A Day Out

At the LlysyFran roost there were 2 ad Yellow-legged Gulls and 2 Med Gulls (ad & 2ndW). Also a strikingly pale (eastern?) abietinus Chiffchaff was at the top of the northern arm. A Jack Snipe showed very well in flight at Garron Pill and 4 Pintail were at Landshipping. With Paul G.

Ibis Overload

So far we have had the three Glossy Ibis at Marloes and the two at St Davids. I have also received a report today of a single bird in the Walwyns Castle area.
Having received a tip off from Richard Ellis of a flock of 20 or more birds (!) flying over near Carew a couple of days ago which he thought were Ibis I joined him this afternoon feeling a little sceptical. However, at 17:01 I was astounded when 23 Glossy Ibis appeared flying near to Carew Cheriton Church heading roughly ESE to WSW. They passed over quickly pretty close and disappeared in the direction of Milton and the Carew River beyond. Clearly they were off to roost but where do they spend the day! 23 must be some sort of record!
Hopefully they will stick to the same roost flightpath. Map below shows where we observed from "A" - the stub road which is off the Carew roundabout. The white line is the rough flight line of the birds. Apologies for the photos - not one of my better efforts. Well done Richard Ellis.

Carew River

On the upper reaches of the Carew River by Carew Mill late morning 32 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 20 Dunlin and a few Teal.

Skomer and Skokholm - Bird Group -Monday 6th Feb

We are pleased to welcome Chris Taylor, warden Skomer, as our guest speaker next Monday 6thFeb 2012. The presentation will be in ‘The Patch’ Furzy Park, Haverfordwest commencing at 7.30pm. Chris will be including in his talk information info regarding previous research on Skokholm and of the proposed new Bird Observatory on the Island. This is a great opportunity for many to find out more about Sk and Sk and for ‘Birders and Ringers’ to find out and discuss how they can be involved and support the project if they wish to. I am sure many of you will find this particular evening of interest and we look forward to seeing both Trust members and Non members. Admission is free and for further info please phone Lyndon on 01437 721859

The two Glossy Ibis are...

...still in 'their' field by the Dowrog

The Marloes Glossy Ibis

The three birds are still around but now in a field to the west of Marloes Mere which is actually pretty dry so I suspect they are now using the very west end of the Mere mainly. Haven't gone far just a bit harder to find.

Ring Ouzel

The wintering male Ring Ouzel was on the lawn of the pink house at St Justinians before flying to the round tower this morning.

Dowrog - and the precision of Ibis roost flights

A couple of late afternoon visits to Dowrog on Friday and Saturday were rewarding, with the two Glossy Ibis, a Barn Owl and Hen Harriers (m+f) seen on both occasions, and a Short-eared Owl also seen on Saturday afternoon.

Of particular interest, however, was the precise timing of the Glossy Ibis flypast over Dowrog to the roost at St David's Airfield over the two days.   I photographed the birds as they flew over Dowrog Common on both afternoons, and the time of the photographs differed by only six seconds over the two days (they appeared at 16:47:34 on Friday and 16:47:40 on Saturday).  Impressively precise body clocks those birds have....

Mute Swans

Yep Derek,
meant to congratulate Rich Stonier on the Pen Caer owls, stunning, Strangely enough there were two Mute Swans in the inner tiderace off the Mackerel rock , floating towards Strumble Head lighthouse on Friday at about four pm, A passing Fishing boat spooked them and they flew off in the direction of Fishguard. Rare enough as a fly-by but distinctly odd looking sat on the sea!

Owl Pics...

Stunning photos Rich, now I know what a rat really feels like....!

Plumstone

I have had problems blogging recently so installed Google Chrome as recommended. Its slower than a slow thing in reverse... any ideas?... anyhow good to meet up with J&J yesterday at Fishguard Harbour. It was probably the first time I have heard a GND call other than in films etc. I dropped in to see Jack Donovan at Withybush (who is recovering well from a bout of pneumonia in ward 11 if anyone wants to visit him). He told me about a GND which someone handed into him which he put in the bath and which kept him awake all night with its howling!


After seeing JD, I went to the starling roost at Plumstone/Roch and watched from near the abattoir. Before the first starlings arrived a ring-tail hen harrier flitted in and out of view out on the moor and then a big heavy female Goshawk came lumbering in off the moor to the plantation.
It seemed a few thousand starlings had arrived from the opposite side of the plantation as I missed them coming in, but they performed a few gyrations above the trees with brief views of some raptor stirring them up. But this was nothing but a taster. They started coming in from the north east, more and ever more. I was trying to keep up with a rough count and then another stream started coming in from the east. Did I say stream ? more like a torrent , black swathes in the sky as far as the bins could see! and then even more from the south east, and then even more from the south, ribbons of many thousands of starlings several miles long. I gave up counting. Millions no doubt, but I gave up on any meaningful estimate.


They all kept on coming, sweeping into the aerial maelstrom above the plantation, millions of swirling wings whooshing loudly, stirred and re-stirred by hunting raptor sorties. Here a Peregrine, there a Gos' several Buzzards and with a Raven cronking maniac laughing at the craziness. A single bird got separated and was snatched by a Buzzard in mid air, a Peregrine winged off up and up and then stooped back into the fray... For a few moments a Gos' sat bemused on a treetop before plunging back into the general mayhem. As the night took hold and last trickles of starlings slunk in to the murmuring wood, more Buzzards seemed to be following them in. Safety in numbers perhaps, but the numbers also attracting the danger.
.
I have seen a few Starling roosts over the past forty years or so but this one takes some beating , not so much for the gyrations but just sheer numbers and also the variety and numbers of raptors they attract. I think the raptors attentions may have something to do with the lack of really flamboyant protracted shows that I have seen elsewhere but this has to be, minute for minute, the mos texciting birding spectacle I have seen anywhere!

Black Gullemot

The summer plumage bird was in Fishguard Harbour this morning.

Bird Records 2011

This is just a reminder if anyone has not yet sent in there 2011 bird records could they either send them to Jon or myself within the next couple of weeks. So far we have received very few.

This can be done by the record submission link on this blog,many thanks.

Got em!!! (5th Time Lucky!) (28 Jan 12)

Say hello to the camera shy Strumble Shorties!!!  2 Owls showing well late afternoon Saturday.

Ty Rhyg (28 Jan 12)

The Great Grey Shrike showing on and off for most of the morning at Ty Rhyg.  Ranging widely.

The St Davids Ibises

As reported earlier the birds are extremely wary at the fields where they have been feeding on Dowrog (Gobaith). Even from the distance suggested earlier, they can be startled by people and cars; they are very different to the confiding Marloes birds. Bernie seems to have a good overview of their movements. They roosted at the Airfield pool as usual, arriving at 4:50. They put on quite a show as they arrived and could be seen well out on the water. Also here 3 Short-eared Owls with another at Dowrog earlier. A ringtail Hen Harrier flew over Carnhedryn later. Also today a 1st W Little Gull and 2 Ad Med Gulls at the south end of Whitesands Bay.

iceland

There was an adult Iceland Gull near the mouth of the Haven viewed from the ferry.

Wandering Med Gull

Yesterdays 2nd W Med Gull at Newport had been ringed as a pullus in Holland in June 2010. It spent most of Oct in County Cork, then in Feb 11 was in Gran Canaria, the last sighting before pitching up in Pembs a year later.
2 more 2nd W at Newport today.

WOW

Details and dates for this year's Wildlife Observer Wales (WOW) courses are now available. The courses are developed and delivered jointly by Pembrokeshire College Coastal and Marine Environment Research Unit and Sea Trust and cover Cetaceans, Seals, Seabirds for Beginners and Seabird Monitoring. Click here for dates and for further information and details on the Pembrokeshire College website click here

Deer Park, Marloes

A stroll around the Deer Park this morning was enlivened by a ringtail Hen Harrier soaring over Wooltack Point and then flying over the Deer Park and on towards Marloes Mere. Also a Peregrine and 4 Chough.
At Marloes Mere early afternoon just a few Shoveller, Teal and Mallard and in nearby fields a lot of Lapwing which were put up by a passing Peregrine. Three Stonechats on the coast path above Marloes beach.
I looked very briefly for the Glossy Ibis' in Marloes but no sign.

Ibis

From Bernie Stevens - Glossy Ibis feed daily in field immediately NW of Drys-gobaith on Dowrog Common. They left last night at 4.40pm and returned this morning at 7.40am. People wishing to view the birds are best to park by the cattle grid on the Rhodiad side of the common and walk to the small humped back bridge. The birds can be seen on the field to the left as are looking towards the house. The Ibis here are much more timid than the Marloes birds and they have already been flushed from their favoured feeding site. Grateful if they could be viewed from between the cattle grid and the bridge and not from the gate by the house.

Goodwick

Bumped into Cliff, at the Goodwick end of the Parrog, tending to his octopus with a repast of crab and prawn. After John and I had duly admired the creature, and with those eyes, they look most intelligent, Cliff offered to run us up to the outer breakwater.
While there, we counted 6 Ringed plover and 4 Dunlin, and more interestingly--- both homed in on a familiar but out of place, mournful, double-noted call---- A lonely Great Northern Diver, in summer spots. As Cliff said----Golden Pond.

The other Ibis

After some detective work by Bernie, the two Dowrog Glossy Ibis were tracked down to some fields near the cottages on the moor (Drws Gobaith). Unlike the Marloes birds they are extremely nervous.

Day out

The results of a trip down south today were: 3 Purple Sandpipers at Tenby Lifeboat Station and a female Eider with 300-400 Common Scoter and about half a dozen Red-throated Divers at Amroth. At Angle there was a good selection of duck and waders with a neat Slavonian Grebe, picked out by Paul, actively feeding out on the remaining water. (With Paul G.)

Glossy Ibis/ Marloes Mere

The 3 birds flew in to roost on the Mere, around 16:45, & landed in front of and slightly right, of the Britton hide. (I stopped on the way there at 16:00, & had a look around where they normally hang out, but couldn`t see them.) They flew in from the East roughly from the disused/derelict farm area, though they could`ve come from anywhere I suppose.
Also over the Mere, 1 male Kestrel, several hundreds (1,000?) Lapwing.

Newport Area

This morning a Chiffchaff at Aberforest.
This afternoon at Newport 2 ad Med Gulls & a 2nd W with a readable darvic ring. At the bridge a Water Rail.

Bosherston & Angle Area

At Bosherston this morning pretty quiet apart from 16 Goosander, many of them adult drakes.
At Freshwater West there were 20 grey Plover on the rocks and a flock of c.40 Dunlin and Ringed plover. A couple of hundred Lapwing were on Castlemartin Corse and the fields up above the Corse still hold plenty of Lapwing, Golden Plover and Skylarks.
Very quiet at Kilpaison with 120 or so Dunlin and just 20 Wigeon though the tide was still up and the larger waders were still in the roost on the north side of the bay.

City News

A record shot of the Ibis settling down at their Airfield roost at sunset.

And for something a little less exotic a Long-tailed Tit at Porthclais this morning.

Ty Rhyg Dale and Marloes

Ty Rhyg
Great Grey Shrike showed on right of gate
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1

Dale
Little Egret 2
Bar Tailed Godwit 5

Marloes Mere
Merlin male
Shoverler 4
Gadwall 4
(no sign of glossy ibis)

St Davids Ibises

The Two Glossy Ibises arrived at the pool at St David's Airfield this afternoon at 4:57; Byron Davies and I watched them as they preened and flapped until frostbite began to set in and I left. I looked around Tretio yesterday thinking this would be the favourite feeding area and watched intently this afternoon for them appearing from that region (Tretio campsite is visible from the Airfield). However, somehow they slipped in under the radar and just appeared above the pool. I believe they have been seen, at least in flight, around the area today? Also two or maybe three Short-eared Owls present.

Black Redstart

Appeared today at Pembroke Dock, was there also last Saturday too.

St Davids Glossies

From Bernie Stevens - Two Glossy Ibis flew across Dowrog common at 4.30 this afternoon in their usual S.E direction. I then managed to catch up with them at 4.55 at the roost site which are the pools
300 m. S.E.of St.Davids tip.

As a matter of interest I've been keeping a close watch on the weather in S.W.Spain over the last 4 months. During this period, high pressure and low rainfall have been dominant. By contrast N.W.europe has had the exact opposite. (Earthworms are nearer the surface in mild ,wet conditions making easy feeding for Ibis) Could this lack of available food in Spain and greater pickings further north be the reason for the Ibis' eruptions here?

That St Justinian Ring Ouzel

John Best emailed us after seeing our posting to say that he and Marion had noted what they thought was a ring ouzel at St Justinian on Thurs 19th January, a few days before our sighting in the same location, so this adds a bit more weight perhaps to an over-wintering bird.

Today (in the large lagoon on Brownsea Island, Dorset!) we have been delighted by extremely close views of 160+ avocets, a feeding flock of 15 or so spoonbills, 100s of black-tailed godwits amongst numerous other waders and waterfowl - a fantastic place in this Dorset Wildlife Trust managed reserve.

Marloes (Sunday 22 Jan 12)

Pics from last Sunday:

Ring Ouzel deja vu

Speculation that the Ring Ouzel seen by Bob and Annie at St Justinians on the 23 January could be overwintering, brings to mind the occurrence of one in a St Davids garden on the 6 January 1985, also suggested as overwintering (reference: Avifauna link). The same reference notes the earliest spring migrant at Skomer on the 29 February 1984, so where does one photographed at Lydstep Haven on the 3 & 4 February 1996 fit in? Trying to understand birds is such a challenge to put it mildly.

Marloes area: raptors and others

Better news was a wonderful day for raptors yesterday: a ringtail and male Hen Harrier between Marloes Mere and Martin's Haven, and wonderful views of a Short-eared Owl over the Trehill Farm fields at about 1500.

Marloes Mere itself had a fair number of Gadwall (12+ visible), 20+ Wigeon and smaller numbers of Teal, Mallard, Shoveller, but no really large build-ups of duck. There remain up to 1000 Lapwing on the Trehill Farm fields, often split into 3-4 slightly smaller flocks, but not Golden Plover seen.

Glossy Ibis: what brilliant birds! The 3 were still present in the "usual" field this afternoon at about 1430, feeding contentedly.

Another oiled seabird

I was a bit distressed to read Bob & Annie's report of several oil-stained Kittiwakes up at Ramsey Sound. We found a relatively lightly oiled juvenile Guillemot on Martin's Haven beach on Sunday afternoon. It was energetic enough then to evade me and a bucket, and swam off strongly, but we saw it again, much less healthy, yesterday evening. No sign today. The oil was a mid-brown in colour; we talked to Phil, Mark and Kate at the Skomer MNR, and they are keeping a watch for any other signs of an oil spill; there was no oil that we could see on Martin's Haven beach, or round to Marloes.

St Davids Ibises

This evening at 4:42pm the 2 Glossy Ibises again flew South East over Dowrog Common. They appeared to come from somewhere north of Penberi and would appear to be headed for the Airfield (pool?). They were so close in the murk that they changed direction when they saw me and gave stunning views. Yesterday I went to the Airfield but arrived late (4:50pm) so not much use, but it will be worth trying again. There was a Short-eared Owl there however and there were 2 at Dowrog this afternoon and another at Trefeiddan earlier.

Iceland Gull at Freshwater West

A fine adult Iceland gull was with a small group of other large gulls on the shoreline at Freshwater West this lunchtime.  Also, an adult Mediterranean Gull was with a large flock of gulls in fields opposite the Speculation Inn on the B4320, the fields immediately on the left after the Hundleton turn as you head towards Angle.

Dowrog

From Alan Hill - A good hour or so produced hen harrier 1m-1f, wonderful views of the short eared owl flying over head,stonechat 2,song thrush 1

Black-headed Gull with ring in Pembroke Dock

The Black-headed Gull in the above pic was in the vicinity of the ferry berth in Pembroke Dock on 15th January.  It has a metal ring on its right leg (inset) that appears to read BTO / SW? /BX?  - where the question marks = letters or numbers that I can't make out.  Is there enough info here to give us any clues as to its origin?

Ramsey Sound - Ring Ouzel - an early spring migrant or what?

This morning, as we headed to our Sound watch-point, we flushed a very handsome adult male ring ouzel from the coast path just to the north of the lifeboat station. It shot off at high speed uttering a characteristic tacking alarm call, briefly displaying its white breast-band and silvery edges to wing feathers, before disappearing behind the lifeboat station somewhere. A search with a camera a few hours later failed to relocate it.

Question is an over-wintering bird or one already heading back north from wintering grounds (e.g in Morocco perhaps?). I do recall them sometimes turning up quite early in March at upland breeding sites I surveyed for the old Nature Conservancy Council in mid Wales back in the late 1970s, but certainly not this early as far as I can recall. Perhaps it is overwintering in the general area - watch out for it, you never know!

In the Sound, more bh gulls and kittiwakes today, including at least three kitts showing oil-stains on their underparts - one adult was quite badly oiled. Has their been a leak of something near their overnight roost site? Where is their roost site anyway? Or has a small patch of something nasty passed close to Ramsey recently?

Also present were 4 ad and one first winter med gulls, a few common gulls and still one little gull present. A single common scoter heading north through the Sound being the only other bird of note today.

Golden Plover at berea

Spent some time today looking for GlossyIbis around St David’s. I failed on that but between Crug Glass and Berea was the most amazing flock of Golden plover. As best as I could count about 5K. Wheeling around in flocks and wedge shaped groups – brilliant. Many split of and went north – however many landed and as so many of them immediately put their heads under their wings and went to sleep they were maybe new arrivals. Plenty of Lapwing present as well.

Camera Found

A Digital SLR has been found at the Pembroke Watersports Centre (Cosheston Pill) and it contains a lot of bird pictures. If you think this may be your camera please contact the police station (presumably Pembroke Dock).

Marloes and Teifi

From Dave and Sharon Brittain - Just to confirm Derek’s sighting of the Ibis,we were at the Britton hide at that time and saw them come down onto the mere and settle somewhere towards the middle of the area.

Also earlier walking around the mere we saw a Barn Owl, Peregrine and also a Sparrow Hawk attacking a starling. There was a large amount of Lapwing flying together then roosting at dusk, must have been at least 500 maybe more.

And from John O'Sullivan - On the Teifi this morning amongst others

1 2nd winter Medgull (moorings) 4 Little Egrets 24 Dunlin 1 Grey Plover

Blackcap in Crundale

A female blackcap was present in our garden this morning, feeding on crab apples; possibly the same female that was here on 11 Jan with a male?

Blustery Brownslade Burrows

There was quite an impressive gathering of corvids in the dunes and at the Bluckspool area this morning - including not less than 82 ravens in the air together - much displaying, calling and landing on the coastal turf. Presumably they had been attracted by something dead in the area, although there was nothing particularly obvious.

There were also 2 merlins, a peregrine and 2 buzzards in the same area. Nearby in the dunes, there were at least 65 curlew, smaller numbers of golden plover and lapwing. No obvious choughs around though and otherwise generally quiet.

More Glossies!

Message from Nigel Allen who saw 2 Glossy Ibis fly over the Dowrog heading S/SE towards St. David's Airfield at 4.48pm and appeared to drop down intending to land. Presumably the same 2 birds seen by MYP a few weeks back flying over the Whitesands road - hopefully their feeding area can be found now, evidently to the N/NW of the Dowrog? Also here a male Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl and Barn Owl.

Earlier I could not find the Marloes birds at 3.30pm (the posts below explaining this - they must have another feeding area to explain their whereabouts between 3 and 4.30pm? At the Gann 18 Brents and in the Dale gull roost an impressive 20 Mediterraean Gulls (13 adults, 3 2ndW, 4 1stW). Also 4 Great-crested Grebes in Dale Roads.

Ibises/ Marloes Mere.

Walking back from the clifftop fields with my dogs, I was about halfway between the YMCA & the car park, when the 3 Ibises flew over heading towards the Mere. Their flight attitude suggested they were going to land there. Time was 1630.

Marloes & Tresinwen (22 Jan 12)

The 3 Glossy Ibis showing extremely well at Marloes today on both sides of the road (between 10am and 3pm).  At 3pm they flew off South and out of view.  Pics to follow later in the week when I have had chance to process them.
Back at Tresinwen this evening one of the Short Eared Owls hunting again over their favourite field (except when I am there with my camera!)

The Gann & Clarebeston Road

Seen at The Gann today by Gary Jenkins - Good number of Curlew. Approx 30 Teal 20-30 Small flock of Brent Geese 10-12 3 Little Egrets. 4-6 Goldeney 3-4 Redshank, Cormorant.
And from Linda & Ian McKenney a report of 7 Redpolls on their Niger seed feeder in Clarbeston Road this morning.

Wintering Warblers

At Monk Haven today, three Chiffchaffs at least, two were seen well (1 abietinus & 1 collybita). In the last week or so there have been Chiffchaffs at Bosherton (3) and at Westfield Pill (nr Marina). Also Blackcaps (females)at the Gann and Cwm yr Eglwys.

Llys-y-fran

In the roost this afternoon: adult Ring-billed Gull (as usual, tucked in with the Lesser Blacks, at the back of the flock), adult Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Med Gulls (2 adults, 1 2ndW). Lots of BHGs, but very few Herrings (no Great Blacks), and around 20 Common Gulls. Good size Canada Goose flock - maybe 250 birds?

Glossy Ibis this afternoon

The three Glossy Ibis were still present this afternoon, but had relocated to a small flush on the opposite side of the road (see image).  This is only a short distance from the usual feeding area, but the birds were impossible to see from the main Haverfordwest road, and could only be viewed by looking over the hedgebank along the road between Marloes and Dale.  Worth bearing in mind if you are planning a visit.

Also this afternoon, there were two adult Mediterranean Gulls with a small flock of Black-headed Gulls in Milford Haven docks, and a male Hen Harrier flew south across the B4320 between the Rhoscrowther turn off and the Freshwater turn off - generally heading in the direction oof Castlemartin Corse.

Ty Rhyg and Rosebush Res.

Ty Rhyg
A Goshawk making crows and jackdaws very jittery. Crossbill calling. Kestrel hunting, making a couple of drops to ground - at least one looked succesful. Great Grey Shrike tucked in a quiet corner. A few frogs in the ditches.

Rosebush Res.
Young Mute swan, a few Teal (10'ish), Mallard (20'ish), Little grebe 3, Coot 3, Goldeneye (4male, 3 female), Tufted (4male, 1 female), snipe 20-25 and a heron.

If you wondered what they were feeding on .......

......... then have a look at this video. (Sorry about the quality - you should see it in the original HD!)

Ibises/ Golden Plover

Still there at 16.00, but had flown by the time I returned at 1630.
32 GP`s over St Ishmaels.

Glossy Ibis

The 3 birds still present and showing well this afternoon - they generally fly off to roost (somewhere to the south) around 4.30pm. Apologies for another pic and some shaky video - it's digiscoped handheld don't forget!! Many thanks to Mike & Claire for their hospitality to birders and sharing them with us - wonderful.

Ramsey

3 red-throated divers past the seawatch hide between 08:45-09:45. Also of note was 1 common gull and 5 gannets.

Frenni Fawr

150 lapwing on the Frenni today

Glossy Ibis

The three Glossy Ibis still showing well this morning at Marloes. The sun even came out to really show the gloss! Click photo for a few more on my website. Or follow the Photos link on the right.
At Marloes Mere pretty quiet on the Mere itself with just a few Shoveller Teal and Mallard. The surrounding fields had loads of Lapwing and Starlings and a Merlin passed over putting the whole lot up. Quite a display with over a 1000 Lapwing.

Ibis & Brents

Glossy Ibis quite near the road late morning at Marloes. At the Gann, Brent Geese (13) & a pair of Goldeneye.

Glossy and Lesser

Thanks for the text D! I have not made a post for ages, The three Glossy Ibis were a real treat, and today for only the second time in 5 years I saw a Lesser Spotted W at the 6th hole H'west GC.

Also yesterday a remarkably spotty Female Teal at the Gann, briefly I got very excited as a distant bird it looked decidedly Marbled, but a close view revealed what was surely just an aberrant plumaged Teal.

A few more pics

Couldn't resist joining in.

Glossy Ibis

Finally caught up with them, they flew over me as I was walking down the lane at 1630 & appeared to be heading south. (Skokholm?) I had a quick look at the Mere, but not there. Last one I saw was at Bowling Green Marsh, Exeter, in 2003. Nice birds - different!

Ibis pm today

Thanks to those who have kept the blog up to date and giving many of us not only the chance for ‘list ticks’ but to see such delightful birds. Thank you also to the gentleman living in the house nearby for his help.

Pantyblaidd

Just on Pembrokeshire side - 500+ golden Plover, & 2 kites with talons entwined in a short tumble.

Glossy Photos

Two nice photos of the Glossy Ibis' taken by Elwyn Davies at 11 a.m. this morning.

Black Guillemots

The 2 Black Guillemots are still present 11:15am Fishguard Ferry Terminal.

Glossy Ibises are still there .......

....... thank goodness! For some reason I had not checked the blog since Monday - when I looked at it this morning - AAAAAAARGH! Glossy Ibises at Marloes, only just up the road - I could virtually see them from here if there wasn't a hill in the way!! So off I went, convinced they would be gone - but no. Contentedly preening, just 30 metres from the road. Excellent.

Rosemary

Glossy Ibis @ Marloes

Surprised no-one else has posted an update, but there were 3 Glossy Ibis at Marloes this afternoon (Mike YP, Paul G, Kim G & others?), in the field adjacent to the sewage works - i.e. as Bob & Annie describe. Park in Marloes, and walk back along the road towards Mullock to view. I'm crossing things I didn't realise you could cross, hoping they remain until Friday afternoon!

Black Redstart

At Pembroke Dock yesterday. (Tuesday)

Fishguard

15.20 ~ 2 Black Guillimots (1sp 1wp)

Karen, Mary & Terry (visitors from Wilts).

Glossy Ibis relocated

We have had an email from Mike Howe saying that the glossy ibises are now in the marsh behind his house near Marloes.  They are viewable from his garden.  Any visitors please park in Marloes and walk back along the road towards Haverfordwest.  The road is narrow, and there is no parking there.  It is the first (only) house on that road.

The birds disappeared by 4:30pm yesterday, but are back today.

Ramsey Sound

Another six hours spent watching the bird activity in the general location of the proposed tidal power turbine. There were notably fewer gulls today and nothing particularly out of the ordinary, but there were at least 4 ad Med Gulls present (one showing quite advanced summer head plumage); just a single little gull today and generally much lower numbers of bhgs and kittiwakes feeding in the area.

A single common scoter landed briefly in the Sound before flying on southward. A single red-throated diver also flew south this morning. We've noted one or two going through the Sound every week now for several weeks in a row. We're only watching once a week, so if what we see is typical of a daily movement through the area, it could add up to quite a steady decent passage of rtds during the winter.

Skeins of geese are always a bit special. Late this morning, quite high up and distant at first (beyond  Point St John), a classic v-formation of about 60 geese gradually came into better view heading south. For a brief moment, it seemed as though something of note may be about to pass through the Sound. But it was soon apparent that they were Canada Geese. They crossed the Sound and over the coast of Ramsey. They didn't land but continued south disappearing from view at the southern end of Ramsey. They may only have been Canadas but a good-sized skein of large geese on the move in v-formation still looked quite impressive. Has part of the Teifi flock or perhaps the Nevern flock dispersed today? Did they end up at Marloes Mere, or somewhere in the Haven? Perhaps Skomer was their destination?

Each week we regularly watch resident cormorants and shags fishing the Sound, constantly flying backwards and forwards, landing, swimming and diving in the tide-race during numerous feeding sessions etc. It is quite obvious that their long rudder-like stiff tail not only helps them to steer whilst in the water but also provides a very useful breaking mechanism just prior to landing on the water, as the image shows.  

We've often wondered what the local ravens are feeding on when we are there. They mostly seem to hang around the cliffs all day. Today one was spotted carrying a white egg in its beak. With the cliff-nesting feral pigeons probably breeding more or less all year round along this stretch of coast, there may be fresh eggs available regularly. All the the ravens have to do is just watch and wait their opportunity!

More Whoopers?

Looked very much like 2 Whooper Swans flying west over Pope Hill, Johnston 8am Monday morning.

Whooper Swan

This Whooper Swan was circling round Porthclais early this morning. Could this be the fourth St. Nicholas Swan ??

Llys-y-fran

From Paul G: adult Ring-billed Gull, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls and a 1stW Med Gull in the roost this evening.

Whoopers

Message from Robert Johns - now 4 Whooper Swans at St. Nicholas.

Ty-Rhyg (15 Jan 12)

Late post for yesterday. 
The Great Grey Shrike still at Ty-Rhyg.  No sign from 0930 to 1100.  It then suddenly appeared.  I grabbed the following pics.  It then spent the next 1.5 hours touring the entire estate and never came close again - should have quit while I was ahead!
Also on site a Willow Tit showing off and on, 2 fly over Crossbills, 1 Red Kite, 1 Female Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawks and a small flock of Bullfinches (that the Shrike was paying particular attention to).

St.Davids Head

4 Choughs near the car park, also a group of ten, possibly more Song Thrushes in the next field along. No sign of the Snow Bunting near the Cromlech after a thorough search, in fact very little bird life on the Head. Whilst taking 5 by Porthmelgan a pair of Stonechats were acting a bit agitated, the reason being a Badger, which foraged to within 10 feet of where we were sitting. The reason for this bravado was probably due to impaired vision. It shows in the photo an ugly swelling on one eye, maybe due to an accident or more sinister, some sort of disease, possibly even TB.

Tystie in Fishguard Harbour

Not the best, but a record shot taken this afternoon at some distance within the Outer Breakwater!

Whoopers

Still present in the field at St. Nicholas late this afternoon.

Castlemartin Corse

The Marsh Harrier again over the reed bed at Castlemartin Corse this morning and a Merlin also seen. Very few Lapwing on the Corse and just a few duck - including 38 Shoveller and 3 Pintail.
At Freshwater West a 1st Winter white winged Gull flew from the beach and out to sea but I didn't get enough on it to pin down the species.
On fields around the B4319/B4320 junction above Fresh West there were 450 Golden Plover and over 200 Lapwing. At Kilpaison with the tide just dropping there were 70 Dunlin and 18 Ringed Plover. Rich C & Morris North

Snow Buntings at Freshwater West

Two Snow Buntings were feeding on the shingle/pebble ridge at Freshwater West this morning, just to the seaward side of the road bridge between the two car parks - where fresh water flows onto the beach from the corse.

WEBS at the Gann

At a very windy Gann yesterday there were surprisingly more Grey Plovers than usual - 5. Also 67 Teal which I think is a record for me. Interestingly, I had only managed to clock up about 6 Teal, though I was sure there were more lurking in the reeds, when suddenly they all swam out on to the water from a number of different hiding places, making them very easy to count. The reason became clear as a Peregrine hovered in the wind just over my head obviously fancying a bit of duck for lunch.
Black-headed Gulls were feeding very actively, dancing over the surf on the beach - nice to watch. I could only find 18 Light-bellied Brents - were the rest of the flock over at the Angle side??
Peter's WEBS at Little Milford was good for waders - 223 Redshank, 690 Lapwing and 96 Curlew.

Water Pipit @ Hook

A cold & windy WeBS this morning, the highlight being a Water Pipit on the southern shore of the Western Cleddau, opposite Millin Pill and a little further downstream, it was making short flights and gradually heading towards the Daugleddau at Fowborough. Difficult counting today with the exposure to the wind and the tide being higher than I expected, 581 Teal, 356 Lapwing, around 700 Golden Plover, and a single Grey Plover along with 12 Pintail and 2 Greylag Geese.

A quick look around Sageston for the Glossy Ibis later revealed nowt - but not sure I was looking in the right place either! Could easily (and hopefully) still be about.

Marsh Harrier

The imm. Marsh Harrier was over Castlemartin Corse at midday.

Carew/Cresswell WeBs

Echoing Richard's comments, noted similar species whilst doing the monthly WeBs counts. There were more dunlin around today, compared with a few weeks ago. A flock, estimated to be at least 1,000+ up at New Shipping Point on the Carew as the tide was falling. A year ago, the January WeBs count on 16th produced c.1200 dunlin, so numbers today were pretty similar. Some duck numbers were not quite so high compared with the equivalent Sunday last winter: e.g. 127 shelduck today (291 Jan 16th 2011); c.320 wigeon today (last January 512); teal numbers 397 today (425 last January) were generally similar - they can really tuck themselves away in Spartina-vegetated areas and can be missed.

Lapwing numbers were quite reasonable - about 250 coming and going between the estuary and nearby farmland. There seems to have been a drop in grey plover numbers this winter so far - just 6 noted today on the Carew; usually at least 12-15 birds roosting at high tide in most previous winters. Are there many yet at the Furzenips - a one time regularly good winter site?

One of the oystercatchers seen today was noted to have lost its left foot - loss of a foot being not that an uncommon occurrence in this species. Feeding in pasture areas, they seem prone to getting feet entangled in sheep wool etc. This one seemed to be coping ok at present but I guess this is likely to reduce its longer term survival chances.

Cresswell River

As the tide dropped at the Cresswell River there were plenty of birds dropping in - 450 Dunlin, 300 Golden Plover, 5 Barwits, 17 Oystercatchers, 30 Lapwing, 70 Wigeon and a splendid drake Pintail.
Round at Landshipping Quay there plenty more Dunlin - 700+ - and the Golden Plover from over at Sprinkle Pill but on a real show with a 1000 or more flying in a tight flock over the river.
No sign by the way of the Glossy Ibis at Sageston.

Glossy Ibis

This photo sent in by Mike from Sageston where the bird spent much of the day feeding in marshy ground at the rear of his house!
I have asked Mike to call me if the bird is present tomorrow and will post again with any news.

Tresinwen (14 Jan 12)

No sign of the camera shy Short Eared Owls at Strumble this afternoon.

2 Golden Plovers came in off the sea this evening and 2 Yellowhammers feeding in the garden.

Great Grey Shrike at Ty Rhug

Just a short note to add that the Great Grey Shrike was also showing well at Ty Rhug at 10:00 this morning, feeding exclusively on the left of the track during my time there.  I also agree with Steve, that the support acts failed to materialise, it was very quiet indeed.

North and mid Pembs

Today we went off to some remoter areas looking for missing "common" winter birds as a final mop up for the Winter Atlas. On route we met John and Marion Best nr Rosebush. Generally pretty quiet for winter finches and thrushes but we all commented on the reasonable number of fieldfares about in the area - generally in small flocks (up top 50 or so) noted or so in several areas between Mynachlog-ddu and Rosebush. Redwings around too but not as numerous. Kites in various places pretty well as expected but not as impressive as around 14 in the air together about 10 days ago on the Pembs/Carms border in the Llanfyrnach general area. No signs of any golden plovers today either - about 10 days ago there was a huge flock of at least 2,000-2,500 in the air over farmland in the Glogue area.

Perhaps it was Steve Berry noted watching (from a van?) the very obvious shrike near the Ty-rhyg gate this afternoon? Later on it had moved away and we could not relocate it again there. We ended up at the starling roost, numbers incredibly impressive - wave after wave - seemed to us possibly more than last winter? Annie managed some reasonable video-footage. At least 16 (prob 18) buzzards in the air but we were not in quite the right place to see harriers I suspect.

Thanks anyway Dave for trying to find the "odd" gull. Pity nothing out of the ordinary materialised. We have to do a weekly watch of the Sound, so will keep our eyes peeled again next week.

Ramsey Sound

Managed to locate a feeding flock of small gulls at the north end from Point St. John. Flock included a 1st winter Little Gull, 3 Med Gulls (2 ads, 1 2ndW), and the rest Kittiwakes (approx. 70% 1st winters) and Black-headed Gulls (most adults). No sign of Bob & Annie's possible Bonaparte's. 10 Common Scoter flew south through the Sound at 1.20pm.

No sign of the possible YBWarbler at Westfield Pill this morning but a Chiffchaff was actively feeding there along with a Goldcrest. At Newgale 10 Rock Pipits (9 on the campsite, 1 in the car park).

Fortunes Frolic - Haverfordwest

Redshanks, Greenshank, numbers of Teal, 2 Little Egret and a female Goldeneye. Plenty of gulls beneath the outflow.

Recent sightings in the Nolton/Newgale Area

Better late than never...... a few sightings from Nolton Haven-Newgale area from the last few days.

A pair of Peregrines on Black Cliff

A pair of Chough by Ricketts Head (one with a yellow ring on left leg, couldnt get close enough to see more detail of the ring)

A hobby over the road from Roach to Trefran

Kestrel, Buzzard, Probable Iceland Gull, Divers way out to sea and two Herons in the big rock pools at the south end of Newgale Beach

Great Grey Shrike

Good views of the Great Grey Shrike at Ty Rhig this afternoon about 20 meters from the gate very little else there.

Rosebush Reservoir 4 Tufted Duck and 7 Goldeneye,(3 male and 4 female) the males displaying to the females in a group.

Marsh Harrier

The Marsh Harrier was again quartering the reed bed at Castlemartin Corse this morning. Seen first distantly from the top road between Freshwater West & Castlemartin Village then quite close from just above the beach car park when it had followed the reed bed along to the dunes behind Fresh West.

Firecrest

From Tessa Pearson -

On a walk in Moreton Lane Saundersfoot I saw what looked like a very small wren.  It seemed quite happy to show itself and landed within four feet of me on a bare branch.  I thought it must be a goldcrest but noticed a very vivid eyestripe through the eye which I then realised was a firecrest.  On checking the books when I got home, sure enough I was right I they are seen through autumn and winter 'in the south of the country'.  What luck!  I am now pinning my hopes on hearing and seeing a green woodpecker that was in the same area late winter last year!

Plumstone Mountain

Info on the Plumstone Starling spectacle from Roger Mathias, Furzy Mount Farm, Camrose - This is the first time that I have contacted you, but the spectacle at Plumstone last night has prompted me!!! Farming just 2 miles south-east of the conifer plantation, I regularly watch the roost. As usual yesterday evening, I found that I needed 3 pairs of eyes. Whether to watch the flocks arriving at the trees, being harassed by goshawks or to track the peregrines which tower above the flocks as they stream in over our land. Clear skies, hardly a breath of wind and a 'photoshop' sunset sky created a spectacle as good as could be witnessed.
There was an added thrill for me,  as two peregrines clashed, with lots of screeching, right above my head, for a minute or more, before singling out separate flocks to attack. I think there were 4 peregrines around, 4 buzzards, 1 goshawk along with 1 distant hen-harrier.
There were other observers, at Plumstone Rock itself, plus at least two cars right beneath the swirling flocks, parked next to the plantation. I would be interested to hear of any of their sightings, if submitted. I would concur with the 'guesstimate' of at least one million birds. Some of the arriving flocks tonight were immense.

Nordic Jackdaw

Again visited my garden this morning. Anyone interested to see this bird would be best advised to look around the area of the Belle Vue pub and the start of the Dale Road.

Mid Pembs meetings ~ Monday and Tuesday 15th and 16th Jan

The next two meetings of the section are ~ Sunday 15th January ~ Outdoor ~ 10.30am The Birds of Angle Bay. Monday 16th January ~ 7.30pm `The Wildlife of the Seashore`
Both members and non members are welcome, for more information on either meeting please use the link on the right to the Pembrokeshire Bird Group Blogsite or phone 01348 840617

Travels in the sun.

Thornton ~ 1 Stock Dove.

Sandyhaven Pill (view from road) ~ 2 Little Egrets, 2 Black Tailed Godwits, c100 Lapwing.

The Gann ~ 5 Dabchick, 4 Goldeneye (1m 3f), 1 Greenshank, 11 PB Brents, 15 Wigeon, 20 Teal,
1 Shelduck, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher, 14 Ringed Plover, 9 Dunlin.

Ty~Rhyg ~ GG Shrike.

Janet & Karen

Ramsey Sound - mainly gulls including a possible Bonaparte's Gull?

Today in glorious sunshine we spent 6-7 hours watching the sea off St Justinian. The usual flock of about 400 small gulls was feeding at the northern end of the Sound today. These were mostly second and first winter kittiwakes, blacked-headed gulls, at least 3 adult med gulls, two 1st winter little gulls and one which at first was thought to be a more dainty-flying adult winter plumage bhg. Through the telescope, it looked a bit smaller when first seen but, having distinctly adult bhg-like upper wing patterns, the assumption was that it must be a small bhg. But when two adult black-headed gulls and some kittiwakes flew along side it was definitely smaller and seemed to have a smaller dark (blackish) bill compared with the typical bhgs close by. Unfortunately it was flitting about a lot in fairly bright sun-light and the under-wing wasn't seen well enough to compare some other features. It probably stayed around though and is most likely part of the feeding flock we see regularly in the Sound.

These gulls ether congregate at the north end of the Sound, or near Treginis Copper mines. On a rising to high tide the flock seems possibly to prefer to feed at the Treginis end and around the Bitches. At other states of tide they may be more likely to be found at the north end (between Point St John and Ramsey).

The image is a typical view you can get of kittiwakes etc feeding close to the Old Copper Mines near Treginis. Unfortunately the little gulls have not come close enough yet for a photo!

If David Astins, or others familiar with this species, could check out these gulls over the weekend we would be keen to know if there is something different in the flock! 

The only other birds of note today were 3 red-throated divers flying high north through the Sound and a single shelduck also flying north.