Skomer today

Pretty similar to yesterday - 5 Grey Wagtails flew over, 4 White Wagtails, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Whitethroats, 2 Tree Pipits, 10 Willow Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, 15 Sedge Warblers, 2 Goldcrests & a Ringed Plover

Pantmaenog

Pair of kestrels (female on telegraph wires beneath Pantmaenog House and a male on top of a conifer nearby). 3 chiffchaff singing. Big hatch of cranefly on the top overlooking Rosebush - pipits, white wagtails and swallows getting in on the bonanza.

Strumble (31 Aug 2011)

Time: 0600 - 1500

Weather: Sunny spells

Wind: NE (F3)

Balearic Shearwater - 3

Pomarine Skua - 1 (J)

Arctic Skua - 8 (8D)

Great Skua - 1

Mediterranean Gull - 15 (1Ad, 1 2nd W, 13J)

Little Gull - 1 (J)

Black Tern - 11

Sandwich Tern - 38

Comic Tern - 3

Common Scoter - 54 (6F, 48M)

Turnstone - 3

Dunlin - 16

Grey Heron - 1

Chough - 1

Wheatear - 2

Common Porpoise - Very numerous all day - easy to see in flat calm seas

Garganey at Bosherston

Imm Garganey still present with the Mallards between Eight-arch Bridge and Grassy Bridge this morning.

Skomer yesterday

A few migrants around again yesterday - 3 Goldcrests, 6 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Yellow Wagtail flew west, 15 Sedge Warblers, 2 Tree Pipits, 12 Willow Warblers, 6 Whitethroats & 1 Spotted Flycatcher

Monday boat trip up Teifi River

Little Egret 21 an amazeing count

Black Tailed Godwit 1

Oystercatcher 50

Curlew 50

Up north

A scout around Dinas Mountain for Sunday's Dotterels didn't locate any, but I'd forgotten how amazing the views from the top are, and the purple & yellow of the heather & gorse added to the scene. The area between the pond and the rocks looks superb for Dotterel. On to Newport and the waders scattered across the mud to the east of the boat club included 4 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Sanderling, 5 Knot, 27 Dunlin & 17 Ringed Plover (along with 3 Pillocks & and 2 Stupid Bird Chasing Dogs). Finally on to Fishguard where a Yellow Wagtail was a nice surprise amongst the Pieds on the beach, also 6 juv > 1stW Med Gulls, 4 Turnstone & 2 Redshank.

Strumble (30 Aug 11)

Time: 0600 - 1500

Weather: Cloudy

Wind: N (F2)

Sooty Shearwater - 1

Balearic Shearwater - 3

Pomarine Skua - 3 (2P, 1J)

Arctic Skua - 18 (3P, 15D)

Great Skua - 1

Common Scoter - 50 (2F, 48M)

Mediterranean Gull - 8 (8J)

Little Gull - 1 (Ad)

Sandwich Tern - 21

Comic Tern - 5

Red Throated Diver - 1

Whimbrel - 2

Knot - 7

Chough - 17

Sunfish - 1

Common Porpoise - small numbers all day

Newport Tues pm

Around the bridge 3, possibly 4, Greenshanks, a Common Sand & a summer plumage Little Grebe.

Regular Herring Gull Blue BHS.

On the mud the small wader flock included 17 Ringed Plovers, 23 Dunlin, 14 Sanderling & just 1 Curlew Sand with a seperate group of 5 Knot.

Little Stint -- Fishguard

I am a visiting birder on holiday with the family.

Spent an hour at first light this morning on the small beach at Goodwick/Fishguard

and had a delightful Little Stint along with 4 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin,

1 Ringed Plover and 6 Mediterranean Gulls amongst the Black-headed Gulls.

All the best

Martin Birch

Garganey at Bosherston

Imm Garganey still present with the Mallards between Eight-arch Bridge and Grassy Bridge this morning.

Skokholm

No sign of the Hoopoe or Marsh Harrier this morning.

Common Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 8 Sedge Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler 2 Goldcrest and a retrapped Spotted Flycatcher. Bob and Annie are currently doing some early morning ringing on the island

(Mark H.)

Quail - west of Brawdy

Thanks to Byron I had the pleasure of listening to at least 3 Quail singing this morning (c.10.30) in Barley fields 500m west of Paran, SM832263. After turning off the A487 at Brawdy, turn first left opposite Brawdy Business Park, then after about 1.5miles take the second minor road left (westwards). The birds singing in 3 fields to the north (right) of the road about 500m beyond the right turn at Paran. Many fields in this area already cut so I don't imagine they will be there long....

Osprey -- Teifi

08:30 the Osprey from the River Viewpoint on the Reserve.

(John Thomas)



Patch;-

Whilst studying Rock Pipits (passage ?) this morning, 6+ Sanderling, 2+ Turnstones, 2 Dunlin, c6 Ringed Plover.

1 Greenshank calling from further up the estuary.

Martin's Haven

Good numbers of warblers around in the valley, a mixture of Willow and Chiffchaffs, but still a fair number of Whitethroats, but they are much more skulking at present. Also several White Wagtails amongst the Pied, and plenty of Wheatears on the Deer Park.

As well as a big party of Swallows in the valley (with a couple of House Martins accompanying) we have also had a group of c.30 House Sparrows feeding, roosting and dust bathing. Although they breed up the road at Trehill, we do not normally see many down here.

The other surprise in the valley is the sheer number and range of very freshly fledged birds: Stonechats, Wrens, Robins, Blue Tits and a Great Tit, in many cases with down still falling off them as they fly into the bushes. It's clear why the Sparrowhawks are spending so much time here at present.

Yesterday morning a Heron over, and the big flock of Chough has split up, but there are parties of 6-8 all around the valley, the Trehill fields and on the Deer Park.

Sooty Shearwaters -- Skokholm

5 past with returning Manx 19:30 -- 20:10

(Mark H.)

Skomer

Maybe a few more birds around today, or maybe just popping up more in the nice weather - about 20 Willow Warblers, 25 Sedge Warblers, 10 Whitethroats, 1 Blackcap, 20 Wheatears, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 White Wagtails & 3 firsts for the autumn - Great Tit, Snipe & Knot

Hoopoe, Marsh Harrier -- Skokholm

Hoopoe still present, a fem /imm Marsh Harrier, Grasshopper Warbler, 6 Sedge Warblers, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Spotted Flycatcher and Sand Martin.

(Mark Hipkin)

Curlew Sandpipers - Newport

3 Juvenile Curlew Sandpipers this evening on the rising tide, may be new birds by their behaviour, favouring the waters edge under the sand dunes, but flighty.

The main wader flock, c80 birds, inc, 4 Knot, 11 Sanderling, c40 Dunlin, c25 Ringed Plover. Also 1 Turnstone flying about and 1 Greenshank.

One less Magpie in a Newport garden !

By Gareth Hughes....

Strumble (29 Aug 2011)

Time: 0600 - 1600

Weather: Sunny

Wind: N (F4-5 early morning then F2-3)

Balearic Shearwater - 6

Pomarine Skua - 3 (3J)

Arctic Skua - 22 (6P, 14D, 2J)

Great Skua - 10

Common Scoter - 9 (2F, 7M)

Mediterranean Gull - 4 (1Ad, 3J)

Little Gull - 2 (2J)

Roseate Tern - 3

Little Tern - 1

Sandwich Tern - 39

Comic Tern - 7

Whimbrel - 3

Black Tailed Godwit - 4 (East into bay)

Bar Tailed Godwit - 2

Puffin - 1

(Between 1200 and 1600 the only birds of note were 13 Sandwich Terns - a slow afternoon!)

Sunfish - 2

Common Porpoise - small numbers most of day

Osprey

After dipping on the Newport Osprey a few years ago -----I got back from holiday a day too late!---the opportunity to see one has never arisen. Until today! There I was engrossed in non-birdy doings i.e. shopping for relatives visitations, when I suddenly realised as I shot over Cardigan Bridge, that there was a buzzard and something larger on my left. Two & two were hastily put together as I pulled up on the verge,grabbed the bins,and there was the Osprey! Lazily circling and diving over the marshes it drifted north collecting a motley of crows and another buzzard----Fandabbadozi!

St Ann's Head

Failed to spot the Yellow Wagtails yesterday when we were up at St Ann's Head but found them today - just 3 juvenile/females in amongst a flurry of about 25 White Wagtails feeding under the feet of the (quite hefty) cattle in the field near the lighthouse. How they avoid being trodden on or kicked I cannot imagine. I see that 9 have been reported previously - and today 6 were reported in a different field (see below) - so that makes 9 still around.



Rosemary

Osprey - Teifi Marsh

More from a rather excited Janet later -- Osprey over the reserve at 14:45

Bosherston

Immature Garganey with the Mallards between Eight-arch Bridge and grassy Bridge this morning.

Dinas Dotterels

I have just this minute received an email from Chris Pierpoint - as follows



– two dotterels on top of Dinas Mountain yesterday morning. On moor between summit rocks at the top pond. Called on rising, but seem to settle back down a little further south, nearer pond -



Thanks Chris

St Anns-Dale Airfield

Wheatear most visible (25 counted in total) with 6 birds in recently mowed field by Kete with a further 7 in field where the bull was. The adjacent field being harrowed had 6 yellow and a couple of white wagtails, with others out of range to id. Greenshank calling overhead, heading northwards. Peregrine perched and later dashing over West Dale. Solitary whitethroat on the airfield. Chough very active, including 4 birds mixed in with flock of jackdaws and rooks at airfield. Curlew on the peregrines lookout on my return was a surprise. 3 buzzards.

Osprey - Teifi Marsh

The Osprey over the marsh at 11:19, flying downstream.

(John O'Sullivan)

Late post --(Strumble) but some good records

Thought you might be interested in my sea-watch at Strumble Head on Friday 26th August from 07.35 to 10.35. During this time I was the only observer.

Sooty Shearwater 1

Balearic Shearwater 1

Common Scoter 64

Oystercatcher 7

Knot 3

Calidrid sp 1 (Dunlin?)

Redshank 13

Whimbrel 5

Bonxie 1

Med Gull 1 1st winter

Little Gull 1 juv

Sandwich Tern 26

Common Tern 1

Arctic Tern 3

Little Tern 1

All of above moving west past sea-watch building, except for Med Gull which was feeding with Kittiwakes in tidal race.

Also a juv Marsh Harrier moved west along coast and 3 Swallows came in off the sea and headed SSE.

Lastly, I was sea watching again on Saturday 27th from 06.40 to 08.30. With so many others present that day I see that you have already have a record of what was seen.

Best wishes,

Peter Cartwright

Curlew Sandpipers -- Newport

18:00;-

Now 4 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Sanderling , 4 Knot, 1+ Greenshank heard, c25 Dunlin, c25 Ringed Plover.



Teifi;-

2 Common Sandpipers at Jewsons and Patch.

Webley;-

1 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits.

Patch;-

1 Knot, 6 Sanderling, 4 Turnstone, 6 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin.

I Whimbrel around this morning.

On Patch this morning 20+ Rock Pipits and Wheatear.

Sooty, Pom & Osprey

Cemaes Head;-

This morning, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Pomarine Skua, 5 Arctic Skua, 3 Bonxie past.

St. Dogmaels;-

Osprey flying up river, also present yesterday.

(John O'Sullivan)

Hoopoe -- Skokholm

Hoopoe for it's 3rd day, also 1 Sooty Shearwater with manxie feeding party, 1 Puffin, Tree Pipit, 3 White Wagtails.

(Mark Hipkin)

Skomer

Maybe a few more migrants around today - about 20 Willow Warblers, 5 Blackcaps and a Goldcrest

Strumble (28 Aug 2011)

Time: 0600 - 1800

Weather: Sunny spells.

Wind: NW (F4)

Sooty Shearwater - 2

Balearic Shearwater - 3

Long Tailed Skua - 2 (2J)

Great Skua - 10

Arctic Skua - 33 (8P, 24D, 1J)

Mediterranean Gull - 3 (1Ad, 2J)

Little Gull - 2 (1Ad, 1J)

Common Scoter - 26 (7F, 19M)

Sandwich Tern - 34

Comic Tern - 7

Puffin - 2

Bar Tailed Godwit - 4

Whimbrel - 5

Ruff - 2

Sanderling - 6

Ringed Plover - 6

Dunlin - 5

Turnstone - 2

Chough - 25

Sunfish - 1

Common Porpoise - Reasonable numbers late afternoon

Dale

No waders on the airfield, but water levels still look good. At the Gann 1 Barwit, 2 Common Sands, 2 Redshank, 2 Turnstone & 5 Ringed Plover. Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

wet-my-lips

Two Quail definite and possibly a third calling this morning in a corn field just west of the army base at Brawdy. We were close enough to one to hear the throaty secondary note, but failed to get it in the open for a camera shot. There are many corn fields around this whole area, so it's not unreasonable to suggest that there could be a sizable population here, especially in a bumper Quail year like this.

Curlew Sandpipers (Newport)....&....Teifi news

Newport;-

3 Juvenile Curlew Sandpipers at Newport 17:00 just before HT.

Nice birds presumably just arrived since Marc H's early wader counts, of which most still present.



Teifi;- at high tide.

Webley, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Black-tailed Godwit and 1 Whimbrel.

Patch, 6 Turnstone, 14 Sanderling, 2 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover.



Nice waders to finish the day, which started with our final ( of 12) CES ringing session of the breeding season on the Marsh.

See Teifi RG for details of today, and a thank you for our supporting organisations.

St Ann's Head Yellow Wagtails

Probably a dozen birds in a loose flock in the field by the lighthouse. Associating with the cows, but flighty, so often scattering before flying back individually. At least 3 adults. Lovely to watch, and a great opportunity to learn the various plumages and calls.

Strumble (27 Aug 2011)

Time: 0600 - 1700

Weather: Sunny spells.

Wind: WNW (F5-6)

Sooty Shearwater - 3

Balearic Shearwater - 1

Great Skua - 7

Arctic Skua - 12 (5P, 7D)

Pomarine Skua - 1 (J)

Little Gull - 1 (J)

Mediterranean Gull - 3 (1Ad, 2 J)

Sandwich Tern - 12

Comic Tern - 26

Common Scoter - 32 (3F, 29M)

Puffin - 8

Whimbrel - 25

Knot - 8

Dunlin - 1

Sanderling - 8

Turnstone - 5

Peregrine - 1

Chough - 10

*** Humpback Whale ***

Seen at 1410 for at least 5 mins moving East into bay and breaching. It must have breached (complete breach) at least 8 times. (Lost count in excitement!)

Sunfish - 2

Common Porpoise - Showing quite well late afternoon in reasonable numbers

Skomer

Just a few migrants around today - about a dozen Willow Warblers & 3 Goldcrests.



Saw a Speckled Wood yesterday which is only the second time I've ever seen one on here

Ramsey migrants

Few migrants tickling through today. Female common redstart, up to 15 willow warblers, 1 chiffchaff 1 goldcrest and a whitethroat.



Good numbers of seal pups being born now

Newport...and Med.Gulls.

Newport;-

1st sum Med. Gull, 6 Greenshank, 1 Whimbrel, 4 Knot, 3 Common Sandpipers, 10 Sanderling, 12 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plovers.

Also Med. Gulls, at Fishguard flagpoles(1s), Stena side(1s), & Lower Town(j & 1s).

(Paul L. & Marc H)

Martin's Haven Choughs

Astonishing numbers of Chough here this morning. Not content with the resident family of six from Renny's Slip, a party of as many as 30 came over from the direction of Marloes at about 0800, and then spread out feeding in the fields and on the Deer Park. It really was hard to count them all: 4 of us tried (including Bob & Annie, and they count enough of them!) and we all came up with different estimates.

There are also good numbers of Sparrowhawks around: a big female flew at waist height by the NT car park yesterday, a male later, and a juvenile was seen taking a paserine in the valley this morning.

Yellow Wags - Friday

3 still at St. An's Head, in the partially cropped field just north of the cottages. No waders on Dale Airfield but after the overnight rain Thurs/Fri it looks perfect - the main runway has 300m or so of pools on it - must look good from above! Well worth a look, trust me...

Fishguard (26 Aug 2011)

Barn Owl just flown over road by Fishguard Fort.

Skomer

There are no migrant birds on Skomer

Osprey

Two good sightings today

-Good views of the adult from Picton Point at 5.30pm circling

and fishing. Forced up the East Cleddau by boats we observed it again from Minwear

viewing point.This time feeding in a dead tree just north of Slebech Park.

This seems to be a favoured tree for dining as the same bird was seen here at

the beginning of the week.

(David Finch)

Belated Osprey report

Following Dave A's report, saw an Osprey in a dead tree at Millin Pill yesterday at about 2-00pm. It was on the opposite bank to the viewing point at the end of the path through the wood. It dropped down towards the water and hence out of sight because of the surrounding trees.



Moving to the road bridge below the manse, which is opposite the dead tree, noted it had returned to its perch. As my car was blocking the road could not dawdle but in a short time it twice plunged down the the water where it was not viewable to me, then returned to the tree without any fish. Viewed through binoculars in this limited manner meant I could not be sure it was a juv but its behaviour suggested it was.



If the adult reported earlier carried its fish in to feed this bird it seems likely it would have done so at the nest, assuming there is one nearby. In the past I've walked across the pill at this point at low tide which allows a close view of the woodland. Not fit enough to do this any more perhaps a more rugged watcher might try?



From the archive entries for Ospreys at the E Cleddau, is it possible 2 pairs have attempted to breed this year? Food for thought.

Newport Fri pm

A relatively brief visit was quite productive. A Kingfisher, an ad & a juv Sandwich Tern preening with the gulls. A repeatedly flushed flock of 6 Greenshank & 4 Redshank with probably 2 seperate Greenshanks. On the mud another flock of 9 Dunlin, 6 Sanderlings, 2 Ringed Plovers & a Knot.Plus 2 Turnstones & a Common Sandpiper.

Why no Med Gulls here?.

Sanderling

2, At Broad Haven (N) this afternoon, very tame - ignoring the bank holiday throng & their dogs.

Fishguard Med Gulls

This morning 3 juvs at the base of the inner breakwater & another at the flagpoles. No older birds.

North Pembs waders

Newport;-from the Boat Club

1 Sanderling, 5 Knot, 1 Turnstone, 2 Redshank, 6 Ringed Plover, 15 Dunlin, at least 1 Greenshank calling and 1 1st winter Med Gull.



Teifi;-from Patch

17 Sanderling, 4 Turnstone, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 6 Ringed Plover, 6 Dunlin, and at least 1 Whimbrel calling. 3 Wheatears too.



(several observers)

Skomer

2 Greenshanks turned up on North Pond this afternoon after the heavy rain - Greenshank is a surprisingly rare bird out here, I don't think I've ever seen them more than once in a year. Otherwise it was very quiet with just a handful of Willow Warblers in the valleys

Osprey & Yellow Wagtails

A long walk from Picton Point westwards along the shoreline to the mouth of Millin Pill was rewarded with views of an adult Osprey carrying a fish (a mullet by the looks) in from the top end of the pill. It landed on a log in the pill and sat there for a while looking about whilst the fish continued to wriggle. After 10 minutes or so it took off and flew back up the pill. We had a brief view of it a little later but no sign of yesterday's juvenile....all very interesting.

Single Whimbrel & Bar-tailed Godwit at the Gann, at St. Ann's Head no fewer than 9 Yellow Wagtails (cheers Trev) including at least 2 bright males - difficult to digiscope in the strong wind but efforts not too bad. No waders on Dale Airfield and none on the small pool in front of the old hide at Marloes Mere. (Dave A & Paul G)

Bosherston

Garganey still present at Bosherston, and still with the Mallards and Teal between Eight-arch Bridge and Grassy Bridge. Otherwise quiet.

It is interesting to watch the feeding behaviour of the Garganey which rarely, if ever, upends, but typically feeds with its bill partially submerged, and often flicks water into the air as it finishes sifting for food (as seen in the pic above). By contrast, the Teals spend a lot of time upending when feeding, and have not been noted flicking water into the air.

Dale & St Anne's

Early morning at the Gann- 3 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sands, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Moorhen--all on the lagoon. No small waders on the shore. 3 Yellow Wags at a breezy St Anne's on the headland field with the cattle.

Crossbills at Ty Rhyg

Group of crossbills calling along upper path, otherwise very quiet.

Barn Owl jnr

Over the last months I have been watching, from a distance, a pair of Barn Owls nesting in a nearby small barn. They were late to get going and the youngsters are only just fledging - we saw 3 birds in the air last week so at least one is out of the nest, but this evening there is still one young bird begging for food from inside the barn. Whilst watching from a few feet behind a gate I suddenly realised that a Barn Owl was heading straight for me. It inexpertly tried to land on the top rung of the gate and failed - it finished up on the ground about 8 feet away on the other side of the gate. It looked around a bit, then straight at me for a while, then as it looked away I slowly lifted the binoculars and had a good look at its plumage - it was getting dark but I could clearly see a very short tail. After a while it flew off. A wonderful moment - I have never been so close to a wild Barn Owl before. And I think that can go down as FL on the Bird Atlas!



Rosemary

Osprey - juvenile bird @ Millin Pill

Decided to stop off on the Cleddau on my way back from Carmarthen this evening for an 'Osprey watch', nothing at a cool Picton Point but at Millin Pill, from probably the only viewing spot, an Osprey perched up in a tree on the lower west bank. It was clearly a juvenile - broad dark band across the chest, dirty smudges on the otherwise white crown, pale tips to the wing & tail feathers, and most importantly broad white fringes to the scapulars and coverts on the upperwing. Given the dispersal of Ospreys from the breeding sites, I have to pose the idea that this bird was bred locally. Once fledged the female departs swiftly, and the male stays with the young birds until they leave. For example, the Dyfi youngsters are all still at the nest site near Machynlleth as of today, with the female departed but the male still in attendance - the 3 youngsters fledged between 27th July and 3rd August.

I watched the bird perched and do 2 solo flights between 7 and 7.30pm when a heavy shower set in - the clincher to prove local breeding would have been a male returning with a fish but I didn't see it!

Park at approx SM 995 138, walk down path to shoreline, view south down pill and bird was perched in trees on RHS where pill bends out of view approx SM 993 134.

Info on the Dyfi birds: http://www.montwt.co.uk/dyfiospreys.html

2 Green Sandpipers here too.

Skomer

Despite the rain in the early hours there were no new migrants in today really, still just about a dozen Willow Warblers, 2 Blackcaps & 4 White Wagtails

Newport Wed am

2 Greenshanks still at the bridge + a Common Sand & a Kingfisher (my 1st since March).

Elsewhere little of note except a Little Egret. Lots of gulls but no Meds & no visible rings.

Ramsey

Grey wagtail and yellow wagtail around the farm building fields yesterday. Purple sandpiper roost has increased to 7 in the last week (only visible from boats going round the island - thanks to Ffion from Voyages of Discovery for the regular update on numbers)

Skomer

About 15 Willow Warblers round the valleys again today, 2 White Wagtails & a Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Common Sandpipers in South Haven & 2 Grey Wagtails flew west and a Yellow Wagtail flew east

Down South

Angle Bay (Kilpaison, The Lodge, Harbour): 18 Knot, 6 Sanderling, 15 Dunlin, 22 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 4 Little Egrets & 15 Med Gulls (13 ads, 1 2nd year, 1 juv).

Bosherston: juvenile Garganey still (in shade on far bank), 1 Teal, quite a few Chiffs at the bottom of Mere Valley.

Pembroke UMP: 11 Black-tailed Godwits.

Newport.

1 Knot, 2 Greenshank, 1 Little Egret.

Bosherston ducks

Garganey still with the Mallards between Eight-arch Bridge and Grassy Bridge at Bosherston, but now outnumbered by Teal.

Rosebush/Pantmaenog

Minimum of 8 Spotted flycatchers flitting between the fence and tall conifers beneath paddock. Pair of kestrel above quarries.

Skomer - Missed a Skomer tick!

Found this today in North Valley - it wasn't there yesterday! The last Jays were seen on here in 2005

The other highlight of the day was this almost showey Grasshopper Warbler down North Valley. There was a scattering of other migrants today - about 15 Willow Warblers, 5 Blackcaps and a Tree Pipit

Strumble - Marsh Harrier

A seawatch from 0630 to 1430 (wdigbirder for the first 3 hrs, jointly, and then Ray W for the last 2.5 hrs) wind varied between NNE and NNW, force 2 to occasional 4.

Common Tern - 1

Sandwich Tern - 9

Med Gull - 3 (Juv)

Bonxie - 6

Arctic Skua - 5 (4D one P)

Common Scoter - 39

Cormorant - 26

Balearic Shearwater - 2

Peregrine - 1

Kestrel - 1

Chough - 1

Marsh Harrier 1 (Juv)

The Marsh Harrier came in off the sea from a northerly direction, to be met and harried for a few seconds by the peregrine; the very dark colouration suggested a juvenile on dispersal. A juvenile Great Crested Grebe passed flying East. A total of 46 Raven congregated over the Head and, at 1215 hrs, for about 10 minutes, there was a strong and constant movement of Swallows and House Martins in off the sea from Ireland. Several hundred Kittiwake forming large feeding flocks with other gulls, Manx Shearwaters and Gannets, were present from early until dispersing at around 1200 hrs. Wdigbirder had 10 to 15 Common Dolphin beyond the tide race.

City News

A Curlew Sandpiper still in Summer plumage on Porthlysgi beach this morning. A rather 'stretched' shot I'm afraid, taken from the clifftop path. The only other bird on the beach other than 5 Oyster Catchers was a solitary adult Med. Gull.

It has been suggested to me that there is a strong possibillity this bird is in fact a Knot, and after looking again at some of the other photos I took I have to agree. Many thanks Richard and Dave.

Pen Caer -- House Martins

A very large flock this morning, c5-600 House Martins, with c40 Swallows appearing to halt their journey here for the moment.

(Rob Johns)

Grappling the Blues

Thank you Lyndon for the interesting picture of Fulmars at sea off our coast. James Fisher divided the variations in Fulmar colour morphology into four categories: LL=double light (breeds locally in Pembs), L=light, D=dark, DD= double dark, overall being lighter in the south than in the north within the Atlantic. The divisions between these categories is inevitably subjective and I should like to propose the bird in the photograph be designated L which would be consistent with all the records of D dotted in the Pembrokeshire Bird reports over the years, and would also be in accord with my experience of the various forms encountered on a return passage from the UK to Svalbard in the Arctic.

Skomer

A few more Willow Warblers around today (about 20), plus 3 Spotted Flycatchers & a Goldcrest

Strumble 16.00 - 18.45 21st Aug.

1 CORY'S SHEARWATER ( Flew in at 16.40 from a N/E direction to join a feeding flock then departed after a couple of minutes in a N/W direction to another flock much further out. )

1 Sooty Shearwater

2 Arctic Skua ( Both Dark Ad. )

1 Juv Med Gull

6 Sandwich Tern

5 Common Tern

4 Commic Tern

1 Whimbrel

Flagpoles 19.00 - 6 Juv Med. Gulls

Little Egrets

A quick piece of "Drive-by" birding, 12 Little Egrets at Sandy Haven Chapel, this afternoon.

Ty Rhyg

Green Sandpiper in the cleared area at the far side. Flushed, did a full circuit and landed back in same spot.

Teifi

Marshes;-

1 Green Sandpiper still around the marsh.

Patch:-

3 adult & 1 juv Turnstone, though 5 summer plumage Turnstone at St . Dogmael's Quay was a surprise yesterday.

Also on Patch 10 Ringed Plover, 7 Dunlin. Yesterday, Knot & 2 Sanderling too.

Railings;-

Yesterday 49 Barnacle Geese, this appears to be the total Cardigan Island flock with this year's juveniles.

Amroth (21 Aug 11)

Surprised to find a Dipper on the small stream at the extreme east end of Amroth beach. It was on the beach side of the road-bridge just where the road heads off inland away from the beach.

Skomer

Got back to Skomer today after being away for about 2 weeks - struggled to find any migrants really, just a handful of Willow Warblers



Biggest surprise was a Puffin still coming in with fish to a burrow in North Haven - looks like 1963 was the last time there was still a chick around this late!

Fulmar - Intermediate blue morph

Thanks to Nick from Celtic Charter (Celtic Wildcat) for sending to us a few pictures of an unusually blue and darker than normal Fulmar seen nearly 12 miles offshore from Neyland on 15August. Also thanks to DJA for confirming the sighting and passing further details to me on - see



http://birdingfrontiers.com/2011/06/17/atlantic-and-pacific-blue-fulmar/

Melodious on Skokholm

Melodious warbler seen briefly around the buildings yesterday was caught in a mist net and ringed this morning. Second for Skokholm this year.

While we've been working indoors most of the last fortnight we've been keeping track of the reasonable passage of Willow and Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats, none in large numbers. In the last week Robins have been on the move, with up to eight now seen regularly where for most of the year there have been none.

More from the Celtic Deep

Following on from the Bird Broup/Mid Pembs pelagic on Wednesday Sea Trust was out on a cetacean survey yesterday and despite pretty rough conditions got out to the Celtic Deep and had great views of Fin Whales. See the Whales in Wales blog for more details.

Manx Shearwaters were everywhere in what must have been tens of thousands. Few Gannets out there though Grassholm was spectacular as ever and many of the young were getting ready to fledge with must wing exercising going on. 3 Storm Petrels were seen and a lone Bonxie flew past.

Newport Fri am

A Greenshank at the bridge. 3 Knot, 2 Redshanks,1 Little Egret, a Wheatear at the Boat Club & a Gloucester landfill Herring Gull on it's 4th sighting here.

Garganey at Bosherston

At the risk of being repetitive, the juvenile Garganey was still present between the Eight-arch Bridge and Grassy Bridge at Bosherston this morning.

Celtic Deep 17th Aug - a couple of bird images

Yes as Lyndon has posted a really great day - here a couple of images of some birds seen on the trip.

North Pembs waders

Teifi Marshes;-

This morning 1 Whimbrel.

Yesterday,

1 Green Sandpiper and a couple of Lapwing along the river.

Around the estuary in the evening 16 Knot feeding from the Railings.

Earlier in the day, a good variety from Patch, 5 Sandwich Terns, 1 Turnstone, 1 Grey Plover, 3 Sanderling, 10 Dunlin, 12 Ringed Plover. Up to 7 Little Egrets.



Newport yesterday, 2 Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and Little Egret.



(several observers)

You can't beat a good stretch!

Still very quiet on the wader front down south with just 3 Redshank at Kilpaison this morning and at Angle Harbour a lone Ringed Plover . On the shingle spit at Angle there were 4 adult and one juvenile Med Gull and one Little Egret.

Offshore on Celtic Wildcat - 17 August 2011

A group of members from the Mid Pembs and Bird Group section of the Wildlife trust went ‘Offshore’ on the Celtic Wildcat to watch sea birds and marine mammals.



Having passed Grassholm and seen the only gannet colony in Wales we went further out to sea, where there were lots of Auks, Shearwaters etc. Having laid a bait trail we were visited by Storm petrels and a Bonxie. Eventually we had approx 90 Fulmars swimming around the boat – mostly they has swum to us as they were in moult.



Also we saw a few porpoise, pods of common Dolphins and a final ‘treat’ were Fin Wales – see Wales in Wales blog site.

Bosherston

The juvenile Garganey was still present at Bosherston this morning - with the Mallards between Eight-arch Bridge and Grassy Bridge. Also present were an imm/fem Teal, a Common Sandpiper and a Kingfisher.

Teifi

Patch this evening;-

8 Sandwich Terns, 1 Turnstone, 6 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin.

Jewsons, 7 Common Sandpipers.

Osprey nesting platform

Following our posting yesterday;-

In a conversation with Nathan Walton, the Wildlife Trust Officer for Pembrokeshire, for The South & West Wales Wildlife Trust this morning, Nathan was discussing the building of a nesting platform and the siting of this on the Teifi Marshes NR.

Supply and erection of the suitable pole is being provided by Western Power Distribution.

More on this exciting development for the Teifi Marshes, and on Ospreys from Nathan Walton soon.

Garganey at Bosherston

The juvenile Garganey was still present between Eight-arch Bridge and Grassy bridge this morning - a couple of record pics attached. The Garganey isn't always on view (I guess that it gets into the Sparganium occasionally), and there has also been an imm/female Teal present in the same area for the past few days. Otherwise, fairly quiet.

Osprey(s)

Following up yesterday's posting I had a trip up the Cleddau this morning on my neighbours boat (thanks Jeff). We had three sightings of Osprey involving one, probably two, birds. Also seen - a Peregrine, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 7 Little Egrets, plenty of Curlew and Oystercatchers.

swift

I see that odd swifts are still about; be interesting to see when the last one is recorded!

Our garden has been "heaving" with w-w & c-c in the last couple of weeks; the w-w sing most days but no spring song from any c-c heard for a while!

swallows make a summer!

If I was any good as a photographer I could have had some really good shots but these will have to do, a reminder of what we have before its gone...

Giltar Point -- skuas

Monday;-

2 Arctic Skuas harassing the Sandwich Tern flock off South Beach, up to 20 terns roosting on the beach.

(Philip D.)

Newport

Iron Bridge 18.30 ~ 4 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpipers.

Cleddau Osprey

Over recent months there have been several reports of one, possibly two, Ospreys on the Cleddau river complex. The photo above was taken by Graham Stephens yesterday.

It seems certain that at least one bird has summered but there have been no reports of nest building or other activity to indicate a breeding attempt. This may in part be due to the remoteness and difficulty of access to many parts of the river. With the breeding season now past the picture is likely to become confused with further reports of Ospreys as migrating birds regularly linger on the Cleddau in the Autumn.

After discussion with local interested parties we have decided to put this information on the Blog and to ask local birders to keep a keen eye out in the area of the Cleddau and report any sightings in to PembsBirds.

Hopefully over the Winter we may be able to announce an initiative to support the breeding of Ospreys in the county, or an increase in our ability to monitor any potential breeding attempt.

Bosherston

Juvenile Garganey showing well between Eight-arch bridge and Grassy Bridge this morning.

Kestrels on Skomer

A pair of Kestrels nested on Skomer this year in Driftwood Bay, the first time they've nested since I've been working there. Their first attempt failed, they had another go but there'd been no sign of any young up until a couple of weeks ago when I went on holiday.

Teifi Terns

12 Sandwich Terns by the Webley Hotel this morning.

Waders around the estuary were much the same as yesterdays posting.

Kestrel P27

Thanks Clive for reporting kestrel P27 on the blog. It was ringed as one of a brood of 3 not far from where you saw it on 4th July this year. We know absolutely nothing about the survival and dispersal patterns of fledgling kestrels in the county, and the colour ringing is hopefully going to give some clues, so all sightings are gratefully received.



Kestrels showed a slight increase in the number of breeding territories within the county from 22 in 2010 to 26 this year, and altogether 28 chicks were fitted with a yellow colour ring on the left leg, with the letter P and two digits. The increase was due to more pairs inland using the nest boxes put up over the past few years, though one inland pair chose to ignore three nearby boxes and go and nest on an exposed ledge next to a peregrine. They were successful too!

Strumble

A sea watch from 1000hrs to 1415hrs, partly in company with wdigbirder's brother, Glyn. Wind WSW 2 to 3 backing SSW 1 to 2 with drizzle in the afternoon.

Bonxie -1

Common Buzzard - 2 (in off the sea)

Whimbrel - 3

Common Scoter - 2

Mediterranean Gull -2 (one adult and one 1st Winter)

Sandwich Tern -18

Irregular limited movement of swallows and house martins in from the sea and down the coast

Several distant Harbour Porpoise

Newport Mon am

2 Dunlin, a Sanderling & an ad Med Gull on the mud. 3 Common Sands, a Greenshank & a Redshank at the bridge. Just 1 Curlew & no Oystercatchers.

A Spotted Flycatcher in the garden, the 1st I've seen for several years.

Teifi -- Spotted Redshank

More from the North through the day.........

An early start at Mallard to ring acros, also produced, 1 juvenile Green Sandpiper aged in the hand. A couple of Whimbrels trying to find somewhere to roost ...or several birds migrating up the valley and overland.

Pride of place a calling Spotted Redshank flying down the river towards the estuary, with 4 Curlews....see Teifi rg for photos and more Teifi news



(Teifi RG)

Bosherston

Juvenile Garganey still present at Bosherston on Sunday morning, also a family of Kestrels on cliffs near Broadhaven beach - including a bird with a yellow ring on its left leg reading 'PZ7'.

Melodious & LRP

News from Paul G - Melodious Warbler showing well early afternoon (but not so well later - gorse fires with attendant fire engines made it more elusive), and a juvenile Little Ringed Plover from the 'old' (Scammel) hide at Marloes Mere. This small pool has low water levels and plenty of mud around the fringes so a good bet for an unusual wader - Green Sand, Dunlin & Snipe here recently.

Teifi

Over the weekend a Maximum of 6 little egrets at roost opposite the Ferry Inn, St Dogmaels. Also two bar tailed godwits Sat and Sunday ( Moorings). Sunday a.m. 2 Lapwing, 6 Sanderling, 7 Ringed plover, 1 Dunlin and 3 Whimbrel at Popit, 8 Teal and two common sands at the Webley, around the estuary a variety of geese including two snow, two albino canada, a large white (farmyard goose?) and 17 Barnacle.

(John O'Sullivan)



Jewsons;-

A regular count of c13 Common Sandpipers over the week-end.

Marshes;-

1 Green Sandpiper around the marsh as usual.

With a very vocal flock of 3 flying around c8pm, I presume theyeventually settled in front of Heron Hide.

Newgale

A flock of several hundred manx shearwaters was seen moving north, well offshore, around 1300 hrs; and a single ringed plover in summer plumage was on the beach feeding avidly among the holiday makers. A large female sparrowhawk flew over the A487 near Mount Farm (GR SM 826 241). We have seen a male sparrowhawk near here previously.

Angle Area

Quiet again down south. At Kilpaison this morning plenty of Curlew and Oystercatchers but no small waders. At Angle Harbour a grand total of 1 Ringed Plover and 2 Dunlin whilst there were 3 Med Gulls amongst the B H Headed Gulls on the shingle spit. Entertainment was provided by a juvenile Peregrine which dived around pursuing a Dunlin low over the water then chasing the Gulls. Looked like it was having fun but no lunch.

At St Govan's just a Stonechat, two Whitethroats and a couple of juvenile Wheatears on show.

Chough

TWENTY-TWO feeding in a field above PWLLDERI, Pencaer this afternoon.

(Bethan Evans)

Hobby at Cilgerran

A Hobby flew over the reed bed near Kingfisher hide on the Teifi marsh this evening. It was heading towards the river. Hopefully it will put in another appearance when we are there ringing in the morning.

Llys y Fran

Green sandpiper at the top end, initially in the inflow stream and then picking at insects drifting into bay. 4 Little grebes, 5 Great crested. 4 spotted flycatchers. 3 peregrines overhead with a young bird calling from fence post later. Weasel dashed across the path.

Water Rail... Hobby...

A juvenile water rail at Pentood in Cardigan today at 11.10 a.m. Excellent view from the first river hide reached from the Cardigan side of the reserve.

Yesterday a hobby seen from the coastal path overlooking West Angle Bay. Best wishes,

(John Ramm)

Little Egrets

5, at Sandy Haven chapel approx 4:00pm this afternoon.

Gann

5 Little Egrets (at least 3 juvs) & 2 Green Sandpipers on the lagoon at high tide this evening.

St Ann's Head

Despite heavy drizzle quite a few passerines in the sheltered spots with best being a spotted flycatcher beside the walled garden. A female kestrel heading northwards towards West Dale and a female sparrowhawk skimming the treetops at Watwick.

Birding by ear, an ear list?

I awoke early this morning 06.00 to the noisy twittering of about forty swallows whizzing around our house like some airobatic maelstrom. Very nice, but they could have turned up a bit later and I might have enjoyed them the better with a bit more sleep!
On the outer breakwater at Fishguard whilst dolphin watching, a seven whistler identified itself by its more mundane title of Whimbrel as it piped its call overhead.
A few minutes later the alarm call of an Oystercatcher betrayed the presence of a Peregrine winging its way over the bay.

Strumble Head and Melodious Warbler

Strumble Head

Sooty Shearwater 2

Bonnxie 3, all close in shore

Martins Haven

Melodious Warbler showed well in the showers late afternoon

Chough 5

Stonechat 2

Newport Thurs am

On a less curmudgeonly note.

A Greenshank, Redshank & a Summer plumage Black T Godwit together 10m away at the bridge.

& a Gloucester landfill Herring Gull!.

Gloucester landfill gulls

Since the Autumn of 08 I've been seeing Gulls, mostly Herring, but 1 Lesser BB, at Newport which have been ringed at Gloucester landfill sites.They have blue rings with red lettering. To date about 10 individuals, with some having enough repeat sightings to count as "our" birds.

But 2 odd things.

Apart from 1 bird seen by me in Fishguard, all the multiple reports have just been at a Gloucester site, or at Newport. No reports from Cardiff or Swansea or anywhere else in Pembs or anywhere at all.

The most recent report on this ringing scheme acknowledges reporters in 2010. The only other Pembs birder I recognised was Wendy.

OK, you do need to scope the gulls to be sure of noticing they have a colour ring, but I thought the real gull experts were doing just that to find the next Glaucous Winged Gull or whatever.

So why are you not seeing these birds?.

Melodious Warbler

Stunning views at 10:00 am today - it was sitting low in a sallow out of the wind and near the fence. It hardly moved from its favourite twig during the 10 minutes that we watched it, and in that time caught and ate about 5 large flies simply by opening its beak and snapping at them as they flew by! It eventually hopped back into the bushes. When we came by half an hour later it was back on the twig.

It looked very fluffed up - it was not cold so perhaps it is not very healthy??

Rosemary

Melodious Warbler

Seen by myself & Stuart around 6:15pm. Good brief views - nice looking bird.

Melodious Warbler -- Martins Haven

Still showing this afternoon,

(BirdGuides)

Melodious

Arriving at Martin's Haven shortly before 2 p.m. I found the sun right against me and thought I would struggle to get any decent photos of the Melodious Warbler. During an hour or so the bird put in a couple of appearances fairly close and gave good views - but against the light. Then after a further 30 mins it re-appeared, came close and then crossed over to the gorse to the left in decent light. It hopped around in that area for 5 mins or so giving excellent views. More pics here (rather repetetive but hopefully shows all features). Nice bird! Well done on finding it Owen.

Angle

From John Ramm - Drove from Cardigan to Angle on 9 August. Two red kites circling close to Llandisilio and two Mediterranean gulls in Angle bay.

Melodious Warbler -- Martins Haven

Still showing well at 11:00.

(Wendy James)

Melodious Warbler -- Martins Haven

Still present at 0635 Tuesday.

(Peter Howe)

Melodious

Showed well from when I arrived at c.6.30 to when I left at c.7.20, in view for c.50% of the time, as Richard said, at times giving stunning views close to the fence so just stay put and it will come to you. Difficult to digiscope as you'd imagine for a warbler, even a ponderous one! Can't call the age myself - it showed an obvious yellow throat extending into a v on the breast if that helps - couldn't judge feather wear despite the stunningly close views, I was too busy going "ooo" and "ouch"!!!!

Melodious Warbler - Martin's Haven

Showed well from 16:40 until we left c18:00.

Found by Owen Leyshon

Doing a circuit of the Sallows in Sash's Valley taking about c15 mins to come along by the fence. Showing very well, generally towards the tops of the bushes, once even came and fed on the barbed wire, so give the bird space. Can be difficult to age (see Portland BO site), but this did seem to show some good characters of a juvenile....

Also in the bushes 2 very bright Willow Warblers, 2 Common Whitethroats and a couple of Blue Tits.

(Janet, Karen & Rich D)



Haven't time to look at the recent reports but this is ONLY the c6th mainland record, with c60 records from the islands.



(Karen also got excited about identifying an Orange Swift moth)

Strumble

Seawatch from 0615 to 1345 hrs; watchers Richard Davies, Adrian Rogers and Ray Wilkinson. Wind NNW backing W through the morning; Force 4 to 6 variable.

Arctic Skua - 12 (6D, 3P, 2 Intermediate)

Bonxie - 5

Common Scoter- 9 (all males)

Med Gull - 2 Juv

Sooty Shearwater- 3

Balearic Shearwater- 5

Sandwich Tern - 7

Common Tern - 1

Commic Tern - 1

Turnstone - 1

Sanderling - 1

Whimbrel - 1

Rissos Dolphin - 3

Melodious Warbler -- Martins Haven

1pm Monday.

In bushes on left halfway between car park and boats at Martins Haven.

Owen Leyshon

(What we know as Sash's Garden)



Sash has asked that we respect guests staying in the cottage , and in no circumstances go over the fence.

Tenby & Angle

On Tenby South Beach this morning there were 17 Sandwich Terns resting on the sand together with a similar number of Black Headed Gulls.

At Kilpaison late morning a few Curlew on the tide edge (there had been 100+ in the roost a couple of days ago) but no small waders. At Angle Harbour a group of 40 or so Black Headed Gulls roosting on the shingle spit contained 6 Med Gulls - all adults.

Coming past Strumble soon

They still call a shout at Strumble...
....even at a sea-watching distance! This Ocean Sunfish from Tony's phone on the Bay Explorer out of the Teifi.

( un-cropped, as this is too close by most Strumble sightings, but if you zoom in.....bizarre !)

Brent Goose - Teifi

From the Railings this evening;-
An extreme surprise! 1 juvenile Brent Goose, appeared to be a lone individual.
Jewsons;-
13 Common Sandpipers & 1 Redshank, yesterday 19 Common Sandpipers
Patch yesterday;-
10 Dunlin & 9 Ringed Plovers, including the 1st juveniles.
Marshes;-
A very mobile Green Sandpiper or likely more than 1. An imm. Peregrine around the river early this morning.
Large Sedge Warbler movements have begun, will be difficult to monitor in the predicted weather.

North coast sightings

Hi,

Thought you'd be interested in a a sighting today - about 5.35 p.m. - of a solitary ring ouzel just outside Lower Fishgaurd on the road to Newport. It was close to the first farm house on the left after leaving Lower Fishguard.

Best wishes,

John Ramm

From John O'Sullivan. Spent the weekend in St Dogmaels.

Visited Cameas Head sat am, Around 60 Common Scoter South (in a variety of small flocks) an adult and a first year Med Gull south plus two peregrines stooping at a few of the passing/feeding Manxies. The smallest sparrowhawk I've ever seen (imm) was sat on a gorse bush at the tip of the headland whilst a female Goshawk tried to land on a fence post I was literally stood next to. I had been waiting quietly for a few minutes for a warbler that had gone into one of the bushes along the bridal path behind the house Cnwcau and presumably the Gos had no idea I was there. I had very good views of an imm female here two weeks ago and am assuming this was the same bird. Spent a few minutes at the moorings at high tide but had forgotten my scope so couldn't I.D. the two swall waders across the estuary. One was feeding very actively and looked like a new arrival. There were also four common sands across the estuary from the Ferry inn and four little egrets. Went over to Strumble Sunday 6-30-8 a.m. a massive feeding flock of Gannets/Manxies/Kittiwakes/Auksacross the horizon along with porpoises and common dolphins was offshore to begin with but the only bird of note this pulled in was a Sooty Shear that I didn't get onto (no scope didn't help). Only two single common scoter south plus one small wader and one barwit sized wader south appeared to be on the move.

Butterflies and a Hummingbird in Crundale

Thanks to Bob and Annie for their timely tip that the Butterfly Count was still on, in 15 minutes this afternoon we had a Comma, a Painted Lady, 3 Large Whites and 7 Small Whites, 4 Red Admirals, 2 Peacocks and 2 Small Tortoiseshells - and, albeit just out of time, a Hummingbird Hawk Moth! That's more like it!

butterflies

How interesting to hear of someone with lots of butterflies; our garden which is large, & full of flowers is having the worst year I have known (in about 20) for them. We have a large (well over 6 feet high & covered in well scented blooms) buddlia & in the sunshine yesterday 3 red admirals! As for the rest, a few (less than a dozen) whites & a couple of meadow browns. I do not know where our coppers, blues, etc etc have gone, but I do know a count here would be a non-starter!

Big Butterfly Count extended

The big butterfly count has been extended until August 7th, due to bad weather making counts difficult in some areas.  So, Ray, you haven't lost your chance for another go!

But hurry, because the weather is set to deteriorate over the weekend.

Garden Wildlife

We have a small garden in Crundale, put mainly to plants which attract wildlife. In the days of the Butterfly Count we had next to nothing to count,but now that July is over, the garden is full of butterflies! Not only that, but the immature house sparrows and blue and great tits have been joined by four immature blackbirds which spend most of the day at the berries in the rowan tree. We have also had an immature whitethroat and, a first for the garden, an immature lesser whitethroat which has spent the last few days with us We have also got two immature blackcap which are attracted to the Himalayan honeysuckle and its berries.

Where do Puffins go in winter?

Interesting article here http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=2824 on the work done on this question on Skomer complete with nice pic. from Richard Crossen!
Rosemary

W-W & C-C

I see on Ceredigion blog someone commenting on willow warbler in full song.
We have certainly, in the last few days had willow warbler in song & also chiff chaff.
Mind, this morning we had a willow warbler doing a double scale with a twiddle bit in the middle; something I have not heard before!

Late news - from N.Pembs

Near Heathfield Gravel Pit;-
1 Hobby seen at noon,(Ed Hunter)

Wednesday, Fishguard Harbour;-
The yellow colour-ringed Med. Gull 2E55 was present. Like Sam, I don't recollect a yellow ringed Med. Gull before......

1 adult Black Guillemot, but no sign of the juvenile which presumably has fledged. Has this remaining adult still got a hidden youngster?
I have suspected that we may have more than 1 pair....

Newport Thurs pm

2 Gloucester landfill Herring Gulls + an ad Med Gull with a Yellow ring (new to me) 2E55, which had been at Goodwick this morning. 2 juv Meds & 4 Common Sands.

Crossbills at Ty Rhyg

3 crossbills (juveniles) along the upper path and with the number of cones that were showering down there must have been others out of sight. Two spotted flycatchers in the same area and a male sparrowhawk flashed across at the top of the steep path. Lots of housemartins in the clearfelled area on the farside.

Sheawaters today

There is a flock of at least 500 Manx shearwaters in Carmarthen Bay this morning. 'Message reseived from Peter Cadogan'

Bosh /Bosh

At eight arch bridge@ 12:45 , Hobby flew past, caught a dragonfly, perched up for 5 minutes, and then did a repeat performance back the other way towards the sea--------- Also watched a cormorant battle an eel which didn`t want to be swallowed, and although the eel lost, it was still trying to get back out 5 mins after being swallowed resulting in some weird neck contortions on the cormorants behalf , and gulps of water to wash it down! Janet & Karen

Ringing demonstration

There are still some places left for the bird ringing workshop being organised by the Welsh Wildlife Centre -
Saturday 6 August, 8am
"Join the Teifi Ringing Group on the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve for this interesting insight into their work.Breakfast is included after the workshop in our Glasshouse Cafe.£7.50 per person. Booking is advised. Please call us on 01239 621600 or email us on wwc@welshwildlife.org"

Melodious on Skokholm

Amongst loads of Willow Warblers it was difficult to pick out, but still around yesterday evening. Unconfirmed sighting this morning.

More Whitethroats arriving this morning and Spotted Flycatcher.

North Pembs

30 -31st July:-
Watched the High tide come in at the moorings Sat am and Sat pm. Amongst others 2 SP Black tailed godwits, up to 11 Dunlin, 1 Sanderling (webley), 4 Common Sandpipers, 3 Little egrets. Also a bar headed and a barnacle goose amongst the canadas out from the Webley Hotel (we frequently have a flock of exactly the same composition at boat lane Goldcliff). At Cemaes headland Sun am 2 Chough, 2 Stonechat, 2 coal tit, 3 Common Scoter and hundreds if not thousands of manxies close offshore.
(John O'Sullivan, Gwent)

Garganey

Still at Bosherston today (per Steve Hinton).

Leaving already?

Just had a late evening stroll across St Ishmaels football pitch, 6 Swallows flew past me, in that "on a mission" mode. Quite fast & direct generally heading South. Dont blame them after this lousy "Summer" we`re having. Or maybe had.

Garden 08.45 1st Aug.

A bit of activity early on this morning with 12+ Juv Blue Tits & House Sparrows , 3 Juv Blackcaps & 1 each juv Willow Warbler & Whitethroat ( only my 2nd in the garden in nearly 10 years! ).