Birds & others - Sat.

St. David's Hd.;-
Wendy went back to the Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary site & had them again, successfully taking photos.
Little in the way of birds except Redpoll.

Nr. Pwllchrochan;-
Bird ringing quiet as expected, but 46 moth species trapped, inc an Orange Footman.

Dowrog Common;-
Small Heath Butterfly, Broad-bodied & Four-spot Chasers. Large Red & Azure Damselflies.
Paul G., also no new birds to report.

I ventured away to find some scarcer species;-
Duke of Burgundy, Adonis Blue(3+), Brown Argus (10+), Dingy Skipper(5+) all at Roxborough Common nr. Stroud.

Variable Damselfly at Langorse Lake, & a Great White Egret at Beacon Resr. nr. Brecon.
We did miss out on Wood White & Pearl-Bordered Fritillary.
(Richard D., Clive J. & Bernie B.)

Pemb. U.M.Pond;-
Also quiet. (John H.)

P.S.

Thanks Kevin for the Dragonfly I.D.

Stonechat....... Again!

Having spent an hour relaxing in the Foxgloves this afternoon looking at this bird, comparing the guide book & Dave`s comments when I saw him on Wed evening, I`m still puzzled.
Try as I might I couldn`t see it`s "armpit" which is black in the Siberian race (grey in Europian)
nor could Isee the amount of white on it`s tail, however it did have quite a full white collar - & that small breast patch is very distinctive. Then there`s that sooty underside with the spots around the undertail coverts. It does appear to have some genetic cross, perhaps thats just what happened! Anyway, it`s a good way of spending an afternoon when everything else seems to be quiet.

Saturday 31st May

Maes Y Garn, Crymych. Seen around the house today: Sparrowhawk 1(seen this morning), house martin 3, Swift 1(only the second seen here in 16 months), cuckoo 1, willow warbler and chiffchaff and whitethroat calling. Butterflies: speckled wood, wall brown, small white and a possible green-veined white.

Derek, the dragonfly looks like a Broad-bodied chaser to me and Wendy, thank you for the info about the site for keeping a note of bird lists.

Marloes Stonechat

Managed to get a closer look, with better pics, also what are the short fat Dragonflies called, I managed a photo but it was too close!

No House Martins

No sign of House Martins on the usual houses at Kensington (nr St Brides) and on Marloes Post Office.

For the first breeding season since we have been here (since 2003) there is no Grasshopper Warbler singing in Winterton Marsh behind our house (there was a bird present for a week at the end of April but nothing now).

Taking up Bob's mention of Fulmar numbers being low, there are none at all at a spot east of St Brides where there are usually about 5 pairs - though they were there earlier in the year. On the Webcam at Lockley Lodge there seem to be far fewer Fulmars than usual on the long ledge at the top of the Wick.

And I haven't heard a Yellowhammer at all yet.

Funny old season.

Rosemary

Stackpole today

Checked the kestrel nest site, it has failed; a week ago female incubating 4 eggs, today female on fence away from nest which was empty. No sign of the male for a few days now.

Seabirds counted - the first round of several planned for next 3 weeks. Interesting that occupied fulmar sites were down by 40%, razorbill numbers also low and like fulmar totally absent from some sub-colony sections checked, though guillemot numbers were quite high for the time of year. A few puffins on the Head but evening is best time to see them. Herring and LBB gull numbers were about the same as last year - plenty of small chicks but lower/beach nests all washed out. Its early days though - final totals for auks and fulmars later in June.

Swift numbers in cliffs along Castlemartin coast seem to be quite high this year; numbers of cliff-nesting house martins also high - prob 200+ pairs along the Castlemartin coast. I can still only be sure of one green woodpecker (a male) but female is hopefully on a nest. Great spotted woodpeckers breeding well - at at least 3 sites, young in nests incredibly noisy.

Fewer wheatears nesting this year but first young have recently fledged.

Picton Point

Heard a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker calling this afternoon but
could not get visual contact

Stonechat - Marloes

Not the best of photos, make of it what what you wish!

Gann & Marloes Mere.

Yesterday,
The Gann;-
7 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Dunlin, Turnstone, 5 Whimbrel & 4 Sandwich Terns.
Marloes Mere;-
Hairy Dragonfly, Grasshopper Warbler singing, & Shovelers, 5 males, then a female with young.
(Paul G.)

This year both Gadwall & Shoveler confirmed breeders here.!

Martins Haven

Just got back from a short ringing session at Martins Haven where we caught Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats from 2007 and twelve Linnets going in to roost in the sallows. The evening seems to be by far the best time to watch the valley with quite a lot of movement around although its a pretty quiet time of the year with very few young birds around as yet. A male Kestrel went west then half an hour later NE carrying a vole/mouse - perhaps breeding on the cliffs north of Martins Haven???
Not much else around though - the usual Chough and Stonechats and loads of Linnets with a few Blackbirds and Whitethroats.

Northern Headlands

2 pairs of Stonechats have 2 young each although no sign of any with a third pair along the coast from Pen Anglas to Carregwastad.

Teifi

Back to the drizzly Teifi this evening after a rewarding, sunny trip around St Davids. This end of the county has nothing to compare with the rich, diverse habitat there - very envious of the St Davids birders!
Wader numbers down, 63 Dunlin, 40 Ringed Plover and 17 Sanderling.

St. David's Head.

Wendy & I set out to find Eastern migrants but failed;
But we did see;
Nr. St. David's Hd.;-
1 Dartford Warbler (m) carrying nesting material, a second (f or Juv.) nearby.
a Further Dartford warbler c. 200m away.
1 Redpoll flying East.

The highlight was 2 pristine Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary.
Also Small Heaths & Common Blues.

Trefeiddan;-
Cuckoo on the wires & Grasshopper Warbler.
St. David's Airfield;-
Also Cuckoo & Grasshopper Warbler.
A Treginnis pond;-
Four Spotted Chasers & Moorhen.
LLangoffan Fen;-
Brilliant Demoiselle & Garden Warbler.

Sedge Warblers & Whitethroats singing everywhere.

Marloes

Odd Stonechat still in the area - this morning it was in the field next to the cottage on the track to the beach, this afternoon it was back in the rough field where it was yesterday.

Blackpool Mill

Went down to Blackpool Mill late this afternoon. Watching a spotted
flycatcher, Canada geese with two youngsters and two young Grey Wagtails on the river, all of a sudden serious alarm calls fron blackbirds
and a sparrowhawk flies out of the woods with a young Blackbird in its Talons. Walking down the Leet and again Blackbird alarms and spotted
a young Tawny Owl being fed by one of its parents. 30 birds in a hour
better than watching the football!

Teifi this evening

Similar numbers of Ringed Plover, Dunlin and Sanderling to this morning.
As the rain finally stopped at 8pm they all became restless and were flying around the estuary in tight species flocks, calling. Looks like they might be gone by tomorrow.

Major Fall on East Coast

Have a look at Birdguides!

There is a major fall on the East Coast.
Some of these species must reach our headlands & islands.
Go out & have a look & tell us what you have found please.

You may also see that the Black-winged Stilts in Cheshire now have 2 young!
By late afternoon now 3 young seen.

Orkney Dunlin on Teifi etc..

Dunlin, colour-ringed bird on Teifi, ;-
Just received feedback from the ringer. The bird is an adult female, ringed as a breeding bird on the Orkney Island of Hoy!
Trapped as part of RAS (Adult Survival Programme) on 22/06/2006.
Present on the Teifi, Mon & Tues this week.

Teifi numbers just before HT today;-
27+ Sanderling, 146+ Ringed Plover, 122+ Dunlin.

Nevern Est.c.0800;-
9 Dunlin 5 Common Gulls, 2 BH Gulls.

Cuckoo

A Cuckoo just flew over our house in St Ishmaels, I thought I saw it a week or so ago, but never heard it calling, so may be a female. My first for West Wales - the last one I saw was at Colyton, East Devon, about 8 years ago!

Misc weekend highlights

Waders continue their northward migration - including several whimbrels, 12 sanderling 10 bar-tailed godwits, 5 dunlin (all in full summer-plumage) along the Castlemartin Range coast on Sat 24th May. White wags also passing through (prob up to 20+) on Friday and Saturday.

Checks of chough sites along the whole of south Pembs coast from Tenby to Fresh West revealed 25 pairs (21 on Castlemartin peninsula); at least 23 pairs are feeding young. Its pleasing to know that probably our oldest male chough (resident at Trewent Point) is now at least 16 years old (he was ringed as a full grown bird in winter 1992/93). He is still going strong and feeding young as well as chasing off the local ravens as usual; even for a male chough he is noticeably quite a large bird.

Ringed plovers have 2 chicks at Castlemartin, but over two days I could only see one adult looking after them, hopefully the other bird is on a second clutch and not dead.

Peregrines are having a dreadful season in south Pembs and at some other more northern coastal and quarry sites I have checked. Very few around with many sites/territories apparently unoccupied. This weekends weather will not have helped!

Concerning raptors, noted on the Atlas "bird of the day" page today that, unlike most of the rest of Wales we have not apparently recorded any goshawks in Pembrokeshire so far in the breeding season (see map below).

For my part I must say I haven't confirmed any yet in usual areas I see them, have they also had a bad spring? if you know of any, then please put them on the Atlas as roving records or via BirdTrack if you can.

Teifi again

Yet another visit to the Teifi this evening - numbers of small waders much the same as this morning (total count around 400) but also 2 Turnstone and 3 Sandwich Tern.

"Black" Stonechat

The odd looking bird a still present at Marloes, on the rough ground beside the footpath between the YHA & the cliff path. It has a small breast patch, undersides appear sooty, with a smattering of spots around the flanks/tail. small faint wing patch, almost like a european/ siberian cross.
6 House martins!
2 Painted ladies.

Waders in the North & West.

Teifi;-
First message from the Teifi today(1130) from Arfon W. read;-
200 Dunlin, 130 Ringed Plover, 55 Sanderling, & 2 Bar-tailed Godwits.

Numbers may have changed slightly by 1600 when we began drifting away (will return later -- Wendy.) some of the Sanderling appeared to have moved through, but Wendy did pick up a colour-ringed Dunlin. Very nice, to go with the colour-ringed Sanderling y'day!

Also 2 Whimbrel, c.10 Curlew, 1 pr. Shelduck with 8 young; also 39 adult Shelduck feeding on the sandbanks. A Cuckoo was also heard.

(Wendy, Arfon, & Richard D.)

Nevern Est. ;-
40 Dunlin, 33 Ringed Plover, 4 Sanderling.
(Sam. B.)

The Gann;-
29 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover & 2 Whimbrel.
Newgale;-
1 Dunlin
(Paul G.)

Waders

At Kilpaison, Angle Bay, this morning 14 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover and a Knot.

At Freshwater West early afternoon 12 Dunlin, 25 Sanderling, 6 Turnstones, 23 Oystercatchers and 7 Sandwich Terns.

More photos here

Not The Teifi News --

Strumble Hd.;-
Work commitments found me at Strumble by 0730 this morning, too wet to look in the bushes, & a seawatch produced the expected NE movement of seabirds up the coast, mainly manxies & Kittiwakes with some Fulmars, auks & Gannets moving too.

Black Guillemots, Fishguard Harbour;-
No sign again today, no birds have been seen for about a week, unless anyone knows different?

Nevern Est.;-
This am, c25 Dunlin, c25 Ringed Plover, feeding in amongst the boats. 1 Whimbrel on the dune-spit.

Sanderlings, Dunlin & Ringed Plovers.

Sanderlings on the North Coast hit records of 47 --Teifi, 20-- Nevern est., 8-- Fishguard y'day.

Other waders nos. peaked mid afternoon, with 167 Dunlin & c110 Ringed Plover on the Teifi.
60 Dunlin & 62 Ringed Plover on the Nevern Est.
2 Turnstone & 1 Bar-tailed Godwit in Fishguard.
All except c30 Ringed Plovers on the Teifi departed c1600 during an improvement in the weather.
Wendy, Jon, Sam, Adrian & I counting at various times .

Hybred Swallow Martin

While fetching the cows in yesterday evening i was watching the swallows swooping down catching insects there was one slightly different it looked like a small swallow with blue back and white underneath with a short dark tail with a faint dirty white rump i have spoken to a few people and i am convinced that it is a hybred between a house martin and a swallow richard and Janet came down the farm this afternoon but i dont think they saw it but it was windy i will look again tommorrow

Teifi -- Sanderling

Teifi;
Wendy has just given me details of a colour-ringed Sanderling now present, -- not earlier!
Could be very interesting!

Golden Oriole - Skomer

The Golden Oriole still present on Skomer today, for it's 4th? day.(Birdguides)

Nevern Est. -- Waders

Nevern Est. Newport;-
A midday-ish visit produced a good number of waders, but not that special one...yet!
20 Sanderling, 62 Ringed Plover, 60 Dunlin, 1 Whimbrel.

I ask anyone reading this to consider a visit to their local estuary or beach at or near high tide over the next couple of days, waders are pouring through at the moment, & not likely to stay very long.

Teifi....again & hybrid swallow??

Teifi, 1100;-
Another look, this time Sanderling up to 35, mainly together, some new plumages again from this mornings earlier visit. Also 2 Bar-tailed Godwits. Other waders as previous visit.

If anyone (other than Wendy & I) feel like visiting to see the waders & search for something special;(It is more likely that NASA will land a probe on Mars!)

The small waders were going to roost in front of the Wooden Boat Builders at the start of the railings: ie very close. c.280 waders to have a look at.

Paul M. has a presumed hybrid Swallow/House Martin at the dairy farm where he works nr. Abercych. Hoping to get some photos later.

Teifi -- am Waders

Teifi, from the railings;
A visit by Wendy & I at c.0800;

An increased count to 22 Sanderling, more in fuller sum.plumage today, showing the continuous movement of waders through the estuary.
Also 135 Dunlin, 110 Ringed Plover. Not much variety on this visit, apart from 6 Curlew.

Pembroke U.M.Pond;-
Last night 3 Black-tailed Godwits.
(John H.)

Teifi afternoon Waders

Teifi, all from the Railings;-
1430-1600, 10 Sanderling, 65 Ringed Plover, 85 Dunlin, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit.
Also 2 Sandwich Terns.
A visit at 2000, around the estuary found in addition, 1 Redshank, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew & 1 Little Egret.

On Rare bird Alert (best photo) or Birdguides;
There is a lovely photo of the Broad-billed Sandpiper with Dunlin mainly;
found nr. Spurn yesterday.
Shows what one will look like when you find one here!

Skomer -- Golden Oriole

Skomer;-
A "green " Golden Oriole was found on the island a couple of days ago, still present y'day.
Not looked for yet today.

Gann -- Waders

This morning at The Gann HT produced, 25 Ringed Plover, 15 Dunlin, 4 Whimbrel, 9 Curlew.

Nevern Est;-
A v. quick look from the bridge showed 2 Redshank present.

Wader movement on the Teifi

Saturday pm - the S.P Grey Plover was opposite St Dogmaels quay mid afternoon but mobile - it had gone by the evening. Also 54 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover and 4 Sanderling were feeding on the main sand bank but only 2 Dunlin by the evening with 1 more and a Sanderling on Poppit beach. But, 3 Redshank had flown in so it was worth another visit.
Sunday am - I counted 45 Dunlin, 50 Ringed Plover and 4 Sanderling widely spread out on the sand but when they flew the total number was at least 200.

Red Kite in Abercych

Sighting via e mail from Robert Wilson - I watched a Red Kite diving on a rookery this afternoon, intent on trying to pick off a chick. Needless to say the parent Rooks were less than impressed and drove the Kite away.

Marloes

Last night (Fri) a stroll around the area produced;
8 Canada geese on the sea,
1 Gannet, 1 Fulmar, 3 Chough, 1 Kestrel (male) 1 Swift, c50 Linnets in the fields around the car park.
otherwise very quiet.

Angle Bay etc..

Wader movement;-
A small summary of a "few " hours at Kilpaisson;
Fri. evening, 30 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Gt. Crested Grebes.

Before HT this am, most flew off at 0714!;-
70 Dunlin, 50 Ringed Plover, 1 Knot, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 8 Whimbrel. Also a Chough flew through in Milford..ish direction!
After HT late am;-
3 Sanderling, 65 Dunlin, 35 Ringed Plover, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits.

Ynyshir, not Pembs. I know, but of interest;-
Paul G. had 50 Sanderling with the Dunlin & Ringed Plover today!

Lapwings Breeding - Kilpaisson;-
Birds were watched with young this am, 3 well grown young, & 1 fem. with 1 just hatched.

Pembroke U.M.Pond;-
In the last few days, 1 Green Sandpiper, & 1 Whimbrel,-- a new bird for John H. on the Pond!

Teifi, ;-
Jon had a Grey Plover & the 2 Bar-tail Godwits today, on Fri. 1 Black-tailed Godwit when I looked with them!

Teifi estuary saturday morning

A fine summer plumaged Grey Plover otherwise just 2 Bar-tailed Godwits.

Grebes.

Last Monday the 19th May, a pair of Great Crested Grebes on the Cresswell River, east of

Lawrenny. Seen from the foreshore of West Williamston.

Martin's Mansions

Well actually its Shoe Surf Shops Narberth, home of a nesting colony of House Martins.

A check for busy bodies on May 10th revealed 9"active" nests. This morning, 11 days later, there were 17, almost double.

In passed years we have overlooked this opportunity to monitor this site. Had we done so we might have revealed some trends. Whatever, the High Street is pretty busy, and that's not just with bank holiday traffic!

Nordic Jackdaw

Hadn't seen it for a while, but early this morning, upon lobbing some stale bread into the garden, 15 or so Jackdaws quickly appeared and there he/she was - so presumably breeding close by!

Thanks to Paul for the loan of a pair of lighter bins than mine, Italy produced many Serins, several Honey Buzzards, Red-backed Shrike, Italian Sparrows, a Black Kite and the biggest surprise, a flock of 100+ Red Avadavats!!! A complete surprise to me, but have since looked it up:

http://www.zoneumidetoscane.it/accessibilita/files/bengalinoing.html

http://www.pbase.com/dophoto/image/87007921

South Pembs

Inspired by talk of Curlew Sands (see Richard's post below) I nipped down to Kilpaison, Angle Bay this morning..........................5 Oystercatcers and a G C Grebe.
Over at the Lodge things were buzzing..........17 Oystercatchers and 5 Mallards.
At St Govan's pretty quite too - a few Whitethroats, including one poser and a pair of Stonechats. Perhaps tomorrow for the Curlew Sand!
Sighting via e mail from John Morgan - Saw much the same birds as you at Canaston woods this morning, but also saw two pairs of spotted flycatchers collecting materials for a nest, one pair in the woods and the other near Blackpool mill.

North Pembs.

Nevern Est. last night 2000;-
5 Sanderling with 2 Dunlin on the dune-spit.

I see that in Devon last night a Curlew Sand. with Dunlin, so perhaps one is to be found yet.
Also 25th May last year, a Kentish Plover at The Patch on the Teifi.
Never a better time to look at the estuaries!!


Fishguard Harbour. Y'day;-
No sign of Black Guillemots, probably wind direction not helpful, rather than gone.
On the outer B/w no sign of any Purple Sands., but 2 Whimbrel.
Oystercatcher nesting, which I think is a first for the B/w.

gelly

2 grey lag geese feeding in a field near Gelly and a small weather movement of 10 swifts and about 50 swallows and house martins over at 5pm.

St. David's

No sign of the Rose -Coloured Starling since c.0800
Is it likely to appear in St. David's?. Locals are looking.

Strumble Head

This morning 4 Wheatears,3 Redpolls and a Cuckoo fairly quite.

Rose - Coloured Starling nr. St.David's

Porthselau;
Marion, not John this am has found a Rose - Coloured Starling in fields nr. the white bungalow at the start of the track to Porthselau beach.
From St.David's take the road to St. Justinian's. Park at Trefeiddan marsh & take the track on the right to Porthselau beach.

Teifi

Quiet on the Teifi as well. Just 12 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover and 1 Sanderling on the spit this evening.

North Pembs.

Not a great deal different in the North from Rich. C's posting below!

Nevern Est;-
This pm, 11 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover on the dune-spit.
This am, 1 Little Egret, in breeding plumage appeared y'day? from where?

This evening a visit to my BBS square, found pair of Redpoll in a young deciduous plantation, on the upper slopes of Dinas Mountain's coastal side.

South Pembs

High tide at Kilpaison, Angle Bay last night no waders, in fact zero birds in the bay!

Canaston Woods this morning plenty of bird song, particularly Wood Warblers, Blackcaps and Whitethroat. At Black Pool Mill a pair of Grey Wags feeding young, brief flybys by a Dipper and a very obliging Greater Spotted Woodpecker which came and sat on a branch over the river where I was waiting for the Dipper.

Carregwastad

I saw a Common Sandpiper fly east round the headland right under the rocks at 18:00.

Skomer -- Update

Skomer;-
Had a text from Jo; no sign of the Subalpine Warbler today.
Also 1 Firecrest on the island y'day.

Subalpine Warbler -- Skomer

Yesterday;-
A Subalpine Warbler was found near the accommodation yesterday late pm.

A lovely photo taken by Dave out of his toilet window!!
is posted on Surfbirds & RBA.

There are also no boats to Skomer this week due to Seabird counting.

Teifi;-
The sum. plumage Bar-tailed Godwit still opp. St. Dogmael's Quay today, 1200.

Teifi Bar-tailed Godwit

The Bar-tailed Godwit in summer plumage was opposite St Dogmaels quay this evening, roosting with 3 Whimbrel and 9 Curlew. They were totally oblivious to a rabbit running around them but did fly off when a fox appeared.
Only 20 Dunlin today.

gelly

2 greylag geese flew west over Gelly this morning and there was 2 Juvenile ravens flying around this afternoon.

2007 Pembs Bird Report

The 2007 Pembs Bird Report is now complete and will be at the printers by the end of the week. Hopefully it will be available on sale during the 1st week of June.

pdf versions will also be available.

Many thanks to all those who helped, submitted records and articles.

jon

Waders

08:30 this morning at Kilpaison there were c.100 Dunlin, 42 Oystercatchers, 1 Barwit and 3 Curlew.

Mid morning at Freshwater West 4 Dunlin and 17 Sanderling, many in wonderful summer plumage. Click photo for larger image. More photos here.

Black Duck, Teifi & NE

Black Duck;-
The female showing at Marloes Mere this am, from the green hide.(Lyndon L.)

Teifi, 0700;-
2 Sanderling, 16 Dunlin on Poppit Sands. 3 Whimbrel at The Webley.

Sand Quarries;-
Janet & I have been to 1 of the 2 sand quarries in the NE, Sand Martins entering holes but to early to estimate the breeding population. Little else there.

Hoopoe;-
A look around the area where it has been reported, no sign today.

Nevern Estuary

I saw a Whimbrel from the iron bridge at 16:00 and 20 Dunlin behind the dunes at 16:30 on the way back from Moylegrove.

Teifi waders

With the estuary getting busier, the waders were elusive at high tide this evening. It turned out to be well worth eventually locating them (opposite St Dogs "gull" viewpoint) as there was a full summer plumage Bar- tailed Godwit. Also 3 other Barwits, c100 Dunlin, 2 Sanderling, 6 Whimbrel and 20 Curlew.
re Kevin J' s recording query, have a look this listing site which is free to use
www.bubo.org/listing

Bird record software

I still have all my bird records in notebooks going back 25+ years and want to transfer them onto my computer. Does anyone use or can recommend a bird record database program for keeping tabs on bird sightings/locality info etc? I have seen one called 'Bird Watchers Tick List' available for £14.99 which would appear to do the job, does anyone use it? Comments welcomed.

Hoopoe -- nr. Moylegrove

Hoopoe;-
The Hoopoe was seen & photo'd again this mid. afternoon on a track between Moylegrove & St. Dogmael's. I will try see if we can pin it down tomorrow. Several of us have failed to find it today !!

Garganey & Angle Bay

Marloes Mere;-
The drake Garganey showing this am from the new hide.
Also Reed warbler singing & showing.
(Paul G.)

Angle Bay;-
Just after this am high tide, c200 Dunlin, 2 Sanderling, 4 Whimbrel, 7 Ringed Plover, 58 Oystercatcher.
1 Great Crested Grebe in the bay, in full sum. plum.

Pembroke U.Mill Pond;-
3 Black-tail Godwits this pm.

Sunday, 18th May 2008

Hoopoe, no sign of it up to 09.15 this morning. Red Kite, three seen circling above Crugiau Dwy near the television mast and one seen over Frenni Fach, Crymych. Tawny owl seen outside the house at Maes y Garn last night at 11.45pm.

House Martins

A fairly good passage of House Martins at Strumble Head 60+ moving north within an hour,a very exhausted looking Spotted Flycatcher by the lighthouse other than that very quite.
It looks like a pair of Canada Geese are nesting on the island next to the lighthouse.

Teifi High Tide & Hoopoe

Hoopoe;-
The presumed same Hoopoe was seen at midday today nr. the Cemetery on the road between Moylgrove & St. Dogmaels.(SN130460) ish.
(per. Jon.G.)

Teifi;-
Railings, 72 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover;
4 Whimbrel & 1 Bar-tail Godwit flew off high.
2 Whimbrel at the Webley.
(Wendy J. & Richard D.)

St. David's Head. & Black Guillemot

St. David's Hd.;-
This am Mike Y.P. had 3 Cuckoos, 2 Spotted Flycatchers.

No sign of the Night Heron y'day am. or pm.
or this early am.

Fishguard Harbour;-
Midday today 1 Black Guillemot was having a good "wash & brush-up"!
Where had it been? No sign of the other.
Behind HMS Brooklesey, which was in being refuelled.

Nevern Est -- Evening high tide - Ruff.

Just a brief line before going for the Teifi high tide,
1 Ruff, 1 Dunlin, 4 Whimbrel on the Nevern Est. The Ruff & Dunlin from the iron bridge, have disappeared , may appear as tide retreats?
(Sam B. & Richard D.)

Nevern & Teifi Est's this am high tide

Nevern Est;-
16 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Common Gulls, 1 Whimbrel. Also Sedge Warbler singing.

Teifi Est;-
2 Sandwich Terns, 7 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Sanderling, 1 Redshank, 4 Bar-tail Godwits, 12 Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin.
Teifi marshes;-
Having done some Warbler surveying on the Marshes last year, there does appear to be a definite increase in Reed & Sedge Warbler nos. this year. Only 1 Cetti's singing this am though.

Migrants on the Castlemartin peninsula

Today at Stackpole a small passage of yellow wagtails noted this morning, at least 12 individuals flew over during a 2 hr period. One seen briefly on the dune grassland was a male of the thunbergi race.

Five turtle doves noted between Stackpole Head and St Govan's Head - on tracks and road. A single quail was also calling in a field near St Govan's Head.

During the evening a flock of c. 50 swifts was feeding with c. 30 swallows and 30-50 house martins. They may have been migrants but probably all were from coastal/cliff-nest sites along the Range.

Hoopoe & Cosmopolitan

As mentioned below, Peter's Hoopoe at Ceibwr y'day.

Could not be re-located today.

Peter also trapped a Cosmopolitan moth. A scarce immigrant. 5th County record. Previous 2 Skomer, Skokholm, & Freshwater West.

"Funny" Stonechat

Usual Friday after work stroll at Marloes, I saw a dark, almost black Stonechat (male) in the "rough" field behind the YHA on the cliff top. The description by Steve Sutcliffe given on the 21/4/07 seems to fit quite well.
And yes, 1 House martin! my 4th this year, a grand total of 51 (ish) so far!

April Round-Up

Lyndon's monthly round-up for April is now on line. Please see link to right.

Hoopoe - Ceibwr Bay

Yesterday;-
A Hoopoe photographed near the house, to the North of Ceibwr Bay.(per Melvin Grey)
Hasn't been looked for today....yet!
Update;-
Janet & I have been to see Peter, the observer, but no suprise, no sign of a Hoopoe, weather poor too.

Ramsey Island

No sign of Subalpine Warbler in First hour of looking.(Greg)
Weather is poor here, so presumably not much better on the island.

House martins

Richard - thanks for your update on the above, it now appears the last month`s total is a very respectable 50, (give or take a few) but with so many more interesting birds turning up, errant House martins are going on to the back burner!

Subalpine Warbler -- Tomorrow?

This site will have news from Greg on Ramsey as soon as the bird is located in the morning.
Greg will have a look for it first thing.

First boat is 1000, remember landing tickets to be obtained from 1000 Islands in St. David's prior to going to St. Justinian's for the boat.

Night Heron -- Sealyham

Mike-Young Powell & Mollie(his dog)

found an adult Night Heron this evening

on a pond at their property.

If the bird is still present at the weekend

access will be arranged.

Subalpine warbler

News just now of a Subalpine warbler on Ramsey Island If anyone intends to visit the Island bookings and landing info can be organised/obtained from Thousand islands Wildlife Expeditions on 01437 721721. On landing on the Island please contact Greg or Lisa to visit the birds location

Easterly migrants continue!

A report via Clive Hurford, of a Hobby and an Osprey over Freshwater West a few days ago (no doubt Clive will send in the records and the actual date). Yesterday at Fresh West he recorded a fine summer plum Black Tern. Good numbers of sandwich terns were still feeding off Whitesands last evening when I made a trip up onto St David's Head.

Now for an intriguing bit of detective work - not exactly waking the dead sadly! On approx Wedns 7th May, George and Sarah Davies from nr Haverfordwest noted an unusual bird in their small reedbed/pool outside their farmhouse. It flew up and perched in the trees. They did not know what it was and at first assumed that it must be some kind of snipe. However, a few days later they found it dead. Having picked up the corpse George searched the Internet for bird images and concluded that it was a Little Bittern!

They froze the corpse and eventually contacted Nathan Walton of the Wildlife Trust for advice/confirmation. He passed their contact details to me earlier today and I went to see them and the frozen corpse on my way home. Absolutely no doubt about it - a definite Little bittern in full breeding plumage. It had been seen around the pond for a few days but somehow was predated. They suspect possibly by a dog that regularly goes into the reedbed to flush out rabbits. They were happy for me to put the details of the record on the Blog.

Just goes to show, that a nice but not especially large valley pool like this (with breeding moorhen and visiting breeding kingfishers from the nearby stream - attracted by sticklebacks etc) can attract such an unexpected visitor. How many other little bitterns have slipped under the radar at such out of the way sites?

Thank-you Sarah and George for taking the time and effort to identify it and for bringing it to our attention. I still have the corpse if anyone would like to see it. It will be kept initially at Stackpole - it might not make a brilliant Museum specimen but we shall see.

Fishguard Outer Breakwater

A real treat, no replies regarding Purple Sand's on the islands;

So a new count today of 11!!

They obviously are moving through the

harbour.

Why bother in cold February when 11

in Mid-May.(AdrianR.)

Also Turnstone & Wheatear.

Fishguard Bird Group,-- Steve's photo's.

Heathfield & Fishguard Harbour

Heathfield GP, this early pm;-
Derek some birds for you,....
As the light rain eased , 35 House Martins, 4 Swifts, c10 Swallows, 6 Sand Martins all present over the water. Also 2 Garden Warblers singing.

Fishguard Harbour;
After the dizziness of St. David's, back to Fishguard.2 Black Guillemots below the crane.

This year the Ravens are on the cliffs, and Carrion
Crows have taken over.
The crane is operative, with neither species minding
the movement!

Fishguard Bird Group,- Steve's photo's,( my editing of them, Sorry.)

Woodchat Shrike

Many thanks to David Ramsey for finding and passing on details of this significant sighting to our County Bird recorder - I hope he reads this Blog. A few of us that made it to the site were rewarded with distant but stiil good views of a really brilliant bird.

Sadly it does seem the bird has now gone on it's way

Treginnis

No sign of Woodchat Shrike this am,
Lyndon & I looked for the bird & spoke with the key landowners, everything fine.

Fishguard harbour;-
Last night & this am 1 pr of Shelduck for your Fishguard list.

Marloes mere at sunset

1 pr Tufted duck
52 Canada geese on the mere & adjacent field

Teifi

This evening from the railings, a Greylag goose for a change, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Ringed Plover and 17 Dunlin.
From the spit, 3 Whimbrel and 1 Sanderling out on the sand bar.

Woodchat Shrike -- 1700 update.

Woodchat Shrike;-

See below for access/ parking.

The bird was last seen at 1100 this am. It has been looked for since & when Adrian, Paul & I left, It was still being looked for, by Lyndon, Stuart & Nathan. At the site it is suprisingly windy this pm, so the bird may be sheltering somewhere. It sounds as if the bird will be looked for this evening & again in the morning.

At the holiday cottage close by, the guests came to see the shrike, very happy, especially a Canadian birder on holiday here! Obviously the Woodchat Shrike a new bird(she did say that they hadn't seen the bird before this week).
In the ensuing conversation she described how she was doing 2 10km squares for the Province of Ontario Bird Atlas with no less than 13000 other "square bashers!!
Bob any ideas?!!

Woodchat Shrike

Treginnis Farm, St.David's;-
The Woodchat Shrike was watched from 0700 until 0900 this am. When observers left.
The bird will be looked for again this pm.
The only place to park if visiting the area is the Car Park at Porthclais.
Walk from the car park towards St. Justinian's, then take the left turn signposted Treginnis.
Follow this track through the two farms, whilst in the second farm complex cross a stile to the south, where the irrigation resr. can be seen. The bird was favouring the gorse to the left of the resr.
(SM723236) is the grid ref. for the resr.

Tuesday 13th May evening

Maes Y Garn, Crymych
Red Kite 2 flying around the fields, a pair of bullfinches, single goldcrest and a male kestrel

Woodchat Shrike

A male Woodchat Shrike was seen today near St David's,it has been seen again this evening by a local St David's birder and will be looked for again early tomorrow morning.If the bird is relocated more details will be posted on the blog.

Teifi this evening

From the railings - 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit and 2 Sandwich Tern.
On the sea side of the spit - 4 Whimbrel and 4 more Bar-tailed Godwit (one was a smaller bird with asymetrical white patches in the wings).
7 Sandwich Tern feeding in the tidal race over the bar.
Richard D. and Wendy J.

Fishguard Harbour pm

Fishguard Harbour this pm;-
c1430 1 Black Guillemot, Stena Side, feeding off the end of the Inner Breakwater.
4 Sandwich Terns feeding & calling away off The Flagpoles.
From the land adjacent to the moor, 2 Reed Warblers singing & showing well, also adult & juv. Stonchats.

Teifi this am

Teifi;-
2 Black-tailed Godwits from the Railings, 4 Whimbrel & 1 Curlew on Poppit Sands, 6 Ringed Plover & 1 Dunlin on the patch, then flew to estuary mud to feed.
Nevern est;-
1 Whimbrel from the bridge.(Karen)

Fishguard Harbour

No sign of any Black Guillemots this early pm.

Outer Breakwater;-
5 Purple Sandpipers , 1 appeared almost full sum.plum.! Looked different.! Worthy of a photo!
The others either wint.plum or 1st sum.
Do adults summer on the islands or just 1st summer birds ? Does anyone know?

Teifi

This evening from the railings - 14 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Sandwich Tern, 5 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plover.
On the sea side of the spit - another 10 Godwits with 5 Whimbrel.

A quiet N.Pembs ?

A look at both the Teifi & Nevern estuaries this am produced little other than 3 Whimbrel at the later.
A walk up to Foel Drygarn & across to Carnmenyn(Eastern Preseli summits) early this am produced plenty of Wheatears some singing, M. Pipits, & an abundance of Skylarks being the main species, also Red Kite (untagged), & Redstart singing being the more interesting records.

House Martins;- nest building noted in Crymych as I drove through, & 12 together nr, the Boat Club at Newport collecting mud.

Angle Bay y'day am , 2 Dunlin, 6 Whimbrel, c40 Oystercatchers.
Ringing took place at Martin's Haven on Sat. evening & Sun. am, also at the Bungalow nr. Pwllchrochan on Sunday, all sessions quiet.
A quick visit to Heathfield GP y'day, showed that to be quiet, Reed Bunting & Garden Warbler though.
In Fishguard Harbour the 2 Black Guillemots were showing well in the afternoon.(Adrian R.)

St Govans migrants

Along the cliffs from St Govan's to Stack rocks, c20 Wheatear well spread out so presumably on territory. None seemed to have Greenland features.
20 Swift over Trevallen Downs behind the head (that looked a good spot to find a rarity but no luck) and 12 House Martins.
3 Sanderling on Flimston beach until chased off by gulls.

11th May

In Fishguard Harbour early this morning 2 Little Egrets on the shoreline,a few miles away at a coastal location a male Dartford Warbler carrying nest material.
This afternoon at Ty Rhyg a Cuckoo,Redpoll several Siskins and Tree Pipit,finally at Rosebush Reservoir 3 Great Crested Grebe again several Siskins and a Red Kite near by.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was drumming in the grounds of Picton Castle today. Also a pair of Greylags on a pond there and several Spotted Flycatchers newly arrived.

A dawn visit to Marloes yesterday produced 5 Tufted Duck, the drake Garganey, 7 Shoveler and 2 Gadwall with several recently hatched ducklings. Plenty of Canada Goose goslings too but no sign of the Black Duck. Hardly any migrants at Martins Haven. On the Gann were 4 Common Sands, a Grey plover, 9 Dunlin, 7 Ringed Plover, a Curlew and 4 Whimbrel but most of the waders were disturbed by 8.30 with many apparently leaving. As Dave says it really would be great to have a wetland bird reserve in Pembs.

Frainslake and Bluckspool areas

Waders on passage on Frainslake and Bluckspool beaches included 19 Dunlin, 7 sanderling (in summer plumage), 9 curlew, several whimbrel (NB Steve and Anne Coker recorded a flock of 60 whimbrel on Brownslade dunes over the Bank Holiday weekend - this is quite a typical flock size for here in early May); 6 ringed plover (plus a pair breeding on cliff-top near Wind Bay - on eggs), 1 bar-tailed godwit (still in winter plumage).

Elsewhere tree pipit displaying north of Cresswell Quay (first one we've seen here for a couple of years at least); spotted flycs displaying nearby. Stock Doves are possibly breeding at Stackpole this year - first record for at least 10 years.

The Quest.....

Yes, still searching, everything white & gull sized gets double checked - sometimes the thought of a Red rumped swallow can be a distraction, but one must stay focused! (see Monty Python`s "Search for the holy grail")
However today produced nothing exciting, other than a femail Kestrel at the Old Hakin road/Dale road junction, 2 Red leg Partridges on the the Dale road at St Ishmaels.
Still no House martins - becoming as scarce as you know what!

N. Pembs today

Goodwick Moor;
Nr. the reserve, a Kingfisher twice observed carrying fish.
Reed Warbler singing on the Reserve.
(Adrian R.)

Farmland Nr. Goodwick;-
Renate T's BBS square is generally marshy/damp pasture, high nos. of Willow Warblers singing, also Sedge Warblers singing- some of the large fall must have stayed on & Grasshopper Warbler, the highlights of the survey today, in the mist!

Teifi Est;-
St. Dogmael's, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits; in the estuary 4 Sandwich Terns sitting on bouys.
At The Patch, 1 f. Wheatear, 3 Ringed Plover, 25 Dunlin, & 1 Whimbrel.

Nevern Est;-
Very quiet on 2 visits today.

Carn Ingli;-
A pretty good search this evening, particularly for Whinchat, drew a blank.
The burning earlier this Spring has left little for chats, Whitethroats etc this year.

Saturday 10th May

Crymych 10.45, 7 swifts over the village. Maes y Garn, a single Red Kite seen again today, a single sparrowhawk and a spotted flycatcher seen this evening.

Yet again, Dave bangs on about Cattle Egrets...

Right, enough is enough. There is now a Cattle Egret in Carmarthenshire at Penclacwydd WWT, as well as one still in Ceredigion. And a flock of 23 flew over West Cornwall the other day! Come on people - there just HAS to be one (or a flock!) somewhere in our beautiful County!!!

Waders in the North

Nevern Est, 1830;-
c30 Dunlin,(inc. the large, unmoulted bird), & 13 Ringed Plover.

Teifi Est,1930;-
Fewer waders than Wendy had at midday, c10+ Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover. From the railings, the 3 usual Bar-tail Godwits, plus 1 new s.p. Bar-tail, & 1 s.p. Black-tailed Godwit, very nice!
3 Whimbrel, & 5 Curlew seen around the estuary.

Marloes mere

Garganey drake still present this evening.
20 Choughs above Gateholm - guiding a Buzzard out of their area.

Waders

Interesting looking Dunlin - very scabby worn winter plumage! I'm sure everyone is, but scan the small wader flocks very carefully as we must be in line for one good wader - Gwent Levels had a Broad-billed Sandpiper day before yesterday with 50 Dunlin, as well as a Temminck's Stint and a Black-winged Stilt. Can we not get our heads together (Bird Group, birders, Wildlife Trust, RSPB, CCW and County Council) to create a wetland of equal status??? Been discussed in passing before I know, but surely Newgale or Kilpaison are ripe, with just a bit of cash and some elbow grease.....

Newport

Nevern Est;-
This high-tide, 1100, on the dune spit, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew, 50 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, & 5 Sanderling.
At c1800 last night, c30 Dunlin from the Boat Club, including a large, very worn Dunlin, not started to moult yet which caused an amount of interest for Sam, Adrian & I. Presumed a different race bird to the others present?
Photo's if anyone interested.

Teifi

This morning from the railings, 43 Dunlin and an immature Turnstone unlike those that spent the winter here. Also 3 Barwits.
Later on the high tide roost on the spit with the Dunlin, 16 Ringed Plover and 2 Sanderling.

Grey Herons at Westfield Pill

Firstly, my thanks to Lyndon for breaking JB&Ms six-in-a-row sequence!!!!

Seriously, had a short walk at Westfield Pill and was pleased to find a Grey Heron nest with 3 nearly full grown youngsters in! A parent dropped in and there was much noise and fuss during feeding, and the left them to it. They are about 100, upstream of the weir, on the E bank. A delight.

Out of Pembrokeshire

Not to be out done this year I also have been out of Pembrokeshire, I have been to Cardiganshire

Waundwrgi Farm today.

Waundwrgi Farm is an area of 98 acres. It has been our "patch" for the past five years. Of note today..... Willow Warblers appear to have moved into areas where they have previously been absent. A minimum of 5 Garden Warblers were singing. Tit species seem to have an extended breeding season this year. A check of the nest boxes show that while laying is still in progress in some boxes, broods are being fed in others. This has not been the case in other years.(The Willow Tits are feeding their young, the first time we have observed this, anywhere). Song Thrush territories are on the increase; we counted 5 today.

Note: During 5 years of collecting records for the 2003 - 2007 Pembs Atlas we found no evidence of breeding Song Thrush west of St Davids. Yesterday we observed one in the Bocca Valley, and close to Pencarnan there are a breeding pair.

Visible migration from Pencarnan.

Not unexpectedly, spring migration as observed from The Deck is rapidly dropping off. In fact , it might be more accurate to say that following Bank Holiday Monday, a curtain was brought down across the headland.

Our records show on the 2nd the last of the Sandwhich Terns (4) passed through Whitesands Bay. There was a good passage of Sand Martins between the 31st March to 4th May (double figures most days). None were recorded after 4th May. House Martins peaked on the 5th behind the clearance of sea fog, a hundred or more that day. The last of the White Wagtails (7) went through on the 4th. Swallows are down to dawn to dusk trickle. Whimblel have been recorded daily since 23rd April. There was a flock of 9 opposite the caravan yesterday, 7th. And likewise, Wheatear, they can always be found around the headland.

Two calls, one bird.

St Davids Head, Bocca Valley, 7th May. A Cuckoo called frequently and loudly from within some withies, close to us. A split second later its echo rebounded off the cliffs of Carn Llidi. It was enough to excite a female who bubbled her response and was immediately seen off by a pair of Meadow Pipits.

Listing brings disappointment

On Bank Holiday Monday a Ringtail soared high above Pencarnan Caravan Park. We couldn't quite get enough on it. It's hand was narrower than the arm, and it's tail was proportionately long for a Hen Harrier. If we'd claimed a Monty's, Jon Green would have demanded a full description, but at 600` it was asking too much. So we binned it, which was a great pity. It would have been a mega for the Deck List!

P.S. Earlier the same morning, when in company with Jonathon Bennett and Byron, and walking up the Bocca Valley in dense sea fog, a Ringtail appeared briefly before us, but alas, also went unidentified. The same bird?

The lists grow!

On Sunday 4th we looked in on Dick's Field (you will recall it was the scene of last month's appearance of The Bunting, The Lark) and we found a very summery looking Dunlin together with 2 Ringed Plover feeding amongst newly sown shoots of cereals, peas and grass. (it was a three crop sowing).

So guess what? We've started a new list!.....Dicks List. Not counting the Richards Pipit of yesteryear, the number of species for this year stands at 19. To qualify, the bird must be seen feeding on the ground. Go on, say it.

Chattering moustache

There's one outside of our caravan, in and above the hedgerow (sometimes several metres). Its got a mate and when she appears the moustache fluffs out at a ridiculous angle. What she sees in it we can't imagine but she seems to have chosen one of its nesting attempts. So, hopefully, we'll see a brood of Whitethroats popping out of the hedgerow before the end of this month.

Teifi & Newport-- am

Teifi;-
No real change to the species Wendy saw last night, 1 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits 6+ whimbrel, 4+Curlew. A Sparrowhawk came & had a go at the waders, missed, but then was chased by a screaming Oystercatcher!
Cetti's singing on the way to Heron Hide; talking to Jon G. last night, he managed to have 5 Cetti's singing on the Marshes the other day.

Nevern Est;-
Slightly better, 9 Dunlin, 9 Ringed Plover, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 5 Whimbrel.

House Martins;-
Collecting mud at Jewsons & St. Dogmael's, so nest building on the Teifi like usual.
At Newport building new nests on a house near the Boat Club.

Crymych

Sightings via e mail from Kevin Johns:-
Maes y Garn, Crymych - Red Kite 2, both without tags. 6 swallows exploring our barns (bred here last year), 3 male Redstarts, 1 willow warbler collecting nesting material, single cuckoo calling all day. Single male linnet displaying.
Pen-y Bryn - 3 swifts circling above the A478.

St. Ann's Head & The Gann

A decent number of House Martins at St. Ann's around the first row of houses before the lighthouse, Swallows too but not a sniff of any of the 5 Red-rumped Swallows that were at Portland today! The Spotted Flycatcher still in secret valley, plus a singing Garden Warbler.

I was at the Gann later than Paul, and had 21 Dunlin, 9 Ringed Plover & 4 Whimbrel - so there's turnover even in the space of a few hours! Agree with everyone else that given the weather and birds turning up elsewhere it's clear that persistence will pay off for someone soon (I sincerely hope that St. Govan's & Angle Bay are getting a good grilling!!).

Good weather is bringing in some migrants

Over the Bank Holiday, noticeable increases in whitethroats and sedge warblers in several places. Good numbers of spotted flycs noted - at Stackpole, Angle, and on Pembs/Carms border north of Narberth. However still no house martins or swallows back at home area (Martletwy). Swifts screaming over H'west middle of last week and back in a few other places now. Several raven nests have fledged young now too. Guillemots appear very reluctant to settle in their colonies at Stackpole and Elegug Stacks - perhaps they are also having a late season (the next few weeks should reveal all).

Kestrels have settled at Stackpole (on eggs) and Paddy note that I recorded a barn owl in one of your Llangloffan boxes but did see a male kestrel fly over the other box - so there is hope!

Late last week the male goosander was still around at Bosherston but has not been seen this week so far. Today Richard Ellis recorded a Hobby over the NT/CCW offices at Stackpole - heading towards Pembroke direction at lunch time. Highly likely that with this current weather pattern there will be others seen, red-footed falcons too?

House martins

Looking at the postings over the last few days / weeks, there has to be more than a dozen House martins in the county. I`ve only seen 2 in the past month - now we`re into the first week in May! Swallows, Sandmartins, in good numbers, now Swifts over our house, are they usualy here by now or am I missing something? Is there some explanation besides global warming?

The Gann & nearby.

The Gann;-
14 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Sandwich Tern, this evening.
Around the Mullock area 3 Lesser Whitethroats singing.
(Paul G.)

Newport 1800.

Nevern est.;-
A look through the few waders, 2 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, &1 Whimbrel.
The Barnacle Goose that was seen to fly in this am with some Canada's still present. No sign of the Egyptian Geese all day.
A look through the gulls, and the almost all white, presumed 2nd sum. Iceland Gull stood out.
This bird presumably first seen on the Teifi last Friday until Sunday?

Dale Peninsular

Marloes Mere;-
Garganey still present.
Other migrants seen in area, Garden Warbler nr. Trehill Fm., Marloes. & Spotted Flycatcher at Martins Haven.(Paul G.)

Goldcliff, Gwent;-
Broad-billed Sandpiper with Dunlin this afternoon. Just been flushed by a plane.
Wouldn't it be nice to find one in our Dunlin flocks at this evenings Hi-tide?!!

Teifi & Newport today

Teifi;
Patch, last nights Sanderling still present, but 6 flew off with Dunlin high at 0626.
Waders left 1 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel.
From the Railings, 3 Bar-tail Godwits & 5 Curlew.
A walk around Popppit Dunes produced nothing special, but several Sedge Warblers singing with the Chifffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Blackcaps & Whitethroats.

Newport;-
No sign of the Egyptian Geese, but a very hi-tide & they could be hidden from view.
On the Dune-spit, 6 Dunlin & 3 Ringed Plover. 3 Swifts overhead & Whimbrel calling.

Marloes Mere & Gann

A lovely Short-eared Owl quartering the Mere this evening, and a male Gadwall with at least 5 young. Sash had seen the male Garganey earlier, and another observer had recorded the Black Duck.

At the Gann a first-summer Black-headed Gull (my first there in a few visits), a Little Egret, 12 Dunlin, 11 Ringed Plover & a Turnstone. No sign of the Little Stint or the Ruff, but the tide was extremely high and no Oyestercatchers were visible either so must have bee pushed somewhere else.

Teifi & Newport....again & news

Teifi;-
This evenings additions, 7 Sanderling with 11 Dunlin on Poppit beach. 5 Dunlin & 4 Ringed Plover on The Patch. 1 Common Sand. & surprisingly 1 Redshank at Jewsons.
Newport;-
2 Egyptian Geese still, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits on the dune-spit. 1 Whimbrel.

Fishguard harbour;-
3 Dunlin this pm (Adrian R.)

Coast Path- Newport towards Dinas, 2 Whinchat, from another observer who has commented that none at the Carn Ingli breeding area yet.

Pemb. Upper Mill Pond;-
28 Black-tail Godwits & 1 Greenshank tonight.

Angle Bay

At Kilpaison 08:00 15 Whimbrel, 11 Dunlin, c. 40 Oystercatchers. Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and a Sedge Warbler singing in the scrub behind the beach. At The Lodge very quiet (and very windy) with just 2 Whimbrel.

Marloes Area & Skomer

Sightings via e mail from Sash Tusa:- Marloes Mere 4-5 May
2 sedge warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 m. Chaffinch, 6 Swifts, 3 House Martins. 1 Peregrine, 1pr Shoveler, 1pr Tufted Duck, 1 pr Gadwall, 1 drake Gargeney, 2pr Little Grebe (1 building nest), flock of 12 Chough.

Wooltack Point 3 & 5 May
1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Manx Shearwater (seen @c.1700 on 3/5), 6 porpoises.
5/5: large raft of puffins at c.2000 off Skomer, razorbill, guillemots. 1x BLACK TERN feeding actively in the race out to the N of Jack Sound. Watched for 25mins at c.1930hrs. Also 3-4 manxies further out.

Martin's Haven
A regular male kestrel patrolling the valley and perching on the fence line by Renny's Slip

Also via e mail from Ross Colley on his first trip to Skomer:- Peregrine at the boat launch at Martins Haven as well as numerous Sand Martins. Numerous Swallows at the Farm house Oystercatcher, Common Guillemot, Razorbill, Puffin, Rock Pipits,Gannet, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Pair of Raven, Cormorant, Shag, 1 Kestrel by Farm House, Lesser Whitethroat, Stonechat, Reed Bunting, Shelduck, Ring-necked Pheasant, Chough, and Buzzard.

The North & Egyptian Geese

Nevern Est, 1030;-
A pair of Egyptian Geese - unringed, originally seen from below the tennis courts, but swimming about the estuary. 4 Whimbrel.

Teifi Est, 0530;-
Patch, 27 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, 7 Whimbrel.
Railings, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits.
Jewsons, 1 Common Sand. & 2 Whimbrel.

Cemaes Hd.;-
A Redpoll singing away in a small area of conifers, maybe a new breeding site? 1 Spotted Flycatcher nearby. c100 Seals on the rocky beach, presumably a low count due to the high tides?

Teifi, just after high tide;-
1 Whimbrel at the Webley, all other sites counted earlier now without waders.

St. David's area;- Paul G. has had 5 Greenland Wheatears so far.
St.David's Hd. update;1300, 6 Spotted Flycatchers & Cuckoo the highlights.
Dinas Hd;- Karen had 3 Greenland Wheatears up there too.

Carregwastad

I saw a Merlin which was the first for a while fly west along the cliff after the mist finally cleared at 20:30 as well as the Peregrines and an amazing view of the fearless sedge warbler that's now arrived.

Newport

Newport-- 8pm;-
Following Paul's waders a final try before work, 8 Whimbrel on the dune spit & 1 Common Tern flying around The Boat Club - literally!

Marloes Mere & The Gann

Marloes Mere;-
A pair of Gargeney still, but elusive from the green hide.
The Gann;-
1 Little Stint, 2 Ruff, 5 Whimbrel, 4 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover & 4 Sandwich Terns.
(Paul G.)
Canaston Wood;-
Wood Warblers & Garden Warbler singing(Adrian R.).

Sparrowhawk taking Bat

Intriguing sighting via e mail from Brian S :- Whilst at Orielton last night I saw a Sparrowhawk take a Noctule(?) bat. Bat didn't appear to realise the danger as Sparrowhawk seemed to pick it out of the air with ease.

LISBOA 094054 -- Kilpaisson

Kilpaisson this am;-
Our first Constant Effort Site ringing session of the 2008 season this am.
What a start!!
The above Portugese ring on a Chiffchaff!
A good variety & number of birds this am, a quick comparison with last years first session show higher nos. of most warbler species particularly Reed & Willow Warblers, early days though.
Also present c.30 Whimbrel, 1 Turnstone, 5 Dunlin, small nos. of Ringed Plover heard.

Lapwings;-
A thorough viewing of the bunds showed that we still have 5 pairs nesting(2 pr's predated?).
1 very young Lapwing seen today, other females sitting.

Pembroke Upper Mill Pond;-
Last night 30 Black-tailed Godwits & 4 Greenshank.
Late news; from c.26/04 -- 30/04 a pair of Garganey present.

Binoculars - 32mm

This may seem (probably is!) a cheeky request, but I'm off to Italy next Thursday (15th) for 6 days and wondered if anyone had a lightish pair of 8 or 10 x32 bins they could lend me? We're backpacking / using public transport and my old 10 x 42s are a tad heavy! I promise to look after them as if my own (more so in fact), and should any disaster befall them they will of course be insured. If I get more than one offer, I reserve the right to choose the best ones! (Swarovski 8x32 EL would be nice, they get a top review in Birdwatching this month!!!!!!). Thanks.

Dale/Marloes peninsula

Spent 8 hours birding the area today (OK, half an hour was having a pint outside the Griffin!), a foggy start followed by glorious sunshine. A Tree Pipit at Marloes the highlight (!), a pair of Tufties there, and a Spotted Flycatcher in the 'secret valley' at St. Ann's Head. Reasonable numbers of migrants around, including a party of 7 Swifts, but nothing to set the pulse racing. Finished off with two Whimbrels & 2 Little Egrets at the Gann (along with 107 Oystercatchers). Not quite Kenfig standard...but I did get to meet Sash at last, twice!

Teifi pm

The 2nd year Iceland gull showing well on the main sandbank.
3 Bar-tailed Godwits opposite St Dogmaels quay with 7 Whimbrel and 12 more at Jewsons.
1 Sandwich Tern on a buoy near The Webley.
A flock of 30 small waders flying around - mixed Ringed Plover and Dunlin.

Another Trip... Whiskered Tern & local news

Kenfig;-
A hurriedly arranged trip to Kenfig mid-am, on news that a Whiskered Tern had joined the Black-winged Stilt!
The Fishguard Bird Group were on their way, not without picking up Paul G. of course, his 300th species in Wales if he got to see it!
By 1330 success, both birds seen well, (Photos from Steve Berry here ), also heard, Lesser Whitethroats & Cetti's with plenty of Swifts overhead.

Fishguard Harbour this evening;-
2 Black Guillemots & 1 Sandwich Tern.(Adrian R.)

Teifi this am;-
23 Dunlin & 3 Ringed Plover off St. Dogmael's Quay. 3 Whimbrel seen around the estuary.
7 Dunlin at The Patch.

Aberwawr and Aberbach

A count of 23 Sand Martins, birds investigating nest holes in the cliffs.A singing Lesser Whitethroat,2 Wheatears and 5 summer plumaged Black-headed Gulls on the sea.

Teifi Est. & Beyond... Milos!

Teifi est;---Sat.
The 2nd yr. Iceland Gull, 3 Sandwich Terns & 4 Bar-tail Godwits from the Webley Hotel c. 1200
(Arfon W.)

Milos, Greece;-
A thank you & some brief highlights of a Pembs. Ringing Group trip to the above.
A great visit was had to this island, (in West Cyclades).

The ringing highlights were record making!
A Belarus ringed Wood Sandpiper was one of 8 caught!

1 Hungarian ringed Swallow(nestling-2007), was amongst the 801 Swallows trapped.
This being a major contribution to Greece's effort to the Euring Swallow Project.-- Also 226 Sand Martins(1 Croatian) & 6 Red-rumped Swallows.

Only 1 Olivaceous Warbler caught last Spring, this Spring we caught 5 including the ringed bird from last year!

A more complete paper is forthcoming, but some good sightings for the area, 3 Pallid Harriers, 2 m Citrine Wagtails, & 1 ad. f. Little Crake.
The records go on....5 Little Bitterns & 1 Squacco Heron ringed...more sightings 6 Temminck's with 40 Little Stints.

A massive Thank You to Maria Dimaki from The Goulandris Natural History Museum in Athens for arranging everything, including providing the Hotel, & a car, the project being partly funded by The Regional Development Agency of Cyclades.

Once again a great time, with all our thanks to Maria.

Pencarnan Kestrels

Its looking good: breeding confirmed when we saw the male Kestrel enter the cliff hole to feed his mate. She kee kee kee'ed her thankyou from within and in a flash he flew off.

And keeping our readers up to date.....the bush list climbed to 33 when a Sedge Warbler alighted on the top! Did we hear some say "sad s.."?

Northern Headlands

I saw two Whimbrel fly east past the headland at Carregwastad at 18:15 and at one point the Peregrines were mobbing a passing Buzzard.

Portfield

Sighting via e mail from Martyn Fair:- First swifts of the year (about 10) whirring above my garden in Portfield, Haverfordwest

North Pembs

Near Abercyh - a Green Woodpecker heard while doing my BBS transect this morning.
Teifi - 6 House Martins on the mud at Jewsons.
Carnedd Meibion Owen (near Ty Canol woods) - 1 Wheatear where we saw one with young last year but little else in the strong wind.
Newport - 1 Whimbrel.
Teifi this evening - 3 Sandwich Terns feeding near The Webley, over 200 Swallows flew in off the sea and 1 Gannet diving in the estuary.

Pelagic Cruise

There two places left on the Pelagic Cruise on Monday 25th August 2008 being run by the Mid Pembrokeshire Branch of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. Departing from Neyland Marina at 8.00am prompt – return approx 6.00pm. The route will be via Grassholm, The Smalls Lighthouse and then into The Celtic Deep. We will be looking particularly for seabirds and cetaceans. The cost per head is £50 ( £10 deposit on booking – returnable if trip cancelled due to bad Weather ). To book please ring Robin Taylor on 01348 840617 or 07968 640059.

Wooltack Point

Last night (Fri) several hundred Puffins feeding in Jack sound, further out there was also a large flock of Manx`s - with the "Dale Princess" close by, the people on board were getting some good views!

Carregwastad

2 more Whimbrel landed down on the rocks at 15:00 and really good views of the Peregrines today over the headland.

Iceland gull - Teifi

Going through a flock of gulls following a plough opposite The Webley this evening I unexpectedly found an Iceland gull. It then flew down onto a sandbank and a closer view - probably more features of a 2nd winter than a 1st.

Redpoll

A group of five Redpolls at Dinas Cross today

Black Pool Mill

Sightings via e amil from John Morgan:- First garden warbler of the year beyond Blackpool Mill 10 yards past first field on right after bend. Ten on the way back to the car in Canaston wood, in clearing on right before the stone bridge at the bottom of the hill my first wood warbler of the year.

Marloes

12 Choughs on the cliff top fields. On & around the Mere, 1 Grasshopper warbler, several Chiffs/ Willows, 2 Sedge warblers, 1 "dark" duck barely visible, sleeping in the reed, good numbers of Swallows, Sand martins - House martins seem conspicuous by their absence.

Lesser Whitethroat

Back at H'west GC again, singing (well, rattling at least!) today.

Cemaes Head and Teifi

Quieter than a week ago but big flocks of Linnets (c100) and Goldfinch (38). Swallows everywhere and 30 House Martins. 5 Common Whitethroat in Blackthorn scrub by the car park.
6 Chough feeding on insects in horse droppings.
22 Whimbrel and 2 Common Sands at Jewsons.
This evening, 11 Sandwich Tern on buoys by The Webley.

Strumble Head

12 Common Scoter flying west and a good passage of Swallows flying out towards Ireland,little else.