Marloes peninsula

A great day out.  There was a large gull flock in Broad Sound between Skomer & Skokholm, too far away for any sort of an accurate count of Med Gulls but it would not surprise me if there were similar numbers to that recorded by the Skokholm Wardens (227 - see http://skokholm.blogspot.com/2018/10/a-chilly-day-of-northerlies-was-quiet.html).  They were just everywhere!  Anyone fancy taking me out there soon in a boat to count them?!

At Marloes Mere, 2 Marsh Harriers (both juveniles) hunted together, & a ring-tail Hen Harrier went through westwards, all 3 of which did a good job of putting up the ducks (over 300 Teal, 30+ Wigeon, 30+ Mallard).  Along the coast towards Martin's Haven 2 Short-eared Owls came up out of the coastal scrub.  Lots of birds around between these 2 sites, with large flocks of Jackdaws, Starlings and 60+ Chaffinch over, with plenty of Skylarks about including at least 50 in one field at Marloes Mere.  A Merlin briefly on the road to Martin's Haven near Trehill Farm.  On Dale Airfield the Hooded Crow was in the stubble by the parking area, and a Jack Snipe was flushed near the pond with at least 8 Snipe.

A brief look at the Gann late afternoon, 14 Brent Geese (pale-bellied) & 7 Med Gulls (6 adults, 1 first-year) the highlights.

Oh, and the Deer Park Chough were just brilliant, at least 7 birds wheeling around and feeding on the short turf.

(with Rosie Thomas)