Late summer chough flocks and roosts

Several of us (Jane Hodges, ourselves, folk on the islands and others) have been out over the last week of so trying to pin down where flocks of choughs are assembling at late summer communal roosts. After a good breeding season, it seems that numbers of  surviving young are also probably good but dispersing juveniles are highly mobile at this time of year and they can move around quite a lot.

We've had some good successes e.g. 14 at Penally (a few nights ago), 32 at Castlemartin Range this evening (there were 41 birds feeding at Linney Head a week ago), 15+ on the Angle peninsula last night. Some good numbers have been recorded on Ramsey recently including 37 roosting there last night, and Steve Jones posted a sighting of c.32 at Pwll Deri cliffs yesterday evening too which was a good to know.

If anyone spots any double-figure flocks (especially along the mid and north Pembs coast) we'd be pleased to hear about them as it might help to pin-point some other likely roosting areas that could be checked. Postings on the Blog would be great but we can also probably pick-up some sightings posted on Twitter.

Manx Shearwater and Dunlin

There was a dead manx shearwater on the road by the Newgale camp site yesterday. Today there were c10 dunlin at Goodwick on the edge of the tideline.

Skok

Singles of Sooty and Balearic Shearwater, three Bonxies and six Mediterranean Gulls today.

The Teifi

A Hobby over the Wildlife Centre end of the  reserve and a Lesser Whitethroat near the river view point were the highlights today.
(Rich D and Wendy J)

Newport bridge

Before being disturbed by fishermen there 2 Little Egrets, a leucistic Herring Gull, & Med Gull red PYT8, which was ringed as a nestling in Poland in May 2016, seen again in Poland in Feb 2018, then on 4 occasions at Newport between Sept & Dec last year.

Manxies

From Alf and Carol Williams - very timely given the posting below!  

We just stopped off briefly at Carew Mill to have a look at some of the Gulls and saw a photographer on the bridge taking some photos upstream of the bridge. When we had parked the car and walked back the photographer had left but we saw why he was there – a Manx Shearwater was on the water in one of the channels about 15m from the bridge. I suppose that it is that time of year when they get disorientated and can be found inland. Hope that it manages to find it’s way back to where it should be.

Manxie Fledging Time - Stranded Birds

Skuas - The Teifi

An adult light phase and a juv Arctic Skua were harassing a flock of Kittiwakes early this morning  and shortly afterwards a flock off 20 Whimbrel coming down the coast came into the main estuary.
Wendy J was counting waders on both high tides, the highest counts being 16 Dunlin, 16 Ringed Plover and 3 Sanderling.

Skok

Sooty Shearwater this evening, Pied Flycatcher this morning.

Skok

The Wryneck reappeared as the weather improved this evening.

Pen Caer

News from Rob Johns -
A nice Redstart.yesterday morning,  2 Common Sandpipers on the pond along with 2 Water Rails which have been there for a week or so.

Wigeon - The Teifi

Four Wigeon from the river view point were likely the first returning birds, and 3 Goosander are still present. We have at least 6 Greylag Geese - likely a family party amongst c1000 Canada and 100+ Barnacle Geese. Single Green Sandpiper and Greenshank on the marsh and best in the reeds a Grasshopper Warbler yesterday.
c100+ Curlew present in the estuary though only a few small waders - 1 Knot, 1 Sanderling, 11 Ringed Plover and 11 Dunlin.
(Rich D and Wendy J)

Skok

Wryneck still, five plus Tree Pipits, three Whinchat, four Spotted Flycatcher and a nice little fall of other stuff on a glorious day.

Whinchats, Martins Haven area

7 Whinchat along the coast between Martins Haven and Marloes Mere between 6-7:30 this evening. There were none on the walk out earlier.

Wryneck

A Wryneck seen mid afternoon on the track down to
Felin Isaf St Davids mid afternoon not showing an hour ago.

Osprey.

One calling and flying over Pembroke Dock cricket pitch late afternoon yesterday.

Marsh Harrier

One with a distinct small white patch on upper wing seen flying over Dowrog Common, St Davids this afternoon. In a clump of Withies at Treleddyd, a Pied Flycatcher with 2 Blackcap, Sedge Warbler and numerous Willow Warbler / Chiffchaffs. A Clouded Yellow there as well to add to yesterdays record at Llanrhian.

Hobby, Green Sandpiper - Teifi Marshes...

A Hobby shot through the Swallows over the marsh this evening and after a brief hunt appeared to head south. A Green Sandpiper flew to Mallard Pond where proved elusive and 8 Whimbrel passed south over the marsh early in the morning in small groups. Following 6 species of warbler in the reedbed around Mallard Pond yesterday - we added Common Whitethroat and another Garden Warbler today.
(Teifi RG)

Clouded Yellow

Single Clouded Yellow seen this morning at Wooltack Point near Martin's Haven, Marloes .
(Nigel Starnes)

Amroth

2 smart juvenile Yellow-legged Gulls on Amroth beach this evening. 3 Sandwich Terns offshore yesterday.

Skok

Wryneck, two each of Pied Flycatcher and Tree Pipit, at least three Spotted Flycatcher and a decent arrival of common warblers.

St Ann's Head

The Yellow wagtail was being chased around by the Pied wagtails, some of the chases were really prolonged. Also a single Wheatear and 3 Whimbrel in adjacent field.

Had a hour around the Deer Park, a few Willow warblers and Chiffchaff in Martins Haven and Sash's willows. Loads of young Stonechat and Whitethroats but it felt promising with barely a breath of wind.

Pembroke Rive/Cleddau

From Matt Sutton -

Been up many a creek on the haven doing saltmarsh vegetation survey over the past week. Hand lens round the neck rather than binoculars, but noted a few birds none the less. Great white egret on the Pembroke river near Lambeeth. Brief view of an osprey disturbed from a tree in Prinkly Quarry, south of west Williamston. Greenshanks, green and common sandpipers here and there in ones and twos. 4 male goosander up the channel by Slebech. Singing stock doves west of Monkton and in two places near Cosheston. A group of 4 spotted flycatchers hawking from foreshore oaks north of Landshipping on Friday. A grasshopper warbler booted from Bolboschoenus by Mullock Bridge yesterday.

The Gann

Very busy as one would expect, so to see ELEVEN Grey Herons was a big surprise! 2ad -9juvs. Also 18 Redshank.

St. Anne’s head

Completed St. Anne’s head to Dale along the coast path today.
The head held 1 yellow wag and one spotted fly, a few downy headed wheatear, a lot of juv whitethroat, stonechat.

Abercastle

From Graham Tierney - 4 Swift over a Abercastle today at 8.30am plus 70+House Martin

The Teifi

Swifts still over the marsh and town daily, maximum a flock of 9 yesterday. Last night and this evening c500 Swallows gathering and going to roost in the reedbed.
3 Lapwing - the first returning birds, 2 Green Sandpipers and 2 Redshank along the river through the marsh this evening. 6 warbler species around the Mallard Pond this morning, Blackcap the most numerous with 10+ and most unusual in the reeds a Garden Warbler - all good signs of migration and interesting birds to be found....
(Teifi RG)

Skok

Moulting juvenile Turtle Dove near the Lighthouse this evening.

St. Anne’s and Haverfordwest

Couple of hours from Keet to St Anne’s along the coastal path produced a few wheatear and whitethroat, stonechat  a few Gannet and a probable grey phalarope, everything I saw looked good about to clinch when lost in surf. Walking back along the road one stumble field had a golden plover, and a few pied wags, with some house martins still their nests.

Haverfordwest at time of writing, a steady flow of swallow, some house Martin heading south with a late swift.

Amroth- Arctic Skua

A dark phase Arctic Skua harassing Kittiwakes distantly offshore this morning and an adult Med. Gull on the beach.

On Wednesday evening (21st) an Arctic Skua and a drake Common Scoter flew east past St Govan’s Head.

Cartlett Lady Pelagic Sunday/Monday

Hi all Late notice! We will be taking the Cartlett Lady out to the Celtic Deep on Sunday and possibly Monday. if there is enough demand.Mainly looking for Whales and Dolphins but could be some good birds out there as well 

£80 per head for 8 hours+ 

Meet Neyland 0930  

Book by email seatrustwales@gmail.com

Teifi - House Martins

A big day of House Martin migration. Over the dunes, fields and Poppit and salt marsh this afternoon there were over 300 House Martins.
Also around the estuary, 2 large groups of Curlew, 110 and 60. 30 small waders were flying around  distantly but not seen settled to look through them.
Linnet numbers seem to be increasing with at least 50 around the Webley salt marsh.
In the evening over the Teifi Marsh there were 2 Swifts with a smaller than usual Swallow roost for this time of year.

Skok

Singles of Sooty and Balearic Shearwater, Arctic and Great Skua this morning.

Newport in the drizzle

It's been quite quiet lately. Today 3 Little Grebes, 2 Turnstones, 1 ea Little Egret, Greenshank & Barwit & regular Skokholm Great Black Back W:055 were the "highlights".

Skok

Grey Phalarope in Broad Sound - the earliest Skok record by over a week.

The Teifi - waders

A Green Sandpiper was seen at Kingfisher hide this morning and one flying around the reserve this evening. Two Redshank, 1 Turnstone, 4 Ringed Plover and 10 Dunlin were active around the estuary mouth early this morning.

Mandarin - - Lower Town Fishguard

A more interesting photo of the male Mandarin in Lower Town....

 

 Eclipse male Mandarin at Lower Town, Pembs yesterday.

(Stephen Vickers)

Late swifts

2 late swifts over the A477 just W of Milton - our nearest breeding swifts being long gone.

The Gann

3 juv Turnstone and 6 Ringed plover only small waders at the Gann this evening. A couple of flocks of a dozen or so Pied wagtails around the herds of cattle during an earlier look around Kete to Mill Bay. Flock of 100 House sparrows and 200 Herring gull near Snailston. Chiffchaff and Blackcaps in Mill Bay.

Skok

Another Sooty Shearwater and two Bonxies the highlight.

Barn Owl

Showing well  & close whilst hunting at Mullock bridge around 9pm this evening.

Skok

Singles of Sooty and Balearic Shearwater plus a Sunfish in sub-optimal conditions.

Before the rain.....The Teifi

A couple of Teal on the reserve, were  the first seen for a while. A wander through Poppit Wood found no sign of any migrants but a slight increase in small waders this morning at The Webley.
3 Turnstone, 1 Common Sandpiper, 30 Ringed Plover and 50 Dunlin.
Yesterday evening, a Puffin again in the mouth of the Teifi, and Wendy saw a  couple of Arctic Skuas passing west whilst looking for the Puffin which I saw from a boat.
(Wendy J and Rich D)

More Knots

Newport, bottom of Long St, this afternoon.

Strumble....

Strumble 700 - 1130;-
5 Bonxies, 1 Arctic Skua, 3 Med Gulls, 6 Sandwich  Terns, 15 Common Scoter, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Risso's Dolphin, 5 Common Dolphin.
(Peter Harris)

The Teifi

A seawatch for the hour 620 - 720 this morning produced 5 Common Scoter, 500 Manx Shearwater, 250 Gannets, 30 Kittiwakes and 9 Fulmar all flying west in the moderate nw wind
High tide at the The Webley found, 2 Sanderling, 17 Ringed Plover, 43 Dunlin, 3 Turnstone 2 Redshank and 110 Oystercatcher.

Ruff and other waders - The Teifi

Late afternoon at low tide a small flock of 10 Knot including at least 3 moulting adults and nearby a  juv Bar-tailed Godwit. A Peregrine then flushed the birdlife....
A second visit at 830pm on the high tide found  1 juv male (on size) Ruff with 6 Knot, 1 Whimbrel with 8 Curlew and a small wader flock which moved from Patch to Poppit beach to feed containing 6 Sanderling, 14 Ringed Plover and c20 Dunlin.
(Wendy J and Rich D)

South Beach, Tenby

From David and Jane Finch -  a walk between Penally to Tenby across south beach at low tide Tuesday morning turned up a probable Little ringed plover with a dozen Ringed plover feeding amongst the shingle. The flock remained for most of the day feeding and flying along the beach. 

Gannet YELLOW G386

Mark Stevens reported this bird earlier--

Thanks for that – yes it’s one of ours. Great to get this ringing recovery data for our adult survival stats so please thank the finder for us. Going on the darvic number it was ringed in either 2013 or 14 (I don’t have the exact data to hand) and would have been a bird we tracked for foraging purposes in that year. I will pass the info on to Steve Votier at Exeter University
(Greg - RSPB Ramsey/ Grassholm)

Colour-ringed gannet

A colour-ringed gannet YELLOW G386 (dead unfortunately) was found on Freshwater West beach by Andrew Weaver on 11 August. The metal ring details have been supplied to the BTO and the basic Euring report was copied to Paul Culyer of NRW.

Perhaps it was a victim of the recent storm? Any Grassholm connection we wonder?

Gann (again!)

Sorry for all the Gann posts, but as we now live overlooking the lagoon we tend to look at it quite a lot!

2 Common Sandpipers still today, along with a single Knot.  Little Egrets have increased to 3.  2 Rock Pipits at the top of the lagoon were a nice addition to the house list.

Most exciting was being able to read 2 Redshank colour rings - numbers 15 & 50.  Details sent to Mike Sherman who has quickly confirmed the details - 15 was ringed on 22/12/2017, has been trapped twice since, but never re-sighted until today.  50 was recorded by me back on 27/6, so has presumably been here the whole time, I just haven't got lucky enough to see the rings.  Handheld digiscope photos below, not of the highest quality but very functional.  There were a total of 22 Redshank, including a group of 12 juveniles together.

Gann

Knot increased to 3 this evening (all juvs); the original 2 and a separate bird hanging around with the Redshank (which numbered 11).  2 Sandwich Terns earlier on (adult & juvenile), I would presume the same 2 that have been around for a while now.  Common Sandpipers now up to 2, a single Whimbrel still present.

Arctic Terns

3 Arctic Terns flew west past St Govan’s Head in an hour and a half yesterday evening. And a probable Balearic Shearwater.

Gann

2 Knot (juvs) on the lagoon were a nice addition to the garden list.  Also 9 Redshank, 9 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 3 Greenshank, and single Little Egret, Common Sandpiper & Whimbrel.  We read 7 colour-ringed Oystercatchers, there were several more but for some reason they were all stood one-legged on their left leg - the ring with the code is the right one!

Lisa also had 3 Whimbrel at St. Ann's Head over Snailston.

Quail

A walk at the back of Brawdy was productive today and included calling Quail!

Strumble skuas...

Skuas between 730 - 11.15 today, 4 Bonxies, 2 Arctic, and a sub-ad Long-tailed Skua.
Also 35 Common Scoter, and 1 Storm Petrel, and c15 Sandwich Terns.
(Peter Harris)

The Teifi

High tide counts this morning included 1 Knot, 6 Sanderling, 14 Ringed Plover, and 20 Dunlin.
Whatever the tide height c80-90 Curlew are in the estuary, 9-10 Black-tailed Godwits are on the reserve or in the main estuary. Two Turnstone and 2 Common Sandpipers were at the Webley yesterday.
The only breeding pair of Mute Swans still have 3 cygnets and we only have 3 juvenile Shelduck, a very poor year for them. 3 red-head Goosander are on the river having been present a while.
A couple of hours sea-watching this morning - 68 Common Scoter west, a Sparrowhawk coming in off the sea, 2 Sandwich Terns and 3 Whimbrel were the notable species.

Strumble Head 12 - 2 pm

Storm Petrel 1 close in
Balearic Shearwater 2

Fishguard Harbour

Black Guillimot 1


Newport

Greenshank 1
Ringed Plover 10
Dunlin 20
Common Sandpiper 2
Kingfisher 1
Little Egret 2

Pembroke Millponds this afternoon

Although quite a lot of the upper pond is difficult to observe, we could see that numbers of black-tailed godwits (a mixture of adults and juveniles) are starting to increase here. At least 20 were feeding in the shallows along side 2 greenshanks. Not too much to report from the main millpond (much of its surface area is covered by blanket weed algae) but c.10 little grebes (2 family groups included) and and at least 60 mallards (many in eclipse plumage) were resting on the far side. A quick check of the BH gulls revealed no obvious ringed birds.

Skok

Three Arctic Tern and another five Storm Petrel off the Light this afternoon.

Gann

A very different small-wader scene over the high tide today, with just 4 Dunlin and a single Ringed Plover. 2 Sandwich Terns also present (an adult & a juvenile) - perhaps the same 2 that have been around for a little while now? 2 juvenile Wheatear on the spit at the north end were our first of the autumn here, and were duly added to the Crabhall list shortly after ('scoped from the garden!).

Ramsey

First Arctic skua of the year south this morning

Skok

Sooty Shearwater and seven Storm Petrel past the Light this morning.

Carew Mill Med Gull today...

...on his or her favourite patch of mud 10-20 metres east of the Mill. It was finding small worms (ragworms?) on the surface every few steps. We have yet to give it a name - Milly, perhaps?

It does not like sharing this patch of mud with black headed gulls, which it encourages to leave.

Further down river, a young female peregrine was attempting to chase down curlews. Other birds: 4 little egret, 2 grey heron, 2 shelduck, 40-50 bhgs, 20 or so lesser black backs, 10 herring gulls.

Kilpaison

At a very windy Kilpaison 15-30 pm today, 80-90 Dunlin, 66 Sanderling, 53 Ringed Plover, 11 Turnstone.
(Mike Davey)

Newport

1230 on the Newport mudflats east of the Parrog;-
83 Dunlin, 56 Ringed Plover, and 1 Sanderling. 35 Oystercatchers were watched arriving at 0630 this morning.
(Peter Harris)

Teifi - Common Tern and waders

Between the downpours by The Webley at high tide there were 29 Sandwich Terns and a Common Tern. Almost equal numbers of adults and juveniles.
Combined wader counts from mine and Rich D's a bit later were 25 Sanderling, 3 Turnstone, 1 Redshank, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 29 Ringed Plover, 49 Dunlin and 1 juvenile Med Gull.
Just upstream below the gun battery in addition to the above there was a Greenshank and an increase in Little Egrets to 12, roosting with 5 Grey Herons. Opposite St Dogmael's Quay 2 Knot amongst the 92 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel and 72 Oystercatcher.

Gann

Quite exciting on the wader front late afternoon.  At the back of the top end of the lagoon, a single flock of 53 Redshank, 21 Black-tailed Godwits (mostly juvs) & 3 Dunlin (2 adults & a juv).  They seemed to have dropped in during a heavy squall, and had departed not long after it cleared.  With an additional 6 Redshank in the usual places around the islands, the total of 59 is easily the largest number I have ever seen here.  Biggest count for some time?

Also 7 Sanderling, 34 Ringed Plover, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Greenshank and 3 Whimbrel.  Amongst the Curlew were colour ringed birds 06, 08 & 17.  2 Little Egrets & 2 (possibly 3) Grey Herons also on the lagoon. (Dave & Lisa)

Haverfordwest Oyster’s

Interesting to read the apparent influx of Oysters on Newport, I had 13 flying down river from county hall this morning, which was notable I thought!

Newport ringed Oystercatcher

13.00 - no terns!,
but 69 Oystercatchers, including one with an odd darvic ring on R tarsus. Too far away & mobile for my rudimentary foto setup, but the ring was white with 3 horizontal black bands. No letters or numbers. There seemed to be a metal ring in the L leg.
I can't find the ringing scheme on crbirding. Have any of our local Oystercatcher ringers any suggestions?.

More on Carew Med Gull(s)

A quick look at BirdTrack shows the autumn sightings going back annually to 9 September 2011, but two were sighted on 29 August 2012, so it may not always be the same individual. I saw one/it on 29 July 2016, which seems to be the earliest, and the latest showing on BirdTrack is 28 November 2013.

The Ceredigion blog frequently reports on sightings of colour-ringed Meds and their travels, some being regular visitors. Many are Dutch or Belgian in origin.

Colonies of Meds in Hampshire have grown rapidly recently. In July I visited RSPB Lodmoore in Dorset where there was a breeding colony of 60+ individuals, so they are getting closer and it will probably not be long before they attempt breeding in Pembrokeshire.

Black Swan - Angle Bay

My wife and I were walking the coast path from The Point House in Angle to Rhoscrowther yesterday 8th August. In the bay we sighted a black swan with its distinctive red bill.
(David and Jane Finch)

The weekend ahead - Terns ??

A week earlier than in 2012 but with this weather system...

Friday, 17 August 2012

Black Terns and more terns !! - Newport

A 5am visit to Newport was rewarded --

541 terns on the dunes as it became light, by 6am of these, - 39 Black Terns both adults and juveniles (50%), only 1 Sandwich Tern a juvenile, a couple of adult Arctic terns too, the remainder appearing to be Common Terns, mainly adult with very few juveniles in the flock.

The flock appeared to fly off at c630am.........but... who knows, poor weather all day and very high tides.
Also 5 Sanderling, a few Dunlin and Ringed Plover, 1 Redshank and 1 adult Kittiwake

(Karen and Rich D)

Sanderling - The Teifi

The movements of the colour ringed Sanderling seen on Poppit on the 4th August,

30/10/2018 O Vao, O Grove (Pontevedra), Spain 42º27'07"N 08º52'15"W Emilio Martínez Sabarís
13/12/2018 O Vao, O Grove (Pontevedra), Spain 42º27'07"N 08º52'15"W Emilio Martínez Sabarís
02/01/2019 O Vao, O Grove (Pontevedra), Spain 42º27'07"N 08º52'15"W Emilio Martínez Sabarís
12/01/2019 O Vao, O Grove (Pontevedra), Spain 42º27'07"N 08º52'15"W Emilio Martínez Sabarís

06/05/2019 Nouster, North Ronaldsay, Orkney, Scotland 59º22'46"N 02º25'49"W Colin Corse

04/08/2019 Poppit Sands, Cardigan, West Wales, UK 52º06'22"N 04º41'48"W Richard Dobbins

Dimitri the Czech Med Gull

This is PRAHA E15799 or Dimitri to us local Fishguard Birders. First showed up to winter with us in 2001 he/she returned for many years always arriving around the same week in August. We last saw Dimitri in 2007.
(Adrian R)

The Carew Med Gull saga - cont.......

Bob's latest prompted me to trawl back through my blog posts, in those days unsupported even by a point'n'shoot camera - and sure enough the Med gull has been coming to Carew for its holidays since at least August 2014!

http://pembsbirds.blogspot.com/2014/08/carew.html

http://pembsbirds.blogspot.com/2015/08/carew-millpond.html

Carew Millpond Med Gull - how long has it been coming here?

Noting Richard's interesting comments, we first saw an adult Med Gull at Carew Millpond on 13th Sept 2015. It was resting then in exactly the same patch of mud it was at today. Of course it isn't ringed so we cannot be sure it is the same individual but most probably it is.

A Polish black-headed gull (metal-ringed) also turns up at Pembroke Millpond in winter and we've seen that one on exactly the same bit of wall for at least 4 year's running. Hopefully it will be there again this coming winter.

And on this subject - how long has the ring-billed gull been coming to Lys-y-fran res. and where does it go to in the summer?

Carew Millpond

Snap - we saw the Med gull this afternoon as it was taking a turn round the Mill - moulting, missing 3rd (or so) primaries.

I first photographed it on 26 July 2016, so this is its 4th year, always returning around the same time.

2-3 greenshank were calling on the Carew River at West Williamston the other day.

Carew Millpond Med Gull is back

An adult Med Gull (presumed to be the likely regular bird?) was back at Carew Millpond this afternoon. Earlier, we'd noted that the redshank flock at Landshipping Quay had risen to 32 birds plus a greenshank that has been here for 10 days or so (a regular visitor here at this time of year). A whimbrel was calling at the Western and Eastern Cleddau confluence.

Yesterday, Annie noted that yellowhammers were still on territory near Martletwy and also observed a goshawk being mobbed by corvids as it flew over near a regular location for this species.

Newport again

An odd looking (to me) Wigeon with the Mallards at the bridge was (thank you Collins) an eclipse plumage drake. From where?.

Marloes Mere - Marsh Harrier

The Skokholm Marsh Harrier flew over the Oriole hide at the mere at 13.40 and circled gaining height, whilst being mobbed by a Lesser Black-backed Gull, then flew off Eastwards.

In the lane to the hide was a Lesser Whitethroat and several Common Whitethroats with juveniles. A small flock of Pied Wagtails was scattered in the field below the car park. A single Ringed Plover flew around the mere and one Teal, one Coot, two Little Grebes, three Moorhens and a handful of Mallard was most I could see on the water.

Skokholm

No big falls, but 30 or 40 new warblers each day at the moment, mainly Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler. A juvenile Marsh Harrier just drifted north.

Newport am

Just a mini flock of 16 Dunlin, a/the Greenshank, c60 Curlews flying over & a (red) Knot, not a plumage we often see here, juvs being much more frequent.

Wood and Green Sandpipers - Teifi Marshes

830pm last night, calling Wood and Green Sandpipers flying around the Marsh for a couple of minutes. I guess Mallard and Kingfisher Ponds  likely sites to look if stayed overnight.
(Rich D and Wendy J)

Grassholm 2/8-4/8

The 3rd and final gannet research trip of the season produced of note:

3/8 - 1 yellow legged gull, 2 swift, 5 Risso's, 6 painted lady and 2 red admiral

4/5 - 20 sedge warblers, 25 willow warblers, 1 common sand, 1 wheatear, 1 ringed plover, 5 dunlin and 9 turnstone

(records from Steve Votier and Toby Phelps)

Strumble Head

Strumble Head - 0700 - 1045
1 Bomxie, 6 Common Scoter, and 1 Grey Phalarope at 1030
(Peter Harris)

The Teifi

On Saturday, 3rd August at 1pm there was a group of 12 Sandwich Terns on the mud in front of the Webley Hotel at St Dogmaels, including 3 ringed birds, one with a metal ring only, one with an orange colour ring and metal ring which was too far away to read, and one with a white colour ring we have been able to identify with the help of Tony Murray from the Irish ringing scheme (many thanks for a super fast reply).

 

Tony identified the bird (W-KFH) as one of theirs from 2015 at Lady's Island Lake. Here are the details of prior sightings:
KFH DE01973 6/17/2015 Sgarbheen, Lady's Island Lake, Wexford
KFH DE01973 7/23/2017 Dawlish Warren, Devon, England
KFH DE01973 7/24/2017 Dawlish Warren, Devon, England

 

 At 4pm on Sunday seen from the Swallowboats yard at Gwbert were 6 Black Tailed Godwits and 6 Little Egrets, with a Peregrine hunting overhead. Earlier that afternoon, a group of 17 Mute Swans provided a great sight in the sunshine on the glittering water.

 

 (Silke Einschuetz & Liz Snell)

 

Skok

The first Balearic Shearwater of the year was off the Lighthouse this evening. Also a lingering Great Northern Diver.

Marloes Mere

Water levels have dropped, and with more muddy pools so come the waders. 8 Dunlin, 5 Black-tailed godwits, 3 Snipe, 2 Common sandpiper and a Curlew. 50 Mallard, c20 Teal and the young Shoveler. 3 Willow warblers, 2 Kestrel and first Swift for a few weeks. Worth keeping an eye on in coming weeks, the meres had a bit of a lean time and well overdue something a bit special.

Sanderlings at Newport

This Sanderling was one of 16 at Newport, 1800 this evening....sightings from Peter Harris.

The bird was ringed on 13th January 2018 in Mauretania at Banc d'Arguin 
and was aged as a bird hatched in 2017.
The history of the above Sanderling from this project is available online at.. https://animaltrack.org/.

Also present 6 Med Gulls, 2 Sandwich Terns and 14 Dunlin.

Many thanks to Peter Harris for the sightings and the photos.
Wendy James has provided the ringing history.

More Sandwich Terns

Newport, this afternoon, on the Long Street mud, 7; 4 adults (2 with metal rings) & 3 juvs (1 with a red darvic ring - too far away to read)

Gann & Dale Airfield

This mornings mega-flock (for here) of 35 Sandwich Terns was a superb sight & sound.  They circled the top of the lagoon looking for somewhere to land but the vegetation on the islands was too much for them.  Also at the top of the lagoon 4 juvenile Mediterranean Gulls, at least 2 were sporting red darvic rings, but they were too far away (and partially obscured in the  grass) to read.

A bit later as the tide dropped we looked through all the small waders.  Totals included 4 Sanderling, 39 Ringed Plover & 52 Dunlin, along with 1 Black-tailed Godwit & 1 Whimbrel.  2 of the Curlew sported colour rings (08 & 17).  Also a single Common Sandpiper flying around the lagoon.

Earlier at Dale Airfield 25 Ringed Plover on the usual crossroads but they flew off in the direction of the Gann so could be amongst the total noted above.  Also 5 Wheatear.

Sandwich Terns

Thirty five at the Gann this morning, also seen by Dave &Lisa - probably looking for a place to land but unable to do so because of the flooded marsh. There were also 13 more in the bay at the same time as the flock started to fragment so I couldn't be sure if they doubled back round, so potentially 48 birds! However the main group drifted off upstream leaving a few fishing in the bay. Also 3 juv Kittiwakes headed upstream too as the Terns dispersed though I never saw them return back to the sea.

Teifi waders

Seen from The Webley at 1000 this morning, 1 Turnstone, 6 Sanderling and 45 Dunlin.
Whimbrel and Sandwich Terns heard but not seen to be counted in poor weather for August !
One of the adult Sanderling was a colour ringed bird, waiting for a reply from Spain where the scheme is based.

Skok

This afternoon produced a very early Great Northern Diver close in under the Lighthouse cliffs.

Gann

Highlights over this evening's rising tide included 47 Ringed Plover, 24 Dunlin, 16 Sanderling, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Common Sandpiper, 15 Curlew, 87 Oystercatchers, & 2 Sandwich Terns (1 adult & 1 juv).

Skok

A Curlew Sandpiper went over with 21 Dunlin. Also four Snipe and a Ringed Plover over. A Bedstraw Hawkmoth was the first for Skok - there have been three previous Pembs records and Robin Taylor also had one in Hayscastle last night.

The Teifi...

On the high tide from The Webley this morning 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Sanderling and 17 Dunlin. A second flock c20 small waders flying around contained c20 Dunlin and at least 1 Ringed Plover.
Early on the Teifi Marshes, A Snipe dropped in at Mallard Pond, a Greenshank and Green Sandpiper flew to Heron Pond. Other waders flying over the Marsh, included a second Green Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, and a few Snipe.
(Teifi RG)

Kilpaison - waders

At Kilpaison this morning, 86 Dunlin, 5 Turnstone, 4 Ringed Plover, 1 Sanderling, Black Swan still present.
(Mike Davey)

More Gann sightings

A Green Sandpiper (a Crabhall tick!) on the lagoon yesterday evening & again this morning.  On the high tide this morning, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull on the saltmarsh in amongst roosting Black-headed & Herring Gulls.  At least 11 Redshank roosting this morning and the best Greenshank count recently has been 3.  Also a single and then 2 Black-tailed Godwits in recent days, and up to 6 Dunlin (all lagoon sightings).

After a decent period of lovely muddy margins on the lagoon during the last cycle of neap tides, the spring tides have now flooded the lagoon again (anything 6.9m or above comes over the stepping stones) and it will be some time before the muddy margins start to reappear as the stepping stones act like a dam and the water drains out very slowly.  I'm interested to try and understand whether the stepping stones, as they are currently arranged, are a net help or hindrance to the ecological value of this man made ecological treasure.

Painted Ladies...

The influx continues...

  
I know this is a bird site but as a mention has been made about Painted Lady butterflies, one of many in the hedgerows around Marloes Mere.
(Michael Bates)
 
16 Painted Ladies at once on the Verbena Bonariensis in the garden near
New Moat today.
(Elaine Turpin)
 

Newport dog walk early.

At the bridge, 2 Common Sandpipers.
Down the estuary, as well as midteens Oystercatchers & Curlews, 2 Greenshanks, 4 Redshanks, a couple of small flocks of mixed Dunlin & Ringed Plovers.
On the main beach shoreline c20 Sanderlings with a couple of Dunlin.
Back to the bridge on the rising tide, a Whimbrel, at least 3 Med Gulls & 4 Blackwits.
At the bridge again, 2 mobile Green Sandpipers.

The Gann

A pleasant morning on the flood tide, much the same as last evening,  c20 Dunlin, c20  RPs difficult to count as they on a mobile Feeding frenzy, 3 Sanderling, 2 Sandwich Terns paid a brief visit. 1Teal over, 5 Whimbrel & the two Common Sandpipers still on the lagoon.

Teifi - Sandwich Terns

Gulls around the Teifi were feeding on ants too. Large numbers on the dunes this evening.

On a couple of visits to the estuary today there were small groups of Sandwich Terns flying upstream then out to sea again.
A Greenshank was calling this evening. The small wader flock was 30 Dunlin with no other species with them.
Migrant Sedge Warblers are starting to pass through the Teifi Marsh. A look back at peak dates over the last 8 years on the Teifi Ringing Group blog

Warm weather and gulls feeding on ants at Castlemartin

During warm sunny spells in the summer, it's not uncommon to see huge numbers of ants (especially yellow meadow ants (Lasius flavus) actively swarming in the coastal grasslands on the Castlemartin Range. The current spell of warm, humid weather has triggered many to swarm this week and, as usually happens, many gulls are attracted to take advantage of the food-fest.

While out this morning with Paul Culyer of NRW checking out out marsh fritillary webs, the scene at Linney Head was quite a typical one for the time of year. Hundreds of herring gulls, quite a few lesser black-backs and smaller numbers of great black-backs were feasting on emerging ants from the numerous ant hills in the area. Gull numbers on these occasions can reach a thousand or more. Today there were probably at least 500-600 feeding in the grassland and along the Linney road - certainly many more than the local breeding population were involved.

A very small part of the gull feeding flock that was spread out between Berryslade and Linney Head

 

The ant-feeding season is usually a relatively short one however, and it could be all over in a couple of weeks or so. Some good-sized flocks of linnets and goldfinches are also starting to appear on the coast - taking advantage of numerous seeds in the herb-rich, semi-natural grassland.

Yesterday we walked the coast path from Musselwick to Little Haven. It was interesting to see choughs feeding in a couple of fields between St Brides and Borough Head, in places we're not used to seeing them. Noting Rays earlier comments about Painted Ladies, yesterday we must have seen 100's along the coast path with bumper numbers of several other butterfly species too - probably the largest numbers of butterflies we've seen in one day all summer.

The Gann

This evening at high water, 2 Sanderling, 12 Dunlin, 8 RPs inc juvs. 1 Common Gull, 2 Common Sands, 2 Greenshank. Early this morning at Trewarren Farm reservoir there were also 2 Common Sandpipers & 6 Little Grebes.

Painted Ladies

The forecasted influx of painted ladies has arrived. This morning we had at least ten on a single white buddliea in our Crundale garden and yesterday Jean counted at least thirty-five in the meadow adjoining the University in Lampeter - and that was just what could be seen directly in front of where she was sitting.

Marloes Mere

Green sandpiper at west end and 5 Snipe flying around. Nice to see a Water rail probing around out from Briton Hide. Little grebe with a well grown youngster in front of Britton Hide as well, being fed what looked like tiny newts. A young Shoveler mixing with c10 Teal. A Badger was rooting around by the Oriole Hide as the light went. Peregrine near Winterton Farm heading towards the Gann.

Little Milford Wednesday

Plenty of birds on a rising tide late yesterday afternoon and getting crammed together on the muddy bank of Hook Bight - about 50 Redshank, 6+ Greenshank, 4+ Dunlin, 30 Curlew, 250 Black-headed Gulls, 90 Canada Geese, 2 Stock Doves, 2 Little Egrets, plus a single Common Sandpiper and small numbers of other common residents. By contrast, the woods appeared almost deserted. There was one tiny rufous wader with the Dunlin, which I thought was a Little Stint, but too far away to be sure.

Elsewhere and earlier around the Cleddau were: Landshipping Quay - 30 Curlew, 8 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, single Common Sandpiper and a few gulls. Cleddau Reach - only one Curlew and a few gulls. Carew Tidal Mill - not a single wader, but there was one Mediterranean Gull amongst the  Black-Headed Gulls - perhaps the regular winter visitor?