Skok

Firecrest today.

Up North

A switch to the north of the county today where highlights included Dartford Warbler at a traditional site, Black Guillemot in Fishguard Harbour, the smart male Mandarin in Fishguard Lowertown, and Dippers in the Gwaun Valley.  Couldn't find Whinchat at a regular site in the Preselis, but 6 2CY Red Kites performed really well.

A Stackpole/Bosherston - Hobby

Whilst not having the "wow" factor of a snowy owl (and well done Dave!) none-the-less we always enjoy watching hobbies hunting for damsel and dragonflies - they're so quick and so elegant!

At this time of year, especially during warm weather spells and when Odonata are emerging in large numbers, one of the most regular/likely places you are likely see one is over Bosherston lakes.

On our way to Stackpole Quay this afternoon we had a quick look from the 8 Arch Bridge. Within five minutes a non-breeding immature hobby appeared over the lower eastern arm. It was hawking large insects (most probably dragonflies and damselflies) high above the water and adjacent woodland. A small flock of agitated house martins gave it away. The light was rather too hazy and bright for any decent photos but we had ago anyway.

An insect captured in its talons is skillfully transferred to its bill in seconds and eaten in flight 

If the warm weather continues there is every chance that it will hang around for a while feeding on the abundant insects at the lakes (and probably have ago at the bats!) during the summer months. Perhaps this one has already been there for a while?

The Skomer Snowy Owl

Sorry for the late post...been a crazy day.  In short I found a Snowy Owl whilst guiding today on Skomer.  Alerted to its presence by 2 dive-bombing Great Black-backed Gulls, but I was not expecting to see this staring back at me!  On what was a 5-boat day for Skomer, needless to say many people connected with it, many were bemused, there were lots of smiles, 'wows' & references to Harry Potter....

Thankfully, despite being scattered to the 4 corners of the island, floating off it on a boat, and in Haverfordwest collecting supplies, all the island staff managed to connect with it as the day wore on.  I was even hugged by a certain Mr Stubbings!

Question is, is it the bird seen at the beginning of April at St. David's Head?  I'm too tired to carefully check the photos.....

The first photo was taken within a minute of finding it, more or less must have been the look on my face too....

The Gann

Three Sandwich Terns fishing this evening this one had some kind of mark or fouling on it`s nape

The Curlew Sandpiper still there with the Dunlin in non-stop feeding mode, still very tame.

Just left of centre.

Snowy Owl - Skomer

News from Dave Astins on Twitter that he's found a Snowy Owl on Skomer today. I imagine he'll put more information up later.

St Davids Head am

A 1st summer Iceland Gull flew around Porthmelgan and the Head, otherwise 3 Redpolls (2 Lesser) and a Cuckoo.

Curlew Sandpiper

Still at the Gann this morning, with 20 Dunlin & 4 Turnstones.

Waders...

A photo from Craig of the Curlew Sandpiper he found at The Gann earlier today.

(Craig Reed)

Teifi waders....
Two Grey Plover were opposite St. Dogmael's Quay this evening with 3 Curlew and 3 Black-headed Gulls. On the Webley saltmarsh 54 Sanderling, 39 Ringed Plover and 189 Dunlin.

Curlew Sandpiper

Found by Craig Reed earlier, when I arrived around 6pm, unaware of it`s presence the Gann was devoid of birds but a few minutes later some 30 Dunlin landed right in front of me with this smart Sanpiper in the lead, Quite tame - the annoying thing is I`d  removed the teleconverter from my camera earlier & reset it to default, thinking there wouldn`t be much around till the Autumn.
Anyway here`s a

couple of record shots.

Curlew Sandpiper -- The Gann

A full summer plumage bird at The Gann early afternoon.
(Craig Reed)

Teifi waders...

An increase in Sanderling from last night with a nice flock of  73 with 3 Dunlin feeding on the Poppit Sands tideline. As the high tide approached. the roost on the Webley saltmarsh comprised of  270 Dunlin and 54 Ringed Plover.
(Wendy J and Rich D)

Teifi waders

The high tide roost at The Webley was impressive ....
330 Dunlin, 29 Sanderling and 38 Ringed Plover - some good passage totals for the Teifi again.
1 Whimbrel heard too.

Shelducks & House Martins

At Newport a brood of 14 recently hatched ducklings this morning may be my record.
I've seen 2 House Martins this year. Our local cliff colony, which has been declining in recent years, seems to be totally abandoned.

St Davids am

Hobby still on The Dowrog, perched in the same spot. At The Head, 4 Spotted Flycatchers still and 2 Cuckoos.

The Gann

Despite being  disturbed  by human activity the ever present Dunlin flock still quite approachable, some 70 - 80 birds. Also c10 RPs & 6 Sanderling.

St Davids am

A (different - 1st summer) Hobby at The Dowrog this morning along with a Cuckoo. At The Head a Nightjar churred and called briefly near the Withies in Porthmelgan Valley and there were 15 Spotted Flycatchers around with a single Blackcap.

Teifi waders

80+ Ringed Plover, 170+ Dunlin, 34 Sanderling, 4 Turnstone and a Spotted Flycatcher at Poppit - all birds early this morning.
(Gary Reynolds)

St Govan's Head - a possible Alpine Swift?

After quite a good mothing session with Robin Taylor and Paul Culyer, we bumped into Graham Clark and Lynne Houlston (Castlemartin Range Rangers) at Stack Rocks at lunch-time. Graham mentioned seeing a swift that had puzzled him near St Govan's Head this morning.

It was flying in a loose group of typical swifts that breed there but this one had a white belly and a dark brown breast-band! His general description very much suggested to us that he could have seen an Alpine swift, a bird we have become familiar with breeding in the massive limestone sea-cliffs in the Cape St Vicente/Sagres area of southern Portugal. Graham is unfamiliar with that species but well used to seeing the summer resident common swifts along the Castlemartin coast.

We had to undertake breeding seabird and bee counts several km away so couldn't get down to St Govan's Head at the time but had a look there later in the afternoon. We saw 6 of the local swifts but nothing there that was unusual. If there is an Alpine swift hanging around with the local swifts then it could possibly turn up anywhere along >10km of the Limestone coastline e.g. between Stack Rocks and Stackpole Head where common swifts are resident at this time of year. One to look out for over the Bank Holiday period perhaps?

Shelducks at Newport

For the last couple of weeks there has been a gathering of Shelducks at the bottom of Long Street. This afternoon there were 13, plus another pair at the bridge & the pair with (still) 5 youngsters.
It's normal for there to be as many breeding as non-breeding pairs, with a max of c. 6 pairs (only 2 or 3 of which breed),usually spread out along the estuary, so a flock of this number is quite unusual.
Also unusual is the date of the first brood, a week to 10 days earlier than normal.

Skokholm

In what is very much the quietest spring of our six here, we'll take anything a bit different. So a Tree Sparrow riding the Lighthouse weathervane this morning was very much appreciated (the first Skok record since May 1994). There was also a female Black Redstart on the roof.

Trewent Point

2 singing male lesser whitethroats in the scrub on Trewent Point just S of Freshwater East the only notable birds on a 12 mile walk from Manorbier along the coast path to the Stackpole Centre. Just 2 chough feeding near Stackpole Quay.

St Davids am

A Hobby and Cuckoo were at The Dowrog this morning and another Cuckoo and six Spotted Flycatchers at The Head. A juvenile Greenfinch attended by an adult was a rare sight nowadays.

Newport

At 18.15 tonight 114 Dunlin, 34 Ringed Plover, 19 Sanderling and 1 Curlew on Boat house mud - also 1 Little Egret ( first I have seen all week) and a Red Kite.
(Peter Harris)

Swift's - Haverfordwest

Groups of Swift's (up to 7) - Swan Square, Union Hill and Market Street.

The Gann

 11.00 to 12.30, Dunlin c250, Sanderling 41,Turnstone 16, Ringed Plover 37 and Whimbrel 2.
(Bernie Beck)

Newport again

This morning the small wader flock was on the main beach. c60 Dunlin, 40 Ringed Plovers, 25 Sanderling & a Turnstone.
Upstream from the bridge 5 newly hatched Shellducklings, which had first appeared on Wednesday, & a/the red head Goosander.

Newport

 57 Dunlin, 16 Sanderling, 8 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel at Newport Boat Club mud this evening at 17.50.
Also a Cuckoo going east past the estuary mouth on Tuesday eve at 20.00
(Peter Harris)

The Gann

After spending 2 fruitless hours combing the Deer Park, it was nice to find a few smaller waders at the Gann, 54 Dunlin, 35 Ringed plover, 13 Turnstone, 9 Sanderling and 2 Whimbrel.

Skomer

Skomer saw a purple patch between the 18th and 20th with Whinchat, Black Redstart, Alpine Swift, at least two Spoonbills, four Red Kites and a Subalpine Warbler. The warbler was a tricky one and might have to wait for DNA analysis to confirm the species. See our Recent Sightings tab for full details and photos.

Skomer 19 May

Photos of the Spoonbill and Alpine Swift on Skomer on 19 May taken by Mike Wallen (first two photos)  and Ted Wallen (last two) - not a bad day on the island!

Rare Breeding Birds

A gentle reminder to those of us who are keen to post sightings of our "rarer breeding" species at/near their nest-sites, of some potentially sensitive issues at this time of the year.

Whilst it’s always useful to know how particular species are faring each year (information that could be important to aid their conservation) we do also need to consider that some discretion might be required in order to minimise possible (although unintended) disturbance at particular sites concerned.  

This particularly applies to specially protected species  detailed in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 (as amended including by the Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000). 

This also applies to photography of these species at their nests.

A full list of specially protected species can be found here.     

Bob Haycock

Chairman Pembs Bird Group and BTO Rep for Pembs.

Newport

This morning 60+ Dunlin & a couple of Ringed Plovers on the Boat Club mud. 4 Sanderlings & 3 Whimbrels on the main beach.
Is anyone locally putting uncoded black rings on Great Black Backs?. If so one was at Newport yesterday.

Roseate Tern

From Paul Warren - I found this last week in work (Valero), more peregrine left overs. I sent a picture to the BTO and just had initial reply and they think its off a Roseate Tern, awesome.  I will keep you informed as soon as I get more news.

Update at 16:24 - definately a Roseate Tern - awaiting furter info.

Peregrine

 This morning in south Pembrokeshire this stunning bird was perched much nearer to the coast path than usual, almost posing for a photo.

On Saturday, I was struck by the number of Cuckoos that seem to be around this year. I saw or heard several, including a pair on Tretio Common.

Skokholm

Marsh Harrier over today. As noted at virtually every other site, it's been a very poor spring for numbers of common migrants.

Subalpine Warbler -- Skomer

Just received news of a Subalpine Warbler  on Skomer - hopefully some details from Skomer later.

Alpine Swift - Skomer

An Alpine Swift was found by Mike Wallen and his son Ted, well watched and photographed late afternoon on Skomer yesterday (Sat 19th)

Cuckoo's

2 Cuckoo's at Llangloffan Fen yesterday and 2 Cuckoo's at Waun Lwyd today.

The Teifi

20 Dunlin and 1 Sanderling at high tide today compares to 20 Dunlin, 7 Ringed Plover and 2 Sanderling yesterday. 1-2 Whimbrels still moving through daily and at least 2 Curlew summering.
Reed Warbler numbers are still building slowly but the only recent highlight was a Coot on Kingfisher Pond yesterday morning.

Spoonbills, Skomer

2 Spoonbills heading north over Skomer earlier this morning. (per Bird Guides).

Canaston - yet another visit

A walk through parts of Canaston Forest, some of it with NRW foresters, provided good views of various species already reported in earlier posts. These included tree pipits in four separate regrowing previous clear-fell glades and wood warblers in locations where beech predominates. Singing garden warblers were probably as numerous as blackcaps in zones with patches of quite dense scrub re-growth.

A male cuckoo was slightly unexpected, calling from tree-tops well inside the mature forest. Spotted flycatchers were back at a breeding location near Blackpool Mill but redstarts couldn't be seen/heard there this morning. Four marsh tits engaged in a bit of sparring along the border of their adjacent breeding territories. Two independent juvenile dippers were feeding along the river upstream of Blackpool Mill bridge.

Hobby on Preselis

An adult hobby spent 1/2 hour flying around at Carn Breseb, Mynydd Preseli yesterday afternoon. Two male wheatears crouched flat against the rocks they were sat on, and didn't move until the hobby headed off west. The camouflage was very effective, and if their positions were not previously known, it would have been almost impossible to pick them out.

Marloes Mere

Cuckoo moving about on the farside of the mere. The pair of Swans behaving like they've got young but screened by reeds. Single Swift. Flock of 8 Chough. Marsh harrier recorded in the logbook on  Monday and Tuesday.

The Gann

Mini Wader fest still on going,  good to meet James Roden there & we tallied up the numbers.
47 Dunlin, c25 RP's, 8 Sanderling, 12 Turnstone,  5 Whimbrel & the lone Brent. As yesterday, a nice mixed bag though half the number of Turnstones.

Canaston Woods again

An early morning walk from the Car Park in Minwear Woods, going up through the main bridleway into Canaston Woods, produced a wide variety of birds, including numerous Garden Warblers and Blackcaps, 2 singing Wood Warblers and a Tree Pipit.

The highlights for me were a pair of Spotted flycatchers, which flew up from only a few feet away into a nearby Tree, after I had diverted from the main path, and about 5 Crossbills that flew over from one section of conifers to another calling loudly.

The Gann

Just as thought it was getting quiet, a nice little bag tonight
1 Brent Goose, at least 23 Turnstones, 4 (5?) Sanderling, c20 Dunlin 10+ RPs.

Wood Warblers -- Canaston Woods

I had a couple of pairs and probably another singing male on the bridleway either side of main track from the B4075. Also a couple of spotted flys, a singing tree pipit and 4 singing garden warblers.
(Chris Robinson)

Pantmaenog

My first visit to the area and while walking my dog along the old rail track first heard then saw a Cuckoo, my first of the year. There were lots of Blackcaps. Willow Warblers, Chiff-chaff and butterflies to be seen. After lunch in the Tafern Sinc a Swift was seen also a first of the year for me. I think I'll visit again!

Castlemartin Corse

From Rob Lewis, yesterday - a lesser whitethroat next to the hide

Today - a great spotted woodpecker an unusual sight on the treeless Corse, working its way along the line of wooden electricity poles....

Black Kite - Skomer

A brilliant day on Skomer today was topped off by a Black Kite which circled over North Valley and slowly drifted off towards the mainland in a SE direction.  managed to get all of my group onto it, as well as some of the staff, overnight guests & volunteers.

Running the kite a close second was the performance of the Short-eared Owls - as well as some superb views including one carrying a Skomer Vole, the highlight was 4 birds simultaneously chasing a Red Kite out of North Valley.  Magical stuff.

Gulls at Newport

Today the flock included 2 ringed 2nd cy Great Black Backs, 1 ringed in Dublin, via Cornwall. The other, which has been noted several times since last Oct, from the Isle of Man.

Spotted flycatcher and wood warbler

A spotted flycatcher arrived yesterday at llandilo and has been singing his heart out from dawn til dusk ever since. The territory has been used annually by spotted flycatchers since 2013. It's a puzzle how spotted flycatchers attract a mate by singing, as the song just sounds like a newly fledged brood of robins, except at about a quarter of the volume.

The wood warbler is still present and now has a mate. As soon as she arrived the male stopped using the 'tiu tiu tiu' part of the song and just stuck to the trill, or spinning penny part.

The male was wearing a metal ring, and it turns out that he was originally ringed on 13th May 2016 at Ffynone by Teifi RG. This declining species has not been the subject of a dedicated ringing study in Pembrokeshire, and there have been no previous ringing recoveries in the county, so whether individuals regularly change breeding sites or not isn't known.

Dale and Mullock

Just a quick note of a Great Northern Diver  around the moorings at Dale yesterday - I wonder if its the same birds which was seen here last year around the same time.
At Mullock a number of Lesser Whitethroats have just arrived and are singing in the scrub and a few Reed Warblers singing in Winterton Marsh now - late to arrive this year and the reeds are still only about 3' tall. 

Marsh harrier, Marloes Mere

Marsh harrier hunting over the mere late afternoon, as in previous years it appeared to target the Canada goose nest. Dropped down three times in the area and stayed on the ground for 15mins each time. Drake Shoveler and drake Shelduck both look like they're defending possible nest sites.

Iceland Gull at Newport

A 2cy, all white plumage, bird with the gull flock by the bridge this afternoon.

Carew/Milton

Swifts overhead, yesterday and today. Red kite low over the house, calling.

The Teifi

Wader passage includes a few Whimbrel, 20-50 Dunlin and 10-25 Ringed Plover daily.
Little else moving and a least 1 Curlew and c10 Black-headed Gulls still present.
Probably the most interesting observation this morning was watching a pair of Swifts mating in flight over the reedbed....

Sandwich Terns

Three fishing in this bay at the Gann this morning.
Last Evening a small Dunlin / RP group of about 16 birds.

Preselis, Gwaun Valley, Fishguard Harbour

a morning out checking some key sites was very productive.  Highlights included a pair of Redstarts, 2 Cuckoos, a really showy singing Garden Warbler, several Lesser Redpolls, a crisp singing Pied Flycatcher, a family party of Dippers and to finish 3 Black Guillemots in Fishguard Harbour.  The Dipper encounter (in Fishguard Lower Town) was enthralling: a juvenile being attacked by a Carrion Crow but surviving the encounter, Mum & Dad going berserk.  All ended well.

Angle peninsula this afternoon

A walk from Freshwater West to West Angle was generally fairly quiet for migrants and resident species, apart from a flock of 23 Sandwich Terns feeding with several gannets in the sandy bay at Fresh West. Quite a large migrating flock here for the time of year?

A non-breeding flock of 13 choughs was heading towards Fresh West at the Black Cave area. Resident choughs were at expected locations, including a colour-ringed female (ringed in Ceredigion in 2015). Although paired up with a male there has been little evidence of a breeding attempt this year. She was also at the same location last year so hopefully breeding will be successful next year.

Good numbers of linnets and whitethroats noted but stonechat numbers seemed to be lower than last year when at least 12 territories were occupied at the same time of year. Today only 6 were confirmed -  perhaps just a later breeding season?

There was no sign of any kestrel activity along this coast during c.3 hours of observation.

Where did it go?

Herring Gull Blue 141 was ringed as a subadult at a Gloucester landfill site in Dec 05. There were a number of Winter sightings at the same site up till Jan 11. Then nothing till a visit to Newport this afternoon.

Sandwich Terns - Sandy Haven

Whitethroat singing from its perch of gorse along the coast path yesterday evening. On the way back was treated to a beautiful display of two sandwich terns hunting along the shore. Amazing to see them diving into such shallow water and surfacing with their silvery sand eel suppers.
(Simon James)

Clicketts Cetti's, Castlemartin Corse

For visitors to the Tenby Leisure Centre: the Cetti's opposite the exit from the car park in Clicketts Lane has been singing strongly. As for Castlemartin Corse, I haven't given up yet but I have not heard a Cetti's there since the Beast from the East - last year 3-4 singing males. A grasshopper warbler sang briefly on 19 April but I haven't heard one since. 2 greylags on 19 April, currently one flies around noisily whenever one approaches the hide.

Brent Goose IJRR

Graham Mccelwaine has posted an update / timeline of this bird, with the 3rd / 8th May being very interesting especially the last sighting!
Check it out on the irishbrentgoose.blogspot.co.uk  read first " On the Slow Boat to Iceland......"

Spanish ringed Whimbrel at the Gann

On Monday evening, 7th May a whimbrel dropped in briefly on the beach in front of the car park. It was colour-ringed but not one from the welsh project. Just had news in of its previous sightings:
It was ringed as a one year-old in May 2011 in NW Spain, seen there on two occasions in May 2012 and this is the only other resighting. After a minute or so it headed off north with another whimbrel that also had colour-rings but unfortunately couldn't read them in time.

A wood warbler singing at Llandilo woods this morning was new in, and three different redstarts could be heard singing at the same site. A few crossbills also present most days too.

St Davids Head am

A Hooded Crow again and a Cuckoo on The Dowrog. This Lesser Black-backed Gull looks like 'intermedius'. Should have had a scarf and gloves.

The Teifi

Fifty Dunlin and 25 Ringed Plover were tired arrivals on the falling tide at 4pm this evening.
Swifts, Swallows, Sand Martins and at least 1 House Martin feeding over the Marshes late evening.
The large numbers of Sedge Warblers we had before the weekend have moved on, but like some other sites in the UK good numbers of Blackcaps and Garden Warblers have arrived.

Late news, a Marsh Harrier was seen over the Marshes on the 23rd April (Angela Humphries), the day after an Osprey was seen flying through on the 22nd April (Gary Reynolds).

The Gann - around 6pm

Suddenly empty, just three Whimbrel & the GN Diver offshore plus the usual Gulls bathing  by the footbridge.

Green Heron - Llanmill

A photo from the final day of access...from Paula Lazar

 Simon and Abigail Hart have been amazing - providing access to their lawn for incredible viewing opportunities, hot refreshments and arranging car parking with a local farm.

On behalf of all visiting birders I pass on our thanks for allowing us all to share this opportunity to see this rare vagrant in Pembrokeshire..

Plumstone

Avoiding the sea mist, I spent the afternoon exploring Plumstone Mountain. Flushed a male Cuckoo and a Goshawk was soaring above. Also 1 Curlew, 7 Golden Plover, 3 Wheatear + 1 Gropper. In Dudwell Conifer forest: 2 Tree pipit, 3 Crossbill + loads of Siskin, L. Redpoll, Greenfinch
(James Roden)

Brent Goose J1

Just had a prompt reply from Graham McElwaine,  re the Brent at the Gann, it has quite an interesting  history.
It's 6 yrs old, Male, ringed on 17/03/14 at Killough Bay Ireland where it's been seen every Autumn / Spring since, Winters in N France at Havre de Regneville (as does "U3"- still?)  however  this Winter may be different as it's been seen on Herm C.I. the Exe Estuary & now the Gann.
Graham is of the opinion that the fog in the Irish Sea has made the journey across impossible - yesterday's jaunt with Brian on the Marloes Peninsula is testament! - but there are a few more precise details of  it's last few weeks movements to come. Fascinating stuff. Watch this space....

Yellowhammer

A real surprise this morning, for the first time in close to 10 years, a Male Yellowhammer was perched up on a hedgerow at an old but regular breeding site near Tretio. 

Preseli Cuckoos

Lovely day, so off to the Preseli's to see if any Cuckoos were about. Along the Crymych rd from Rosebush right into Crymych, we heard five separate males and one female, we saw 2 males.  Very few skylarks or mipits, no Whinchat (we had hoped for one, but maybe we were a little early?) 2 red Kites, and a smattering of more common birds, but considering the fine conditions, we didn't hear much, no Willow Warblers or Chiffchaffs, not even a Wheatear.  Super day out though and really nice to hear Cuckoos in multiple numbers.  We were also fortunate enough to get to see the Green Heron yesterday too.

Brent Goose

A Colour ringed Brent at the Gann this afternoon, looks like "J 11" I`ll send the photo off to Graham in Ireland.

Newport

I’ve just finished hanging out some washing when 2 Swifts flew overhead, they are now busy inspecting their usual nest location. Is summer finally here?!!

Osprey Heathfield GP

An Osprey (or maybe it should be Western Osprey now) flew low over our heads at Heathfield GP at 12:30 today then circled up high to the south. The mist was pretty dense at St Davids this morning but managed good views of Grasshopper Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Swift. Also Cuckoo heard somewhat distantly.

St Davids Head in the mist

A big movement of Hirundines yesterday, also at Strumble, otherwise settled with odd birds like Blackcap and Whimbrels adding to the Sedge, Grasshopper and (numerous) Whitethroats present. A late Merlin isn't unexpected given previous records on Ramsey. The morning sea mists are affecting things I imagine.

Misty Marloes Mere

Should have known by now, t-shirt weather H'west equals woolly jumper Marloes! Derek and I had a good look (best we could in the mist) for yesterdays Dotterel without any luck. The mist burnt off briefly to allow a good look around the mere. Pintail still there, 4 pair Teal and 2 male, pair Shoveler and 2 males (one appears to be guarding a possible nest site, chasing off another drake, before returning to same spot). First Swift and among the many Swallows was a striking brick-red coloured bird.

Garganey -- Newport

Male Garganey at the iron bridge in Newport this morning. Showing well.
Great spot by Thomas Winstone. Lovely to see it!

(Jemma Thomas)

Warblers

A really smashing day out today trying to see the 12 breeding Pembrokeshire warblers, as well as get really familiar with their songs.  We managed 10 during a very relaxed day.  Started with 4 Wood Warblers at Minwear, where there was also at least 2 Garden Warblers as well as a singing Tree Pipit.

A loop around Canaston Woods didn't add to the warbler list but a party of 5 Crossbills was a real surprise, calling softly in a larch over one of the paths - the party contained at least one streaky juvenile.  On to Trefloyne near Tenby where 3 Cetti's Warblers sang strongly but stayed well hidden.  Nearby great views of a singing Lesser Whitethroat at Penally was our highlight of the day.  Sedge Warbler was added here, and Whitethroat at Skrinkle.

Finished at Stackpole, where a Reed Warbler gave 3 very short bursts of song, and Red Kite drifted over. Spring days as they should be (Dave Astins & John Parker)

Dotterel

A single winter plumage bird at 1830 in the West Hook Farm fields to the north of the Marloes-Martin’s Haven road, after Trehill Farm, and by the footpath sign to the Coast Path.
Easily seen from the road.
Huge thanks to the three visiting birders who spotted it.

PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE THE ROAD OR FOOTPATH to look for this bird: the crop has just started to grow and can be easily trampled.

Marloes Peninsula

After leaving a sun-baked H'west in only a t-shirt a chilly Marloes Peninsula was a bit of a shock, with a cold mist pushing in as light went. A Whinchat in the rough pasture near Martins Haven was nice but I hoped there might be something else around. Hopefully things might improve over the Bank Holiday. Dozen White wagtails, 10 Wheatear, 6 Whitethroat, couple of Chiffchaff and a reeling Grasshoper warbler near the Earthworks. Single Whimbrel. Flock of 50 Carrion crows.

Blackcap

"Our Wintering blackcap`s mate feeding on a Mahonia, has been around the garden for a few days.

Out and About near St Davids

Thanks to JB for posting our sightings for Saturday: a caravan at Pencarnan without the internet was the problem.

As Jonathon pointed out, while watching a Marsh Harrier quartering Trefeiddan March, we spooked a roosting SEO hidden in the ground only yards from where we stood. A little later, while crossing a very boggy Treswny Moor we logged our first Swifts for this year.

Today Saturday, looking to keep our annual list ticking along, we set off early AX Tretio Moor in the gloom of a lifting sea fog - we were targeting three species: Cuckoo, Gropper and Whinchat. As we alighted from the car a Cuckoo flew above us.  It took a good deal more effort to nail the Gropper (our ears are beginning to reveal our age!). As for the Whinchat, which we regarded as a long shot, Marion spotted one close to the car (adjacent the cattle grid) just as we set our minds on a Coffee back at Pencarnan.

The Gann

At 1345, female Eider still present on the Musselwick side, along with a winter plumage Great Northern Diver.
6 Sandwich Terns over.

Angle Peninsula

Spring Birds course based at Orielton:

Friday morning - murky weather at Angle Bay - small numbers of waders, turnstone and dunlin in summer plumage, good numbers of whimbrel.  Nice to see a great northern diver near the lifeboat station - probably an immature as still in winter plumage.  No signs of godwits.

Not much activity at Castlemartin Corse. More whimbrel on the shore at Freshwater West, and five sandwich terns feeding along the surf.

Evening visit to St Govan's Head to see large numbers of shearwaters heading for Skomer and Skokholm, also three porpoises close in.  But no swifts yet.

Eider Duck

Still the Gann this evening, though with the Kayaks & other water based activities about to pour into the area for the W/E, can't see it hanging around.h

Marsh Harrier

John and Marion had a female type Marsh Harrier which flushed a Short-eared Owl on Trefiddan moor this morning,with 12 White wags in a field near the caravan site.

Green Heron -- Llanmill

We visited the Green Heron again this afternoon and the Heron obliged feeding and showing well to admirers c3-4pm.
Please note that there will be no further access for viewing from 6pm this coming Monday the 7th May.
For those still to visit:-- The Green Heron is still on the  pond at SN138146  follow on-site parking instructions then follow the signs to the house and lawn for viewing.

Simon and Abigail Hart have been amazing - providing access to their lawn for incredible viewing opportunities, hot refreshments and arranging car parking with a local farm.
On behalf of all visiting birders I pass on our thanks for allowing us all to share this opportunity to see this rare vagrant in Pembrokeshire..

Green Heron -- Llanmill

Showing well at times today according to social media reports.
1st-summer still on pond at SN138146 early evening; follow on-site parking instructions then follow signs....
(BirdGuides)

Sedge Warblers -- The Teifi

This evening a lovely flock of 49 Whimbrel and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits feeding riverside on the marshes and a  surprise to see 8 Goosander which presumably are non-breeders....
A large number of Sedge Warblers on the marsh all day with early morning ringing producing 114 Sedge Warblers by 830am.
(Teifi RG)

Eider

Still at the Gann, on the far Musselwick side.

The Eider at the Gann

Two record shots of the female Eider at the Gann.

Eider Duck

At the Gann this evening, seems my female Scoter last night could've been a fake!

Minwear Wood

An hour in Bob & Annie country for a fix of tree pipit, wood warbler and redstart....a fine goshawk over the treetops....

Hobby Strumble

A Hobby was over Strumble Head mid afternoon.

Redpolls and Whimbrels

News from Maggie Bissmire of up to 5 Redpolls at her bird feeders, at Henry's Moat Tufton yesterday and today.
Also today at 11am, the feeding flock of Whimbrels at Newport, just upstream from the Yacht Club, had reached 70 birds. (Andrew Taylor )

St Davids Head am

A very quiet morning again, only a few Goldfinches and Hirundines moving through, hopefully as the weather warms in the next few days things will improve. The Hooded Crow was still there, on the south side of Whitesands Bay and a Lesser Whitethroat, no longer the local rarity it was.