Pembs Bird Group and Mid Pembs Group

The next outdoor meeting of the Mid pembs section of the Wildlife Trust is as follows
When; Sunday 3rd April Meet 10:30
Where : Masons Quarry entrance SM 894236
Description : A walk along Brandy Brook with Robin Tailor, of, about 5 miles, Please wear suitable clothing and footware and bring a packed lunch. Both members and non members are welcome and there is no charge.
Further details from Robin Taylor on O1834 860175

Pembs Bird Group
Monday the 4th April 2011 Pembs Bird Group Indoor meeting.
The next indoor meeting of the Group is on Monday the 4th April 2011 at The Patch, Furzy Park, Haverfordwest starting at 7.30pm. There will be a presentation by Paul Richards of Pronature entitled ‘The Art of Nature Photography’. Paul will tell us about his development as a Wildlife Photographer with advice for those who wish to improve their skills. Not an evening to be missed. There is no charge for admission to the meeting and members and non members are welcome to join us. For further information please phone O1834 860175.
Lyndon

Possible "Sinensis" Cormorant at Fishguard Harbour

I had a possible Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis at Fishguard Harbour late this afternoon. Seen initially on the Flagpoles side of the inner breakwater, it subsequently flew into the harbour.

Newport

1700 - 9 Shelduck, 6 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 pair Teal and 4 Wigeon (2m 2f).

St Florence

Yes, as Sam says a lovely afternoon after the rain and in St Florence the birds were singing along the Ritec - at least 8 Chiffchaffs and 4 Blackcaps. No Willow Warblers 'though I heard one there a couple of days ago.

Newport Wed pm

What a lovely afternoon. Highlights were 2 Gloucester landfill Herring Gulls & a (?the) Greenshank.

The First Cuckoo ??

Yesterday I received a report, from a reputable source, of a Cuckoo calling in the Barch/Brandy Brook area on 27th March.

Newport

At least 2 singing blackcaps down by the estuary this a.m. But it was not very warm & I saw no hirundines!

St Dogmaels to Newport

From Mike Jones - Yesterday walking 12.5 miles St Dogmaels to Newport, the highlights were, 140 Atlantic Grey Seals on Traeth Godir-cock (Cemaes Head), 1 common lizzard, 3 pairs of Stonechat, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Wheatear, 1 Peregrine,1 pair of Chough,and a few Sand Martins.

More on Stonechats

Evidence from the BTO's Migration Atlas suggests a proportion of UK Stonechats winter as far south as Iberia and North Africa. The March influx into Pembrokeshire noted over the years may indicate the return of such birds.

Also some Stonechats winter outside their usual habitat within the county. The mixed regime of the species being sedentary, partially and fully migrational must have survival value.

Hope Paddy and his fellow ringers can focus on this and other breeding species, recoveries would be very educational.

Sunday and Monday

On Sunday a couple of Willow warblers singing at Mullock.

On Monday a Cetti's singing in the Sea Buckthorn on the beach side of Tenby Golf Course near the Kiln Park crossing footpath.

stonechat migration

There is apparently only one ringing recovery so far of a stonechat ringed in Pembs (51 years ago!):

86334	Adult Female	23-09-1960	Skokholm: 51°42'N 5°16'W (Dyfed)
	Dead	08-11-1960	Badolatosa: 37°19'N 4°40'W (Sevilla) Spain 1,599km

Maybe it's time to make a concerted effort to ring more. They certainly seem to clear off altogether in the hard weather, but in mild winters are relatively easy to find here still.

Brambling

This Brambling was feeding with Chaffinches in our St.Davids garden today. It was a striking male just about coming into Summer dress.

Ring Ouzels -- Skokholm

A pair of Ring Ouzels this afternoon, and the island's 1st Swallow this Spring. (Jerry)

Green-winged Teal

From Paul G - Green-winged Teal from the Britton Hide this morning, also ringtail Hen Harrier, Sand Martin, Swallow, Willow Warbler & Chiffchaff.

Late news -- Snow Bunting

Newport Dunes;- 1 Snow Bunting on Friday afternoon. (Mary & Bob Radley)

Little Haven to St Brides last Thursday

Interesting post from Richard D last Thursday - lots of passerines on this walk including good numbers (a dozen or so) of Stonechats. I did this walk in Feb and saw hardly any passerines at all and no Stonechats. Amazing what a bit of Spring will do! (Other observers have reported the same thing for other areas.) So where do our Stonechats go in the winter - or are they still there but just low profile? Peter

Ramsey Swallows

First of the year (2 birds heading south) on 26/3 - the earliest date in the past 6 years, but then we haven't had weather like this in March for the past 6 years! Another one today. Single golden plover feeding in the northern fields today. Looks like being just 2 pairs of lapwing again this year. Any at Kilpaison (or anywhere else)?

Bosherston

A Common Sandpiper and at least 13 Goosanders between Eight-arch Bridge and Grassy Bridge this evening.

Marloes & Gann

Around 20 Sand Martins over a chilly Mere this evening. 6 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, and 20+ of both Teal & Mallard (I didn't see the GWTeal but it was seen today by a visitor from the hide). A Water Rail calling & 3 Little Grebes too. At the Gann much the same as Derek, but Brents were up to 36, including 2 dark-bellied birds. A single Dunlin amongst the 26+ Bar-tailed Godwits, and on the pool still 3 Goldeneye and a pair of Wigeon.

Kestrel at Ty Rhyg

The male kestrel was hovering over the northern edge late afternoon with 5 buzzards overhead. Noticed a few voles scurrying in the dry ditches and a very healthy-looking fox crossed the path right infront of me, not sure who was the most surprised!

Hirundines - Crundale and St Davids

Following a couple of Sand Martins over Crundale yesterday, we had Sand Martins and House Martins in a mixed flock of about 60, plus c6 Swallows, over the irrigation pond to the NE of St Davids at GR SM 772 287 today. There were several Canada Geese and a couple of male Tufted Duck too.

The Gann

Between 4 & 5pm.

41 Bar Tail Godwits, 31Brent, 12 Shelduck, 9 Teal, 3 Greenshank, 1 female Wigeon, c50 Common Gulls.

1 Chiffchaff singing. Offshore - 1 Gannet.

Ty Rhyg

No Shrike this morning but the forest was full of the sound of Chiff Chaff & Willow Warbler, all we need now is Paddy to come out of hibernation!

Strumble (27 Mar 11)

Thanks Steve - good to know. I have not seen Dartfords in this county since 2008 so I will continue my fruitless searching! Meanwhile at Strumble this afternoon at least 8 Wheatears around the headlands and a Red Kite circling over the lookout with prey. It was mobbed at one point by a Buzzard but the flying prowess of the kite made the Buzzard look very average - and it realised that and made a hasty retreat. The kite meanwhile was playing with its food - circling up, dropping its catch, then stooping down to re-catch it before it hit the ground. It did this at least 4 times as I watched it. (Unfortunately I was a bit too far away for a photo!)

Dartfords

Hi Richard Yes they are still present in the north of the county at least some have survived the winter.

Dartford Warblers (or lack of...)

Has anybody seen any Dartfords in the north of the county this year??? I see from Rich C photos that they are still doing ok in the south. I spent nearly 5 hours yesterday at a site in the north of the county that I believe was the first confirmed breeding location in 2003 with circa 6 pairs. The weather was perfect and everything was singing except for Dartfords. There was absolutely no sign of any. In the last few weeks I have spent a similar amount of time at two other suitable locations (both of which have previously recorded Dartfords) again with a 100% failure rate. Obviously don't post location details here if you have seen them in the north but I was curious to know if they are still around.

Marloes Mere - again

Around 2:30pm - very quiet, 1 Ringtail Hen Harrier, 6 Gadwall, & a few Teal. Sand Martins in large helpings, about 200 again, though difficult to count accurately. 9 Chough in the field West of Trehill farm & c30 Meadow pipits.Several Sand Martins over St Ishmaels & Rickeston also.

+ 3/4 Greenfinches in & around our garden, first ones for yonks.

Migrants at Westfield Pill.

The first Willow Warbler this morning.Other arrival dates,Chiffchaff16th.,Sand Martin18th,and Blackcap24th.

Great Grey Shrike at Ty Rhyg

Great Grey Shrike at Ty Rhyg 11.30-12 this morning. Originally it was some distance away but the attention of a couple of pipits drove it the two dead conifers that look like a set of goalposts to the righthand side of the track. Seemed to be feeding actively making regular trips to the ground and back to its vantage points. Nipped over to Pantmaenog hoping to do the double, but no sign of the shrike over there.

Marloes Mere, 0730 this morning

An early morning stroll down the track to the hide, at first it was the usual quiet scenario. 9 Sand Martins feeding, a couple of Teal dabbling, 2/3 Chiffs. All very pleasant & relaxing. Then 3 12 bore shotguns opened fire at the Trehill farm - the following melee quite surprised me! About 60 Teal, 3 Tufties, 5 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 10 Canada Geese, Mallard, & other bits & pieces all dodging the the shot. A Peregrine was also drawn into the action. As Dave said the other day, plenty there, just can`t see it all. As for the Green Winged Teal, I suppose it was there, but too much movement to ID it. I just hope it`s not on the menu tonight!

Pembroke Millpond

A little surprisingly, the two immature male Scaup on the Millpond earlier in the year are still present and have moulted into fine adult males.

Ring Ousel, Black Redstarts....

Ring Ousel,1 Mynydd Dinas this afternoon.
(Bethan C.)
Black Redstarts, 4 on Skokholm today.
(Jerry )
1 Jack Snipe, several Swallows in amongst 3-400 Sand Martins this evening.
(Teifi RG)

Willow Warbler

There was a Willow Warbler singing at Dinas Cross today the first I know of in Pembrokeshire this spring.

St Justinians and Ramsey

2 swallows and 1 house martin in amongst sand martins moving east over St Justinians this afternoon. A touch of winter still on Ramsey with a fieldfare yesterday and a redwing today.

Marloes Mere

Late afternoon - heaving with Sand Martins, rough guess at some 200, no obvious Swallows or House Martins. Following Dave`s comments, no Green Wing Teal either.

Green-winged Teal

Drake still present at Marloes Mere at 12.30 today, in the channel just beyond the Britton Hide (per Paul G). No doubt this bird has been here most of the winter, with a brief visit to the Gann on Christmas Day! Just shows a) how underwatched the Mere is and b) how difficult it can be to see ducks there.

Little Haven to St. Brides

Groups of 6-10 razorbills close in, synchronized diving and grunting along Goultrop Roads. A few shags fishing in the shallow bays. In the woodland before Borough Head, half a dozen chiffchaff, great tit, chaffinch and blackbirds all singing and a pair of noisy jays. Group of 4 Yellowhammers - in the bracken scrub near Ticklas Point. 2 others in hedge above. About a dozen Stonechats evenly scattered in the scrub/gorse. Male Kestrel hovering over the valley at Mill Haven and seen on return perched on cliff edge, also pair of chough digging away on path above Mill Haven. Single Chiffchaff singing in valley. Two buzzards and 20 gulls in ploughed field picking up food items. A raven almost gagging on a large very bloody prey, looked like a tail-less rat, eventually flew off with it protruding from beak. Two skylarks near St Brides. Big hatch of grey midges and small beetles, pipits having a field day along cliff edges, bloodynose beetles (?) mating everywhere. Party of 6 Canada geese heading off to roost on Stack Rocks.
(Brian S)

Teifi Marshes

This evening 120+ Sand Martins feeding over the reedsbeds, 30 Pied Wagtails going to roost in the reeds, on the river a male and 4 redheaded Goosanders.
Also today at Dinas Cross a Yellowhammer the first one I have seen there for several years.

Gann

This evening at the Gann:
Bar-tailed Godwit 56 (a high count for this locality)
Brent Goose 33 (all appeared to be light-bellied)

Marloes Mere

Around 60 hirundines this evening - all seemed to be sand martins although Anna claimed a house Martin!

Having not seen a Little Grebe there for some time it was nice to hear one trilling away this evening. Only other things - at least two pairs Shoveler and probably four pairs Teal present plus 36 canada Geese and quite a lot of Mallard pairs.

At Mullock today Blackcap singing which ties in with the island sightings.

Llangolman

Today in the Llangolman area chiffchaffs were singing everywhere together with a blackcap and the odd sand martin flying over. Quite a lot of butterflies (mainly peacock, comma and small tort) made it feel summery as well but still several small flocks of redwing, fieldfare and a single woodcock as reminders of the winter birding scene. Quite a few golden plover about with a flock of 67 nearby in Carms. A pair of willow tits were at a new site and two long-tailed tit nests were almost complete with the fearless adults taking in feathers only feet away.

Ring-necked Duck at Bosherston

The female Ring-necked Duck was on view in the central lake at Bosherston this morning. Other sightings there this week have included up to 10 Goosanders (only 1 male), and a Water Rail near the Grassy Bridge. No sign of the Bitterns in the reedbed near the beach, but a Mute Swan is setting up home there now, which may have something to do with it.

Otherwise, a male Merlin flew across the road near Somerton Farm (Orielton area) this morning.

Skokholm -- Black Redstart

To continue the island theme;-
This morning has seen, 2 Blackcaps, our first of the season. 1 Black Redstart, 9 Chiffchaff, 13 Wheatear, Merlin, White Wagtail. 1 pair of Chough actively gathering nesting material.
(Jerry)

Ramsey Update

update from the past week...
Red kite (4 on 23/3 and 1 today)
wheatear - daily
chiffchaff - singles each day, 3 today.
goldcrest - 1 (19/3 - 1st of year, no more since)
blackcap (male and female yesterday - first of year)
sand martin - good numbers moving most days during this fine weather
grey wagtail - 4 north (19/3)
few greenfinch and siskin moving through
purple sandpiper - still 10 on the winter roost yesterday
chough - 6 confirmed nest building so far with another 2 sites on territory

Island migrants........

This morning, Skomer;-
1 Black Redstart, 1 Blackcap, 30 Chiffchaff.
Skokholm;-
1 Black tailed Godwit.
(Chris, Sarah, Jerry)

St Govans

Not much moving about on the coast but a few Dunnocks and Blackbirds singing and a nice Dartford in the scrub too.

At Tenby today lots of Skylarks and Meadow pipits singing as well as loads of Chiffchaffs but haven't heard a Cetti's there yet this year (five last year).

Dinas Head

What a difference 2 days make. Needle Rock now swarming with Guillemots & Razorbills.
And a Swallow.

Skokholm, Skomer....&.. Trefeiddan (S-eared Owl)

The closest we could get to an island today.......
..Trefeiddan this evening, 1 Short-eared Owl, 3 Swallows, c6 Sand Martins, 1 Stonechat, & 1 male Pochard on a nearby pond.

But...Skokholm;-
Highlights, 4 Wheatear, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Merlin, c600+ Puffins.
(20 Whimbrel posted earlier, Wendy J. & Jerry -warden)

And Skomer;-
Puffins yesterday.. 4200 + with an increase today!
25 Manxies loafing off North Haven waiting to come ashore,.. no doubt more tonight.
Wheatears present daily now, also today, 5 Sand Martins, 85 Meadow Pipits, 5 Chiffchaffs, 6 Pied Wagtails, Redwing and Song Thrush. 5 Shoveler and 6 Teal remaining... as well as 99 Oystercatchers, 11 Curlew, 2 Snipe, 1 Golden Plover, and a Turnstone.
(Sarah Harris - assist. warden, Chris - warden)

St. Brides to Musselwick

Lovely evening stroll to Musselwick and back
Like Noah's Ark - two of everything. Two peregrines, two chough, two buzzards, two ravens carrying nesting material, two shags, pair of pheasants, two stonechats singing, a couple of gannets diving and a few scattered rafts of guillemots. 20 plus sand martins at Nab Head and one chiffchaff by the Pump House.
Brian

Spring

In St Florence this morning it was very spring like once the early morning fog had cleared. This Wren gathering nesting material clearly thought so too. Nearby 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were chasing each other around whilst another one drummed repeatedly close by. Several Chiffchaffs were singing as well as Chaffinches, Great and BlueTits and a couple of Long-tailed Tits were clearly paired up.
Buzzards have been displaying overhead in the last few days and this afternoon a Peregrine soared over. Plenty of insects about too - see the Pembrokeshire Wildlife blog.
A male Brambling in the garden briefly a couple of days ago shows that winter has not completely gone yet.

Whimbrels - Skokholm

20 Whimbrels over whilst unloading materials for re-building the quay....
(Wendy J)

Just a "heads up"....

Hoopoe in Devon over the weekend, after last spring`s headless chicken syndrome (for one or two of us) they could be here anytime now!...

Treffieddan

As dusk approaced two Short-eared Owls having a good fly around and a superb Sand martin passage.

Pembroke Millpond

Update on the waders on the upper millpond
Black-tailed Godwits 197 including the colour ringed bird orange/yellow
Redshank 45
Greenshank 18
Snipe 4
Main pond very quite now with the winter fowl moving off, steady trickle of Sandmartins since last week. nice to have a Reed Bunting singing in the new reed fringe put in last year.

Newport

10.00 - 7 Redshank, 2 Water Rails, 1 Kingfisher, the Pink Foot was grazing in the field above the lime kiln, and the whole town seemed to be inundated with Chiffchaffs.

17.45 - 1 pair Wigeon, 10 Sand Martins, Kingfisher, and a Tawny Owl.

Dinas Head

Lots of Meadow Pipits, a Skylark singing on a fence post (hadn't known they did this). No Stonechats, no Wrens & no Guillemots or Razorbills on Needle Rock.

brambling

Good to hear a skylark singing this morning once the mist had cleared, & a male brambling brightened the feeders with a slightly more wintery feel!

A misty high tide this morning ........

....... at the Gann, one Wheatear, 25 Brent Geese including 2 Dark Bellied - the most Brents I have seen here this year. Also about 60 Bar-tailed Godwits appearing and disappearing in the mist. 4 female Goldeneye and the usual few Teal, plus Redshanks, Shelduck, an Oystercatcher roost and one Dabchick.

At Mullock Bridge a very wet rat found safety in a bramble bush just below the wall after being flushed out by the high tide.

Chiffchaffs singing everywhere.

Marloes Mere: Sand Martins & Golden Plover

It was good to meet Derek at the Mere early this afternoon. As well as a Chiffchaff that was feeding and calling actively by the Britton Hide and 1-2 Snipe calling, highlights were around 15 Sand Martins feeding actively over the mere. On and above the Trehill Farm fields were a very mobile and nervous flock of 31 Golden Plover.

Earlier on the Gann pools just after Low Tide, 2 Snipe, 20+ Teal, a pair each of Wigeon, Shelduck and Mute Swans and 2 female Goldeneye

Green Woodpecker over Crundale

A green woodpecker flew over Crundale yesterday, 19 Mar 11, heading ESE.

Martin's Haven & Deer Park

No migrants obvious given the wind and rain down here, but a ringtail Hen Harrier seen flying over to Skomer being mobbed by gulls. A female Kestrel in the valley, and a couple of Blackbirds around. One Stonechat calling last night.

Puffins -- Skomer

More than 1170 counted in St. Brides today by Sarah Harris the new assisstant warden on Skomer.
(Chris)

Pantmaenog Shrike

From Brian Southern - The Great Grey Shrike was still at Pantmaenog this morning - very active moving from conifer to conifer in the clearfell south of Pantmaenog House between 9-9.30am. On my way back around 11am it was at the top of some willows(?) in the stream channel about 450m wsw of Pantmaenog House, it then did a fly over back to where it was earlier.  A peregrine and a very distant hen harrier drifting low. Lots of pipits on the higher path overlooking Maenclochog near the kestrel box.

Plumstone

A nice male Goshawk at Plumstone this evening, with good numbers of Starlings still putting on a good show, with 3 Buzzards and a Peregrine in attendance - the Peregrine sat on the rock for a while giving excellent views. Nice to see & hear 2 Yellowhammers singing here too.

Had a little walk at Marloes Mere yesterday evening, highlight was a female Hen Harrier which seemed to be heading towards Skomer to roost. May have had the Green-winged Teal, but the brief views weren't good enough to be sure. At least 20 Teal, along with several pairs of Mallard and 6 drake Gadwall with just one female....poor girl.

Newport Sat pm

Initially quiet. Just 2 Ringed Plovers, no Dunlin & 6 Wigeon. 10 Teal, 8 Redshanks & 2 Shelducks were middling. But the Pink Foot & the Greenshank still present, 24 Curlews flew in, & finally at the bridge, a Water Rail, a Kingfisher & 3 Sandmartins.

Stack Rocks

At Stack Rocks this morning 100's of Guillemots and plenty of Razorbills on the lower levels of the stacks. They were coming and going with many birds also on the sea. There were also 6 pairs or so of Kittiwakes and Fulmars were on the cliff face or prospecting, flying close by. A Raven was sitting on a nest near the stacks.
Very few small birds around other than a few displaying Meadow Pipits and a flock of 30 Linnets.
At nearby St Govan's Morris and Maureen North saw a single Wheatear and 3 pairs of Stonechat.

The Gann, around high water.

Late afternoon - c35 Bartail Godwits, (most I`ve ever seen there) 19 Brent, 1 Gt N Diver - distant, way over towards Dale fort. not much in the way of gulls, just a few Teal, 5 Shelduck, 5 Wigeon & 1 Greenshank.

Had a look at Kete, but no swans to be seen.

Ramsey

Chough nest building for first time today.

Few more wheatears today plus 4 chiffchaffs. Female/juv black redstart and a white wagtail.

Bosherston

At Bosherston late morning the female Ring-necked Duck was on the central arm in company with a lone rh Goldeneye. I wonder if it has been tucked away up the central arm all winter? Otherwise pretty quiet with 8 Goosander (including just 1 ad. drake) 2 Pochard, 22 Swans and a few Coot. The Tufteds all seem to have departed.
No sign either of the Bitterns in the Broadhaven reedbed. A Swan was nest building there and frogs were calling - I'm surprised there are any left with the Bitterns having been there for most of the winter!
4 Chiffchaffs heard around the ponds as well as a Tawny Owl. Second time I have heard the Owl this week.

Mid pembs section of the WTSWW

Monday the 21st March2011. Mid Pembrokeshire indoor meeting.
The next indoor meeting of the Group is on Monday the 21st March 2011 at The Patch, Furzy Park, Haverfordwest starting at 7.30pm. There will be a presentation by Rosemary and peter Royle The presentation is titled ‘Ranches and rainforest, Wildlife Conservation in Brazil’ There is no charge for admission to the meeting and members and non members are welcome to join us. For further information please phone O1834 860175

Skomer

16 Puffins in the Haven this morning, 8/9 Chiffchaffs today, 11 yesterday. The ring-tail Hen Harrier still present.
(Chris - warden)

Newport (Early am)

25 Wigeon, 17 Teal, 4 Shelduck, 6 Ringed Plover, 5 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 3 Sand Martins and a Kingfisher

Preseli area

Just as Sash described at the deer park on monday, there has been an arrival of stonechats at several of their usual haunts along the southern slopes of mynydd preseli, repeating the scenario of last year when they arrived back in force during early march following an apparent total absence. There were plenty of males in full song, and several were already paired up. Also very noticable were skylarks and meadow pipits all singing away - both species were very difficult to find in Feb. An adult male kestrel was at Pantmaenog, but I couldnt spot a shrike either there or at Ty Rhyg.

The highlight of the day was a flock of about 650 golden plovers at Wauncleddau circling in the mist and making the most beautifully plaintive calls imaginable.

C-C

I guess the chiff-chaffs are spreading inland fast as one was singing in Bwlch-y-Groes at lunchtime today.

Spring is here ....

...... a Chiffchaff in the copse by the house, its delicate "chiff chaffs" somewhat drowned out by the vocal and vigorous Great Tits all "tea cher" ing.

Rosemary

Blackpool Mill/ Slebech Estate

On the river a female Goosander. On the estate a flock of over 400 Chaffinches with Bramblings and Reed Buntings mixed in.

The Gann this evening

Quite a lot of disturbance from dogs, but lots of Oystercatchers and Curlews on the shore. The gull roost had very high numbers of Common Gulls of various ages, as well as Black-Headed and smaller numbers of Herring Gulls. 5 Brent Geese on the far shore.
No sign of the Red-necked Greebe (I had a possible very long-range view yesterday afternoon) but, in Dale Roads, a summer plumage Great Northern Diver.
On the pools, a pair of Goldeneye, 3 Wigeon, Teal and Mallard, as well as scattered Redshank.
On the outlet to the Pill, 6+ Shelduck, paired up and displaying, 11 more Teal, a Little Egret and a Greenshank.

Martin's Haven: Stonechats!

It has really been very hard to find any Stonechats round here in the last month or so: the cold weather seemed to hit them particularly hard.
Today was therefore wonderful: at least 4 males singing persistently in the valley: below Lockley Lodge, by the Deer Park gates, and further up the valley. There were also at least as many females, apparently prospecting for nest sites, and a couple chasing each other around. There seems to have been a "fall" overnight/early this morning, and it's another lovely indicator of Spring

Red Necked Grebe

From Mike Jones - Red Necked Grebe, 1 mile north of Cwm-yr Eglwys, also quite a few kittiwake, guilimots,and razor bills at Dinas Island. 

Black-necked Grebe -- Llys-y-fran

A small flock c10 Meadow Pipits near the dam, migrants I guess as the mobile party of 6 of various aged Grey Herons?
The Black-necked Grebe, also 3 Goldeneye, and 3 Goosander resting on the bank.

Ceibwr;-
Peter Byles 1st Chiffchaff of the year in his garden today.

Newport

Y Cwm - female Wheatear.

Deer Park

I managed to catch up with some Wheatears this morning with 3 - 2 male and a female - 100 yards or so east of the Deer Park. The male in particular proved to be a real poser.
On the Deer Park itself a Merlin put on a nice display sitting on a rock then catching a small bird which it took to the cliff face to eat. Unfortunately a little out of reach of the lens. A few Gannets were fishing off Wooltack Point in company with a lone Porpoise.
At Marloes Mere there were 3 Sand Martins but otherwise pretty quiet.

Martin's Haven & Deer Park

2 male Wheatear yesterday (1 at the top of the steps up to the Deer Park, 1 further along the Rath).
A lovely sight (and sound) has been a male Stonechat displaying in the valley just by the Deer Park wall. This is the first one that I have seen here since the New Year.
The valley is otherwise very quiet except for a few Reed Buntings, Chaffinches and Linnets.
On the Deer Park, a female Merlin, a Golden Plover and diver sp. over, 2 pairs of Chough and Gannets over c10 porpoises in the north-flowing tide out of Jack Sound

Skokholm today

Wonderful weather, but Skokholm felt a few days away from spring yet, with a single male Wheatear and the freshly-eaten remains of a Manxie the main evidence of summer visitors on the island.
A good passage of Rock Pipits, though, with several flocks of 10+ seen, as well as three singing Wrens and a startled Moorhen!
Raptors included 2 Buzzards, a Peregrine and a Merlin. On the ponds, 30+ Teal, a male Wigeon, shoveller, and c10 Shelduck.
On the coast, 2 Whimbrels around South Haven have clearly over-wintered successfully again. No Purple Sandpipers seen, though.
Several rafts of auks around the island, with several flocks of c50 Guillemots, and several hundreds seen on the cliffs by mid-afternoon. No puffins seen, though.
On the way out, a Gannet in Dale Roads

Manxies back on land............

Last night the first Manx Shearwater back on the island. Chiffchaff today, and Wheatears have been seen daily since first reported.
(Chris, Skomer Warden)

St Davids Hd am

8 Wheatears, 2 Merlins and a single Siskin.

Wheatears,etc....& Snow Bunting !

Interesting part of The WeBs on the outer breakwater in Fishguard;-
2 summer plumage Black Guillemots off the berth wall, and, by it's very confiding behaviour a new female Snow Bunting, on a couple of occasions standing close to one of the 2 very smart male Wheatears. Only 1 Purple Sandpiper.

Strumble Head;-
6 Wheatears (2 female) maybe flushed from the lighthouse island by a male Kestrel, 2 Sand Martins, 1 Swallow.

Cemaes Head;-
Little sign of migration here, a couple of Meadow Pipits, and a group of 4 Skylark. Nice to see 160 Grey Seals hauled out, with 6 Chough overhead. c30 Golden Plover over whilst driving back.

Marsh Tit vs Willow Tit

A very interesting article in this month's Birdwatch that sheds new light (well, new if you haven't read the 2009 British Birds article) on how to separate these two tricky species. Several previously 'nailed-on' features aren't perhaps as useful as you might think - e.g. the glossy-ness, or not, of the cap. Well worth a read - particularly if we are to really understand the true distribution of these two species in our County.

Gann & WeBS

The Red-necked Grebe still at the Gann this evening (in the bay, not too far out) and on the beach an impressive 34 Knot. Also 10 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 pale-bellied Brents, a Little Egret, 7 Wigeon & 14 Teal. 6 Goldeneye on the lagoon will surely be gone soon. A moderate scattering of gulls, mostly Black-headed & Common, but a surprising absence of Med Gulls.

This morning, as per Castlemartin, my WeBS at Sprinkle Pill/Hook was very low on birds generally compared with last month. For example just 45 Dunlin (625 in Feb), 3 Wigeon (177 in Feb), 1 Lapwing (625 in Feb!) & no Pintail (53 in Feb), but Teal (204 today vs 303 in Feb) & Redshank (84 vs 122 in Feb) still present in decent numbers . A Stock Dove flying over opposite Millin Pill was a nice surprise (I had 5 yesterday between Slebech & Slebech Park, along with 2 Red Kites but no eagle!).

Shrike at Pantmaenog

From Brian Southern - At last managed to catch-up with the Great Grey Shrike at Pantmaenog, 200m west of Pantmaenog House sat at the top of a conifer - watched for 20mins until I left at 4pm. Also Great Spotted woodpecker, snipe, female reed bunting, solitary redpoll, flock of siskin and a pair of stonechat looked to be nest building. One kite overhead with tatty left wing. Quick look at Ty Rhyg from the gate - a kestrel over the righthand side.

Ramsey and Trefeiddan

First Wheatears (2) of the year today. First Sand Martins (3) yesterday with another 4 today. Lapwings displaying again today (5 birds in total)

6 Sand Martins over Trefeiddan today (from D Rees)

Strumble &Teifi

A male wheatear at Strumble Head on Saturday morning, & a chiff-chaff at the Bass lagoon today (Sunday). The c-c was too busy feeding in the reeds to sing though!

Castlemartin Corse

Last Webs count of the season and it was, as expected, pretty quiet at Castlemartin Corse this morning. The big numbers of Wildfowl and waders have departed leaving a handful of Mallard, Shoveler, Teal and Wigeon, 15 Curlew and just 4 Lapwing. 3 Little Egrets was a good number for this site, however, and it was good to see the return of the female Marsh Harrier after an absence of several months.

Ty Rhyg

They have started logging in the main forest. Two Red Kites displaying overhead, a male Kestrel, a
female Goshawk and a pair of Willow Tits seen.
From the bridge at Newport three female Goosanders and the Pink Footed Goose.

Saturday 12th march Cilgerran

A dozen or so of us from The Mid Pembs Section of the Wildlife Trust spent ‘a day out’ at Cilgerran Wildlife Centre. Many thanks to Nathan Walton for taking the time to show us many of the reserves secrets and for all the info he shared with us. There were over 50 species of birds seen on the reserve on Saturday, including Red Kite, Cetti’s Warbler, and, a really good passage of Sand Martins.

Newport an addition

An ad Med Gull with a green ring, unreadable in the gloaming.

Black Redstart

I saw a female Black Redstart on Pen Anglas point at 12:45 and the first couple of Sand Martins went over at 14:00.

Low Tide

Nevern estuary waiting for the action ----the Pink footed goose, a goosander, two Blackwits colouring up, one lapwing and seven redshank. A few wigeon and teal . Janet and Karen

Lapland Bunting

One over St Davids Hd am, Great Northern Diver Whitesands.

Less obvious migration

OK not brilliant pictures but just to give some idea of what was going on at Strumble this morning. I arrived early (about eight o clock left at nine) the sky was overcast with impending drizzle. I parked at the lighthouse car park and as soon as i got out of the car I heard pippits overhead. Sadly from the birds and birders point of view the National Park have removed the telegraph posts and wires so where once upon a time newly arrived migrants would use them to rest on, they continued overflying . They were easier heard than seen and there was obviously a steady pippit movement going on but also wagtails. The identity of the pippits seemed to be mippets but wagtails were difficult to ascertain, mainly of the pied variety, some may have been alba's.

A skien of grey geese passed by to the west, heading inland but again too distant to name in the murky light. At sea the odd auks and gannets were passing by plus 6 Scoter (1 Female) and a RT Diver heading east. Last sighting of note was a single shrilly calling Lapwing.

Its easy enough to log the arrivals of obvious summer or winter visitors such as wheatears or redwings but these more ubiquitous species are rather more difficult to keep track of!

Marloes & Deerpark.

The Mere was very quiet only a Teal, Shoveler and 12 Canada's; Even a female Merlin flying through didn't disturb anything. Onto the Deerpark where I found 2 Chough, 4 Stonechats (2m 2f) and a very smart male Wheatear.

Gann

Red necked Grebe in bay otherwise quiet. St Anne`s Head two male Wheatears.

large bird of prey

That's good to hear Dave; well worth checking & eliminating the possibility.

Eagle (or whatever it is)

Spoke to Richard, the farmer at Clerkenhill, this morning. They have NOT had falconers flying large birds of prey there in the past few months. On Thursday he spent the day ploughing fields to the S of the A40 just S/W of Clerkenhill, he had 6 Buzzards & 2 Red Kites following the plough for part of the day. At one point in the morning, he had what he describes as an obviously larger bird (larger than Red Kite) that appeared washed golden in the sunlight, obviously feathered legs and a large hooked bill. Whatever it is, it is still evidently in the area...

Spring springing!

Warm winds , a quick look at Strumble at lunchtime and my first wheatear of the year!

Pen Anglas

I saw a female Merlin fly west past the point at 15:30.

north pembs

Some small flocks of golden plover still about, 150 a couple of days ago & 50 yesterday. But the real star today was a wren; the first one I have seen in the garden for a couple of months.

2 Great Grey Shrikes

A mission to knock the one bird theory on the head today was successful. One Shrike was well settled in the clear fell c200m south of Pantmaenog farm. A quick dash over to Ty Rhyg and there was a 2nd Shrike on the top of the tall conifer halfway down the track.
Rosebush reservoir - 8 Goldeneye, 3 Tufted ducks and 3 Great-crested Grebes.

Pen Anglas

I saw a Merlin fly west low over the point at 17:00.

Marloes Mere

Female Merlin otherwise very quiet.

Bosherston and Pembroke Millpond

Two Bitterns visible at Bosherston this morning, in the usual reedbed near Broadhaven Beach, with five Goldeneye (imm male and four females) and the odd Goosander still present in the western arm. Also, nice to see the Little Grebes coming into summer plumage at Pembroke Millpond.

Wheatears - Portland, Bardsey ...........and Pembrokeshire

4 at The Bill this morning,..............Spring progress.......
Bardsey by the afternoon...
And 2 on Skomer at 4 p.m.reported from Chris the Warden!

Llys-y-fran

Sightings as post from Richard D plus 4 Goosanders, 1m & 3f and 3 Goldeneye, 1m & 2f. It was also good to hear quite a few Greenfinch shrilling from the tops of trees.

Mid pembs Section of the Wildlife trust

The next outdoor meeting of the Mid pembs section of the Wildlife Trust is as follows

Visit to Welsh Wildlife Centre - Pembrokeshire
WhenSat, 12 March, 10:30 – 13:00
WhereWelsh Wildlife Centre, Cilgerran, Cardigan
DescriptionA visit to the Welsh Wildlife Centre at Cilgerran with NathanWalton. Meet in the car park (SN186449) at 10.30am. Bring a packed lunch
For further information please phone Robin Taylor on O1834 860175

Lyndon

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

The Black-necked Grebe just beyond the fish cages this morning, the Snow Goose with c100 Cananda Geese grazing in fields on the western side.
No Sand Martins in the frosty conditions.......

A day out

A nice day out with Wendy J & Paul G, started at Amroth/Wiseman's Bridge with just a handful of scoter, a couple of distant divers and 4 Great-crested Grebes. A nice Purple Sandpiper (photo) under the lifeboat station at Tenby, but no sign of the Black Redstart at Tenby South Beach. On to Bosherston, where we also have 3 Bitterns (photo) in the lowest reedbed, showing quite well though difficult to photograph through the reeds. Around 40 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 6 Goldeneye & 4 Goosander also here. At Freshwater West a Chough and c.20 Grey Plover, and on Castlemartin Corse a Little Egret and plenty of wildfowl. Down to Marloes Mere which was pretty quiet, so we called in to Kete where the 2 Bewick's & 4 Whooper Swans were still present, and in Dale Roads the Red-necked Grebe, a Great Northern Diver, 4 Red-throated Divers, 11 Brent Geese (including the dark-bellied bird, all of which then flew towards Angle Bay), and in the relatively poor gull roost at least 5 Mediterranean Gulls (adults, although one showed a single black primary mark perhaps indicating a 3rd winter bird). Also photo below of some starlings coming into roost at Plumstone last night.

Angle & Bosherston

At Kilpaison this morning c.100 Dunlin and 20 Ringed Plover. Very few Wigeon now left. At Angle Harbour 18 Brents and a few Turnstones but otherwise very quiet.
The reed bed by Broadhaven at Bosherston held 3 Bitterns around midday but whilst I was there they were keeping well hidden and were very difficult to find. On the eastern arm 11 Goosanders, 1 Pochard and Tufted numbers down to 20 or so.

Newport Mon am

The Pink footed Goose & the Greenshank still there with a Black T Godwit moulting into Summer plumage.
Lots of gulls. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Newport Area.

Carningli Common - 50 Golden Plover, otherwise seem to be empty of birds today.
Penlan - f Kestrel, pair of Stonechat and a Fox lazing in the sun.

Annual Trusts Dinner

The Pembrokeshire Trusts local groups annual dinner will be held this year on 9 April.

Peter Tithecott is once again kindly organising. Click here for details and contact information for Peter.

Swans at St Annes

The Swans are still there last night - near to dusk and at some distance but there were six birds of which 2 appeared to be Bewicks and the others Whoopers.

Bittern --Teifi Marshes

Today some preparation of our rides, for the year ahead. This evening over the Mallard hide / run area of the reed-bed, Peregrine, a Barn Owl hunting for 10 mins. & at 18:33 a Bittern flew from the Pentood end of the reed-bed, and tried to drop into the ringing ride, it actually diverted and went into the commercial reed cut area.(Karen)

I wonder if Bittern(s) will prefer this channel now to feed at night as the ringing channels in the reeds at Kingfisher hide (last year's favoured feeding) are currently flooded?

Hen Harrier..nr. Scolton

Just back after popping up to see if I could make contact with the Shrikes - no luck at either sight, I'm beginning to wonder if my binoculars have some sort of shrike-filter on them!! Cracking male hen harrier gliding low across the road just north of Scolton though was some consolation. All the best Brian (received 18:06)

A nice afternoon out

A great 5 hours out with Paul G, highlights being Great Grey Shrike (2pm, Pantmaenog), Pink-footed Goose (Nevern), 2 Black Guillemots (Fishguard Harbour), Willow Tit (Llangloffan Fen), and at Plumstone an impressive starling roost against a clear sky, with 3 Hen Harriers (2 males), 2 Goshawk (male & female), Peregrine, Buzzard and to finish a Short-eared Owl (perched on a post and then hunting) and a Woodcock as we walked back to the car. Nice.

Tresinwen Alarm Clock(!)

Rudely woken up this morning by two Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming in the garden. They seemed to be in competition trying out various nest boxes and dead branches to get the best sound. The favourites appeared to be boxes with metal hole surrounds! The range of frequencies, tones and decibels was fantastic!
......Who needs an alarm clock?

2 Great Grey Shrikes ?

See posts directly below..............!!
An overlap in observation times, and not 1 widely wandering bird.........?

John M has suggested that there may be sufficient time for the shrike to fly between the 2 sites to account for all the sightings.........we await.

Ty Rhyg

The Great Grey Shrike was by the gate on top of the 1st fir tree in the hedgerow on the right, this was at 11.20am. Watched it for over 20 mins and also saw a female ringtail. Went for a walk in the forest for over a hour and the shrike was still to the right of the pathwhen I came back. It was still there when I left at 1.25pm

Great Grey Shrike

The Great Grey Shrike is currently showing well in Pantmaenog c200m below Pantmaenog house (inhabited) in the centre of the clear fell at SN083309.
Park at Rosebush village or in the new car park opposite the entrance to Rosebush reservoir.
(Rich D and Karen, our viewing times 12:15 - 13:00)

Strange explosions of birds...

Whilst damageing my brain trying to contact BT, I looked out of the window and saw starlings and corvids semi-exploding. It seemed not with the same panic as the Goshawk produced at Strumble the other day, but still seemingly reacting to some malevolent presence.
A moment later a kite wafted into view. Kites and buzzards rarely create havoc in my experience but as I pondered, it performed a corkscrew stoop at a corvid on the ground. The corvid dodged and took to flight with the kite making a half hearted attempt to follow before breaking off and wandering on out of view.

Newport

10.00 - 7 Ringed Plover, 7 Dunlin, 8 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 32 Curlew, 1 Pink Footed Goose.

North Pembs.........

Newport;-
1 Pink-footed Goose, c20 Teal, c15 Wigeon still.
Teifi;-
1 Sanderling, 2 Dunlin, 7 Ringed Plover. Also 4 Goldeneye still on the river on the reserve.
Cemaes Head;-
1 Kestrel, little else, only c50 Grey Seals hauled out - comparative count previous years c200+, had better try again...
Fishguard Harbour;-
Black Guillemots present.

Owls

I got to Plumstone Mountain too late this evening for the starlings and, as it turned out, any harriers, but I was treated to 2 fly-pasts from a Merlin and, in the gathering gloom 1, probably 2, "eared" owls - my initial thought was obviously Short-eared (rarely sighted here though?) but I could not rule out Long-eared, even though I saw one bird four times the light was just not good enough to be sure of the features....worth another look tomorrow I think.

Great Grey Shrike -- Pantmaenog..

Friday 4th March -- yesterday;-
Bumped into a nice couple and got talking about boats (always working) and birds etc. They were very excited as they had just had a sighting of a Great Grey Shrike
(having failed to spot the one in the wildlife centre in Cilgerran last year).

Details are: Sighting by Sue Jenkins, verified by Mike Jenkins on Preselis at Lat /Long 084 314
Hope it's of interest....Daniel Worth.

I make this grid ref. in the top of the clearfell, probably reached from the summit path. A widely wandering individual this winter......?

Bosherston and Ty Rhyg

From Andrew Grant - Just to let you know I spent Saturday afternoon (March 5th) photographing 4 Bittern in the reedbed at Bosherton where the lake drains onto the beach. The birds started to move around after 3.00pm & became easier to see. I suspect that these birds will be on the move soon, what was most interesting was that the birds were communicating with a very low almost humming noise, like a low intensity version of their booming call.


And from Brian Southern - Ty Rhyg - Great spotted woodpecker along track from gate. Willow tits calling. Group of 5-6 goldcrests and 3 Redpoll on the higher track. Tree feeling inprogress at Coed Glynaeron - so didn't hang around.

The Gann

General Observations rather than trying really hard but 27 Light bellied Brents present in two groups. Perhaps 50 Curlew but rather few other waders except Redshank which were scattered across the bay as the tide dropped.

Large numbers of gulls (c.400-600) most of which were Black-headed but quite good numbers of Common gulls clearly moving through with lots of display going on. Rather few big gulls around. On Pickleridge just one pair of Shelduck and one Goldeneye (possibly another five way out in the bay) and single Little Egret and Heron. Buzzards displaying way up in the air above all the woods.

Pembs Bird Group Monday 7th march 2011

Monday the 7th March 2011 Pembs Bird Group Indoor meeting.
The next indoor meeting of the Group is on Monday the 7th March 2011 at The Patch, Furzy Park, Haverfordwest starting at 7.30pm. There will be a presentation by Steve Sutcliffe entitled ‘Skokholm revisited’. Steve is very much involved with the islands of Pembrokeshire and in particular at the moment the re generation of Skokholm – not an evening to be missed. There is no charge for admission to the meeting and members and non members are welcome to join us. For further information please phone O1834 860175.
Lyndon

Skomer.........

A couple of early season ! observations;-
1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 3 Short-eared Owls, & 2 Redwing present today.
(Chris)

Whimbrel ...&...Tysties..

Whilst on Patch(Teifi) this evening at dusk, 1 calling Whimbrel flying out of the estuary.....Ireland next stop by the direction?
(Teifi RG)

Black Guillemots;-
3 summer plumage birds this morning on the Stena side of the harbour.
(Steve B)
1 also seen later,(Adrian)
I'm interested in counts of adults in the harbour;
Last year 3 adults were seen occasionally together. During late June last year I was confused by the age of juvenile(s)! being fed, the 1+ pair would be a solution to my quandary?
Reviewing my notes from 2007, having the experience we have now of watching them, they almost certainly did first breed in the harbour in 2007.
The birds when present, are best viewed from the inner breakwater.

Swans & Geese

At Kete, 6 Swans still present, 4 Whoopers + 2 Bewicks.

High tide & a glassy sea at the Gann produced 15 L/B Brent, otherwise very quiet.

Ty Rhyg

Very quiet, could hear crossbills calling in the distance but no visual contact and saw a pair
of Willow tits

Bosherston - yesterdays dip - AGAIN

We all know that one in the hand is worth two in the bush but, are two ON the hand worth two in the REEDBED ?

Clerkenhill 'eagle'

My sister is friendly with the family that own Clerkenhill so I am awaiting feedback on the possibility that the 3 recent sightings in that area can be explained by a falconer flying there. Will post an update as soon as I know.

Apex Predator!

Coming back from Strumble yesterday (8 Scoter ) just along the straight bit leading from the sea, an explosion of birds, corvids and starlings spreading like shrapnel denoted the presence of something very scary.
Proceeding slowly I searched the sky for whatever had sparked the feathered flurry, almost running over the culprit mantling on the road a few yards in front of me.

I stopped and was confronted by the glaring eye of a Gos, with what looked like a Jackdaw in its talons. As I fumbled to get my camera from the back seat it took off with its intended meal heading for "Richards Valley"

Teifi

3 Goldeneye from St Dogmaels Quay. The Wigeon flock now down to just 80.
Good to see 4 Yellowhammers at the farm where they were also feeding last winter, Trewilym Uchaf, near Pengelli wood.

Bosherston Bitterns

Excellent views of the 2 Bitterns in the reed bed nr Broadhaven South today.
On the Pembroke river from Pennar - 2 Scaup, 80 Knot, 7 Grey Plover, 40 Dunlin, 2 Greenshank, 20 Shoveler, 1 Great-crested Grebe and 3 Goldeneye.
(Paul G)

Blackpool Mill

At Blackpool Mill this afternoon 3 Dippers seen, one carrying nesting material. Grey Wagtails also much in evidence and a Kingfisher flew upstream choosing to ignore an ideal perch opposite the camera.
At the large lay-by at Minwear close views of some woodland birds - Blue, Great, Coal and Marsh Tits, Chaffinches, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and two confiding Nuthatches.

Dartfords

Another wonderful bright, crisp morning. Perfect to look for Dartford Warblers, I thought. And so it proved to be! At a regular spot on the south Pembs coast I quickly found three birds including an obvious pair which followed each other around. Great to see that they have survived such a severe winter and look ready to breed again.

The big Eagle question

Hope someone has the contacts to follow up Mark W's suggestion about the "eagle". It reminds me of a day, some years ago, when I was thrilled to see an adult Golden Eagle soaring over Craig Talfynydd. Whilst admiring the spectacle through binoculars a Harris Hawk flew through the field of view. It turned out that a rally of falconers was being held over Mynedd Preseli!

Newport

08.30- 9 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 3 Shelduck, 1 Pink-Footed Goose (with 4 Canada,s in the field behind the limekiln).

Pembroke River

From Barry Potter - Two hours on the river at low tide today gave 35 species including,179 SHELDUCK, 19 BLACK TAILED GODWIT, c.40 TEAL, small flock of KNOT, a few MALLARD, 2 RAVEN, 3 BUZZARD, 1LITTLE GREBE, 1 male SPARROWHAWK, a few CURLEW,
handfull of WIGEON and in adjoining fieldside hedgerow, 4 YELLOWHAMMER, a new bird for this patch for me

clerkenwell

I gather that falconers sometimes fly birds at Clerkenwell, so although an "eagle" is possible, it might be worth checking for jesses, or maybe asking if anyone has been flying something large recently.

Tenby - St David's Day

Info from Owen Leyshon for yesterday - 1 Purple Sandpiper on the New Lifeboat Slipway

 1 fem/imm Black Redstart in the sandy cove on South Beach (where the new buildings are being built at the moment).

Forty plus years on - changing breeding bird populations at Stackpole

I recently unearthed a 1968 report of a breeding birds survey undertaken on the Stackpole Estate by Peter Stuttard, then at the Orielton Field Centre, later to work for the Nature Conservancy Council/Countryside Council for Wales. It is interesting to note his comments of some species and compare them with the situation in 2010/2011.

He noted about 74 breeding species in the Stackpole Estate which in itself is quite impressive -currently under 70 species breed. Here are just a few examples of Peter's summary observations compared with the current situation:

Lapwing - one or two pairs breed on Stackpole Head, the odd pair breed in Kilpaison Burrows (extinct as a breeding species on Stackpole Head with no confirmed records here since, although about 15 years ago a pair did hang around on the warren into the Spring. They were breeding at the time on the Castlemartin Range);

Kittiwake - less than 100 pairs breed in the Stackpole Head area (the population increased in the 1970s but they had pretty well all gone by the end of the 1980s);

Puffin - about half a dozen pairs breed on Stackpole Head (much the same today);

Cuckoo - a common summer visitor (rarely heard now and none have bred for several years);

Little Owl - a few breeding pairs mainly in the coastal areas (extinct along the Castlemartin peninsula coast for at least a decade - last bred at Broadhaven);

Kestrel - one or two pairs breeding in the woods, hunt over the warren (one pair breeds in the sea cliffs, not annually, and there have been no woodland breeding records in the last 25 years);

Green Woodpecker - very commonly heard in woodland and must breed in fair numbers (may have gone extinct in 2011 when the last male was predated);

Great Spotted Woodpecker - probably a few breeding pairs but not often seen or heard (in 2010 at least 6-9 breeding pairs nested at quite a locally high density);

Tree Pipit - found in small numbers in open wooded areas (now a scarce fly over migrant);

Starling - a very common breeding species (no longer breeds - last bred in the sea-cliffs at Stackpole about 20 years ago);

Yellowhammer - quite a common breeding species in certain woodland and scrub communities (no records in last 20-25 years at least).

Hopefully a fuller comparable report will be produced some time. Thanks to Chloe Hudson for transferring the information to a spreadsheet so that the records can be added to the Recorder database.

Are there other archive gems from other localities in the County that would be interesting to compare with today?

Bob

Two Tysties were together seen off the Stena Europe yesterday afternoon and again this afternoon in Fishyguard Harbour. At least 15 were seen in Rosslare Harbour but I could have missed a few as we were only just on the bridge as the ship sailed so no time to really search for them. No unusual seabirds were seen on passage although lots of "Guillibills" seemed to be heading north.

Angle Bay (01 Mar 11)

11 Pale Bellied Brents, c.50 Wigeon, 30+ Bar Tailed Godwit, 10 Knot and c.200 Dunlin on the beach at low tide.

A hedge-cutting tractor flushed a Woodcock out of the hedge just before the beach at Kilpaison.

Red-necked Grebe etc

Highlights of a few sites visited today:
Newgale marsh - a ringtail Hen Harrier and c100 Teal.
In the bay from Newgale to Broadhaven North - 1 Black throated Diver off Haroldston Chins, c30 Red-throated divers and 70 Common Scoter.
Marloes Mere and The Deer Park quiet.
Monkhaven - a Firecrest by the gates to the sewage works.
The Gann - 1 Red-necked grebe, 2 Great Northern Divers, 7 Med gulls (4 adult, one with a white ring, 2 2nd winter, 1 1st year), 2 Greenshank, 2 Grey Plover, 6 Bar-tailed Godwit, 9 Goldeneye, 8 Light - bellied Brent Geese and 1 Dark-bellied) and 2 Snipe.
(Paul G and Wendy J)

Westfield Pill

A Water Rail again showing extremely well at Westfield Pill this morning. Totally oblivious to myself and another photographer within a few feet of it. Occasionally feeding on seed put out for the small birds.
Brief views too of two Otters.