Fishguard Harbour

An adult Black Guillemot in winter plumage was present in Fishguard Harbour this morning with a party of some 30 Guillemots (almost all in  s/p) and 20 Razorbills (all in w/p).  There was also a group of c. 40 Shags and Cormorants feeding in the harbour, mostly Shags - but constant diving and choppy sea conditions made an accurate count impossible.

Martletwy & Haverfordwest miscellany

From the car on way to Haverfordwest this afternoon - a single merlin spooked a couple of hundred lapwings, golden plovers and starlings in fields near the road at Martletwy (personally not seen that many merlins so far this winter). At Haverordwest, just before dusk, a fine barn owl (clutching a rodent in its talons) flew across a field alongside Vincent Davies's cafe. From this location, noted about 1,000 starlings in small flocks heading towards Plumstone roost but numbers were not particularly large whilst we watched from this location.

Teifi -- gulls

Gull roost from GVP;-
1 leucistic adult Herring Gull, 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls,
(Jon G)

Snow Buntings - Foel Cwm Cerwyn

Total of 7 snow buntings (singles and twos) on slopes to N, E and W of Voel Cwm Cerwyn this morning. Full credit must go to Alfie (my dog) as I would not have seen them without his efforts.
(Den Vaughan)

Long-billed Dowitcher...and Marloes Mere

The Long-billed Dowitcher still present on the pool at The Gann.
(Rich D & Dawn J)

Ring-necked Duck and Glossy Ibis still present at Marloes Mere.
(Rich B & Gis.)

Dipper in Haverfordwest

There was a dipper on the fish ladder by the County Council Headquarters on Thursday.

Llys y fran and Rosebush

Llys y fran - 4 Greylags amongst the flock of c300 Canadas, generally very quiet on main reservoir with just 5-6 GC grebe, moorhen, male goosander, pair of Goldeneye and a few teal pushed under the bankside veetation. Rosebush - Tufted c10, Goldeneye c7, 4 Little grebe and a few teal and mallard. Quick look over at Ty Rhyg - seemed to be numbers of Goldcrest (c10) amongst mixed flock of siskin, blue, coal and willow tits. 4 ravens, a few fieldfare in adjacent pastures and a Peregrine flying over.

Green-winged Teal - Sprinkle Pill

A nice surprise this morning on my WeBS count was a drake Green-winged Teal at the mouth of Sprinkle Pill, in the main channel looking south - second time I've found this species at this spot in 3 winters (click here for location).  Apologies that the picture quality doesn't come close to Clive's excellent Short-eared Owl photo below, but you can see what it is.  Other WeBS highlights included a drake Pintail, a Jack Snipe, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 530 Lapwing, 557 Teal and 6 Grey Plover.

Dowrog Common

This afternoon at Dowrog Common a Short-eared Owl appeared on the posts along the side of the road at c.15:50, and this bird reappeared on two further occasions before a male Hen Harrier came into the site at 16:45.  Between then and 17:00 another two Hen Harriers flew in: a second male and a ring-tail.

Kite and Blackcaps

From Mike Johnson - two blackcaps feeding on fat balls
                     in garden st daniels hill pembroke one male one
                     female

From Mike Jones - Red Kite seen today flying over Pope Hill hill,  Johnston

Manorbier

Around 160 Lapwing and 250 Golden Plover in fields just north of Manorbier this morning.

Saundersfoot Divers

From Peter Cadogan - There were a number of red throated divers off Saundersfoot beach this last week. On Monday 7th Jan 2013 a flock of 6 flew over Coppet Hall beach. Also seen that day were 4 red breasted mergansers, 2 great crested grebes, a razorbill and a guillemot.

On Wednesday 9th the glossy ibis was showing well from the path at Marloes Mere. Also there were 30 snipe, about 250 lapwings and 8 shoveller

Long-billed Dowitcher

Still present and showing very well at The Gann mid-morning, below the house. At Monk Haven 2 collybita Chiffchaffs.

Ramsey

A long staying black redstart has been around since our return on 21/12. A short-eared owl 2 days ago the only other species of note of late.

Surf Scoter

The female was still present and close inshore this morning riding the rolling swells just beyond the breakers off Broad Haven (N). 5 Red Throated Divers a little further out.

Crested Tit & Jackdaws

That got your attention!  Slightly out of County, but relevant, well done to local photographer Drew Buckley for getting his Crested Tit (Scotland, naturally) published on the cover of the January edition of Birdwatch magazine:

http://drewbuckleyphotography.com/birdwatch-magazine-january-2013/

On the subject of Nordic Jackdaws, I would agree with Clive - if expert opinion agrees that the well marked collared birds that we are seeing from time to time are of Scandinavian origin, for example the Haverfordwest bird, then it is clear that they can then decide to stay, and I suspect breed locally.  The Nordic bird in Haverfordwest was still around early winter at least, and there is another bird with a less distinct collar in the same area...possibly suggesting offspring.

Cosheston Pill, Pembroke Dock

Lunchtime today - 2 Greenshank, c20 Redshank, 5 Little grebe, 9 Mute swan, 4 Shelduck, 50+ Teal, 3 Black-tailed godwits, c15 Dunlin and the kingfisher was perched on the quay by boatyard. No curlew which are usually ever present even if its just one or two.

'Nordic' Jackdaws

My understanding is that many of the Jackdaws in northern Scandinavia disperse south for the winter, with some of these individuals reaching the UK.  These birds can vary (through five recognised intergrades) from having no collar, to having a very bright and obvious white collar (like the bird that Byron photographed at St David's Cathedral).   On balance, the collar tends to be more pronounced in the more northerly populations (especially in the north of Finland) and weakest or absent in the south of the species' range. 

In my experience, even in northern Sweden, many of the Jackdaws have weak or indiscernible collars, and I have seen pairs nest building there where one bird has a very white collar and the other has no obvious collar at all.  There is no suggestion that the northern variant is a separate species, and there is no barrier to interbreeding between the various intergrades.

The individual that David Astins has reported periodically is now resident in the county, as indeed was the bird that Byron photographed.  Again, for what it is worth, I suspect that the young birds that reach here without a mate (Jackdaws tend to mate for life) occasionally pair up with one of the local birds and then remain indefinitely - but this is pure conjecture of course.  

Teifi

To get back into the feel of North Pembs a quick look this evening for gulls....very few,
109 Curlew and 1 Bar-tailed Godwit the Webley counts....

Dunlin

Viewed from my scope at Pembroke Dock, some 220 Dunlin at Llanstadwell. Also around the ferry terminal, 20 Redshank.

Mid Pembrokeshire - WildlifeTrust of SouthandWestwales

Two upcoming events are (a) Saturday 19th January 2013 – A visit to Fishguard outer breakwater and  (b) Monday 21st January 2013 a talk by Nathan Walton on Teifi marshes and other Pembrokeshire reserves. For more info please visit     http://www.pembrokeshirebirdgroup.blogspot.co.uk/

'Ecclesiastical' Jackdaw

I  think this photo might be of some interest regarding the recent blogs on Scandinavian Jackdaws and collars. I took it in the grounds of St.Davids Cathedral in march last year. This bird is obviously nest building and so has to be resident.

Dale Peninsula

Still present today – LBDowitcher at the Gann, RNDuck at Marloes Mere and SurfScoter at Broadhaven.

Lapland Buntings

An unfortunately curtailed visit found 4 Lapland Buntings wintering Dale Airfield, near the Pond where there were also c70 Snipe. Also 30 Skylarks, 200 Lapwings and a Golden Plover around.

Great Northern - Cosheston Pill

Great Northern diver just out from the Watersports Centre at lunchtime/high tide today.

'Scandinavian' Jackdaw

It seems that we may have had a small influx of 'Scandinavian' Jackdaws this winter - these two birds (and at least one other with a stronger white collar) have been seen in and around the 'Monkton Swifts AFC' car park in Monkton over the past few days.  I have also seen a bird with similar markings near the 'Waterloo' (Tesco's) roundabout in Pembroke Dock this winter, and Adrian Rogers saw another near the 'Flagpoles' car park at Fishguard Harbour not so long ago.

A birder friend in Sweden tells me that there are five 'inter-grades' of collar strength - ranging from the 'typical' UK Jackdaws with no collar to Jackdaws from Finland that can have very white collars.  

Surf Scoter still at Broadhaven

The female Surf Scoter drifted into Broad Haven bay on the incoming tide from the north at c.12:45 today.  Also in the bay, c.150 Common Scoter, at least four Red-throated Divers and a Great Northern Diver.

The Surf Scoter was always on its own and, although never particularly close, it was considerably closer than the groups of Common Scoter.

An Invitation to everyone interested in Pembrokeshire Birds

Anyone who has an interest in Birds in Pembrokeshire is invited to an open meeting at The Patch in Haverfordwest (Post Code SA61 1HU – I think !!) tonight, Monday the 7th of January 2012. Further details are on the Pembrokeshire Bird Group Blog site – please use the link opposite.

Leucistic Jackdaw

Leucistic jackdaw taken by neighbour in her garden in Pembroke - Chris Brockway

Newport Goosanders

Three male goosanders above the iron bridge this evening.  Kingfisher too.

Pink-footed geese

The Ring-necked Duck was still visible with the Tufted Ducks at Marloes Mere at lunchtime, and the four Pink-footed Geese were with the Canada Geese in a field on the left of the road to the Skomer embarkation point. 

The Pink-feet (and most of the Canada Geese) were in a field that wasn't visible from the car park or Mere hides.  This field is planted with roots along one edge and is currently being grazed by sheep.

Long-billed Dowitcher

Showing well this morning at the Gann from the roadside below the house.

Colour-ringed chough

Noted Brian's observation of a colour-ringed chough (right leg red; left leg - yellow over green) at Broad Haven today. This bird was ringed as a nestling on Ramsey in May 2004 and was last reported in July 2012 in the Nolton Haven area where it may be resident in the summer. Records of surviving colour-ringed chough are always welcomed, so thanks for reporting this one Brian.

Solva

Solva Harbour is rarely mentioned on the blog, and perhaps deserves a little more attention. Just below the car park this morning there was a Little Egret, 8 Oystercatchers and a flock of assorted gulls including at least 3 Mediterranean Gulls.

Surf Scoter - Broad Haven

Surf scoter at Broad Haven this morning. Initially just out from beach but pushed up towards north end when a few surfers arrived. Once surfers came out it returned to opposite hotel. A very rough movie clip at YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9yHhVuNAe8&feature=youtu.be Also 2 chough, one with rings (right leg - red; left leg - yellow over green). 6 turnstone on rocks. 5 Red-throated divers flying towards Little Haven.

Marloes Mere

Glossy Ibis, Ring Neck Duck, first thing this morning.

Gupton Farm - Farmland bird counts

The late December/early January farmland bird count at Gupton Farm was carried out yesterday, with a conservative total of 12,301 farmland birds estimated to be using the site.  The largest species  counts were c.3770 Lapwing, c.3450 Golden Plover, c.1840 Chaffinch, c.1280 Linnet and c.750 Skylark. Other notable species included Short-eared Owl (2), Chough, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Peregrine. 

Species noted on the farm over the past few days (but not  recorded yesterday) include Barn Owl, Merlin and Brambling.  

Stack Rocks

The Guillemots have been back at the Stack Rocks colony for the past couple of days.

Marloes Mere

Looking for the Glossy more than anything else this afternoon, (& last night) but not seen. Ring Neck Duck, 4 Pink Feet were, however.

Drake Goosander Iron Bridge Newport.

A quick look at Newport Estuary showed a cracking Male Goosander above the bridge and a wintering flock of about 80 Curlew below as well as a couple of dabchicks etc.

Long-billed dowitcher - Gann

Caught-up with the dowitcher at 8.45am, in what I believe is its favoured muddy bay close to the driveway, it was feeding confidently 'stitching-away' amongst a couple of teal, kept walking out of view behind screen of grass. Also 4 lapwing roosting on the island, 60+ curlew and 6 shelduck, the female merganser in the bay with 2 Great crested grebe. At Marloes the 4 Pink-footed geese were with the Canadas but no luck with the Ring-necked duck. 100 or so snipe being flushed as I walked down the track (it appears by a hen harrier reported by 2 visiting birders).

Pink-footed Geese

The four Pink-footed Geese were still feeding with the Canada Geese flock in the field just west of Trehill Farm, Marloes.

Angle Bay

This morning there were at least 22 Great- Crested Grebes scattered around the bay, 33 PB Brents (32 at Kilpaison with 1 at Angle Harbour), 2 Bar-Tailed Godwits,1 male Pintail in with the Wigeon and 1 Long-Tailed Duck.

Long-billed Dowitcher, Ring-necked Duck

The Long-billed Dowitcher was still present at the Gann this morning, along with 1 Greenshank, 2 Grey Plover, 1 adult Med Gull and 1 Red-throated Diver was offshore.At Marloes Mere the Ring-necked Duck was showing nicely from the car park and later on at Dale Airfield 2 Jack Snipe were flushed from just west of the pond (Paul G and Clive Jones).

Still there

Well, the good news for all those laggardly types who have only just got round to doing the Gann-Marloes mini-twitch is that the Dowitcher, Duck and Geese and are all still there.
Rosemary

Long-billed Dowitcher

Left home at c. 9.00 a.m. this morning and headed for the Gann in the mist and rain with little hope of seeing anything. By 10.15 a.m. the spirits were lifted somewhat as I had seen both the Long-billed Dowitcher at the Gann and the Ring-necked Duck at Marloes Mere. If only it were always that easy !!

Long-billed Dowitcher, Ring-necked Duck

Long-billed Dowitcher still at the Gann this afternoon, also the Ring-necked Duck still at Marloes Mere along with 4 Pink-feet still (Peter Howe, Kevin Shales & Jonathan Bennett).  4 Mediterranean Gulls on the airfield, and at least another 9 at the Gann, along with a Great Northern Diver and a female Common Scoter in Dale Roads.

Ducks and Dowitcher

What has been lovely about the last couple of days (apart, that is, from some absolutely cracking birds) has been Pembrokeshire birders. Watching the Ring-necked Duck on Marloes Mere yesterday and receiving an Aythya ID masterclass from Dave and Derek . And Trevor educating me today on the finer (but essential) points of Dowitcher identification. (As an aside, Dave's description of  sprinting across Dale Airfield on Clive's call omits the detour he took at some stage to leave a timely message about the Dowitcher on my front door - huge thanks).

A Pembrokeshire "twitch" is not often a terribly crowded affair, but it is a wonderful opportunity to put faces to names that you otherwise only read on the Blog, and catch up with friends from across the County.
Many thanks to you all, and I hope everyone has as good a 2013 birding as mine has already started.

Long-billed Dowitcher

Always sensible to be in the general vicinity of Clive when he goes birding, given his recent run of 'form', and so it was as I trudged across Dale Airfield and the 'phone rang with Clive on the other end, 2 miles away (less in a straight line), with news of his excellent find.

The bird was still present and showing well at 3pm at least, roosting on the larger of the islands visible from the entrance to the cottage SM809070 (click on the link for map/aerial - park a bit further along the road towards Dale on the right).  I was lucky to see the bird do a little fly around (in response to Derek's car pulling away), calling as it did so, a distinctive sharp trill uttered several times.

Long-billed Dowitcher at The Gann

A Long-billed Dowitcher was on the grassy islands near the shore at the north end of the lagoon at The Gann at 13:30 today.

Marloes Mere

The Ring Neck Duck is still present, in with the Tufted`s, Fairly central of the Mere making it nigh on impossible to see from either hide, best views from the car park. Scaup not seen, Glossy seen by others.