Dunlin numbers were well up on December counts - with in excess of 1,150 feeding as the tide ebbed along Cresswell River and about 50 at Landshipping Quay. Numbers of other shore-waders were about average for the time of year or low. Only 2 grey plovers were seen today but they are not usually very numerous in this area. Other waders, lapwing, golden plover and curlew were mostly in nearby fields feeding along-side thrush flocks.
Throughout the area there were at least 1,250 lapwings and a couple of hundred golden plovers plus about 100 curlew scattered throughout a number of fields. There were numerous flocks of winter thrushes including at least 3-400 redwings near the Daugleddau and a similar number on the north side of Carew River. Fieldfare numbers were lower, only about 100 or so in total (40 along the Daugleddau and 60-70 in fields near Carew River).
It was nice to see a flock of 58 stock doves feeding in one of the stubble fields - the largest concentration of this species we've personally recorded for some time, in an area watched monthly every winter. Perhaps they have been forced to leave parts of Pembs where some arable stubble fields are still under a blanket of snow? The highlight was three peregrines perched on a fence - no doubt with some of these winter birds firmly in their sights!
Jays seem to be everywhere you go around here this winter - up to three at a time are coming into the garden for apples and of course peanuts! This one photographed at the end of the day in quite poor light through a closed window.
