A pleasant "Indian summer" day and black tern at Stackpole

On the way to Stackpole this morning (nr Waterloo, Pembroke Dock) a flock of 35 mistle thrushes flying over the A477 made me stop and get out of the van to check they were not fieldfares; they weren't but I am not used to seeing a flock of mistle thrushes of this size.

A single black tern spent most of the day feeding over Bosherston lakes eastern arm; on Stackpole Warren there was a noticeable influx of Greenland race Wheatears - at least 20 (noticeably bigger brighter birds, more upright-stance, chestnut-pink underparts, and bold supercillium etc.

Diurnal hirundine migration - hundreds of swallows heading east along the coast, at least six yellow wagtails, plus several grey wags coming in off the sea heading to the lakes. I estimated in excess of 50 chiffchaffs in the woodland around the lakes, the new arrivals stimulated at least a dozen in full "chiff-chaff" song. Four Spotted flycatchers noted. Flocks of linnets probably moving through (one of 50+ was the largest single group).

Loads of migrant hawkers over the lakes today and in excess of 50 silver-y moths nectaring along the coast but no painted ladies or clouded yellows yet; possibly, if the current weather pattern continues, they may start to arrive any day now?