I had a full day out around the county - mostly woodlands and rounded off at Marloes Mere. Started at Minwear for the dawn chorus and what a superb start. Garden warblers seemed to be more numerous or vocal at least than Blackcap with a couple of showy birds. Tree pipits doing their parachute song flights are always great to see and hear. Trying to be heard among the commoner songsters were Marsh tit, nuthatch, Spotted flycatcher and Siskin. 2 Goshawk being chased by a couple of Carrion crows made the early start worthwhile. No Wood warbler unfortunately and only Redstart of the day was by Black Pool mill. Up to Pengelli next, where at least 3-4 Pied flycatcher were in good tune. Ty Rhyg added more Spotted flycatcher, crossbill and redpoll.
Finished off with a couple of hours at Marloes Mere. A couple of surprises. A male Bullfinch a scarce bird here. A Pale bellied Brent (it was in shadow but now looks darker in photo maybe the Gann bird) and a female Marsh harrier drifted through and continued eastward (from the video still it looks like its got a full crop, NB the first young Coot are starting to appear). 2 Lapwings noisily flying around the western field likely disturbed by a nearby fox was interesting. Whimbrel calling as well somewhere hidden. This was just the pick-up I needed after a rather depressing look around a scorched Brynberian at the weekend, no Whinchat or Grasshopper warbler on the area I would have expected them in previous years, though being positive there's still plenty of the moor to check. A cuckoo, a singing Tree pipit and plenty of Green hairstreak (on a crab apple I think) raised the spirits.