Carew River and Castlemartin Coast 27th Jam

Some 1500 to 2000 lapwings on Carew River at HT roost at New Shipping Point; many clearly ready to migrate (males with resplendent head-dress and some uttering breeding display calls on the ground whilst huddled together in the roost. Other usual roosting birds at this location included a few hundred wigeon and teal, 18 shovelers, 15 grey plovers, c. 600 dunlin and rather more curlew than of late (c. 175). Numerous little egrets and herons displaying opposite in a field near their breeding site - bills blushing pinkish-red. Generally fewer shelduck than usual and almost no mallard at all.

Out on Castlemartin coast prob around 2,000 guillemots on the Elegug Stacks (but no razorbills anywhere to be seen) many calling/displaying and in full breeding plumage now. Not much else of significance other than a total absence of chough - checked out several territories and none were occupied. Meadow Pipit flocks building up (groups of 18-25 along the coast). Offshore a single red-throated diver.

Yesterday, before Annie and I made our sojourn to see the diver at Llys-y-fran - yes even we thought we ought to make an effort (and it is a nice and clearly very different-looking diver) - we did 2 TTVs around Llawhaden area. A heron carrying eels was interesting (wonder if it is already nesting and with young!) Apart from the incredible spring-like conditions (most birds singing/displaying) the other bird of note was red kite out of a tree near Bethesda soaring round and heading down towards Narberth direction. It was not tagged.

At Llys-y-fran apart from the other birds reported by others, we also noted a dipper on the inflow stream nr the footbridge - typical spot.

Surely crossbills have or are breeding - we have had no official confirmation of breeding in the last 5 years of the Pembs Breeding Birds Atlas so proof would be useful. I recall finding them nesting in late January/early February in Breconshire many years ago. By March it was too late. So broods being fed in Feb would still seem to be a good bet if they are having a good year. They should be displaying now anyway.