Black Kite

Many many thanks to Clive for ringing me so quickly after finding the Black Kite.  With the priority being getting there quickly, several phone calls were made on route.  PG and I drove from Letterston to Castlemorris with no sign of Clive or the Kite, so we retraced our steps back towards Letterston, stopping at the junction by Priskilly Forest (Viewpoint 1 - SM914306) where by some amazing fluke I picked the bird up sat on a fence post about half a mile away (hence the poor pics!).  It spent some time flying up and down the fields south of Heathfield Farm, with MY-P arriving in time, by the time Trevor arrived at Letterston we called him to stop at the western end (Viewpoint 2 - SM932302) to view towards us as the bird was heading slowly south and out of view for us.  The bird was last seen over sheep fields at Viewpoint 3 (SM919292) where it seemed to be coming down - all the while being hassled by a single Carrion Crow (at one point also a Jackdaw).  This last viewpoint is on a minor (no-through) road that heads north-west from Welsh Hook but having visited the site it looks like a good bet for the bird to have roosted in the woodland there.  We probably last saw the bird at approx. 19:45, having first picked it up at around 19:20.  It seems quite possible that this is the same bird seen by Ed Hunter in Spittal last week, so may well have settled in the area - well worth a look.  The approximate area we saw the bird in is highlighted in pink on the map.  Good luck.

Marloes Mere & fields

What a difference to yesterday! A lovely Spring evening. Birdwise, 23 Whimbrel, 14-15 Wheatear, 7 Swifts, c40 Hirundines & about 19 Chough heading out to Martinshaven. Glossy Ibis:- I saw one in the rush briefly but a couple I was talking to from Worcestershire, told me that they had seen 3 earlier in the day - so probably safe to assume that three are still here.

Kete-St Anns

19 Wheatear, 2 swift in Frenchmans Bay, with another 10 over Pickleridge later. 2 whimbrel in field near St Anns and 4 at Gann. Quite a few willow warblers along coast path.

Black Kite in Castlemorris/Letterston area

A Black Kite was flying in an easterly direction on the south side of the road between Castlemorris and Letterston at c.18:30 this evening.  The bird was flying quite low and being harrassed constantly as the gulls and corvids took turns to pick up the baton.  It was still heading in the general direction of Letterston when I lost view of it.

Brents

Info from Barry Stewart - Fyi there was a flock of 189 P-b Brents in Swansea Bay on the 27th, seen by Mark Winder.

I wonder if these were the same as the flock seen in Pembs on the 26th? If so, it's not necessarily the route you'd expect them to take!

Skokholm

Our first Swift of the year too. One Kestrel, and Whimbrel and Wheatear still on the move with 8 and 25 respectively.

swift wheatear

A wheatear at Clydau, & also my fist swift of the year here too.

Swifts

From Paul warren - There were 4 swifts flying over Johnston this morning.

St Davids Hd am

A 1st summer male Redstart, 7 Swifts, 43 Whimbrels, 20 Wheatears, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap and a few Willow Warblers. A Dunlin and a possible 'tundrae' Ringed Plover on Whitesands Beach. At Newgale 2 Common Sands on the marsh.

Counting Steve's Brents

Looking at Steve's photo and blowing it up a bit, I counted at least 140 Brents just in that frame: a wonderful sight!

Skomer

Its still really windy out here & the valleys are acting quite well as wind tunnels rather than sheltered havens for migrants but there doesn't seem to be many birds around - I did see a couple of Grasshopper Warblers and a Cuckoo down low on the west coast where it was a bit more sheltered but other than that just a few Willow Warblers and Wheatears, 3 Swifts flew over & Lewis saw a male Whinchat at the Farm in the evening

Brent timings

Great to read about Steve Pullen's sighting on 26 April. Mine near Stackpole Quay was around 1300. When was Steve's?

Newport & Goodwick

A swift over the dunes near the surf club this morning.  And a swish-looking pair of shoverlers on the mud seaward of the bridge.

Had a very nice walk around the boardwalk at Goodwick Moor last week - two Cetti's singing, grasshopper warbler, sedge warbler, chiffchaffs, willow warbler and a blackcap family in the woods nearby.

Redpolls

Dear All - a few recent sightings from Newport / Dinas.  We've had two redpolls visiting our niger feeder for the last few days.  Quite excited by these wonderful little birds - in fact we'd never had goldfinches, siskins or redpolls in the garden until we stuck up the new feeder last autumn.  Down at the river at Newport yesterday there were three whimbrels hunkering down on the mud flats, and a group of six whearears sheltering in the lee of the dunes.  And a reeling flight of about thirty small waders - dunlin I thought.  There was a sandwich tern searching over the river early last week too, quite far up towards the bridge.  Cuckoo - we heard the cuckoo in Brynhellan on the same day that Steve mentioned, but that was the first and last we have heard here so far this year.

Brents and other sightings

From Steve Pullen in Hertforshire -I have recently spent an amazing week on holiday in wonderful pembrokeshore, as a keen birdwatcher i was interested on the comments on the pembroke bird sighting website about Brent Geese. On Thursday 26th april i observed a very large flock of Brents while walking along the beach at Saundersfoot, i took a photo "attached" of part of the flock, they circled over Saundersfoot breifly before they headed in the direction of Tenby gaining height as they progressed, i am sure there was quite a few pale bellied Brents in the flock that numbered at least 150 but they was impossible to count, i would say 150-180 birds. 

 Other notable birds spotted during my stay - At least 4 Grasshopper Warblers, Sedge Warbler and a Cuckoo was heard at Martins Heaven while waiting for the boat to Skomer on Tuesday 24th April where amougst the Auks, Fulmars and Gulls i noted a Chough, Pheasant, Wood Pigeon!, Willow Warbler, 5 Skylarks and a lovely male Wheatear.

Also - Thursday 26th April 2012, 14 Whimbrels, breifly rested on the beach at Saundersfoot, 4 Common Sandpipers amongst the rocks on Coppit Hall beach Saundersfoot, 25 Turnstones, on Wisemans Bridge beach, 2 Shelducks spotted in flight over Wisemans Bridge. With Choughs, Whimbrels, Wheatears  and  possibly 2 Common Scoters seen at other times during the week i had yet another amazing holiday in Pembrokeshire, went to Marloes Mere and didint see the Glossies though!!..

Fortune's Frolic, Haverfordwest

After thawing/drying out after helping out a sports event this morning, went for a walk with my better half and the dogs early evening at the Frolic as the rain and wind eased (it's also fairly sheltered from the N/E wind).  Lots of Swallows - over 60 - and perhaps 10 Sand Martins feeding low over the river, affording superb views from the riverside path.  2 Redshank present, and at least 30 Black-headed Gulls (1 adult, all others 2cy birds, some with hoods, most not).  Event of the walk was the sight of a Sparrowhawk swooping from the riverside trees and taking a Swallow over the river - incredible, but an unfortunate end to the Swallow's awe-inspiring migration.

Global Warming...?

I`m not convinced, though John`s post is significant. My bored young dog decided we needed some exercise, so over to the cliff path at Marloes I was dragged. The path from the sands, West up the cliff was heaving with Wheatears, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs & Whitethroats and a nice female Pied Flycatcher too. All sheltering in the lee, out of the winter-like gale & rain. Close inshore, 5 Gannets & 1 Whimbrel on the beach. On the Mere itself, the 3 Glossy Ibis are still hanging in there (must be freezing in Spain!) & along the track Willows & Chiffs being buffeted by the wind. Yes, tomorrow will be interesting.

Great Expectations

No doubt the same exceptional weather that we are experiencing here at Pencarnan right now is being enjoyed by Greg and Lisa on Ramsey, and Dave and Co on Skomer: this coastal region is receiving a thumping.

A spring depression coming from the south-east, as vigorous as this, must surely disorientate migrants. We bet that our island neighbours will be out tomorrow, carrying with them, great expectations. We will....if it ever stops raining. Meanwhile it's back to the Sunday papers.

Newgale

There were 13 whimbrel on Newgale beach late yesterday (Saturday) afternoon, with 2 sandwich terns feeding in the bay. Three beach fishermen were having less luck than several diving gannets.

fledged dunnocks

In the garden yesterday newly fledged dunnocks, I hope they keep their heads down today! re.Ffynone; I went listening for the pied fly earlier in the week but no joy, so looks like I'de better go back!

Ramsey - Wheatears

As noted in other posts yesterday there was a clear influx of wheatears here too, though not reaching Ramsey till later in the day. We have over 100 pairs nesting and walls that usually house 2 or 3 pairs in a stretch suddenly had 15-20 birds on them. Some were clearly Greenland race.

Ramsay Sound

From Malcom Barradell - Total of 24 whimbrels last evening and this morning around Ramsey Sound. 7 common sandpiper at St Justinians lifeboat slip early this morning.

Castlemartin Peninsula

Plenty of birds around today, nothing exceptional but three dark-bellied Brents on the sea at Freshwater West were a bit of a surprise.  Also on the beach were 11 Sanderlings and a Dunlin, with some 25 Whimbrels moving on and off the beach and into the surrounding fields.  At least 15 Wheatears in the area, mostly of the nominate race, and Whitethroats were singing from several hedgerows.  Elsewhere, there had been a fall of Blackcaps and Phylloscs, with birds flitting between the hedgerows along the Angle road, and a Sedge Warbler was singing at Kilpaison.

Marloes Mere

3 Glossy Ibis, 2 Blacktail Godwits, 8 Whimbrel, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Whitethroat. As I opened the shutters in the hide (Britton) 4 small pale waders flew S-N, low over the Mere, I`m sure they were Sanderling, but fiddling with the catches with one hand,& trying to bin them with the other, I lost them - so frustrating!

Picton Point

Flock of 36 whimbrel, majority of them spooked and flew up over the trees above Millin Pill (looked like a peregrine, but only briefest of views). A few blackcaps singing.

More Wheater

Over 50 Wheater on Skokholm (usual maximum count is about 20), with the majority additional birds clearly Greenland race. Similar numbers of Blackcap and good Willow Warbler numbers. Adult male Redstart and Cuckoo.

Wheatears

97 Wheatears counted around the St Davids Hd area this morning many were Greenland birds; also 13 Whimbrels in two groups and a White Wagtail. Still Willow Warblers and a couple of Blackcaps too.

Pied Flycatchers

Two male Pied Flycatchers were singing in Ffynone woods near the waterfall this afternoon.

Ramsey

Male common redstart in farmhouse garden today. Not much else about, single blackcap and a few whimbrel plus 1 curlew. 7 pairs of chough this year of which 6 are currently incubating. The other one, after a false start, has found a new partner so might manage a late attempt if they crack on. Flock of up to 18 birds most days this week.

7 purple sandpipers at Porth Clais today (info from Ffion Rees of Voyages of Discovery)

Whimbrel

From Bronwen Davies - Flock of 12 whimbrel flew in and dispersed to feed around the rocks at the edges of the beach at Caerfi, St David's on Friday afternoon. Flew off shortly afterwards as people arrived on the beach.

Dartford Infomation

The need to alert the authorities in Pembrokeshire which manage habitat in which Dartford Warblers breed, to e.g. prevent gorse burning at inappropriate times, has recently been highlighted.
Jon Green, County Bird Recorder, will take this matter forward so please send details of breeding pairs to Jon at jonrg@tiscali.co.uk with a six figure grid reference.
Many thanks Jon.

Stackpole/Bosherston

Whitethroat singing near Broadhaven South, lots of sand martins  feeding over the lake. 

Brents, cont....

Graham and Dave, thank you both, yes I should have added that mine were indeed pale-bellied brents. I'm grateful for your likely explanation. I used to live 100 yards from the shore at a N Ireland brent hot spot so they are old friends! I should add that I was frantically counting them in 10s, the skein was quite uneven so I can only say it was to the nearest 10 - can't say for sure it exceeded 190, hence my ">" symbol.

Maintaining the Brents theme

For interest, the colour-ringed Brent that was present at The Gann and Kilpaison earlier in the spring was seen by Graham McElwaine in Killough Harbour, County Down earlier this evening, with it's mate and three juveniles.

Ponderings on Brents

Very thought provoking and considered post from Graham.  My personal view from limited knowledge gleaned from 'developments' at the Gann/Angle over the last 10 years or so, which has seen a steady increase in wintering and passage activity from pale-bellied Brents (with the odd dark-bellied thrown in, and don't forget the putative Grey-bellied), is that Richard's observations were most likely of pale-bellied birds moving from Biscay or even the South West of England via Pembs to Ireland and then on to Iceland.  All of the colour ringed birds recorded in Pembs in recent years have been birds ringed in either Iceland or Ireland, and at some point seen in France and/or South West England (usually the Tamar estuary, in particular Torpoint which is on the Cornish side).  Fascinating stuff, and especially welcome here in Pembs -  their call is soothing (?) and the way they potter around the Gann in family groups is just lovely!

Skomer

Good northerly passage of Swallows & a few Sand Martins here too today, plus a few Whimbrel around & lots of Wheatears - most of them were big bright ones.

Solva

9 Common sandpipers in the mouth of the stream by the Gribbin. Also a Cuckoo singing and 2 greenland wheatears.

Dale Airfield

Flock of 17 chough in the valley by the Hookses this evening with a further 6 just south of West Dale and 2 birds at Kete. Linnets again in small groups scattered across the airfield and coast path. Pair of dunnocks carrying moss above West Dale. First house martins and a first solitary swift above West Dale. 21 whimbrel rooting in the grassy mounds along the runway, others calling but couldn't see them, another 6 were in field by Kete on return, 6 skylarks singing on the airfield, just a couple of wheatear, a moorhen on the pond. A peregrine flashed by above Marloes.

Newgale

This afternoon there was a steady, constant passage of swallows (averaging 25 a minute) heading north in the lee afforded by the coast to the strong NE wind. Around a dozen gannet were feeding in the shallows just beyond, and at times actually in the surf. Three whimbrel headed north against the wind low over the sea, and Jean had three sanderling almost at her feet, feeding along the tideline.

Brent Geese

The Brents seen off the south coast by Richard Ellis raises a number of interesting points. To begin with it is the largest number recorded in Pembrokeshire in a day, previously 190

. Richard does not indicate whether it was possible to identify the birds to race. Both DB (bernicla) and LB (hrota) winter along the Biscay coast of France, which is probably where these birds came from.

DB from Biscay regularly pass eastwards through the English Channel in spring, on their way back to Siberia, so it is not difficult to visualise some using the Bristol Channel for the same purpose, passing through the Severn Valley to the Wash, with the option of stopping off in the Bury Inlet to refuel. There is a record of c40DBs migrating inland up the Brandy Brook on the 14th March 1997 in a similar manner.

Were Richard's geese LB they could have been off course when intending to fly from Biscay to Ireland, an established leg on a journey back to Canada. This kind of drift, perhaps caused by weather conditions, could have been the factor that has seen temporary influxes in spring at the Gann, an event which has built up over the past ten years or so.  

Anyone else have some thoughts?

Marloes Mere..... a bit later.

3 Glossies, 4 Swifts, 1 Sedge Warbler singing, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew & 1 Dunlin on the track, by the barbed wire gate. Interesting weather forecast for Sunday....

Re the ringed Brent

The ringed Brent at Kilpaison in April was the same bird as had been reported from the Gann in March - on 11th and 24th and probably at other times. So it was around for a while.
Rosemary

St.Davids Airfield

On a rather cold and wet Airfield this morning there was an impressive fall of Wheatears, also 12 Whimbrel and 6 Ringed Plovers on the runways. On their usual patch of grass the pair of Whitefronts looked quite at home, no doubt waiting for some suitable weather before departing. On the moor a Cuckoo was calling all morning, and several Skylarks were singing in spite of the weather.
In the garden a few Siskins have visited recently, and yesterday a female Redpoll called in.

A treat in the rain

Early AM, on entering Canaston Wood, we very quickly picked up the song of three Wood Warblers, and not far away,along the route of the gas pipe line, a singing Tree Pipit  - complete with parachute display.

And for those of us who think they need their annual proficiency test for separating the song of Garden Warbler from Blackcap, there is, right now, no better place than these woods.

Common Sands and Whimbrel

Two Common Sandpipers were on rocks near lifeboat pen in Fishguard Harbour and a flock of about fifty whimbrel flew overhead as I drove along Goodwick Parrog yesterday.

Glossy Ibises

Yes! 3 still at Marloes Mere at 07:30 this morning, I was actually relieved to find them again.

Colour-ringed Brent details

The colour-ringed pale-bellied Brent Goose that was present in Angle Bay on 11th and 12th April this year was a female ringed at Bakki, Grunnafjorour in western Iceland on 18th May 2009.  It has spent the last three winters on the Tamar in Cornwall, and was presumably on return passage to Canada (via Iceland) when recorded in Angle Bay.

The  bird was ringed by the Irish Brent Goose Research Group, who are keen to hear of any other colour-ringed Brents wintering in, or migrating through, Pembs.
 .

Swift

I also had a swift this evening along the A40 on my way home from work - it was not far from Penblewin.  Always great to see your first mobile supercharged cigar of the year!  Love 'em.

Ramsey

Not as many migrants here as Skomer and Skokholm but we did get our first swift of the year (1 heading north). Also 20 willow warblers, 6 blackcaps, 1 grasshopper warbler, 1 golden plover, 1 curlew and (still) the lonely male house sparrow that has been singing for most of the month!

Skomer

Good numbers of migrants in here too - about 50 Blackcaps, 40 Willow Warblers, 4 Grasshopper Warblers, our first Whitethroat of the year, a Goldcrest, a Cuckoo & a female Redstart at the farm

Swifts

Two Swifts flew west at Cwm yr Eglwys this morning,yesterday a Cuckoo at Dinas Cross and also a Barn Owl seen at near Jordanston.

Bosherston/Stackpole

Bosherston Lakes E Arm - 3 common sandpipers (2+1). First reed warbler in the reedbed near the outlet (first sedge the other day).
 
Then, walking from Stackpole Quay towards Barafundle, I heard some whimbrel and couldn't see them, but while I was looking for them, to my utter amazement, a flock of >200 Brent flew past along the coast in the direction of Stackpole Head. Where could they have come from, and where were they headed?

 

Whimbrel

From John Shrouder - Approximately 20 Whimbrel briefly on Abereiddy beach amongst the boulders at 7.30 this morning.

And from Mervyn Jones at Martins Haven - A Gropper singing today and 9 Whimbrel in the field by the car park

Skokholm

Woke up to an island full of birds; c.200 Willow Warblers, 50 Blackcaps, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 5 Greenland Wheatears and a Cuckoo.

Yesterday had 5 Whimbrel, non-breeding Bar-tailed Godwit and superb Yellow Wagtail.

More Whimbrel

Between 50 and 70 Birds on Whitesands beach at day break this morning - 'hiding' in the large boulders Near the Rams Nose

St Davids Hd

Post storm: fem Merlin, 30 Wheatears, a steady trickle of Hirundines, a few Willow Warblers and 2 Blackcaps with single Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers. 23+ Whimbrels.

More Whimbrel...

15, flew into Marloes Mere from St Bride`s way, didn`t land, headed off in a Southerly direction. Still the solitary Lapwing. Swallows, Chiffs & Willows about the same. No Glossies to be seen.

Carew Mill

Two whimbrel on the mudflats below the dam. Whimbrel everywhere!

Skokholm

Lots of things passing through yesterday; 150 Willow Warblers, 35 Chiffchaff, 25 Blackcaps, 4 Grasshopper Warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Ringed Plover and good numbers of Swallows passing through.

Whimbrels etc

From John Stewart-Smith: Each year we note small numbers of whimbrel moving through the same fields near Aber Mawr on almost exactly the same dates. Yesterday was different! There were SEVENTY whimbrel on the grassy foreshore of the Parrog at Goodwick and today there were 25 whimbrel at the usual place by Aber Mawr.

And from Nigel & Catherine Hammond: Monday 23 April early afternoon-Kestrel hunting on cliffs between Ceibwr Bay and the Witches Cauldron.
Tuesday 24 April early evening-2 Whimbrels flew in to land on scrub and then into the field beside coast path just east of Fishguard Fort.

St Davids Hd

Quite good numbers of Willow Warblers again as with Skomer (though without the Hawfinch unfortunately), small numbers of other finches, mostly Goldfinches, a few Redpolls (sp) and a couple of Siskins heard. All typical of recent days. 16 Wheatears (1 Greenland). Hirundine passage picked up from mid morning, composed mainly of Swallows and moving SW along the Hd and over Whitesands Bay rather than straight out to Ireland. 19 Whimbrels, 2 Grasshopper Warblers and 2 Sedge Warblers. Couldn't find Steve's Lesser Whitethroat pm but 2 Black Guillemots in the Harbour and 5+ Whimbrels present.

Lesser Whitethroat

A male Lesser Whitethroat singing at Fishguard Fort this morning.

Glossies at Marloes

Couldn`t see them anywhere despite looking for 45 mins & was just begining to think they were winging it over the Bay of Biscay, when they (3) flew in & landed in front of the barbed wire gate. Also 1 Lapwing, 13 Chough(!) c50 Swallows & a few Chiffs & Willows. Earlier at Sandy Haven, 6 Whimbrel - maybe more hiding in the gullies.

Bentlass Osprey

From Andy & Helen Hatton - Hi, we have just spotted an Osprey on the southern shore of the Pembroke river at Bentlass.It was feeding on what looked like a fish and was chased off by seagulls heading in the direction of Pennar point. We were almost certain that there were two Ospreys here at lunchtime soaring above the pylons above Bentlass.

Newport Tues pm

6 Whimbrels, 2 Common Sands & a lone Redshank. 4 pairs of Shelduck.

Skomer

I was sat in North Valley early this afternoon watching Willow Warblers & I could hear something calling on the other side of the bushes for ages before it finally twigged that it sounded interesting, so I walked round & a Hawfinch flew out! It just circled round & dived back in to the bushes & I saw it again briefly a few minutes later jumping around on the ground before it vanished - I think it was probably a female, it looked quite dull.

Lots of Willow Warblers in again, about 80, 15 Blackcaps, 3 Grasshopper Warblers & 2 Sedgies

Deer Park

From M Jones - Cuckoo reported calling briefly on Deer Park and I had a Gropper calling in the Haven plus 6 Whimbrel over.

Ramsey

Wing tagged red kite over island this afternoon (white tag on right wing, nothing on left). Also today - single grasshopper warbler, tree pipit and white wagtail. 30+ willow warblers, 3 chiffchaffs, 20 blackcaps. Stonechats continue to recover from the hard winters of 2009 and 2010 - good numbers present on CBC this morning.

kestrel

Late post; a kestrel at Crosswell last Tuesday (17th)

Whimbrel

11, at Sandy Haven chapel this evening.

Kestrel Movement

Following on from Greg and Lisa's obsevation, we can report that "their" Kestel hunts in "our" Kestel's territory, close to St Justinian....... this afternoon we watched it fly back across the Sound to the island. Can't you keep it under control?!

Ramsey

150 Goldfinch came in off the sea from the west early this morning and headed across the island to the mainland in an easterly direction. Single curlew again today plus much smaller swallow movement. Male house sparrow singing forlornly again!

Looks like we might have a new breeding species for the island - Great tit! A pair that were here all winter have now been seen nest building (looks like they are in a hole in a stone wall)

Paddy - pair of kestrels here again this year on regular basis. Haven't confirmed if they are breeding or not yet (possibly the pair from lifeboat station if they are there again this year?).

Kestrel

Male hovering over field alongside A477 just outside Steynton, Friday 20th April.

Swallow movement on saturday

Whilst surveying for breeding kestrels along the north coast of the St David's penninsula between the Head and Abereiddy on Saturday there was a constant stream of swallows heading west and into quite a  fresh breeze. At any one moment there were 20 to 30 going past and the total number during the morning must have been in the thousands, though we didn't count them. As with on Ramsey, just a handful of sand and house martins. Also a total of eight whimbrel seen flying west. The movement slowed by mid afternoon, with hundreds of swallows gathered feeding in sheltered parts at Penberry.

At least five different kestrels were seen too!

Kestrels - appeal for sightings

As in the last two years there is will be a dedicated effort to survey breeding kestrels in 2012. In the past the survey results have been greatly enhanced by birders reporting kestrel sightings on this blog - something that we are extremely grateful for. So if anyone sees kestrels then we would be really glad to hear about it. Repeat sightings are also very valuable, as they can help locate breeding territories.

The study will lead to an understanding of why this species has become so scarce in the county and produce practical advice and guidelines on its future conservation.

 Ceredigion bird blog reported a kestrel that was ringed nr St Justinian in June 2011 (John and Marion's pair) photographed at Ynyslas by Janet Baxter a few days ago.  This is the first recorded movement of a Pembrokeshire born kestrel - hopefully the first of many. All the kestrels ringed so far have a single yellow colour-ring on the left leg with three black digits, so if anyone is watching kestrels we would be very pleased to hear of any colour ring sightings too.

Many thanks

Paddy Jenks
Tansy Knight

Marloes Mere today

3 Glossies close to the barbed wire gate early this morning (c7:30). Unable to locate them this afternoon - they don`t seem to like windy conditions. The highlight was a female Merlin chasing a Skylark, with much aerobatics from both birds before the Skylark dived for cover in some gorse & managed to escape. Also 1 Whimbrel over, calling. Swallows aplenty, along with Chiffs.

Skomer

A few Willow Warblers & Blackcaps around still, at least 6 Whimbrels, Lewis saw a Redstart at the farm briefly and there's a nice Cuckoo in the ivy at North Haven

Goldcrests?

Conspicuous by their absence from all the places I normally expect to see or hear them, anyone else notice a shortfall in numbers?

Black Guillemots

Three summer plumaged Black Guillemots in Fishguard Harbour this morning.

St David's Airfield

From Sandrajane Young - Yesterday at St. Davids Airfield, 1 Kestrel, 2 whitefronted geese

Today, Sunday, the wfg have moved to field at the side of the road near the Solva entrance  to the Airfield- on the left as you head for Solva.

Skokholm

As with other places we've good numbers of Willow Warblers (100), Blackcap (15), Whimbrel (5) and Swallows (moving through at about 1 per minute this morning though quietened down later).

First Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher.

Puffin count of 4637.

St Davids Hd am

A strong Hirundine passage once again, pretty constant westerly movement all morning. The rump of the Willow Warbler fall still evident too. A couple of White Wagtails were new as were 2 Whitethroats and 30 Whimbrels, including a flock of 24. Kathy saw another 17 at Fishguard this afternoon.

Marloes Mere

3 Glossies sheltering from the wind & difficult to see, however Swallow numbers up - c50, with a few Sandmartins, 3 Shelduck, 1 Snipe, Chiffs too seem to be up in numbers around the YHA, c10.

Ramsey

Red kite over Ramsey today. Less willow warblers than yesterday - c 20-30 plus 8 blackcaps. Large swallow movement, roughly 3,000+ moved north and west through the day. Few sand and house martins mixed in. Single curlew yesterday and the first 2 whimbrels of the year today.

Teifi Marshes

No sign of the Little Bittern from Kingfisher Hide up to 1.30pm. A Hobby flew through early morning. Reed, Cetti's & Sedge Warbler present. Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

Glossies (again)

Down at the Western end of the Mere this morning. A few Chiffchaffs around the YHA, Swallows about the same as last evening.

Glossy Ibis Marloes Mere

Still 3 this afternoon, Swallow numbers increasing.

SKOMER - Willow Warbler invasion

110+ Willow Warblers
1 Grasshopper Warbler
1 Sedge Warbler
1 Whimbrel

First Razorbill egg
Dave Boyle
(posted by Chris!)
6 Blackcaps

Ramsey

200+ willow warblers dotted all round the island today, they were everywhere. 10+ blackcaps and a male house sparrow too. A minimum of 1000 swallows headed west through the day (including what looked to be the first of our breeding birds returning to the buildings) with around 20 sand martins and 5 house martins seen too. No whitethroats here yet.

Mid Pembs Section of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales

For details of a field trip this week-end and an indoor meeting on Monday please use the link to the Pembrokeshire Bird Group Blog Site or to the events section of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales at http://www.welshwildlife.org/
Lyndon

Little Bittern

As Dave reports, the Superb male Little Bittern showed well several times around midday. There are better images on the way.

To echo John and Marion's comments, the fall of (principally) Willow Warblers was extremely widespread, phylloscs could be seen flitting along all the St Davids backroads. Birds were moving inland very quickly and numbers over the whole area must have been huge. As is often the case with such a huge fall, other species were limited though there was also a good Hirundine and Goldfinch movement. Around the Head there were 7 Grasshopper Warblers new-in, 4 Blackcaps and 2 Greenland/Icelandic Wheatears.

A Good Fall

First prize for abundance today goes to Willow Warbler. In the coastal region west of St Davids, no shrubbery was without this sallying migrant: the south facing cliff of Clegyr Boia monadnock attracted several dozen alone. Blackcaps also made a good show. There were, for instance, 6 at Pencnwc Farm.

And the cheery summer rattle of Whitethroats is beginning to breakout around Trefeiddan Moor.

Our 3 Greenland Whitefronts were seen on a Treleddyn Farm pond both yesterday and today. Lift-off is delayed.They, like the rest of us, are waiting for a warm southerly airstream to develope. Don't hold your breath. The Jet Stream is forecast to stay in its present (cool) position for at least a week!

Little Bittern @ Teifi Marshes

The male has been seen again briefly by Paul Grennard at 1pm, from the Kingfisher Hide (the first hide reached when walking west from the car park). It was perched in reeds in a small channel viewed to the right from the hide, and then disappeared back into the reeds. A long wait may be required....but the good news is that it's in Pembrokeshire! The bad news is I can't get up there until tomorrow...!

Little Bittern Cilgerran

Just back from 2 weeks in Baja California whale watching and some news in via the e mail:-

From Sarah Bebb - male Little Bittern seen from Kingfisher hide at Cilgerran yesterday afternoon. Seen briefly and photo'd - see pic on Flickr here

From Will Webb for yesterday- Had 4 whimbrel on coast path between porthclais and porthlisky.Plenty of willow warblers and chiffchaff. Also saw short eared owl over dowrog this evening 6.15

From Mike Moxon - Hooded Crow in Dale yesterday (it flew up from side of road onto roof on one of the houses as we drove through) about 3.30pm.

Goslings

2 adult grey geese (Greylags?) with 3 goslings crossing the road on the hill down to Cresswell Quay from Cresselly yesterday evening at 5.30pm (Roger O'Callahan).

Flagpoles 17.00

Even though the tide was very high , 2 Common Sands & 11 Whimbrel unfortunately the Whimbrel finding it difficult to settle with quite a few people on the beach.

Teifi Whimbrel

2 Whimbrel and a Black-tailed Godwit by The Webley this afternoon.

Dale airfield and Gann

Very blustery but interesting evening. Up at the airfield large flock of 70-80 linnet in sheep field by gate and later along runway. Flock of 23 chough in the valley by The Hookses (distant photo but you can just make out some of the flock). A shelduck flying over from direction of Skokholm heading towards The Gann. Just a single wheatear. On the way back to Kete - male Kestrel, a couple of male stonechats and another wheatear, plus flock of 10 linnets.

High tide at the Gann - 50+ Oystercatchers, 14 whimbrel and a Greenshank - all flushed out into the bay by a Peregrine.

Black Kite

One heading over Spittal Cross towards Ambleston at 115pm, seen by Ed Hunter. Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

Whitefronts

The 3 Greenland Whitefronts still present in the same field near Ivor's Pond.

Ramsey

Ring ouzel yesterday. Garden warbler and merlin today. Pair of short-eared owls a couple of nights ago over the area where they bred in 09 and 10

Whimbrel

A Whimbrel on the beach at Abermawr this afternoon.

St Davids am

The 3 Greenland Whitefronts still in a field at the Treleddyd Fawr turning, nr Ivor's Pond. Looking more closely, it seems one may be a well advanced youngster. A few Redpolls over (frustratingly, never landing) with Goldfinches, Linnets and a couple of Siskins. Light Hirundine passage. All Willow Warblers moved on from the Head area but plenty inland at Heathfield where also a Sedge Warbler.

Skomer Island

First Grasshopper Warbler of the year this morning. Also, a Coot on North Pond was an unusual sight! Water Rail showing well at Moory Mere, Short-eared Owl around and Blackcaps, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs in the bushes.

Sarah.

Glossy Ibis @ Marloes Mere

Three birds still present this morning, viewable from the Britton Hide feeding in the shallow water. One bird then flew to the flood in front of the white cottage, before being harried off by a Herring Gull and ending up on the north side out of sight. A few Swallows and Sand Martins around but otherwise quiet, save for a lone Lapwing.

At the Gann 11 Brent Geese still and a handful of Common Gulls, along with a Little Egret, 2 Redshank and 2 Black-headed Gulls.

Glossy Ibis / Fox

The 3 Ibises were in front of a gorse hedge on the mere, keeping out of the wind, when a Fox poked his head through & startled them - he didn`t appear to be in hunting mode, just passing by. They flew back to another area out of the way.
Also 10 Swallows, 1 House Martin, 2 White Wagtails in the graded field, 5-7 Willow Warblers in the hedges along the track.

Skokholm

Hooded Crow over this morning, possibly first since 1987.

Also Rook, decent number of Willow Warblers and more Swallows and Martins moving through. Almost total absence of auks though.

St Davids

Three adult Greenland Whitefronts at Ivor's Pond and nearby fields this morning. A steady Hirundine passage, Swallows mostly, and a single White Wagtail. The usual 15-20 pairs of Stonechats. Yesterday: 6 Greenland Wheatears and 2 White Wags.

Glossy Ibis/ Marloes Mere

3 Still, feeding in front of the white cottage.
1 Black Headed Gull, heading East, plenty of Chiff/Willows in the hedgerows, 1 House Martin, & still a steady movement of Swallows.

Martin's Haven this morning

A surprise fall of at least 30 Chiffchaffs in the valley: it seemed as though there was one in every bush and behind every blade of grass for a while. They were very active, and moved inland by around 1130.

Skomer boats not running today; if anyone wants good views of Choughs there are at least 4 in the field by the NT car park, and more on the Deer Park.

Green Sandpiper

One flushed from a ditch on the edge of the estuary at Milton Bridge caravan park this evening (Friday) at 18.30.
(Ian Bartlett)

Friday 13th at Stackpole/Bosherston

My first grasshopper warbler of the year at the top end of the Mere Pool Valley (between Bosherston and Broadhaven South ) - ears holding up well (see below), as they are for goldcrests. Willow warblers singing everywhere in suitable habitat between the Mere Pool Valley and Barafundle.  Small parties of swallows and sand martins were moving inland across Stackpole Warren.

A quick trip up the Cleddau

I went on a brief Osprey search yesterday afternoon, going from Pembroke Bridge up to Slebech. No Osprey, alas: the tide was falling and I wonder if the birds feed more on a rising tide when the shoals of mullet and bass are in the shallows?
Lots of other raptors, however: a total of at least 10 Buzzards, with a group of 3-4 over Lawrenny Woods and another large group over Benton Wood. Over Lawrenny Wood there was also a male Sparowhawk, a Peregrine with a missing feather in its wing: (very distinctive) and a Goshawk: a real treat.
Not many water birds of any sort until past Picton Point and up into the Eastern Cleddau where, in groups up to beyond Picton Castle, there were 2-3 each Oystercatchers, Curlew and Redshanks. Better numbers of Teal (at last 30) and Shelduck (40+) . Plenty of Chiffchaffs singing, a single Swallow and a Little Egret.

North Pembs. - Cuckoos

Yesterday (12th)at Abercastle ..... Cuckoo over flew village at 7.20 am,
pair of Chough, one of which was ringed and I have watched for the last 5 years.
7 Wheatear on Headland
Fishguard.... Fem. Red Breasted Merganser at the stumpy flag poles....

Today(13th)... Male Cuckoo on St David's Head at 12.30. One Chough at same location.
8 Male & 3 female Stonechats between Treleidr and Whitesands
Abercastle.... Red Kite flew over at 12.55

Maeve & Graham Tierney

Cuckoo - Pantmaenog

Cuckoo in the valley up beyond Pantmaenog House this evening, calling and moving amongst the conifers. A couple of swallows, flock of 50 odd pipits on the top, willow warblers singing, 2 pairs of stonechat, and female sparrowhawk hunting by car park at sunset.

Marloes Mere Glossies/ White Wags

3 Glossies there this evening (eventually appearing from Trehill farm area) 18 White Wagtails in the graded fields - as per Dave - looking very silver against the soil, 1 Wheatear, c40-60 Linnets. Also as noted previously, a general movement of Swallows.

Old ears......

........well not so old. Our lunchtime greeting here at Pencarnan was provided by GRASSHOPPER WARBLER. Time is ticking, but for us, the Gropper is still distinctly audible. The area is a hot-spot for this enigmatic summer visitor. Previous Springs here have always provided wrap-around reeling. Their initial arrival invites competition: the old ears won this year.

And a goodish day for hirundines. SWALLOW numbers were in three figures. SAND MARTINS 30+, HOUSE MARTINS 2, and 7 SANDWICH TERNS passed through Whitesands Bay.

Marloes to Martin's Haven

A lovely walk this morning from Musselwick west to Martin's Haven, and back via Marloes Mere. Some passage evident, with Swallows, fewer Sand Martins, and 2 House Martins mainly moving west, and Willow Warblers scattered along the coast and bushes, outnumbering Chiffchaffs roughly 2:1. A Redpoll flew east calling. At Marloes Mere a distant view of 1 Glossy Ibis from the car park (it was n/w of the Britton Hide), and 5 White Wagtails in a rolled ploughed field s/w of the Britton Hide.

If you haven't already done so, click on Clive's Black-tailed Godwit picture below - it's a stunning picture!

Skomer

Couldn't find the Nightingale first thing this morning but while I was looking for it 2 of the best Mealy Redpolls I've ever seen dropped into a bush, nibbled at some willow catkins for a few seconds & then flew off again. Bardsey seems to get a regular spring passage of Mealys but I've never seen anything on here before that I was completely happy with - but I rarely get a good look at a Redpoll.

Chettis on Goodwick Moor.

I think I was first shown Goodwick Moor by Steve Berry fifteen or more year's ago. Not long after, our erstwhile county recorder Graham Rees asked me to check it out for Chetti's Warblers as he felt it was a suitable spot for what was a scarce but colonising species at the time, despite several visits I failed to find any. Some years later ex-Skokholm warden, Mike Betts spent a couple of years living in Fishguard. One day he noticed some skulking little brown jobs he could not get a good enough view to distinguish properly. He spent several hours perched in trees until he got to grips with a couple of female Chetti's. Of course we usually find Chetti's by listening for their unmistakable burst of song but females do not sing and only a really dedicated birder would have sat in a tree for hours to find them! Of course I jumped on Mikes Bandwagon and soon after we located singing males. Last night Steve, Adrian Rogers and myself were unsuccessfully exploring the Moors potential for bats, with at least two perhaps, three Chetti's explosive song bursts clearly audible over the background hooley of a teenage gang screaming and the rumble of traffic from the ringroad above. They seem to have survived a couple of bad winters and now seem established, although I fear we may have lost the Willow Tits that were a feature of the moor in the past.

Skomer

There was a Nightingale down the bottom of North Valley this afternoon - we mainly saw it in flight & it would only sit out in the open very briefly before disappearing in to the bushes - roll on November when all the leafs are gone again!

There was a Bonxie sitting on the sea off the north coast eating an adult Lesser Black-back & a few Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs & Blackcaps around

St.Davids Airfield

A singing Willow Warbler at the back of the Airfield this morning, joining in with Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Song Thrushes --some choir!

The pair of Whitefronts are still feeding on the Airfield, and it seems that just like the Ibis down at Marloes they fly over to a reservoir by Nine Wells each evening for safety.

Skokholm

A small fall of Willow Warblers this morning; 20-30 round the buildings. 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap. very little Swallow movement; 15 birds plus 3 Sand Martins. First Whitethroat of the year three days ago.

Yellowhammers,...........Templeton Airfield

Willow warblers, two seen five heard, 5 pairs of yellowhammers,
two mistle thrushes, a multitude of chiffchaffs and linnets this morning.
David Finch

Interesting,I work in Templeton with the airfield nearby, surrounded by farmland,
with singing Yellowhammers, I guess my birds don't form part of David's count...?
Rich D

Glossy Ibis

Hi, just to say I went to marloes mere yesterday evening, for the 1st time I might add as I am on holiday, and was lucky enough to see 3 glossies feeding amongst the Canadian geese at the car park end of the mere. They were beautiful in the sunlight at 17.25. I was extremely pleased to see the birds which was a new tick for me and I would like to thank all those that have updated the website these past few weeks. As I spend a lot of time down pembs I will continue to monitor the website with interest. I thought the mere is a lovely reserve and will definately visit again.
Thank you, Ian Bartlett

Kilpaison and Pembroke Millpond

The number of Brents at Kilpaison had increased to 34 this morning, now comprising 33 pale-bellied and 1 dark-bellied, otherwise only a single Bar-tailed Godwit of note.  Also, at the lower end of Pembroke Millpond there were 10 Black-tailed Godwits feeding (including two bird in near full summer plumage), and a Mallard with ducklings.

Newport

An evening stroll to Carningli Lodge found a Willow warbler, m Cuckoo, 15 Fieldfares, a startled Snipe and a reeling Grasshopper Warbler.

Sedge Warbler, Rb Gull - Teifi

7pm the Ring-billed Gull on the mud below the Co-op car park.
Sedge Warbler singing near Mallard Hide, a few Sand Martins, Swallow and a few White Wagtails around the Mallard pond too.

Camrose Stock Doves

For several years now I have seen flocks of Stock Doves on arable land around Camrose over the winter. On a walk this evening in a wooded valley I heard several calling. I Suspect breeding occurs here.

Heron at Blackbridge

I stopped off at Castle Pill around 7.45am this morning, just in time to see a couple of gulls mobbing a heron in flight at the mouth of the Pill - couldn't get the binoculars on it before it dropped behind the skyline heading towards Milford (Hubberston Pill perhaps?) - could well have just been a Grey.

Great Grey Shrike - Ty Rhyg

The shrike was using the four very tall conifers to the left of the track this evening, it repeatedly fluttered-up (catching flying insects I assume). After about 20minutes a couple of woodpigeons dropped into the same tree and it flew off north high over the treetops. I've also indicated where it was at the weekend.

Also Red kite, pair stonechat, willow warblers, willow tits, blackcap and sparrowhawk.

Choughs

A flock of 12 sub-adult Choughs wheeling & calling for c 1/2 hr over Dinas Head this morning.

Brents at Kilpaison

A flock of 32 Brents at Kilpaison this morning, comprising 31 pale-bellied Brents and 1 dark-bellied.  One of the pale-bellied individuals was colour ringed - with a white band on right leg and a red on the left leg (see pic).  Also, a single Bar-tailed Godwit, a White Wagtail and a trickle of Swallows passing through.

Marloes Mere Wednesday morning

Ibises behaving well this morning - feeding very actively in knee-deep (ankle-deep?) water close to the track just beyond the hide, looking suitably glossy in the sunshine. Later they flew to the far side.
Also around were lots of Willow Warblers, one briefly seen larger warbler, probably a Garden Warbler, 4 territorial male Reed Buntings at intervals along the path (two singing their feeble excuse for a song), 6 Choughs by the iron age fort and 6 Ringed Plovers in a recently rolled field just behind the Youth Hostel. The field right by the car park is full of dandelions and also linnets, presumably eating the seeds. No Wheatears or Wagtails (there have been small mixed flocks of White and Pied Wagtails on the ploughed fields recently)
Rosemary

Glossies at Marloes Mere

Three together this evening at the West end of the Mere, quite happy to let me look at them from close range. They really do have the "wow factor" in the evening sunshine.

Sash`s Heron

Saw it in the trees upstream of the pill, around 7:30 this morning facing me, maybe 200m away. I didn`t have time to hang about - enroute to work. couldn`t get a good look at it which was frustrating, but I`m sure it wasn`t a grey heron. Wasn`t there on the way home, maybe it roosts there. will have another look in the morning

Willow Tit - Canaston Woods

Very vocal willow tit in the larches at Canaston Woods this morning,
along with feeding siskins. Also 13 turnstones on the beach at Wisemans Bridge.
David Finch

Bits & Bobs

A Lesser Whitethroat singing (well, 1 burst) in our hedge - a regular site in the last couple of years.
A Merlin low over the fields at Aberforest.

w-w

Willow Warbler, Bwlch-y-Groes this morning (1st one of year heard here)

Sedge Warbler

Sedge Warbler singing at a distinctly cool Kilpaison this morning.

Common Sandpiper, Ring-billed Gull - Teifi

1 Common Sandpiper below Priory Bridge this evening, and the Ring-billed Gull preening on the opposite bank opposite Curlew Hide.

Glossies at Marloes Mere

All 3 tonight,flew from the West of the Mere to the corner below the cottage near the YHA

Garden Warbler

A Garden Warbler was singing in the rain at The Rhos in what has been a traditional territory for a few years now.

Brents - High Tide at Gann

The Brents were up to an impressive 68.

Up at Kete 13 chough (flock of 7 in field, 4 on path, and a pair). Between St Ann's and West Dale - 2 male wheatear and 3 pairs stonechat plus another 2 males. Peregrine on the hunt.

Possible Purple Heron, Castle Pill, nr Milford

Driving past Castle Pill this afternoon at about 1530 I saw an odd-coloured large heron feeding above the causeway. I was (just) able to stop the car and watch it for a minute or so, then while I tried to move to get a better view it disappeared; very frustrating.
My overall impression was of a very odd-coloured bird, with a mixture of dirty browns and paler colours underneath. There was no black head markings like an adult Grey Heron, but both bill and legs were yellow. The neck and breast were finely streaked.
I have never seen a Purple Heron, so do not feel at all confident about the ID, so would very be very interested if anyone else gets a chance to see it.

Marloes Peninsular

I am rather intrigued by Derek's 2+1 theory for the Glossies. On Saturday evening I watched 2 birds go to roost towards the centre of the Mere, and then found the third bird still feeding to the left of the Britton Hide. And on Sunday evening I watched a single bird fly to feed on the grass slope to the East of the Mere but no sign of the other two.

It really has been a lovely education watching these birds: they have a flight silhouette that I now know to be utterly unmistakable (incredibly thin) and a distinctive vocabulary of grunts and croaks so unlike what we get used to on the Mere. I really think a lot of credit is due to Dave Astins, who predicted on the Blog so accurately back in autumn of last year that the Mere looked in god condition for Glossies, and to Derek, who has persevered with these lovely birds.

They have also been a super excuse for regular walks to and around the Mere. It has more water than I can remember for this time of year, which augurs well for the summer. In the meantime there are huge hatches of midges in the evenings, which make the track past the YHA a bit hazardous for breathing but great for Chiffchaffs (and more warblers to come, I hope). There is a very regular pair of Sparrowhawks in the area, and on calmer evenings there is often a Short-eared Owl. These probably come visiting from Skomer, but a few years back we had a pair until May in our garden, suggesting that some of the younger birds may move around quite a lot.

Onthe Deer Park yesterday we had several singing Chiffchaffs, a single Swallow and two male Wheatears displaying in areas where they have bred in previous years. On the Gann there was a lovely summer plumage Greenshank

St. David's area Saturday - chats

Hi,

Just to say, I was out yesterday morning, mainly along the coast path between Caerfai and the Solva side of Caerbwdi. Heard a lot of chiffchaff at Caerfai and in Caerbwdi valley. Also near Caerbwdi 6 stonechats (one pair, the others not obviously so) and a pair of whinchats; no wheatears seen.

I also saw the yellow leg-ringed chough that I've seen previously as one of a pair, feeding on his own this time - is his mate nesting? And a flock of 9 chough feeding near Caerbwdi.

I have let Bob Haycock know about the chough sighting.

Best regards

Bronwen

Plumstone

Female Hen Harrier quartering the heath and Red Kite sailed over and out of sight near the plantation.

Glossies at Marloes Mere

Yes, back to three, it was 2 + 1 again as I left around 6pm. 1 White Wagtail, 1 drake Wigeon in with the dabblers & for Andrew & Nicola, 2 Swallows, 3 Sandmartins. (!)

Glossy Ibis - Marloes

Three Ibis showing well by the barbed wire topped gate at about 1150 this morning
before flying to far side of the Mere. But no hirundines !!!

Andrew and Nicola Sinclair

Ramsey - Ring Ouzel

Male ring ouzel at bungalow today (probably a different bird to the one at the south end a few days ago). First house martin of the year today. 10+ willow warblers, single blackcap. Juv hen harrier still here. Female/juv merlin too. 1st chough site confirmed as incubating (yesterday).

Osprey on the Cleddau

Picton Point: Spent a good 30-40mins watching an osprey at low tide today, made 3 or 4 hovers but didn't commit, a 'squadron' of shelduck proving a nuisance as they harried it repeatedly for a while!

Willow warblers

 Willow warblers singing below the path along from the car park at Blackpool Mill - my first of 2012.

Glossies at Marloes Mere

Just two this morning, viewed at 25-30m from the barbed wire topped gate, stunning birds. I looked for number 3 but no sign of it.

Great Grey Shrike - Ty Rhyg

The shrike was in the cleared area at the very end of the track SN041302. Keeping distant and very active, it caught what was either a large lizard or slowworm. Apologies to the friend of DA who was visiting from Cornwall, we had no luck locating the shrike whilst he was there but if he reads this might be worth another visit tomorrow. Had a good look over at Pantmaenog but no sign of the shrike there.

Ramsey + Trefeiddan

6 purple sandpipers still hanging on at the usual roost on Ramsey (thanks to Ffion from Voyages of Discovery for the record). Juv hen harrier still here yesterday plus a male at Trefeiddan Farm 2 days ago. 50+ swallows north over the island yesterday plus a handful today.

Ring-billed Gull - Teifi

With today's massive tides, the R-b Gull was forced as far as the Webley to roost. No doubt back to the restaurants car- park /Priory Bridge by this pm..........
In the wagtail roost on the Marsh, the mix has changed to mainly White, c20+ White last night with a few Pied.

Night Heron?

This is part of an Email I received last night.

05/04/2012 on the eastern Cleddau, I think the village is called Llawhaden, there is a bridge and an old church on the left hand side of the river as you face north, about 10 am a small heron took flight from the edge of the river about 10 ft from my self, its back was black, greyish wings, the legs and bill were yellow to orange, about a mile from the first sighting, it flew up into a large tree and kind of lay along the branch to blend in ?. I fished until around 4:pm with no more sightings.

Martin's Haven this morning

Plenty of singing Linnets and at least 3 pairs of Stonechats on the Deer Park. Also, 10 Chough near Wooltack Point. No migrants in the valley: this North wind seems to be putting them down.
Last night a Short-eared Owl along the road by Trehill Farm

Glossy Ibis Marloes Mere

The 3 Ibises have always been three, always flying together, feeding together, last night they were all together. This morning, they were 2 + 1. One was on it`s own feeding in front of the white cottage, the other two were flying around briefly in front of the Britton hide. I`ve always wondered if they were a breeding pair with a sibling from last season - although my views are only speculative, could they be about to head South? Bob Haycock`s link last week, showed that they make rapid progress in a short space of time. Or could they just stay? Again I`m only speculating..... we shall see.

Ring Ouzel - Skomer

A male Ring Ouzel on Skomer Island yesterday. Seen in the afternoon at the Trig Point, near the farm.
Sarah Harris.

Hen Harrier to Hare.....

A six hour yomp across the Preselis in search of archaeology gave good views of sixteen Golden Plover, a male Hen Harrier, two Red Kites and a Merlin. These were in the vicinity of Carn Meini and Foel Drigarn. Plenty of Wheatears all over the place. However the record of most interest was a large Brown Hare near the western Carn Meini! The first we have seen in Pembrokeshire; we see them often in Devon, Dorset and Wilts (especially over the last few years) but good to see in our home county. Happy Easter!

Andrew and Nicola Sinclair

Glossies (again)

Seem to have spent the day in a difficult part of the Mere to view - close to the willow hedge that runs along the drainage ditch,in the field beyond the track. They could be seen from the footpath marker post by the gate (don`t lean on it - the results could be hilarious for onlookers!) Then, you`ll need to shake a double six to see them.

Llangloffan Cross

About 60 Golden Plovers, mostly in summaer plumage, landed in a roadside field.

Kete to Watwick

Numbers of chough - flock of 10 in field by Kete, group of 4 plus another 2 at St Anns. A kestrel repeatedly dive-bombed the 10! 6 wheatear, 3 male stonechat. Chiffchaffs in walled garden, Mill Bay, Watwick and Merryboro. A peregrine on a kill (pigeon) in a ploughed fielded above Watwick.

Frenni fach

1st swallow seen passing at speed.

Yesterday - Cym Cych - Gt-spotted woodpeckers drumming, blackcap singing, & several c-c along the valley.

Pantmaenog

First chiffchaff, swallow (1) and wheatear (pair) this morning. No sign of any shrike here or from the gate at Ty Rhyg.

Hooded Crow

At St Davids Head, the Hoodie was unusually obliging, landing nearby before flying to Whitesands Bay and, it seemed, the Golf Course. A few Hirundines were moving as were a small number of Siskins and Redpolls. An increase to 10 Wheatears present.

Geese

The pair of Whitefronts were still on StDavids Airfield this morning, grazing just off the main runway. Going by the shape and colour of the bill they appear to be 'Albifrons' .

Also this morning a reeling Grasshopper Warbler and a pair of White Wagtails on the short runway.

Mostly Shelducks

Three pairs of Shelducks were spaced out at the Gann lagoon yesterday, holding territory against the day when young are led there. Meanwhile a male has been doing the same at Marloes Mere lately, once being joined by a female, which he eventually escorted off towards Little Marloes, before returning alone. This routine has has taken place at Marloes for at least the last ten years to my knowledge but I've yet to see ducklings reaching the Mere.

There were also 49 Brent Geese at the Gann yesterday, evidently not yet ready to begin the long journey back to Canada.

Glossy Ibis/ Marloes Mere

Still there this AM, West end of the Mere, in with the cattle & almost impossible to see from the track and field.
1 Lapwing, 3 Swallows, 1 Sandmartin & a couple of Chiffchaffs too.

Glossies

I bumped into a visiting couple yesterday early evening (about 5.30pm) who were excited that they had just found 3 'dark' ibis, although by the time I got to the gate beyond the Youth Hostel I couldn't see them. Derek's Grey Plover was still there - an unusual record, and my first record at this site. In the last week we've had Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit & Grey Plover here - the cutting back of the vegetation last year has really opened this part of the mere up, let's hope it continues to attract passage waders.

Geese

Pair of Whitefronts on St.Davids Airfield this morning. Feeding by the cattle troughs on the main E.W. runway.

Inclement weather

A Gannet, fishing close to the Irish ferry at Pembroke Dock today - this evening at Marloes Mere, 1 Grey Plover. Not suprisingly everything on the deck trying to keep out of the wind.

Skomer and Skokholm March Highlights

Skomer March Highlights (Sarah)

Skokholm March Highlights (Jerry)

Winter still here

A flock of 20 fieldfares at have been Llandilo the last three days, perhaps not inspired to migrate in these cool north easterlies - I don't blame them.

Winter Birding

Well it feels like Winter. At Strumble for a brief watch Manxies and Gannets passing, nothing else. The Lookout providing little shelter in the NE wind. At Sealyham 2 Green Sandpipers were presumably the wintering birds, though it seems late; just like John's and Marion's Ring Ouzel. A trawler stranded at the Flagpoles, Fishguard, added a final surreal touch.

Ramsey - Ring Ouzel

Male ring ouzel on the island today. Also ringed plover, house sparrow and the long staying juv hen harrier.

Long staying Ring Ouzel?

Arriving at St Justinian early this morning, ahead of any disturbance from any boatmen, rewarded us with our best ever views of a male Ring Ouzel. It was feeding on the open lawn beside the chapel.

A male Ring Ouzel has been sighted hereabouts on many occasions since November. At this time of the year the ouzel is most likely a passage migrant. But how about this for a thought.....could this regular sighting have been a long stayer?

Sunday morning on Castlemartin Range and Monday morning at Stackpole

Yesterday, whilst it was generally quiet for spring migrants (other than Chiffs) local breeding wheatears were fairly numerous - at least 15-20 territories occupied between St Govan's and Flimston, including females gathering nest material at a couple of sites. The chough breeding population is still a bit down on recent years but, judging by their behaviour, all pairs in Range East are now incubating at known nest-sites.

Today noted a few swallows around Stackpole area and amid numerous blackcaps in song, and a few willow warblers were heard singing in a few places ranging from Stackpole Warren to lake-side woodland. Great-spotted woodpeckers were obvious but absolutely no evidence of yaffles.

Maria Evans contacted us about a short-eared owl handed over to her for care and rehabilitation by HM Customs last Friday. It had landed (presumably on northward migration) a few days ago on a Spanish ship bound for Milford Haven. Presumably it had become exhausted/disorientated on route through the Bay of Biscay during some bad weather. It is now very well fed  and seemingly appearing to be fit and healthy. It will be released in an area with good habitat known to support this species in winter, hopefully none the worse for being in captivity for a few days or so, and will re-orientate.  

Skokholm -- Osprey

Around 9.40 this morning the sky filled with angry gulls as an Osprey headed north-east across the island then off toward Marloes.

A few more firsts for the year today; Linnet, Goldfinch, Ringed Plover. Steady stream of Willow Warblers with the occasional Chiffchaff. Lots of Razorbills on the sea and cliffs, Guillemots on the cliffs and Puffins on land later on.

Glossies at Marloes Mere

Around 7pm they (3) flew in to roost in front of the Britton hide, either from the West end of the Mere, or further out. Impressive Glossy overnight trip to Germany, 600k in 24 hrs is almost as fast as Dave`s triathlon! 1 Swallow at the Mere also, my first this year.

Back to Pencarnan

On each occasion we return to the camp site it is with anticipation: what's new we ask?

Only half an hour into our first walk around our patch, close to Trefeiddan Marsh, two House Martins flew past.......and yes, they did have white rumps!

Our earliest record for Pencarnan stands at 31st March 2009.

Skomer 1st April

20 Linnets around the farm AM

3 willow warblers

87 grey seals in north haven

1000+ puffin in north haven at dusk

Peregrine at High Cliff, Paines Ledge and Protheros Dock (north coast of neck)

Chris

Marloes Mere

Quiet at the Mere early evening, a Lapwing, a Sand Martin and a White Wagtail the highlights, also several Chiffs about. Didn't see the Glossies before I left at 6.30.

Had a quick scan of the sea at Newgale yesterday, a single Red-throated Diver. At least 5 Snipe still on the marsh.

Great Grey Shrike - Ty Rhyg

Quick look in at Ty Rhyg and the shrike is still there and very active down beyond the pond - lots of drops to the ground but too far to see what he was picking up.

Ring-billed Gull & ...sightings

The Teifi Ring-billed Gull around it's usual haunts along the river in Cardigan all morning.
Green Sandpiper at Priory Bridge on the Teifi.
Last night, White Wagtail, 3 Swallows, c50 Sand Martins around the Marsh at dusk.
Kilpaison - Grasshopper Warbler singing this morning.
(several obs.)

Freshwater West

Two Sandwich Terns, a Sand Martin and a Grey Seal along the shore at Freshwater West this morning.

Lyndon's talk on Monday

For anyone who is interested in joining Lyndon on a trip to Iceland (well . . . hearing about it and seeing some of Lyndon's pictures) but don't know where Furzy Park is, never mind the location of the hall itself - please click on this link - The Patch - for a google map to the exact spot.

When the glossies DO leg it . . . .

The ibises that were in east Anglia left in a hurry last week  - see glossy ibis overnight trip to Germany - so when they go, they really go!