Last few days

A passage of waders at the Gann over the last few days, though not as marked as noted at the sites in the north of the County.  Up to 35 Dunlin, 4 Grey Plover, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Sanderling, 1 Ringed Plover & 2 Whimbrel at a time. Noting the plumages of the Grey Plover & Godwits, daily passage has been evident, even when the total count of birds has been the same!  The breeding plumage Grey Plover are a real sight to behold - stunning!

A number of Oystercatcher colour rings (plus 1 Curlew) have been read (Mike I have sent you details on Messenger!).  Also had 6 Sandwich Terns in the bay yesterday from Crabhall, a garden tick (as were the 2 Chough that have regularly been feeding on the grassy spit at the top of the lagoon).

On Skomer a Cuckoo showed really well around the farm yesterday (15th), causing havoc amongst the small passerines nesting there: in particular the Meadow Pipits were understandably not happy.

I have enjoyed looking for Skokholm colour-ringed Wheatears this spring. So far I have identified 5 different birds on Skomer, the most recent addition (for me) being female A22 yesterday in North Haven, which was ringed as a juvenile on 25th June 2018 not far from the lighthouse on Skokholm.  She hasn't travelled far (well, except for popping off to Africa somewhere for the winter), but fascinating to record the local movements of these individuals - without the colour rings, we would have no idea!  I'm hoping to find one on the mainland someday...