A very foggy morning in the Castlemartin Range, developed into a misty but warm and humid afternoon. There must have been good numbers of aerial insects about, judging by an influx of swifts. Their numbers were difficult to estimate because they were spread out, feeding over coastal and inland grassland areas between Linney Head and the B4319 Freshwater West road. However, there must have been at least 50 swifts skimming at high speed over the grassland. Most of these birds were probably non-breeders that tend to arrive later into the season than breeding adults.
A flock of around 20-30 starlings was feeding near Linney. None breed along the Castlemartin peninsula coast, so these will have come from elsewhere, perhaps from around the Milford Haven area where there is a small breeding population.
Over the years it has been interesting to note increasing numbers of pied wagtails breeding in the limestone sea-cliffs. Judging by the numbers of juvenile birds and family parties along the coast, it seems likely that they have had quite a productive breeding season this year.
However, a population of cliff-nesting house martins on Great Furzenip cliff could be down to no more than 3-4 pairs at most this year. In contrast, the nearby sand martin colony on the sand cliffs above Frainslake beach is probably still expanding. Approx. 50 nest-holes were noted today, at least half of which have probably been occupied this spring.