Salty Stuff

A small boat trip with a youth project Sea Trust ran last week produced a Grey Phalarope, winging past us about five miles south of St Anne's Head, but very little else.

Our Dolphin-othon crossings from Fishguard to Rosslare on Saturaday afternoon/ Sunday morning were pretty good for cetaceans (Porpoise, Common Dolphins and Risso's) as well as birds. First notable bird was a Swift about ten miles off Strumble. The approaches to Rosslaire were teeming with Terns, Auks, gulls and Manxies, as is often the case at this time of the year. Sky fulls of sea birds with half a dozen marauding Skuas visible at any one time. A couple of juvenile Arctic Skuas persued a Common Tern almost into collision with the bridge, giving us fantastic views.

On the return Pembrokeshire/Welsh side, a superb adult Long Tailed Skua gave us a fantastic view passing within 60 feet at eye level. A pair of Great Skuas beat up the sky chasing a flock of (circa) sixty small dark looking terns and at least half a dozen puffins had not yet moved away from our waters. An adult Pomeraine Skua sculled past us with "spoons" intact as we approached Strumble.

Sunday afternoon and the weather deteriorated with blustery winds whipping up what had been a flat calm sea. Nothing of note other than a couple of close overflying Gannets on the return to Rosslare, Incredible how things change within a couple of hours. Sadly it looks no better for the next few days.
allthingsgood,cliff

Dotterels

Walked round three runways twice and could not find the birds. Then as I was just about to give up the two birds flew high over my head, calling and out to sea to the SW at 1805! So much for any photos. Lost them to view in distance to the SW.

Strumble (31 Aug 08)

Time: 0600 - 1600
Weather: Showers, sunny spells. Wind: Var (am) (F2), WNW (pm) (F2-4)

Balearic Shearwater - 5
Sabine's Gull - 1 (Ad)
Arctic Skua - 23 (2 Juv, 7 Pale, 14 Dark)
Great Skua - 6
Storm Petrel - 1
Common Scotor - 334 (27F, 307M)
Sandwich Tern - 41
Common / Arctic Tern - 154
Black Tern - 1
Black Guillemot - 1 (Juv / Ad win ?)
Dunlin - 19
Whimbrel - 11
Knot - 4
Ringed Plover - 1

Turnstone - 3

Ruff - 1

Teal - 8

Wigeon - 7
Pochard - 3
Grey Heron - 1
Shoveler - 2
Basking Shark - 1
Risso's Dolphin - 3

Fishguard harbour

Fishguard harbour, 1600;-
1 ad. Med. Gull & 1 nr. ad Little Gull.
(Adrian R.)

Dotterels

Both Dotterels still present at Dale Airfield late this afternoon. Very confiding, allowing an extremely close approach - they even sat down and rested within about 10 feet of me! More photos here

Trewarren farm, St Ishmaels

1 Spotted flycatcher, my 2nd in 17 months!

West Williamston

From the canoe this morning at West williamston quarries:
Redshank 26
Curlew 47
Little Egret 22
Snipe 8
Whimbrel 3
Wood Sandpiper 1
Green Sandpiper 2
Common Sandpiper 2
Greenshank 4
Spotted Redshank 2
Kingfisher 3
Dunlin 6
Mallard 12
Teal 1

Angle Bay

At Kilpaison this morning 24 Dunlin, 28 Ringed Plover, 1 Turnstone, 2 Black Tailed Godwits and 8 Little Egrets.

Bogey bird ticked!

At last, after a lifetime of searching, 2 Dotterel at Dale airfield this morning - thankyou Trevor!!

N. Pembs waders

Nevern est. Newport;-

This am HT on the dunes, 3 Knot, 3 Sanderling, c27 Ringed Plover, c26 Dunlin & the Little Stint.

Hoped to get further photos this am.

Teifi est.;

This am HT,Poppit & Patch,

No sign of LRP but waders moving, 3 Sanderling, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, few Dunlin & Ringed Plover.

North Pembs sightings.

All Sat. unless stated,
Porthclais ;-
2 Swifts. (Paul G).

Nevern Est, Newport;-
2000, Little Stint on beach with c25 Ringed Plover, 16 Dunlin, 4 Knot earlier the stint was feeding on the mud.

Fishguard Harbour;-
Med. Gull red-PHY 1 was seen today.(Adrian R.)

Teifi Marshes;-
Hobby hunting bats & Swallows on Friday evening, & Sat. early am.
Green Sandpiper calling & flying around.
Ringing totals for fri eve, & sat am, included 18 of the c500 Swallows that went to roost.
Also 41 Chiffchaffs but only 1 Willow Warbler, 10 Reed but only 3 Sedge Warblers; 4 Lesser Whitethroats but no Whitethroats & 12 Blackcaps.
(Arfon Williams team)

Teifi Estuary "" The Patch"

Little Ringed Plover 1 Juv
Ringed Plover 17
Dunlin 11
Sandling 1
Greenshank 1 (Webley)
Redshank 4
Little Egret 11+

LRP came in around 730 pm at high tide and was with the main flock but very flighty because of lots of dog walkers etc excellent find Jon.

Carregwastad

I got good views of an adult Med Gull at 17:30 when it flew west close in to the headland and 19:00 when it reappeared from the west to settle on the water, 10 commic terns offshore for a while and a distant Arctic Skua at 18:45.

Strumble (30 Aug 08)

Time: 0600 - 1630
Weather: Murky. Wind S (F2)

Balearic Shearwater - 4
Arctic Skua - 23 (2 Juv, 9 Dark, 12 Pale)
Great Skua - 1
Sandwich Tern - 129
Common / Arctic Tern - 141
Roseate Tern - 2
Black Tern - 20
Little Gull - 1 (2nd win)
Common Scotor - 258 (21F, 237M)
Mediterranean Gull - 3 (Juv)
Dunlin - 5
Knot - 5
Whimbrel - 26
Grey Heron - 1
Teal - 5
Mallard - 2
Shoveler - 1
Basking Shark - 1

Dotterel

Nice find Trev! They were a little wary this pm, so digiscoping proved its worth again.

Dale Today

2 Dotterel & 2 Dunlin & at least 4 White Wags Dale Airfield this morning, the Dots still present till 4 pm at least. 2 Med Gulls Gann (1 Ad, 1 Juv/1st W)

Newport Fri am

By the Boat Club 21 ea of Dunlin & Ringed Plover + 1 Little Stint. Seperately 3 Knot.
And a huge flock of House Martins clinging to the pebble-dash wall of the Boat Club.
By the bridge still 1 Little Egret.

Teifi estuary

A Spotted Redshank was seen and heard by The Webley at dusk. Hopefully a better view in the morning if it stays.
Also still 13 Little Egrets roosting in a tree, 1 Knot, 2 Bar tailed Godwit and 4 Redshank.
(Richard D. and Wendy J.)

Strumble Head 630 - 9

Artic Skua 3 dark phase

Sandwich Tern 3

Common Scoter 21

Gannets

Flagpoles

Sandwich Terns 14

Wheatear 2 females

Rock Pipit 3

Newport

Little egret 1

Arctic Skuas

I saw two dark phase adults fly west past Carregwastad at 18:15 and 18:45.

Fishguard & Teifi Marshes

Goodwick Moor;-

One of 15 Common Lizards Adrian saw on Goodwick Moor this afternoon.

Also a large emergence of Common Darters.1 3yr Med. gull at 1730 from the flagpoles.

Teifi Marshes;-

Arfon & I cut a good net ride through an area of the reed-bed this afternoon, with the plan to ring in this area this week-end!

Swifts & St. David's area

Porthclais;-
3 Swifts this morning,

A thorough look also at Nine Wells & near the Youth Hostel, produced many Chiffs, & Willow Warblers, but little else.
(Paul G.)

Yesterday -- records

Llanstadwell;-
Ad. & 2yr. Med. Gulls, 1 Greenshank, & 5 Turnstone.
(Ed. Hunter).

Pembroke U.M.Pond;-
2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Greenshank, 48 Redshank.
(John Hayes).

Strumble Head;
7 Balearic & 9 Sooty Shearwaters, 2 juv. Sabines Gulls, 1 Pomarine & 5 Arcitc Skuas, 3 Bonxies, 4 Puffins, 13 Common Scoter, 4 Sandwich & 1 Common Tern.
(Sev. obs.)

Teifi estuary

From the railings this evening there are now 13 Little Egrets, also 1 Juvenile and a 3rd year Med Gull and 4 Redshank.
10 Ringed Plover on the spit.

Little Stint & North Pembs.

Nevern est, Newport;-
1 Little Stint with c19 Dunlin, & c14 Ringed plover roosting nr. the Boat Club.(1600)
Also 1 Redshank.

Fishguard Harbour;-
1st & 3rd yr. Med. Gulls this evening, 2 1st yr's this am.
(Adrian R.)

Richard's Valley, & Porthsychan (Strumble Head valley's);-
A look in both these produced a few Willow warblers & c30 Chiff's, mainly in the burnt gorse above Porthsychan.

America calls....

Just in case you don't regularly check Birdguides or other news services, today there is a Yellow Warbler, Solitary Sandpiper & a probably Northern Waterthrush on Cape Clear, Co. Cork, and nearby another Yellow Warbler at nearby Mizen Head. So although it seems a bit early in the autumn, evidently some 'yanks' have already made it on the latest series of low pressures. It would be well worth having a close look in some of the traditional hot spots, e.g. Porth Clais, Dale, Martin's Haven etc etc (and of course the islands!)......

Little Stint & North Pembs.

Nevern est, Newport;-
Little Stint still 0800 today.
(Karen)

Yesterday.
The Little Stint still showing (sleeping) well at 1600 on the mud near the Boat Club with c24 Ringed Plover & c14 Dunlin. 1 Bar-tailed Godwit near the tennis courts.
(Wendy J. & Richard D.)

Fishguard Harbour;-
3 Med Gulls, 1*ad, 2*2/3win.
Goodwick Moor;-
No sign of any Yellow Warblers, Adrian took Bella to have look!
(Adrian R.)

Newport Mon am

The Little Stint still with c20 ea Dunlin & Ringed Plover & a Redshank by the Boat Club. 1 ea Little Egret, Kingfisher & Common Sand at the bridge.
And a ringed adult BHGull here on Aug 10 had come all the way from Lincolnshire since April 11.

Green Woodpecker

One today in the Garden! First ever in Sutton that I have seen in 26 years.

Teifi estuary

The Barnacle Goose count is still rising - 36 flew off to Cardigan Island at dusk.
The only small waders were 7 Ringed Plover.
12 Little Egrets again today.

Nevern est, Newport

This evening 1 ad. Little Stint with new Dunlins feeding with the other small waders, didn't count but 3+ Sanderling, 10+ Ringed Plover & Dunlin all feeding nr the boats.

Redshanks at Newport

Oddly my record for Redshanks at Newport (24 in 04) was also on Aug 22. None today, & in fact when I got there this am about an hour after Richard & Karen all I managed, apart from a couple of Curlews & Oystercatchers, was the Bar T Godwit.

Fishguard Harbour

Fishguard Harbour;-a summary of visits,
4 Common Sands, 16 Turnstone, 4 Redshank, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Whimbrel, juv & 3w Med. Gulls. Also 2 Kittiwakes were roosting with the gulls.
Adrian R. & Richard D.

33E2 -- the photo posted below . Was ringed as a 2nd summer, (3cyr) in Belgium on 22 June 2008.

In flight it was seen to have a small amount of black on the primaries, precisely identifying it as a 3yr bird. (as ringing confirms).
In the photo the black in the primaries cannot be seen, thus the bird looks adult.

Strumble (25 Aug 08)

Time: 0600 - 1600
Weather: Dull, drizzle showers. Wind: SW (F6-7)

Sabine's Gull - 1 (Juv)
Balearic Shearwater - 8
Sooty Shearwater - 11
Arctic Skua - 9 (7 Dark, 2 Pale)
Great Skua - 7
Storm Petrel - 1
Common Scotor - 37 (4F, 33M)
Common / Arctic Tern - 6
Whimbrel - 1
Dunlin - 1
Knot - 1
Wigeon - 2
Mediterranean Gull - 1 (1st Win)
Basking Shark - 1 (V big..... again)
Common Dolphin - c.10 (Feeding in close with Porps again)
Sunfish - 1

Angle Bay

At Kilpaison early afternoon a small increase in waders on yesterday - 17 Ringed Plover, 6 Dunlin and 3 Sanderling.

Teifi Marshes

07.30 - 09.00
Creek hide - 9 Snipe, 14 Teal, 2 Moorhen and a ringed Kingfisher.
New pond - 3 Little Grebe (1 adult, 2 juvs), 1 Cettis warbler heard.

Nevern Est.

Nevern Est, 0800;
3 Sanderling, 18 Ringed Plover, 13 Dunlin, 2 Common Sands, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher.
(Karen & Richard D.)

Strumble (24 Aug 08)

Time: 0600 - 1730
Weather: Sunny. Wind: W (am), SW (pm) (F6)

Balearic Shearwater - 7
Sooty Shearwater - 1
Arctic Skua - 6 (1 Juv, 4 Dark, 1 Pale)
Great Skua - 8
Storm Petrel - 8
Common Scotor - 33 (5F, 28M)
Whimbrel - 13
Grey Plover - 1
Mediterranean Gull - 1 (Juv)
Common Dolphin - c.10 (Came in close (inside tide-race) and then spread out and started feeding alongside Common Porps. Stayed for at least 2 hours)

Teifi Est. & Marshes

Before some counts for today,
I notice that an Aquatic Warbler at Marazion Marsh, Cornwall today!!

In the estuary/ from the Railings;-
32 Barnacle Geese, is this the new total for the Cardigan Island population.?
56 Mute swans, c80 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank.

Marshes;-
Creek hide, 1 Water Rail bathing, 1 Coot, 3 Moorhens, 4 Teal.
New pond, 1 Little Grebe --- a recordable bird for this new water!!
Heron hide, 10 Teal, 10 Moorhen, 40 Mallard.

Jewsons, 1 Common Sandpiper & 1 ad. Common Gull.

Nevern Est., Fishguard & Ringing

Nevern Est;-
1500, 5 Sanderling, 21 Ringed Plover,16 Dunlin, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Redshank.

Fishguard Harbour;-
2*2nd yr. Med. Gulls.
Pen Anglas.;- Willow Warbler & Whitethroat.
(Adrian R.)

Ringing;-
No Willow Warblers or Whitethroats trapped in the last 2 days, although 6 other species of warbler caught on the Teifi Marshes y'day.
Great Tit, adult T779038 was caught y'day too, it is not a Pembs. ringed bird, if a ringer reading this recognises the sequence, please let Arfon Williams or us know.
John H. has ringed Pembroke U.M.Pond catching Reed Warblers, of 16 caught almost certainly 15 are passage birds(unringed).

Angle Bay

Few small waders again at Kilpaison this morning with just 11 Ringed Plover and 6 Dunlin. Plenty of Curlew and Oystercatchers in the roost and 63 Mallard close into the shore.

After 2 hours on the beach an obliging Dunlin decided to preen right in front of me. Sequence of preening shots and some Ringed Plovers click here

Red Kite & Chiff Chaff

Saturday 23.8.08: Red kite seen at Brynberian Moor below Carn Breseb. Chiff chaff singing at Maes y Garn, Crymych.

Fishguard Harbour

Fishguard Harbour;-

14 Redshank, 12 Turnstone, 10 Dunlin, 10 + Curlew,c 50 Oystercatcher & the Med. Gull shown; White 33E2.

This bird was seen at Llanrhystud at the same time as the Stone Curlew, when c60 Med. gulls present on 08/08/2008.

This bird has now been seen by 3 observers & aged differently, interesting to see what the ring tells us!

Nevern Est. & Teifi am, Green Sands.

Nevern Est;-
23 Ringed Plover, 18 Dunlin, 5 Redshank, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Sanderling, 1 Little Egret.

Teifi est;-
1 Greenshank, 9+ Little Egrets, & from Creek hide, 2 Green Sandpipers & Water Rail.
(Jon G.)

Porthsychan (23 Aug 08)

Time: 1600

Common Swift - 3
Common Crossbill - 2 (Fly-over)

Strumble (23 Aug 08)

Time: -0600 - 1530
Weather: Sunny spells (am) showers (pm). Wind: SSW (F2-4)

Balearic Shearwater - 3
Sooty Shearwater - 2
Arctic Skua - 4 (1Dark, 3Pale)
Storm Petrel - 2
Sandwich Tern - 2
Common / Arctic Tern - 1
Common Scotor - 30 (5F, 25M)
Whimbrel - 25
Mediterranean Gull - 1 (Juv)
Dunlin - 3
Turnstone - 3
Redshank - 1
Grey Heron - 1
Common Dolphin - c.10

Strumble Hd, & North Pembs.

Strumble Hd.;-
6 Bonxies, 2 Arctic Skuas, 16 Common Scoter & 8 Sandwich Terns.
(GHR, PKG, KJ)

Fishguard Harbour;-
3 Redshank, 9 Turnstones.

Nevern estuary;-
A new arrival of waders after HT, so new enthusiasm !!
28 Redshank (a Nevern record?), 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Sanderling, 4 Knot, 7 Dunlin, 26 Ringed Plover. Also 1 Little Egret.

A very brief look at the Teifi, found 4 Common Sands at Jewsons, & Wendy found a Greenshank & 1 Bar-tailed Godwit from the railings.

Irish Sea

A trip from Fishguard to Rosslare and back had mixed results. In Goodwick Harbour a Med Gull, then on the way over yesterday afternoon there were masses of Kittiwakes, Manx Shearwaters and Auks with quite a few Gannets just past Strumble and at Rosslare large numbers of Kittiwakes, Common and Sandwich Terns with one Arctic Skua. In the evening the sea along the tide line was seething with small fish and Terns in their hundreds were taking advantage of the bonanza a few meters from the shore - a real spectacle but no camera! 40 or so Common Scoter also passed.
This morning on the return leg things were much quieter with relatively small numbers of sea birds enlivened only by a Great Skua near to Fishguard. Disapointing on both legs on the Cetacean front - no Dolphins and a few Porpoises only.

Teifi & ....

Teifi;-
A brief HT look, 12 Little Egrets roosting below the gull view-point in trees, although not exciting for most, this is probably a record number for North Pembs. !!?

Carms;-
Marsh Harrier, Kidwelly Marsh y'day.

Bog standard chiff chaffs!

Caramba!!! with such combined expertise at hand, my sad little attempt at trying to raise a few questions seems rightiously flattened. A little bit of knowledge would indeed seem to be a dangerous thing!

I did think the BWP was considered to be of some virtue: "Commonest call of north western birds a soft but quite emphatic "hweet"; of eastern races a shriller and more plaintive "sweeoo" or "pseet", recalling a young chicken (?) in distress", but apparently not!

My garden this morning full of robins (at least eight) hissing like kettles and singing that dreary winter song, inbetween beating up yet more (bog standard) chiff's.

I will get back to splashy things... allthingsgood, cliff

Records from yesterday - Thursday

Teifi;-
Midday, 12(twelve) Little Egrets, & 2 Whimbrel.

Evening, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 10 Dunlin, & 4 Ringed Plover.
(Wendy J.)

Little Milford, am HT;
1 Greenshank, 1 Redshank, 23 Curlew, 3 Little Egrets, & 1 Snow Goose with the Canada's.
Sprinkle Pill;-
25 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 15 Curlew,1 Little Egret, & 1 Gt. Ctd. Grebe on the river.
Also Spotted Flycatcher on the walk down.
Hook;-
18 Dunlin, 2 Whimbrel.
(Paul G.)

PEMBROKESHIRE BIRD REPORT 2007

Many thanks to all those who have bought last years report - it is officially OUT OF PRINT. PBG have sold out, as have the Trust (at Cilgerran) - although there may still be a copy or two at Lockley Lodge.

pdf versions are still available - £2 (including p & p).

Thanks again.

Jon G.

Those Chiffchaffs and have local swifts gone now?

Have to say that I agree with Steve, what has been described sound like bog-standard chiffs at this time of year - calls can be quite variable (esp juv calls late in the season). There can be quite wide plumage variation in "normal" chiffs (and in willow warblers) resident or passing through Britain. Made slightly problematic (esp with willow warblers) due to northern Scottish plumage variants with those in southern Britain. Also be aware of birds at this time of year with older warn bleached-browner feathers in some birds possibly along side newly moulted fresher-plumaged brighter birds, plus of course others in mid moult!

The original BTO Phylloscopus field guide by the late Ken Williamson, published decades ago mainly to help ringers sort them out in the hand, to my mind is still the one of best authoritative guides to the various sub-species and plumage variations across the Phylloscopus species range - still a good read!

Chiffs appear to have raised good numbers of young in south Pembs sites I have visited this year - certainly plenty of them about on the Castlemartin peninsula now - many appearing now would fit the descriptions and calls mentioned.

Swifts at Stackpole may finally have left the cliffs now - a bit later than usual. With the weather we have been having lately, quite a lot of migrants may well have been held back.

Teifi estuary

From the railings this evening - 7 Little Egrets, 4 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin and a leucistic Oystercatcher.

North Pembs. Estuaries & ....

Fishguard Harbour;-
6 Dunlin, 10 Turnstone, 3 Redshank. (Adrian R.)
Nevern Est;-
V. quiet, 2 Little Egrets.

Pembroke U.M.Pond;-
No waders due to high water level at the moment.
(John H.)

Strumble Head 6-9 am

Balearic Shearwater 3
Sooty Shearwater 2
Manx Shearwarter 1000s
Storm Petrel 4+
Artic Skua 8
Great Skua 1
Sabine's Gull 1 Ad
Sandwich Tern 10+
C0mmon Scoter 20+

Teifi Estuary

On the sand bars from both sides(0700),
2 Greenshank, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 8 Redshank & 6 Little Egrets.
Amongst the Canada's,(which look to have increased from the c600 when last counted), 4 Barnacles & 1 Bar-headed plus 3 other known " local hybrid "geese.

Teifi estuary

From the railings this evening - 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 2 Redshank and 2 Little Egrets.
As at Angle Bay, no small waders at any of the usual sites around the estuary.

Strumble Head

Strumble, 0630 -1300, these totals, (will be updated later).

29 Storm Petrels, 29 Arctic, 1 Pomarine, & 5 Great Skuas. 1 Sooty & 3 Balearic Shearwaters. 1 Puffin, 13 Sandwich Terns, 4 Whimbrel, 67m & 12f Common Scoter. Also 3 Sunfish.
(GHR, PKG, PL, & RD.)

update- 1300-1500;-
2 Storm petrels, 1 Balearic Shearwater, 16 Sandwich Terns, 8m & 2f Common Scoter.

update - 1600-1900;-
2 Arctic skua, 1 Bonxie, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 10 Sandwich Tern. 30 Common Scoter, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 8 Whimbrel.(Adrian R.)


17:32, Paul L. on his way home from Strumble has just seen the Osprey at Ynyslas & 12 Swifts(Ceredigion).

Nevern est. & ....

Nevern Est;
1 Bar-tailed Godwit & 1 Kingfisher this am,(Janet A.)
Later,
3 Dunlin, 1 Redshank, ad. & juv. Sandwich Terns roosting on sand, & 2 Little Egrets.

Fishguard Harbour(1500);-
2 Whimbrel
Newgale;- v. quiet
(Paul G.)

Ceredigion Records

I have added a link in the Websites section (see right) to a list of bird sightings in Ceredigion produced each month by Russell Jones. I'll up-date it each month once the info is received.
There are also links to the Carmarthenshire, Glamorgan and Gwent sites so you can keep up-to-date with what the neighbours are doing!

Fishguard Harbour

Stena side, 1 Dunlin.
Flagpoles, 9 Turnstone. 2 Sandwich Terns.
Med. Gulls moving about, 3 juv's, 1 ad. 2* 2s.
(1430)

Angle

Mid morning at Kilpaison as the tide dropped - Little Egret 5, Bar Tailed Godwit 2, Knot 2, Whimbrel 3, Med Gull 2x ad.W. On the roost on the North side of the bay c.120 Oystercatchers and 130 Curlew. No small waders at all.
Round at Angle middayish Little Egret 4, Whimbrel 6, Redshank 9, Turnstone 6.
Freshwater West - just a few Oystercatchers on the rocks and a Peregrine rocketing past in the wind (2 Peregrines at Manorbier yesterday).

Chiffchaffs

Hi Steve, not sure if this helps, not even absolutely certain its the same bird! Could have been the paler one (below) calling "See-you" or to my ear "swil-luu", whatever, but really loud and distinctive as against usual su-eet, and yes would not be surprised if it was a juvenile plaintively calling adult.

Whichever, today (no camera), had a similar bird to the one on the (top, L&R) in good view calling swil-luu repeatedly and loud. What is for sure is this is not the usual call or even close.

I have been sorting out birds by contact calls in the field in the autumn for a long time, often in the company of GHR , who first mooted Eastern race when we had one around ten years ago near Strumble.

Bill Oddy wrote a piece in Birdwatching mag' on which I contributed a snippet which is as far as I ever went into it. The esoterics of avian taxonomy is way beyond me, I am a lazy lumper!

There were a lot of birds flitting about at the time (Sunday) and not easy to keep up with in camera screen. Getting views for long enough to really get a good field description is not easy with all the foliage about. I doubt if it makes any difference. I am not interested in submitting but it is interesting, and also great when expert ringers such as yourself get involved in discussion, allthingsgood, cliff

The Gann

High tide last night almost flooded the road and brought 10 Little Egrets to the top of the marsh near Mullock Bridge.
The weather was horrible too and I saw swallows heading to roost in farm buildings at dusk in comparison to the normal roost in reedbeds and maize fields - although there are about 400 roosting at the bottom of the marsh near the irrigation reservoir.

That Chiffchaff looks like a worn adult collybita too. Its not a northern race abietinus /tristis bird in my experience. There is a hint on the wing of feathers not quite in place which may indicate that its moulting. There has been some good movement of chiffs in the past few days and many are calling - I think most of the calling birds are juveniles trying to keep in touch with the loose flocks which are moving through and its not the call we hear in the spring so can sound quite different.

In from the cold

Hmm. apologies for describing chiff chaff in my garden as "Siberian. I used it in a generic sense rather than specific e.g. Trystis. I should perhaps more accurately according to BWP (CE) have described it as "Eastern race".

There is another one in my garden today. I got good views of this one as it sang "Swil-lu" repeatedly and it looked quite bright / warm despite the overcast conditions. As northern/ eastern race birds are described in BWP as less warm/cooler, I wonder what or where it did actually come from. This is a shot I got on Sunday after a lot of hide and seek, Could this be a case of avian identity theft?

My only reason for passing it on to Richard/PB was to alert people to the fact there seemed to be a substantial "fall" of paserine migrants, which also seems to be the case today.

Strumble Head & Fishguard

Strumble hd. Today;-
4 Storm Petrels, 1 Bonxie, 6 Whimbrel, 24 commic Terns, 6 Common Terns, 35 Wigeon, 92 Common Scoter.
(Sev. Observers)
Strumble hd. Friday, 1 Ad. Pomarine Skua
(Graham Rees)

Fishguard Harbour;-
2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 3 Dunlin, 4 Redshank, c6 Turnstone,
1 Juv. & 2* 2w Med Gulls(red PHY1 still present).
(Adrian R. & Paul G.)

Nevern est;-
This pm 1 Redshank was all that I could find!

Siberian Chiffchaff

News via e mai from Cliff Benson:- This morning (17th) in garden (near Strumble), heard persistent “ Swilluuu ” call which rattled my memory and slowly the penny dropped . I grabbed some bins from car and focussed in on flitting thing in willow. A nice dowdy little Siberian Chiff Chaff! It didn’t hang about but I doubt if it was on its own, possibly a few other odd bods about this morning feeding up in the sunshine after a long hard flight, allthingsgood,cliff .

Kilpaison - Angle bay

A clear out of waders during the night!, with few left this am on the sites looked at.
Kilpaison;-
1 juv. Med. Gull, 6 Dunlin, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel, 127 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets.
Ringing this morning included catching 12 Reed Warblers - 10 new birds, a sure sign of migrants moving through.

Nevern Est;-
1 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Egrets.

Strumble (17 Aug 08)

Time: 0600 - 1500
Weather: Sunny spells. Wind: SW (F5)

Balearic Shearwater - 1
Great Skua - 2
Arctic Skua - 4 (2 Pale, 2 Dark)
Storm Petrel - 7
Common Scotor - 62 (49M, 13F)
Sandwich Tern - 4
Common / Arctic Tern - 14
Whimbrel - 9
Grey Plover - 2
Teal - 1
Mediterranean Gull - 2 (Juv)
Basking Shark - 1 (V. Big!)

From Ruff to Little Owl

Nevern Est,1900;-
35 Ringed Plover, 9 Dunlin, & 1 Knot.

Teifi, 2000 all sightings from Webley/ Poppit Sands;-
1 Ruff, 1 Greenshank, 2 Knot, 7 Redshank, 1 Sanderling, 14 Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin.
2 Juv. Med. Gulls in with c200 Black-headed Gulls feeding on the tide-line then roosting on the sea.
Not only is a Sparrowhawk keeping The Patch clear of waders, a Peregrine cleared Poppit Sands too.
(Wendy J., Janet A. & Richard D.)

On the way back, 1 Little Owl showing at his usual farm.

Strumble (16 Aug 08)

Time: 0600 - 1500
Weather: Dull, misty. Wind: SSE (F6-7)

Sabine's Gull - 1 (Ad sum)
Sooty Shearwater - 2
Balearic Shearwater - 4
Arctic Skua - 2 (2 Pale)
Storm Petrel - 8
Common/Arctic Tern - 46
Sandwich Tern - 2
Mediterranean Gull - 1 (Juv)
Common Scotor - 27 (17M, 10F)
Whimbrel - 8
Turnstone - 1
Grey Heron - 6
Swift - 4
Sunfish - 2

Thanks Lyndon

Lyndon's Monthly Round Up for July 2008 is now on line - see link to the right. This is the last round up as Lyndon has decided not to continue with it, for the time being at least. Many thanks to Lyndon for the time and effort he has put into the Monthly e mail which has appeared on line for two and a half years and, prior to the Pembrokeshire Birds Blog, was the only regular source of bird sightings in the county for those not on the "grapevine".

Fishguard

Fishguard Flagpoles, 1300;-
1 Knot just arrived to join the Turnstones & Med. Gull PHY1.
(Wendy J.)

Goodwick;-
2 Swifts over town this morning
(Adrian R.)

Fishguard harbour, Stena side,1100;-
1 juv. & red PHY1 Med. Gulls present roosting.
Flagpoles, 9 Turnstone, 2 Redshank.

Nevern & Teifi estuaries in the rain.

Nevern est. 0700;-
On the dune-spit, 33 Sanderling, 1 Turnstone.
At the mud roosting area, 3 Dunlin, 1 Knot, 1 Redshank.

Teifi est. 0700- 0830;-
On Poppit sands;-
2 Knot, 4 Turnstone, 16 Sanderling, 17 Ringed plover, 11 Dunlin. Very mobile birds, more birds probably present.

Webley roost;- 1 Black-tailed Godwit 1 Greenshank, 3 Redshank.

(Wendy J. & Richard D.)

Teifi Estuary

From the railings; 1 Whimbrel: also 18 Barnacle, & 1 Bar-headed with the Canada Geese.
On Poppit sands; 3 Sanderling, 17 Ringed plover, 10 Dunlin, 1 Black-tailed Godwit with one group of Oystercatchers & 1 Knot seen near the Webley.

6 Little Egrets roosting in trees upstream from the Webley.
54+ Mute Swans in the estuary.

The Sparrowhawk flying back from the Patch to the small plantations above Poppit, doing a fine job, forcing the small wader roost to move from Ceredigion to Pembs!!

(Wendy J. & Richard D.)

On hearing almost continual hissing noises from one of the stone barns at the Manor, 3 young Barn Owls still present.

Ringed Med gulls

Had an interesting week, researching ringing details- 1 of the gulls Isaw last week came from Holland/Belgium area, seems to have a pattern of visiting West UK in autumn, Spain in early spring & back home for the summer. It was ringed as a chick in 2004, & has been recorded 13 times.
The second bird may have been ringed in Southern Norway & last week`s sighting may have been the 1st - awaiting further info. There`s a website, some of you may know, regarding colour rings & numbers at http://www.cr-birding.be/ which will take you straight to the people concerned.
Also thanks to Richard & Sam for their help.
Today at Blackbridge,
1 Kingfisher. (seen by my wife) this evening, 55 Redshank, 2 Greenshank

Crossbills

2 Crossbills flew over at Dinas Cross this morning

Fishguard harbour

Fishguard Harbour;-
1100, 8 Turnstone, & 2 Redshank at the Flagpoles.

1500, 2yr & juv. Med. Gulls, 5 Dunlin, & 1 juv. Ringed Plover.
(Adrian R.)

Nevern Est.

From the Boat Club, 0900;-
1 Knot, 7 Redshank, 11 Dunlin, 7 Ringed Plover. The Knot & 1 Ringed Plover appeared to fly in as I was watching. 1 Little Egret upstream.

Teifi estuary

Early this morning on Poppit beach, 3 Sanderling, 7 Dunlin and 12 Ringed Plover.
By the Webley hotel, 2 Little Egrets and 1 Knot.
Patch at the end of the spit, 10 Dunlin. This used to be a good spot for small waders at high tide but the regular hunting by a Sparrowhawk seems to be deterring them.
(Richard D. and Wendy J.)

Castlemartin penisula

Whilst surveying vegetation today, noted a grasshopper warbler reeling away in scrubby/rank grassland on the Range. Doubt if it was still breeding, though they do nest in the area.

Swifts still evident feeding along the coast.

Small flocks of goldfinches (up to 20 or so) and linnets (30 or so) feeding; it seems to me that goldfinches have had a brilliant breeding season - juvs have been very numerous on the Castlemartin peninsula since June.

Flock of c. 100 juv starlings on a fence - considerably more than could have been produced from the paltry breeding population on the Range.

At least 4 kestrels feeding along the coast - probably the local pair plus their young though may be the first of the autumn passage migrants through the peninsula.

Small flock of c. 12 turnstone at Pen-y-holt Bay.

Large numbers of oak eggar moths now emerging - in excess of 50 males noted on the wing today, flying typically low and fast through the grassland areas. Great Green Bush Crickets (large, green distinctive locust-size insects) now very numerous across the peninsula - loud stridulations starting up from mid afternoon onwards.

Stack Rocks:
Our odd gull pair reported on the blog a while ago, LBB (male) mated with a presumed LBBxHerring (female) looking remarkably like an adult yellow-legged gull (but I doubt if it was) failed to rear anything at Stack Rocks. They had three chicks in June that disappeared when small; they re-layed but nothing hatched by end of July. The adults are still hanging around though.

The kittiwake colony (what is left of it!) failed to rear anything for the second or third year running. I have watched weekly as the number of chicks (only 18 hatched) gradually dropped to a single 1/2 to 2/3 grown chick (looked promising) but it then also disappeared! The colony is sadly doomed - it has slipped gradually from 550 pairs to about 20 pairs over the last 15 years. I guess they have moved to Caldey/St Margarets; they can be prone to moving like this. So who knows they may start moving back again one day!

Maes y Garn, Crymych

Red Kite (juvenile) seen flying over the house at 15.30hrs. A family of Linnets included three young. Many butterflies brought out by the unseasonal sunshine included: Peacock 4, Red Admiral 11 and a single Common Blue (first time I've seen one here.)

Teifi estuary

Around high tide this evening, 2 Redshank and 5 Ringed Plover by the boatshed. With them was a small wader that had features of a Little Stint. Unfortunately it had flown before Richard arrived to see it. Hopefully it will still be around in the morning.
From the spit looking towards Poppit, 7 Dunlin and c20 Ringed Plover. As the sun set, 2 Knot flew in and landed by the Webley hotel. Massive flocks of Corvids flew in to roost, probably several thousand. Amongst the hundreds of gulls there was 1 Juvenile Med.
(Richard D. and Wendy J.)

late swifts

Walking at Carew mill this morning-still 7 swifts present.
Dave Glanville

Angle Bay

At Kilpaison late afternoon as the tide rose - 18 Dunlin 13 Ringed Plover, 1 Sanderling, 1 Turnstone and 2 Knot. Also 3 Little Egrets, and a Gannet close into the beach.

Teifi - midday & .... Swifts.

Jewsons, 5 Common Sands.
From the Railings, 1 Greenshank, 8 Redshank, 1 Dunlin, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, & c580 Canada Geese.
Ringing took place on the Marshes this morning, this part of preparation to re - establish the site as a Constant Effort Ringing Site next year. No catching took place in the reed-bed (due to the recent rain)but Kingfishers, Lesser Whitethroats, Treecreeper & 7 Reed Buntings were amongst 80 birds caught in the scrub.
(Arfon W. & Richard D.)

Llwyngwair Manor;-
I got back in time to watch the staff enjoying the sun, but also watching... & listening to an adult Peregrine encouraging a young one to successfully catch a Wood Pigeon overhead, with feathers falling on all below!

Swifts;-
Received a posting y'day from Carms. Birds Site, noting Swifts still. Didn't think much about it, until I saw c6 today nr. Moylegrove, & in looking in last years Pembs. report our last county sighting last year was 18th August !!

Flooded Llangloffan Fen

Spent much of the glorious 12th wading up to my knees in water with County Botanical Recorder Stephen Evans, looking for a scarce plant (marsh stitchwort). It is August, so had hoped to do this in relatively dry conditions but the unseasonal heavy rains had brought the Cleddau up to peak winter flood levels! However, at least it was lovely weather for ducks - noted at least 100 mallard and around 20 teal dabbling in the flooded rushy flood-plain area. Surprisingly no obvious waders about. A couple of very recently fledged whitethroats looked pretty bedraggled, just a few obvious sedge warblers were around - if there are still any late nesting species in the low vegetation then they would not have stood a chance.

Teifi estuary

24 Sanderling on Poppit beach were the highlight of this evenings high tide, a good autumn count for the Teifi.

Strumble Head

Today, 0500 to 1630;-
1 Sooty & 5 Balearic Shearwaters, 16 Storm Petrels, 12 Arctic & 3 Great Skuas. 2 Puffin, c20 Sandwich Terns, 6 Common Scoter, & 2 Teal.
Also 2 Sunfish seen.
2 juv. Med. Gulls in Fishguard Harbour.
(c8 observers).

Pembrokeshire Bird Group Meetings

The events section for the Pembrokeshire Bird Group is now up to date for the rest of the year. Please note there will be no Outdoor meeting in September.

Silver-washed Fritillary & pm Strumble.

A wet start to the day,
so a late posting of a Silver-washed Fritillary (fem.)from Janet A. taken in Felindre on Monday.

Strumble 1700-1900 y'day;-
1 dp Arctic Skua,1 Sandwich Tern,1 Common Scoter & a Sunfish, Manx Shearwaters passing at 6500 per hour & increasing.(Adrian R.)

Balearic Shearwater

I saw one fly west with a Manxie off Carregwastad at 16:45.

Teifi....a few hours later

The only different birds to those Richard had earlier were a Greenshank and 2 Sanderling on Poppit beach.

Teifi this HT

From the Railings, 2 Coot!
On the sand, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Sandwich Terns, 1 Little Egrets, c52 Mute Swans.
Only 1 Redshank & c 80 Curlew.
A colour-ringed ad. Herring Gull ( looked like 891 in orange letters on a blue ring).

Strumble & ... recent reports,

Strumble Hd.;-
This am, 1 juv. Arctic Skua, 2 Common Scoter, 1 Sunfish, c12+ Common Dolphins & a few Porpoise.
Yesterday, 1 Leach's Petrel.(Graham R.)

Fishguard Harbour;-
This am, Flagpoles 2 *1st yr Meds, ( red PHY1 was one). 2 Common Sands.
Stena side, the 2 yr, & 1 Juv. Med. Gull.

Fortunes Frolic;-
This am, quiet, a great deal of flood water coming downstream, 1 Comma butterfly.
(Paul G.)

Pembroke U.M.Pond;-
Last night, c66 Redshank only.
(John H.)

Four spotted Footman:-
Noting Bob's posting below, Janet A. caught a male last week in Felindre.

Stackpole area

Not too much migration going on but small wader movement most days - including ringed plovers, greenshank, green sand, whimbrels and curlews. Swifts still active around cliff-nest sites and also around Pembroke and Carew - breeding a bit later this year?

Good population of four-spotted footman at Stackpole this year (e.g. female image plus plainer greyish males) noted resting on nettles and other woodland edge vegetation from late July onwards. This distinctive large footman moth species may be moving north so watch out!

Immature green woodpecker(s) have been noted well into the Castlemartin Range for the first time in several years. We assume these are dispersing Stackpole yng (two broods fledged this year) but of course they may be from elsewhere. The key question is - if these birds are isolated but hanging on on the Castlemartin peninsula, either they must be quite long-lived or else they must be able to disperse some distance for the gene-pool to be kept topped up! Or are there more breeding in Pembs than are currently reported?

Yellowhammers, another declining species, have definitely been helped by coastal cereal crop subsidies this year - breeding along Fresh East to Manorbier areas and hanging on nr Stackpole. Stock Doves also probably breeding in woodland on edge of Stackpole Warren - first I've seen/heard here for a decade or more.

Teifi estuary

From the railings this evening -
1 Greenshank, 6 Black tailed Godwit, 3 Sanderling, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin and 2 Redshank.

Jewson's - 1 Common Sandpiper

Sandyhaven

I counted at 15 Little Egrets as I drove home from work this evening, close to the chapel.

Change of address

Hi all
I am moving on 19th Aug new address will be
Teifi House,Dolbadau Road,
Cilgerran,Pembrokeshire,SA43 2SS
Tel 01239-621610
Steve

St. David's & Fishguard Harbour

St. David's Area;-
The highlight of a drive around the ponds & commons, 19 Little Grebe on Penberry.

Fishguard Harbour;-
Stena side, 8 Dunlin & i juv. Med. Gull earlier.
The 2nd yr. Med. Gull present later.
(Janet A. & Richard D.)

Tenby

At South Beach, Tenby this afternoon 15 Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin, 2 Sanderling and 12 Sandwich Terns.

Reporting ringed birds

The place to do so is
http://www.bto.org/ringing/
The gull people are usually very quick to send info about previous sightings- the Dutch programme often within 24 hrs.

Teifi estuary

10.50: Single Great skua seen flying west beyond Cardigan Island. A few gannets further out.

Teifi estuary

This evening from the railings - 18 Barnacle Geese, 2 Redshank and 4 Black tailed Godwit with over 100 Curlew. A Bar headed goose is still with the Canada Geese.
Looking out to sea from the spit, 100's of Manx Shearwater could be seen, which is understandable with the numbers counted passing Strumble head.
No small waders at Patch but there were 10 Ringed Plover and 15 Dunlin early this morning.

Strumble this evening

Strumble, 1700-1900;-
2 Bonxie, 1 Arctic skua, 1 Sandwich Tern, & Manx Shearwaters passing West at c12000(thou)
per hour.
(Adrian & Glyn R.)

Marsh Harrier - St. David's area

A juvenile Marsh Harrier was seen this afternoon on Dowrog Common.
Seen from near the cattle grid where the winter roost is observed. The bird flew towards St. David's Airfield. The bird (presumably ) was first seen on Thursday.
( sev. St. David's birders, per. Jonathan B.)

Neap tide -- hard work

Nevern Est;-
0730, 9 Dunlin, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Common Sandpiper.
Fishguard Harbour;-
0815, 9 Turnstone, 10 Dunlin, 2w Med. Gull(not regular bird).
The Gann;-
4 Little Egrets
Marloes Mere;-
(wind & vegetation prevented a planned good look for Black Duck)
Sandy Haven;-
1 Greenshank & Little Egret.
Gelliswick Bay;-
Nothing to record.
Black Bridge/Castle Pill;-
3 Med. Gulls, inc. ad. with white ring.
Llandstadwell;-1 2w Med.Gull.
Little Milford;-
2 Common Sands, 9 Dunlin, c50 Redshank, 1 Greenshank.

(Paul G. & Richard D.)

Waders Tonight

Nevern Est, 2045;-
51 Dunlin, 15 Ringed plover, 1 Common Sandpiper.
Pembroke Upper Mill Pond, 2030;-
85 Redshank, 10 Greenshank, 1 Dunlin.
(John H.)

Strumble Head & Teifi

Strumble 12.30 - 15.40: The highlights were Common scoter 8 at 15.11hrs (seen with Colin s.), supported by a cast of Gannets 50+, Fulmar 40+, Manx shearwater 8, Oystercatcher 2.

Teifi @ Jewsons 16.35 - 17.10: Kingfisher 1, Grey wagtail 1, Little egret 1, Grey heron 1,
Curlew 4, Black-headed gull 15+, Herring gull 2 and a single Mallard.

Ever seen a rusty man?

In the rain this pm,
Sandyhaven, 7 Little egret, 25 Curlew
Blackbridge, 4 Med gulls, 2 ad`s, 2 2nd winter - 2 were ringed, 1, white ring on left leg, number= 3N81. Right leg, alloy ring ABOVE the knee, the other bird had a single white ring on left leg, number= J137. Can they be checked?
Llanstadwell, c25 B/H/Gulls 1 Common gull, Iwas now becoming moist & losing interest, so didn`t check everything!
With regard to the Marlin at Saundersfoot, has anybody seen the Western Telegraph (Wed Aug 6th, page13) about the Manatee at Hobbs point?

Fishguard Harbour & other news

Teif Est.;-
c1500, 18 Barnacle Geese by the Railings, c5+ Redshank opp. St. Dog's Quay.

Midday, at The Flagpoles 10 Sandwich Terns, & a juv. Med Gull.
Stena side, the 2nd yr. Med. Gull.

( Wendy & Dyfed J. are watching the Stone Curlew in Ceredigion!)

Little Owl & .... other news

Little Owl & Stone Curlew in one day on the West Wales coast.. !!
A little piece of Eastern England! ... what next??

North of Newport;-
1 Little Owl appeared on one of "his" barns at 2135 tonight.
(Karen & Richard D.)
Pembroke U.M.Pond;-
Tonight, 20 Redshank, 4 Greenshank.
(John H.)
Fishguard Harbour;-
The 2nd yr Med. Gull flew in at 1630 this evening.
(Adrian R.)

Carregwastad

I arrived to find three Common Sandpipers down on the rocks at 14:00.

Teifi estuary

This evening from the railings - 15 Redshank and 350+ Canada Geese.
On Poppit sands - 4 Sandwich Tern.
From the spit - 15 Ringed Plover, 25 Dunlin and 2 Sanderling counted on the gravel feeding but when they flew, the flock had over 60 birds in it proving that this is a difficult area to cover accurately at low tide.

Stone Curlew -- Ceredigion

On the coast between Llanrhystud & Llanon;-

This rare sighting was witnessed by a lucky few,( mainly from Pembs. & Clive J.), who arrived by mixed means;(car, HGV, & bus service via Strumble Head.)
The bird was last seen at c1410, but was not seen to leave the area.

Arfon W. found the bird, at the same site that also held the American Golden Plover last Autumn . By 1700 a number of waders species had also been seen,(inc. Knot, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper) & a count of 32 Med. Gulls.

(Apart from a bird seen on a part of the Teifi now in Pembs. I believe).
This is the first record for Ceredigion since 1882.
(info Arfon W.)

Inprisoned Herring Gull

Whilst on a visit to Porthgain this afternoon we came across the bizarre sight of a poor Herring Gull trapped behind bars in the old brick factory there. It appears to have slid down the steep bank behind it and is not able to get back up due to the thick vegetation. Bloodstains on its flank suggest it has been trying to get out through the iron bars but that would be impossible! Would anybody know of a local wildlife rescue organisation which may be able to help release it from prison? Assuming it is unable to get back up the bank this bird will inevitably become very distressed and probably die.

Newport Fri am

At the bridge; 1 Little Egret & a (the?) 2nd cy Med Gull. On the mud a Black T Godwit & 2 Curlews. At the Boat Club 4 Dunlin & 1 Ringed Plover.

Angle Bay

This morning at Kilpaison wader numbers were down again - c.30 Dunlin, 12 Ringed Plover, 1 Redshank. A Peregrine flew around and spooked them all and a Kestrel was also seen.

Stone Curlew

News of a Stone Curlew at Llanrhystud , near Aberystwyth, this morning. (via Richard D)
Park in the beach car park and walk south for 1500m.

Angle Bay ... & other news

Pembroke U.M.Pond;-
Tonight, 77 Redshank, 6 Greenshank, 2 Green Sands.

Fishguard Harbour;-
This evening, 1 juv. Med Gull.

Angle Bay;-
Post High Tide from Kilpaison, 1 Knot(sum plum.), 3 Sanderling, c15 Ringed Plover, c50 Dunlin, c150+ Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, ad. & 2yr Med. Gulls, 4+ ad Common Gulls.

Pembroke U.M.Pond;-(1400)
1 Kingfisher, quiet , presumably all waders feeding on Pembroke River as tide going out.

Ty-Rhyg;-
Tree Pipit & ad. Sedge Warblers still present, also Redpoll & Siskin ringed.

(Several observers)

Strumble Head

06.00 - 16.30: 25 species seen today, the best being: Storm petrel 2, Great skua 2, Balearic shearwater 1, Arctic skua 2. Viewings by Graham R, Colin B, Kevin J
PS: Juvenile male Kestrel still present on the cliffs.

Blue Marlin

I have had several people confirm that they saw a beached blue Marlin fish on Glen Beach
Saundersfoot on tuesday
It has been discribed as 8 to 10ft long, very deep blue on back with a very large dorsal fin
and a 2ft long narrow sword like snout , it also had very large gills.
I am trying to find photos of this fish as there where a lot of people looking and some took
pictures

It is rumoured that it was removed to a local Chinese restaurant!!

Is this a sign of global warming or not????

Angle Bay

At Kilpaison this morning much quieter as the tide came up - c.40 Dunlin, 12 Ringed Plover, 1 (very obliging) Sanderling, 1 Grey Plover. 100+ Curlews roosting on the North side of the Bay. Unusually a Gannet came in really close to the beach, diving twice into what must have been pretty shallow water. More photos here

Teifi estuary at dusk

2 Sandwich Terns ( 1 juv) on Poppit beach.
20 Redshank flew over the spit.
Over 200 Canada Geese were on the main sandbank with the usual stragglers (1 Barnacle goose, 2 white domesticated geese that are usually by Cardigan hospital and the Canada x Greylag) but also a Bar headed goose, presumably an escaped bird.

Pembroke Upper Mill Pond

Still no Black-tailed Godwits;-
But.. 2 Green Sandpiper, 13 Greenshank, 76 Redshank & 2 Kingfisher.
(John H.)

Newgale Beach

10.40 - 11.05: Manx shearwater 71, Fulmar 4, Gannet 5, Black headed gull 3

Fishguard Harbour & Nevern Est.

Flagpoles;-
8 Sandwich Terns, 9 Turnstones. juv. & 1yr. Med Gulls.

Nevern Est;-
6 Ringed Plover

Angle Bay

At Kilpaison, as the tide dropped early afternoon, a good number of waders gathered - 400+ Dunlin, 80+ Ringed Plover, 12 Sanderling, 17 Black Tailed Godwits, 100+ Curlew. Unfortunately the rain then closed in so a really good look through the birds was not possible.

Western Cleddau, Little Milford

Little Milford;-
14 Greenshank, c143 Redshank, c85 Curlew, 3 Dunlin, Whimbrel, Common Sand. 2 little Egrets(ad's).
(Paul G.)

Fishguard Harbour

5 Sandwich Terns & Whimbrel in harbour, (0722 this am).
(Steve B.)

Teifi Est. & Fishguard Harbour

Teifi Est;-
St. Dogmael's Quay;-- 1 juv. Med. Gull
Gull View Point;-- 2 Black-tailed Godwits
Webley;-- 1 Barnacle Goose.

Fishguard Harbour;-
(1700),1 juv. Med. Gull & c80 Oystercatcher.
(Adrian R.)

Fishguard Harbour & ..Strumble Hd

Strumble Head today;-
2 Great Skua, 2nd yr Med. Gull, 21 Common Scoter, 4 Whimbrel & 1 Sunfish.
(Graham R. et al)

Fishguard Harbour;-
Med. Gulls, 2yr & juv. roosting Stena side at 0800, 5 Turnstones by the flagpoles.

Pembroke upper Mill Pond;-
Last night, 10 Redshank(38 sat pm), 4 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpipers.
(John Hayes).

Teifi - Monday morning

Estuary - 2 Black-tailed Godwits by the Webley as well as 3 Whimbrel.
One Common Sandpiper Patch.

Juv. Med Gull off St. Dogmaels slipway and 3 Little Egrets opposite - in roost tree.

Little of note Teifi Marshes, except for the 5 Common Lizards along the boardwalk.

North Pembs Little Owls

One of the owls was seen again this evening.
It was heard calling at 9.10pm then appeared on the barn roof at 9.30 and sat for 10 mins allowing an excellent view with a scope.
Contact Richard D. for viewing details.
Brilliant end to a day that had started with the unusual sight of all those Common Terns wheeling over the Teifi - Pembs birding at it's best!

Newport Sun am

Still 3 Common Sands & 1 Little Egret at the bridge.On the Estuary 1 Greenshn]ank, 1 Redshank, 5 Dunlins & 26 Oystercatchers which as the tide came up flew off & may be included in the 43 on the roost with 15 Curlews.On the beach 5 Sanderlings.

High Tide Saturday

As there seem to be a lot of Greenshanks around I though I'd try Sandy Haven at high tide yesterday and there were indeed Greenshanks there - nine in total. Also a few Redshanks, 4 Egrets and 30 Curlew, all disturbed by a fleet of fishermen in Kayaks drifting up with the tide.

High tide at Mullock Bridge yesterday evening produced much the same as Derek G's post this morning plus Buzzards amongst the hunting Egrets and Herons, 3 Swans and 9 Mallard plus 3 stunning brick red Black Tailed Godwits.

Rosemary

Fishguard Harbour & Pen Anglas

Pen Anglas;-
No sign of any Dartford Warblers today.

Plenty of butterfly activity, the highlight this Dark Green Fritillary - a female due to the paler markings towards the wing fringes? Or just worn? photo Adrian.


Fishguard Harbour;-
4 juv. & the 2nd yr. Med. Gulls roosting on the rocks Stena side.
Black Guillemots seen today.

(Adrian R. & Richard D.)

Marloes & Mullock bridge

At Marloes early this am,
28 Ravens heading in the Martinshaven direction, 5 Chough, 1 distant Kestrel, 3 Kittywakes - 1ad 2 juvs, in the car park attendants hut, 4 Swallows nests have produced some 30 young, with 2 nests still with young chicks in.
High tide at Mullock bridge,
8 Little egrets, 5 Herons - 2juvs, c50 Curlew, 1 ad Med gull

Strumble Head

This morning 3 Arctic Skuas,1 Bonxie,1Balearic Shearwater,1 Storm Petrel,5 Puffin,32 male and 11 female Common Scoter,1 Commic Tern,44 Whimbrel,2 Ringed Plover and 4Dunlin.(Richard Stonier and Steve)

Teifi

At 7 am this morning, 28 Common Tern (including 1 juvenile) flew around the estuary and landed briefly on the main sand bank then flew out to sea. Very unusual number for the Teifi but possibly part of a large movement of Common Terns as a couple of hundred were seen in North Devon yesterday.

At Patch as the tide came in, 12 Sanderling, 30 Dunlin in 3 separate flocks, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Black tailed Godwits and 80+ Oystercatcher. 14 Redshank flew in from the sea, probably just arrived.

Richard D. and Wendy J.

North Pembs, this evening.

Teifi Est;-
5 Little Egrets, -juv's., feeding opp. st. Dogmael's Quay then to roost in trees, at least 1 still learning to land on branches.
6 Black-tailed Godwits & 5 Redshank opp the Quay.
21 Common Sands at Jewsons. 4 Dunlin on the Patch.

Nevern Est;-
1 ad. Little Egret late pm, 3 Common Sands & 1 Kingfisher at dusk.
(Wendy. J., Janet A., & Richard D.)

Little Owls;-
2 birds showed at 2130 on barn roofs. For viewing please contact for details.
Richard D.

Strumble Head 06.00 - 15.30hrs

Twenty three species of bird seen in total today, highlights were: Storm petrel 6, Balearic shearwater 1(RS), Common scoter 60(21 females), Sandwich tern 15, Whimbrel 2, Med. gull 2 juv, Arctic skua 1 (pale phase) possibly a second one as well but well off on the horizon, single birds of Dunlin, Ring plover, Turnstone, Wheatear (juv). Kestrel 1 male moving up and down along the cliffs.

Common porpoise 23+ (including 3 calves) and a pod of Common dolphin 50+

Richard S., Graham R., Kevin J.

Fishguard area

3 juvs and a 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull in the harbour,at least 5 Bottle-nosed Dolphins off of Pen Anglas.A single Painted Lady butterfly on Goodwick Moor(Adrian and Steve)

Ty - Rhyg, Redpolls

Ty- Rhyg;-
A scrub area of the clear-felled site was identified by Paddy J. as a good site for ringing, with some interesting species to study.
After a first "real" session on 11/7 , including today c300 birds have been ringed, on basically weekly visits.
The most ringed being Willow Warbler - 85.
A Lesser Whitethroat trapped today being the 8th warbler species.

Redpolls are an elusive breeder in the county, today we caught 24, only 3 adults. On the previous visits we have caught 8 of which 6 were adults.
We have not re-trapped any of these Redpolls yet, supporting a higher than generally thought population.
Crossbills were also present first thing, presumably roosting there.
(Paddy J. & Richard D.)

Teifi

25 Common Tern on Poppit beach at 7am this morning.
16 Dunlin and 2 Turnstone at Patch.
At Jewsons after high tide - 21 Common Sandpipers.

Kilpaison, Angle Bay

Sightings via e mail from Alun Lamb for Thursday 31 July 7:30 - 9:00:-
Many Ringed Plover and Dunlin, 3 Sanderling, 2 Turnstone, 2 Sandwich Tern, 3+Whimbrel, 4 Common Sand 30+Oystercatcher, 6+Curlew, 1 Greenshank.

More Birding tonight, -- inc.Little Owl

Teifi;-
Patch, 4 Dunlin, 1 Sanderling.
Jewsons, 10 Common Sandpipers.
St. D's Q. / Webley, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, & 1 Barnacle with a small group of Canada geese.
Wendy J., Richard D. & Jon G(part-time).

Nevern Est;-On the dune-spit,
2 Black Tailed Godwits, & 1 Curlew with a straight/ greenshank type bill!, with other Curlews.

LITTLE OWLS
En route between the Teifi & Nevern Est.

Paddy phoned to discuss his unavailabilty to ring at Ty-Rhyg next week due to work!!
WORK being tracking 7 adult Nightjars that have been radio-tagged, to identify feeding areas that may be affected with proposed wind turbine construction.
(before you get excited, this is not in Pembs.!)
Whilst on the phone I spotted a Little Owl flying, & then watched a second enter a hole. Re-appear, strut about for a bit, then go in again,.. Very Nice...

Birding Today...around The Cleddau & North

Wendy & I visited a few sites;-
Nevern Est;-
0630, 10 Sanderling, 17 Dunlin on the beach & 2 Sandwich Terns present.
Kingfisher & 3 Common Sands above the iron bridge.
Fishguard Harbour;-
0700, 1 2w Med. Gull, 5 Turnstone, 1 Ringed Plover.

Little Milford;-
8 Black-tailed Godwits, 16 Greenshank, 6 Dunlin, c40 Redshank, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Little Egret, c300 Black-headed Gulls.
Llangwm;-
12 Redshank & Dunlin calling.
Llandshipping Quay;-
30 Redshank. & 2 Whimbrel.
Minwear Viewpoint;-
5 Common Sandpipers.

Llys-y-fran Resr;-
6 ad. & 3 juv. plumaged Great Crested Grebes, bred here presumably??

Fishguard Harbour;-
1200, 6(six) juv. Med. Gulls roosting Stena side.
Outer Breakwater;-
c50 Gannets flying around the end of Pen Anglas & 1 Guillemot scrambling around the end of the b/w.
(Wendy J. & Richard D.)