We've noticed a steady movement of swallows most days since last Friday (12th) (several seen that day at St David's Head). On Sunday afternoon, after the rain had stopped dozens were streaming over fields heading north-west in the Martletwy to Coed Canlas general area. Yesterday there were similar movements in this area during the day but at about 1900 hrs, near Deep Lake Bridge (bottom of Arnold's Hill) we observed a flock of at least 8o swallows heading approx. SE over the A40 main road. They may have been caught out by low cloud and squally conditions, but might have been heading for the Slebech reed-bed roost a few km away. Such a solid, compact flock was more reminiscent of late summer/autumn behaviour of birds heading to roost.
Nothing much more of note but Paddy might be interested to know that a pair of kestrels have returned to the Castlemartin Range coast and an adult male was near St David's Head last Friday. We watched him having a good old dust-bath on the coast path steps up from Porthmelgan, seemingly not bothered much by folk walking nearby. It was one of those unexpected moments when a camera would have been very handy if only we'd had one with us then!
