Black Redstart -- Haverfordwest

Merlins Bridge, Haverfordwest;-
1 today on roofs on houses in area.(Peter H.)

Cold sunny Stackpole

Good steady diurnal movements of skylarks (30-40); meadow pipits (50-60); chaffinches (100+); redwings 50+; and woodpigeons c. 100 over Stackpole Warren this afternoon. Several snipe also flushed from the dune grassland as is usual at this time of the year. A flock of approx 50 goldfinches feeding on ragwort seed-heads.

Swallows still around feeding over the warren, also a couple of red admiral butterflies still about in the sunnier spots. Green woodpecker still around.

On Bosherston Lakes the first 3 red-head Goosanders of the winter noted.

Bramblings

Tregwynt;-
At least 1 Brambling with c100 Chaffinches.
(Adrian R.)
Cilgerran;-
Brambling with Chaffinches on road to Wildlife Centre.

Teifi Estuary & Marshes

Off Patch;-
2 Red Breasted Mergansers.
Railings;-
1 Sanderling, 1 Knot, c10 Dunlin, 8 Shelduck, 3 Little Egrets.
(Jon G.)
Marshes, roost time;-
c50 Snipe flying out to feed, c100 Pied Wagtails, c200 Redwing, a few Fieldfare & c500 Starlings.
(Arfon W. & Richard D.)

Carregwastad

I saw a Merlin fly east close in to the headland at 15:45 and at 16:15 reappear overhead.

Skomer

News from Dave Boyle on Skomer - Had one of the best morning's birding on Skomer I've ever had today, nothing rare but a good movement of finches and thrushes - it would have been even better if it wasn't so cold! Birds were coming in from the NW and heading east along the north coast towards the mainland - 2 Woodcocks, 295 Woodpigeons, 70 Skylark, 130 Blackbirds, 10 Fieldfares, 60 Redwings, 12 Song Thrushes, 310 Jackdaws, 1400 Starlings, 4850 Chaffinches, 13 Bramblings, 60 Greenfinches & 15 Siskins. Not much actually in the bushes, but they were blowing around a bit - 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs and only our second Black Redstart of the autumn.

Swallows and Summer!

Cor blimey Paddy mate, "Summers not over" ???? - "One swallow doth not a summer make", nor even millions this year! so far as I am concerned summer hardly happened...

On our October the 12th boat trip we had a few swallows crossing the briny, due to short tail streamers, most if not all appeared to be juveniles.

Of course as you will know, there are a couple of records of overwintering swallows in Pembrokeshire or at least swallows spending some time here in the winter months.

Winterwise its here and this morning so were plenty of Redwings and a smattering of Fieldfares as well as a flock of 300+ Golden Plover heading south up the valley.

allthingsgood,cliff

Unusual bullfinch

In the garden this morning a male bullfinch that had a pure white 'cap' but still had black around the lower part of it's head. It was with another male and female bullfinch, but seemed larger/bulkier than either of them and was acting aggressively towards the other male. There didn't appear to be any other notible colouring discrepencies except perhaps that the red appeared lighter(?).

Red kite also seen over the garden.

Summers not yet over

Despite the rather chilly NE winds a Swallow was working its way NW at Llandewi Velfrey today. The number of winter migrants has been gradually increasing in the Lampeter Vale with a big influx of Woodpigeons (600) on Tuesday and Fieldfares, Redwings, Song thrushes and Blackbirds feeding on the Hawthorn berries. Still not huge numbers of winter thrushes compared to some years but the weather system has been unfavourable for Scandinavian migrants heading SW until the last few days. We should get more arriving over the next week.

Caldey and Marloes

Just got back from a couple of days on Caldey which was VERY quiet - a complete contrast to 2007 when there were many thrushes, goldcrests and firecrests around. Best was a flock of 50 Curlew!!!!

Deer Park was quiet today in the wind but a steady light movement of Chaffinches and a single Brambling heard. At the Mere the immature Marsh harrier is still around and making Snipe quite jumpy - all the ducks were hiding in the vegetation.

On Monday 27th the Cattle Egret was with the cattle in the field just above Sandy Haven church

Hobby

Hobby at Treffiaddan just after daybreak today. As is often the case at this time of year large flocks of Woodpigeons flying around the St David's area

Irish Sea

I joined Cliff for a Seatrust Ferry Survey going out to Rosslare yesterday afternoon, back to Fishguard this morning. Force 6/7 winds made for a big sea which was pretty exhilarating from the bridge! On the outward trip few birds but one Porpoise and 4 Common Dolphins was more than we exected in such conditions.
This morning we drew a blank on cetaceans but there were a few birds about. In Rosslare 2 Divers (1 a Red Throated, the other not pinned down) and 1 Common Scoter. Out at sea of most interest were the Starlings heading toward Ireland from Wales. There were many smallish groups whizzing past with the wind behind them. We counted 450 or so but no doubt missed many, many more. We also saw 17 Gannets, 10 Fulmars, 50+ Auks and one Manx Shearwater.

Black Red in H'west &.....

This mornings inland Black Red prompted Paul G. to have a look & sure enough he found one on roofs in Castle st. , near the castle in Haverfordwest.

Tregwynt;-
Brambling down lane to Aberbach beach by house with wood carvings, also probably a different bird in nearby stubble field with c1000 Chaffinches. Also 1 Swallow.
(Adrian R.)

Teifi;-
18 Ringed Plover, 6 Dunlin, from the Railings. 10 Redshank at Jewsons. Wigeon present off the Webley, could not count, but no where near last years figure.

Black Red -- inland

A Black Redstart, found this am on the Boncath to Eglwyswrw road B4332 at the entrance to AJ Tyre Recycling.(SN173380).
Also a number of 'thrush' flocks moving along.
I have just noticed 2 Pallas's Warblers on the East Coast reported this am so far so ......!!!
Change that now 3, 1 now in Norfolk.(1045)

North Pembs, -- Black Red's etc..

Moylegrove area;-
A good look around the village discovered even more apple trees than I new &
1 Black Red(dark) with incredibly large white wing patch near the field with the bonfire, also Blackcap(m) there. 1 Also 1 pale bird on roofs nr. the phone box, & 1 further pale bird at the last farm on the road to Ceibwr.
Cemaes Hd. Orchard;-
A few more Goldcrests here than last visit & c20 of each, Redwing, Blackbird, Song Thrush in the area.
A look around Patch & the Teifi, produced little, except geese at low tide with weather deteriorating.

Nevern Est;-
Am visit, 2 L.B. Brents, ad& juv. with 12 Wigeon. 1 Red-thd. Diver in the bay, 20 Ringed Plover, 12 Dunlin & 6 Redshank.

Cattle Egret

Cattle Egret still at Sandy Haven this morning, and 5 pale-bellied Brents on Broad Haven (N) beach yesterday afternoon (per Steve Hinton).

Juvenile Common Dolphin Stranded Whitesands.

A juvenile Common Dolphin was found dead at Whitesands 28/10/08 and reported to Powell Strong who informed me. We located the Dolphin

at the southern end of the beach, took photo's and dragged it above the tideline for collection by Rod Penrose the Welsh Marine Strandings Coordinator this morning. (01348 875000)

Any one finding a dead or live stranded cetacean or turtle can report it to Rod at the number above or Sea Trust on 01348 875639.

It is possible that this dolphin may be washed up elsewhere and should be pretty recognisable from the wounds. The bottom Jaw is smashed at the tip, there is a gaping wound below the dorsal fin another at the base of the tailstock of which the upper part has been sliced in front of the tail. Two more cetaceans believed to be common dolphins were stranded over the weekend on the South Coast of Pembs and we would be interested in any one with information on any other s recently, allthingsgood,cliff

Whooper Swans

Report via e mail from Graham Stephens of 3 Whooper Swans which flew up Beggar's Reach and then over Llangwm Ferry around 3:40 yesterday.

Black Redstarts

A few black redstarts appeared around Stackpole today, including around Home Farm area and in Stackpole village. Small numbers of fieldfares going through and more blackbirds around in woodland.

Skomer

News from Dave Boyle on Skomer - No sign of the shrike this morning. Plenty of finches going over again first thing, another 500 or so Chaffinches & the first few Bramblings of the autumn out here. A few more thrushes around, including our first Fieldfare and there was a Firecrest in the ivy at North Haven

Teifi estuary

At Jewsons. 5 Redshank, 1 Little Grebe and a Kingfisher.

From the railings, 1 Red-breasted Merganser(a different bird to the juveniles seen earlier in the month), 2 Redshank and 24 Ringed Plover.

Strumble & Fishguard

Strumble;-
Richard's Valley & Porthsychan Valley, v. quiet in not ideal weather, c500 Starlings feeding in the field having potatoes lifted. This field could become interesting now.
3 Red thd Divers & 15 Common Scoter seen flying west.

Fishguard Harbour;-
5 L.B. Brent Geese(3 juv.), 1 Black-td Godwit, 1 Little Egret, 3 ad. Med. Gulls(1 with red ring).
8 Common Gulls.

Dinas Hd;-
Adrian had a look around the lower slopes here & also v. quiet.

Teifi Brents

This afternoon at Patch, 4 Light-bellied Brent Geese.
Also 23 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 3 Little Egrets and 134 Wigeon.

Skomer

News from Dave Boyle on Skomer - A little bit of Chaffinch movement again this morning, but only a few hundred - they were going over really high so I could have easily missed a load. A Great Northern Diver flew high N over the Neck. Saw my first Woodcock of the autumn yesterday. Dave Milborrow almost definitely saw a grey shrike this evening near the farm, unfortunately too late to check it out - hopefully it will stick around!

Funny Gull @ Newport Mon am

Any interesting gulls?.
In with the BHGs an obvious 1st W with a thickish black bill & mask. But didn't look right for a Med. Then a bit of shuffling round & a black band across the back of it's neck.
Scrabbled in Collins.
"Only" a Kittiwake.
But the 1st I've seen in juv plumage (& I'm always surprised at how uncommon they are at Newport - less than annual, & I've only seen adults there before).

Martin's Haven 20-26 October

Just a quick summary of birds seen in the valley last week between storms:
20+ Goldcrest in a flock last Monday, feeding steadily for several hours. Only 2-3 seen on subsequent days.
Chiffchaff: Typically 2-3 feeding actively in the bushes, max 8+
Chough: flocks of up to 15 seen most days
Reed Bunting: max 6
Redwing: 2 seen on 26th
Firecrest: 1 male seen on 26th, not accompanied by any other Goldcrests or chiffs. I had been hoping for a Yellow-Browed Warbler (!) but was delighted with this fellow, my first.
Plus usual Wrens, Blackbirds, Kestrels, Stonechats, wagtails (Pied and Grey), Linnets, tits and pipits.
The best time of day has been from c.1000 to 1500 (GMT) when the sun has risen enough to warm up the Deer Park wall and the bushes.

As a follow-up to the reports of the Marsh Harrier at Marloes Mere, I was astonished, when I saw it on Wednesday, at the number of birds it consistently put up all over the Mere. I sometimes get a bit disheartened by the lack of visible duck at the Mere and perhaps, incorrectly, assume they have gone somewhere more sheltered. The highlights of the Harrier's efforts were enormous numbers of Teal (I estimate c.200), 50+ Mallard, and 20+ each Shoveller and Wigeon. The biggest surprise was the number of Snipe flushed: I recorded 30+ in the log, but subsequently saw many more than this, with 3-5 groups of over a dozen birds flushed sequentially as the Harrier moved across the marsh. And I have normally been pretty happy to see 1 or 2 snipe in a winter session there! Overall, it made me realise that we probably consistently underestimate the importance of Marloes Mere for wildfowl, judging by some of the counts done there compared to other locations in the County

Visible migration through my bedroom window!

I awoke just before daylight, it was not possible to pick out features clearly but the sky was pale and bright. A flurry of small passerines fluttered past my bedroom window, over the house, and then another , and another...

I got up to walk the dogs and confirmed my initial presumption that they were Chaffinches.

As I write they continue to fly through in loose groups of between ten and a hundred. I guestimate somwhere between 3000 to 5000 hyave passed by in the hour since I first saw them. If this is happening all through Pembrokeshire now, it really is an stunning wildlife event. I tried to catch them with a photo' this poor effort is just meant as a record.

allthingsgood, cliff

Dale area

Capeston Farm - 4 Med Gulls (2 ad, 2ndW & 1stW)
Dale - 2 Blackcaps & 5 Chiffchaffs
St. Ann's Head - Blackcap
Gann - 3 Brents (pb), 18 Redshank, 6 Little Egrets

Welsh Ornithological Conference

The Welsh Ornithological Conference will be held at Neville Hall Hospital Education Centre, Abergavenney on Saturday November 8th. The theme is "Birds and Power" which will investigate the effects of windfarms, barrages, biofuels on our bird populations in the UK. There will also be a quiz and the Welsh Ornithological Society AGM as well as stands from Subbuteo Books, Birdguides and the BTO.

A full progamme and booking form can be found on http://www.welshos.org.uk/

The cost for the day including lunch and tea is £20.

Arctic Skua

I saw a late dark phase adult fly west past Carregwastad at 15:30.

More Black Redstarts

2 Black Redstarts (one male, one female) on the roof of the last house at Ceibwr Bay SN110455, this afternoon.

St Govan's / Angle

Late morning at St Govan's a Great Northern Diver close into the headland. 6 Chough amongst a mixed group of 20 or so Corvids enjoying the up-draught from the cliff.

At Angle 80 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 6 Little Egret, 6 Lapwing, 5 Shelduck.

At Kilpaison early afternoon 21 Bar Tailed Godwit, 1 Knot, 20 Curlew, 50 Oystercatcher, 210 Wigeon.

Teifi Black redstarts

2 female Black Redstarts at Patch Caravan site this morning.

High tide wader roost - 3 Turnstone, 17 Ringed Plover and 5 Dunlin
(Richard D and WendyJ)

Kidwelly & Carms.

5 cars left Pembs. this morning to see the Little Blue Heron, no sign of the Heron but,
Dryslwyn;-
6 Whooper Swans, 2 ad & 4 juv.
Cilsan Bridge;-
1 Green Sandpiper.
(Wendy & Dyfed J.)
Kidwelly;-
Rt. Hen Harrier, Peregrine, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Little Stint, c50 Golden Plover, 2 Swallows & c30 Little Egrets, --- but no sign of the Little Blue Heron today.

Skomer

News from Dave Boyle on Skomer - Yellow-browed Warbler in the bracken on the north side of The Neck this morning

Sandy Haven

I was in the right place at the right time this time to see the Cattle Egret fly in and land among cattle in the second field on the left south of Capeston at 15:00, earlier along the pill 3 each Little Egrets and Greenshank.

Bosherton Ponds

Saw at least 2o house martins and swallows feeding above the lilly ponds
and a green woodpecker near Mere Pool pm today

Little Blue Heron -- Kidwelly

If you are not aware,!!
There is a Little Blue Heron seen nr. Kidwelly, see BirdGuides for further info.

St. David's Head area & North Pembs.

As on Skomer, 100's of Chaffinches flying W. this early am over St. David's Airfield, where also Redwings & Fieldfare & Blackcap. Apart from a Chiffchaff at Porthclais all sites visited very quiet after this Chaffinch movement.
Penberry, 1 Gadwall.
Fishguard Harbour, 1 ad. Med. Gull, & a very showy Dipper in Lower Town.
Dinas, Goshawk(fem.) attracting attention of Ravens & other corvids as moved west.
(Wendy J. & Richard D.)

Teifi, c28 Ringed Plover & 4 Dunlin(Patch), c20 Redshank 4 Little Egrets(Little!)
(Wendy J.)

Strumble head - Little Auk

Strumble this am;-
1 Little Auk, 2 Little Gulls, 1 Red Thd. Diver
(Mervyn J.)

Cattle Egret

Still present today at Capeston

Lesser Whitethroat

At Dale in the "chicken garden" opposite the W.I. hut, showing well in the small tree.

Daubenton's Bat

I came across this Bat at Bosherston early this afternoon between the 8 Arch Bridge and the Boathouse. It spent a few minutes hawking over the water in the bright sunlight before flying off into the trees. I later learnt from Annie Haycock that it was a Daubenton's Bat. They are always found in association with water, and live in crevices in bridges (including the Eight-Arch Bridge) and in tree holes.

Also there plenty of Kingfisher activity with 2, perhaps 3 chasing each other around, no doubt sorting their territories out.

Skomer

News from Dave Boyle on Skomer - A good day today - 1100 Chaffinches W this morning, mainly before 09:00. A female Snow Bunting flew over and there were 4 Long-tailed Tits in N Valley. Been very quiet last few days, not helped by the weather but did see a Jack Snipe at West Pond a couple of days ago.

Nordic Jackdaw

The Nordic Jackdaw in my garden again late morning, attacking the peanut feeder. Paul saw it a few days ago at the Belle Vue, so it's "around".

I wonder if yesterday's storm has brought us anything good...coastal trees/valleys/gardens/hedgerows well worth a look!

Marsh Harrier and Cattle Egret

The female Marsh Harrier referred to below at Marloes Mere finally drifted off towards Martins Haven at 1.30 pm yesterday. Thanks to Paul M for spotting the Cattle Egret at Sandy Haven. We saw it again at 6.00pm at Capeston farm comically making dashes behind a strolling cow! It then took off and headed back towards Sandy Haven.

Teifi & Fishguard

Teifi;-
1 Common Sandpiper & 15 Redshank at Jewsons .
Fishguard;-
Ad. Med. Gull & 1w. Common Gull in Lower Town Harbour.

Marsh Harrier

I received a report via Email of a female Marsh Harrier today at Marloes Mere seen between 10.30-11.30am and still present when they left.

Golden Plover

Maes y Garn, Crymych: Flock of 75+ golden plover seen on our top fields late this afternoon. A single red kite also seen over the fields as well as a hunting sparrowhawk chasing small birds through the hedges.

Ty Rhyg

Flushed a Woodcock at Ty Rhyg this aftenoon, the first for me of the autumn. There was also a large Long-tailed Tit flock with at least 25 birds. Associating with them were about 10 Goldcests, a Firecrest and an 'albietinus' looking Chiffchaff, but only two or three Blue Tits.

Sandy Haven Pill

Cattle Egret 1
Little Egret 5
Greenshank 7
Redshank 3

Short Eared Owl

A Short Eared Owl was seen hunting on the west side of Trefeiddan moor at 5-15 this evening also a Hobby flying low and fast towards Rhosson farm and a single Swallow.

Angle

At Angle harbour this morning c. 55 Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 23 Turnstone, 6 Curlew, 1 Snipe, 4 Little Egrets, 5 Great Crested Grebes.

Fishguard

Not as interesting as the Shark tag item, but,

Lower Town;-
This am , 1 L.B. Brent Goose off the quay in the outer harbour, 4 Redshank roosting.

Basking shark satellite tag lost at sea off Pembrokeshire coast

The following message was forwarded from Rod Penrose (Marine Strandings); if anyone on a tour of our beaches for good birds happens to find the satellite tag, there is a reward for the person who finds it!





From: Jackie Hall [mmailto:inter.tech@btinternet.com] Sent: 21 October 2008 15:35 To: Rod Penrose Subject: Colin the basking shark's tag map: A £200 rewards for finding it.

Dear Dr Penrose,
Jackie Hall here, I run Manx Basking Shark Watch, a subsidiary of the Manx Wildlife Trust. Professor Hayes suggested that you might have people 'on the beach' in Wales. One of our basking sharks, 'Colin' has shed his very expensive satellite tag. We would dearly like to get it back as it means that we can get a much better data set from it AND we can recondition it and use it again next year. they are £2000 a piece new so you can see that this would be good news!

Here is the google map of the last known position of 'Colin' the basking shark's tag. It was not accurate, presumably because it was a very windy tag and the tag must have been blowing around a lot, making it difficult for the tag to transmit to the satellite.

If by any chance any of you people are in this area could they please keep an eye open for it. I will attach a picture of it. It is on a page of A4 to give it some scale. Also a link to the webpage story about it.

http://www.manxbaskingsharkwatch.com/news.aspx#Basking%20shark%20tag%

I cannot tell you how grateful we would be if you get it back.

Very best regards

Jackie Hall

North Pembs.

Yesterday,
Nevern est;-
1 Ad. Med. Gull, 1 ad. Common Gull, 1 Chiffchaff.
Teifi est;-
1 Ad. Med. Gull, & a couple of Redwings nr. the Cemaes Orchard.

Cattle Egret

Saw the cattle Egret at 2pm in the same field as Richard yesterday.
Thanks Jill for pointing me in the right direction

GP

Approx 60 Golden Plover flew over Tegryn at lunchtime..........& a smaller flock earlier in the day, all heading west.

Cattle Egret

Cattle Egret seen around 1:30 p.m. today in field with cattle just south of Capeston. Seems to be commuting between Sandy Haven Pill and fields just to north of the Pill.
No luck with the Yellow Browed at Marloes though a Goldcrest in the bushes by the hide had me going for a second or two!

Fishguard & Teifi

Further WeBs counting; - of interest,
Fishguard Outer Breakwater;-
1 Common Sand., 3 Ringed Plover, 3 Turnstone, Ad& 2w. Med. Gulls.
No Purple Sandpipers.
Lower town 1 2w. Med. Gull. & 1 ad. Med. Gull with heavily streaked head on the Stena-side slipway.

WeBs counts for the Teifi, a Cerdigion site, covered for Jon, whilst he was struggling to find the Cattle Egret!
Of interest, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 ad. Med. Gulls, c120 Wigeon, c120 Teal(Creek Hide),
2 Knot,(Patch), 1 Common Sand.(Jewsons), 5 Little Egrets.
(Wendy J. & Richard D.)

Carew/Cresswell Rivers

WeBs count today produced nothing particularly special but locally reasonable numbers of redshank (99) greenshank (9) curlew (140) oystercatcher (44) and little egret (18) all roosting in their usual locations at New Shipping on Carew River and Cresswell River. Small numbers of swallows and house martins feeding over both rivers but little sign of any real hirundine passage. Good views of Kingfisher at Carew French Mill, where they often feed.

Great Expectations...?

After a great start to the weekend with the Cattle egret on Friday, I was looking forward to seeing all sorts of passerines, waders, etc. However somewhat disappointed I found myself on a cold boulder staring through my scope this evening at the incoming tide at the Gann.
The highlight being, 6 Meds, (all adults) 10 LITTLE Egrets, 18 Turnstones, 3 Dunlin.
Perhaps with an unsettled week forecast there`s always the chance that something will be blown in on the SW winds, that I might actually get the chance to see. More Laughing Gulls? Another Blackpoll? Oh the joys of birding........

Yellow-browed Warbler

A short walk at Marloes Mere late afternoon in blustery conditions revealed the Yellow-browed still present - the only passerine I saw! At least 12 Mallards visible but not the Black Duck which I hald expected to re-appear as the vegetation dies back. Maybe it is still lurking....or maybe not.

Cattle Egret

I am guessing that most will have seen this earlier today? Anyway, an update.

The bird was still at Sandy Haven this afternoon, I stopped at the pull in to see what was at the upper end of the pill and within 5 minutes I saw the bird flying past on the far side heading towards the sea, it dissapeared round the corner, so I drove up to Sandy Haven and having crossed the stone bridge (well, concrete) walked upstream hoping to find it again, no joy. But on the way back......There it was, sitting in classic style on the branches of an enormous old Oak tree that had fallen into the mud. I got to within 60 yards and it sat quite still and I left it undisturbed.

Great find, thanks Dave!!

Skomer

News from Dave Boyle on Skomer - Very very quiet again today, highlight was probably 3 Chiffchaffs! A few more birds around yesterday, unfortunately I needed to go shopping. Graham Walker had a Red Kite fly over, a Pied Flycatcher and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, there were a few Blue and Great Tits milling around, about a dozen Redwings and there were Skylarks moving in the morning, I'd seen 70 odd before going shopping. Saw 2 Bramblings in Martin's Haven on the way to Tescos.

Yellow Browed Warbler

Showing both today and yesterday ie 17th and 18th October from tjhe Britton Hiode at Marloes Mere

North Pembs - today ( & far South).

Fishguard Harbour;-
1 Little Egret, -- a good harbour bird!
Ad & 2w. Med's at Flagpoles. (Adrian R.)

Nevern Est;-
This am c20 Ringed Plover & c10 Dunlin still roosting on dunes, no sign of 3 L.B. Brent Geese present y'day late pm. on the sea.
40 Curlew roosting on mud tonight.

Llys-y-fran & Rosebush Resr.;-
Both quiet, 6 Tufted on Rosebush, & a few Herring Gulls, c100 B.H. Gulls with c700 L.B.B. Gulls at c1700 on Llys-y-fran.

Bosherston village;- c6 Swallows, v. little from 8- Arch bridge. 1 Chiff seen.
Stackpole Quay;- 2 Swallows & an interesting visit to a place I don't know,(the Quarry, the apple trees etc.)

Sandy Haven & Mullock Bridge

5 Little Egrets and at least one Greenshank although no sign of the Cattle Egret this afternoon. I got back to Fishguard in time to see a Merlin fly over Pen Anglas and inland.

Ring-billed Gull

An adult Ring-billed Gull was on the water with Lesser Black-backs at Heathfield GP this am. All flew off west at about 8.45. St Davids Hd: a few siskins and chaffinches moving, one Northern wheatear. Strumble Hd pm just a chiffchaff.

Cattle Egret & bits

The Cattle Egret had moved slightly this morning and was found in a cattle field (where else) at Capeston Farm, just above Rickeston (thanks Trev). Better views today.

No sign of the Great White - Jonathan met a birder at Porth Clais today who had one yesterday near St. David's Head more or less flying out to sea at around 11am, so we can almost certainly kiss that one goodbye.

Had a good bash around Dale/St. Ann's area today, highlight being a Chiffchaff....

Angle

At Angle Harbour this morning 22 Turnstones, 26 Ringed Plover and 1 Ad. Winter Med Gull.

At Kilpaison 18 Bar Tailed Godwits, 4 Grey Plover, 1 Knot, c.80 Oystercatchers, 40 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets and 70 Wigeon.

The Quest is over!!

Mission accomplished! Thankyou Dave.

Cattle Egret - Sandy Haven

Funny how things turn out - you go in search of a Great White Egret, and you find a Cattle Egret instead! Seen c.5pm in tree more or less opposite the house with the for sale sign, just south of the church, and later roosting with Little Egrets in a tree on the west bank further downstream. First in Pembrokeshire since 1996 and the fourth ever. 3 Egrets in a day on the Dale peninsula - magic (except I missed one of them!).

Honey Buzzards

Saw a pair of Honey buzzards over Canaston wood lunch time today
heading west towards the coast

Porth Clais

Yellow-browed Warbler still at Porth Clais this morning in amongst a large mixed tit flock. Also a good sprinkling of Goldcrests and a Pied Flycatcher.

Newport Fri am - Whoopers

A bit anticlimactic after the Egret posting, but at high tide 3 juv Whoopers flew in & were swimming around 30 m away by the Boat Club.
Also an ad Med gull with an unreadable White ring, 11 Redshanks, 21 Ringed Plovers,10 Dunlin, 7 Turnstones, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Wigeon &, on the roost, 35 Oystercatchers.

Great Egret at the Gann

From Mullock Bridge at high tide a Great Egret with Little Egrets and Grey Herons. It has a strange tufty look to the forehead (like a Cattle Egret!) but size alone rules out anything else. Local info. suggests it was here yesterday.

Rosemary

Porth Clais YBW

I caught up with the Yellow-browed Warbler on its second day, it was still present at 16:15 and at 16:45 an adult Med Gull flew over heading north-east.

They're back.... and in their thousands

If you have not seen the amazing spectacle of many thousands of Starling falling like wet confetti from 200 ft into a reed bed, then now's your chance. If you have you will want to see it all over again,

At 17:50 this evening, with no wind and a light sky, wave upon wave of black lentil shaped formations appeared over the Slebech hillside. Twisting and turning in disciplined squadrons they fell into the reed bed below the Lookout at Minwear. The murmuring began, the reed bed collapsed and by 18:10 the sky was clear.

See it now before the reed beds are totally flattened and the roost moves on.

Also from the Minwear Lookout this PM..... 8 Little Grebes, 3 Green Sands, 1 Common Sand and a Kingfisher. 60 Mallard flew up river as dusk fell.

From Lydstep Head this AM 15 Swallows and 1 House Martin heading towards Caldey.

Marsh Harrier - Marloes Mere

The Marsh Harrier(below), is in the log book at the hide, as seen earlier in the week, an arrival date would be nice if anyone goes to the hide & can provide the info. Thanks.
(For the records, 1st recorded 12/10, if same bird. From log book)

Highlights from Dale area ,
A Marsh Harrier at Marloes Mere this am, & a Lesser Whitethroat & 3 Chiffchaffs in Dale.
Further birds at Marloes Mere;-
c100 Teal, c10 Shoveler, c40 Wigeon, c30 Snipe, & 2 Swallow.
Marloes village;-
12 Swallow, c30 Coal Tits, & 1 Chiffchaff.
(Paul G. & Gary H.)

Yellow-browed Warbler -- Porthclais

The Y.B.Warbler still present this am around sycamores by the stream.
Fairly quiet with little passage overhead, but 1 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaffs, c10+ Goldcrests, 3 Coal Tits in the area.
Visits to Rhosson Farm, 2 Chiffchaffs,
the hotel, YHA, & Peggaty Cottage, v. little except Goldcrests, with only a few Skylarks & a few Chaffinches moving. 1 Siskin with Goldfinches at the Cottage.
Ivors Pond, 2 Little Grebe, & at last a few Meadow Pipits!
Penberry, 1 Little Grebe.

Good Nos. of Red Admiral flying/ basking; & 1 Migrant Darter showing extremely well at Ivor's Pond.

Llangoffen Fen;- 2 Willow Tit, 1 Kestrel of note.
Wendy J., & Richard D.

Tregwynt valley;-
Very little in a good search this afternoon,(Adrian R.)

Angle

At Kilpaison this morning the wind was howling into the bay. On the tide edge there were 15 Bar Tailed Godwits, 20 Oystercatchers and 5 Little Egrets. 100+ Wigeon out on the water.

Later, on a walk from West Angle Bay to The Point there were 7 Yellowhammers in the fields/hedges. Click photo for larger image.

Skomer

Latest news from Dave Boyle on Skomer - The Yellow-browed Warbler is still in the ivy at North Haven, there's a few more Goldcrests around today and Dave Milborrow saw 3 swans fly west but didn't get on them to see what they were - apparently they're the first swans seen on Skomer since 2002!

St Davids Penninsula

Checked the three valleys, Porthclais, Caerbwdy and Nine Wells this morning looking for migrants. Amazingly, for mid October, not a single Redwing or Blackcap recorded all morning. All three valleys held Coal Tits, Water Rails, Great Spotted Woodpeckers and Goldcrests, and as expected Porthclais was the busiest.

Porthclais
Yellow-browed Warbler 1
Goldcrest 30+
Coal Tit 7
Water Rail 2
Sparrowhawk 2
Chaffinch 60
Redpoll 1
Crossbill 1
Starling 150

Caerbwdy
Goldcrest 8
Coal Tit 3
Water Rail 1
Sparrowhawk 1
Spotted Flycatcher 1
Whooper Swan 2 (flying west)

Nine Wells
Water Rail 3
Goldcrest 5
Coal Tit 3

Yellow-browed Warbler - Skomer

News from Dave Boyle on Skomer - Yellow-browed Warbler in the ivy at North Haven all day today and a Great Northern diver flew over very high heading south. Still very few migrants around, just a handful of Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs & Blackbirds.

Yellow-browed Warbler -- Porthclais

Paddy has found a Yellow-browed Warbler in the sycamore by the stream along the path to the sewerage works, found at c.0930 this am.

Marloes Mere attracts a star bird

County first - female / 1st w Blackpoll Warbler - Tuesday 7th Oct. 11am - 3pm.

Photos taken by visiting birder (from the hide) - one posted here, just to make us sick.

Bird not present on the wednesday.

Assuming acceptance by BBRC, 3rd for Wales (other two on Bardsey, 1968 & 1976).

Jon. G.

Martin's Haven 11-12 October: first Redwing

Saturday was, predictably, a bit of a washout, but was saved by a Water Rail calling in the ditch below Lockley Lodge and a flock of c.25 Choughs flying from the Deer Park.
Sunday morning had really good numbers (30+) of Skylarks in the big fallow field to the south of the NT car park, and several similar-sized flocks of Linnets over and feeding in the turnip field. As the sun came out mid-morning we had continuous movement from the west into and through the scrub in the valley. Highlights were my first Redwing of the autumn, a male and female Blackcap, 5+ chiffchaffs, 2 coal tits, a female chaffinch and the resident male Kestrel sitting on the Deer Park wall. Other than the Linnet flocks, the most numerous birds were Meadow and a few Rock Pipits that paused on the wall before flying inland, and Stonechats.
Found a very small Palmate Newt looking for somewhere to hibernate in the garden shed, and saw 2 Common Lizards catching some late autumn sun. Loads of very large (up to 4") and very hairy caterpillars on the heather in the Deer Park. Can anyone tell me what these are likely to be?

Fishguard & Goodwick

I saw an adult Med Gull in front of the flagpoles at 13:15 and a Merlin drifted over Pen Anglas at 14:00.

Grassholm

Annual expedition to Grassholm today to cut free entangled young (43 cut free this year). Pick of the migrants out there was yellow browed warbler and black redstart. Other birds included song thrush, goldfinch, goldcrest, chaffinch, greenfinch, willow warbler and stonechat.

Pelagic

A pelagic with Seatrust yesterday started off very foggy with few birds and few dolphins. A group of 100+ Kittiwakes eventually appeared with a Bonxie nearby disapearing into the murk. Shortly afterwards we picked up some Common Dolphins and as the sun broke through and the fog dispersed we had large numbers of Dolphins around the boat for much of the day - best estimate some 300 animals in all with a significant proportion being young calves.

Birdwise it continued pretty quite - a few Auks and Gannets, 3 Bonxies and a probable Pomarine Skua with Kittiwakes probably being the most numerous species. Notable that not one Manxie was seen all day.

Porthclais

Observation from Ray Wilkinson

Wednesday 8 Oct, Jean and I had 3 Long-eared Owls passing quite high over Porthclais, heading south down the Alun Valley towards the sea, at about 1730hrs.

Possible Bittern at Cilgeran

My next door neighbour who is a keen naturalist though not a birder as such spends much time at cilgeran (sp?) and yesterday saw a large brown heron sized bird make a sharp turn and drop into the reed bed (he did not specify where exactly) and was sure he had seen a Bittern. So I pass the sighting on.

A feast of Phylloscs

Paul & I spent the day around the Dale peninsula:

Gann - 7 pale-bellied Brents, 2 Med Gulls (ad/2ndW), 8 Little Egrets, 1 Redshank & good numbers of Rock & Meadow Pipits + a few Skylarks over

St. Ann's Head - a flock of Long-tailed Tits, a few Meadow Pipits & a Goldcrest but not a lot else

Dale - a good search of the village revealed a Willow Warbler in the vicar's apple tree (this is not a euphomism!), but not a lot else (3 Swallows)

Dale Fort - at last some Chiffchaffs, followed by a Yellow-browed Warbler (in the woodland opposite Point House), then an unidentified Phyllosc calling that we suspected to be a Greenish Warbler in the garden of Point House (we have since listened to a CD of Greenish call - it was one....) and in the hours that followed unsuccessfully trying to confirm the Greenish, we found a second Yellow-browed. Bittersweet is a word that springs to mind.

Bird Group Trip to Ramsey Sunday 12th October

The Bird Group trip to Ramsey this Sunday is now as it was originally planned ie a 10 clock sailing.
Please book your place with Thousand Islands Wildlife Expeditions on 01437 721721. Please collect your tickets from thier office and be at the Lifeboat Station ie St Justinians by 9.45 on Sunday morning if you are coming

Tefi Marshes - Cilgerran

News fro the Wildlife Trust Centre of a Bittern flying over the Kingfisher Hide this afternoon with large numbers of Starlings coming to roost in the reed beds later

Herring Gulls at Newport

To add to Richards recent note on Herring Gulls ringed at the Gloucester landfill site, Blue 178 & BHS, at Newport on Oct 9, were also ringed there (2/06 & 1/07 respect.)
Oddly, of the 3 I have seen, none has been seen anywhere else, though BHS was back in Gloucester in Mar & Nov 07.

Nevern Est. & Fishguard

Nevern est. early pm;-
31 Ringed Plover, 9 Dunlin, 2 ad. Med. Gulls, 2 ad. & 1*1w. Common Gulls.

Fishguard Harbour;-
1w Med. Gull, Stena Side - 1530.(Adrian).

Teifi - Sat am.

Back to local birding after, the abortive trip to Cornwall y'day (We did get the King Eider though).

Teifi;-
Patch, 1 Wheatear, c30+ Meadow Pipits, Dunlin & Ringed Plover calling.
Railings, c500+ Canada Geese & 2 Snow, 1 Bar-headed Geese.
Marshes, c12 Swallows feeding, sev. Common Snipe flying around, a few Chiffchaffs with a large mixed flock. Several Cetti's singing.
In front of Creek Hide, c50 Snipe, Water Rails ,c30 Teal feeding. c20 Reed Buntings with tits, Grey Wagtails & Kingfisher.
All then flushed by a large, presumed female Peregrine, which by the painfull call smashed into a Curlew around the bend!

Lapland Bunting Stackpole Wedns 8th Oct

During the morning, a noticeable movement of small finches (mainly linnets and siskins) meadow pipits and skylarks heading west in small flocks. However one notable bird was a Lapland Bunting heard calling high over the NT/CCW base. It was a bit high up to see much detail but the distinctive "chu-chu-chup" flight calls were heard well.

Plenty of goldcrests around plus at least one firecrest down the eastern arm of Bosherston Lake

Teifi marsh

Creek hide at dusk again - 13 Snipe and 90+ Teal. Several Water Rail heard.
The Starling roost has been increasing this week with over 1000 birds tonight going down into the reeds.

Teifi Est.

A brief look this late am;-
c90 Wigeon amongst the c600+ Canada & 2 Snow Geese. 1 Dunlin
7 Redshank & 1 Kingfisher at Jewsons.

Sycamores nr. pond at start of Cemaes Head;-
Goldcrests & Coal Tits.

The Gann

The Gann, this am;-
8 Pale-bellied Brent Geese still, 12 Redshank, 7 Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Snipe, 5 Little Egrets, 8 Teal.
2 Sandwich Terns off Dale.
(Paul G.)

Teifi marsh

Creek hide at dusk - 4 Snipe, 2 Water Rail and 50 Teal. 3 Cetti's warblers singing.

Ramsey

Great spotted woodpecker today - 2nd record for island
Also house sparrow - another rarity out here! Good hirundine and skylark passage.

Sadly, a very isolated population

At last night's monthly meeting of the Pembrokeshire Bird Group, Bob, using survey maps from the BTO, highlighted the isolation of Pemb's Green Woodpeckers..... detached by many miles from their nearest neighbours. So, today, it was with privileged excitement we flushed one in the small and remote coastal valley at SM 846023.

Also of note today, Angle Bay, 3 adult Med Gulls.

Skomer

News from Skomer for yesterday from Dave Boyle of a Grey Phalarope out in St Brides Bay off N Haven. Managed a bit of bush bashing down between the showers but hardly saw a migrant.

Angle Bay

At Kilpaison early afternoon during a brief respite in the deluge - Oystercatcher c.100, Bar Tailed Godwit 18, Knot 1, Redshank 1, Curlew 12, Ringed Plover 4, Little Egret 5, Wigeon 25, Mallard 20, Great Crested Grebe 2. When a Peregrine chased all the waders off the beach and the rain swept in again I headed for home!

Herring Gulls -- recoveries

Herring Gull -- Blue 469;-
This was seen on the Nevern 11/09/08 by Paul G.

Herring Gull -- Blue BAE;-
This was seen on the Teifi 17/07/07.

Herring Gull -- Blue BCE;-
This was seen on the Nevern 24/05/08.

These were all ringed at the Gloucester Landfill Site on The Severn estuary in Oct/Dec 2006.
Are these from the Pembs. population wintering in The Severn area? or...?
All aged as near adult /adult.

Ring Ouzel & other ..

Ring Ouzel - Tenby;-
1 flew around Northcliff down towards North beach this late am. (Ed.H.)

Pembroke Upper Mill Pond;-
3 swimming Black-tailed Godwits, -- water level too high!!

Llandstadwell;-
7 Redshank, 1 Little Egret & 1 ad. Common Gull.

Fishguard Harbour;-
Ad. & 2w. Med. Gulls & 1w Common Gull.
(Janet A. & Richard D.)

Skomer News

Some very welcome information from Dave Boyle on Skomer giving the highlights on the island so far this Autumn

Balearic Shearwater: 1 in St Brides Bay 11th Sep
Leach's Stormie: 1 off N Haven 3rd Oct
Red Kite: 1 on 14th Sep, 3rd island record
Marsh Harrier: juv 26th & 27th Sep
Hobby: juv 31st Aug
Corncrake: 1 flushed down the bottom of N Valley 29th Sep (my highlight of the autumn!)Dotterel: juv flying around west end of the island 16th Sep it did go down somewhere but I couldn't find it
Wood Sandpiper: 1 5th Sep
Grey Phalarope: 1 or 2 in St Brides Bay off N Haven on 11th and 1 on the 12th Sep
Med Gull: 1st winter in N Haven 26th Sep
Long-eared Owl: 1 N Valley 18th Sep
Wryneck: 6 different individuals 4th to 19th Sep (1 farm 4th-15th, 1 Welsh Way 5th-7th, 1 Lantern 13th, 2 additional birds at the farm 15th & 1 West Field 19th)
GS Woodpecker: 1 25th Sep
Melodious Warbler: 1 N Valley 21st Sep
Yellow-browed Warbler: 1 farm 28th Sep
Coal Tit: 1 25th/26th Sep, 1 3rd Oct
Crossbill: 1 27th Sep
Lapland Bunting: 1 25th Sep

Many thanks Dave

Black-tailed Godwit OL-OR flag

OL-OR flag as this colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwit is known, (left) was first seen on Pembroke Upper Mill Pond on 27th Sept. & I believe is still seen almost daily.

This chick was ringed in NW Iceland this July. This is one of 54 chicks ringed in this study, & the 6th to have been re-sighted already.

The male parent shown on the right.

Fishguard Harbour

I saw an unringed second winter Med Gull on one of the groynes at 13:45.

swallows

Today at lunchtime over 40 swallows went over & through Tegryn. Whole passage took less than 5 minutes & then no more seen.

Dale area

No sign of Dave's Red-breasted Flycatcher today, by c1430.
A bit optomistic with last nights clear sky perhaps? but we couldn't find anything else either!
Blackcap & Chiffchaff around the car-park, few Goldcrests & warblers, plenty of Robins! & a visible passage of Skylarks & Swallows.

Martin's Haven, Monk Haven & the sycamores on the road to Dale Fort all quiet!

The Gann,
8 L.B.Brent Geese & 15 Turnstones the highlight.

Wendy J. Paul G. & Richard D.

Ridge soaring for entertainment

A long weekend spent at Pencarnan and the exposed local headlands during a period of extreme northerly winds produced little of note. However, from the caravan window, we were treated to fine aerial displays when two interlopers attempted to share the updraft off the cliffs with the local female Peregrine. A Merlin took undoubted risks during bouts of sparing with its larger cousin, but a Raven was more dismissive to the Peregrine's attentions, making several acrobatic flick rolls of avoidance. All this lasted ten minutes or more before the Peregrine spotted a Red-legged Partridge in a field above the cliff. Leaving the Raven to ridge soar in peace, the Peregrine made a long shallow power descent, whacked the partridge on the ground before carrying it off.

Whinchat near Point St John when we left this morning.

Golden Plover

Sunday (5th) 18.55 there were 44 golden plover near Tegryn.

Red-breasted Flycatcher

At around 4.30 this afternoon I found a first-winter Red-breasted Flycatcher in Dale. It was in the trees behind the WI hut on the N side of the village, c.100m W of the beach. Best viewed from the path that runs up beside the hut itself. A search later by Derek G & Peter H didn't find it, but it may still be lurking and who knows what else could be lurking in the 'valley' - hardly anybody ever looks there!

Teifi

Saturday
Patch - 14 Dunlin, 8 Ringed Plover, 1 Redshank and a Grey Plover. Over 800 Canada Geese around the estuary with the regular Bar headed Goose and 34 Barnacle Geese.
Creek hide - 1 Water Rail and 40 Teal. Cetti's Warbler heard.
Sunday
Like Newport, no small waders found. Amongst the hundreds of gulls on the main sandbanks from the gull viewpoint, 1 adult Mediterranean gull.
Jewsons - 2 Common Sandpipers, 4 Redshank and 64 Mallard.

Pen Anglas

I saw the first Merlin of the winter fly west low over the path at 13:15.

Newport

Also at the Nevern Estuary this afternoon - 1 Knot with 12 Wigeon. 1 Common Gull.
(Richard D.)

Newport Sun pm

Couldn't find any small waders. The highlights were a Redshank, 2 ea Little egrets & Grebes and a 2nd winter Med Gull.
Med Gull White 3E71 was ringed as a 3rd cy in Belgium in March 05.In Oct & Dec 05 it was in Fishguard Harbour (Messrs Hayes, Dobbins & Price).
It dissappeared for the whole of 06 only to reappear in Mar 07, spending most of that month in Antwerp. By late Aug 07 it was in Aberystwyth and back to Fishguard in Dec 07.
In April 08 it was back in Belgium, then back to Aberystwyth in Sept before appearing at Newport on Sept 25.

Firecrest, Cresselly / Brent Geese, Penally

Sightings for yesterday from Alan Collens via e mail :- I found a Firecrest in my garden this morning-watched it for about an hour along with a loose feeding flock of tits, Goldcrests, 3 Blackcaps and a Treecreeper.
This PM there were 6 Pale-bellied Brent Geese feeding at the Penally end of Tenby S.beach-when they weren`t being disturbed by dog-walkers!

Records from the South

Manorbier;-
Redwing today(Ed. H.).

Pembroke Upper Mill Pond;-
Early this pm., 75 Redshank, 10 Greenshank, 25 Black-tailed Godwits, inc a colour-ringed bird which is different from the bird present in Spring 2007 & 2008.
(John H.)

Waders on the Western Cleddau

Little Milford;-
30 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 1 Oystercatcher, 40 Curlew & 1 Kingfisher.
Hook;-
18 Greenshank, 80 Redshank, 6 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover.
Fowborough Point;-
3 Shoveler, c30 Wigeon, 1 Peregrine, few Dunlin.
Llangym;-
c6 Redshank.
(Paul G. & Richard D.)

Teifi estuary

This afternoon - 1 Grey Plover, 1 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover and 6 Dunlin. Over 80 Wigeon again.

Pembrokeshire Bird Group

Our AGM will take place next week on Tuesday 7th October, 7.30pm, The Patch Furzy park in Haverfordwest.
The AGM will be followed by a presentation 'BTO Atlas' update with Bob Baycock

Teifi & Nevern Est.

Nevern Est.;-
1 Sanderling, c20 Ringed Plover, c15 Dunlin
y'day, 1 Sanderling, c40 Ringed Plover, c30 Dunlin.

Teifi;-
91 Wigeon, 1 Ringed Plover
(Wendy)

Strumble Head 1200 - 1600

Further to this am;-

Leach's Petrel - 5
Grey Phalarope - 1
Arctic Skua - 2
Bonxie - 3
Balearic s/w -3
Red thd Diver - 3
Little Gull - 2
Med. Gull - 1

Strumble Hd - until 1200.

Leach's Petrel - c25+
Long-tailed Skua -1
Pomarine Skua - 1 with full spoons
Bonxie -7
Arctic Skua - 7
Grey Phalarope - 1
Sabines Gull - 1 juv.
Balearic s/w - 3
Little Gull - 2
Arctic Tern - 7
Red Thd. Diver - 5
Med. Gull - 2

Generally a much quieter day than y'day, notably few manxies for the c16 obs.

Manxie in Haverfordwest

Not quite as exciting as Richard C's Grey Phalarope-in-my-driveway posting, but this morning there was a freshly dead Manx Shearwater in our neighbours garden, barely 5 feet from ours! Looked as if it had hit there window - a bit of a dent in the tip of it's bill, but otherwise in excellent condition (other than being dead, obviously). So close to a garden tick.....poor thing.

Golden Plover

Approx 70 Golden Plover roughly mid way between Fishguard and Rosebush at 6pm this evening

Upper Mill Pond

I just had a chat to John Hayes who has recorded this evening:-

125 redshank
32 Greenshank
57 Black Tailed Godwit (one colour ringed)
2 Ruff
and a couple of snipe

pretty good for a small pond!!!

More from Strumble etc.

Strumble Head, 1330 - 1700;-

Leach's Petrel - 3
Bonxie - 7
Pomarine Skua - 1
Balearic s/w - 1
Little Gull - 2
Arctic tern - 1
Common Scoter - 2
Golden Plover - 20

These records are addional to the posting below.

Also news from Newquay Head (Ceredigion) where 6 Leach's Petrel's, 2 Arctic Skuas & Little Gulls were seen.(Hywel R. per. Arfon W.)

Strumble Head -- A Good Seawatch today.

0700 -- 1315 today;-

The highlight this am, was at 1040, when between 2 ad. Arctic Skuas a Minke Whale breached showing it's full length & features.

Little Auk - 1
Leach's Petrel - 2+
Grey Phalarope - 1
Pomarine Skua - 6
Arctic Skua - 18
Bonxie - 27
Sooty s/w. - 6
Balearic s/w. - 12
Little Gull - 3
Red Thd. Diver - 2
Pintail - 4
Puffin - 2
Common Scoter - 19
Sandwich Terns - 4+
Arctic Tern - 1

c20 observers.