We haven’t seen the variety of waders that have been passing
through the Gann but there has been a steady passage of whimbrels through the
upper Cleddau – there are usually a dozen or so birds each day resting or
feeding on the estuary shore near Landshipping Quay.
A single curlew was
present yesterday and we recorded another greenshank 2-3 days ago, having
assumed that we had seen the last of them for a while a week earlier. Three Little Egrets have also been putting in
an appearance recently – sporting nice plumes - perhaps they will be breeding somewhere
nearby soon?
On our way to a Haverfordwest supermarket a couple of days
ago, three swifts were feeding over the A40 near Canaston. We assumed them to
be part of the small Narberth breeding population.
House Martins remain quite
scarce at Landshipping but a local pair is busily nest-building – coming down
to the shore to collect damp mud.
In nearby woodland great spotted woodpeckers
are now taking slightly larger invertebrate prey items to feed their progeny – fledging
time probably isn’t too far off.
This
afternoon’s daily exercise routine was a cycle-ride over to Minwear and
Blackpool Mill. Wood warblers were still active as we passed by to the
Blackpool Mill end, where it seemed generally quiet although a local kingfisher
flashed by heading downstream to a likely nest site location.