Hoopoe - no sign at St Davids airfield

No sign of the hoopoe this morning. Wheatear on and alongside the runway. Skylarks aplenty.

Male pintail, wigeon and shoveller on the open water.

Robert & Jenny Briggs

Hoopoe, St Davids airfield

 From Gethin Jenkins. 

Hoopoe spotted on St Davids airfield on the Fachelich end.

North Pembs

 1st 'hirundine day' at Llys y Fran - c.30 Sand Martin refuelling low over the water this afternoon, on the sheltered sides. Three Goldeneye still present. (Den Vaughan)

All three common hirundines feeding over the Teifi Marshes this evening, 2+Swallows, 2+ House Martins with c 35 Sand Martins. Chiffchaffs now in double figures and a few Willow Warblers too. 

Interesting - the female Gadwall, not a regular species on the Teifi is still present. Been present since early  January she seems to associate with the Teal, still c 30 present and has avoided the drake Mallards !

Skokholm

A Hoopoe, three Black Redstart, three Willow Warbler and a few other early migrants today.

Tenby - common migrants and Hoopoe still

A few common migrants around this morning in the strong northerlies. Trefloyne Pools held a nice flock of hirundines consisting of 2 House Martin, 5 Swallow and 11 Sand Martin, and a silent Willow Warbler zipped through. 

At least one Cetti's Warbler singing in the reedbed, 5 Teal and 2 Mute Swan on the pools.

A further 2 Sand Martin flew north off Tenby South Beach, Red-throated Diver offshore and 11 Oystercatcher on the beach.

The Hoopoe was still at Kiln Park this morning too. 

Castlemartin peninsula coast this morning

 

We visited the Castlemartin peninsula this morning. Choughs were present at most expected sites with nest-building noted at three locations. Ravens were present at three breeding locations, and young were probably being fed in the nest at one site. Small numbers of razorbills were noted at usual cliff-crevice nest sites but no guillemots were ashore today. 

Raptors included a female sparrowhawk, a red kite, two merlins in separate locations and an adult female kestrel in a likely breeding territory, but there were no obvious buzzards hunting near the coast today. 

This female merlin, one of two seen today, is likely to have overwintered. Both were seen in exactly the same locations during the winter. 

We saw no evidence of sand martins at their usual colony, but wheatears were back at a few regular cliff-top breeding locations. 

At least 2 pairs of ringed plovers were present at a usual spot, 36 oystercatchers, 5 curlews and 8 grey plovers were roosting in another area. 

This pair of ringed plovers, facing into the wind during a blizzard of fine sand particles, includes a ringed bird (right leg). It is probably one that has been resident here for at least 2-3 summers.

Small flocks of chaffinches were moving along the coast, and several probably recently returned linnets were visiting patches of gorse.  Meadow pipits were also probably moving through the area this morning, including a flock of about 50 feeding in cliff-top grassland. 

  

Haverfordwest

This afternoon, two House Martin and a Sand Martin along the river below the Bristol Trader. Also two pairs of Teal, and a Grey Wagtail. 

At Higgons Well, two pairs of Shelduck, 54 Teal, a Curlew, a nice flock of 36 Redshank with a single Dunlin, a Greenshank and two Redwing. 

House Martin record shot!

House Martins

 Two at the Deer park, around  5pm, circling in the lee of the cliffs below Renny slip.

First swallow, Tiers Cross

Still no Sand martin for me but a first swallow earlier on the drive through Tiers Cross.

Skokholm

 Two Willow Warblers amongst a small arrival today

Lydstep to Manorbier

Lydstep was quiet blown out in the strong easterly early morning. Little of note there except a steady trickle of Meadow Pipits moving east into wind (79 in about 45 mins) and 8 Chiffchaffs. 

Manorbier beach had 16 Turnstone and 11 Oystercatcher on the reef. Another 4 Chiffchaffs around the car park.

Finished up around Skrinkle. The highlight a male Black Redstart just west of the RAF range above Presipe beach. 

Oh and an immature Goshawk flew north over the road between Manorbier and Lydstep first thing.

Black Redstart 

Marloes Mere, Martin's Haven & The Gann

Following in Toby's footsteps somewhat, I had a lovely walk from Marloes Mere to Martin's Haven along the road and back via the coast path, and then a quick shufty at the Gann.

Migrant wise it was fairly quiet, I totalled 5 Blackcaps and 2 Chiffchaffs and failed to find any Wheatears, also no hirundines.  I did really enjoy the several pairs of Stonechats that were showing well in suitable habitat.  Marloes Mere held a good selection of ducks including a pair of Pintail, 6 Wigeon, and 5 Tufted Duck (on the irrigation reservoir).

The Gann was relatively devoid of birds, but I did follow a female Reed Bunting along the ridge, there was a Knot on the lagoon with a few Curlew, and the Wigeon upstream of the bridge numbered 80 or so.  The 5 Shelduck on the lagoon were engaging in some fun territorial behaviour: what a joy it is to have them back after their winter holidays.

South to South-west Travels

We like to go out for my birthday and this year, I thought it might be a good idea to visit a few sites and see as much as possible in one morning. So, starting at Castlemartin Course first thing, ~150 Teal, a pair of Pintail, a flock of 34 Golden Plover over, a Black-tailed Godwit, three Snipe, an adult male and two dark Marsh Harrier, a Red Kite, a Kestrel, three Chiffchaff and three singing Cetti's Warbler. 

Black-tailed Godwit showing nicely.

The male Marsh Harrier. The two dark birds were in the sky at the same time. 

Nice to see so many Skylarks, with a few more obliging birds. 

At Angle Bay from Kilpaison, fairly quiet, with 24 Brent Goose and a flock of 54 Common Gull. I searched fairly thoroughly for the Slavonian Grebes but was unsuccessful. 

All bar one of the Brent Geese were light-bellied. 

We then came around to the Gann, which held five Sheduck, a fairly large flock of 58 Wigeon upstream, three Greenshank, a Mediterranian Gull, thirty Common Gull, a Great Crested Grebe offshore, two Shag on the pool roosting with Cormorants, a Grey Heron, a Red Kite, and three Buzzard together.

Next stop Marloes Mere, where a male Blackcap was in the willows down the path to the (closed) Oriole Hide. Also ten Shovler, five Gadwall, 14 Wigeon. male and female Tufted Duck, a calling Water Rail, three Little Grebe and four Chiffchaff. 

Tufted Ducks.

Finally, we stopped in Martin's Haven, where offshore toward Skomer there were hundreds of auks, including Puffins, Razorbills, and Guillemots. Also seven Fulmar, eight Gannet, and a pair of Chough. Best of all, it was lovely to spend some time with three Wheatear, two males and a female, below Wooltack Point. 

This singing male Wheatear showed very nicely.

The female Wheatear.

One of the male Wheatears had a notably orange-ish breast. 

Manorbier

A couple of White Wagtails in ploughed fields around Manorbier this morning and a Firecrest in the valley behind the beach. 

Hoopoe still at Kiln Park, Tenby this evening but elusive. 

Skokholm

 The first Ring Ouzel of the year, two Black Redstart, a trickle of other migrants and a record Puffin count - details on the Skokholm Blog. 

Various sightings including Tenby's wintering Hoopoe

A quick catch up of sightings around various places on the south coast from a week or so if settling back in Pembrokeshire. 

Starting on 12th March, with a flurry of Chiffchaffs singing at the back of Tenby Marsh. Including a probable Siberian Chiffchaff (although that one didn't call or sing!)

Pembroke River from Pennar on the 16th produced 11 Greenshank and a Great Northern Diver offshore. Later at Angle, 2 Slavonian Grebes out in the bay. 

Amroth on the morning of the 17th: 7 Red-breasted Mergansers and 37 Red-throated Divers amongst still decent numbers of Common Scoters.

On 18th and 19th I managed to catch up with the  Hoopoe at Kiln Park in Tenby. A worn individual which has spent the 2024/25 winter in the wider Tenby area!

Around Manorbier recently small groups of Golden Plover still lingering in coastal fields, max of 101 on the 13th. A Barn Owl recently too. Couldn't find a Wheatear out there this evening but still at least 70 Golden Plover about and a Great Northern Diver was close in off the beach.

Short video of the Hoopoe from the 19th March.

 

Deer Park

Went for a quiet potter after work at the Deer Park. 

Saw my first Wheatear (male) of the year just off Renney Slip. 

Could see large number of auks rafting and flying in to the thousands off Middleholm and North Haven Skomer.

Was nice to also see a brief glimpse of a black redstart.

There were also a number of Chiffchaff in the willows at Rath Cottage.  

Black Redstart

Wheatear at Needle Rock

 3 wheatear (2 male 1 female ) feeding by Needle Rock near Fishguard . Plenty of chiffchaffs singing. One peacock butterfly . 

Black redstart, Deer Park

 Black Redstart at Deer Park this morning. Alan Merrett

Little egret, Teifi

Images from Michael Bates

Llys-y-Fran

This evening at Llys-y-Fran, at least two Goldeneye, six Great Crested Grebe, three Chiffchaff, and a hooting Tawny Owl. The only gull was a single Lesser Black-backed, perhaps corresponding with increased Skokholm gull numbers recently.

Westfield Pill, Neyland, Friday 14/3: talking of Ravens...

Came across a Raven on a nest under the A477  bridge over Westfield Pill. According to a local they have been nesting there for at least 10 years! 

Presseli hills

 Wheatear 2 male 1 female nice to see them back on their breeding grounds 

Raven 3 pairs 

Red kite 2

Buzzard 2

The Gann - WEBs (Saturday)

First visit for a while. Pick of the WEBs were 17 Pale-bellied brent plus a single D-B brent. The female eider was out in the bay, singles of GC grebe and GN diver. A knot was tucked in among the roosting Oystercatchers. A distant swan flew in from the west, presumably a Mute but dropped down towards Philbeach before I could get a clearer view. Greenfinch wheezing away (hearing them regularly in a few spots around Haverfordwest at the moment).

Castlemartin Corse

This morning I went down Castlemartin Corse with Richard and Rob to do our March WeBS Count.

Think we were all surprised by how much the water level has dropped. The outfall has been cleared at some point during this week which has resulted in significant drop of the water level. The disappointment of other visitors to the hide were clearly communicated!

Where has all the water gone! 

 

The upper part of the corse gave us 8 Herring Gull, 1 Lesser Black Back Gull, 1 Great Black Back Gull and 4 Curlew.  

We had 23 Snipe along our routes to the hide and on the way back Richard got a very brief glance of a woodcock.

The Whooper Swan is still present, now with 3 Mute Swans. A couple of Graylag geese did fly past as we were walking down from the upper section.

Around the hide the Marsh harrier (2CY) helped by lifting the teal so we did get a reasonable count of 100 for them. Otherwise, numbers felt low with 12 Shoveller, 4 Wigeon, 2 Moorhen, 1 Pintail and only 8 Mallard! We also had 3 Grey Heron and 5 Little Egret.

Thinking back not one Water Rail was heard by us today, though nice to hear 3 separate Cettis Warblers.

Raptor wise other than the 1 2CY Marsh Harrier, we had 2 Buzzard circling where expected at this time of year and a sparrowhawk circling around the field the snipe tend to be in.  

Richard clocked two Raven on the upper section on our walk down and Rob had a further two while walking up from the lower section. Rob also heard a chough and saw Wheatear and Skylark. 

I must take this opportunity to thank both Richard and Rob with all their help, guidance and experience helping me with the counts. 

2CY Marsh Harrier

In the afternoon I got a message from Richard Rees saying he had seen the female Merlin towards Starmans, 7 Little Egret flew over the hide and the male Pallid Harrier made an appearance for him (so it is still within Pembrokeshire at the moment). 

St Davids-St Nons to Porth Clais: Multiple Divers, botanical signs of spring, but bird free hedgerows!

A glorious sunny afternoon walk along the coast path nicely sheltered from the cold NE wind. 

Bird highlight was 11 Red-throated Divers (groups of 6 and 5), including 2 in breeding plumage. Looked stunning against the blue of the sea, the face, neck and underparts of the winter plumage birds gleaming white in the bright sun! 

Nice to see some plants beginning to flower including Scurvy grass, Thrift, Blackthorn, Red Campion, as well as the gorse.

Apart from the divers, a few Gannets over the sea, a Raven along the cliffs, 3 Stonechats and a few Meadow Pipits...

Otherwise the hedgerows and fields were pretty much bird free! 

 Gann 6th March

   I have just caught up with this months records. Ref photo by Dave A of a pipit at Musslewick on the 6th. I have experience of littoralis, which can make a variable plumage change in spring and Water Pipit, through my days birdwatching on the coast of Gwent. In my opinion this bird is a Water Pipit.

Greenfinches and other roosting species at Stackpole

Many years ago (back in the 1980s/90s) there used to be a regular winter greenfinch roost in cherry laurel in Lodge Park, Stackpole. The roost collapsed/disappeared from the area when the laurel was cut down and removed. 

Over the last several years we have been aware of greenfinches roosting again in the general area; not in Lodge Park, but in mature evergreen shrubs at the Court site. However, the roost has not been counted much as far as we know. 

Chris Orsman contacted us recently to say that he had observed 137 greenfinches preparing to roost at the Court site on 27^th February. Some birds were already at the roost and he considered that the total might have been as high as 150 or more.

We went there this evening and recorded between 80-90 greenfinches preparing to roost but, just as Chris had observed, some birds were already in the roost, and it is possible that 100+ greenfinches roosted there this evening.  It is interesting that greenfinches (now much less common than they were 30-40 years ago) are still roosting at Stackpole. Hopefully their breeding population is starting to increase again.

Some of the greenfinches this evening; most settled briefly in nearby trees before going to roost  

Other roosting birds noted this evening included c.20-30 Pied Wagtails that went to roost in the reedbed below the Court site, 50+ redwings roosted in trees at the head of the Eastern Arm (including a few at the greenfinch roost). 

An estimated 800-1,000 murmurating jackdaws eventually went to roost at a usual/regular site in lakeside woodland south of the 8 Arch Bridge. Two local herons heading off to feed at dusk were probably not very impressed, almost colliding with some of the jackdaws who also briefly went into a state of panic when the herons left the trees.

A small proportion of the jackdaw population preparing to roost

Nine cormorants stayed to roost in their usual tree. It was presumed that these birds (some sporting impressive breeding plumage) are not from the St Margaret’s colony.  A single female goosander also appeared to be preparing to roost on the lake below the Court site.

Newport estuary

Green winged teal male by the bridge 

Wigeon 50

Little egret 2

Mediterranean gull 2 adult 1 in summer plumage 

Arrivals and departures (almost)

Nevern estuary: lovely to hear 1 chiffchaff singing in trees near the iron bridge on Sunday 9th

And..

At the Dowrog yesterday (10/3) one Ringtail and one adult male Hen harrier came into roost, eventually! 

But not a sniff of the Pallid...

Skokholm

More Wheatears and Chiffchaffs arriving, along with a fine male Black Redstart. 

Skokholm

A few more early migrants today, most notably three Sand Martin which steamed north this evening; these were 13 days earlier than the 2013-2024 first bird mean, with two on the 8th in 2000 the only earlier birds seen from Skokholm. A minimum of six Chiffchaff was the highest daycount to have been logged this early in the year; two of these were carrying pollen horns indicative of having spent time in warmer climes. 

Ring-necked Duck

There has been a Drake Ring-necked Duck at Castlemartin Corse today. 

First seen by Richard Rees this morning who very kindly messaged me to let me know about it. Also seen by Rob Lewis this afternoon. Hopefully it will hold tight for WeBS next weekend!

Ring-necked Duck - Image by Richard Rees

Ring-necked Duck - Image by Richard Rees

Broad Haven Purps

From Robert & Jenny Briggs -  Having failed to find purple sandpipers at Whitesands this year we were pleased to see Toby Middlemist’s post yesterday.

It was worth our visit to Broad Haven this afternoon. 8 purple sandpipers on Emmet Rock at high tide.
Not the greatest photo via phone through telescope.

 

Pen Anglas - Llanwnda

A chiffchaff singing in willows, Ciliau Moor. Meadow pipits parachute displaying, Pen Anglas. Breeding plumaged cormorant with a lot of white on its head and neck, over the sea towards Dinas Head.

Higgons Well

A male and two female Goosander on the river this morning. Also, the first two Shelduck of the year here, 82 Teal, three Snipe, five Chiffchaff again, 14 Redwing, a Grey Wagtail, and six singing Reed Bunting.

Martinshaven/Deer Park

 Chiffchaff(s) in sallows in the valley, male Wheatear just over Deer Park wall - both first of year out here

Lunchtime update: 6++ Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, 2 Wheatear, a flock of 13 Chough.

And our first Adder of the year

Sawbills and other bits and pieces

Pair of courting red-breasted merganser at Llys-y-fran yesterday, presumably the same pair as this time last year. Is this just a stop off on their way elsewhere or are they intending to stay local? Very small gull roost barely 500 large gulls when I left, no small gulls. A male Goldeneye. 8 Great crested grebe, 2 pairs courting and another pair in a regular nesting spot. Chiffchaff, chiff-chaffing. 20 Redwing. Almost forgot to add there were 3 egrets among cattle along the A40 opposite Hwest golf course Saturday, first impression was at least one was a Little egret but driving at the time.

A goosander between the Trader and Priory ruins, Haverfordwest. Singing dipper by the county offices this morning. A flock of a dozen or more Greenfinch in the ash trees around the Parade. Blackcap singing.

Marloes mere in the week, male merlin and couple of pintail on a very full mere.

The Dowrog last weekend, just a single ringtail whilst scanning from near Penberi reservoir, a Barnacle goose on the reservoir.

Broad Haven

This afternoon at Broad Haven there were at least two Purple Sandpiper on Emmet Rock. Also a single Great Northern Diver offshore to the north, four Gannet and a pair of Chough. 

Two discreet Purple Sandpipers at Emmet Rock.

Castlemartin Corse

Two wheatears and a sand martin or two seen at the Fresh West end. Water level as high as ever, to the point where the young whooper could sail into the reeds and disappear. Two marsh harriers, both 2CY, 1 ♂ and 1 ♀.  Two Canadas and five shoveler in front of the hide, two greylags flew over,12 mallard, 20 teal. 

Hoof prints along the main E-W track a surprise, coming down from Gupton on the track nearest the hide and carrying on past Starmans to return up the actual bridleway. Two days maybe three. Given that the mud is still mid-welly deep in places and unavoidable, seems like perfect conditions for a horse to lose a shoe, or worse.

Night Heron

From Matt Sutton: Black-crowned night heron near Redberth this morning. (Photo availalbe but very poor quality)

Higgons Well

Great to hear several Chiffchaff singing, with five birds recorded in total. 

There were also 65 Teal, a reduction from the regular ~90, two Curlew, a Snipe, a Greenshank, seven Little Egret together on the marsh, five Redwing, a Grey Wagtail, and four singing Reed Bunting. 

There was also a Dipper below the County Council offices first thing. 

Gann

A look at the Gann from the Musselwick (St Ishmaels) side was quite productive lunchtime just after high tide.  The/a female Eider was on the foreshore.  The main action was with gulls, where lots of birds were in the local fields as preparations for the potato growing season were in full throw, particularly at Trewarren.  At one point a large number of birds dropped on to the water and I was able to count a minimum of 480 Common Gulls, the predominant species. At least 12 Mediterranean Gulls also present, 10 adults and 2 2CY.

At least 5 Rock Pipits along the Musselwick foreshore, one stood as out as being particularly pale with obviously pale legs.  Perhaps one from far away shores - littoralis perhaps?

Sightings 5th March

From Harry Grubb:

2 sand martins at Strumble head
A wheatear near Carreg Gwastad point, and also a fat white seal pup

Haverfordwest (Mostly)

A friend showed me a video of a Barn Owl along the Slade Lane bridlepath several months ago, and I've tried a couple of times to no avail, but Sunday evening I did flush two Snipe from the path. 

At Old Mill Grounds on Monday I was surprised to hear a Blackcap singing in a regular (breeding season) spot. I haven't seen any wintering here, so where has it come from? It was singing again on Tuesday. 

This evening at dush three Woodcock flew out of the rough scrub/woodland behind Bethany Church in Clarbeston Road. 

Nice to see a few Redwing hanging around Old Mill Grounds.

Milton chiffchaff

Chiffchaff singing in Milton Marsh this afternoon close to Milton Water Works.

Tenby Purps

 Purple Sandpipers have been rather few and far between in Tenby this winter so nice to see 12 of them roosting on the side of the old Lifeboat Station this morning. Also 8 Turnstones at the end of the ramp.

Skokholm

Our first Wheatear of the year today, a returning male. A very small number of Puffins have been offshore since the 1st, the Whimbrel last seen in December has seemingly overwintered, singles of Hen Harrier and Merlin are present and a Jack Snipe was flushed from South Pond yesterday. 

Kilpaison yesterday

 High tide at Kilpaison early Sunday - a Great Egret and 2 Cattle Egrets over the eastern end with the Cattle Egrets landing half way across the bay.  Up to 6 Buzzards displaying high in the sky but the marsh area was very quiet except for a couple of Cetti's singing away.

Out in the bay - couldn't see any ducks or divers on a flat calm sea.

Nolton Haven

From Ricket's Head, north of Nolton Haven this afternoon a fairly large number of divers, with around twenty Red-throated Diver and at least five Great Northern Diver. All the birds were north of Ricket's Head off the coast from Newgale. No Common Scoter at all. 

There were also a single Guillemot offshore, twelve Fulmar, eight Gannet, two Kestrel south of Nolton toward Druidstone, and two Chough. 

Most of the Fulmars were on the cliffs.

Dale Airfield

A lovely walk round Dale Airfield this morning. There were large numbers of Skylark, as well as quite a few Meadow Pipits and Linnets, as well as 4 Chough. On the stony field, there were about 30 Golden Plover. However, the highlight today was a male Merlin, which was initially not far from the gate at the end of the road up from Dale, and which I then watched for some time, as it perched on various fence posts and on a grassy bank.  

Castlemartin Corse

Approaching from the inland end the most noticeable thing was the birdsong including 3 chiffchaffs at intervals between the farm buildings and the pines. Plus blue tit, robin, blackbird, song thrush, reed bunting, skylark, long-tailed tit etc. and great spotted woodpecker and nuthatch at the church. At least 3 Cetti's. A lot of meadow pipits on the wet meadows. At least 40 snipe, 12 lapwing, 7 greylags, 20+ curlew, fewer ducks, 3 little egrets, one grey heron. A buzzard the only raptor on show. The young whooper was keeping company with a juv mute, three mutes at the other end of the open water flew over a couple of times, the whooper calling each time they did so. 

Two separate goshawks seen in recent days, one 2CY male and an adult, probably male.