Boyhood dreams

As a young boy growing up in East Sussex, one bird I came across in my bird books, was a Gyr falcon. I never knew why, (& still don`t) but it fired my imagination. A majestic white hunter flying low & fast over a barren heath in a sleet shower. Without stretching the mind too much, it could be Milford Haven! So off I went today in search of dreams. Then I woke up staring thro my bins at jetties, loading arms, tanks, cliffs etc, between Hakin point & the Port authority bulding. Nothing.
The only consolation for my days` struggle was a Ringtail at Marloes mere at first light.
Well, back to the single malt & a warm fire....

Llys y Fran

In tonight's roost:

Iceland Gull 2 juvs (one dark, one pale, both very distant)
Yellow-legged Gull 2 ads
Med Gull 1 ad & 1 1stW

Also the ad wint Black-necked Grebe

(Dave/Paul/Richard/Wendy/Dyfed)

Earlier, Richard & Paul found a juv Glaucous Gull on Withybush Airfield (viewable from the road between the A40 and Poyston Cross), and a decent flock of Herring Gulls - well worth keeping an eye on. According to Terry G who works there, that's 74 species now for the airfield.

Black Red's, Blackcaps, & Med. Gulls

Black Redstarts;-
The bird mentioned below was at Smoke House Quay, at the end of Milford docks, a dull female, the bird reported last w/e was a male.(Paul W.)

Blackcaps;-
Wintering birds now appearing in Fishguard,
A male in Adrian's garden today. Also 2 birds in nearby Gwaun Fawr.

Med. Gull's;-
1 ad. in fields near Kilpaison, 1 ad. in Milford dock,
1 ad on Milford RFC pitch, 1 ad. in Gelliswick bay.(all dif. birds)

1 ad. Med. in Fishguard harbour this pm, with the 4 Great Ctd. Grebes still.
The Dipper seen in the harbour this morning.
(Adrian)

Pembs Bird Group and Mid Pembs events February

The following events with The Wildlife trust sections of the Mid Pembrokeshire and the Pembrokeshire Bird Group are taking place in February. Indoor meetings of both groups take place at the Furzy Park Community Centre, The Patch, Haverfordwest, starting, at 7.30pm

Mid Pembrokeshire Section – for further information please phone Robin Taylor on 01348 840617

Saturday 7th February
Field Trip - A walk along Sprinkle Pill on to the Cleddau Estuary to look for waders and other birds. – meet 10.30 am at the top of Pill road Hook – SM 979112. Wear suitable footwear and clothing and bring a packed lunch. – leader Peter Tithecot

Tuesday 17th February
Indoor – ‘The Cetaceans of Pembrokeshire’ – Porpoise, Dolphins and Whales by Lyndon Lomax

Pembrokeshire Bird Group – for further information please phone Barbara Priest on01834 860175

Tuesday 3rd February
Indoor – ‘Malagsy Memories’ by Peter Tithecot

Sunday 15th February
Field trip – Meet at Angle bay at 10am Grid Ref SM897020 to look for Waders, Wildfowl and more – Leader Lyndon Lomax

Angle

News from Richard Dobbins fromm Angle this morning - Sawdern Point, Angle Bay - 4 Great Northern Divers, Kilpaison - 20 Barwits, 30 Knot, Angle Harbour 14 Light Bellied, 1 Dark Bellied Brent Geese and an adult Gannet, Castlemartin Corse - plenty of Lapwing still about plus 6 Pintail and a few Gadwall. A Black Redstart in Milford.

Iceland Gull -- Llys-y-fran ......&

Llys-y-fran Resr;-
This roost time visit paid off with a 1st yr. Iceland Gull this evening, contrasting nicely with the previous visits Glaucous.
Again by 17:15 only c1000 gulls with most arriving c17:00 onwards. Very few sitting in any adjacent fields.
Also the Black-necked Grebe, & a pr. of Goldeneye.

Felindre;-
Bramblings still feeding in Janet's garden.
(Janet)

Fishguard;-
2 Great Ctd. Grebes.
(Adrian)

Cold weather movements again?

Today notably more thrushes (blackbirds esp) on the back-roads from Martletwy to Carew and also a very large flock of c. 2,500 or more lapwings coming in from Kilgetty direction (landing in fields near Carew Cross).

Holly Harries also telephoned me at home last Sunday (25th) describing quite well a Gyr Falcon she had seen at Angle at around 1400 hrs (it was also eating a wood pigeon on the shore at Angle) I am glad someone else managed to photograph and therefore confirm the record. I mentioned it to Clive Hurford at Fresh west late that day hoping that he had been at Ange earlier and might have seen it too. I'll drop Holly an email - she will be pleased that her ID (as I assumed at the time) was not in doubt.

Pembroke Mill Pond

Common Sandpiper on Castle Pond yesterday.

Gyrfalcon - old news

Related to the previous post. I spoke to Holly Harries a couple of nights back, and she told me that she saw a Gyrfalcon (her description fitted the bird in the pics) last Sunday, near the harbour in Angle Bay.

As David says, worth being aware of...

GYR FALCON, Hakin, Sun 25th Jan

A couple in Hakin had an unusual bird in their garden on Sunday afternoon. They managed to get a couple of pictures, but as soon as it saw them it flew off. It was eating a pigeon. The pictures aren't perfect, but they have clearly captured a first-year white-phase Gyr Falcon! As unlikely as a Gyr in a garden might sound, theirs looks right over the Milford Haven waterway, so its quite easy to see how a Gyr, flying along the Haven, could easily be distracted by a feral pigeon....

Gyrs tend to be notoriously difficult to pin down (e.g. the bird at Stepper Point in Cornwall was only ever seen arriving at or leaving its roost, which was a cliff top quarry..). The more of us that make an effort to get out and look for it, the more likely we are to find it!!! It could easily be on the Haven somewhere, using the jetties etc.

Whooper Swans

5 Whooper Swans (2 ads + 3 juvs) on the St. David's airfield pond, yesterday afternoon; accompanied by several Canada Geese.

Monkshaven

Went up to the gate by the sewerage works looking at the birds when the
man who runs the works turned up in his van, he let me in and I had close
up views of the Firecrest, Chiffchaff`s and long tailed tits. He is willing to
open up the gates to bird watchers at any time.
Yesterday at the Dowrog one Kestrel, one short eared owl and two Hen Harriers

Glaucous Gull -- Llys-y-fran Resr.

At 16:56 a 1st yr Glaucous Gull flew in to bathe for 15 mins then flew off to a nearby field with other large gulls.
Not many gulls at the roost only c750 birds by 17:20 & 50% of these Black-headed, a strange but close roost. May have been affected by c200 Canada's on the water as well as the still day?

The Black-necked Grebe, also 6 Gt. Ctd. & 2 Little Grebes. 1 Goldeneye (m), & 1Goosander(rh), & 11 Coot.

A fine day in the hills

TTV on the high ground between the Gwaun valley & the Preselis.
Nothing very unexpected, but a flock of c100 Fieldfares was impressive, as was 250 Starlings in a line of trees, 40 Golden Plover flying N & 60 Linnets twittering in a tree.
(Bird Atlas thinks 250 Starlings is too many. They've clearly never been to Pembs in the winter).

Angle Area

At Kilpaison this morning 200+ Dunlin, 15 Bar-Tailed Godwits and 15 Ringed Plovers. Round at Angle Harbour 9 Knot, 15 Light Bellied & 1 Dark Bellied Brents and, in the warm sunshine, a flying Peacock Butterfly.
On the rocks at Freshwater West there were 35 Grey Plover whilst Castlemartin Corse held huge numbers of Lapwing - at least 4000 I would say but very difficult to estimate. Also there 600+ Golden Plover, 20 Snipe, 40+ Shoveller, 160 Wigeon, 1 Merlin and a Woodcock.
At Bosherston 14 Goosander, 8 Gadwall and a large bat flying over the 8 arch bridge which, Annie Haycock advises, was a Noctule.

Snow Buntings .. to .. Jack Snipe

Fishguard;-
On the outer breakwater, 3 Snow Buntings still & 1 Purple Sandpiper seen this am.
6 Red thd. Divers in Fishguard bay, & the Dipper flew in to land at the Flagpoles.
(Mervyn J. & Rich D.)

Llangloffan Fen;
2 Jack Snipe, from the boardwalk, (2nd post).
(Ed Hunter)

Newport;-
2 Gt. Ctd. Grebes from the Parrog, & 17 Snipe from the bridge.
(Karen)

North Pembs. -- nearly Spring??

Goodwick Moor;-
Cetti's singing, the rugby pitch side of reserve.
(Adrian)
Teifi;-
A pair of Red breasted Mergansers off the railings.

Still about

The 2nd year Iceland Gull found by Stuart D yesterday was at Dale beach at 1325 hr today. It flew to the Gann at 1346 hr to settle with L B - b Gulls at the edge of the flats. There were no dog walkers abroad in the wet weather so was not disturbed.

Graham Rees

Iceland Gull

A 2cy Iceland Gull at the Gann this afternoon.

Iceland Gull

A 2nd year Iceland Gull today at Withybush Airfield, and later in fields to the east of the airfield (Terry Gover).

Black Red & .. -- Milford

Milford Haven;-
1 Black Redstart & 1 Chiffchaff seen below Smoke House Quay flats.
Castle Pill;-
1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 2 Little Egrets.
(Paul G.)

Grey Phal, Whooper Swans & N. Pembs.

Newgale;-
The Grey Phalarope showing v. well on the flood by the beach car park at midday.

St. David's Airfield;-
The 5 Whooper Swans feeding in the same field as yesterday behind the pond, Solva end.
1 ring-tail Hen Harrier seen this am(Rich C. & Maurice)

Heathfield GP;-
11 Tufted Duck, 7 Coot, pr Mute Swan.

Fishguard;-
1 Lesser Redpoll briefly in Adrian's garden.
(Adrian)

(Wendy J. & Rich D)

Yesterday around Castlemartin etc

Castlemartin Corse - very flooded ay up the valley and loads of finches apparent (but impossible to estimate numbers) around the cows in the second field in from the beach plus around Gupton where c.300 birds all appeared to be Chaffinches.. At least 1200 Lapwing but probably more, and 300 Golden Plover. The Lapwing stretching in groups right up to Castlemartin village. A few Wigeon in the upper areas.

At Castlemartin Ranges - c.600 Golden Plover on the "airfield" and just loads of Redwing scattered around.

In the messy cow field alongside Kilpaison Burrows between Angle and Pembroke - several thousand Starlings and hundered of Chaffinches scattered almost everywhere in the field but no Brambling or indeed any other species seen. Also loads of corvids -worth a look simply becasue its a great sight.

At Plumstone/Dudwell later at least five Buzzards trying to eat Starlings and a Firecrest in the conifers - they appear to be almost everwhere this winter.

Eric Hosking's Classic Bird Book.

Dr.M.Havard , Chief Executive, of the Wildlife trust of South and West Wales has kindly presented the Pembrokeshire Bird Group with a copy of Eric Hosking’s Classic Birds.. The book is now offered to be sold with the proceeds going to the Pembrokeshire Bird group.
The book is ‘boxed’, 190 pages long and is packed full of beautiful black and white photographs. The book is signed by his son David and is number 0416 of a limited edition and is in really good condition.
We have a reserve of £25 on the book which has already been offered. If you wish to find out more about the book or make a higher offer please contact me on 01437 721859.
The book will be on view at the next Bird Group meeting on Tuesday the 3rd February which will be the last opportunity to make an offer for the book.
I will keep the Blog informed of the value of any higher offers but not the names of those involved. On the night of the 3rd of February the highest offer and the name of that person making the offer will be announced. If necessary the cost of postage and packaging etc will be at the purchasers cost.
The book and description etc are offered in good faith by the Bird Group.

Grey Phal. to wild swans via harriers

Newgale, Grey Phalarope;-
A visit on the way to the airfield, c16:00;-
The Phalarope did it's usual circuit; flew from the marsh to behind the toilet block, then across the road, narrowly avoiding becoming history, before settling on the small flood by the beach car park. Where excellent views were obtained. Then it flew back to the marsh.

St. David's Airfield;-
A patient wait until darkness was required!
At 16:30 the first ring-tail Hen Harrier appeared, shortly afterwards by a second. Both birds were in the area until 16:45 flying around to the west of the pond area and then lost to view.
Also a Merlin was picked up perched on fence post.

Just about to leave the car park at 17;00 and Adrian picked up the 5 swans feeding in a distant field, after a quick drive, it was obvious we wouldn't get better views before no light at all, so back to the car park & wait. At 17:39 the swans took off & were were seen to land on the airfield pond, they have gone to roost there again, & hopefully will be seen again in the morning.
This is a party of 2 adults & 3 juveniles.

(Adrian & Rich D.)

Milford - Black Red. to Dale

The Milford beach Black Redstart showing today,
(Paul W.)
One seen in Blackbridge drive,
(Mike J.)
Is this the same?

Dale lagoons;-
This afternoon, 28 Brent Geese, 3 Knot, 6 Dunlin, 4 Greenshank, 13 Ringed Plover, 1 Red Btd. Merganser(fem.), 8 Goldeneye, 30 Teal, & c200 Curlew.
(Mike J.)

North of Pemb. Quins RFC ground

A Black Redstart (fem.), regularly around the front & Blackcap (male & female), regularly feed in the garden.
(Dean M.)

A blustery end of day visit to Castlemartin Coast

A pretty impressive sea of Fresh West today. At Frainslake a roost of 25 grey plovers with 5 turnstones (different to a group of around 20 grey plovers nr Furzenips - roosting on rocks nr the Castlemartin Range boundary. The latter were noted several minutes after having a chat with Clive Hurford.

At Bluckspool 65 curlews, 33 oycs and 4 more turnstones plus a single purple sandpiper on the beach - all being caught occasionally in the surf.

On Frainslake millpond - 10 little grebes were relatively noteworthy for this small pool.

closer view..

whoopers or bewicks

we were discussing today whether the swans seen earlier last week at Newgale marsh had been the whoopers or the bewicks. here is a pic taken there on 19 jan showing whoopers

Newgale

Grey Phalarope at Newgale c.12.30 on the small flood by the car park - a new bird on my "birds seen whilst out cycling" list!

Newgale

The Grey Phalarope was showing periodically at the back of the marsh at lunchtime, before it was eventually spooked by fairly persitent shooting. It then flew to the pools alongside the road, before moving to the pool by the beach car park - where handful of fortunate birders and photographers were treated to views down to a few feet as the bird 'phalaroped' towards them. After a few minutes of showboating the bird returned to the back of the marsh and normal service was resumed.

Swans at St. David's Airfield

The swans seen at St. David's Airfield earlier but not since.
(Lyndon)

Sandra has come back to me, three juv's(swans) & the harrier was a ring-tail.(last night)

Blackcaps

There is also a regular male Blackcap in a friend's garden in Hazelbeach, Llanstadwell, so there really seem to be quite a few in the Milford - Neyland area.

Grey Phalarope - Newgale

The Grey Phalarope & an ad. Med. Gull still at Newgale this am.
(B/L Wales)

More from Castle Pill

A visit at 11:30;
1 Common Sandpiper still at the "dead end", 2 Greenshank, 2 Little Egrets, 25 Redshank, 4 Curlew, 8 Turnstone, & 15 Common Snipe roosting in seaweed.
(Mike J.)

A 2w Med. Gull too; this afternoon.
(Paul G.)

Basking Shark off N.coast

Between Ceibwr & Newport;-
Mark C. & 2 companions watched what they can only believe(thought pretty un-mistakable views) was a Basking Shark for 5 mins off the above coast this afternoon, they did not expect Basking Shark this time of year.
(Mark C.)

Marloes Mere & Monk Haven

Marloes Mere;-
A look at lunchtime-ish, no Snow Goose, usual "Marloes " ducks, ie Shoveler, Gadwall etc, also 3 Tufted & 1 Pochard still.

Monk Haven;-
Only 1 Chiffchaff seen on today's visit, unlucky or have birds moved?
(Kevin J. & Rich D.)

Whooper Swans

5 Whooper Swans landed on the pool on St. David's airfield @16:00 today.
Also 1 Hen Harrier present.
(Sandra Y.)

Looking shifty in Milford Haven

Richard was contacted yesterday about a possible Pallas's Warbler in a private garden in Milford Haven on 13th January but not seen since. Being the optimistic, positive, person that I am (except when it comes to my team, Leyton Orient) I decided to have a wander around the general area which is close to Castle Pill. No sign of the Pallas's, but I did find 2 Firecrests, a Chiffchaff, 1 possibly 2 female Blackcaps, Coal Tits and generally plenty of birds. Paul later also had a male Blackcap. I wonder what is lurking in Pembs, if this small area of Milford is anything to go by??
Paul also had a further male Blackcap at Marina Gardens, Milford.



This pm the Grey Phalarope was seen really well on the small flood adjacent to the beach car park at Newgale (for a selection of pics see http://www.flickr.com/photos/29560286@N02/sets/72157612939502866/detail/). Also an adult Med Gull on the Marsh, along with 10 Wigeon, numerous Teal, 3 Mute Swans, 20+ Mallards and a Rock Pipit.

Kite and Divers

A gorgeous red kite hanging over the fields just before the roundabout approach into Fishguard yesterday lunchtime. Two GND’s at strumble one feeding off the lighthouse one flying south , allthingsgood, cliff

Newgale Marsh

Mute Swan 3
Canada Goose 25
Snipe 80+
Kittiwake 2 1st w.
Grey Phalarope

Newgale and Plumstone

The Whoopers have changed to Mutes at Newgale Marsh - two adults there with an immature, and the Candada Geese at 3pm.

Seemed to be fewer Starlings at Plumstone this evening, certainly less active.

A ringtail put in a late appearance on the mountain. Counted the harriers last w/e: 1 ringtail on Dowrog and two ringtails at St Davids airfield (Andrew Tuddenham); none seen at Trefeiddan (Alan Evans) or Plumstone (Steve Gerlach).

North Pembs. & Preseli sites & (a damselfly).

The highlight of an hour at Strumble, & all parts of Fishguard Harbour
4 Great Ctd. Grebes.
Rosebush Resr;-
9 Tufted 18 Teal, 4 Goldeneye.
Llys-y-fran resr;-
3 Goldeneye, c8 Great Ctd. Grebes, otherwise quiet.
Ty rhyg, quiet.

Llangoffan Fen;-late news
5 Bewick Swans were seen here on the afternoon that they left Heathfield GP.
(Dylan W.)

In fact the most interesting news this morning was from Clive J. at Strumble.
Discussing his visit to see a Winter Damselfly, a very rare vagrant that overwinters as an adult. One was found in South Wales very recently. -- The first Welsh record.
So Damselfly finding in the winter is now on the agenda!

Ringtail

Hunting over Marloes mere for about 20 mins this afternoon, before heading off towards Skomer - putting up some 40 Snipe, as well as Teal, Shoveler etc.
Also, c50 Lapwing, 1 Snow goose, 1 male Kestrel in the area.

Milford Beach - Black Redstart

A Black Redstart first seen at Milford Beach on Jan11, still present yesterday.
(Keith M).

Solva

This morning, 1 Little Egret, a good Jan record for here? 1 Redshank & 6 Turnstones.
(Julia G).

Carmarthen Bay Scoter research

Have received a message today that a DEFRA project (looking at camera technology and aerial surveys) is due to commence shortly in Carmarthen Bay. As part of the project, a company called APEM will be looking to do some height trials to establish a minimum height that avoids disturbance to the scoter. They are looking to undertake 2 hours of flight trials this weekend 23/24th January.

If you see a plane flying low criss-crossing the bay and flocks of scoters in the air - this may be the reason! Mind you, it will probably only happen this weekend if there is a suitable weather window.

Does anyone have any recent reasonably comprehensive counts of scoter out in the Bay? Noted recent Blog comments of only a few seen off Saundersfoot. However, they could be well out and usually observations from in Carms sectors (e.g. off Marross/Pendine area, at slightly higher elevations) give more reliable results. But of course even here the swell can make it tricky to assess the true numbers out there.

Alternatively...

OOC.....If anybody would like to see Grey Phalaropes at close range and in their natural enviroment (well on the sea at least), I would recommend a visit to South Beach in Aberystwyth (in front of the ice cream kiosk), where up to three Grey Phalaropes have been present and performing well for the past week. Also Little Gull and Purple Sands in the vicinity.

Newgale - third time lucky

I finally saw the Grey Phalarope which appeared at the back of the marsh around 14:00.

Tomorrow & the week-end?

Look back at the blog for Jan 23rd 2008 onwards, the Preseli sites!

What a time was being had by birders from all over the country!
And of course from mainland Europe!
Visits to Llys-y-fran & Rosebush resr's, Ty-rhyg, & Glynaeron may well yield some terrific birding over the next few days!
As written last January, a visit is a must, regardless of the weather!

North Pembs today

Heathfield G.P.;-
15 Tufted duck, 11 Coot & a pr. of Mute Swans.
Newport;-
A couple of short visits, 1 Bar-tld. Godwit still, 2 Little Egrets, c20 small waders been harrassed by dogs.
Sealyham;-
The wintering Green Sandpiper, flushed from where Mike said!
Nr. Crosswell;-
The interesting field pond, a pr. of Gadwall have now joined the Shoveler.
(Janet)
Nr. Trefasser;-
No swans or egrets recently, but c1000 Lapwings moving this morning & a Great Spotted Woodpecker, unusual on the coast up there.
(Rob J.)
Fishguard Harbour;-
c15 Shags still left, & 3 Great Ctd. Grebes.
(Adrian)

Grey Phalarope -- Newgale

Newgale Marsh;-
The Grey Phalarope present on the marsh today, also it does spend time behind the toilet block on the campsite field.
No sign of any swans during Paul's visit.
(Paul G.)

A Blogger Abroad, Part 2

Yesterday, our penultimate day in Thailand, I spent a day birding at some salt pans 2 hours SW of Bangkok. The area is renowned for waders and I wasn't let down - Red-necked Stints, Long-toed Stints, 1 Temmincks Stint, 4 Red-Necked Phalaropes, 1 Broad-billed Sandpiper, Pacific Golden, Greater & Lesser Sand Plovers, Pintail Snipe and Spotted Redshanks. Marsh & Wood Sandpiper in abundance. The icing on the cake was 20 Nordmann's Greenshank, a Painted Snipe and icing on the icing a single Spoon-billed Sandpiper. A pretty good day in the office and worth the 33 degree heat and glare! Hope some of these are rare enough for you Rich!

Record shot of the Spoon Billed Sand and closer shots of Marsh and Wood Sand. Will Angle Bay ever be the same again?

Common Sandpiper ...Teifi

Jewsons;-
1 Common Sandpiper still.
The Railings;-
21 Ringed Plover, c70 Dunlin, 1 Little Egret. Wigeon & Teal numbers appear to be falling.

Freshwater West

Little Gull (1st W) feeding just offshore this morning with small flock of Kittiwakes and Black-headed Gulls.

Fishguard Harbour

Yesterday (20/01)
Dipper still on Goodwick Moor by the stream.
3 Great Ctd. Grebes from the Flagpoles.

From Fishguard Fort;-
4 Red Td. Diver, 1 additional. Great Ctd. Grebe, 3 Kittiwakes, c10 Shags, & plenty of Guillemots still.
(Adrian)

Carew/Cresswell rivers and Bosherston Lake

A visit (on 19th) to count waterfowl etc on Carew and Cresswell rivers produced generally fairly modest numbers of birds - fewer wigeon than of late (about 150 today) but shelduck numbers were much higher than usual (306 - including a river-side high-tide field roosting flock of about 200. Wader numbers were generally quite low though it was pleasing to see about 90 lapwings, 30+ golden plovers and a few grey plovers. Single green and common sandpipers still resident nr Carew and Cresswell Quay respectively.

At Carew Millpond an actively-feeding/calling firecrest was an unexpected bonus below the PCNP car park over-looking the millpond. Might have missed it but for its contact call - heard as I was getting out of my vehicle.

On 20th at Bosherston, waterfowl numbers have returned to the more or less pre-freeze up level, though notable that the 26 goosanders are still here but the extra 7 here (in a flock of 33) prior to the cold snap were not there today. Coot numbers now up to around 130-140 level (still quite low really) and others included 17 gadwall, 3 shovelers, 10 wigeon and 16 goldeneye. A minimum of 28 little grebes today - a record (based on 30/40 years of waterfowl counts at this site)! Typically, at least 3 firecrests around plus a couple of chiffchaffs heard/seen. Also still plenty of wintering thrushes about.

Newgale Phalarope

At last - after days of frustration the Phalarope at Newgale decided to show itself today. It was enjoyed by a small but happy group of bird watchers - thanks to those who located the bird today.

Grey Phal, Whoopers & Water Pipit

14:30 Newgale Marsh;
Paul G. has just found a Water Pipit on the marsh.
The 9 Whooper Swans & Grey Phalarope still present.
Also c200 Teal & 14 Wigeon.
(Paul G.)

Castlemartin Corse area

A visit today with Maurice was wonderful! I now know where to look!
I won't repeat Maurice's sighting's from yesterday, much the same today, but lower numbers of some species.
Highlights's today;
2 Greylag Geese viewed from the Castlemartin end.
1 male Hen Harrier watched quartering for c10 mins. at c10:00(in reasonable light for a change).
A flock of c400 Skylarks at the Starmen's Hall fields.
Also in addition to y'day, Shoveler & Stock Dove.
Once again many thanks for your time Maurice.

Lists, Lumps &.......Fishguard

Jon G. came back from a WRP meeting on Sunday, with the news that Pacific Diver has been split from Black Throated Diver by the BOU.
Presumably now the Llys-y-fran Pacific Diver will climb the remaining hurdles to join the Pembs list!

Whilst gaining Pacific Diver, how might the following changes to the American list affect your lists? We often follow.
The following lumping decisions appear to have been made.
(See Feb. Birdwatch & links in the article)

Green-winged Teal with Common(Eurasian)Teal
American Herring Gull with (European)Herring Gull
Siberian Stonechat with European Stonechat.

Fishguard...

The Fishguard List grows...

Disturbance at this week-end's WeBs count!

Sunday 0930,

They claimed they were from Caerphilly!

Whooppers at newgale

Newgale Marsh

The heavy seas have shifted the shingle bank, part-closing the run-out of the Marsh again, leading to higher water levels. The Whoopers are still there and so is the Grey Phalarope, although patience and a sharp lookout is needed to see it. It appears to be keeping to the back of the Marsh in the small pools and runnels beyond the main pool, only occasionally flying onto the main pool before disappearing again. Duck numbers are up, with c100 Mallard and increased numbers of Wigeon and Teal. Snipe are also well-represented with 40 to 50 being flushed from one small area of reed at one point.

South Coast

Saundersfoot;-
Ad;- Med. Gull
Between Amroth & Saundersfoot;-
1 Gt. N. Diver, c70 Red Thd. Divers, 15 Red Btd. Mergansers, 10 Gt. Ctd. Grebes.
Only 5 (five ) Common Scoter seen!!
Tenby;-
St. Catherines Island., 7 Purple Sandpipers, 10 Turnstone.

(Paul G.)

Castlemartin Gumpton Farm area

Castlemartin Gumpton Farm area

On the Corse looking from behind Castlemartin Church 2 harrier's possibly Marsh, hawking over
reed beds, 180+ lapwing , 80+ Golden Plover , 60+ Curlew, 40+ Snipe, 100+ Redwing,
3 Greylag geese, 24 Fieldfare, 3 Whooper Swan, 120+ Curlew, 8 Mallard , 50+ Wigeon.

Gumpton Farm & down onto Corse to Starmans Hall .

At least 3500 lapwing , 1500+ golden plover, the largest flock of these birds I have ever seen on the ground as well as spectacular aerial display, 2000+ chaffinch, good views of 40+ Brambling, 20+ Skylarks, 40+ Meadowpipit, 150+ Wigeon, 80+ Curlew.

Sandwich Tern -- Fishguard harbour

A Sandwich Tern was present, then flew inland over the rugby pitch at c1545 this afternoon.
(Adrian.)
The 2nd record of Sandwich Tern this Jan. in Pembs.

Black-necked Grebe Llys-y-fran resr

An early morning visit, by Dave, Paul & I, couldn't find yesterday's reported diver.
We did see the Black-necked Grebe & c14 Goosanders.

A tour up north

Grey Phalarope still at Newgale this morning (what a relief - we usually turn up for things the day after they depart) with a lot of Snipe flying around. Also good to see the beautiful Whoopers.
Lovely to get such close views of the Dippers at Lower Town, Fishguard, and two Red Throated Divers plus several seals in the harbour.
Plenty of Starlings at Plumstone Mountain - several minutes of aerial displays then they just started to pile directly into the trees. There were 5 Buzzards hovering into the wind above the trees looking as though they were wondering how to get their claws into a Starling - maybe they had seen the pictures of the demise of the Cornish phalarope!

Phalarope etc

The Phalarope still present, at Newgale, midday; ad Med Gull still near Hayscastle.

Marloes / Gann

Marloes Mere: 3 Pochard (!! - male, imm male, female), 7 Tufted Duck, and usual stuff incl Snow Goose

Gann: 28 Brents, including the darker bellied bird - seemed to be a little paler-bellied than the possible Gray-bellied Brant back in November. Also 4 adult Meds in the gull roost, 15 Turnstone, 14 Ringed Plover, 10 Redshank & 5 Dunlin.

Black-necked Grebe -- Llys-y-fran resr.

West Arm;-
1 Black-necked Grebe & 1 rh Goosander this afternoon.
Also 3+ Gt. Crested Grebes, & c220 Canada Geese.

Gull Roost;-
Med. Gulls (ad. & 1w.) & a partial albino L.B.B. Gull being birds of interest.
(Adrian & Rich. D.)

Reported today;-
A likely diver of un-determined species seen, will be looked for in the morning.

Strumble, Fishguard Harbour Flagpoles and Newgale Marsh

A short stay at Strumble this afternoon produced a single Red-throated Diver, several Fulmars and a steady movement to and fro of Auks and Kittiwakes, good numbers of the latter being first winter birds. A Song Thrush was feeding around the car park (it is there regularly), and a couple of Stonechat were also present. There were 3 Great Crested Grebes on the sea by the Flagpoles, and on the beach 7 Turnstone, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 3 Curlew and several Oystercatcher. The gulls were spooked by a dog walker before they could be checked. The Whoopers at Newgale Marsh have beeen joined by 21 Canada Geese.

Bird Group and the outer breakwater

A smaller than normal group of us visited the Fishguard Outer Breakwater today. Despite yesterday’s fears the weather turned out to be really nice. Sightings included 2xPurple sandpipers, 3xSnow buntings, Red Throated divers, 1xPorpoise and, seen some way apart from this one but at the same time 1xPorpoise seemingly with a calf.

Bird Group Annual Dinner

The Pembrokeshire Bird Groups Annual dinner is to be held on Saturday the 31st of January 2009 at the Mariners Hotel in Haverfordwest

For further details and to make reservations please contact Peter Tithecot

Blackcaps in Milford

The two Blackcaps frequenting a garden in central Milford before the cold stuff have survived and are still around the same garden.

Per Paul Warren

At Marloes Mere in the gales today all the ducks were hiding but 252 Canada Geese in one of the fields with that feral Snow Goose.

Grey Phal. & Whoopers --Newgale Marsh

Still present until 12 noon at least, the Whooper Swans and Grey Phalarope. The water level has now dropped considerably so this may well change the situation.

Firecrest -- Westfield Pill

1 Firecrest today, & a flock of 12 Long Tailed Tits, more survivors!
(Mark & Wanda)

Fishguard --Divers etc

Fishguard;-
From the Fort this afternoon until 1530;
1 Black thd. Diver, 1 Great Ntn. Diver, 5 Red thd. Divers, 12+ Shags, c40 Guillemots, c10 Razorbills, & Kittiwake. Also 6 Grey Seals, mating time by behaviour?
Earlier from the usual watchpoints in the harbour, some of the above, plus 2 Gt. ctd. Grebes ,Little Gull, ad. & 2w. Med. Gulls.
(Dave G, Adrian, Wendy J, & Rich. D.)

Adrian's garden;-
2 Lesser Redpolls... a new garden tick!

Teifi to Newport.

Teifi ;-
1 Little Egret on the Marshes, the only 1 seen in 4 hours on the estuary.
1 Cetti's singing below Heron Hide, & Wren's present at "territorial distances", so hopeful signs!
1 Great ctd. Grebe, 2 Goldeneye.
Typical counts of waders & wildfowl of the Jan WeBs count.

1 Otter, male by size swimming & diving, going downstream under the by-pass bridge at c1000.

Felindre;-
Brambling enjoyed again courtesy of Janet.
(Wendy J & Rich. D.)

Newport;-
1 Barn Owl in usual nest location, another survivor of the freeze.

More Whoopers...& 1 Bewick

Jan 5th;-
4 Whooper Swans? photo'd at Llys-y-fran Resr.
1 is a Bewick!
Edited by Rich D. after viewing photos.(Jon G. et al agreed)
(Maggie Humphreys)

Whoopers - Newgale

The 9 Whooper Swans still at Newgale Marsh this am, -- the Grey Phalarope not seen in brief search.
Med. gull in field with gulls Nr. Haycastle Cross.
(Mike Y-P)

Dale area

A single Little Egret in with cattle at Philbeach this morning.
Gann: 26 Brents (one bird looking very much like the Grey-bellied type bird there at the end of 2008, but started swimming and wouldn't get out!), an adult argentatus Herring Gull (on the pool) along with a female Red-breasted Merganser.
Hasguard Cross: 2 Little Egrets in with cattle (the field that previoulsy held the Cattle Egret, on the road to Sandy Haven).

Whoopers, Grey Phalaropes & ......

Newgale Marsh;-
The 9 Whooper Swans present at c900 this morning, still present midday at least.
The Grey Phalarope, not seen before c930 due to it's hiding! but then appeared frequently & seen with patience. May be looked for from the hill, looking down into Brandy Brook?
(Sev. obs.)

Med. Gulls;-
2 ad's Milford Rugby Club, 1 ad Gelliswick Bay.

Kilpaison;-
Many thanks, Dave G. for the call, we missed the Newgale phal. but had excellent views of this Grey Phal.,on the tideline!
A Peregrine eyeing the phalarope up. (see today's press for the Cornwall Buzzard kill!!)
The Lodge, Angle;-
1 Gt. N. Diver, c3 Gt. Ctd. Grebes, 1 Greenshank. Also 17+ L. B. Brents in the bay.
No sign of the R.B. Gull again! at it's known haunts!

Pembroke River,(Bentlass);-
1 Greenshank, 3 Gt. Ctd. Grebes, 2 Shoveler, amongst it's usual birds.

Rosemarket Sewerage Works;-
1 Chiffchaff amongst the Goldcrests.
Guildford Pill, Llangwm;-
3 Little Grebes, (no spot red.)
Little Milford;-
Highlight c 80+ Redshank feeding together.

(Paul G., Wendy J. & Rich D.)

Angle -Grey Phalarope

High tide at Kilpaison this morning-1 Grey Phalarope feeding close in c.50yds from turn into bay. Also 17 Brent geese, 9Knot,25+ Dunlin.
Dave Glanville

Llys-y-fran resr.....tomorrow an anniversary

Tomorrow, 16 Jan. is the anniversary of the return of the Pacific Diver to
Llys-y-fran resr.
That evening Adrian & I also had 1st year Glaucous & Iceland Gulls there.

With the winds predicted over the coming week-end will Leach's Petrel's join the Grey Phalaropes now being reported?
(Adrian & Rich D.)

West Williamston

No sign of the Spoonbill (previously seen from Lawrenny) this am. - Looked until c.1100.

But c20 Grey Plover seen flying a couple of times with a Dunlin flock.
The other bird highlight an adult Kittiwake flying about!

Being out with Robin, other highlights included, examining the eggs of the Brown Hairstreak butterfly, & the withered stem of Marsh Mallow, a plant known from only two sites in the county.
(Robin & Rich. D.)

Newgale marsh

The nine Whooper Swans were on Newgale marsh from mid morning until about 1pm when they flew 'up' the valley. Also present the Grey Phalarope - somewhat distant and difficult to locate. There is still lots of water, light is poor, and, it is very windy and very wet !

Newgale

9 Whooper swans and 1 Grey Phalarope still on the marsh this morning.
(Paul G)

Newgale Marsh

The Grey Phalarope was showing well up to 1500hrs today, as were the Whoopers. I forgot to add a female Shovelor to my earlier list and so add it now. As to Richard's question on when the Marsh will dry out - I'm afraid it is doing that right now as the Council (or whoever is responsible) had used their digger to clear away the shingle bank where the stream runs out over the beach just before I revisited the Marsh this afternoon: the water level was markedly lower and dropping as I watched.

2008 Records

Just a quick reminder that we urgently need your 2008 records - preferably by the end of this month. Records received by e-mail, or by post - whatever - just please, please get them in.

Some of you may have already put your records into Birdtrack - we should get them, BUT probably not in time for inclusion in the report (certainly not the 2008-9 winter atlas stuff), so please send me them aswell.

Many thanks

Jon G.

Rare Birds in UK - new book

Rare Birds, Where and When: An analysis of status & distribution in Britainand Ireland by Russell Slack is probably the most detailed analysis andinterpretation of rare bird records in Britain and Ireland ever undertaken,based on the accepted records published by the BOURC, BBRC, IRBC and NIRBC.Despite the enormous interest in rare and vagrant birds in Britain andIreland, good books on the subject are almost as rare as some of the birdsthemselves. This all-new publication, due soon, brings together all theinformation regarding taxonomy, status, occurrence and distribution patternsof rare birds.

This is a two-volume set. Volume 1 (Sandgrouse to New World orioles) is duefor publication soon, whilst Volume 2 is already underway and publicationwill follow later in 2009.Volume 1 describes the present status of all passerine and near passerinerarities in Britain and Ireland. These are pulled together in a 400-pagehardback book with a gorgeous colour dustjacket illustration by Ray Scally.The work is littered with finders' accounts that tell first hand the thrillof discovering a mega.
To find out more or to place an order please visit the website at:http://www.rarebirdbooks.co.uk/

This book will stand as the definitive reference work on rare birds foryears to come. As well as being full to bursting with rarity accounts, RareBirds Where and When comes with a foreword and historical perspectives byIan Wallace, a fascinating chapter on cutting edge theories on vagrancypatterns for passerine and near-passerine rarities by Alex Lees and JamesGilroy, and a behind the scenes peek at the workings of the British Birds Rarities Committee by Adam Rowlands (BBRC chairman) and the British Ornithologists Union by Bob McGowan (Chairman of the Records Committee).

North Pembs.

Fishguard Harbour;-
1 sum. plum. Gt. Ctd. Grebe, not the regular bird & Kingfisher.
(Adrian).

Felindre;-
2 Bramblings feeding in Janet's garden still.
Long Tails;-
Yesterday, 2 L.T.Tit's found the peanut feeder for the first time, usually on other feeders(about 6 to choose!!). Today 11 (eleven) L.T.Tits on the peanuts.
(Janet)

Spoonbill - difficult.

Both Dennis & Robin have been looking for the Spoonbill this am. Mostly without success.
Robin did see the bird from Lawrenny, at a distance, roosting at the end of the West Williamston reserve,....miles away!

More Whoopers?

A text from Jonathon B. this morning in reply to todays news;
A friend in Newgale phoned him last night to tell him that there were 18 (eighteen ) swans on Newgale Marsh!
Having sat behind the Duke of E. from 0745 untiil 0845 with no sign of swans, I heard them calling, nine flew in down the valley, in formation at a height. Clearly they roosted elsewhere, talking to Robin, there are a couple of ponds, including one large one up the valley, was this where they roosted?
Are more swans to be found?
When will Newgale dry out?

Mandarin Duck

Westfield Pill;-
The female Mandarin showing this morning, also 4 Redpoll feeding by the pool on your left as you walk up the pill.
(Dennis N.)

Newgale Marsh

The Grey Phalarope was still present at 1130hrs today, along with the 9 Whooper Swans, c50 Mallard, 20+ Teal, 15+ wigeon and 15+ Snipe. The Phalarope was on the flood-water at the very back of the Marsh, among the ducks, disappearing occasionally into the small streams and pools beyond.

Whooper Swans & Grey Phalarope.

The 9 Whoopers flew back onto Newgale Marsh at 08.45 this morning.
Also, a Grey Phalarope.

(Richard D)

Newgale Marsh

Newgale Marsh is extensively flooded at the moment. Late this afternoon there were nine Whooper Swans on the water: seven adults and two immature birds. A few snipe were present and there were c40 Curlew, good numbers of Teal, several Mallard, a single Little Grebe and a squealing Water Rail.

Swallows at Chevron - Pembroke

No Swallows have been seen recently.
We would have expected these to have been young birds, which for whatever reason decided not to travel any further.
On examination, 3 of the 4 dead birds collected were found to be adults.
(John H.)
Have these adults made the journey to South Africa before? ..OR....?

Cleddau & South, good birds but....

Lawrenny;-
We dipped the Spoonbill, but it was seen between c930 - 1030 on the far side of the estuary from where we view.(Dennis N. & Alan H.)
Clearly this bird is "tidal", best looked for on the falling tide, but before too many creeks are exposed!
However we did see at c0830, 1 Rd Bd. Merganser (m), 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Pintail, c15 grey Plover.

Angle area;-
We dipped the Ring-billed Gull(see below posting).again!
However we did see, 22 Light B. Brents, c10 Gt. Ctd. Grebes, 1 Greenshank off Angle village.

A visit to Bosheston, produced the Goosanders etc,(see post below).
The Upper Mill Pond, in Pembroke, 8 Black -td Godwits.
Landshipping, a nice c20 Pintail.
(Paul G. & Rich D.)

Rosebush Resr;-
1 Pochard, c9 Tufted , c6 Goldeneye, c33 Teal.

Black Redstarts - Stackpole

Bosherston this afternoon, 15 Goosander, a few Goldeneye & Gadwall.
On cliffs nearby (SR984942) 3 Black Redstarts.
(Karen)
This grid ref. is between Broad Haven South & Stackpole Hd.

more on Long tailed Tits

Since early November a party of 11 to 13 Long tailers passed through the garden just after dawn and just before dusk every day so they were probably roosting very nearby. They still numbered 11 on 1st Jan and the four that were mist-netted were the heaviest I've ever recorded suggesting that they had put on weight in response to the start of the cold snap. Llanmill is in a frost hollow and on Sunday 4th the temperature dipped to below -10C, and by the morning the flock numbered 3. On Tuesday there was only one and none have been seen since. To me it seems that the cold wiped them out rather than poor condition of the birds, though it is difficult to be sure. We only saw three individuals all day on Saturday so I guess it's a similar story all over.

There was a large flock of Stock Doves (70) at Lampeter Velfrey in the same field as a large Chaffinch flock (3000+) also Bramblings and Reed Buntings. In the garden - 23 Siskins.

Newport Tues am

Remarkably little change despite the change in weather.Redshank down at 7, but 21 Dunlin, 16 Ringed Plovers, 45+Curlews. Single Sanderling & Bar T Godwit have been present since at least Jan 2. 90 Wigeon, 4 Teal, just 1 L Egret & 4 L Grebes.
Lots of Common Gulls & an ad Med (my 1st here for 2 months).

Mandarin Milestone

I unblocked my 250th today at Westfield Pill, it was on the east bank, the partial albino Blackbird was at the car park and just above the weirs there was a male Goldeneye.

Ring-billed Gull in Angle area

The adult Ring-billed Gull was with a flock of gulls in a field with cattle at the end of the road to East Blockhouse at 08:30 this morning. Also, an adult Mediterranean Gull was on the beach at West Angle.

Mid Pembs section events Jan 2009

January events for the Mid Pembs section of the Wildlife Trust

Sunday 18th Jan 2009
Outdoor event – 11am meet at the Parrog Goodwick to go to the Outer Breakwater of Fishguard harbour – weather permitting – warm clothes and a packed lunch

Tuesday 20th Jan 2009
Indoor event – 7.30pm at The Patch – Furzy Park in Haverfordwest a presentation ‘Wanderings of a Pembrokeshire Birder’ by John Stewart-Smith

Further details from Robin Taylor on 01348 840617

Greenfinches and Long-tailed Tits

Picking up on Byron's point.

Long tails had a brilliant breeding season in 2008 so there were lots of big families and flocks around in the autumn. They do move readily and some distance but I suspect the cold weather has done for a lot of them - Wrens also I think 'cos they are hard to find now.

Greenfinches are MUCH scarcer than in any other recent year. When we get our ringing totals out I will try and remember to post the annual totals but the viral disease last year probably clobbered a lot of them and they may have suffered in the wet summer too. Whatever the reason they are very scarce at feeders this winter. A word of caution here too though - many of our winter birds are from eslewhere, predominantly they arrive from the NE in winter so the effect may also be weather related if they went on to Ireland this year. They also get up late so looking at feeders after 1000hrs is a better guide than an early one!!

Spoonbill -- Lawrenny

Lawrenny;-
I have just received a call regarding a Spoonbill, at Lawrenny.
First seen on Friday morning, & seen over the week-end. Seen feeding on the tidal mud.
Not looked for this morning due to the time of high-tide.
(Dennis Nash)

Puzzled

Very often the birds you don't see are just as intriguing as those you do see. For instance what's happened to our Long-tailed Tits? At the end of last year there were parties of these little gems all over the place, but now they seem to have vanished. Have they succumbed to the cold snap or have they simply moved South? Again in our garden in St.Davids we have a daily count of up to 40 Chaffinches and 20 Goldfinches but not a single Greenfinch for weeks.Not too long ago they outnumbered the Chaffinches.
On a recent trip to Austria notable absentees were Jackdaw,Rook and Starling, and for the record no Snowfinch either.

Teifi & ...

Teifi;-
A visit covering most sites, produced very little, 7 Turnstone, c80 Dunlin, & c10 Ringed Plover on Patch.

Fishguard;-
The Flagpoles, 1 ad. Med. Gull
(Adrian)

Nr. Felindre;-
A party of 6 Stock Doves feeding in roadside field.
(Adrian)

Angle Bay Brents etc.

The maximum count of Brent Geese in Angle Bay over the weekend was 27 yesterday, all pale-bellied as far as I could tell.

This morning, in addition to the Brents, there were two Great Nothern Divers, two drake Tufted Ducks (off Sawdern), a female Goldeneye, 21 Great Crested Grebes - and just a single Little Egret.

Interestingly, there was also a Little Egret in the fields with cattle this morning, the first that I have seen with cattle since 27th December.

One upman-ship

My wife saw a Spectacled Petrel on Friday, but sorry, not in Pembrokeshire!

Blogger Abroad - reply

Richard C;-
You will have to do better than a Coppersmith Barbet!
Quite a few of us in Pembs have seen that one!
& the Asian Fairy Bluebird ..Adrian informs me.!

A Blogger Abroad

In Thailand for a couple of weeks. Needless to say there are some amazingly colourful birds here. The Coppersmith Barbet was in Bangkok which does have a few parks and the Asian Fairy Bluebird was at Khao Yai, a National Park where I snuck off for a couple of days birding. Off to Kho Samui for some beach stuff tomorrow, then back to Bangkok for a few more days. Hope the photos brighten up your day!

Brent Geese

Porth Selau, nr. Whitesands;-
2 Brent Geese this pm, also Lapwings, Fieldfares & Redwings nearby.
(Sarah & Jane)

Fishguard harbour

The Flagpoles;-
1 ad. Med. Gull. a large increase in the number of BH Gulls roosting this pm, but very few Common Gulls.
(Mike, Adrian & Rich D.)

Bush Lists

At a Christmas drink, Jonathon was delighted to talk about John & Marion's Lists, including the famous "Bush List";
(among other lists.--eg under the caravan).

At Janet's yesterday, whilst waiting for a Brambling to appear, which one did!! Steve was listing the species on view in a "birch".
He clearly should have known better, the bush in question was not just a "birch", this was a "Chilean Fire-Bush." --- Clearly a different List!

Clearly more to this "bush-listing" culture!

Birding highlights of yesterday's efforts.

Firecrests;-
2 still with the regular 10+ Chiffs (collybita) & 2/3 v.pale birds at Monk Haven Sew. Works.

Mandarin Duck;-
The female seen roosting with Mallards on the bank above the first weir, at Westfield Pill.

Hen Harriers;-
Up to 4 birds came in at the Dowrog, inc. 1 imm male, (Paddy & team still there at 1715).
Merlin at Treffiddan.

Brent Geese;-
33 Light-B. Brents at the Gann, & c25? at Angle Bay, good numbers.

Pochard;-
With Mike's at Heathfield (4), & 10 more seen around the county inc. 5 on the Teifi, record influx by recent years.

Seabirds;-
Apart from good nos. of Guillemots on Stack Rocks, & auks in general flying around the coast, the sea was very quiet. As with all efforts recently at the coast, very few divers, & very low nos. of scoter, & v.little else!

A good effort by the four teams taking part, Paddy's team winning(103?), a new team from the Ringing Group doing well, & as usual a deterioration in the afternoons weather.!

Fortunes Frolic

Yesterday;-
1 Peregrine, c30 Teal, 2 Curlew, 3 Redshank.
Also Redwing feeding with Starlings on housing estate lawn, in Haverfordwest.
(Paul G.)

Tawny Owl at Westfield Pill

A Tawny Owl was calling at around 1600hrs today on the eastern side of Westfield Pill at GR SM963070. No sign of the Mandarin, but there were four Common Gulls with the Black Headed Gulls on the first pool after the Marina.

The Gann, this evening

c40 Brents - I started to count them when a dog walker put them to flight, they flew over me & kept on going, straight down the Cleddau!
c 350 Jackdaws
c 250 B/H/Gulls
2 Meds, 1 Ad, 1 f/w
4 G/C/ Grebe on the sea + c75 Wigeon, also on the sea were the things that are normally on the lagoons, Little grebes, Goldeneye.
This morning at Marloes, 21 Chough.

Heathfield GP

This morning:4 Pochard, 13 Tufted Duck, 12 Shoveler, 10 Teal, 12 Mallard, 5 Wigeon crammed into a tiny spot of open water with the pr of Mute Swans. At Sealyham 7 Snipe (some feeding along the River Anghof)and half a dozen Teal and 4 Mallard. Treecreeper still common here and lots of Goldcrests and a Chiffchaff feeding along the stream bed amongst the stones and overhanging branches as they have done throughout the cold snap.

Castle Kites

Mid A.M. today 2 Red Kites flew low and purposefully over Narberth Castle.

Following last year's success at breeding they are now seen quite often, and against the backdrop of the ruins, today's sighting was of a truly Welsh experience, unmatchable across the border.

Newgale quackers

Late pm at Newgale, a very tight flock of Teal off the north end (250-300 birds) with around 20-30 Wigeo (very difficult to count) - so tight you can see the flock with naked eye from the coast path! No sign of the Eider, but the light was poor and I didn't look long or hard.

New garden bird

I also had a Redwing in my garden this week - my first as well - I was pleased as well. I think everyone in St david's has as well - more reports of Snipe in gardens from my neighbours - but not in mine as well.

Fishguard Harbour

I saw an adult Med Gull bathing in front of the flagpoles at 13:15.

Common Sandpiper - Teifi &..

The Common Sandpiper still at Jewsons.
A low tide look around the estuary found nothing un-expected in terms of species or numbers.

A Common Sandpiper at Blackbridge(Milford) on 8/01 with 4 Greenshank, 3 Little Egrets.
(Mike J.)

New garden bird

A Redwing in the garden this morning, eating stale porridge! I've had plenty fly over the house, but never seen one in the garden. I was pleased, anyway.

Bottled Blackbirds

During this cold snap, like many people I have been feeding the birds, apart from the usual hanging feeders I also scatter a large amount of mixed seeds on the lawn, this is eagerly noshed upon by a large flock of Rooks and Jackdaws and after they have had enough, the smaller birds enjoy there own share.
Of late the normal seed eaters such as Chaffinches, Sparrows etc, have been joined by 5 or 6 pairs of Blackbirds who seem quite happy to eat the smaller seeds (but oddly enough, not the wheat?)  
What has been entertaining to a degree though is their behaviour toward one another, so intolerant are they of a rival that they will leave an area full of seed (despite an obvious hunger) to chase off the lesser bird even if it is several yards away, and gender seems not to count for ought as the most aggressive is a light coloured female and she sees all others off with gusto. It would seem then, that Blackbird hierarchy is determined by who has the most bottle.

Entertainment value from the commoner species!

Woodcock

I received this report yesterday
At 7pm tonight I was sitting quietly at the bar in The Farmers Arms Mathry when there was a loud thump on one of the front windows. A woodcock had flown into the glass and killed itself. It was collected by a customer and taken home to eat.

I saw a Woodcock feeding on the roadside down to Cwm yr Eglwys this morning,at Cilgerran a single Goosander and a Dipper.

Redpoll & Pochard......

Goodwick Moor;-
2 Lesser Redpoll with c8 Siskin feeding in the Alders by the reserve entrance.
Also 1 Cetti's Warbler singing!
The Flagpoles;-
1 ad. Med. Gull
(Adrian)

Rosebush Resr;-
A quick look here, found 95% ice cover as expected;
but, at least 1 Pochard present amongst the Tufted Duck & Coot.

Eiders & birds in St. Brides

A journey up St. Brides Bay coast today, by Paul G. & I;-
Continuing the very poor numbers of scoter in the bay.

Goultrop & Little Haven, quiet, but could see scoter off Broad Haven.
Broad Haven North;-
A 1st yr. male Eider close in, 1 Gt. N. Diver & c50 Common Scoter.
Haroldston Chins;-
2 Gt. N. Diver, 2 Red Thd. Diver.
Newgale;-
c25 Wigeon on sea off south end.
1 fem. Eider from the bank o/s the Duke of Edinburgh, 1 Gt. N. Diver, & 1 tight flock of c300 Teal, quiet a distance offshore, close to c20 Common Scoter.
(Paul G. & Rich D.)

Ramsey

The Iceland gull was back today, the first record in 2009.

Golden plovers and lapwings still present plus good numbers of redwings and fieldfares. A few casualties noted (redwing and golden plover found dead). As per Lyndon's observations we have had snipe feeding outside the farmhouse which is a first for me! Good numbers of woodcock around, at least 5.

Ring-billed Gull at West Angle

The adult Ring-billed Gull was back on the beach at West Angle at lunchtime today, along with three adult Mediterranean Gulls. As far as I am aware, this is the first sighting of the Ring-billed Gull since 16th December - and it must be almost a month since it was last seen on the beach.

Brent Geese

The Irish Brent Goose Research Project are co-ordinating a Brent Goose count this weekend and I have volunteered to collect counts for the Cleddau/Milford Haven. Could you therefore please let me know about any Brent Goose sightings in this area on Saturday or Sunday?? The local "large" flock seems to be quite mobile so can you please also include times so that I don't double count. Please also keep an eye out for colour rings and Dark Bellied birds.

Please email me on rosemaryroyle+at+tiscali.co.uk (replace the +at+ with an @)

PS There were 27 at the Gann yesterday!

Thoughts

I regret to inform you of the death of Hywel Roderick, the ex-county recorder for Ceredigion, on Tuesday night. He had been ill for some time but spent Christmas at home with his family, fiance and friends. Our thoughts are with them at this sad time.

Jon Green

Nine Wells and Song Thrushes

A walk down Nine Wells this afternoon produced a pair of Shoveler on the pond at the end of the wooded area, along with one of several Snipe seen in the valley. Two Golden Plover flew west along the coast and several lone Lapwings were seen passing over in both directions. There were two Chough over the cliffs along with a single Raven and to our surprise two Wrens singing at each other as if it were Spring! Apart from these, a couple of Robins and a small flock of Chaffinch in the woods, ominously, no small birds were seen.


Some Starlings were taking advantage of the softer ground by the cliff edge, although the rocks were ice-covered in places where fresh water had run off the land. A few Blackbirds were "chakking" and there were several Redwing in the woods and valley. But the most common birds were Song Thrushes, which were not only showing themselves in good numbers, with one pair even fighting over a snail, but were also evident from the numerous, well-used "anvils" both on the path through the wood and in the valley. The County's snails are quite literally taking a hammering.


An afterthought: we saw a flock of 300+ Wood Pigeon on the wires over a field on the Haverfordwest side of Roch; there appeared to be many more on the ground but not easily seen or counted.

Marloes and the Deer Park

Hundreds (500+) of Redwings heading towards Skomer first thing and plenty tucked away in the gorse bushes on the deer park. At least 2 Water Rails very noisy on the mere with all the ducks huddled in two tiny ice free pools. A Pochard was among the usual species. Snipe were all over the deer park with a single Jack snipe in the Martin's Haven gulley, and Lapwings flew in a steady trickle out to the islands. The Snow Goose was sat on Midland in among 70 Canadas and 1000 Kittiwakes fed in the sound between skokholm.
At 'work' in the Waterstone oil site, A Firecrest was the best find, but loads of Snipe, Redwings, Song Thrushes, Lapwings and Golden Plover all in places not normaly occupied by such species

Magic

Took some new birders to see Golden Plover at Pwllgwaelod. Early afternoon, sunny, the field above the road to Island Farm, thawed out a bit.
All within 100m without having to move over an hour. Golden Plovers, Lapwings,
Mistle Thrushes & continental Song Thrushes + Redwings. A Snipe came out from the gorse, a Fox ambled past & didn't seem to try very hard to connect with the Rabbits ( the 4th Fox I've seen in the last 2 days) Overhead pr of Peregrines & a pr of displaying Ravens & then a calling pr of Chough flew in.
They were well impressed & so was I.

Pheasant Shoots

Nr. Ffynone Estate;-
A pheasant rearing area for shooting,
near feeding bins I occassionally look at, 4 Yellowhammers, & in the nearby stubble 8 Stock Doves. Also a Gt. Spot seriously advertising!
Glad to say usual winter birds for the area!

Teifi

On the river above the by pass bridge, 1 male tufted duck and 1 female Goldeneye.
Jewsons, 1 Common Sandpiper.
From the railings, 140 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Egret and c50 Redshank.
Goosanders were by Llechryd bridge yesterday but only Snipe, Teal and Canada Geese today.

Hook etc......

Hook Viewpoint:-
6 Greenshank, c30 Redshank, c150 Dunlin, 2 Little Grebe.
1 Snipe flushed from the roadside.

Sprinkle Pill;-
3 Grey Plover, 1 Black-td Godwit, 40 Redshank, 300 Dunlin, 10 Snipe, 3 Shoveler, 20 Shelduck, 200 Teal, 30 Wigeon.

No Little Egrets seen today!
(Paul G.)

Pen Anglas in winter.. Jack Snipe...

Fishguard Harbour;-
From the Flagpoles, 1 Dunlin, & 2 Teal,(good harbour bird!)

Pen Anglas;-
A muck spreader helped the Lapwings & Golden Plovers, all feeding birds in this field.
But a steady trickle of Lapwings flying north up the coast, presumably a local movement to Dinas Head pastures?

Then the niceties!
A couple of frozen springs, but still with a trickle, provided a Woodcock nearby, & then a Jack Snipe from my feet,(we did have both dogs with us ) Common Snipe around too.
Also Linnets, Reed Bunting, & Meadow Pipits.
(Adrian & Rich D.)

Kilpaison

A reasonable selection of waders at Kilpaison at lunchtime, including a Grey Plover, 300+ Dunlin, a single Sanderling, 35+ Knot, and a small party of Ringed Plovers. Also 10+ Coot amongst the Wigeon - taking refuge from the frozen lakes I guess.

Still plenty of Golden Plovers, Lapwings, Redwings and Snipe in the fields.

Snipe and Gardners World

There is no doubt birds are finding it hard going. I have now had three people tell me of Snipe feeding on thier front lawns. Two from Solva, and my next door neighbour - No, they did not tell me at the time, I dipped !!
The Mandarin is still at Westfield Pill

Looking at sea duck

A female Stellar's Eider, was present & photogaphed at Morfa Nefyn, Gwynedd on Saturday & Sunday. The bird could not be found today & there is a chance that it has moved down the coast, perhaps to Pembs.
If out on the coast please report all ducks/sea ducks.
Numbers of sea duck are very low this winter, with only Common Scoter on the sea being seen?? Hope that I am wrong!
(has the Eider in Angle Bay gone?)

Fishguard

The Flagpoles;-
2 Red Thd. Divers, 1 ad. Med. Gull, Lapwing, Ringed Plover.
Goodwick Moor;-
The Dipper present on the stream by the entrance to the reserve.
(Adrian & Rich D.)

Black Redstart & Jack Snipe

I had my first good day of 2009 today, saw a female Black Redstart close up and flushed a Jack Snipe in quick succession at Carnfathach, the highest point of the escarpment between Pen Anglas and Carregwastad at 14:15.

The frost bites harder

Arriving at St Justinian at 09:30 this AM, the car's O.A.T. gauge indicated -6c. That's extremely cold for the coastal strip along Ramsey Sound....and the birds knew it. Highlights from today's TTV count of the tetrad with Trefeiddan Marsh at its centre, included seeing as many as 60 Redwing in a flock, leaf-turning inside hedgerows, often invisible until disturbance caused them to erupt, giving off their nasal alarm calls and departing noisily.

Along the coastal footpath, heading for Point St John, small parties of Snipe, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Redwing and the occasional Fieldfare, were observed heading directly for Ramsey, no doubt expecting a warm welcome from Greg and Lisa. But not all the Lapwings were intent on making the short crossing; three or more flocks, made up of 20-30 birds in tidy echelon formation, were seen heading out and beyond the North Bishops. Let's hope they had sufficient fuel on board to make it to Ireland.

For the entire count (two hours) there was hardly a field, all of them frozen solid, that did hold a handful of static and isolated Lapwing and Golden Plover. The milder conditions forecast to arrive this weekend may well arrive too late for those that can't make it to milder climes.

A few totals for the record:- Curlew 11, Lapwing c170, Golden Plover 85, Redwing c210, Songthrush 70+, Fieldfare 18, Snipe 48, Jack Snipe 3, Water Rail 1, and only two Wrens!

These totals are of species "using" the tetrad, and do not include the squadrons of flyovers.

Mill Pond, Pembroke

A quick walk today along the middle (largest) of the Mill Ponds. About 50% iced over but near the top end it was clear and there were 30 Coot, 15 Little Grebe, Heron, 2 Tufties and 2 Pochard - are these birds the only ones in the county???

Usual crazy number of Mute Swans, some Moorhens and Mallard but not much else.

Dartford Warblers

This cold spell may have a severe impact on the Dartford Warbler population.
A report yesterday from Richard Ansett, of 1 near Druidston on Jan 6th, shows at least that bird is surviving on the coast, so far....

Swallows at Chevron - Pembroke

John H. saw 1 Swallow still trying to feed at 17:00 last night, clearly pretty desperate. Also 1 more was picked up dead yesterday making a total of 4 picked up now.

N. Pembs.

Teifi;-
1 male Tufted Duck & fem Goldeneye on the river below the by-pass.
Common Sand. still at Jewsons.
(Rich. D & Wendy)
Felindre;-
Brambling at one of the feeders at Janet's. Dipper singing too.
Penberry;-
Different duck nos. to y'day, only 10 Wigeon, but now 88 Teal, also 12 Shoveler.
(Adrian)

Ramsey Update - Nov and Dec

Round up of Ramsey highlights for Nov and Dec 08:

November highlights included a female ring ouzel, female black redstart, single chiffchaff, single coat tit, up to 8 long tailed tits in the first week, 2 Iceland gulls on 25th, with 1 still present on 28th, a female snow bunting on 12th, a woodcock on 26th, max of 56 curlew in the month, a female merlin for most of the first half of Nov, 4 purple sandpiper and a single mistle thrush. Fulmars were back on their ledges after a post moult absence of around 6 weeks on 6th. The grey seal haul out peaked at 89.

December saw one of the Iceland gulls at the same location on 3 dates. A mute swan was an unusual record on 27th (swimming down Ramsey Sound!). Other records of note were a red throated diver, little egret, jack snipe, woodcock on 3 dates and a notable influx of golden plovers at the end of the month during the cold snap (up to 37). Redwing and fieldfare records also increased markedly during this period (flocks of up to 50 of each). Lapwing peaked at 80 with up to 10 chough using the usual roost site. Guillemots were on ledges on some sunny mornings and 3 seal pups were born late in the month (as in 2007).

Jan highlights to date: increase in golden plover numbers to 130 (1st). 3 jack snipe (1st) with 1 on 3rd. 170 redwing (1st). Whooper swan heading south east over the island this morning

Leucistic Blackbird

Sighting via e mail from John Mc - Went to check out the Mandarin Duck at Westfield Pill at about 12.15 today(Sunday). No luck with the Mandarin but spotted this fella at Westfield Crossing.

Llys y Fran

Paul and I did the roost tonight, went as far up as the hide but no sign of the Pacific Diver - we were wondering if it might appear for the 3rd winter in a row!

Light very poor so gull roost difficult, of surprise was the high percentage of Herring Gulls - I would estimate 80% of the c.1,500 birds present (many of these first-winters), with the remainder LBBGs and a handful of GBBGs. Only half a dozen Black-headed Gulls and no Common Gulls. A single adult Yellow-legged Gull was picked out, a couple more possibles but bad light stopped play. Just a single Wigeon, 4 Mallard, 3 Coot and 40+ Canada Geese, along with around 10 Great-crested Grebes.

Cattle Egrets... totals

As of last night, there were 33 Cattle Egrets reported y'day in SW Britain & S. Ireland
(RBA)

Mandarin then ......

Mandarin, Westfield Pill;-
The female Mandarin was on the waters-edge beyond the first weir this morning. It did take flight with the Mallards when dog-walkers started walking across the causeway.
Presumably it is used to this pattern & returns?

Bewicks & Carnhedryn Cattle Egret update;-
Adrian & I got to Heathfield as Mike & Kathy's Bewicks were taking off! Whilst making our way towards Mathry, Lyndon rang with news of his Cattle Egret, again that had flown before anyone got there!
Over the following c11:00-14:30 5 cars have been looking at most of the sites between Fishguard, St. Justinians & Welsh Hook with no success.( Also the Teifi & Nevern, Wendy & Janet)

Some notable records though.
Nr. Jordanston Farm, c100 Fieldfare.
Next to the Cattle Egret field(Carnhedryn), 1 ring-tail Hen Harrier.
Penberry;-
c95 Wigeon, 9 Shoveler, pr. Gadwall. 4 Mute Swans here would have probably prevented the Bewicks from landing here-- it was the Mutes at Heathfield that forced them off there!!
Ivor's Pond;-
c30 Teal. 4 Gadwall
(nearly all the NW Pembs. Birders, thanks for trying!)

A cold Saturday tetrad bashing & a pleasant Sunday dusk at Bosherston Lakes

Yesterday we moved around approx 12 tetrads in SN11 and SN10 (between roughly Kilgetty, Tavernspite and Whitland) where there had been no roving records entered to the Atlas in winter so far. Most of the common expected species were found and so not too much of note really other than the fact that redwings were numerous in every 1 km square we checked - must be many thousands across the county as a whole. Song Thrushes were also very numerous -including greyer likely Continental ones, whiter on the belly and breast and lacking the warmer yellowish tinge of the typical UK ones.

Lapwings were thinly scattered over many fields in the area and there was a flock of around 30 golden plovers near Llanteg. A few snipe were flushed from roadside ditches (feeding in the damper less-frosted roadside zones). All the farm ponds/irrigation reservoirs and fishing lakes we looked at were frozen over so no waterfowl seen at all!

Today, at dusk, we checked out the goosander situation at Bosherston lakes and the corvid roost. Not less than 33 goosanders here (10 adult males and at least one immature male). They seem to come and go - 6 flew off at dusk. Where are they roosting/feeding when not at Bosherston? Coot numbers here are still quite low; no sign here yet of a cold weather influx - even though the lakes are now partially covered with a thin sheets of ice. Even so it still not as cold here as it was in the late 1970s/80s when the lakes were solid enough to walk on and starving golden plovers and lapwings were literally coming into the buildings here at Stackpole in search of food and more or less dying at your feet; redwings were also regularly seen falling dead out of the trees on to the frozen lake. Hopefully it won't get as bad as that!

The corvid roost was quite impressive this evening - around 2,000 - 2,500 jackdaws plus a few hundred rooks making their usual pre-roosting aerial displays over the lake before settling in the trees. A goshawk passed through the flock on its way to roost. Redwings and blackbirds were dropping into the holm oaks and laurel shrubbery all over the place. At least 200 redwings came in, in about 10 minutes and they could be seen arriving in small numbers all along the lake-side woodland. Only other notable birds being 2 little egrets roosting in trees and at least one firecrest - typically showing late in the day in trees near the Manor House garden.

Snow buntings still at Fishyguard

A quick look for porps at the outer breakwater Fishyguard, produced the three long staying Snow Buntings also a couple of miserable looking song thrushes and a not overly cheerful lapwing. Female GSW on nutfeeder in garden,lots of snipe in surrounding fields
Good luck and safe journey to Rich (and Sarah) on the far eastern trip to perform grandad duties. Just my luck, only gets me as far as Caerfarchell, cheaper though I suppose!
allthingsgood, cliff

Amroth - Tenby

Good numbers of Red-throated Divers (30+) and Great Crested Grebes off Amroth this morning, though most birds were very distant. Also five Red-breasted Mergansers, five Fulmars and a few small groups of Common Scoter, again very distant.

At Tenby, there were at least two Purple Sandpipers with Turnstones on the girders of the old Lifeboat building.

Cattle Egret

A single Cattle Egret flew across the road and landed in a field of cattle at about 11am near Carnhedryn. Unfortunately I left the area and by 11.20 or so when other birders arrived it had gone. Although a number of us have spent some time looking in the St David's area and northwards it has not been relocated. Any news of it anyone ?

Bewick Swans

2 adult and 3 juvenile Bewick's at Heathfield gravel pits this morning but flew off north at 10.45.
(Mike Y-P)

Mandarin Duck

The Mandarin duck is still at Westfield Pill this morning
(Richard D and Adrian)

Courting Couples

Cold though it may be, some couples just cannot resist a little courtship. In fact the whole field full were 'at it'

Cold and quite

A very cold and fairly quite days birding. At the Upper Mill Pond Pembroke 2 Black-tailed Godwits, Stackpole 17 Goosanders, then past Freshwater West a single Grey Plover; at Angle Bay the best birds were 6 Pintail,2 Gadwall,18 Knot and a similar number of Bar-tailed Godwits a single Sanderling and finally a fly over Mediterranean Gull.Back in the north at Glynaeron a single Crossbill flew over a few Siskin in the conifers. (Steve B and Jon G)

Cattle Egret, nr. Philbeach Farm &......

Cattle Egret;-
Appeared in the field to the north of the Steve & Anna Sutcilffe's house at c13:00. But flew inland broadly in the Philbeach Farm direction. Could not be re-located by c15:00.
(5! of Pembs. Ringing Group)

The Gann;-
Still 20 L.B.Brent Geese, 12 Shoveler offshore, 6 Grey Plover, & Goldeneye on the pools. Also 1 R.B.Merganser.
(Rich D. & Wendy J.)

Rosebush Resr;-
At 17:00. (light fading fast!) c11 Tufted Ducks, 5 Goldeneye, also Teal, Coot & Mallard & 1 Gt. Ctd. Grebe.

Sandy Haven / Richard's Lens

A brief look around the usual fields at Sandy Haven / Capeston again failed for Cattle Egret.

Richard C - lovely wader shots. If you should happen to either give up birding, or win the lottery, I could give your current lens a good home!!!!! Worth getting a bid in early.

I hope everyone has there local catoneaster berries staked out in readiness for the Waxwings?

Westfield Pill - 2008 ( Mandarin Duck!)

The 2008 records from Westfield Pill have arrived;-
Highlights are up to 3 Firecrests & a female Mandarin Duck, present from November 19th. to year end!
(Alan H.)

Carew

Sightings via e mail from Andrew Baxter - Today at Carew below the mill; 50 redshank,60 dunlin,12 lapwing 20 curlew; 2 little egret, 8 shelduck,1 snipe, 4 mute swan,12 redwing and 1 greenshank - pic attached.

Also a photo of a frosty Fieldfare sent in by Tommy Evans.

Starling roost query

Can anybody point me in the right direction for the best place to view the Starling roost at Plumstone Mountain please?

S Pembs sites

A series of brief site visits today saw some Chiffs, Goldcrests and a singing Blackcap at Monk Haven (not sure what it had to sing about - survived another night I guess!). Missed the Firecrests though.

An obliging adult Mediterranean Gull was at the port in Milford Haven (opposite Tesco) - pic above. Four Choughs were feeding in the stubble field behind the car park at Freshwater West, and a Water Rail and Woodcock were in the grounds at Orielton.

Around St Ishmaels

Like Richard Stoniers comments, lots of Golden plover, c150 on the stubble between Gt Castle Hd, & Trewarren farm. Redwings everywhere too.
2 Peregrines chasing Starlings at Lindsway.
Bicton frozen, just a dozen Coot.
Monkhaven - where I met Richard D. (aka the 1 amigo) the Chiffs were performing well, as was 1 Firecrest, 2 Goldcrests & a Grey wag.
Egged on by the news of a Cattle egret (via RD) I went down to Mullock to search for said bird - without success.
However, I found myself at the far end of the lagoons at the Gann, over the stone bridge, seeing 1 Water rail, 400- 500 Jackdaws flying high, making a lot of noise at a Peregrine flying below them.
c1000 Starlings flying East . A good afternoon!

Strumble Head

Walk around Strumble Head today - Golden Plovers seemingly in every field (circa 100+), 50+ Lapwing, 5 Snipe on roadside verges, 200+ Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Peregrine chasing the plovers (unsuccessfully!), 5 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel.

Angle again !!

Sorry to do this !! After Richard had left a Slavonian Grebe seen a long way off the beach with 7 or 8 Great crested grebes in loose association seemingly heading outwards as the tide dropped.

Angle (Again!)

Some great photographic opportunities at Angle this morning in the superb light. Sitting on the beach for an hour was a trifle chilly but the one Sanderling in with the Dunlin came close as did a Knot with a gammy leg. A nearby field held some resplendent Lapwing. Click photos for larger image.