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.