Skomer

There were at least 2 Hen Harriers on the island this afternoon, a juvenile with all its primaries & the adult (?) missing a primary

Flagpoles 16.00 30th Sept.

At nearly high tide , Approx 6 Turnstone , 2 Curlew & a sgl Redshank on the rocks. The usual large number of Herring Gulls ( app 150 ) , a smaller number of Black Headed ( 30 ish ) & 2 x 1st W Med Gull with one bearing a metal ring on the right leg & a plastic white ring on the left leg with the markings E137 in black. ( Over to you RD ).

Llangwm Pill ....&.....

Llangwm Pill;-
11 - 12:00, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 56 Redshank, 27 Teal, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Little Egret, & 1 Grey Heron....

...... Delighted to have Merv's sightings & he has also pointed out that the Sandhill Crane is on it's way south today.....from Orkney!!

Newport Tues pm

A Green Sand at the bridge, the almost resident Barwit on the mud & Grey Plover at the Boat Club. Couldn't find Curlew Sand, but 16 Dunlin & a Turnstone. No Canadas (235 a couple of days ago).

West Pembs -- today

Broad Haven;-
1 Ad. Med. Gull
St. Brides Castle;- 4 White Wagtail
Marloes Mere;-
A Hen Harrier reported, also 18 Shoveler, 20 Wigeon, 8 Teal.
The Gann;-
3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 3 Little Egret, 1 Snow Goose with c200 Canada Geese.
(Paul G.)

talking about owls

Barn owl last night, (10'ish) Pentre Galar
Tawny owl last night, (10'ish) Glogue

Sun 27th; Tawny owl (10'ish) Cwm Cych

Barn Owl - Crundale

A Barn Owl was calling from trees in Crundale, GR SM 969181, last night.

Sanderling ---- Mauritania

On June 6th 2009 I saw a colour-ringed Sanderling on the Teifi (where else!)

Just had the recovery details;-

Ringed, Iwek village, Banc d'Arguin on 2/12/2007.
(present until 12/12/2007)
Returned to the above site in Mauritania 29/11/2008 & seen again there 21 - 24/4/2009.

Next seen Teifi Estuary 6th June this summer with 11 other Sanderling.

As part of wader ringing in West Wales, a juv. Sanderling was ringed on the Teifi 30/8/2009.
A start.....

Curlew Sandpiper -- Newport

The juv. Curlew Sandpiper still present from the Boat Club(v close) at 19:00 this evening with 12 Dunlin.

Polecat & harrier news

There was a freshly dead Polecat on the B4327 about 1/4 mile west of Hasguard Cross this morning.

I asked Andrea Corso to have a look at the photos of the harrier over Skomer the other day & he reckons its most likely a Hen Harrier in primary moult

Strumble today

Strumble Head watch 28/9/09 07.30hrs-11.30hrs

Arctic Skua (1 dark phase)
1 Red-throated Diver
6 Sandwich terns
41 Common Scoters (35 male, 6 female)
5 Manx Shearwater

Short-toed Lark

Chris Greyall has asked me to pass on the news that he saw a Short-toed Lark this lunch time, on the fringe of St David's airfield, on the south side of of the junction between Whitchurch and the St David's road near Nine Wells. It was still there when he passed on the way home in the early evening.

Skomer today

Quite a few migrants around today - about 12 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Redstarts, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, a Lapland Bunting flying around again and a stunning Yellow-browed Warbler by Green Pond

The Teifi estuary

From Patch/ Railings;-
2 Pintail, c65+ Wigeon, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, c6 Ringed Plover, c10 Dunlin.
Also a 1w Med. Gull seen by Jon this pm.

Fishguard & Strumble

A couple of records from Elfyn Pugh - 3pm today (27/9/09)1 Great Crested Grebe in Fishguard Hartbour. Strumble Head 24/9/09 1 Great Skua, 2 Arctic's (1 dark, 1 light) 1 petrel sp

Strumble (27 Sep 09)

Time: 0650 - 1300
Weather: Cloudy
Wind: NNE (F0-1)

Balearic Shearwater - 1
Arctic Skua - 1 (1D)
Mediterranean Gull - 1 (1st W)
Sandwich Tern - 5
Red Throated Diver - 1
Common Scoter - 155 (16F, 139M)
Tufted Duck - 1
Wigeon - 1
Curlew - 1

Common Dolphin - c.50
(Including one adult with a missing dorsal fin - jagged edge along back where it should have been)

Curlew Sandpiper -- Newport ....&...

15;30;-
First seen this am (Karen), 1 juv Curlew Sandpiper still present, roosting on the mud with 13 Ringed Plover. Most of the Dunlin (c15) feeding amongst the boats.
(Rich D)

Carn Ingli 15:30, c50 Golden Plover (Karen)
FFordd Bedd Morris, also c30 Golden Plover over today(Alan Hodgson)

Landshipping Quay;-
c13:00, 53 Black-tailed Godwits, 25 Redshank, c50 Teal, c50 Wigeon, 50 Oystercatcher.

Skomer 27th Sept. Yellow-browed Warbler

News received from Skomer via Richard Dobbins , Yellow Browed Warbler by the Green Pond today. Also one on Bardsey today.

Golden Triangle 27th Sept.

A two and a half hour walk this morning was most notable for the amount of Robins around , 50 plus with most of them in the lane down to Good Hope. Along the main Strumble road just past the entrance to Castell Farm there was a small passerine flock which must have numbered about 40 birds , over half were Long Tailed Tits the rest a mix of Blue & Great Tits , a few Chiffs & a single Goldcrest. The coast path produced the usual Stonechats , Meadow & Rock Pipits , 2 unringed Chough & a large military type boat out to sea.

Skomer Yesterday

No sign of the Wryneck but there was a Lapland Bunting flying around in the afternoon.

Teifi ---- ringing today,...... 900th warbler this year

Late September & warblers still moving,

4(3 new) Reed Warblers, 10 Blackcaps & 4 Chiffchaffs today.

This photo,(Wendy)

the 156th new Reed Warbler

& also the 900th warbler ringed on the Teifi marshes this year.

Other high numbers ringed this year,

Sedge Warbler... 330

Blackcap.....170

Chiffchaff....156

(Teifi RG)

Dale Penisular,....&.....

Hen Harrier;-
An adult female flew into Marloes Mere, c16:30 this pm, watched well it was seen again flying from the Deer Park to Skomer at 18:10.

Also on the Mere, 5 Shoveler, c12 Teal, 3 Snipe
at The Gann, 1 Greenshank, 7 Little Egrets, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 9 Teal.
1 Snow Goose with c250 Canada Geese.

Broad Haven;-
c90 Common Scoter, 1 ad. Med. Gull

St. Ann's Head;- a couple of White Wagtails.

(sev.obs), but relatively quiet?

Strumble (26 Sep 09)

Time: 0650 - 1400 (Incorporating Paul's sightings below)
Weather: Cloudy
Wind: N (F1-2)

Pomarine Skua - 1 (1P)
Arctic Skua - 1 (1D)
Sandwich Tern - 4
Little Gull - 1 (1st W)
Mediterranean Gull - 1 (1st W)
Common Scoter - 52 (8F, 44M)
Shoveler - 3
Dunlin - 1

Risso's Dolphin - 1
(Very large, white front, dark grey rear - heading east into bay along tide-race)

Common Dolphin - c.25

Strumble Head

1 Artic Skua
Common Scoter 30
Common Dolphin 10+
Risso's Dolphin 1
Stoat ran across the road by the car -park

Teifi ...

See CereBirds for an account af a successful crossing of the Teifi by a Grey Squirrel --swimming!!
(John Davis)

Ringing;-
Whilst setting up for tomorrow, 2 new juv. Kingfishers tonight, a couple of Blackcaps, & a Reed Warbler. Several Water Rails around. Also a Tawny Owl flying by the Visitor Centre.
Waders;-
From Patch, 22 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits.

Last night;-
Acro' warblers in front of Kingfisher hide, Barn Owl over Marshes
(Barn Owl in Boncath, 0630 this am)
(Teifi RG)

Offshore today

A trip offshore today from st David's produced 10xSooty Shearwaters, lots of Skuas, A large gannet feeding frenzy - lots of Auks and some manx Shearwaters.
Also today a red Kite was at The Square and Compass

Skomer Harrier again

Thanks to a timely call from Sash via Dave M I managed to pick the harrier up flying along the south coast of the island, which is a bit of a shame cos I'd got myself ready for it and was waiting on the north side of the island. It did cut in when it crossed South Haven but I couldn't find it again this evening.

It did have very pointed wings and bouncy flight but from the distant views I had tonight I couldn't be sure it was the same bird as yesterday.

Martin's Haven: a Woodpecker and a Harrier

After a very quiet evening yesterday the valley was wonderfully active this morning: several big groups of linnets (each 30+), Stonechats all over the place, a dozen meadow pipits all descended in a group, and a similar very tight group of Pied Wagtails (as well as a pair of Grey Wagtails). The scrup in the valley was notable for a persistent party of 6-8 Blue Tits (unusual here), accompanied by a pair of Great Tits (ditto). These were present at around 0800 and still in the sallow bushes at 1700, when they were joined by a rather unexpected House Sparrow. The real surprise, though, was the source of persistent tapping in the morning, which turned out to be a juvenile female Great Spotted Woodpecker. It clearly found enough wood to peck amongst the sallows and willow, and spent some time working on an old gorse stem in the Deer Park, before finally flying off East at around 1700. Other highlights were 6-8 Chiffchaffs and a pair of Blackcaps, while careful study of the wagtails in the afternoon revealed at least one clean adult White Wagtail amongst the Pieds.

Having dipped on the Skomer Wryneck today (consolation prize: a Wood Warbler, and good numbers of raptors, especially Sparrowhawks and Buzzards) a quick look at the Trehill fields facing Skokholm at around 1800 revealed a beautiful Harrier flying towards the island. I am fascinated by the two different reports of Harriers in the area in the last 24 hours: Dave B's possible Monty's on Skomer yesterday evening and the Ringtail at Marloes Mere this morning. My contribution is that the bird I saw was large, with very thin wing tips, no obvious black patch on the underside of the wings and a VERY bouyant ("bouncy") flight; a real surprise for such a large bird.

Well worth checking the Mere tomorrow morning if the bird gets bored on Skokholm!

Honey Buzzard, Hen Harrier

Sightings from Allan Hansen - Honey Buzzard flying over Dale Airfield late a.m. Hen Harrier at Marloes Mere.10 Greenshank at Sandy Haven.

Skomer

No sign of any harriers this morning - the bird did come in from the mainland yesterday just before 6pm so I'll keep a lookout again tonight.

I've had a bit more of a play with one of the harrier photos again, & I'm more happy now that its a Montagu's - I think you can see the pattern of the secondaries better and there's definitely no big dark patch

And just to proove that not all Wrynecks sit on Chicken Sheds, this morning it was walking around on the ground

Newport -- waders

From the Parrog, am;-
1 Grey Plover,1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 13 Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin.
(Karen)

Skomer

No sign of any harriers so far, but Wryneck still present
(Dave B.)

Skomer Harrier

Thanks for that Dave, & your email Jon.

I got a mate who knows a lot more about raptors than me to have a look & he was pretty happy with the pattern of the secondaries for a Monty's, although obviously the photos aren't up to much. I am a little concerned that I think I can maybe see a thin collar on the first photo and the wings do seem a bit broad?

I'm hoping it will have roosted in North Valley, at least I know what to look for now!

Thanks for your help
Dave

Skomer Harrier

Hi Dave, I'm no expert (never seen a Pallid, & my Montagu's experience may as well count for nothing), but it certainly looks like one or the other purely because of the 4 primary tips showing, rather than 5 (assuming that is a concrete feature). I suspect you need to see it again to take it any further....but top marks for having the foresight to rattle off some images on such a brief sighting!

Skomer Today

There was a Wryneck at the Chicken Sheds again this morning but few other migrants around.

You've got to love digital photography - just before 6pm I was on the isthmus trying to work out which seal cow was the mum of a new born pup. I looked up and there was a ringtail harrier crossing North Haven, I thought that looks a bit bouncy & fired off some shots, unfortunately with the camera set for taking photos of seals in the dark not birds in the sky. When I got in & had a look it looks like an adult female Montagu's to me!

The photos are very poor & I've tried fiddling with them a bit to see if I can make out any more plumage details but I can't. The structure of the wing is spot on & I think you would be able to make out the collar if it was a Pallid

Any comments would be greatfully received, I wouldn't in any way claim to be a raptor expert

Barn Owl at Newgale

Well, not quite. When we drove from St Davids to Haverfordwest at a little after 10 o'clock last night, a Barn Owl flew alongside the car as we descended the hill to the bridge over the stream from Newgale Marsh.

Skomer -- Wryneck

1 This am behind chicken sheds
(Dave B.)

Sooties

On a Sea Trust Pelagic today way out past the Smalls a raft of 12 Sooty Shearwaters (6 shown here with a Manxie). Also 3 others seen on the trip. Plenty of Gannets still out there with several newly fledged young. Plenty of Guillemots and Razorbills, 2 Puffins and 1 Storm Petrel.

A lot of Common Dolphins seen many with very small calfs and a brief view of a Minkie Whale.

Newport Wed pm

C60 Dunlin & 20 Ringed Plovers with single Sanderling, Grey Plover & Knot. At the bridge 2 Little Egrets & a juv Moorhen. Only 75 Canadas (150 yesterday).

Strumble Head

Today, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 4 Red-throated Divers, 2 Bonxie, 2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 17 Redshank, 9 Common Scoter & 1 Med. Gull.
(sev obs.)

Carningli Common

1 Kestrel, c80 Golden Plover, & 1 Wheatear.
(Karen)

Skomer

Today - No sign of the Red-backed Shrike or Wryneck but did see a Cetti's Warbler at North Pond - the 5th island record & first since 1991

Yesterday - A stunning Convulvulus Hawk-moth in the moth trap

Little Milford

HT this am;-
46 Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 8 Snipe,1 Black-tailed Godwit, 35 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover, 42 Curlew,1 Oystercatcher, 3 Little Egret.
(Paul G.)

Bird Group and Mid Pembs events

For the latest information showing the Autumn events for the Pembrokeshiar Bird Group and the Mid Pembrokeshire sections of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales please use the link to visit the Pembrokeshire Bird Group Blog site

Skomer

Couldn't find the Red-backed Shrike this evening, its favourite bramble bush is a bit exposed now with the increasing sw wind & couldn't find the Wryneck again either.

Teifi

Patch - few small waders, only 8 Dunlin and 7 Ringed Plover. 3 Wheatear and 2 White Wagtails.
2 Common Sandpipers at Jewsons and 3 Bar-tailed Godwit at St Dogmaels quay.
At least 10 Chiffs in Sycamore trees near the car park for Cemaes head but no other migrants around the headland.

Newport

This pm;-
From the Parrog, 36 Dunlin, 1 Grey Plover, 7 Ringed Plover, 1 Sanderling.
From the Iron Bridge, 1 Little Egret, 1 Curlew, c198 Canada Geese.
(Karen)

Angle Bay

At Kilpaison this morning as the tide dropped 14 Bar-Tailed Godwits dropped in accompanied by 2 Knot. Also 30+ Oystercatchers and a few Curlew. There were 2 pale bellied Brents on the water and a further 3 came in and started to feed on the beach. 4 Little Egrets were on the south side of the bay and it was strange to see a Manx Shearwater heading out towards the Haven having flown over from inland. No small waders by the time I left.

Lapwings

The first returning Lapwings to arable land in N. Pembs this am, nr. Moylegrove.
(Janet)

Red-backed Shrike -- Skomer

Shrike still in S. Valley, but distant.
Wryneck seen last night, in S field this am.
Hen Harrier in N. Valley, virtually no other migrants.
(Dave Boyle)

Little Milford

Just after HT this am;-
14 Greenshank, c100 Redshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 16 Dunlin, 1 Oystercatcher,
1 Kingfisher, 6 Wigeon, 16 Teal, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron
(Paul G.)

Upper Millpond 1800 20th Sept

Lots of waders on the pond at high tide times.
25 Black tailed Godwit
123 Redshank
46 Greenshank
5 Snipe
20 Coot
57 mallard
102 Teal
3 Water Rail

Gann

Just prior to this evening's big tide, a good count of small waders on the beach - 38 Dunlin & 11 Ringed Plover. Also 1 Greenshank, 4 Teal, & 5 Little Egrets.

An adult Med Gull at Hook this morning during WeBS count.

Skomer - Red-backed Shrike

There's a Red-backed Shrike in South Valley this morning, best viewed from Moorey Mere Hide but its very distant

Pen Anglas.....&....

Pen Anglas;-
The usual circuit produced, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Redstart, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Dartford Warblers, 1 Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff.
Meadow Pipits & Linnets present in lower than usual nos. 3 Chough, 1 imm Peregrine, & 2 Kestrels constantly around. Also 1 Gt.spotted Woodpecker.

WeBs sites;-
Of note, ad. Med. Gull Fishguard. 5 Tufted Duck Rosebush, & a v. quiet Llys-y-fran Resr.

Presumably the above Dartford's local birds, but a report of one on Ramsey, amongst their birds today,-- a posting from Greg later? (Redstart, Whinchat & lots of common migrants)

(Adrian & Rich D.)

More from today.......

No sign of The Glossy Ibis early this am... will be looked for this evening.

A report of the Spotted Crake calling this am. (Creek Hide?)

Porthgain, 2 Whinchat.
(Via Merv)

Med. Gulls, 2 ad, Broad Haven, ad & 1w Goultrop Roads, Little Haven
St. Brides Castle Common Whitethroat & 4 Chiffs.
Point House, Dale, at least 10 Chiffs & 2 Goldcrests.
(Paul G.)

Waders in the North

Newport;-
1 Grey Plover, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2/3 Sanderling, c53 Dunlin, c23 Ringed Plover.
Fishguard;-
2/3 of Turnstone, Dunlin, Ringed Plover
(Adrian & Rich D.)


Teifi;-
Patch, c25 Dunlin, c16 Ringed Plover.
(Wendy)

Strumble (20 Sep 09)

Time: 0645 - 1300
Weather: Sunny
Wind: NNE (F3)

Balearic Shearwater - 1
Arctic Skua - 1 (1D)
Mediterranean Gull - 2 (2 1st W)
Sandwich Tern - 10
Common Scoter - 150 (21F, 129M)
Puffin - 2

Risso's Dolphin - 6
(Single going East along tide-race - large with lots of "scarring". Later a pod of 5 going East along tide-race: 2 large and pale, 1 medium/large and completely white and 2 small/medium and grey).

Common Dolphin - c.10

Tresinwen (20 Sep 09)

In my garden - Lesser Whitethroat, c.10 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 15 Long Tailed Tits and a Goshawk over.

A harsh side of nature

Apologies if the picture shocks, I did think long and hard before posting it. I came across this sorry looking Black-tailed Godwit during my WeBS count at Hook this morning. It could fly, though was obviously weakening. Presumably a fox or similar had got hold of it but it somehow escaped. I can't imagine it surviving long (it looked even worse from the right side).

WeBS totals included 38 Black-wits, 2 Knot, 2 Lapwing, 3 Greenshank, 2 Redshank, 26 Dunlin (no sign of any Little Stints).

Little Stints and Honey Buzzard

A couple of records sent in by e mail:-
From Allan Hanson - 10 Little Stints at Hook yesterday evening. 3 Whinchat,and a Hen Harrier at Marloes Mere early a.m
From Ian Campbell - Honey Buzzard inland at Freshwater West.

No sign of.....

Teifi;-
2 'Scopes from Patch, 2 'scopes viewing from The Webley, but no sign of the Ibis, or much else compared to last night. Looked for until 8pm, & will be looked for again tomorrow.

On Patch, c25 Dunlin, c16 Ringed Plover.
9 Little Egrets went to roost below the GVP.

(Several Obs. & thanks for trying,.... as 4 of the observers have seen this bird!)

Strumble (19 Sep 09)

Time: 0645 - 1300
Weather: Sunny spells.
Wind: NW (F2)

Balearic Shearwater - 3
Great Skua - 1
Mediterranean Gull - 1 (1st W)
Sandwich Tern - 5
Common Scoter - 111 (18F, 93M)
Teal - 2
Red Throated Diver - 2
Little Egret - 1
Wheatear - 1

Common Dolphin - c.50

Landshipping Quay

80+ Redshanks, one of which only had one leg. It seemed to feed ok hopping around.
1 Knot
1 Bar-Tailed Godwit
1 Spotted Redshank
numerous Teal, Mallard & Widgeon.
Earlier today a Red Kite over Redstone crossroads Narberth

Little Stint at the Gann ?

Completely absorbed in my digiscoping, I glanced up to see a Dunlin fly past with a smaller wader behind. "Little Stint" flashed up in neon in my brain, got the bins on it but it was a fast dis appearing target.

Other stuff :- c15 Dunlin, 16 Widgeon. Over the house at St Ishmaels this afternoon, 1 adult Med. A garden tick.

Teifi today

No sign of the Glossy Ibis this morning, will be looked for this evening.

Creek Hide;-
No sign of the Spotted Crake, but 3 Water Rails.

Ringing;-
The Crake was calling at 0610-0620 this am whilst we were unfurling nets in the reed-bed behind Kingfisher Hide.
Warblers today included 20 new Blackcaps(2 re-traps), 15 new Chiffs(2 re-traps) 4 new Reed & 1 new Sedge Warbler.
Goldfinches moving around & the first small flocks of Siskins moving over the site this am.
(Teifi RG)

St Davids Hd - Honey Buzzard etc

Honey Buzzard at Lleithyr 11-15am. Spot Fly, 2 Whinchats in Bocca (jr) valley, a dozen wheatears and chiffchaffs around, with a couple of Willow Warblers and Song Thrushes. At Goodwick ad Med Gull and Blackcap. Chaffinches noticeable in both areas.

Great Northern Diver

A Great Northern Diver was seen in the bay at Aber Mawr yesterday evening (report by John Stewart Smith)

Skomer today

Lots of Chiffchaffs & the odd Blackcap, Goldcrest & Spotted Flycatcher in the valleys, & the first Song Thrush & Grasshopper Warbler of the autumn.

Med. Gulls, at Castle Pill

Mid pm, 15 Med. Gulls were seen at the Pill!! Surely a site record?
7 adults, 7 x 1w & 1 x 2w. two of the birds were colour-ringed.
2 Common Sand, & 1 Greenshank, c40 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets.
(Paul G.)

Glossy Ibis & Spotted Crake ....again !!

19:15 Teifi;-
Whilst ringing a few Blackcaps & Chiffchaffs on The Teifi Marshes, Jon phoned in a panicking voice that he had just watched 1 Glossy Ibis fly past & drop into a channel in front of The Webley! (Teifi RG agreed they could do without me), & I left for the Webley.
19:40 I was watching the single Glossy Ibis in front of me but hidden from Jon on Patch.
Time now for Jon to leave Patch & join me to view.
Before Jon arrived the Ibis had a good fly upstream & was lost against the Ceredigion trees,.... after a couple of minutes the Ibis returned to feed on the salt marsh.
Jon arrived ..... some more good looks at the unringed Ibis feeding, then a 20:01 it flew off low into the gloom presumably to roost... no idea where, but presumably in riverside trees?
1 Pintail also present feeding with the Wigeon .. & the Ibis.
c12 Dunlin, c12 Ringed Plover on Patch.

c19:30 Whilst walking between the 2 ringing sites Wendy had the Spotted Crake calling. Heard from the main footpath, between Creek & Kingfisher hides.

(Teifi RG)

Newport Fri pm

As well as the 9 circling, but not landing, Glossy Ibises (& thanks to Richard for the prediction which got me over there) the Grey Plover & Barwit were still present. Dunlin, Ringed Plover & Sanderling nos much as yesterday, but I didn't see the Little Stint.

Last Invasion

18.00 & still no sign of the ( Presumed French ) Ibises at Fishguard , maybe they got wind of 1797 & thought Jemima would be waiting with a pitchfork !

Flagpoles 16.00 18th Sept. Dim Ibises!

Looks like the Ibises decided to give Fishguard a miss , still excitement was had in the shape of these 2 Brent Geese !

Glossy Ibis on the move

The 9 Glossy Ibis are now (3.40) being watched heading west along the Nevern estuary.
(Sam)
Fishguard next??

They only stayed on the Teifi (Ceredigion bank opposite St Dogmaels quay) for 5 minutes before circling gradually higher and drifting south for about 10 minutes before being lost behind clouds.

Glossy Ibis ---- Teifi

Flock c9 birds on Teifi now opp St. Dogmaels Quay.
Wendy

Marloes Mere ... & ....

Marloes Mere;-
1 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, Blackcaps & Chiffs. (yes as the Bocca)
Deer Park;-
1 Whitethroat.
The Gann;-
1 Ruff, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sand, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, & 1w Med. Gull.
(Paul G.)

St David's Head

Bocca Valley this am;-
1 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, Blackcaps & Chiffs.
Whinchat been seen every day this week in the area.
(Marion & John,)

Glossy Ibis's...... maybe

The 10 (ten) on Bardsey this am have just left flying south........ N. coast Pembs estuaries next...?
(Dave Boyle)

Little Stint & .... Newport

10:00 from the Boat Club,
The juv. Little Stint feeding amongst the boats on the mud, also 2 Pale-bellied Brents on the Parrog, but flew upstream.
Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, c40 Dunlin, 5 Sanderling, 20 Ringed Plover all still present.
(Paul Leafe inc. photo)

Cetti's

Hi there - short bursts of Cetti song at Pwllgwaelod, Dinas, at 9-10 am this morning, not far from where singing heard in 'the valley' over at least a two week period this spring.

Little Stint -- Newport & ...

Newport Sand Dunes;-
19:00 the juv. Little Stint was roosting / feeding amongst the high tide debris on the end of the dunes. A walk along the beach proved essential to find the bird this evening,.... although earlier (18:00) the stint was on the outer bend of the river, below the golf course dunes, again a walk, across the mud.
Mobile due to disturbance this evening, but on both Wendy & then my visits the stint was associating with a small Dunlin flock, not the flock with the Sanderlings.
Also this evening 1 Grey Plover, the Bar-tailed Godwit, & 2 Little Egrets at roost in trees by the Iron Bridge.

Teifi;-
c19:00 Patch, 19 Dunlin, 12 Ringed Plover.
c22:00 Poppit, this visit found only a handful of Ringed Plovers.
No sign of the Glossy Ibis, it was looked for at both the Teifi, & the Nevern until dark.

(Wendy J & Rich D.'s visits)

Around the Dale Peninsula

Quieter than expected but we had a good look round a few sites for migrants.
The Gann - 2 Water rails, 2 Greenshank, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 18 Wigeon, 8 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose and a 2nd winter Med gull.
Deer Park - 1 Whitethroat.
Marloes Mere - 5 Shoveler, 4 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 1 Sedge warbler and a Willow warbler.
Dale Fort - 4 Chiffs
St Ann's head - 2 White Wagtails.
Dale airfield - the pools where the Pec sand was last week have all dried up. Very quiet here except for Wheatear and Chough.
Dale village - 1 Garden warbler,4 Chiffs and 2 White Wagtails.
(Paul G and Wendy J)

A walk around Tregwynt Sept. 17th.

A couple of hours around Tregwynt & down the valley to the beach & back produced quite a few Chiffs & 4 Spotted flycatchers.

Newport Thurs am

All go on the mud with a falling tide 9-oo ish. 35 Wigeon with 10 Teal & a Pintail. 50 Dunlin with 23 Ringed Plovers, 5 Sanderling & a Little Stint. 2 Sandwich Terns & a 1st w Med Gull. Elsewhere the Barwit, a Kingfisher & a Little Egret. 32+ Curlews on the roost.
The Canada Goose influx hasn't amounted to much this year. Just 50 flew in today.

Teifi

The Glossy Ibis was not seen again today.
This evening there were about 600 Swallows flying around the estuary. 11 Little Egrets came into roost in trees opposite the railings. These egrets have been spotted at various sites during the day including the hide by the Buffalo on the reserve, at Jewsons and opposite St Dogmaels quay.
On Patch there was 1 Knot, 31 Dunlin and 6 Ringed Plover.
(several observers)

Newgale

A single Ringed Plover flew south along the tideline this morning. There were several small, scattered groups of mainly Black-headed and Herring Gulls but constant disturbance by dogs kept them on the move or forced them out onto the sea. Unfortunately, dog walkers frequently ignore the notices showing the areas of the beach where dogs are banned by bylaw and many exercise no control over their animals whatever part of the beach they are on, allowing their dogs to chase resting or feeding birds.

Pen Anglas 16th Sept.

A two hour walk around Pen Anglas produced 3 Chough , 2 Wheatear , a flock of approx. 200 Linnets & this wing tagged Kite over.

Teifi

No sign of the Glossy Ibis from dawn to 7.30 this morning.
Around the estuary, 7 Little Egrets, 3 Bar- tailed Godwit, 40 Barnacle Geese, 52 Mute swans and a few hundred Canada geese. Last nights high tide wader roost was small, just 18 Dunlin and 6 Ringed Plover.

Glossy Ibis, Teifi estuary

A single Glossy Ibis was seen flying from the direction of St Dogmaels quay this evening. It landed on the foreshore below the St Dogmaels to Poppit road near Bryn - du (SN163476) at 19.40.
It was lost amongst the massive gull roost (1000+) and could not be relocated before darkness fell.

Dawn again!

The Glossy Ibis will be looked for coming out of it's potential roosting area in the early am, in very likely very misty conditions! Looking from the railings, across the estuary.

Skomer News

Pretty quiet out here for the last couple of days, although I did see a couple of Yellow Wagtails this morning

Teifi Marshes

No sign of the Spotted Crake by 12:00. But low tide all am.
(sev. obs.)

teifi marshes

Teifi;-
No sign of Spotted Crake, c5pm to dark.
Several Reed & Sedge Warblers active in front of kingfisher hide this evening again.

Martins Haven, Deer Park and White Wags

Nice to see some migrants going through this morning with 3 Whinchat, a few Wheatear, 10+ Chaffinches, 25+ Meadow pipits and 20+ White Wagtails all on the move. In the valley a Spotted Flycatcher and probably 10 or more Stonechats bombing about and 2 Chiffs. A flock of 12 Chough and around 150 Linnets in the field next to the car park.

Two fields inland 330 Canada Geese - loads of them headed off for Skomer around 0900.

Later in the day at least 30 White Wags on Tenby Golf Course (plus a few Wheatear) and loads more seen on the drive across - must have been a big movement today.

Teifi Marshes

I saw the Spotted Crake come back out for a bit from the reeds on the left hand side of the creek at about 15:30.

Teifi Marshes 11- 12 noon

Spotted Crake 1

Reports Update 14th Sept.

Confirmed sightings of a Marsh Harrier seen flying towards Skomer at approx. 16.00 & Pictures of the Pectoral Sandpiper taken today on Dale Airfield.

reports

We know no further details but have had reported that the Pectoral Sandpiper is back on Dale Airfield. Also a Marsh Harrier flying towards skomer this pm.

Any further details or updates welcome please.

Fishguard Harbour 17.00 14th Sept.

1 Dunlin & 1 Ringed Plover on the beach near the Flagpoles , Ad. Med Gull , 2nd Summer Med Gull & an Ad. Common Gull on the rocks by the ferry check-in. A Drake Common Scoter flying out in the bay.

Spotted Crake -- Teifi

Showing again at 15:30.
See below for more.
(Sev. Obs.)

Angle

A few migrants around the Angle area this morning. At East Blockhouse there were 4 Wheatears including the one in the photo which was about to cough up something nasty! Also 3 Chough and a nice flock of c.60 Goldfinches.

At West Angle Bay there was a 2nd Winter Med Gull on the beach in amongst a 100+ Black Headed Gulls. Also on the beach 4 White and 7 Pied Wagtails and, in the bushes at the back of the beach, a Blackcap and a Willow Warbler.

Angle Harbour had 8 Med Gulls on the Shingle Spit - 6 Ad., 1 1st W. 1 2nd W.

At Kilpaison very quiet on the wader front with just 12 Ringed Plover and 8 Dunlin. The Wigeon are back in number, however, with 120 there and, round at Bentlass, 500+. Also at Kilpaison 3 Wheatears on the beach as well as a few Pied Wags.

Newport Mon am

A Bar T Godwit & 2 1st w Med Gulls have been around a couple of days, as have 2 Little Egrets after some weeks absence. Otherwise a few Ringed Plovers & Dunlin + Herring gull Blue BHS. Ringed at Gloucester landfill site in Jan 07 amazingly I am the only person to have reported it from anywhere else, all sightings at Newport - 1 last autumn, 3 this spring & now 4 since Aug 18.

Spotted Crake -- Teifi Marshes

Showing well 10:30 until 11:00 when went back into the reeds, as early this am showing closer than last night.
(Paul's M. & G.)
For those county specialists the creek here is the boundary, so the bird is likely to be seen in both counties with patience!!

No sign of last night's Glossy Ibis today, around the Teifi est. & Marsh.

Spotted Crake, Teifi marshes

Monday morning - the Spotted Crake came into view from Creek hide at 7.15.
(Rich D)

And another Spotted Crake

After watching the Ceredigion Spotted Crake from Creek Hide, a wander across the border to Pembs (Kingfisher Hide) proved worthwhile. The Water rails were obviously disturbed by something as they were all calling and mobile. A Spotted Crake call was heard and it flew out of the reeds and was then chased by Jays. It then flew back in front of the hide and dropped into reeds at the back of the lagoon.
Despite watching until dark it didnt reappear. It might have been the same bird as the one by the creek was being chased away by the Water Rails there.

Teifi Marshes creek hide

Spotted Crake sorry for poor image but a long way away

Llangloffan Fen.... &..

As usual an interesting visit, 1 Shoveler, 7 Teal, 3 Common Snipe, 1 Sedge Warbler
(Adrian & Rich D.)
Teifi;-
Patch HT waders, 20 Ringed Plover, 15 Dunlin.

Spotted Crake Teifi Marshes 13th Sept.

News from Richard Dobbins , While looking for the reported Glossy Ibis Paul Mahiques has had a Spotted Crake from the Creek Hide.

Out & About

Early this morning at Marloes, 9 Snipe. In the willow scrub in the field beyond the track that goes past the hide :- 2 Chiffs. Further on towards the cliff there`s some rough ground, where 3 Wagtails that looked like juv yellows flew off away from me.
This afternoon at the Gann, 1 Brent, 1 Barwit.
Checked out Dale airfield, but no Sandpiper.

Glossy Ibis (Teifi marshes)

Glossy Ibis seen flying downriver from the creek hide @17.00. Did not see it land, but was heading down towards the estuary.

Strumble (13 Sep 09)

Time: 0615 - 1300
Weather: Sunny
Wind: NE (F2)

Balearic Shearwater - 4
Great Skua - 2
Mediterranean Gull - 5 (5 1st W)
Sandwich Tern - 19
Comic Tern - 2
Garganey - 1
Common Scoter - 93 (14F, 79M)
Dunlin - 2
Grey Heron - 2

Sunfish - 1

St Davids Hd etc

A Ring Ouzel flying around Carn Llidi and in the area: 3 whinchats, 2 Yellow and 2 White wagtails, Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Wheatears, 5 Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff. Also a Stoat pursued around the bracken by a small cloud of Stonechats. An adult Med Gull was at Whitesands and first and second winters at Goodwick. Green Sand is still at Sealyham but only a single Wheatear found at Strumble.

Dale & Marloes peninsula

An early morning tour produced the following:

Martin's Haven / Deer Park: 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, several Chiffs, good number of Meadow Pipits

Marloes Mere: Sedge Warbler & 3 Chiffs (& a possible Hobby, but it shot through so fast we couldn't be certain)

Dale Fort: 6+ Chiffs

St. Ann's Head: Whinchat, Grasshopper Warbler (creeping around very secretively in the lighthouse compound, had our hearts pounding for a little while!), a few White Wags (more Pied)

Airfield: the very confiding Dunlin (see above)

Gann: 1 Greenshank, 1 Dunlin, c.60 Canada Geese

Osprey

On a trip around the Cleddau River system this morning good views of an Osprey halfway between Landshipping Ferry and Slebech. This is a really quiet stretch of the river with access difficult unless on a boat. Best chances of seeing this bird, which seems to have been around for a while now, is probably from Landshipping Ferry or Minwear Lookout - just depends where it's fishing. Very difficult to see when perched in the thick oak woods along that stretch.

Also seen near Slebech a Common Sandpiper and a young Peregrine, while at Sprinkle Pill there were c.30 Black Tailed Godwits. At Little Milford 18 Greenshanks (8 pictured), 25 Redshanks, another 5 Black Tailed Godwits and c.100 Canada Geese. Quite a few Teal all around the area.

Newgale

A flat sea with a light offshore wind produced a passing Curlew, heading south, and two adult Med Gulls with the Black-headed and Herring Gulls on the water. There were also two juvenile Sanderling, so tame that a toddler was able to walk right up to them before they flew. Probably the first person they have seen in their short lives.

Skomer today

There's a new Wryneck this morning, again at the chicken sheds just to the north of the farm. This one looks more richly coloured and more barred on the underparts than the one the other day.

Its a lot quieter here today, most of yesterdays migrants have moved on and apart from the Wryneck the only new bird I saw was a Garden Warbler.

Ring Ouzel -- St. David's

Ring Ouzel -- Carn Llidi, & 3 Whinchats around the head,
more in Mike's blog later.

Whinchat -- St. Annes Head

1 This morning.
(Paul G & Dave A.)

Wryneck --- Skomer

A Wryneck at the chicken shed on Skomer this am.
(Dave Boyle)

Sea Trust Pelagics

Just a reminder that the last two Sea Trust Pelagic Boat trips from Neyland for this year are scheduled for Saturday 19th and Wednesday 23rd September. Cost is £50 per person payable on the day. This is a great opportunity to see Dolphins and, possibly, other Cetaceans as well as close views of any seabirds which have not yet departed our shores. There have been sightings of large numbers of Common Dolphins recently as well as good numbers of Rissos........................who knows those Fin Whales may still be around! Photos from various Sea Trust pelagics can be seen here.
Full details with info on how to book a place can be found by clicking here

St Davids Hd am

Whinchat, leucistic swallow through and 4 Wheatears. Also about a dozen Common Dolphins feeding close inshore at The Gesail.

St Govan's Wagtails

At St Govan's this evening around 7 p.m. similar numbers of wagtails to those at St Anne's earlier - 20+ White Wags and 1 Yellow Wag. Also 2 Chough.

Dale peninsula tour

A little jaunt around the Dale peninsula late afternoon by myself & Dobbins, Richard (as my daughter announced whilst reading out a text from him as I drove this morning!) produced the following:

Dale Fort: 6+ Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest & 1 Willow Warbler in "Magic Garden".

St. Ann's Head: a 1st-winter Yellow Wagtail (a dark bird, well marked, Blue-headed?), 20+ White Wagtails, and a confusing Phyllosc, very white underneath, distinctive disybyllic call with downward inflection on second syllable...?? Couldn't get a good view of it.

Airfield: Dunlin but no Pec Sand, though we did walk past the Dunlin once so could still be lurking! A few White Wags too.

Gann: 15 Dunlin, 12 Ringed Plover, 1 1st wint Med Gull, 1 1st wint Common Gull (my 1st of the autumn here) and the pale-bellied Brent.

Let's see what tomorrow brings!

Marloes mere

Quiet- walking the dogs this morning, 3 Lapwing, 1 Snipe. Swallows appear to be ready for the off.
Later this afternoon, 1 Common Sand at Monkhaven beach.

Strumble (12 Sep 09)

Time: 0615 - 1300
Weather: Sunny.
Wind: ENE (F2)

Hen Harrier - 1 (1F)
(Flew out to sea from the headland just East of the lookout and headed in the direction of mid-Wales (Tregaron?). We understand there has been a ring-tail on Skomer recently. Any news from there would be interesting.....same bird???)

Sooty Shearwater - 2
Balearic Shearwater - 3
Pomarine Skua - 1 (1P)
Arctic Skua - 6 (2P, 2D, 2J)
Mediterranean Gull - 3 (3 1st W)

Sandwich Tern - 8

Comic Tern - 16

Common Scoter - 107 (22F, 85M)

Whimbrel - 4
Shoveler - 5
Grey Heron - 3

Common Dolphin - c.50 (showing very well and including a number of calves)

Skomer News

An excellent days birding today, highlights were a Firecrest, at least 16 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcaps, 3 Redstarts & 1 Whinchat, 1 Yellow Wag & 2 Tree Pipits. There was another fairly big hirundine movement again today, haven't made up any figures yet though!

Yesterday there was a big hirundine movement - ca5,000 Swallows, 500 House Martins & 200 Sand Martins. A few less migrants in the bushes - 1 Redstart, 6 Spotted Flycatchers, & 2 Whinchats. There was a different ringtail Hen Harrier seen, this 1 had a yellow wing-tag, but the people who saw it couldn't make out the number.

Flagpoles 16.00 12th Sept.

A bit of a change from yesterday with the only birds of note being a 1st Winter Med Gull & a Bar Tailed Godwit.
Previous to going to the Flagpoles a walk down the lane to Hope Cottage on Pen Caer produced only a Blackcap & a few Chiffs.

Teifi --- Blackcap movement

Patch;-
HT 1330, 30 Ringed Plover, 20 Dunlin, 2 Turnstone, & 5 Little Egrets at the roost below the GVP .
Marshes;-
Last night Greenshank heard flying over, & Tree Pipit over this am.
Ringing on the usual site but with reduced nets produced 47 Blackcaps, most of which were juv. males & none of "our" ringed birds, & 20 Chiffchaffs, the highlights.
100's of Canada's flew in c. 0730 along with Snow & Bar-headed Goose.
(Teifi RG)

Skomer- Firecrest

Firecrest, Redstart, Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail all early am, an update of the day from Dave Boyle later.......

Pec Sand Dale Airfield 12th Sept.

Message from Richard Dobbins , Pec Sandpiper still present this morning at 7 a.m.

Corncrake -- Strumble Head!

1 Picked up in the road last night & released this am, a very lucky person!!!!
(Birdguides)

Pectoral Sandpiper (11 Sep 09)

Spent 5 hours alone with the bird this afternoon and it became very confiding once I had gained its trust.

Kilpaison - Pembroke - waders

Kilpaison;-

Nothing notable today.. other than no Dunlin or Ringed Plover.

However on Castle Pond, I had a much more exciting time, 2 Kingfishers, 5 Black-wits, 2 Common Sandpipers, 7 Redshank, 4 Grey Wagtails, & millions of butterflies.

(Sue)

Hirundines -- Giltar Point

Giltar Point 19:00;-
1000's of Swallows & House Martins this evening, massed around the headland.
(Tessa & Jeff Pearson)

Around the Dale peninsula

The day kicked off well finding the juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper still on Dale airfield. 4 Golden Plover and a Snipe flew over. Also 10 Wheatear.
On St Ann's head a Yellow Wagtail was heard calling overhead then a second bird flew up from the feet of cattle. Numerous Linnets, Meadow Pipits, Pied Wags and Swallows.
The Gann - few waders around, 10 Ringed Plover and 6 Dunlin. 1 Pale-bellied Brent still.
Martin's Haven - despite a good look in the valley only a single Whitethroat and Blackcap.
Marloes Mere - 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Sedge Warbler and a Willow warbler. 2 Chough flew over. Hundreds of swallows were overhead with a Kestrel flying amongst them.

(Paul G and Wendy J)

Marsh Harrier at the Gann

On my way to see this, this afternoon, I saw Marsh Harrier at the Gann being harrassed by some Egrets. I took a look on the way back home - but it had gone. There were some 80 Canadas on the lagoon, cant say that I`ve seen that many there before.
Anyway, what a subject to practise digiscoping on! As my old mate Gavin says, slow, rare & tame, couldn`t be better!
Thanks to Paul for finding & Dave for the updates. A Welsh tick!

Strumble (11 Sep 09)

Time: 0615 - 1200
Weather: Sunny.
Wind: E (F5)

Balearic Shearwater - 3
Arctic Skua - 4 (1P, 2D, 1J)
Great Skua - 1
Mediterranean Gull - 1 (1st W)
Sandwich Tern - 16
Comic Tern - 3
Common Scoter - 124 (10F, 114M)
Snipe - 1
Whimbrel - 1
Curlew - 1
Pale Bellied Brent Goose - 7
Malllard - 7
Wigeon - 3
Grey Heron - 1

Common Dolphin - c.10

St David's today

Whinchats at Pencarnen & Rhossen Farm.
Several White Wagtails at Pencarnen.
Spotted Flycatchers at Pencarnen & Treginnis Lodge.
5 Wheatears, & a number of Chiff's & C. Whitethroats today.
A large Linnet (c150) & Goldfinch (c200) flock at St. John's Point.
Hirundines, many 100's streaming in from Ireland 8-1100 then completely dried up.
(John & Marion)

Flagpoles 16.00 11th Sept

Ad. Med Gull , 2nd Sum. Med Gull , 2 Sandwich Terns , Knot , Whimbrel , 7 Redshank & at least 6 Turnstone.

Great White Egret 10th Sept.

News from Rare Bird Alert of a Great White Egret reported at the Teifi Marshes Reserve at Cilgerran yesterday morning. No further details.

Great White Egret

News via Alan Davies at Birdline Wales of one yesterday morning at the Teifi Marshes - no further details. Got to be around somewhere....

Pectoral Sandpiper - &...- Dale Airfield

Still showing well this am -- 0800.
Directions as yesterday, see below.

Also Dale Airfield, 10 White wagtails.
St. Ann's Head, 1 Yellow Wagtail
(Wendy & Paul G.)

Swallows & Sand Martins

Dave's note about the Swallow passage on Skomer yesterday is interesting as Weds/Thurs I went on a Sea Trust Cetacean Survey over to Rosslare with Adrian and Cliff. Thursday morning in Rosslare the Swallows were really streaming by heading west and the passage continued for some way back across the Irish Sea. Halfway across we then saw fewer Swallows and they were heading east as were quite a few Sand Martins which were efforlessly overtaking the Ferry which cruises along at 18 Knots or so.
A few Seabirds seen on the trip including 3 Arctic Skuas, 1 Roseate and loads of Commic Terns at Rosslare. Fantastic numbers of Rissos Dolphins was the real highlight - 45 on the way out and 3 on the way back when conditions were rough - see the Whales in Wales Blog for further details.

Skomer - last few days

The Wryneck was seen again on Tuesday but hasn't been seen since.

On Wednesday about 200 Swallows flew east, the first swallow passage we've had out here this autumn, and a ringtail Hen Harrier arrived in the evening.

On Thursday there were more migrants around than most days this autumn - 10 Spotted Flycatchers, a Tree Pipit & a Redstart, the Hen Harrier was still here and about 2000 Swallows and 200 Sand Martins went over.

Osprey -- Landshipping

An Osprey was seen this evening from Landshipping Ferry.
(Jean Dovey)

Teifi

Off Patch;-
3 Wigeon tonight, c20:30, presumably back in the south?
Jewsons;-
Last night still 4 Common Sands.

Strumble (10 Sep 09)

Time: 0615 - 1200
Weather: Sunny
Wind: E (F5)

Balearic Shearwater - 1
Pomarine Skua - 3 (1P, 2J)
Arctic Skua - 6 (5D, 1J)
Great Skua - 2
Mediterranean Gull- 2 (2 1st W)
Sandwich Tern - 37
Comic Tern - 22
Common Scoter - 225 (29F, 196M)
Whimbrel - 2
Dunlin - 5
Knot - 7
Grey Heron - 1

Pectoral Sandpiper

The spanking juvenile still showing well around the pools on the main runway late afternoon, with a Dunlin. Although it appears wary, it is quite approachable, although the stiff breeze made digiscoping tricky and my battery ran out when it was at its closest!

Flagpoles 10th Sept

A 2nd Summer Med Gull joined the other 2 at approx 16.00.

Fishguard Harbour

This pm c15:00;-
Ad. & 1w Med. Gulls, 2 Sandwich Terns, Dunlin, & Ringed Plover.
(Adrian)

Pectoral Sandpiper

Paul Grennard has just found a juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper on Dale Airfield. Go through the gate with the Pembrokeshire Flying Club, turn left onto the "main" runway, and it was not far along in and around the pools on the runway. SM795064 approx.

Gann

I saw the pale-bellied Brent last night, along with 8 Dunlin & a single Ringed Plover. Still no Med Gull at the Gann yet this autumn, for me anyway!

The Gann

1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 12 Ringed plover, 7 Dunlin, 1 Water Rail, 5 Teal, 2 Little Egrets.
This am.(Paul G.) Photo Tommy Evans, taken yesterday (9th).

Dogs & birds

Anyone checking the Ceredigion Blog will have spotted the birds/disturbance/dogs issue.
Pete Jennings is sitting on the Wales National Access Forum, & dogs in the countryside will be on the agenda. His link is on the Ceredigion Blog site if anyone has a contribution to make.

Strumble (09 Sep 09)

Time: 0615 - 1630
Weather: Sunny
Wind: NNE (F5)

Sooty Shearwater - 1
Balearic Shearwater - 5
Leach's Petrel - 1
Pomarine Skua - 3 (3J)
Arctic Skua - 19 (4P, 12D, 3J)
Great Skua - 8
Sabine's Gull - 1 (Juv)
Little Gull - 2 (2 1st W)
Sandwich Tern - 128
Comic Tern - 4
Velvet Scoter - 1 (1M)
Common Scoter - 31 (1F, 30M)
Knot - 7
Dunlin - 2
Merlin - 1

Tresinwen (09 Sep 09)

Pied Fly in the garden along with 3-4 Chiffs.

Ravens

More than 26 ravens enjoying (that's the only way to describe it!) the breeze on the N side of the Preseli ridge near Foel Cwmcerwyn.

......... & more

2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers in Cornwall now too... (see below)

Forewarned is...

...forearmed. 2 Citrine Wagtails in Wexford (yesterday & today) and 2 Buff-breasts in Scilly - get looking folks!

Little Milford -- HT

This am, c09:00;-
1 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Greenshank, 25 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 13 Curlew, 1 Common Snipe, 5 Teal, & 6 Little Egrets. Also 1 Greylag & 1 Snow Goose.
(Paul G.)

Strumble (08 Sep 09) [Tern Fest!]

Time: 0615 - 1900
Weather: Rain and poor visibility (until wind veered to NW then dry and cloudy)
Wind: S (F8) (all day to 1715), WNW (F5) (after 1715)

Sooty Shearwater - 1 (@ 1830)
Balearic Shearwater - 7
Leach's Petrel - 1 (@ 1845)
Arctic Skua - 8 (3D, 5P)
Great Skua - 1
Sabine's Gull - 1 (Ad Sum)
Little Gull - 1 (1st W)
Mediterranean Gull - 1 (1st W)
Roseate Tern - 12 (10 Ad 2 Juv)
Little Tern - 2
Sandwich Tern - 59
Comic Tern - 501
Common Scoter - 125 (13F, 112M)
Knot - 7
Dunlin - 50
Turnstone - 1
Curlew - 1
Whimbrel - 3
Pochard - 3
Shoveler - 3
Mallard - 3
Grey Heron - 1

Pen Anglas

I arrived to find a Spotted Flycatcher in the willows just below the allotments at 13:00.

Strumble (07 Sep 09)

Time: 0615 - 1730
Weather: Sunny spells.
Wind: NNW (F2) (am & early pm), S (F4) (late pm)

Sooty Shearwater - 1
Balearic Shearwater - 2
Storm Petrel - 2
Pomarine Skua - 2 (1P, 1J)
Arctic Skua - 14 (5P, 9D)
Great Skua - 7
Mediterranean Gull - 1 (1st W)
Sandwich Tern - 158
Comic Tern - 6
Common Scoter - 47 (3F, 44M)
Whimbrel - 1

Common Dolphin - c.20 - 30 (Several groups - some close in. At least 2 very young calves)

Teifi marsh & Frenni

Seen from a rather vandalised Creek hide; 2 water rails in the open, so good viewing & a kingfisher.
The reed bed appeared very quiet (although the ringers appear to be still doing well judging by earlier posts). Did not even hear a cettis!
A mixed tit flock in the wood included treecreeper & goldcrest & at least 2 Gt-Sp-woodies heard.

On the Frenni slurry has been spread, so several hundred gulls, buzzards & kites in attendance too.

Angle

Fairly quiet at Kilpaison this morning. Some time after high tide there were 60 Oystercatchers, 9 Barwits, 5 Knot, 5 Sanderling, 6 Dunlin and 8 Ringed Plover on the beach. 100+ Curlew flew from the roost on the east of the bay over to the other side.

Skomer - Wryneck

Like most Skomer Wrynecks this one seems to like the old chicken sheds just to the north of the farm. There's also a few Willow Warblers & a Pied Fly. There was a Bonxie out in St Brides Bay this morning eating a Manxie and managing to keep 5 Great Black-backs away from it!

Wryneck -- Skomer

A Wryneck found near the farm, by Jerry Gilham this am.
(Dave Boyle)

Linnets One, Kestrel Nil

I was at the Winsel Civic Amenity Site (we used to call them council tips) yesterday and saw a kestrel hovering nearby. A swallow took exception and harried the kestrel, to little effect. However, a passing flock of about 200 linnets noted the swallow's actions and decided to join in, individuals peeling away from the flock in the manner of Battle of Britain fighters peeling from a formation, until the whole flock was circling the kestrel at very close range: so close that it looked like one of those bait balls of fish one sees on TV nature programmes. The kestrel was so confused and discomfited by this that it almost fell out of the sky, driven down to hedge-top level it finally escaping by flying off down the hedge line. The linnets left jubilantly and noisily, followed by the swallow.

Teifi

Early this morning around the estuary - 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Knot, 5 Redshank, 7 Little Egrets, 62 Ringed Plover, 70+ Dunlin, 3 Turnstone and 2 Sanderling.

Angle Update

E mail info from Sue and Alan Lamb - As soon as you and Morris left we were inundated (???) with birds, many more dunlin (100+). 50+ ringed plover, 2 sanderling, 12 knot, 9 barwits and common gulls. ( Photo with Sue's shiny new Canon 50D! )

Various

Castle Pill, lunchtime: 1 Common Sandpiper, 10 Redshank, 1 Little Egret.
Gann, low tide: 2 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover, 2 Turnstone, 2 Little Egret.
Dale Airfield: 3 Wheatear.
Gann, high tide: 1 Sanderling, 22 Dunlin, 15 Ringed Plover, 3 Turnstone (what a difference the tide makes to observation!).

Strumble (06 Sep 09)

Time: 0615 - 1730
Weather: Cloudy, sunny spells (am) drizzle (late pm)
Wind: S (F7)

Sooty Shearwater - 1
Balearic Shearwater - 3
Great Skua - 6
Arctic Skua - 24 (6P, 15D, 3J)
Sabine's Gull - 2 (2 Ad Sum)
Sandwich Tern - 1
Comic Tern - 14
Common Scoter - 17 (2F, 15M)
Curlew Sandpiper - 3
Dunlin - 3

Risso's Dolphin - c.6 (including at least one calf)
Basking Shark - 1 (very large and very close - could see whole fish from head to tail tip)

Dale airfield

Wet & windy, 1 Curlew, 2 Wheatear. I`m starting to forget why I keep going there.

Black Guilemots --- successful breeding

Successful breeding again in Fishguard;-
The 1 juv. fledged c22 August (still present 20th) this year, c6 days earlier than last year.
All the breeding activites were earlier this year than last, presumably due to the pair (?) being more experienced? Wendy & I did watch a pair copulating on a ledge with a 3rd adult present v. close(11/6), so hopes for another pair next year??

As last year, many thanks, to Stena, the operators of the harbour, particularly Captain Ian Davies - Port Manager, Fishguard, for kind permission to view, & access to the Outer Breakwater for WeBs counts.

Richard Dobbins

Autumn passage.....Yellow Wagtail,.....Teifi,.&....

Golden Triangle;-
This the walk Strumble ,via valleys to Good Hope & back. Adrian today, a few Chiffs, 1 Whitethroat, (also 1 Pen Anglas y'day) & 3 Golden Plover over.

Teifi;-
2 Common Sand, at Jewsons, 1 also on river by viewpoint on Reserve at HT. 1 Green Sand over Reserve this am.
1 Yellow Wagtail out of the small Pied Wagtail roost nr. mallard hide this am.
(Arfon W.)
Opp. St. Dog's Quay, this afternoon, 1 Knot, c70+ Dunlin, 34+ Ringed Plover.
Ringing this am, 14 new Blackcaps fattening up on the Blackberries, also still Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat & Chiffs. New juv's also ringed today, included Cetti's Warbler, & Kingfisher.
(Teifi RG)

Cilgerran Gorge area, c100 Goldfinches, a nice early autumn flock.
(Wendy)

Newport Sun am

On the beach 11 Ringed Plovers, 6 Dunlin & 1 Sanderling. On the roost at least 44 Oystercatchers & 10 Curlews. At the bridge a Kingfisher & a Little Grebe with Red BHS Herring Gull & 3 1st winter Med Gulls including E137.

Angle

At Kilpaison this morning with the tide still well up there were few waders on the beach. As the tide dropped they started to drop in and when I left there were c.20 Dunlin, 15 Ringed Plover, 2 Sanderling, 8 Oystercatchers and 6 Knot. Also 5 Little Egrets. Probably a good deal more birds when the tide went out further but not, it would seem, the large numbers seen in recent weeks

Round at Angle Harbour 2 adult Med Gulls, 6 Redshank, 2 Knot, 2 Turnstone, 10 Ringed Plover and a Whimbrel.

Newport Sat am

On the beach, despite the dogs, 8 Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin & a Sanderling.On the estuary, 2 Redshanks & 1 Dunlin. & 2 Green Sandpipers flushed high and away. No Med Gulls & no Ibises.

South Beach Tenby

Loads of Ringed Plover on Soputh Beach this afternoon - several flocks of up to 12 birds flying off the beach and heading north west mostly with a constant noise of many birds on the beach. Also at least six Sandwich terns feeding close inshore.

Trouble is I was playing golf not birding!!!!

Steve

Strumble dippers !

Just had this photo sent to me from a visiting birder - taken at Strumble on 1st July (interesting date).

jon