Astins is right in picking out the dark sub-terminal barring to the great coverts as being the most useful ageing feature and this is clear in the pics. The barring below seems more problematical than might be supposed; judging by the 2010 ad fem in Shetland. Age related bill colour may also be wrongly described in some books, but perhaps this is not surprising given the complexity of the group.

More on Isabelline Shrike

The 22 year old Macmillian Field Guide to Bird Identification (Harris, Tucker & Vinicombe) is still, in my opinion, a gem of a book and it has proved it again on the subject of the ageing of this species. The blackish sub-terminal bar behind the pale tips to the greater coverts (which can be seen clearly on at least 2 of my pics), also on the tertial & tail feathers, ages it as a first-winter.

Also interesting to re-read the discovery (found by Jack Donovan) of Pembrokeshire's first & only previous Isabelline Shrike at Nine Wells in Birding in Pembrokeshire (Green & Roberts) p.40 - it was on 27th October (so close!) 1995 and according to my account it went to roost at 4.50pm.

Ferry Birds

During one of our regular  Sea Trust Stena Ferry Surveys today, apart fom cetaceans we saw a number of interesting birds. Obviously the Black Guillies in Rosslare harbour are not in Pembrokeshire but the colony of arounf 15-20 pairs may well be the origin of our newly acquired Fishguard breeding birds. I generally count them and a pattern has emerged whereby after the breeding season at the end of August they leave the harbour but then return in October moulted into their winter plumage. Thre were at least twenty in the harbour today. Although odd winter birds have been seen around Fishguard Harbour in the winter they don't seem to take up full time residence until the start of the breeding season...unless someone knows better?
There were lots of feeding flocks of gulls , Gannets and auks off the Irish coast, but the sea birds petered out as we moved further offshore with only the odd fulmar for most of the time. A juv Arctic Skua harrassing a kitty just over half way into Welsh waters was nice to see as were oddd groups of mugrating passerines such as pippits, larks and  starlings, a trio of Goldfinches crossed our bows about ten miles off Strumble heading for the light, for some reason not a species you really expect to be making sea crossings i suppose...

Isabelline Shrike

The bird showed well until at least 5pm when the last 4 of us left it (14 people saw it today?) - at that point it had sat in the same place for perhaps 30 minutes and, after a look around Porth Clais, I had one final look for it at 5.30pm it wasn't there. My guess is that it had gone to roost as the insect activity had stopped by then. It favours the hedge that runs at right angles to the road, by the 5 bar orange gate, at the top of the hill out of Porth Clais towards Rhos y Cribed SM 737243. Some further information about the status & taxonomy of IS here:

http://www.surfbirds.com/ID%20Articles/Isabelline.html

In my opinion, this is a first-winter, e.g. the distinct pale tips to the greater coverts (but I am happy to be corrected), and most likely of the form isabellinus (Daurian Shrike) due to the lack of contrast between the under and upperparts (which are buff-washed), distinctly pallid appearance, and subdued supercilium.

Isabelline pics

Brilliant bird J & M. Have a look at the photo of an Ad female in this month's BB.

City news

The Isabelline Shrike at Porthclais this afternoon. Great find J.&M.

Isabelline Shrike -- Porthclais, Pallas's Warbler Skomer

Found by John, Marion, Jon B. this morning. Still showing well at 3 p.m.
Park in Porthclais car park and walk up the hill where bird is in the hedgerow. Birders on site.
Other news - Pallas's Warbler on Skomer

Angle

Quiet again at Kilpaison this morning with 18 Ringed Plover and 2 Dunlin.
At Angle Harbour 17 Redshank, 7 Ringed Plover, 4 Little Egrets and at the far end of the village itself 3 Black Redstarts.

Great Grey Shrike - Pantmaenog

11:00 today;-
1 showing in the clear-fell near the new car park.
(Janet)

Spoonbill, Turtle Dove, Black Redstart, Owls & Harriers

I was at the Gann when Trevor re-found the Spoonbill (a juv), some great views on the Dale foreshore as it slowly worked north and eventually flew across to the Gann just after 12:30 (my 202nd bird of the year in Pembs). Also at the Gann 8 Little Egrets, 26 Redshank & a Wheatear the most noteworthy.

Jonathan Bennett had a Turtle Dove in St. David's today, on the lane that runs parallel to the High Street - more or less behind City Hall. Paul G and I couldn't find it late afternoon, but we did see a first year male Black Redstart there. Porth Clais quiet with just a male Blackcap and a couple of Goldcrests, but the Dowrog proved much better with a male & ringtail Hen Harrier (both of which roosted to the west of the road, unusually) and 3 Short-eared Owls in the same area (to the west of the Dowrog road, approx SM770268).

Light-bellied Brents at Tenby......

9 Brent Geese at Far end of South Beach Tenby near the Concrete outflow in the vicinity of Giltar point.
(Allan Morris, with photo)

Ramsey

Snow bunting and hen harrier (ring tail) of note today.

Male bullfinch again yesterday plus the movement of 300+ swallows south. This is the latest date for swallow records on Ramsey in at least 6 years.

Black Redstarts

Two Black Redstarts on the roofs near my house in St Florence this afternoon. They appear here as regular as clockwork in October - in fact on exactly the same date last year!

St Brides & Spoonbill

A lot of activity around the church at St Bride's early this morning, the best being a min of 6 Chiffchaffs & 3 Blackcaps.
Later while in Dale village news came through from Paul G of a flyover Spoonbill at Marloes Mere, within an hour I was lucky to refind it yards from where I received the news on the foreshore at Dale village.
At Dale Airfield were at least 2 Lapland Buntings & 1 Wheatear, Merlin in the lane down to the village.

Great Grey Shrike - Ty rhyg

At 15:30 this afternoon viewable from the gate, between the pond and the track,
40 Fieldfare, Brynberian.
(from an excited, blimey..... Janet)

yesterday - Ring Ouzel

A good day birding yesterday produced: a brambling in amongst the flock of finches at Fresh West (along with great views of a merlin)..

In the valley at St Govan's we found a male ring ouzel, and two others likely, athough in the fading light it was impossible to be absolutely sure.

Regards

Sue Lamb and Jenni Hood

Skokholm

Presumably the same Spoonbill seen over Gann and Marloes Mere was seen departing North Pond around 10am.

Just a very quick visit to Skokholm to pick up bits and pieces but enough to check out the ponds - full again from that 48 hours continuous rain after being empty for months. As well as the Spoonbill around 50 Mallard and 40 Teal.

Elsewhere Sparrowhawk, two Peregrine, two Whimbrel, Curlew, Swallow, Blue Tit, Chiffchaff, a few Song thrush and a small group of Chaffinches.

Juv Spoonbill Dale foreshore off Black Rock, flew towards Gann at 1235. Seen earlier over Skomer and Marloes Mere (Paul G). Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

Great Grey Shrikes today ??

See Brian's posts below.........and this from Trystan Parry

Went in search of the shrike this afternoon at pantmaenog and found it despite heavy showers at around 3pm, it was up the track with the new stone sections on the wires going to the house and then those running alongside the track itself. well chuffed to see it so thanks for posting sightings.

N.B. click here for info/map of the Pantmaenog area

Marloes Mere / Gann

After the heavy rains, much as Richard reports for Castlemartin, Marloes Mere finally has plenty of water, and in fact looks better for waterbirds than I have possibly ever seen it, due to some extensive areas of vegetation which have been cut back, leaving some large areas of fairly shallow water viewable from all sides, especially the track past the Youth Hostel to the Britton Hide. Perfect for a Glossy Ibis a few of us think!! Highlight was not actually a water bird, but a skulky sylvia warbler which initially looked good for a Barred but turned out, after 25 minutes, to be a Garden Warbler - still a nice late record. Also here 22 Lapwing, 28 Wigeon, 15 Teal but very few other migrants.

At the Gann a late Wheatear was worthy of close scrutiny (Pied Wheatear in Gloucestershire today), a single Ringed Plover, a Greenshank, 6 Redshank & 3 Little Egrets on a very high tide.

Worth alerting those who do not follow National bird news that this autumn has seen a record influx of juvenile Pallid Harriers, with records in the last month from all corners of the UK including Scilly, Cornwall, Somerset, Glamorgan (report) and Ireland, as well as points east & north - so make sure you grill any harriers you do see and know what you are looking for!

Pantmaenog

Spent afternoon looking in vain for the shrike up here. Looked in all usual places. Despite changeable weather quite a few people about. Two kestrels hunting on slope above Pantmaenog House - saw female carrying small vole, and later hunting over the area where the shrike was at the weekend. Couple of parties of Fieldfare (25 and 45) over.

Timings added later, might be of interest re: 2 bird theory:
Pantmaenog:
1.00-1.25pm - thoroughly scanned Pantmaenog Farm area - taking high route (kestrel here)
2.00-2.15pm - same area on return - from lower path/bridleway (children on bikes)

Ty Rhyg:
Arrived at gate approx 3.00pm and scanned area down eachside of track - no sign of shrike, walked bottom track to far edge. Quick scan of the felled area and back.
Approx. 3.45pm Shrike appeared in far righthand corner, when first spotted I was at top of 'path' down to pond looking in direction of a distant Pantmaenog House/New Inn cross road, it moved steadily towards me. I went back to car to get camera. On return it was in the area of pond but unable to get pic as it was repositioning itself too frequently.

Great Grey Shrike - Ty Rhyg

After spending 3hours at Pantmaenog.... visit to Ty Rhyg turned-up the/a Great Grey Shrike north of the track initially around SN056299 at 3.45pm. Dropping frequently to the ground from tall conifers. Crow shadowing it as it moved over towards the pond. Continued its visits to ground, often spending quite sometime out of sight. Watched until heavy downpour sent me looking for shelter. Once rain had passed no sign, though its buddy was calling from the area where Paddy does his ringing, had a good look here but no further sign at 4.30pm.

Interesting blog on GG shrike
http://awbirder.blogspot.com/2011/03/great-grey-shrike-satus-in-local-area.html

Also here lots of Fieldfare in the hawthorns in the cleared area at the farside - 100+.

Castlemartin

After the heavy rain of the last few days it was not surprising to see large patches of flooding in Castlemartin Corse this morning. A few Mallard have already found the water and no doubt they will be joined by more wildfowl and waders in the next few weeks.
Just past Gumpton Farm above Freshwater West there was a flock of 200+ finches, mainly Chaffinches but with a few Greennfinches and some House Sparrows mixed in. Down by the car park large numbers of Starlings and Skylarks, a few Linnets and Reed Buntings, all kept on the alert by a Peregrine which passed at speed before disappearing from view.

Eagle ??

11:40 this morning;-
Steve B. has just had a 20 second view, without bins of a massive dark, raptor like bird fly in off the sea into the Newport Bay direction.
Seen from Dinas.

11:50, Karen & Janet in the Newport area looking....

Newport.

09.30 ~ 1 Redshank, 59 Curlew, 13 Ringed Plover, 9 Dunlin, 1 Sanderling & 1 m Black Redstart on the boat club roof.

Woodcock & the hills

A taste of what we are up to in the hills;-
Woodcock, Golden Plovers, Fieldfare all moving through daily,
click on the logo for more...


One of last night's Woodcock, the first we've caught this Autumn.

Skomer

Loads of birds flying west over here this morning as well - 450 Chaffinches, 500 Starlings, 40 Greenfinches, about 100 Skylarks, 30 Blue Tits, 10 Swallows & 4 Siskins
Highlight of the day was a pair of Bullfinches circling over North Haven for a couple of minutes late morning - the first on here since 2007.
There was a Black Redstart in North Haven & North Pond has almost filled up and immediately attracted a big flock of Mallard & Teal & 5 Wigeon
There's supposed to be a good chance of seeing Northern Lights tonight, but nothing yet

Newton Farm - Castlemartin Corse area

A male Hen Harrier flew from Newton Farm towards Castlemartin Corse this morning, while a Brambling was present in a mixed flock of finches and Reed Buntings in a stubble field on the Angle road (between Newton Farm and the Freshwater West turning). Otherwise, many hundreds of birds, mostly Skylarks, were flying west out to sea at Freshwater West.

City news

The first Brambling of the Winter in our St.Davids garden late afternoon today.

Black Redstart and Snow Bunting

Black Redstart and Snow Bunting within Fishguard Port / Outer Breakwater late afternoon.

Grt grey Shrike - Pant maenog

Met up with JanetA and after a walk up the valey to Pantmaenog house we were lucky enough to see the/a GGShrike on the way back to the car park. The bird was flushed by two Grt spotted Peckers. The shrike was very mobile for about 15mins before 'vanishing'. Location SN 075297 - north of BrynGerwyn and the B4113

A very wet Dale Airfield

The runways were covered with water but regrettably no waders seemed to find this attractive. We did manage to find three Lapland Buntings loosely associating with a big mob of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits down at the Marloes end. There were also a few Swallows passing through and 3 Wheatears.

Rosemary

Vis. Mig.

At St Davids this morning lots moving South-west. I arrived only at 9:10 and lots of stuff was high and moving over a broad front so numbers are just the tip of the iceberg. 700 Chaffinches, 400 Starlings (all of the latter in the first 15 minutes), 27 Skylarks, 11 Swallows, 7 Siskins, 4 Bramblings, a few Mipits and 2 Rock Pipits (possibly moving), 12 Blue Tits, 2 Reed Buntings, 1 Lapland Bunting and 1 Snow Bunting. 2 Merlins flew by, heading SW too so possibly part of the same movement but could be already in I suppose. Also noted Black Headed Gulls going by in some numbers.

Possible Bittern

Following on from Lyndon's report on 21 October we have been contacted by  Bill Evans who saw a bird on Sunday morning (23rd) which sounds pretty much like a Bittern  at blackbridge pill, on the upstream side of the road, and just underneath the road. Bill advises that it flew off, following the river upstream towards Steynton.

Strumble

Strumble head 08:00 -10:30, Sunday;-
1 juvenile Sabine's Gull
1 Red-throated Diver,
female Merlin & Peregrine,
3 Common Scoter,
2 adult Med. Gulls,
large movement of Kittwakes and auks.
(Andrew Crowder)

Castlemartin Peninsula

Generally quiet, particularly as far as Phylloscs and Crests are concerned, the highlights being a Merlin hunting either side of the road out to St Govans, a 1st W Mediterranean Gull in the fields above Angle Village and a couple of Black-tailed Godwits in the fields with gull flocks above Kilpaison. Otherwise, small flocks of Starlings, Golden Plovers and Lapwings scattered across the Peninsula.

Pembroke upper millpond

Black-tailed Godwits up to 75 at the moment, 12 Knot keeping out of the wind and 4 snipe in the reeds. Cettis warblers calling all day. teal at 108 and 1 Gadwall male. 3 kingfishers chasing each other for most of the day. Lots of Goldcrest in Holyland woods and 2 chiffs.

An interesting day of sorts

A big day out today with Paul G on the Marloes/Dale peninsula. First light at Martin's Haven revealed a Ring Ouzel with Blackbirds & Song Thrushes, small flocks of Starlings heading towards Skomer, and 21 Chough in the field above Rath Cottage. On to Marloes Mere (virtually waterless) 19 Lapwing went over, 2 Snipe from the old hide, 14 Wigeon in flight and a total of 8 Teal. Walking through some long grass adjacent to a stubble field behind the hide I glimpsed a small gamebird at close range that was either a late Quail (last report on Birdguides 16th October) or a very late very young Pheasant! Needless to say it shot off into the long grass and we failed to relocate it.

However, intriguing/frustrating bird of the day went to a pipit that I virtually stood on in the corner of one of the fields being reclaimed as heathland near the Mere just after 10am. It called loudly, twice, as it flew up from virtually under my feet, a clear, flat, and penetrating 'spiz' very similar to a Tree Pipit....it's a bit late for that species, and the call sounded subtly different, plus Tree Pipits tend to not let you get that close (2m!) before flying. It most likely was an Olive-backed Pipit (played the call later on an MP3 and it was spot on) but will have to join the list of the-ones-that-got-away (a list to make you cry!).

Highlight of the day went to a total of 18 Lapland Buntings on Dale Airfield - 11 on the central triangle north of the main runway (flocks of 7 & 4), and a further 7 (4 & 3) in two stubble fields to the north of here. The stubbles held in excess of 200 Skylarks so well worth keeping an eye on. A male Merlin here (PG had an immature earlier at Marloes village), at the Gann a Greenshank & 4 Redshank (plis 2 Little Egret), and the only Chiffchaff of the day were 2 by the Pump House at St. Bride's. Not a bad effort for such a windy day.

Flagpoles 16.00 23rd Oct.

At the High Tide , 2 Med Gulls ( Ad & 2W ), Female Merganser still present off shore & 14 Turnstones feeding along beach.

Tonight Porth Clais

A long and cold evening at Porth Clais was rewarded with a Merlin and just as all light was about to go a Woodcock heading from the valley no doubt to look for food.

Bush Bashing

Hard work in windy conditions, 2 Chiffchaffs & a Goldcrest at Abereiddy (no sign of anything Bittern like), 1 Chiffchaff & 1 Goldcrest out in the withies at St. David's Head (Boquer Valley = Porthmelgan), and a final Chiff at Porthclais (Dave A & Paul G). In a word, quiet. Let's hope tomorrow brings something special.

Crossbills at Ty Rhyg

Called in at Ty Rhyg just incase! Crossbills in numbers, half a dozen groups of 2-10 and as I was walking back down the track a flock of 32 moving from tree to tree and then seemed to head-off east in direction of Rosebush Reservoir.

Great Grey Shrike - Pantmaenog

Spotted at 8.50 this morning on telegraph wires along the hedgebank/bridleway west of Pantmaenog House SN081308. Innocently spooked by a couple of walkers who walked right underneath its perch. It flew off westward settling on tree remains and then onto telegraph wire. It remained there until 9.25, when I went on my way. On return at 10am it was back on orignal perch on the telegraph wires by the paddock then moving freely from fence post to conifer in the area it (assuming its the returning bird) favoured last year. Best viewed from the track that leads up to the private drive down to Pantmaenog House to avoid disturbing it. Great views of its bold markings in the bright conditions.

A few crossbills here, 2 Red Kites over Scolton on the way.

Great Grey Shrike

Presumed returning bird found at Pantmaenog this morning by Brian Southern, in the general area up near the house. More from Brian later I'm sure. Nice one!

Teifi Estuary

Jewsons
Pintail 1 female
Common Sandpiper 2
Redshank 4
Little Egret 1

Slipway
Common sandpiper 1
Redshank 5
Curlew 30

Webley
Red Kite 1
Bar tailed Godwit 2
Curlew 50
Shellduck 20

Bittern

Or perhaps, given that it's only mid October (i.e. much earlier than we usually get them), that we've had a run of westerlies, we should be seriously checking this out on the off-chance that it is an American Bittern....always expect the unexpected (there was one last October in Cornwall, and don't forget the corpse found on St. David's Airfield the year before....). Anyone going to check this out tomorrow?

Bittern at Abereiddy

I received a call earlier from a bird watcher who was 95% sure he had seen a Bittern. A difficult but likely sighting of one flying up the valley at Abereiddy. They have been seen in this area of Pembrokeshire before particularly in hard weather ~ could this be the sign of things to come.

Med Gulls

2 adults, at Milford Dock this evening, including the alloy ringer.

Skomer

Very quiet today around the valleys today but there is a Ring Ouzel & a Lesser Whitethroat in North Haven

Reservoirs

Reservoir highlights,
Rosebush Resr;-
2 Goldeneye back, 1 Willow Tit.
(Karen)
Llys-y-fran Resr;-
1 rh Goosander, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, c50 Black-headed Gulls, c4000 Lbb Gulls, and c500 Herring Gulls (a good no.)

Skomer

Plenty of birds going over in the morning - 480 Skylarks, 200 Chaffinches, 35 Linnets, 40 Greenfinches, 8 House Sparrows, 75 Blue Tits, 40 Siskins, 15 Rooks, 6 Redpolls, the first Brambling of the autumn & a Lapland Bunting.
A Cetti's Warbler sang briefly at Moorey Mere & around the valleys there was about 25 Goldcrests, a Ring Ouzel, a Tree Pipit, 5 Chiffchaffs & a Mistle Thrush

Ramsey

A male bullfinch was a rarity by island standards. Lots of 'vis mig' first thing with 70+ skylarks heading over along with varying numbers of chaffinches, greenfinches, siskins, goldfinches and linnets. Blue tits arrived in numbers too with 10 in the garden and another 20 seen to arrive from the mainland. Single redwing, chiffchaff and blackcap around the farm along with a scattering of goldcrests.

Pwllcrochan

A splendid Yellow Browed Warbler at the bottom end of Pwllcrochan this morning, at the stone bridge by the little car park/ turning area associating with a roving Tit flock. 2 Chiffchaffs also here, Sparrowhawk and endless activity from the local Jays coming & going carrying acorns.

Yellow-browed Warbler -- Pwllcrochan

1 This morning at 10:00 by the old stone bridge.
Trevor Price, more from Trevor later.

Newport.

Parrog~ 29 Wigeon, 8 Curlew, 5 Turnstone, 2 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover.
Old L/boat Station~ 1 Grey Wagtail.

Puncheston.

After spending last week watching mega birds on the stunning Isles of Scilly this afternoon I thought I'd try and find a rarity in north Pembs; Unfortunately no luck today.
However a visit to Carndeifog wood (SM994322) found plenty of activity within two spruce trees ~ 24 Crossbills, 5 Siskins, 2 Marsh Tits; Plus a female Great Spotted Woodpecker breaking cones off of the tree and flying away with them to cache for winter I guess; As I've only observed this behaviour in Jays before not Woodpeckers.
Walking back to the car I was transfixed by the aerial antics of 3 Ravens hasseling a Sparrowhawk, one Raven being very bold and holding onto the Sparrowhawks tail feathers! With the Sprawk retaliating by chasing the Ravens...

Strumble

From Derek Moore:-

 

I went to Strumble today 9.30am - 2pm. Following recorded

 

Leach's Petrel 1

Arctic Skua 8

Pomarine Skua 8

Great Skua 4

Long-tailed Skua 1 juv.

Common Scoter 6

Arctic Tern 1

Red-throated Diver 2

Manx Shearwater 1

Pale-bellied Brent 4

 

Peter Murray was with me but had been present much earlier and had more skuas and a juv.Sabine's Gull.

Thanks Derek.

Ramsey

2 hours of seawatching (1 early morning, 1 late afternoon) produced of note:

Sabine's gull - 4 (3 ad. winter and 1 juv)
Pom skua - 2 (juvs)
Arctic skua - 4 (3 DP, 1LP)
Bonxie - 3
Common scoter - 17 (11m 6f)
GN Diver - 1
Med gull - 1
BH gull - 3
Shelduck - 1 (juv)
Good numbers of gannets passing still - c. 80/hr in morning

Brambling in farmhouse garden. 17 lapwing in fields.

More Brents

At Kilpaison this morning 4 Pale Bellied Brents feeding with a flock of 400+ Wigeon. Also 50 + Mallard. The waders had gone off to roost but there were a couple of Curlew left on the beach.

Teifi Brents

8 Pale-bellied Brent Geese in front of The Webley at high tide this morning.

Mere Valley

A single Whinchat here, 1 Water Rail, 6 Swallows hawking along the sheltered slopes at the bottom of the valley, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel a few Blackbirds but a definite clear out from the weekend. 7 Choughs entertained overhead seemingly relishing the stiff breeze over the valley.

Ramsey

A 1.5 hour seawatch produced of note:

Pom skua - 1 (pale with spoons)
Arctic skua - 6 (4 DP, 2 LP)
Bonxie -1
Manx - 4
GN Diver -1
BH gull - 3

Turtle Dove in Marloes

Spent some time this afternoon watching a Turtle Dove feeding on a lawn just outside the window of a house in Marloes. Apparently it comes every afternoon and has been around for about a week. Not a good picture I'm afraid - taken through the window!

Where do our passage Turtle Doves come from?? Pembrokeshire does not really seem to be on the way between any known breeding spots and wintering quarters!

Rosemary

kites

At least 8 red kites on the slopes of Frenni Fawr.

2 goldcrests in the garden this morning; I hope they survive whatever winter we have.

Raptors around St Davids

We had a sparrowhawk from the car on the A487 to St Davids, a peregrine over the city and at Porthclais the panicked scattering of 3 grey wagtail and a rock pipit by the bridge was explained by the appearance of a female sparrowhawk, subsequently joined by a male. After this a female kestrel arrived to keep down the small birds.

Strumble Head 18th Oct.

Only myself & Richard Davies braved the chilly lookout today , but it was worth it !

07.30 - 15.30

Wind W Force 6-8

Brent Goose - 1 ( PB )

Wigeon - 3

Common Scoter - 14 ( All males )

Gt Crested Grebe - 1

Red Throated Diver - 3

Gt Northern Diver - 1

Manx Shearwater - Still quite a few passing

Grey Phalarope - 1

Pom Skua - 51 ( 17 Pale several with spoons , 34 Juvs )

Arctic Skua - 52 ( 18 Pale , 34 Dark )

Long Tailed Skua - 6 ( All Juvs )

Bonxie - 41

Med Gull - 1 ( Ad )

Arctic Tern - 7

Black Tern - 1

A constant stream of Kittiwakes all day coming out of the bay numbered 1000's.

Risso's Dolphin - 18

Angle

From Richard Ellis - 3 ad. Med gulls and a Sandwich tern roosting on the shingle spit at Angle.

Strumble Head 17th Oct.

07.30 - 10.00

Wind SW

1 Leach's

2 Fulmar

2 Manx

1 Sooty

1 Light Pom

1 Dk + 1 Lt Arctic Skua

1 Bonxie

3 Common Tern

2 Sandwich

16 Scoter (12m)

1 juv Common Gull

1 Little Gull

3 juv Sab

8 juv Med + 1 adult

2 Grey Phal'

Thousands of Auks, 1 Puffin

Hundreds of Kittiwakes still pouring thro'.

4 Swallows

Lot of Starlings in off.

Chris

Many Thanks to Chris Greyall

Ring Ouzels etc

News from Jonathan Bennet of 6 Ring Ouzels (all males) in one Sycamore Tree near to Whitesands bay yesterday 16th.

And from John O'Sullivan - Around the Teifi over the weekend best sighting a big Dog Otter fishing succesfully opposite St Dogmaels Key Saturday around 2pm. Otherwise a couple of Lapwing on the estuary, 6 Barwits, 2 Blackwits, 2 Kingfisher, 9 Little Egret. Camaes Head Sunday a.m. very quiet with only two seperate wheatears, a few hundred chaffinches south east and single Reed Bunting of any interest.

Sunday Ceibwr Bay Newport and Cwm Yr Eglwys

Ceibwr Bay
Red Throated Diver 1
Chough 4
Stonechat 2
Common Scoter 2 males 1 female
Kestrel 1 male

Newport
Common Sand 1
Kingfisher 1
Little Egret 1

Cwm Yr Eglwys
Kestrel pair
Perigrine 1
Red Kite 1
Stonechat 2
Wheatear 2

Returning Firecrest !!

Sunday;-
We went to Kilpaison today and caught 96 new birds and 15 retraps including a firecrest which I first ringed on 21-11-10 on the other side of Kilpaison.
(John H & Paul W.)

Golden Plovers

More signs of autumn with 130 Golden Plover and 5 Lapwing in fields between Jameston and Manorbier this morning - there had been none at this regular spot for Goldies last week.

Starling Flock

We have seen several small flocks of starlings over the last week or two, but in another sign of advancing autumn, yesterday evening we had a flock of several thousand birds flying SE over Withybush Woods, viewed from north of the airfield. The flock was dense and over a kilometre long. Perhaps they were heading for the Slebech reed beds?

Funny Dunnock

I have seen quite a few leucistic birds over time but never a Dun
nock before so this is pretty amazing:-

I also had a quick look around this morning - no water in Marloes Mere at all and just a bit in the irrigation reservoirs. Few birds there. Lots Redwings over this morning and Chaffinches all over the place with the first real signs of number of Goldcrests around.

Westfield Pill.

Plenty of signs of winter this morning,with parties of Fieldfares,Redwings,and Siskins,also,a record count of Little Egrets 7.

Skomer

Another good day! Highlight was this pretty tame Red-backed Shrike munching its way through Skomer's Bumblebee population over at Bull Hole.

I'm pretty sure there's a Siberian Stonechat in North Valley - I saw a bird in the distance yesterday evening that looked interesting but when I got closer all I found was a Whinchat & I just assumed I'd messed it up, but I saw it again briefly this morning & it looks good but I didn't get enough on it & I couldn't find it again this evening.

Lots of birds on the move early on - 175 Skylarks, 50 Blue tits, 60 Chaffinches & 45 Greenfinches & a good scattering of migrants around - 12 Chiffchaffs, 1 very late Willow Warbler, a Yellow-browed Warbler again briefly & a Lapland Bunting

1 ring-tail Hen Harrier came in to roost this evening

WeBS at Hook & a Jack Snipe at Dale Airfield

Highlight of my WeBS count at Hook/Sprinkle Pill today was an impressive flock of 590 Golden Plover - try as I might I couldn't make one of them into an American (or Pacific!). The sound they made was superb. Other highlights included 4 Grey Plover, 3 Knot, 110 Redshank, 37 Lapwing, 5 Greenshank and 83 Dunlin. Surprisingly not a single Grey Heron or Little Egret.

A toodle around some Dale/Marloes sites between the showers this afternoon revealed little, except a single Jack Snipe on Dale Airfield at the pond, it gave excellent close flight views but I could not get a view of it on the ground! A Common Snipe here too. 2 Chiffchaff this evening at Nine Wells.

St Govan's Head

It's interesting, reading blogs from yesterdays visits to St Govan's, how things can change overnight as first thing this morning the head was alive with birds. Lots of Linnets & Chaffinches present (with more Chaffinches passing over & not stopping) and at least 20 Blue Tits. The Kestrel still there & Siskins heard over. Only 1 Wheatear seen. Numerous Blackbirds evident on berry bushes in the wider area. In the little valley at least 6 Blackbirds & 3 Song Thrushes on the berries, while the star of the Thrush brigade was a single Ring Ouzel. Also in the valley 2 Short Eared Owls flushed from the bracken, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, a Whitethroat & a little group of Goldfinches. Later in Haverfordwest 2 Fieldfares passed low over heading south.
Yesterday at Llandilo a Willow Warbler was singing at first light.

Kete to Watwick

Large flock of corvids seemed to adopting a defensive ball over towards the airfield, wheeling around starling-like. Heavy showers so only noticed a couple of Wheatear on coast path to lighthouse. Mill Bay full of birds - Bull Finches, Chaffinches, Linnets, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Robins, Blackbirds and Dunnock. 3 Moorhen and a drake Teal on pond. Female kestrel hoovering then perched on tower at West Blockhouse. 20+ pheasants in fields above Watwick, heads popping up and down just above crop. Watwick - flock of 6-8 Blue Tits, with 8 Long-tailed tits and 2 Goldcrest. 15 Blackbirds and 6 Song Thrush. Pipits and skylarks calling in fields by Maryborough Farm.

An Interesting Weekend

Spent a couple of hours yesterday afternoon, looking for Golden Plover around Trewarren farm/Musslewick/Gann area - to no avail. However in the c150 B/H/Gulls feeding in the fields there was a first winter Med. This afternoon at the Gann, 1 adult Med Gull, 1 Greenshank, 6 Little Grebes, and (the) a single Barnacle Goose. Also those harbingers of winter, Lapwings, 10 -12 over our house at St Ishmaels heading west.

Carningli

A walk up Carningli this morning was well worth the effort with a single Ring Ouzel, 5 Wheatears and a flock of 250+ Golden Plover. The views from the top were, needless to say, stupendous (see header).

Flagpoles 13.00 16th Oct

A sgl female Merganser , 33 Oycs , 4 Redshank , approx 15 Turnstones & 1 Curlew. Gulls numbered about 70 mostly Blk Headed & Herring with a sgl smart Ad. Med.

Skomer

Another good day - even though most of it was spent in Tescos and only got an hour in first thing & a couple of hours late afternoon

Highlights of the day were a Yellow-browed Warbler briefly at Green Pond first thing, a very noisy Red-breasted Flycatcher at North Valley Crossing this afternoon, a stunning Black Guillemot in Jack Sound, and a Tree Sparrow went over in a flock of Chaffinches

There seemed to be less thrushes going over this morning, only seen 1 Ring Ouzel today, but there were a lot more finches - had over 200 Chaffinches by 09:00

St Govan's Head - Brimstone

Like Richard C, we had the kestrel this afternoon at St Govan's, but missed the merlin. There were several wheatear, a dozen or so linnet in 1st winter garb and 6 stonechat. The non-birding highlight was a spectacular male brimstone butterfly. There is still plenty of scabious out at the Head, and this is apparently one of the food plants for this species.

Ty Rhyg

Crossbills very active and vocal. Groups of 8, 6, 2 and single birds (possibly some duplication). The group of 8 were spooked by GS woodpecker moving in on their tree. Goldcrests everywhere. 5 buzzards and a kite making the most of the fine weather. Male Sparrowhawk upsetting 2 Jays. Three groups of 6-10 Redwing heading eastwards, plenty of berries on the hawthorn just 3 Mistle Thrush in them. 2 Snipe. 9 Lapwing lifted from field opposite gate and headed west. Other birds Siskin, Blue, Coal and Great Tit, Nuthatch, Meadow Pipit and 2 Raven. Fox across path.

Angle area

Quiet at Kilpaison this morning as the tide started to drop - 6 Ringed Plover and a couple of Dunlin. Two Wheatears on the beach.
A little better at Angle Harbour with 21 Redshank, 13 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 6 Turnstone and a 2nd Winter Med Gull on the shingle spit. Also  3 Little Egrets in the harbour.
Several parties of Goldfinches seen along the way to St Govan's  where it was also pretty quiet apart from a Kestrel and a Merlin.

St David's Head

5 Ring Ouzels, a Lapland Bunting, a Brambling and a Whinchat this morning (Paul G). Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

Webley and Poppit Dunes

Whimbrel 1 ( i remembered to check the rump this time)
Curlew 25
Redshank 10
Black Talied Godwit 2
Bar Tailed Godwit 1
Red Kite 1
Goldcrest 10
Blackbird 25
Song Thrush 10
Bullfinch 2 pairs

redwings and swallows

Saw my first redwing of the autumn at about 7:30 and by 8:30 at least another 300 had flown over at Llanmill nr Narberth. Also a brambling, 7 fieldfares, 11 golden plover and 16 greenfinches. Nearby there were 70 juv swallows feeding over a field and at 2:30 there were still around thirty at the same spot. They must have been waiting for clearer weather before moving on.

Skomer

Had a pretty amazing day today - heard my first Redwings of the autumn last night & there were plenty of thrushes around first thing in the morning, most quickly headed off to the mainland - about 45 Blackbirds, 30 Fieldfares, about 60 Redwings, 15 Song Thrushes, 1 Mistle Thrush and at least 15 Ring Ouzels.
A Richard's Pipit flew south low over the farm at 10:20, I heard it calling again in the fields south of the farm 15 minutes later but couldn't find it again.
There was a Wryneck at the farm again - I'd guess it was probably a new one, flushed a Jack Snipe from Green Pond, 16 Golden Plovers flew over, a Snow Bunting flew over in a flock of Chaffinches and there was a Black Redstart in North Haven

Kete to Dale airfield

6 Golden Plover in the field at Kete. At the airfield: rooks and skylarks most obvious, 2 snipe and 2 teal flushed from by pond, 3 wheatear, flock of 25 starling, otherwise pretty quiet. 16 oystercatchers on Marloes Sands.

Kete and St Ann's

Morning walk in the fog. A few Swallows at Mullock Bridge and later at St Anns Head. Pair of kestrels perched on fence posts near lighthouse, tails fanned and looking very bedraggled, later seen on telegraph wires near Mill Bay, but jackdaws moved them on. A female blackcap in walled garden. The regularly seen female sparrowhawk was coasting along the valley at Mill Bay. Plenty of fly life from small midges to a few butterflies including Peacock, Red Admiral and a Painted Lady. 9 Stonechats snatching insects from their perches - pipits and wheatear 'working' the coast path. 4 Pied Wagtails in field by lighthouse with flock of 20 meadow pipits. Skylarks calling over and in a number of fields.

Swallows galore!

206 counted on the wires & tree tops at Stackpole Quay car park with numerous others in the vicinity. Min of 10 house martins with them. This site is just asking for a big rarity!
Mere Valley full of blue tits & blackbirds with a blackcap & 3 Chiffchaffs. 13 unidentified geese flew over the valley just visible in the mist going south.

St Davids Hd am

The Wryneck was relocated at 11:45 on the East slope where I found it. It flew to the Crossroads again and I gave up! Only 4 flight views, very elusive. A Crossbill flew over, calling in the mist. 27 Skylarks over in ones and twos, Chaffinches apparent later on and a couple of Swallows and Snipe. Scilly tomorrow, hopefully the birds not so shy.

Wryneck - nr. St. David's

A Wryneck, c150m into the Bocca Valley at 10:00. Where there is a crossroads of footpaths.
(Mike YP)

Red Kites and Swallows

There were four, possibly five, red kite drifting over fields to the west of Haverfordwest Aerodrome today. As to swallows, there were twenty or more, with small numbers of house martins, feeding in the valley at Porth Clais on Monday afternoon.

Swallows

I think Rich is spot on, i've been in Cornwall since Saturday and haven't seen a single Swallow. They must all be with you! Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

More Swallows

Approximately 30 at Heathfield GP midday.

Curlew Sand - Llangwm

News from Graham Brace of a Curlew Sandpiper on the Cunnigar in Llangwm at 8am this morning in company with a single Dunlin .
Ref posting below - quite a few Swallows here in St Florence today as well (and yesterday) hawking over the fields. Perhaps reluctant to head off south over the Bristol Channel with the persistent mist/fog.

Swallows

It's getting late for swallows but 6 were heading through Star today.

Teifi

High tide this evening;-
A delight to see 5 Grey Plover, also 1 Red-breasted Merganser to add to the day's sightings below.

Crundale Raptors

Two interesting raptors from our garden in Crundale today: a Red Kite drifting over this morning and a Hobby heading SE at speed this afternoon.

Bar Headed Geese

Following on from Richards post, later this morning the 2 Bar Heads flew back to Newport with c200 Canadas, the Greylag & 2 hybrids.

Mid Pembs Section of the WTSWW - Monday 17 October 2011

The next indoor meeting of the Group is on Monday the 17th October 2011 at The Patch, Furzy Park, Haverfordwest starting at 7.30pm. There will be a presentation by Bob and Annie Haycock about Bumblebees There is no charge for admission to the meeting and members and non members are welcome to join us. For further information please phone O1834 860175.

Teifi -- morning roost

From The Webley;-
1 1w Arctic Tern, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Knot, 1 Dunlin, 8 Redshank, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, & 1 Kingfisher.
1 Bar-headed Goose and many of our loved hybrids have returned from their holiday to Newport !

Angle Bay

First thing this morning there were 5 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 7 Little Egrets and 6 Great Crested Grebes in the Angle Harbour area, with 100+Wigeon, and small numbers of Bar-tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover and Dunlin at Kilpaison.

Fishguard Outer Breakwater, weekend... finally fluked one!

Halleluja, just for once a photo I can be pleased with, one of several wheatears on the Fishguard harbour outer breakwater. The snow buntings were less succesful asthetically but I suppose slightly rarer.

Teifi Ring-billed gull has moved to Pembs!

A Ring-billed gull was in front of the Webley just before high tide this evening. Being the same plumage as the well photographed bird which has spent the last couple of weeks upstream between the bridges in Cardigan it seems likely that it is the same bird.
Also in the high tide roost, 160 Curlew, 6 Redshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 knot, 2 Sandwich Terns and 5 Ringed Plovers.

Merlins

A Merlin at St Davids Hd am and another at Heathfield GP. Does anyone have any recommendations for useful (android) apps please?

Blustery St Justinian's

Fairly quiet (birdwise) in the Sound today, couple of scoter, some commic terns, but a rather nice marsh harrier hunting over Trefaiddan late this afternoon.

Two porpoises going north - but hard to see in the spume and swell.

Possibly Annie saw Brian's manx shearwater, but hard to be positive about identification at a distance with the wind giving the telescope a good shaking.

Strumble Head 10th Oct.

07.00 - 11.00

Wind : SW 5

Common Scoter - 2

Balearic Shearwater - 1

Arctic Skua - 1 ( Ad Pale )

Sabines Gull - 1 ( Juv )

1 Risso's Dolphin seen at 8.30

Thanks to Chris Grayell , i joined him from 07.30 until 9.00 fortunately when most of the limited action was had!

Caerfai to St Justinians

Very blustery - loose flocks of pipits and linnet along the walk. 2 chough, 2 stonechat and 20 plus swallows skimming the waves alongside a gannet off St Nons. Little showing in Porthclais apart from robins, dunnock and blackbirds. Grey wagtail by the bridge. Some good looking recently sown fields above Porthclais but only gulls. Porthlysgi - scrub full of birds, mostly tits, pipits and linnet. On the beach a dozen Rock pipits, a curlew, 2 oystercatchers, 2 turnstone and a dunlin. Buzzard on cliff face. 30 mallard on pond at Treginnis, 3 stonechat and wheatear. Dozen or more Choughs in groups of up to 5 along Ramsey Sound, couple of stonechat. A Manx shearwater(?) flashed through heading south. Grizzly sight of two BB gulls 'surfing' on the bodies of two deceased seal pups just south of lifeboat station. On return group of 25 feral pigeons huddled on cliff face out of wind, and around the corner a pair of peregrines out on the prowl heading their way! Highlight were the porpoises putting on a show with up to 4 riding the waves together and bursting out of the white water south end of Ramsey Sound at midday. Spectacular stuff. Counted 7 adult seals and 3 well-grown pups in the coves.

St Govan's Head

Spent an hour or so at St Govan's this morning but very little happening, the highlight was a couple of 1st W Little Gulls flying west, otherwise light passage of auks and kittiwakes

Teifi - roost

Having been wandering afar and away from the Teifi for the week-end, a nice roost at The Webley this evening;-
1 Eurasian Whimbrel amongst c100 Curlew, 1 1st w Med. Gull amongst c100 Black-headed & 1 Common Gull. 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Knot, 1 Redshank, 4 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, and 100+ Wigeon. 1 wp Sandwich Tern was rather nice.
(Rich D. & Wendy J.)

Goden Plover/Hard Winter

About 40, in the fields between St Ishmaels & the Gann this afternoon, + 4 Swallows over. A look at the Gann (at high tide) produced very little - 1 Dunlin, 4 Little Grebes, 2 Wheatear & 4 Teal.

Today`s Daily Express newspaper`s headline said something like "-22 degrees in a matter of weeks" - or words to that effect - & implied we could be in for a winter where previous records would be broken. Could be interesting birdwise....?

Skomer

The Rose-coloured Starling is still at the Farm - I was watching it this afternoon walking around in front of the farm when a Merlin shot through, only just missing the starling!

Sean McCarthy found a Snow Bunting at the farm yesterday & that's still here as well

Porthclais & Llandilo

A Spotted Flycatcher & at least 3 Blackcaps near the STW when the sun came out this afternoon at Porthclais with a Sparrowhawk over and a steady trickle of Swallows . Yesterday at Llandilo 6 Crossbills dropped in briefly, Willow Tit here too.

Barnacle Goose & Whooper Swan

A surprise at the Gann this evening in the form of a Barnacle Goose, resting at the mouth of the river initially below the wooden footbridge and then, after a Peregrine put everything up, just upstream. Whilst watching the goose a Whooper Swan flew low over my head and proceeded on northwards upriver towards Mullock until lost to view. Also a female Red-breasted Merganser on the river, and other birds include a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Ringed Plover, a Little Egret, 7 Redshank & 4 Little Grebes. No waders in the field at Kete, and the airfield very quiet with 2 Snipe & a single Skylark. Lovely sunset over Skokholm was ample compensation for the lack of birds here.

Strumble Head 7th Oct.

7 Oct NW6-7 NNW6-7 Iincreasing 8 0645-1610

15 sabs all juvs
10 grey phalaropes
10 Leachs Petrels
39 Bonxies
39 artic (17lp 18d 4 juv)
23 Poms (9 juv 4lp 1dark with spoons 9 lp spoons)
12Long tails (11 juv 1 sub ad)
2 Little Gulls 1w
8 Black Terns
102 Artic terns
26 Comic terns
20 Sandwich Terns
145 Common scoter (15f)
2 Brent geese
3 Black Tailed Gowits
8 Dunlin
1 Ad med gull
1 GN Diver wp
1 BT Diver wp
4 RT Diver sp

The fantastic number of skua's today has pushed the total for the year to 1139.

Many Thanks again to Richard Davies for todays totals.

Teifi estuary Brent Geese

By the Webley at high tide this evening - 4 Pale-bellied Brents, 6 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Knot, 4 Dunlin, 3 Redshank and a Sandwich Tern.

Newport Fri am

2 Barwits & an ad Med Gull.

Ramsey

Ramsey seawatch totals from this morning (08:00-10:30)

Sabine's gull - 2 juv
Bonxie - 26 (Ramsey record)
Arctic skua - 23 (14 LP, 9 DP - Ramsey record)
Pom skua - 2 juv
Common Scoter - 29 (16m, 13f)
Sandwich tern - 51
Arctic tern - 12
Common tern - 2
'commic' tern - 15
Manx shearwater - 18
Kittiwake - 700+

Dunlin - 9
Bar-tailed godwit - 1

Risso's - 2

Strumble Head

Personal totals from 08:00-11:30 included:

Great Skua - 20

Arctic Skua - 23

Pomarine Skua - 5

Long-tailed Skua - 4

Sabine's Gull - 9

Leach's Petrel - 2

Storm Petrel - 2

Grey Phalarope - 3

Black tern - 3

Little Gull - 2

A more comprehensive list should be available from Richard later.

Non-seabirds included Chough, Peregrine and a Snow Bunting - the latter feeding along the road verge between the two car parks.

gp

Approx 600 golden plover in their usual spot just outside Tegryn; good to see them back!

Teifi Estuary

1 Whimbrel (webley)
1 Artic Tern (webley)
1 Common Sandpiper (jewsons)

Strumble Head 6th Oct.

0630-1345 west 7/8
8 sabs all juvs
1 Long Tailed juv
9 poms 4 juv 4 lp and 1 lp spoons
25 bonxies
23 artic 10d 6 juv 6 lp
2 GNDiver wp
1 RTDiver sp
1 Little gull 1w
1 sooty
11 baleric
2 storm petrels
10 leaches petrels
1 male mallard
2 grey phalaropes
13 comic terns
86 Artic terns
20 sandwich terns
27 common scoter 4f
14 dunlin
1 kestrel
6 rissos dolphins

Many observers , many thanks to Richard Davies for the totals.

Ramsey

Combined highlights from today's 2 brief seawatches were:

Leach's petrel - 1
GN Diver - 1
Bonxie - 5
Arctic skua - 1
Sandwich tern - 7
Commic tern - 1
Manxies going through at a rate of around 150/hr at both ends of the day
Risso's dolphin - 2 (around the time the Strumblers had theirs so might have been part of this group?)

Strumble to 9am

3 juvenile Sabine's Gulls, 2 Leach's Petrel's, 2 Pomarine Skuas, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 2 Bonxie, 1 Arctic Skua, 6+ Risso's Dolphins

The day's totals later..........but a very good "Strumblers bird" was the drake Mallard flying West...

1 juvenile Long-tailed Skua off Skomer, flying out of the bay.
(Dave B)

Skomer

The Rose-coloured Starling is still around the Farm today

Yellow Wagtail St Davids

A 1st W bird flew up into and sneaked about in the Hotel Sycamores which used to border the ex Whitesands Bay Hotel. Very quiet otherwise with only 3 Wheatears and half a dozen Goldcrests in the wider area.

Hobby

Great views this afternoon of a Hobby catching Dragonflies in a field opposite Whitesands Bay Hotel (now demolished). Tried to get a decent photo but the result could be a serious challenge to Dave Astins for the worst bird picture of the year!

Skomer

The first Ring Ouzel of the autumn was out near West Pond and a Lapland Bunting flew over.

The Rose-coloured Starling was still around yesterday but I didn't see it today, nor any Wrynecks

Highlight of the day was this Crimson Speckled that flew past me out at Skomer Head - fortunately I've started carrying a couple of pots around with me &, after a couple of near misses, I managed to jump on it - stunning!

St Davids Hd am

The Western Bonelli's Warbler not reported to 11am at least, despite being looked for. A Pied Flycatcher out at the Burial Chamber, feeding from the rocks and gorse, must have been freshly arrived and a Spotted Flycatcher in the willows. At least 3 Yellow Wagtails came from the field immediately east of the golf course in a mixed flock, there may have been a couple more. c20 Goldcrests, 5 Chiffchaffs and 14 Wheatears present in the area.

Dyfi Ospreys

A fascinating post on the fate of the 3 fledged Dyfi Ospreys here:

http://ceredigionbirds33.blogspot.com/

And proof at least that the juvenile bird at Millin Pill wasn't from the nearest confirmed breeding pair!

Western Bonelli's Warbler

Firstly, a massive thank you to MYP for finding and releasing the news of this bird so promptly - even from a communications blackspot! Richard is right that there is no reception (certainly not Orange) in the valley - it therefore would have been helpful if some of the birders who left the site mid afternoon having seen it had put the news out (I am thankful to Wendy for calling me as soon as she had reception around 5.15pm - but in the absence of any news since 1pm I had decided to go anyway!). After the 5pm sighting referred to by Richard the bird was seen twice, at 6.20pm and 6.35pm in the uppermost (northern) patch of withies (i.e. further up the valley than earlier). It was not easy to see, but seen well enough, it was keeping generally to the tops of the withies and called a few times. Also here a 1st winter Redstart.

Following MYP's post, according to the online guide to rarer birds the 31st August 1948 Skokholm record is indeed the first record of Western, the 1991 Skokholm record (also 31st August) being recorded as Eastern/Western. Coincidentally the latest issue of British Birds arrived in the post today, covering the rare bird report for 2010, and the British totals to end 2010 are 97 Western, 75 Eastern/Western (presumably most Western) & 5 Eastern. (Hope this link works: http://www.birdguides.com/rbcd/species.asp?s=136290).

Western Bonelli's - updates

See below for details on this great find by Mike, who incidently in his East Coast past has ringed one in Norfolk ! !
Communication is very difficult at the site, there is No mobile reception at the site ! A climb out of the valley is required to get a poor signal....therefore updates will be infrequent I guess?
Showing in the withies at 5pm, c750m from the coast path, up the valley at SM733283.
Later sightings from Dave shortly.

Western Bonelli's Warbler update

The bird has been present in the willows in Porthmelgan Valley at St David's Head from about 11am this morning and was still present at 5pm. Everyone seems to have seen it well eventually despite the poor weather (it was feeding in bright sunlight initially). Apparently it is not clear that there are any reliable plumage features for distinguishing between Western and Eastern Bonelli's in autumn (British Birds Vol104 p597). Luckily this bird was calling persistently when first found and called later too, so there can be no doubt as to species, the bright, emphatic Willow Warbler-like 'phoo-eet' is a clincher. I believe this may be the 2nd for Pembs following the first ever British discovery on Skokholm in 1948. One other bird was not able to be identified as either Western or Eastern but I'm certain others can give chapter and verse on this, whereas I can't. For the record, two,possibly three Whinchats present.

Buff-breasted Sandpipers 23 September

From Karen........Dale Airfield 23 September 2011, I think these are the only photos we have ?

Bonelli's Warbler sp. -- St. David's Head

Mike Young-Powell has found a Bonelli's Warbler sp. at Porth Melgan, St. David's Head.
11:15 today. Still showing well at 13:00 albeit in poor weather

Skomer

No chance to do any birding today but saw a stunning adult Sabine's Gull fly south through North Haven - if you're watching Rhys To The Rescue and he's looking at seal pups & you here someone in the background shout ******* Hell there's a Sabine's Gull! - that's me!
I didn't throw any bread at it

Bread

Whilst understanding the sentiments expressed in recent postings regarding bread, gulls etc we do not want this blog to become the place for a debate on the subject. Two postings on the subject from this morning have, therefore, been removed and a line is drawn under the topic. Look forward to some bird news. Richard Crossen and Richard Dobbins

Skomer

The Rose-coloured Starling & the Wryneck were still around the farm today, but otherwise it was pretty quiet.
There's a load of migrant insects around as well -
Yesterday I saw 5 darters, the first ones I'd seen this year. I only got a good look at 2 of them & my good friend Steve Waite has identified them as Red-veined Darters for me


Still getting loads of migrant moths as well - up to about 20 Vestals now, 1 Cosmopolitan, 1 Gem, and 2 little micro-moths called Hymenia recurvalis - they used to be really rare but I think they've become a bit more regular in recent years

Pantmaenog and shots of the BB Sandpipers

Very quiet until a Kite came out of the mist and flushed flock of 5o+ pipits, wagtails and chaffinches on top path.



Thank goodness Dave A managed a few decent shots of the Buff-breasts... The photographer generously emailed these - I don't think BBCs Natural History Unit will be calling!!