Velvet Scoter

The female Velvet Scoter was still off Broad Haven this morning with c200 Scoter and 4 Red-throated Diver.A search of Fishguard for Waxwings proved unproductive(Plenty now in Wales and as close as Llanelli) but a Great Northern Diver and 7 Red-throated Diver in the harbour were nice.Late afternoon saw me at the Dowrog Common and again a Short-eared Owl was showing wonderfully in good light,3 Hen Harriers(2 male) and a Merlin put on a fantastic show at dusk.

Marloes Mere

Too late, too dark this evening for anythng, however, yesterday`s entry in the hide notebook read "Glossy Ibis, Ringtail Harrier & interesting duck" (!)

Sandy Haven and Monk Haven

2 Jack Snipe and 4 Greenshank with the usual suspects at Sandy Haven and a Firecrest in the churchyard at Monk Haven today.

Newgale Marsh Snipe and Solva Harbour

I was at the Marsh at around 1240hrs today and there were very few snipe evident; however a large Kuhne und Nagel truck, which was parked behind the pub, reversed towards the Marsh with its reversing bleep sounding - that put up snipe by the dozen! No snipe at Solva Harbour, but there were three oystercatchers, a redshank and the regular wintering little egret.

Newport Thurs pm

A lovely afternoon.
At the bridge a M Goldeneye, a Kingfisher, 67 Mallards, 12 Teal, 8 Little Grebes & 2 Herons.
On the mud c10+ Redshanks & Oystercatchers, 77 Curlews, 15 Ringed Plovers & a Dunlin.
Around & about a Little Egret & 10 Turnstones.
In the bay 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Red Throated Divers & c80 Wigeon.
No out of the ordinary gulls.

Newgale today

This email received from Mark Cherry today:

Following Ray's post, I dropped by, hoping to find Snipe for this year but no luck. In exchange, got male Pintail as a new life tick! Viewed from the car park next door to the pub. Also 1 Meadow pipit, close by (unusual brownish tint on upper chest, pale legs), 1 Moorhen, 3+ Mallard pairs, 2 Carrion crows pacing a raised grass patch (1 carrying a short twig, 1 carrying a pebble in their beaks), 20+ Teal, 3 Pied Wagtail. 9 Curlew flew in as the light diminished.

 

Mark C.

St Davids Hd

The adult male Merlin still present and, hopefully, wintering; also Woodcock and a few Snipe. The female Scaup still on Penberi Reservoir.

Flagged Black Tailed Godwit

 At last a reply, seen in August at the Gann in a flock of ten. Ringed at Moeze, France (half way down the Bay of Biscay) on the 28/12/08 as a 1y. Seen several times in the same area - mostly wnter months. This is the 1st UK sighting.

Pembroke Dock

Quick look around the 'Dock' at lunchtime. Cosheston Pill - Watersports Centre: c40 Mallard, c30 Teal, c25 Redshank, 10 Black-tailed godwit, 4 Little grebe, a greenshank, 2 shelduck, 3 Mute Swan, a moorhen and 6 each of oystercatchers and curlew. Front Street: 12 Black-tailed godwits, 10 Mallard, 6 Redshank, 2 turnstone and a Little egret.

9 Wells

Hanging around this morning with a mixed Tit flock were two Goldcrests and a Chiffchaff.   Further down the valley lots of Song Thrushes and a pair of Bull Finches were enjoying a berry breakfast.

Late Swallows and news from Haverfordwest

Received an email from Chris Brockway reporting 2 Swallows high over Pembroke Castle Mill Pond for about 10 minutes this morning. Also from Peter Howe: a Green Sandpiper and Woodcock yesterday at the Old Mill Grounds, Haverfordwest.

Red Headed Bunting.

An adult male in the hedge behind Lockley Lodge.Some of my fellow wrinklies may well remember the bird that sang beautifully from the same location about 30 years ago.A flyover Crossbill from the same loacation,and a Chiffchaff in the willows at Marloes Mere.

Jackdaws

At the Gann this morning, two male Goldeneyes. The only other notable feature was a huge (500 or so, maybe more) flock of Jackdaws feeding on the shoreline and flying around, "chacking" all the time. There seem to be more Jackdaws around this autumn/winter than I can remember - perhaps they have had a really good breeding season with the fields nice and wet for digging up leatherjackets and the youngsters tucked up dry and warm in their chimneys and tree holes?
Rosemary

Daugleddau area

This afternoon: c30 Greylags over Fowborough, settled in field near Black Tar. A group of 4 redheaded Goldeneyes were off Picton Point and a Greenshank off Picton Ferry from whence groups of Mallards, Teals, Lapwings, Dunlins, Redshanks and a Curlew were visible along the edge of the mud flats on the rising tide.                              

Fishguard Harbour

Four Great Northern Divers, several Shags and a winter-plumaged Black Guillemot in  Fishguard Harbour this morning.

Velvet Scoter

Forgotten to mention in previous post, had Paul's female Velvet Scoter at Broad Haven this morning.  It wasn't very close, it was alone, although there were at least 110 Common Scoter scattered in 5-6 flocks in the area.

Gulls & Berries

Out for a bit of gull fest this afternoon with Paul G, started well with 2 lovely adult Mediterranean Gulls at Gelliswick.  At the top of the hill out of Gelliswick there were another 4 on the rugby pitch, 2 of which had white darvic rings, sadly couldn't read either of them as the grass was just a tad too long.

Very few gulls in Milford Docks, a Little Egret & 2 Redshank the highlights at Castle Pill, and 3 Redshank the best at Llandstadwell (I remember the days when this was a great spot for gulls).  On to Haverfordwest and a check of a berry-laden Hawthorn in Prendergast didn't produce the hoped for Waxwing - surely won't be long before we do, given the invasion into the UK.

Some great gulling around Withybush Airfield, the vast majority of the 1,000+ gulls being first calendar year (1CY) Herring Gulls.  On our way to Llys-y-fran a nice Red Kite north of Crundale.  At the reservoir an sizeable roost developed, Black-headed Gulls probably in excess of 1,000, and 40+ Common Gulls (mostly 1CY) were notable, highlights were 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls and 2 Greylag Geese in with the 328 Canada Geese.  It was worth the many soakings!

Newgale Marsh

The marsh is flooded again and early this afternoon there were 100+ common snipe, active and very visible, with flocks rising from the reeds every few seconds before circling then dropping into the vegetation again. There was one, possibly two jack snipe with them.

Teifi Marsh

From the viewpoint this morning we seen ~ 3 f Goldeneye, a pair of Goosander & a stunning Firecrest.

Karen & Dawn

Pembrokeshire Bird Group Conference

For more please use the link to the Pembrokeshire Bird Group   Lyndon

Marloes Mere

 Before the rain, early this morning. Glossy Ibis, Starlings everywhere! impossible to count. c200 Lapwings, 30 Snipe.

Velvet Scoter,Swans and Owls

The day started well at Broad Haven with a fine female Velvet Scoter offshore, along with 50 Scoter,2 Great Northern Divers,3 Red-throated Divers,1 Great Crested Grebe and 4 Med Gulls(3 adult and 1 1st w) on the beach.Next on to Newgale Marsh where 2 adult Whooper Swans and a further 4 adult Med Gulls were showing well from the pub car park,but no hoped for Water Pipit yet! Late afternoon saw me at the Dowrog Common where on arrival a Short-eared Owl and a Barn Owl were performing perfectly in brilliant light,and finally an adult male and a juv Hen Harrier roosted.Oh,and the Scaup was still present at Penberi.Phew..what a day!

Glossy Ibis

Still at Marloes Mere. c150 Lapwing, no sign of the Whoopers - there were a couple of 4x4`s in the fields they favour - so they must be elsewhere, they were recorded in the hide notebook for Wenesday.(21st) Teal & Wigeon in good numbers, nothing else to speak of.

Goodwick Moor

Beautiful light on Goodwick Moor this morning.  Seems to be more birds around after the gale, or at least they are more visible now.

Best one was a Firecrest - back of the gorse adjacent the rugby field path (near 2 x stonechats and 4-5 Meadow Pipits).  Several Goldcrests too amongst trees at west and east side of reeds.  Of the more usual species, many Blue Tits and Blackbirds (~50 I'd guess).  Long-tailed tits in small groups (12-20 birds?).  Conservative guess at 3 x water rail (2 x west side reeds and 1 x close to footpath on east side).  Cetti's Warbler - at least 2 singers.  Little Grebe - 1 x opposite the flagpoles near Moorhens.  Two GS Woodpeckers flew over the reeds too.  And a nice bullfinch calling below the pub.

If you're listening - a big 'thank you' to those who manage the reedbeds and maintain the board walk!

mystery bird

Raven?

Bittern at the Teifi Marshes

These Bittern photos were taken by Tommy Evans from Kingfisher Hide on the Teifi Marshes at about 11:30 today:

Mystery bird

The following email was received from Peter Howe today:

Interesting photos having looked as close as possible and flicked through the field guide can vulture be ruled out on the tail, all vultures tails are too short apart from Egyptian and bone crusher, but wings of bird in question seem too long to be Egyptian, eagles wise surely the wing are not broad enough for white tailed, with the evident long tail and what seem to be yellow feet combined with white flashes on the underwing possibly point to golden?? Comments and location would be welcome.

Re: Eagle or vulture

I believe there was an escaped Egyptian vulture around SW in October not sure if it has been accounted for recently? Might this be it?

Plumstone Mountain

An hour with Mervyn late afternoon was pretty good with a male and a ringtail Hen Harrier,Kestrel and a Merlin dashed through.I was also able to pay more attention to the Starlings today and i estimated about 50,000+ birds around the conifers before we had to leave at 4.30.

Pembs Bird Conference

If you are unaware, there has been a change of venue. See Lyndon's post yesterday for details.

Castlemartin Corse

A lovely morning on the Corse. In addition to species seen on Sunday by Morris and John, 15 greylags on the water upstream of the pine trees, and a Cetti's singing on the N side. A female merlin was perched on a fencepost surrounded by floodwater.

Eider.

A juv/fem Eider in the bay at Dale.A Red Breasted Merganser in Dale pools.An adult male Black Redstart at Renny Slip.

Mystery bird photos

Some distant photos. The sighting was on Sunday morning but as yet the place has been witheld.

Vagrant or Escaped Eagle?

The following email was received today. Sounds interesting. There are some photographs but they are proving difficult to download at the moment. At present the site is witheld. Any further information and accessible photos will be posted.

 '... i watched these  birds from  a far distance..... the four smaller birds i think were buzzards  the other bird was very much larger   my son said it looks like a wedge tailed eagle  the size of this bird was really large..... when compared to the smaller buzzards  from a distance i thought  at first it was a great skua but could  see it was a bird of prey from the  wing tips which were very long and even from  a great distance.......the large bird was just flapping away while the smaller ones were really bothered by him he just seemed to be dismissing them as if they were just trivial annoyances  and just kept going his own way with the others just trying to  move him on......'.

                                                                            regards

                                                                                        E   EDWARDS

Goodwick Moor

In all that rain yesterday, at Goodwick Moor:
One water rail and one Cetti's warbler heard.  The Cetti's gave a rambling series of quite varied calls over a few minutes, with short sections of song mixed in.
35 x oystercatchers on the rugby field with BHG, HG and CGulls
6 x lapwings flew over, also a flock of about 12 dunlin + 3 knot-sized waders
(130 lapwing and 80 curlew in fields near Berry Hill, Newport in the evening)
And a particularly noisy flock of long-tailed tits at the eastern end, near the pub.

Dowrog Common

Rob Davies had 2 adult males and 2 ringtail Hen Harriers on his BTO count on Sunday 18th November.

Fishguard Harbout Outer Breakwater.

Two snow buntings today after a few days with none...

Pembs Bird Conference – URGENT

Unfortunately circumstances have resulted in a change of venue for this event on Saturday. The conference will NOW be at the ‘Cleddau Bridge Hotel’. For those of us travelling from H’west the Hotel is just over the toll bridge on the Right hand Side. Registration is still at 9.15am Many thanks to Valero refinery and staff for still hosting the event for us at the new venue. We really hope this message reaches everyone intending to join us. Please let others know just in case we cannot contact them. Thanks Lyndon

Solva Ysterday

A report of Peregrine and 2 Choughs at Solva yesterday. From Sandra Young

Plumstone Mountain

5 Hen Harriers put on a fantastic show late afternoon on my BTO roost count,including 3 adult males.Also 2 Goshawks and 4 Buzzards hunted a Starling roost of around 30,000 birds.Is Plumstone now one of the most important winter Hen Harrier roosts in Pembs?

Marloes Mere, Afternoon edition.

 8 Whoopers close to the road atTrehill, 1 male Kestrel, 1 large female Peregrine, 1 male Sparrow Hawk. No sign of the Glossy today, nor any of the "missing" Ring Neck Duck. c150 Canadas in the stubble weren`t hiding any other geese in their ranks.

Castlemartin Corse

A good day on the Corse today, good number of Birds as follows:-
Black tailed Godwits x 14,  Golden Plover 320+, Curlew 160+, Snipe 150+, Mallard 45+, Teal x 86, Lapwing 600+, Shoveller x 8, Moorhen x 18, Coot x 7, Wigeon x 6, Redshank x 2. On Fresh West beach 3 Grey Plover, Magpie 38 en masse, (is this a parliament)? Rooks 40+, Raven x 2, Jackdaw 100+, Crow x 6, Chaffinch 800+, with a few Brambling. Kestrel x 1, Merlin x 1, Buzzard x 3,Wood Pigeon 23+, Dunnock x 2, Wren x 1, Bullfinch x 4, Meadow Pipits 70+, Linnets 300+, Stonechat x 4, Pied Wagtail x 1,
Starlings 1000+, Black headed Gulls 23+, Herring Gulls 22+, Song Thrush x 4, Blackbird x 9, Skylark x 4, Pheasant x 5, Reed Bunting x 3 and 1 House Sparrow.
Great birding with my friend John Best.

Pantmaenog

Pantmaenog: No sign of the GGS today or yesterday, must have gone walkabout! Lots of thrushes around with ever present calls from passing Fieldfares. Large mixed flock of Redwing, Fieldfare and Mistle thrush on pastures. Flock of 18 Reed buntings, pair Red Kite and a dipper (my first up here). Ty Rhyg: Plenty of fieldfares. Sparrowhawk and flock of crossbills calling. Rosebush: Red kite. c20 Mallard, 6 Tufted, about a dozen Teal, 3 Goldeneye, 7 Little Grebe, Moorhen, Coot and a snipe. Merlin on hedge at Woodstock.

Ring Tail Harrier

At Marles Mere, 8 Whoopers at Trehill, 13 Snipe, usual Teal, Wigeon, big Jackdaw flock West.

Marloes Mere

Had a look for the errant Ring Neck Duck - to no avail. 8 Whoopers, as previous post.

Marloes Mere

Failed to find the Glossy Ibis and the Canada Geese had left by mid day (except for one which can't fly) but well over 200 Teal and around 50 Wigeon but only 4 Shoveler.  The 8 Whoopers were in the fields nearby (2 adult and 5 young). 7 Little Grebe, 6 Tufties, 30 Coot and 9 Gadwall were the highlights.
Massive flock of Jackdaw on the western fields plus large numbers of Starlings. 

Marloes Mere

Glossy Ibis, c40 Lapwing, 2,500 Starlings (& increasing by the minute) in the field behind the Britton hide, where there is now a cattle feeder, which also attracted some 200 - 300 Jackdaws. 39 Canada Geese on the Mere, c20 Snipe, good numbers of Teal & Wigeon.

Graham`s Marloes mystery....

In a word, Decoys. Canada Geese are problematical at MM, which may explain why the Whoopers apear to have relocated to Newgale. I had a look at Marloes at last light this evening - nothing.

St Davids Hd am

Rather quiet today but a couple of interesting sightings: 2 Stock Doves west were the first migrants of this species I've seen here. A single flock of 200 Woodpigeons also headed west. Later a tiny-looking adult male Merlin chased  a small bird around for a bit. This is unusual in that female/immatures are the norm here. Always something interesting.

Newgale Whoopers

There were seven whooper swans at Newgale Marsh this afternoon; two adults and five juvenile birds. A water rail was squealing from the reeds.

Nine Wells

A pale Chiffchaff at Nine Wells with blackish legs got me excited,but unfortunately i never managed to get any further views of it.Like Skomer i must have had at least 30 Snipe at Newgale Marsh.

Marloes mystery

At 3-oopm the 8 Whooper Swans were feeding in the stubble field below Trehill Farm. At the bottom of that field, near the Mere, a man set out 12-15 dummy Canada Geese before retiring to the field boundary. Does anyone know what this was about?

Dowrog Common

7 Whooper Swans flew west towards dusk,an adult male and a ringtail Hen Harrier roosted,with a Barn Owl hunting when the light had almost gone.

Skomer

Loads of birds, mainly thrushes, around first thing this morning - 160 Blackbirds, 75 Redwings, 65 Song Thrushes, 7 Fieldfares & a Mistle Thrush. Also 2 Woodcocks & 600 Woodpigeons, 55 Skylarks, 140 Chaffinches, 5 Bramblings & a Lapland Bunting flew over

There were more Snipes than I've ever seen before on Skomer flying around this morning - at least 30 & Sarah flushed 4 Jack Snipe at South Pond.

The Ring-necked Duck is still on North Pond

Bosherston

The Long-tailed Duck and the presumed Scaup x Tufted Duck were the only ducks on the eastern arm of the lakes this morning, but always in close proximity of each other.

Lapland Bunting - Newgale

One flew over Newgale Marsh this morning (Paul G).

Skomer

The Ring-necked Duck is still on North Pond & a Snow Bunting flew over

St Davids etc

A promising start was a Green Sandpiper calling somewhere over the house as I left this morning and then the juv/1st winter Scaup was back at Penberi after a week's absence. There were a lot of Thrushes at Whitesands, mainly Blackbirds but with quite a few Song Thrushes, a few Redwings and single Mistle Thrush and Fieldfare. Chaffinches were going over (150+) and there were 3+ Bramblings with them, also a handful of Skylarks. Two Crossbills noisily flew over heading inland, possibly males since I think I could make out some red but difficult to be certain; the bill is extremely distinct even from below. Out on the Head there was a Short-eared Owl and a couple of Snipe. To complete the raptors, there was also Merlin, Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels and a couple of Buzzards. The most curious migrant though was a Moorhen in the Porthmelgan Withies. On the way home, near Heathfield, a tight flock of c70 Siskins were a bright and noisy finale as they buzzed around some Alders. A good, late autumn day.

Yellow Browed Warbler.

One in the willows to the left of the Britton hide this morning.

Skomer

Ring-necked Duck still on North Pond. Apart from the odd thrush, that is all!

Aythya Ducks

It's been an interesting couple of days regarding Aythya ducks, I spent some time with Steve Berry watching (actually mostly looking for) an extremely skulking First winter male Scaup near Jordanstown then followed with interest the comments on the Bosherston bird. It seems like there's always something to learn with these ducks. I'd  also like to add a caution about judging these things from a few photographs. To make my point I've added a photo I took yesterday at Heathfield GP.

And no it's not one! It's an adult female Tufted Duck which made me talk to friends and think very hard for a spell.

Bosherston Aythya....

As Paul suggests, the mix of features makes it difficult to name this bird with any certainty as either a Scaup or Tufted Duck, and I certainly agree that the features Paul noted rule out a true Scaup, so I guess that the bird must be either a hybrid or abberant Tufted .  Either way, it is nice to have a local Long-tailed Duck, it's been a while...

Aythya

I saw this bird yesterday through my telescope and i came to the conclusion it was a Scaup-faced Tufted Duck,due to its small size,small white facial blaze,the extensive black on bill and the pale band behind the bill tip not features you would associate with a true Scaup.In hindsight perhaps the head shape wasn't quite right for a Tufted Duck so could this be an Aythya hybrid?Also like Clive i was more interested in the Long-tailed Duck than the Aythya species it was with so probably didn't pay it the attention it deserved.

Scaup/Tufted Duck at Bosherston

Assuming that Paul and I are referring to the same duck at Bosherston, and I suspect that we are, I'm not sure that 'Scaup-faced Tufted Duck' does it justice.  I initially blogged the bird as a Tufted Duck, but had only had distant views with 8x bins and had not paid it any real attention: primarily due to the distraction of the Long-tailed Duck - a species that I hadn't seen for a few years since seeing them on their breeding grounds in the Arctic Circle :-). 
On getting home, however, I noticed that there were a few Lesser Scaup in the country and I started to feel a bit ill at ease that I hadn't checked the bird with the Long-tailed Duck.  Consequently, I scrutinised my pics of the Long-tailed Duck and came across this image of the offending Aythya duck (here in the company of two female Goldeneyes).  This pic clearly shows that the bird has a rounded head, which is almost flat in the middle (no hint of a tuft or a peaked crown), and has grey on the mantle, not great features for a Tufted Duck.  However, the bird certainly isn't a 'classic' Scaup either, as it was quite small and, with the benefit of hindsight, might have too much black on the tip of the bill.  All comments welcome......

Bosherston

The female Long-tailed Duck still today, and a Scaup-faced Tufted Duck (Paul G).

Skomer

The Ring-necked Duck is still - it did wander down as far as Green Pond but went back to North Pond - it will probably end up on Marloes Mere sooner or later
A stunning adult male Black Redstart was in North Haven & about 1500 Woodpigeons went over this morning

Bosherston

The female Long-tailed Duck was still present in the same place and with the same companions as yesterday, i.e. in the eastern arm between Eight-arch Bridge and Grassy Bridge with an imm Scaup, four Goldeneye,  six Goosanders and a Kingfisher.

Marloes Mere, am/pm.

Early ths morning, 8 Whoopers in the fields, Glossy Ibis. This evening, the 4 Pink Feet flew in from Skomer with some c150 Canada Geese, landing in the stubble at Trehill fields. The Whoopers were on the Mere washing & feeding. No sign of the White Fronts. c150 Lapwing flying West, a huge flock of Starlings (about an acre of sky`s worth) flew over me heading towards the Angle peninsular, I remained completely unspotted!

St Davids Hd am

The Black Redstart was present again at the Burial Chamber and there was a Short-eared Owl and a Woodcock in Porthmelgan Valley as well as a 'collybita' Chiffchaff in The Withies.

Marloes Mere

 Whoopers, Pink Feet & White Fronts all still there,  Starlings impressive, didn`t see the Glossy.

Dawn flight of Fieldfaresand Snow Buntings increase.

I awoke on Thursday morning to see thousands of winter thrushes, Chaffinches and Starlings passing through the ruddy dawn light, a thrilling spectacle! They were still passing by in big waves  as I let the dogs out and managed this snapshot. Visible migration of relatively common birds, but surely one of the highlights of the birders year...
Meanwhile this afternoon, Snow Bunting numbers on the Fishguard Harbour outer breakwater had grown to a little flock of five. They were relatively jittery so only one blurry shot of all five together.

Skomer

The Ring-necked Duck is still on North Pond today, its not the most exciting bird I've ever seen!

Long-tailed Duck at Bosherston

A small group of northern ducks comprised a female Long-tailed Duck, three Goldeneye and at least one Scaup on the eastern arm of Bosherston Lakes late morning, between Eight-arch Bridge and Grassy Bridge. Also six Goosanders and a Kingfisher there - and the two Otters of course.

Marloes Mere, last light.

Whoopers still in Trehill fields, Glossy Ibis also still there,the 4 P/Feet & W/Front Geese seen by others today.

Brambling

Nice to see the first Brambling of the winter in our St Davids garden today.  Not so nice to see - a sick
Greenfinch on the same feeder.

Castlemartin Corse and Kilpaison

Numbers building up on Castlemartin Corse - Curlew 46, Black-tailed Godwit 4, Lapwing 450+, Mallard 25, Teal 20, Gadwall 2.

As reported by Clive on Tuesday at least 4 Bramblings in with a good size mixed flock of Chaffinch, Linnets and Goldfinches near to the road by Gupton Farm.

At Kilpaison 32 Brents, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 3 Knot, 1 Sanderling, 13 Redshank, 60+ Curlew, many Wigeon.

St Davids Hd am

A Black Redstart present at the Burial Chamber and a flyover Snow Bunting. Not a great pic of the bird but ok of the Bests' caravan.

Ring-necked Duck - Skomer

A first-year male Ring-necked Duck on Skomer North Pond today (Dave B).

Dale & Marloes

News from the two Pauls (G & M):

Marloes Mere - 4 Pinkfeet, 4 Greenland Whitefronts, 8 Whoopers, Glossy Ibis

Gann - Yellow-legged Gull (adult), 6 Great Northern Divers, Red-throated Diver, Otter

Dale Airfield - 11 Lapland Buntings

Osprey Nest Site

Info and photo from Tommy Evans -  I attach an image of the osprey nest that was put up yesterday at the Teifi Marshes Reserve.

The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales had arranged for specialist contractors to go on to the marsh using bog mats to erect the nest. The nest is viewable looking over the square pond from the public car park at the centre in Cilgerran.

Twite

One heading west over the neck on Skomer this morning (Dave B).

Thrushes

There has also been a noticable influx Fieldfares in the St Florence area over the last few days with birds stripping berries from the Hawthorn in my backgarden. Also loads of Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and a few Redwings.

From Mike Sherman -  Camrose/Keeston (Tues 06/11/12) - 200+ Fieldfare, 30+ Redwings passing through.

Gupton Farm/Angle area

A Snow Bunting flew up from the side of the B4320 this morning, c.100m west of the turning for Freshwater West. Also, at least four Bramblings in the finch flock near the entrance to Gupton Farm.

Black Redstart - Dale

Male goldeneye 11.40 today also male black restart in hol cottage garden between marloes and dale since Sunday
Malcolm & Teresa Jones
Worcestershire

Dale & Marloes

News from Paul G and Mervyn J this morning:

16 Lapland Buntings on Dale Airfield (around and west of the pond)
2 Great Northern Divers at the Gann
Glossy Ibis, 4 Greenland White-fronts, 4 Pink-feet & 8 Whoopers at Marloes Mere

Skomer

Loads of birds around again first thing - 110 Blackbirds, 50 Song Thrushes, 40 Fieldfares, 50 Redwings, 1 Woodcock & 10 Mistle Thrushes
300 Chaffinches, 7 Bramblings, 6 Lapwings & about 3000 Woodpigeons went over

Rain bunting?

It's maybe raining Snow Buntings as i see RD had a couple previously at Strumble. It was definately raining  at Strumble on Sunday afternoon miserable weather but brightened by this Snow Bunting . Again incredibly tame, my dogs were no more than ten feet away as I snapped this pic' This morning at dawn loads of Chaffinches flying over along with Fieldfares and Redwings. Last Friday  visited the Starling Roost at Roche. not many Starlings, and a pretty unfriendly send off  from (presumably) the owner of Goddards, who apparently does not want people there and threatened to clamp cars, so be warned. Two male and one ringtail Hen Harrier hunting over the moor were slight compensation.

Black Redstart - Pembroke Dock

Black Redstart feeding in my garden at Pembroke dock for the last week.

 (Michael Davey)

Waxwing?

One reported by the car park at Porth Clais - anyone know anything about it?  Reported on Birdguides.

Black Redstarts - one on Puffin Way in Broad Haven today (Paul G) and two at Llanunwas, Solva (Jonathan B).

Lapland Bunting and Skylarks in the Angle area

Skylarks have been pretty thin on the ground at the usual sites around Gupton Farm and in the Broomhill Burrows area this autumn, but the last few days I have noticed larks flying over the road between Freshwater West and Angle.  Although not the easiest area to watch, I stopped for about 20 minutes at a gate entrance along the main road between Fields A and B on the above photo.  There was a lot of Skylark activity and at least one Lapland Bunting with them, but probably several more.  Unfortunately the larks spend most of their time on the ground in Field A, which is a stubble undersown with grass, and where the grass is tall enough to make it almost impossible to see birds on the ground.  However, the birds also commute to Fields B and C, which are low (and relatively open) root crops, where they can be visible on the ground occasionally.  Worth a look if you are passing, though parking isn't easy.  

Skomer

Loads of birds here too in the morning - lots of thrushes around, 40 Fieldfares, 40 Song Thrushes, 85 Redwings, 60 Blackbirds & our first Mistle Thrush of the autumn.
At least 1500 Woodpigeons went over, with a couple of Stock Doves, 200 Chaffinches, 40 Skylarks & 8 Bramblings.
Also 2 Woodcocks, a Black Redstart, a Lapland Bunting flew over, the 4 Pink-footed Geese still going backwards & forwards between here & the mainland & a Great Northern Diver flew high south over the Neck

Strumble Snow Bunts

 I thought you might like to see photos I took of two very trusting snow buntings at Strumble Head yesterday.  They just hopped along the path keeping no more than 10 to 15 feet away.

 

Lew  Keil

St Davids

Plenty of birds this morning; thrushes everywhere, Fieldfares in particular along the back roads. 600 Woodpigeons and 200 Chaffinches flew west, though many of the Woodpigeons headed back inland after a short foray over the sea. Also a handful of Skylarks, Greenfinches and 3 Bramblings. Lyndon's Bewick's waited till I had left Penberi before dropping in and I missed them by seconds later in the afternoon, I swear I could hear them laughing as they disappeared. Paul G and I went to Porth Clais for the Firecrests. They, at least, were perfectly well behaved.

Paul had a smashing male and a ringtail Hen Harrier at Dowrog later.

Ex-Long-tailed Tit

Somewhat surprised during a stroll along the shopfront on Milford Docks to find this completely unmarked, but sadly dead, Long-tailed tit on the pavement. With no trees or hedges (or other tits) anywhere within sight it seemed a bit strange that it should be there at all. Anyway, at least it was an opportunity to examine the beautiful markings.

Back out again....

To the Gann, the Whooper was back, with 7 Mutes, 3 Little Egrets, 7 Little Grebes, 8 - 9 Teal, 1 shoveler & a single Common Gull. No Godeneye yet. Around Dale to the garden opposite the W.I.hut, a Goldcrest in the apple tree had me going for a moment or two, 1 Chiffchaff. Back to Marloes, everything much the same as this morning, Glossy Ibis was visible & female Blackcap in front of the hide.

A lovely surprise this morning

After seeing thousands of starlings, huge flocks of woodpigeons as happens at this time of year around St Davids it was lovely to find these Bewicks swans on Penberry pool - especially as I nearly went ‘for a fix’ of Wildfowl at Marloes

Marloes Mere

 8 Whoopers on the Mere, 4 Whitefronts appeared & flew off West, picking up the 4 Pinkfeet that Dave & Paul found yesterday. They flew back over the Mere before separating, the Whitefronts settled on the water close to the Swans, while the Pinkfeet landed somewhere towards Martins Haven. No Glossy visible, a few thousand Starlings, 7 Fieldfares, good numbers of Chaffinches, 2 Peregrines.

Wild Goose Chase

Out this afternoon trying (not always successfully) to dodge the heavy showers with Paul G.  Around 50 Common Scoter at Broad Haven, along with 2 Guillemots.

On to Marloes Mere where the 8 Whoopers & 4 Greenland White-fronts remained in the Trehill stubbles, the Glossy Ibis was seen several times in flight and we had a close view of a lovely female Merlin.  The day was rounded off when the 4 Pink-footed Geese from Skomer flew in to join Canadas and then headed back towards skomer at 4.20pm.

Marloes Mere and Mullock

Yesterday (Saturday)  ;-
Ringed a couple of bramblings at Mullock amongst Chaffinch flocks and several heard overhead. Still good numbers of Chaffinches around but numbers of migrants seem to have dropped off a bit now.  Both continental Blackbirds (dark billed sooty birds) and Chaffinches (long winged and heavy birds - up to 26g) evident now too.

At dusk - Short -eared Owl at Marloes Mere

Little Egret - Trefeiddan

News from Derek Rees of a little egret on Trefeiddan common this morning.

A party of long tailed tits on Ramsey was the only thing of note over here

Teifi - Barnacle Geese

Just before a wander across the border to Mwnt- a count of the Teifi Barnacle Geese flock.
52 birds in the Teifi at the moment - almost certainly our complete resident flock !.......... Just in case they go for a wander or if more than 52 are seen !

3 Bar-tailed Godwits at the Webley at HT this morning.
1 Brambling among Chaffinch in roadside Beech near Boncath.

Newport Sun am

The BBC online weather forecast predicted it would be sunny at 9am, & so it was.

On the rising tide 66 Wigeon with the DB Brent which has joined up with them. 7 Redshanks, 4 Lapwings, 9 Oystercatchers (but 13 more on the roost) 1 Little Egret, 3 Little Grebes. Only a couple of Curlews & some distant Ringed Plovers.
On the Parrog rocks 12 Turnstones & a Kingfisher.

By 10 the rain had set in.

Marloes Mere

1 Ringtail Harrier - first one this Autumn, flying off towards Skomer, Whoopers & Whitefronts feeding together in the stubble at Trehill, our faithful Glossy Ibis, 8 Lapwings, 20 Snipe. Thousands of Starlings between Mullock Bridge & Marloes.

More from south Pembs

A few more winter visitors around over the last couple of days, including 30+ Fieldfares in the hawthorns near the entrance to Stack Rocks, at least two Bramblings (probably several more) with the Chaffinch and Linnet flock in the field next to the sign for Gupton Farm. and small numbers of Redwings around Angle Village.

Teifi

A few records from wanderings today;-
1 ad Med Gull at the Webley HT roost with  5 Common Gulls amongst the commoner gull sp.
c100 Wigeon at the Webley.
Up river from Priory Bridge 3 Goldeneye and 1 rh Goosander
Opp the Railings the Little Egret roost up to 8, with 3 Grey Herons
c80 Teal feeding at Creek Hide.

Marloes Mere - 12 noon

The 8 Whooper Swans were in the field adjacent to Trehill Farm.
4 Greenland White-fronted Geese on the Mere.
Glossy Ibis seen in flight.
All viewed from the car park.

St Davids Hd am

Few birds overall but some good quality in the shape of a Short-eared Owl near the Burial Chamber, presumably freshly arrived. There was a Woodcock in the Withies and a Black Redstart at the Youth Hostel; a different, duller bird to last month's. The eighth of the year here I think.

mouse

Great Grey shrike - Pantmaenog

The shrike was on the telegraph wires above the paddock - repeatedly dropping to the ground before returning back to the wire yo-yo fashion. A few fieldfare passing westwards. Red kite on top by Foel Cwmcerwyn.

Gann this morning

Good totals of 10 Redshanks and 12 Dabchicks plus one Greenshank. 8 Mute Swans - one pair looking quite territorial - and no Whooper. One lovely GN Diver in the river - good views - it still had some remnants of summer plumage.
Rosemary

South Pembs

Kilpaison - 42 Pale-bellied Brents, loads of Wigeon and Mallard. 15 Dunlin, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit. 2 Sparrowhawks.
Angle Harbour - 18 Redshank, c.20 Ringed Plover, 3 Little Egrets
Broadhaven S - 1 Great Northern Diver

Newport

16 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 10 Turnstone & 4 Brent (3pb 1db).

Marloes Mere

As per Dave, Swans / Geese in the fieds, between the Mere & Trehill farm, barely visible above the hedgeline, but can be seen - though distant -from the improvised view point between the barbed wire gate & the "Marloes Mere" sign. Glossy Ibis was seen yesterday, according to the hide notebook.

Laps / Whoops / White-fronts

Another great day out with Paul G.  As Kim says the adult Whooper still at the Gann, showing really well, and 6 Mediterranean Gulls on the shoreline (all adults), and one Great Northern Diver this morning.  3 Chiffchaffs in Dale all looked good for abietinus, and another was at Dale Fort.  On the Airfield 11 Lapland Buntings scattered across the grassy area to the west of the pond.  Finally at Marloes Mere 4 adult Greenland White-fronted Geese and 8 Whooper Swans (presumably the birds seen flying over the Gann a few days ago by Peter Howe), 2 adults and 6 juveniles.  Lovely.