Redstart

A smart male redstart was singing at Llandilo today. Also at the same place a blackcap, 13 crossbills, 43 siskins and 4 redpolls.

Marloes Mere Glossies

Glossy Ibis still here, I hadn`t seen them since Tuesday evening, I was begining to wonder if they`d legged it. However I could only see two.... they were over the far side of the Mere close to the access track from Trehill farm.
Also 1 female Merlin - which would explain the few small pluckings I`ve come across.
3-5 Sandmartins, 1 Snipe.

Bosherston

Quite good for migrants today at Bosherston despite the dull, cool weather after a week of glorious sunshine. Over the western arm of the ponds there were 16 Sand Martins and a Swallow and I heard 3 Blackcaps singing. Chiffchaffs all over the place. 3 Goosander provided a touch of winter to match the temperature whilst two Otters showed up at the Grassy Bridge seeming a little nervous (see Pembrokeshire Wildlife blog).
I received a report of 56 brent Geese at Kilpaison - presumably the Gann birds having moved over to join the 20 or so I saw at Kilpaison a few days ago.

Hooded Crow

A Hoodie was at St Davids Head (Carn Llidi) this morning, 11:30, associating loosely with 4 Carrion Crows; presumably the bird seen a few days ago at the Burial Chamber. Otherwise just a Wheatear and 4 Chiffchaffs around.

Swallows

Treginnis, St. David's;-
About half a dozen seen 6pm today,
(Rob Davies)

Teifi Marsh;-
7pm onwards c8 Swallows with c40 Sand Martins around Mallard pond, also 22 Teal, 2 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, 5 Curlew, 1 Little Egret from Curlew Hide.

Marsh Tits at Orielton

Two Marsh Tits have made a welcome appearance in the garden at Orielton over the past two days, returning for the first time this year, and for only the second time since the cold spell in January 2011.

Otherwise, with the exception of Chiffchaffs and the gradual return of the breeding seabirds, spring migrants have few and far between down in these parts.

Blackcap

My first Blackcap singing in St Florence today. Haven't heard any Willow Warblers down here yet, Chiffchaffs singing all over the place.

Spring springing...

Heard a Willow Warbler near St Nicholas today also Chiff Chaffs which have seemed not to have favoured N Pembs much so far...

Marloes Mere

25 Sand martin over the Mere. No sign of the GI`s

St. Davids Airfield

A Ringtail Harrier in serious hunting mode turned up at the big pond this morning causing mass panic. About 80 or so ducks, mostly Teal and Wigeon took off en bloc, but interestingly the Shovelers did not get involved in all the fuss.
The Airfield G.S.Woodpecker is now working on a fifth nest hole in its favoured electricity post. - -Candles might be needed!

Lsr Sptd Wdpkr

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Churchill Wood, Llawhaden, this afternoon, opposote the church car park.

A trip to Iceland ~ Brrrrrrrr ~ or is it ?

Monday 2 April - Pembs Bird Group - at the Patch Haverfordwest, A trip to Iceland by Lyndon Lomax. Please use the link to the Pembs Bird Group site on the right for more info.
Lyndon

St Davids Hd am

Another female Black Redstart out at the Old Fort, 8 Redpolls and a similar number of Goldfinches over, with a first Swallow and a couple of Sand Martins. 8 Wheatears , a Merlin, a Red Kite and a Song Thrush seen. No Willow Warblers but about 10 Chiffchaffs present.

Crossbills.

A party of seven crossbills in conifers in Milton Woods,east of Westfield Pill this morning.

Haverfordwest

Yesterday Paul G had a Ruff with Redshank at Fortune's Frolic, and at 715am today Peter H had a Harrier sp heading north upstream past Morrisons. Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

Marloes Mere this evening

3 Glossies feeding in front of the white cottage, with 2 Blackwits, 1 Sandmartin, 1 Chiffchaff singing, 1 Curlew over.

Bits and pieces

Dawn at Mullock Bridge and Willow warblers singing for the first time but at least 10 at Martins Haven mid afternoon plus a male Blackcap.

Early afternoon at Newgale a Sand Martin patrolling the colony cliff and between Newgale and Nolton at least ten pairs of Stonechat with three pairs in the colliery valley where one male is incredibly black and white and more like a maura but its paired up with a normal female and I didn't get a good sight of its rump. Reminded me a bit of the aberrant birds which were hanging around Marloes Mere for a couple of years.

Osprey and Harriers

Info received via e mail:-
From Sarah Earl - a sighting of an Osprey seen on Tuesday 27^th March flying over the valley between Pwllgwaelod and Cwm yr Eglwys at 10:30 am. It was flying from the direction of Fishguard Bay and out across Newport Bay.

And from Maria Hemingway - Puncheston Common. Despite the burning of most of the Marsh on Monday night good views of 2 Ringtail Harriers quartering this afternoon.

Sea Trust Stena Europe Survey

Quite a lot of Manxies about now, with both Sandwich Terns and Common Terns seen on tother side. A swallow flying west about ten miles off Strumble was star bird for me although star of the show was a Minke Whale.
I saw a Polecat just outside Porthgain on Saturday night, (see Pembrokeshire wildlife blog)

Skokholm

Red Kite - I think only the second island record, the previous being in 2000.

Stock Dove - a former breeder not seen for a few years.

Bushes thriving with Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Dunnock while plenty of Razorbills and Guillemots on the cliffs.

Ramsey

A flurry of migrants today. 10 blackcap, 20+ willow warbler, 5 chiffchaff, 1 greenfinch, 1 house sparrow and a reed bunting. Good numbers of wheatears again, many displaying now. Male kestrel appeared today. Merlin still present.

St Davids Hd am

A female Ring Ouzel was, surprisingly, inside the Burial Chamber before hiding first in a bush and then under a shady rock. Another Redpoll went over and there was a Fieldfare and a Song Thrush present along with 2 Wheatears. Similar nos of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs as yesterday and 2 Blackcaps.

Brynberian

On my way over Brynberian mountain this evening I saw a Short Eared Owl
hunting across the road landing on a rock to the east side of the road
before picking up again and flying back across the road heading west along the ridge.
This was a first for me, absolutely delighted to see such a cracking bird.
(Rob Wilson)

Indeed - normally seen as roadkill in Pembs, they hava a particular fondness for the A477. I've been keeping the Pembs Mammal Recorder supplied with records for some years now!

Skokholm

A round-up of a good day today and highlights of the last few days.

Little Ringed Plover on North Pond – only the seventh island record, beating the previous earliest (8^th April last year).

First two Sand Martin and first Canada Goose egg.

Chough – a flock of 15 feeding around Crab Bay.

Greater numbers and activity for passerines; 15 Chiffchaff & 2 Willow Warblers, 9 Wheater. Blackbirds collecting nesting material and Dunnocks chasing each other around.

Puffins – first full count of the year yesterday evening returned 3141 individuals, including some mating on the sea. Razorbills and Guillemots on the cliffs in small numbers but forming rafts (1680 and 1085 the respective highest counts so far) near them.

Finally a Hummingbird Hawkmoth, presumably woken from hibernation, was crashing into the light in my office last night.

John and Marions 'animal' see below

Yes indeed it could well be - they are about here - but very shy
Lyndon

Ring Ouzel - Cemaes

An adult female Ring Ouzel was in the horse field below the farm on Cemaes Head this afternoon.
Otherwise it was quiet, apart from a lot of Meadow Pipits (a flock of 60 over as well as many on the ground) and 2 Wheatear.

Pencarnan Update

Following five consecutive days of wall to wall sunshine and planetary nights, today we added WATER RAIL to our patch list. We spotted it in the little valley that runs down to Porthselau Beach.

Yesterday we watched "our" KESTREL enter her cliff nest hole. Fingers crossed she is again successful in fledging a brood and Paddy can repeat last year's daring-do making a rope descent armed with pliers and rings.

It appears that three pairs of RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGES avoided winter predation from gun, fox and hound.

The boggy inflow to a camp-site pond, created only last year, already attracts COMMON SNIPE.

The conifer that stands sentinel at the camp's entrance has always been a magnet for early morning migrants. At dawn today, it was host to SISKIN, REDPOLL, WILLOW WARBLER, BLACKCAP and CHIFFCHAFF.

And finally; while walking through the gorse on the headland, what we would describe as a POLECAT, shot across our path. Can this be so?

South Pembs

Spent early morning at Bosherston with some fine views of Otters. On the bird front very quiet on the ponds with just 3 Goosanders, a few Mallard and Coot. 3 Swans sitting on eggs. In the woods plenty of Chiffchaffs and resident birds singing and Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming.
At St Govans 4 Wheatears and at Kilpaison 23 Brents, 2 Black-tailed Godwits well on the way to summer plumage and 5 Bar-tailed Godwits and 1 Knot still in winter garb.

Ramsey update

Juvenile hen harrier has been here for past 5 days (thanks to Ann Humble for letting me know when it was on its way across from the mainland!). 2 merlins about for a while now, good numbers of buzzards (up to 8). Single purple sandpiper on the roost yesterday (thanks for Ffion Rees for the record from her boat)

3 blackcaps today were our first of the year. Sprinkling of both chiffchaffs and willow warblers the last couple of days.
20+ wheatear on the island yesterday. Looking out for the purple heron now!

St Davids area update

The Purple Heron was picked up in flight along the road near Ivor's Pond at 8:30ish, it dropped into a rough area near a willow clump, ignoring a nearby pond. After about half an hour it came up again, landed on the bank of the pond before flying around and eventually dropping into an area of rough ground and gardens at Treleddyd Fawr. Again it ignored the nearby farm reservoir, as well as Ivor's Pond itself. It is an adult in breeding best and looked stunning in the sunlight, both in flight and on the deck (down to 25 metres). I hung around till 10 am and I believe John and Marion arrived soon after but it hasn't been seen till now. It didn't seem to want to go far though. I continued to Whitesands where there was a female Black Redstart along The Cabin Track down to Whitesands Beach (I think the fifth of the spring), a couple of Redpolls went over and there were 3 Wheatears and 3 Pied Wagtails around the Car Park. There were about a dozen of both Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs at the Head along with 3 Blackcaps, a Song Thrush and a Sand Martin. A Hooded Crow put in a brief appearance at the Burial Chamber. To finish, a female Harrier sp appeared, looking slim bodied, long and slim winged (no real secondaries bulge and not terribly accipiter like) with 4 primaries prominent as it circled higher and higher. It had dark secondaries and coverts giving a strong contrast to the pale outer wing. I couldn't make out much of a head pattern but it became high very quickly. Don't know. No Coal Tits today, unfortunately, because I was hoping to check out my suspicion that yesterday's birds were continental rather than British. Not a bad day really.

Hooded Crow, Black Redstart -- St. David's Hd.

Late morning -
(Mike YP)

Ring ouzel - skomer

Ring ouzel at 12 pm today garland stone, Sarah

Purple Heron - Ivor's Pond area, St. David's

Mike YP has just had a Purple Heron fly in the Ivor's Pond area, 0830 -- trying to relocate now !
Last seen at 09:30 Treleddeyd Fawr - the bird seems to be favouring this area.
Mike.

2012 UK Spotted Crake Survey

The RSPB is helping to co-ordinate the above survey. This is only the 2nd national survey of this species and will provide a new estimate of the UK breeding population and the opportunity to calculate a robust national population trend.

2 areas in Pembs have been allocated - Trefeiddan Marsh and Trefynnon Marsh

The coordinators are looking for volunteers to take on these sites this spring (April to June). If anyone is interested in helping please email sabine.schmitt@rspb.org.uk for details.

St Davids Hd am

An interesting movement of Redpolls, min 17 (prob quite a lot more) the most I can remember here. The few seen well (5) were Lessers. Also 5 Coal Tits, a species recorded in odd places in N Wales yesterday. A female Black Redstart present, a House Martin seems early, 3 Willow Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Wheatears, 3 Sand Martins, 1 Siskin, 2 alba Wagtails, 1 Red Kite and more Linnets noticeable. A livelyish morning all in all.

Spoonbill, Saturday

Info and photo in from Malcolm Barradell - Spoonbill flying east over Ramsey Sound towards St Davids Saturday am and a Red Kite at Penmaenmelyn also 3 wheatear's.

Glossies & that Brent

Very quiet on Dale Airfield this evening. Initially very quiet at Marloes Mere too, but then burst into life on our way back to the car with a Swallow east, 3 White Wagtails that dropped onto the path, 2 Black-tailed Godwits still and nice views of the 3 Glossy Ibis in the evening sunlight. Also 3 Chiffchaff.

Had a reply from Graham in Ireland regarding Brent CVWR, she was ringed in Iceland on 19/5/2009, spent Feb-Mar 2010 and Jan-Feb 2011 at Torpoint/St. John's Lake in Cornwall (River Tamar) - Graham believes she has been seen there this winter too. In April 2010 & 2011 she appeared in Ireland, and in May of both years at Blautos in Iceland (http://www.satelliteviews.net/cgi-bin/w.cgi/?c=ic&UF=-2642312&UN=-3649879&DG=LGN). Lovely stuff.

Skomer - 25th March

3 Shelduck

1 Red Kite

1 Merlin

2100 Puffin in North and South Haven on land

1 Black Redstart

8 Chiffs

4 Willows

Choughs gathering nesting material

2 Small Tortoishell

15 Peacocks

First Crane-fly of the season.

Hanging in the wind.

Took a toddle along to the base of Craig Talfynydd (Mynydd Preseli) hoping to find a Wheatear. Bingo, 2m & 2f Wheatear, 1m Stonechat, 2 Pied Wagtails, Plus Meadow Pipits & Linnets. While enjoying watching these (and the sun) above me soaring in the wind were 7 Buzzards, 2 Red Kites, 3 Ravens and a male Sparrowhawk.

Great Grey Shrike - Ty Rhyg

Spent a lovely afternoon mostly watching the shrike. It spent most of the time on the willow along the track mostly watching out for things to eat. During the hour or so I was watching it caught 2 lizards and a bumblebee. It eventually moved off in direction of pond allowing me to pass. The whole place was alive with chiffchaffs doing what they do best and what looked good for a Willow warbler. On my return whilst talking to Paddy and his son the shrike appeared on its favourite perch, before moving off south of the track.

Pencarnan Report

Today, our patch produced its first SWALLOW, RED KITE and BLACKCAP (all singles), 5 flyover REDPOLL, 3 SISKIN and 5 TURNSTONE on the high tide roost down on the site's beach.

BLACK-HEADED GULL and STARLING were off the radar for the first time this year....with April fast approaching, a predictable departure. And for the first time this month, no RED-THROATED DIVERS appeared in Whitesands Bay.

Brents - Dale & Gann, Saturday

45 or so Brents spent most of the low tide at Dale happily feeding and loafing - they seemed quite tame and oblivious to beach users. I was working in the Yacht Club and eventually manged to get down on the beach to look at them but with binoculars I was unable to get a close enough leg-ring identifying look. I went home for the telescope in the early afternoon but by that time the tide was coming in, they were getting twitchy and active and as soon as I got a glimpse of the rings they flew to the Gann. I tracked them down there and trudged across the mud flats in the wind with a heavy telescope, getting wet feet and eventually managed to read the rings. Only of course to find out later that DA had already done it! I counted 57 birds at the Gann in total. There were also a lot of Shelduck and Oystercatchers, both species looking resplendent in the bright sunlight. Still quite a few Curlew.
Rosemary

Marloes Mere

3 Glossy Ibis ( falcinellus marloesii?) feeding with two Blacktail Godwits.
1 Ringtail Harrier. Ian MacKay had 1 Red Kite over as well.

Visit to Pembrokeshire

From Steve Hearn - We live in Devon but returned from a short break in Pembrokeshire yesterday.We are keen walkers/ birders and visited a few locations whilst on holiday including early morning visits to Bosherston Lakes and Broad Haven Beach and a sunny afternoon walk from St Davids to St Non's (via Porth Clais). No real notable sightings but the following may be of interest:-Wheatear (1) male - headland near Porth Clais (21st March)Chiffchaff (good numbers seen and singing) inc c.6+ Bosherston (19th, 20th and 21st March)Goosander (2) male and redhead - fresh water lagoon at start of Broad Haven beach (20th March 6.30pm) Reed Bunting (2 male) Broad Haven (dunes) on 19th March and Freshwater West (20th March) Water Rail (1) heard only - reedbed at Bosherston 20th March (7pm) Otter (3) mother and 2 cubs (Bosherston) 22nd March (6.30am)

Brents

Not long after low tide this afternoon, about 1415 hr, 42 of Dave's Brents were lining the shore at Dale, looking very alert and perhaps anxious. Suspect they had been displaced from the Gann flats which was heaving with baitdiggers.

Skokholm

Our first Swallow of the year and six Black-tailed Godwits on South Pond today.

St Davids Hd

Willow Warbler, Blackcap, 2 Wheatears, Sand Martin, 5 Song Thrushes and lots of Chiffchaffs.

Dartford Warblers

3 Dartford Warblers this morning at their regular site near St.Davids. Chiffchaffs now singing everywhere.

Gann Brents

A walk across Dale Airfield produced very little (not even a Wheatear). The Gann held an impressive 55 pale-bellied Brent Geese - 39 on the foreshore and a group of 16 on the pools which then flew to join their friends. One of the closest birds was ringed: red ring left leg with white letter V, white ring right leg with a black C. Will send off the details and let you know the history when I get it. Still at the Gann a pair of Wigeon, 14 Teal, 2 Goldeneye and 4 Little Grebes looking very smart and summery.

Great Grey Shrike(s) - Pantmaenog

Cracking day up in the hills, a few raptors showing inc Red kite, sparrowhawk and buzzards. Plenty of pipits on territories, a few skylarks singing on the slopes and a couple of pairs of stonechat.
The shrike was very visible and mobile!!
Great Grey shrike on the conifers north of the paddock at 10am.
Great Grey shrike 1/2 mile NE at 11.15am.
Great Grey shrike in original spot by paddock at 11.40am.

Pencarnan comes alive

Seven years we have been here in the caravan, and at last, Internet has come to the site.

Willow Warbler singing midday. Also on site this lunch-time a mixed fall of several dozen Meadow Pipits and Wagtails; Pied out numbered Alba 3 to 1.

The Cuckoo we saw late yesterday was the 40th species to visit The Bush that stands just 20 paces from the front window. It will take a mega to up-stage this sighting.

Willow warbler - skomer

Saw a suspicious chiffchaff in north valley which quickly disappeared towards the farm later confirmed at farm by Sarah with a scope as a willow warbler.

Blackcaps about
Good numbers of chiffchaffs, one per bush
Chris

Sunshine, moths and a blackcap

When inspecting the moth trap this morning I heard my first Blackcap of the year, plus about 3 simultaneously singing Chiffchaffs. The sunshine, birdsong and 80 moths of 14 species makes it feel very summery.
Rosemary

Glossy Ibis/ Marloes Mere

Feeding in front of white cottage at East end of the Mere, showing well from the track that runs past the YHA. 1 Blacktail Godwit with them also.

Log highlights for 21st March

Singing chiffchaff, among several others. male blackcap - first for year Hen harrier Linnet - first for year.

Spring is here and hopefully so are the CHATS - can you help with this important survey in Wales?

The BTO chat survey of Wales is now "live" on line, so please have a look at the site via the following web-link

http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/chat/about

We'd like to encourage you help with the survey if you can, by choosing one of the randomly selected 1km squares to cover - one visit per month is needed in each of the months of April, May and June - it's not too onerous.

If you’ve already entered survey data to the BTO web site before (e.g. for the Atlas or BBS etc.) you should be able to sign in quite easily, using your usual user log in name and password. If not, then it is quite straightforward to register.

Annie and I were up at Ramsey Sound yesterday. Pair of Kestrels were around most of the day but very quiet in the Sound as far as seabirds were concerned. At dusk when we left the area we noted a fine short-eared owl quartering the rough ground either side of the St Justinian road near Trefeiddan. Chiffchaffs of course were singing in various places on the edge of St David's City. Whilst walking back along the road to St Justinian (with our lunch!) I heard what I thought was a "yaffle" calling near St David's. It was a bit distant and only heard once so I couldn't be absolutely sure - but has anyone else seen or heard one near St David's recently?

Pembroke wader update

The Blacktailed Godwits are looking good at the moment.
There are 167 on the pond this afternoon with 25 almost in summer plumage.
Two colour ringed birds in the flock, the regular orange/yellow right leg and White on the left leg, the other bird has been here before also, Orange/red flag right leg, white/light green on left leg.
25 Redshanks and 5 greenshanks.
The Graylag reported earlier in the week is probably the domestic bird which escapes from Little Gates with two white geese. Last week they were walking to Pembroke Dock along the railway line, just happened to be a day when trains were not running, they got fed up and walked back for feeding time.
Cettis calling Chiffs and Reed buntings singing, this fine weather forecast for the weekend must be working.

Chiff-Chaffs

Chiff-chaffs today in Cym Cych, Glogue, & just north of Whitland.
They are spreading fast & looking at the forecast it's the other arrivals we're listening for now!

Brents - Gann

31 Brent at 4pm. Very quiet up at Kete/St Anns - 2 chough, female kestrel and a pair of stonechat.

Glossies at Marloes Mere

A stroll with Steve, Anna, & dogs - lovely evening, Glossies looking good in the sunshine.

Cuckoo !!... & ...Brambling ...

Pencarnen, St. David's... 1 Cuckoo this evening.
(John & Marion B)
Boncath... 1 Brambling still.

Pretty quiet down in the south of the county. A few Chiffchaffs singing in St Florence and on Lydstep Head but otherwise no migrants.

Marloes Mere

3 Glossies, still there early this morning, close to the track at the East end of the Mere. I almost tripped over them in the fog!

Brent geese and lapland bunting

While passing Dale beach today there were 19 Brents, one of which was ringed. The right leg had a white ring with the letter B in black - it might be Peter's bird from earlier in the month, in which case it should have had an orange ring on left - but couldn't see another ring on the left - maybe it was obscured by mud.

There was a smart male lapland bunting on Dale airfield.

Greylag

From Syd Fairley. I regularly walk along Pembroke millpond and I am familiar with the regular resident birds.Today however, I saw a lone Greylag Goose at the eastern end of the pond at around 11.00.

Golden Plover

Sorry for late post...... Tuesday 2pm, 700+ GPs by Frenni Fach

Marloes Mere

3 Glossies flew in about 6pm, & started feeding in front of the North hide, 1 Wheatear by the YHA. A fabulous spring evening - plenty of midges, just waiting for the Swallows, Whitethroats, Willow Warblers.....

Great Grey Shrikes - Pantmaenog (and Ty Rhyg)

The Great Grey shrike was using the tall tree remains on the slope behind Pantmaenog House this evening, just about 5 months since first seen. Lots of Meadow pipits dropping into a small conifer around dusk counted 70 but probably twice as many. Red kite by the car park.
Had a look in at Ty Rhyg the shrike was down in the scrub by Paddy's poles and looked settled in for the night.

Puncheston and the Gwaun

While surveying for breeding kites this afternoon, there was plenty of raptor activity in this area. A pair of goshawks at a traditional site soared with fanned out undertail coverts climbing so high that they were tiny specks. At least three different sparrowhawks were seen but not displaying. A ring-tail hen harrier gave excellent views on Mynydd Castleblythe as it hunted low over the bracken in the sunshine, and this was only seen because I stopped the car to answer the phone (thanks Janet). A female kestrel was sat on the box there too. Also two additional pairs of kites found, so they are still on the up.

A couple of blackcaps were heard singing, adding to the rapidly accumulating singing chiffchaffs. At least 70 golden plover were in pasture near Trecwn, some now looking very black underneath.

St Davids Hd

A few migrants in evidence (the usual suspects): 6 Wheatears, 7 Sand Martins, a few Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests. The Siskin passage continues with an indeterminate number overhead again today. Also a ringtail Hen Harrier nr Castlemorris. A trip to Skokholm yesterday resulted in a surprising 500+ Puffins around the Landing.

Great Grey Shrike - Th rhyg

Showing at Ty rhyg - 12:45.
(Wendy J)

Coming & Going

Fishguard inner breakwater this am; 2 Snow Buntings & a Wheatear.
Still havent seen a Black Guillemot.

Newport

2 Chiffchaff, 10 Shelduck, 15 Curlew, 9 Redshank, 3 Sanderling, c30 Wigeon.

Glossy Ibis & some surprises

The 3 Glossy Ibis at Marloes Mere this evening (6pm) in the usual spot best viewed from the track beyond the Youth Hostel. 2 Chiffs & a Goldcrest from the hide, a drake Tufted Duck and a pair of Gadwall the duck highlights. Surprise no.1 was a Short-eared Owl close to the car park at 6.15pm, quartering the hedgerows to the south, at one point flew straight towards me to within 10m or so, without a doubt the best views I have ever had of this species. Down to the Gann at dusk, saw the 8 Brents, a small gull roost contained an unusual Common Gull / Black-headed Gull ratio (86/12), and on the lagoon 3 Black-tailed Godwits were unusual, along with a Greenshank, 5 Redshank and just 3 Goldeneye (1 drake). Surprise no.2 was a Kestrel hovering over the Pickleridge next to the lagoon - I cannot recall the last time I saw this species at the Gann.

Eiders at the Gann

The Eiders were very close to mouth of the Gann, diving and picking-up crabs and shellfish. Up at Kete - 3 chiffchaff in the hedgerows, 3 chough and a kestrel by the car park.

Ramsey

10+ wheatears today, 1 sand martin, male black redstart, merlin and a few goldcrests. 18 cormorants headed north.
Chough have hit the ground running this year with 6 pairs confirmed nest building already.

Gann - Marloes

Early afternoon - Gann.
The two imm. Eiders still off Musselwick Point.
8 lt.b. Brent Geese
1 Little Egret

Marloes Mere - one Swallow and 3 Sand Martins, briefly over the mere.

Marloes

Just 2 Wheatears found on and near to the Deer Park this morning. A Merlin shot past along the Cliffs and there were 6 Chough.
At Marloes Mere very quiet apart from 3 Chiffchaffs on the bushes in front of the hide.
3 Glossy Ibis in the original field on the edge of Marloes Village around lunchtime. First reported from there on 18 January - amazing how faithful they have stayed to this site. Rich C and Morris North

Teifi

There was a chiff-chaff singing on the roadside near Poppit this morning.
There was a ring-billed gull by the "Co-op" riverside car park in Cardigan around lunch time.
(This gull was 'strictly speaking' in Ceredigion I guess!)

St. David's Hd.

Lots of Wheatears on the head this morning, at least 15, nearly all of them right out in the area of the fort. This behaviour might suggest that many of these birds migrate by headland hopping.

Gann - Marloes Mere

The two young Eiders still in the offshore area opposite the car park.

Brief visit to Marloes Mere revealed a hunting adult male Hen Harrier, the 50 odd Canada Geese present reacting vocally.

Ramsey - Swallow

Single swallow north over the island this morning. This is the earliest date for 8 years (one on 17/3 in 2004). Haven't even had a sand martin yet!

6+ wheatear around today.

Teifi Marshes...and...North Pembs.

Teifi marshes -18:00;-
c30 Sand Martins around the marsh for the evening, with c20 wagtails roosting too.
Saturday evening;-
1 male Merlin eating a Pied Wagtail whilst perched in front of Creek Hide.
1 Jack Snipe flushed from around Mallard pond. 4 Black-tailed Godwits still on the river.

Boncath;-
Brambling still in the garden.
Ffynone;-
More on this new woodland management scheme another day from Wendy, but on two visits now to new parts of the woodland, and Willow Tits discovered at 2 sites. 1 pair were excavating their own nest cavity this morning.... quite a special sight.

Marloes Mere

Glossies were there at 0700 this morning, I went back around 4pm but there was no sign of them. However, as I was driving home, they were flying in towards the Mere - quite high above Marloes village at 4:45. Also 2 Sand Martins over the Mere & a Ringtail Harrier which drifted off to the West.

Swallows

Possibly my earliest ever in Uk , at Pencaer near Harmony Chapel.

Dale airfield

Just 3 wheatear (male, 2 female) and a couple of curlews on the airfield, plus two geese heading eastwards high over. The 2 immature Eiders were visible from Dale.

Marloes Mere

10 a.m. - three Glossy Ibis, feeding busily in the sheep field.
A ringtail Hen Harrier quartering the mere flushed at least 12 Snipe.
Later, a single male Wheatear at St. Ann's Head.

The Gann

2 Eiders off Musselwick - seemed to be imm going into 1st summer plumage. 1 Slav Grebe,4 Shelduck, 2 Barwits, were the highlights. Very few gulls, mostly Commons.

Raven chicks - Skomer

Quite early Raven chicks - Eggs must have been laid around late February.

Also another Black Redstart around farm (Lewis Yates)

Some other Fulmar pictures here

Chris - Skomer Warden

Bosherston

From Richard Ellis - Stackpole/Bosherston - a chiffchaff singing near the Grassy Bridge, and a male wheatear at the back of Saddle Point, darting about and singing.

St Davids Hd

Another new (male) Black Redstart, 4 Wheatears and similar numbers of Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests. 8 Siskins through.

Strumble and Fishguard Harbour

A bit of a catch up with a single male Snow Bunting seen through the week as well as two Purple Sandpipers  and a nice Sanderling associarting loosely with a Ringed Plover on the outer Breakwater Fishguard . Heres a few record shots taken at 18x on a compact so a little blurry!

A couple of early looks around Strumble produced only Linnets, Pied Wagtails and Mippets, but a cracking male Wheatear this morning on the breakwater made my day so far. A grand Slam would be a really nice follow up to make my day!

Kete and St Ann's

Nice bright start for a change. Plenty of raptors on the wing inc 6 or so buzzards, pair peregrines and a female kestrel, with a female sparrowhawk at Mullock Bridge later. 4 chough. 2 pairs stonechat. 4 wheatear, a few Pied wagtails and a scattering of Meadow pipits. 3 chiffchaff in Mill Bay and 3 Yellowhammers (2 males) near Merryboro Farm.

St Davids Hd

A new Black Redstart at the north end of the Withies and 5 Wheatears near the Burial Chamber. A few Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests with Siskin over.

Glossy Ibis/ Marloes Mere

3,still there this evening.

Ramsey - chough

Limited sightings for today as we spent most of the time on the water between the island and Porth Clais! Cracking male black redstart around the buildings (as yesterday) and chough carrying nesting material. 6 lapwing over the breeding area this evening.

Skomer - - Wheatear...1877 Puffins back !

Black redstart, a stunning male, merlin, 1877 puffins, 5 fieldfare, 2 redwing, 12 goldcrest, 11 chiffchaff,
60 meadow pipit, 3 wigeon, 2 stonechat, 5 wheatear, 95 Kittiwake, 45 starling, 11 teal , 31 Canada goose, 1 snipe, and 37 Porpoise
(Sarah Harris)

St. David's Hd.

First Wheatear on the head this morning, near the cromlech. About 6 Goldcrests & the same number of Chiffchaffs up the valley from Porthmelgan and a pair of noisy Choughs were carrying what looked like nesting material.

Skokholm

A few first appearances for the year today;

6 Wheatear

2 Black Redstarts, a female/1^st winter and a super male

Yellowhammer

Blackcap

5 Black-tailed Godwits

Two small groups of Puffins at sea.

A noticeable increase in the number of Chiffchaff, while the last two days have seen small numbers of Goldcrests passing through and regular groups of Meadow Pipits.

Skomer........first dates

10th;-
First Puffins out to sea.
11th;-
First Manxie on land
12th;-
Hen Harrier (ring tail)
4 Chiffchaff, 7 Goldcrest, 100 Starling, 2 Chaffinch
13th;-
First Stonechat, 4 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 40 Jackdaw
14th;-
Several Manxies heard during bird log
Numbers of Gannets around the island increasing (36 today)
13 Cormorant flying over in a flock
1 Grey Heron - Sarah Harris Skomer tick.
Hen Harrier (ring tail), 8 Buzzard, 74 Oystercatcher, 1 Dunlin, 8 Turnstone, 31 Kittiwake,
1 Puffin,
194 Meadow Pipits!!!!! (usually c.50 territories on the island come proper breeding time)
4 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, Peacock butterfly, 68 Grey Seals.

Chris- Warden

Ferry Sightings

Steve Rosser Elfyn Pugh and Pete Evans completed a Sea Trust Stena Ferry Survey today, which along with an astounding 24 seperate porpoise sightings, also notched up a single Manx Shearwater, loads of pippits and unidentified LBJ's and half a dozen Sand Martins.

Lesser spot at Pengelli

After checking the barn owl box in Janet's field at Felindre (which had a roosting Tawny in - it obviously hasn't received a copy of the BTO nestbox handbook), we decided to look for orange underwing moths on the edge of Pengelli. No moths, but a female lesser spotted woodpecker fed in the oaks near the reserve entrance, giving excellent views until being booted off by a great spotted woodpecker. The great spot very clearly targeted the lesser, 'piccing' loudly as it tried to land where it was feeding. Janet has seen a lesser spot in exactly the same place before, and with no leaves on the oaks, it is well worth a visit - hopefully there is a male around somewhere too.

There was a flock of 70 fieldfares feeding on ivy berries, and at dusk 400 - 500 redwings came in to roost in the douglas firs nearby. The redwings arrived shortly after making comments on how scarce redwings have been this winter.

Finally a red kite with tags black/yellow 'arrow' was seen nearby. She was tagged in 2004, the third kite to be born in Pembs following their recent recolonisation, and is almost certainly the oldest kite born and bred in the county. (Paddy, Janet and Karen)

Siskins

A pair of Siskins in our garden today were the first this year, and no sign of a Brambling since late October last year.

Ramsey

Black redstart still here. Also today - single chiffchaff, goldcrest, house sparrow, fieldfare and an arrival of chaffinches and pied wagtails.

Feasting Pheasant

Our semi-tame garden pheasant enjoyed an unusual "snack" today. The literature mentions small vertebrates (voles, shrews) eaten rarely - this young rat (?) looks a bit larger (though it's lost its head by the time this video was recorded!) Peter

Chiffchaffs

despite the persistent foggy/misty conditions the Chiffchaffs seem to have arrived en masse today. A few seen everyday since saturday but this morning at least 3 singing around the garden and more across near the estuary at Mullock Bridge.

LOADS of house sparrows using the feeders along with a host of Chaffinches and GSWoodpeckers drumming all around.

Spring has Sprung!!!

Brambling

1 Still in the garden this morning.

Ramsey

1st chiffchaff of year today and just to remind us winter isn't quite over, a fieldfare.

Also female merlin, goldcrest, 150 starlings and 4 male lapwings displaying.

270 grey seals hauled out

Wheatear, Sand Martins, Chiffchaff.....

At Abercastle yesterday at 12noon a Wheatear on the headland and a male Stonechat,
today at 07.45 am 3 Sand Martin and a Chiffchaff singing
Graham Tierney

Ring Ouzel, Short-eared Owl...

St. Justinian's, St. David's Head;-
1 The male Ring Ouzel, and possibly a female seen too?
1 Short-eared Owl flying over high....
Whitesands Bay;-
3 Red-throated Divers and a 1st in 8 years - 1 Great Crested Grebe.
(John & Marion B)

Ringed Brent at the Gann

Graham McElwaine is very keen to know the colour ring details for the Brent Goose at the Gann if anyone is heading that way soon and has got good eyesight.
Rosemary

Ty Rhyg (Sunday)

The shrike was very mobile especially in the scrub area, and was vocal at one point whilst sat on a tall spruce. On checking a sound recording since, I've learned that the series of monosyllabic squeaks it uttered pass for a song. Also singing were coal tits, willow tits and goldcrests - significantly more of these around than the last two springs. The crossbills are still around and eleven were seen leaving and heading towards Pantmaenog.

North Pembs.

Teifi;-
The 1st year, biscuit coloured Glaucous Gull from the GVP from c4pm.
Fishguard;-
The final WeBS of the season, low numbers of waders. 1 Purple Sandpiper and 1 Sanderling on the Outer b/w, with a record for the site of 4 Snow Buntings ?
2 summer plumage Black Guillemots present.

Castlemartin Corse

2 - Greylag Geese, 1 - female Hen Harrier, also at Corse looking from farm track towards Starmans 1 male Hen Harrier, 1 female Merlin on electricity post, 6 Shelduck, 9 Teal, 4 Shoveller, 20 Wigeon, 8 Coot and 2 Herons.
Freshwest carpark - 110 Golden Plover, 1 male Sparrowhawk.
Kilpaison - 240 approx. Dunlin, 10 Knot, 41 Bartail Godwits, 12 Curlew, 8 Oystercatcher and 4 Brent Geese

Ramsey - few migrants

The female/juv black redstart was around the bungalow again today. Other birds that have dropped in today are 2 more goldcrests (nice to see an increase in records after a few barren years following the hard winters), a male house sparrow and an arrival of stonechats - at least 4 or 5 males in the farmhouse valley that weren't here yesterday. Still waiting on that first wheatear.....

5 or 6 lapwing around the ponds today of which 3 were displaying males.

More on the Gann Brents

Careful counting (WEBS!) revealed 48 Brents today - not quite up to the numbers Brian had yesterday. One had colour rings - Orange Left, White Right, but I couldn't read the letters - needed a) better eyesight b) better telecope c) better fieldcraft - they were easily spooked into the water.

And, as Dave says, definitely signs of spring - as I went out to look at the moth trap this morning the first Chiffchaff of the year was singing in the garden, and there was another one at Mullock Bridge later.

Rosemary

Brents - High Tide at Gann

Brent flock around 45. 2 GC grebe displaying to each other in the bay. Water rail pushed out by high tide. Group of turnstone wheeling around trying to decide where to put down. Mullock Bridge - 2 Little egret and GS woodpecker drumming on telegraph pole

Glossy Ibis/ Marloes Mere

3 GI`S at 0730, flying around the Mere - ducking & diving as they do, they settled in front of the North hide, visible from the NT car park too. Also 1 female Brambling & a male Merlin at Mabs Gate.

Signs of Spring

My WeBS count at Hook this morning revealed a drastic drop in bird numbers from my February count - 5,095 now down to 625! Also plenty of drumming Great Spots to remind us spring has sprung. No Lapwing, Golden Plover or Pintail, and very few Dunlin, but Teal still in decent numbers (390). Highlights included 4 Greylag Goose (in 2 obvious pairs), 72 Shelduck, 3 Grey Plover and 26 Knot. A female Brambling was with a Chaffinch flock along the W Cleddau.

This evening the 3 Glossy Ibis flew into Marloes Mere at exactly 5.30pm, and settled after circling a few times - fantastic to see. They then proceeded to bathe and feed. Onto Dale where the Brents were down to 27 (roosting in the bay with the gulls), just 2 Med Gulls amongst a sizeable flock of mainly Black-headed Gulls (adult & 2cy), and I managed one additional Goldeneye to Brian's 9 earlier (10, 3 males). On the way home no less than 7 separate bats along the B4327.

Teifi

Quiet this a.m. with only a barwit and a summer plumaged "crested" shag feeding off the Webley. 3 Great spots drumming between Popit and the Netpool. At lunchtime across the river from the Ferry Inn a thermal held 8 Buzzard and 3 Red Kites.

At 3:30 the Ring billed gull was feeding just in front of the Indian restaurant by the co-op it was on the mud within 20 feet of me. I'd seen it fly over my head by the old town bridge landing by the restaurant. I drove over there and to begin with I thought it had left. It then wandered out from underneath me (it was feeding up against the (sea)wall that I was stood on top off.

John O'Sullivan

Great Grey Shrike - Ty Rhyg

After a shrikeless February 3 visits in March 2 shrike sightings. Just shows how elusive it can be, or has it been using another off-site area. It was very active, dropping repeatedly to the ground. Watched it for almost an hour hoping to see if it left the site, and though it spent alot of time very close to the road it remained within the boundary. Also a pair of treecreeper in forestry.

Rosebush res.
2 pairs GC Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 3 Goldeneye

St Davids Hd

The Black Redstart present again just west of Porthmelgan Beach, two Chiffchaffs and a Goldcrest in the valley.

Ring-billed Gull - Teifi

The 2w Ring-billed Gull back at Priory Bridge in Cardigan(Ceredigion).
There from 0730, still present 1300.
Chiffchaff singing on the Reserve.

Brambling still in Boncath this morning.

Dale

Gann: Lots of Brent - 51 on Gann plus another 6 on Pools (57), the 6 on the Pools were spooked and flew off in direction of Angle, 9 Goldeneye (3male, 6female), couple of Little grebe. 2 Little egret. 5 GC grebe out in the bay, and a very distant diver (BT?) viewed from Dale.
Kete: Quiet apart from flock of 3o Golden plover and a kestrel.

Ibises over Crundale

Sitting on the patio this afternoon with a cup of tea, having watched the antics of gulls objecting to the presence of a couple of buzzards, we were amazed to see four ibises directly over us and flying slightly north of west: time 1600 hrs.

Teifi

Presumably on it's return passage, a 2w Ring-billed Gull was in front of the GVP this evening. Hopefully it will resume it's previous feeding habits - from the slipway.
Also Brambling still in the garden today - Boncath.

Glossy Ibis/ Marloes Mere

Back on duty - 17.00 Friday to 17.00 Sunday! 3 Ibises still there.

Merlin

A merlin just in front of the car at Canaston bridge roundabout today hot on the heels of what looked liked a reed bunting, though it's speed and panic stricken aerial manouevres made identification difficult, without crashing the car.

Yesterday at Llawhaden a newly fledged collared dove was sitting in the the road waiting to be run down or consumed by a cat, so it was carefully placed on top of the hedge, where it could at least become a meal for a kite or sparrowhawk - far more dignified!

Firecrest.

Firecrest in Milton Woods this morning.This is the woodland to the east of Westfield Pill.Red Kite near Sentry Cross.

Amazing who you bump into.....

When you're 5 & a half thousand miles away.

pembroke Upper Pond Waders

Good numbers of waders on the upper millpond today.
Black-tailed Godwits 175, including the regular colour ringed bird, Orange/Yellow right leg, white on left leg. This birds has been returning to the pond for several years now around the same date every year.
Redshank 82, Greenshank 4, Knot 6.
don't you just love light mornings so you can have a look before going to work.

TUNDRA RINGED PLOVER

The northern race of Ringed Plover (Tundra Ringed Plover) has been recorded at a variety of sites in Britain. My own experience of them comes from birds seen in Norfolk in the '90's where we considered them to be regular if scarce migrants (Google 'Tundra Ringed Plover' for records). The problem with 'tundrae' identification is that there isn't a nice neat cut off between this race and the familiar 'hiaticula' but a clinal change with intergrades between the two. However, a combination of appearance, feather wear and 'jizz' should nail most individuals, especially when the two races are present allowing for a comparison. As well as being smaller and darker than 'normal' Ringed Plover, they are quicker in movement, giving the impression of a chick or maybe a Kentish Plover as they dash about. They can be really quite distinct, especially if compared to a lumbering, pale 'hiaticula' Ringed Plover. Additionally, Tundra Ringed Plover has a different moult pattern to 'hiaticula'; unlike nominate birds they undergo a complete moult on wintering grounds - so fresh flight feathers in spring can be a helpful indication of 'tundrae' and worth looking for if you have an interesting Ringed Plover. My interest in this form of Ringed Plover as a Pembs bird goes back about ten years to a record of three of them (with a 'hiaticula' bird for a neat contrast) on the beach at Fishguard. I think it was 2002. I sent the record in for the Report at the time but they became generic Ringed Plovers. Tundra Ringed Plovers can and do occur here in Pembs and are maybe worth bearing in mind when looking for a rare American close relative. I think we should record them anyway. What's to lose? (Photo courtesy of Dick Philby)

St Davids and Whitesands

A Black Redstart was near Porthmelgan Beach and a Merlin on the Head (none wintered this year). At the Golf Course a male White Wagtail joined c14 Pied Wagtails and similar no of Meadow Pipits which have been there for about a week now. Still 2000+ Golden Plovers near Croesgoch.

Glossy Ibis fly in ......

...... at 4:52 yesterday, flying fast and zig-zagging against the strong wind. Once over the car park they whiffled down abruptly into the marsh where we lost sight of them. Surprised not to find Derek G there on duty!

Frenni

Merlin (m) on Frenni Fawr yesterday morning. Then about lunchtime over 1000 GP's wheeling & turning in Frenni Fach area.

Dinas Mountain

Was more interesting than expected this morning. 10 Ravens displaying together, a flock of c25 Golden Plovers & singing Skylarks.

Dartfords

Although the winter was generally pretty mild there were a couple of cold snaps so it was good to see 4 Dartford Warblers at a regular site in the south of the county this morning.

Iceland Gull - Llys-y-fran Resr.

In the roost this evening, 1 imm Iceland Gull, looked like the 1st yr. bird of recent visits.
c600 LBB Gulls, the bulk of the remainder of gulls and 4 Goldeneye.

Brambling- one in the garden still today.

Ramsey - Black redstart

A female / juv Black Redstart near the bungalow today. Flock of 14 chough.

Marloes

The three Glossy Ibis again in the original field on the edge of Marloes this morning before flying off in the direction of Mullock Bridge.
At the Deer Park pretty quiet with 4 Chough and, passing through Jack Sound, a few Gannets.
Very quiet too at Marloes Mere with few ducks. This female Brambling in front of the hide with a small group of Chaffinch and Reed Bunting was a nice surprise.

Glossies & Wooltack Gull Watching

Out with Paul G late afternoon, as we drove through Marloes the 3 Glossy Ibis were flying over the original field, and seemed to land to the west of Foxdale Guest House. Sure enough, a drive down Glebe Lane found them in the first field to the west of Foxdale. They fed contentedly for 5 minutes or so, then flew about heading nearly all the way down to Mullock, before circling back and landing in the same field! This was around 4.10-4.15pm. As Derek said, they looked fantastic in the bright sunlight.

Our main mission was an experimental (pioneering?) watch from Wooltack to see a) how many gulls headed from the mainland to Skomer, b) the main flightlines used, and c) were there any 'white-wingers' in amongst them. The respective answers were a) around 6,000 between 4.45pm and 6.30pm mostly adult Lesser Black-backs, b) the red line on the map above, streaming along the shoreline of St. Bride's Bay, and c) no.

I counted 4,831 birds taking the main northern red flightline. A proportion came along the bay then veered slightly south of my position (pink line) and the remainder came in from the south and east (Gateholm direction). An education, but really cold!

Teifi - a second Glaucous Gull

From the Gull View Point a different 1st year Glaucous Gull this evening.
This bird arrived at 17:31, a paler, marginally smaller bird, with a slightly different bill pattern.
1 1st year Med. Gull, and an increase in Common Gulls.
The biscuit coloured Glaucous Gull was seen at 11:20 this morning.

Glossy Ibis/ Marloes Mere

I know I keep going on about it, but these birds are reliable. I got to the NT car park at 4:45pm, sure enough, 4:50pm in they flew from the East. I wandered down to where they landed in front of the white (was pink) cottage & watched them as they fed in amongst the Wigeon & Canada geese. Looking fabulous in the sunshine.

Great Grey Shrike - Ty Rhyg

Caught up with the shrike for the first time since January. It was keeping low and using the small conifers to the right of the pond, easily missed.

Glaucous Gull - Teifi

The 1st year Glaucous Gull again from the Gull Viewpoint at 11:20 this morning.

Common Sandpiper

One calling by the Bristol Trader in Haverfordwest on Thursday at 7pm (Peter Howe).

Gann

Gann - 5 Great crested grebe, 4 goldeneye, 3 Brent and a merlin at Hasguard Cross

Early tern

A Sandwich Tern was fishing offshore at the Gann mid afternoon on what is a very early date.

Two Gannets were frequently diving further offshore.

Gann

A good gathering of gulls at the Gann this evening, with at least 18 Med Gulls (9 ads, 3 3rdcy, 6 2ndcy - a mixture of head patterns!). Also 2 Slavonian Grebes still in the bay along with 5 Great-crests, a Knot, 2 Barwit and 3 Grey Plover. (Dave & Paul G with a cameo from Derek)

Glaucous & Iceland Gulls on the Teifi

High tide was 15:42, just about covered the main sand bar, so as the tide retreated fresh sand exposed !
Perfect for Teifi evening gulls !
16:41 the 1st year Glaucous Gull flew in, 5 mins on the water before a preen on the sand.
Viewable form the GVP, and The Webley Hotel, Jon G positioned here.
Then a 2nd year Iceland Gull appeared on the sand...and rapidly fell asleep !
Numbers of small gulls much diminshed now, few Common Gulls, 1 adult Med. Gull.
Shelduck numbers increasing, the main flock now 36 birds in the estuary, also a pair of Goosander off the roost -unusual this far down the estuary -

Brambling - Boncath

1 Good looking male still appearing with other finches in the garden, for his sixth day.

Glossy Ibis/ Marloes Mere

Flew in to roost, from Marloes village direction at 16:50. A good Rolex watch would set you back say, £6-7,000. These 3 birds are reliable to within 10 minutes. given the choice, which would you choose......? No contest really is it?

Chiffchaff - Skomer

Chiffchaff in North Valley, 1 Hen Harrier, 180 Oystercatcher, 18 Chough today.
(Chris - warden)

Bosherston & Angle Area

At Bosherston this morning 9 Tufted Ducks, c. 15 Wigeon, 14 Gadwall and a lone Goldeneye. Goosander numbers down to 12 with some courtship going on amongst them. Two Otters seen briefly.
At Freshwater West c.35 Dunlin on the rocks at the south end of the beach and, flying over Castlemartin Corse, 200+ Golden Plover.
At Kilpaison midday 33 Brents, 27 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Grey Plover, 7 Knot and 45 Dunlin.

Cycletrack bird - not quite as black (yellow) and white

Had a wander along the cycletrack this morning - the bird I believe my brother-in-law saw was a what appears to be a washed-out Great Tit, very pale yellow, pale grey and brown, it was pretty much south of the grid ref where the path zig-zags upwards by a derelict farm building. A few redwings and greenfinches - not birds I'd seen much of this winter.
A search on the web showed a nice picture of a similar very pale Great Tit at Portland
http://www.portlandbirdobs.org.uk/latest_apr2006.htm

Glossy Ibis Marloes Mere

3 flew in from the village direction, as I got out of my car at 16:50 & settled on the Mere to roost, however some 45 mins later, someone over Trehill farm area started shooting (ducks, rabbits?) & put them up. As I left they were still flying around trying to settle again. Also 4 Tufted Duck (3m x 1f) there too.

Cycletrack - Winsel Tip area

My brother-in-law passed on a sighting he'd had whilst running on the cycletrack today (approx SM927134) of an all-white bird with yellow breast (not beak as I thought originally), robin or chaffinch size in hedgerow with a group of other birds. Sounds too small for a leucistic blackbird?

Cleddau

At Garron Pill early afternoon nice to see a Red Kite cruise by, whilst on the tide edge there was a Greenshank and a Little Egret. I also flushed a Jack Snipe from the waterside vegetation.
Photo taken a couple of weeks ago at Llanddeusant in Carmarthenshire which is our nearest Kite feeding station and well worth a visit

Glossy Ibis & Sand Martins

The 3 Glossy Ibis were back in the 'original' field in Marloes again today (i.e. opposite the church) and 2 Sand Martins at Marloes Mere. (Paul G)

Mick Brown has a pair of 10x40 Swarovski Bins for sale, they are 9 months old ~ as per the picture. Price £600. To find out more please contact him on 01834 843968 or at mick@antarcticmic.co.uk

Sand Martins -Teifi Marshes

2 Sand Martins were picked up by Paul Mahiques before the Pied Wagtails went to roost this evening. They flew us past once more to signal the arrival of ..... Spring !
Though 7 Goosander and 3 Goldeneye on the river still. 3 Cetti's singing.

No sign of Glaucous or Iceland Gulls this evening, just 1 adult Med. Gull.

Glaucous Gull -- Teifi

The 1st year Glaucous Gull was playing with sticks (this bird's usual habit) on the sand bar, viewed from The Webley at 14:20 this afternoon.
(Wendy J)

Freshwater West

Yesterday around 11.00 am - a mixed flock of (very) approx 100 knot and 40 grey plover flew in off the sea from the south, circled round a bit and then headed off in about the same direction.

Cetti's warbler singing by the watercourse about 200 metres upstream beside the watercourse (well before Starman's Hall).

Richard Ellis

Llys y Fran

8 Great crested grebes - 2 appeared to be building a nest. 3 Little grebe, a female Goosander, 7 Goldeneye, c100 Canadas.
Headed up to Rosebush Res but thick mist so stopped at Ty Rhyg - Red Kite, a snipe and 1000+ starling dropping into the conifers around 5pm.

Carew River

On the Carew River this afternoon a Little Egret, 1 Greenshank and 14 Black-tailed Godwits.

Pantmaenog Bittern

An interesting sighting sent in by Vicky Nightingale - "I'm not much of a birder (more casual spotter) but I was walking at Pantmaenog (the clear-felled section north-west of Rosebush) earlier today (29th February) and my Springer inadvertently flushed out what I assume could only be a bittern (approximate time 4.35pm). Being a-not-much-of-a-birder my first thoughts were "Uh, a brown and black barred heron?" immediately followed by "isn't that what a bittern looks like?". Flushed from the overgrown fen-like area south of the footpath at approximate OS Grid Reference SN075305 it flew south-south-east towards the village of Rosebush. There's a lot of frog spawn around in some of the pools and streams at the moment so it could have been there feeding on frogs?"

An unusual location for a Bittern it may well be that the food source which Vicky mentions has brought the bird in.

Afon Anghof

First thing this morning I explored a new patch and enjoyed a lovely Spring walk upstream from the Motte & Bailey castle at Wolfscastle through this nice patch of woodland. 29 species recorded and most residents in song. Rooks building nests, Grey Wags on territory & Great Spots Drumming. Highlights were Kingfisher, 3 Dippers and a male Goosander, not forgetting all the beautiful singing of course!.