As a young boy growing up in East Sussex, one bird I came across in my bird books, was a Gyr falcon. I never knew why, (& still don`t) ...

As a young boy growing up in East Sussex, one bird I came across in my bird books, was a Gyr falcon. I never knew why, (& still don`t) ...
In tonight's roost: Iceland Gull 2 juvs (one dark, one pale, both very distant) Yellow-legged Gull 2 ads Med Gull 1 ad & 1 1stW Also...
Black Redstarts;- The bird mentioned below was at Smoke House Quay, at the end of Milford docks, a dull female, the bird reported last w/e w...
The following events with The Wildlife trust sections of the Mid Pembrokeshire and the Pembrokeshire Bird Group are taking place in Februar...
News from Richard Dobbins fromm Angle this morning - Sawdern Point, Angle Bay - 4 Great Northern Divers, Kilpaison - 20 Barwits, 30 Knot, An...
Llys-y-fran Resr;- This roost time visit paid off with a 1st yr. Iceland Gull this evening, contrasting nicely with the previous visits Glau...
Today notably more thrushes (blackbirds esp) on the back-roads from Martletwy to Carew and also a very large flock of c. 2,500 or more lap...
Common Sandpiper on Castle Pond yesterday.
Related to the previous post. I spoke to Holly Harries a couple of nights back, and she told me that she saw a Gyrfalcon (her description f...
A couple in Hakin had an unusual bird in their garden on Sunday afternoon. They managed to get a couple of pictures, but as soon as it saw t...
5 Whooper Swans (2 ads + 3 juvs) on the St. David's airfield pond, yesterday afternoon; accompanied by several Canada Geese.
Went up to the gate by the sewerage works looking at the birds when the man who runs the works turned up in his van, he let me in and I had ...
At 16:56 a 1st yr Glaucous Gull flew in to bathe for 15 mins then flew off to a nearby field with other large gulls. Not many gulls at the r...
TTV on the high ground between the Gwaun valley & the Preselis. Nothing very unexpected, but a flock of c100 Fieldfares was impressive, ...
At Kilpaison this morning 200+ Dunlin, 15 Bar-Tailed Godwits and 15 Ringed Plovers. Round at Angle Harbour 9 Knot, 15 Light Bellied & 1...
Fishguard;- On the outer breakwater, 3 Snow Buntings still & 1 Purple Sandpiper seen this am. 6 Red thd. Divers in Fishguard bay, & ...
Goodwick Moor;- Cetti's singing, the rugby pitch side of reserve. (Adrian) Teifi;- A pair of Red breasted Mergansers off the railings.
The 2nd year Iceland Gull found by Stuart D yesterday was at Dale beach at 1325 hr today. It flew to the Gann at 1346 hr to settle with L B ...
A 2cy Iceland Gull at the Gann this afternoon.
A 2nd year Iceland Gull today at Withybush Airfield, and later in fields to the east of the airfield (Terry Gover).
Milford Haven;- 1 Black Redstart & 1 Chiffchaff seen below Smoke House Quay flats. Castle Pill;- 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 2 Li...
Newgale;- The Grey Phalarope showing v. well on the flood by the beach car park at midday. St. David's Airfield;- The 5 Whooper Swans f...
Castlemartin Corse - very flooded ay up the valley and loads of finches apparent (but impossible to estimate numbers) around the cows in th...
Dr.M.Havard , Chief Executive, of the Wildlife trust of South and West Wales has kindly presented the Pembrokeshire Bird Group with a copy o...
Newgale, Grey Phalarope;- A visit on the way to the airfield, c16:00;- The Phalarope did it's usual circuit; flew from the marsh to b...
The Milford beach Black Redstart showing today, (Paul W.) One seen in Blackbridge drive, (Mike J.) Is this the same? Dale lagoons;- This aft...
A Black Redstart (fem.), regularly around the front & Blackcap (male & female), regularly feed in the garden. (Dean M.)
A pretty impressive sea of Fresh West today. At Frainslake a roost of 25 grey plovers with 5 turnstones (different to a group of around 20...
we were discussing today whether the swans seen earlier last week at Newgale marsh had been the whoopers or the bewicks. here is a pic take...
Grey Phalarope at Newgale c.12.30 on the small flood by the car park - a new bird on my "birds seen whilst out cycling" list!
The Grey Phalarope was showing periodically at the back of the marsh at lunchtime, before it was eventually spooked by fairly persitent shoo...
The swans seen at St. David's Airfield earlier but not since. (Lyndon) Sandra has come back to me, three juv's(swans) & the harr...
There is also a regular male Blackcap in a friend's garden in Hazelbeach, Llanstadwell, so there really seem to be quite a few in the Mi...
The Grey Phalarope & an ad. Med. Gull still at Newgale this am. (B/L Wales)
A visit at 11:30; 1 Common Sandpiper still at the "dead end", 2 Greenshank, 2 Little Egrets, 25 Redshank, 4 Curlew, 8 Turnstone, ...
Between Ceibwr & Newport;- Mark C. & 2 companions watched what they can only believe(thought pretty un-mistakable views) was a Baski...
Marloes Mere;- A look at lunchtime-ish, no Snow Goose, usual "Marloes " ducks, ie Shoveler, Gadwall etc, also 3 Tufted & 1 Poc...
5 Whooper Swans landed on the pool on St. David's airfield @16:00 today. Also 1 Hen Harrier present. (Sandra Y.)
Richard was contacted yesterday about a possible Pallas's Warbler in a private garden in Milford Haven on 13th January but not seen sinc...
A gorgeous red kite hanging over the fields just before the roundabout approach into Fishguard yesterday lunchtime. Two GND’s at strumble on...
Mute Swan 3 Canada Goose 25 Snipe 80+ Kittiwake 2 1st w. Grey Phalarope
The Whoopers have changed to Mutes at Newgale Marsh - two adults there with an immature, and the Candada Geese at 3pm. Seemed to be fewer St...
The highlight of an hour at Strumble, & all parts of Fishguard Harbour 4 Great Ctd. Grebes. Rosebush Resr;- 9 Tufted 18 Teal, 4 Goldeney...
Hunting over Marloes mere for about 20 mins this afternoon, before heading off towards Skomer - putting up some 40 Snipe, as well as Teal, S...
A Black Redstart first seen at Milford Beach on Jan11, still present yesterday. (Keith M).
This morning, 1 Little Egret, a good Jan record for here? 1 Redshank & 6 Turnstones. (Julia G).
Have received a message today that a DEFRA project (looking at camera technology and aerial surveys) is due to commence shortly in Carmarth...
OOC.....If anybody would like to see Grey Phalaropes at close range and in their natural enviroment (well on the sea at least), I would reco...
I finally saw the Grey Phalarope which appeared at the back of the marsh around 14:00.
Look back at the blog for Jan 23rd 2008 onwards, the Preseli sites! What a time was being had by birders from all over the country! And of c...
Heathfield G.P.;- 15 Tufted duck, 11 Coot & a pr. of Mute Swans. Newport;- A couple of short visits, 1 Bar-tld. Godwit still, 2 Little E...
Newgale Marsh;- The Grey Phalarope present on the marsh today, also it does spend time behind the toilet block on the campsite field. No si...
Yesterday, our penultimate day in Thailand, I spent a day birding at some salt pans 2 hours SW of Bangkok. The area is renowned for waders a...
Jewsons;- 1 Common Sandpiper still. The Railings;- 21 Ringed Plover, c70 Dunlin, 1 Little Egret. Wigeon & Teal numbers appear to be fa...
Little Gull (1st W) feeding just offshore this morning with small flock of Kittiwakes and Black-headed Gulls.
Yesterday (20/01) Dipper still on Goodwick Moor by the stream. 3 Great Ctd. Grebes from the Flagpoles. From Fishguard Fort;- 4 Red Td. Dive...
A visit (on 19 th ) to count waterfowl etc on Carew and Cresswell rivers produced generally fairly modest numbers of birds - fewer wigeon ...
At last - after days of frustration the Phalarope at Newgale decided to show itself today. It was enjoyed by a small but happy group of bi...
14:30 Newgale Marsh; Paul G. has just found a Water Pipit on the marsh. The 9 Whooper Swans & Grey Phalarope still present. Also c200 T...
A visit today with Maurice was wonderful! I now know where to look! I won't repeat Maurice's sighting's from yesterday, much the...
Jon G. came back from a WRP meeting on Sunday, with the news that Pacific Diver has been split from Black Throated Diver by the BOU. Presuma...
The Fishguard List grows... Disturbance at this week-end's WeBs count! Sunday 0930, They claimed they were from Caerphilly!
The heavy seas have shifted the shingle bank, part-closing the run-out of the Marsh again, leading to higher water levels. The Whoopers are...
Saundersfoot;- Ad;- Med. Gull Between Amroth & Saundersfoot;- 1 Gt. N. Diver, c70 Red Thd. Divers, 15 Red Btd. Mergansers, 10 Gt. Ctd. G...
Castlemartin Gumpton Farm area On the Corse looking from behind Castlemartin Church 2 harrier's possibly Marsh, hawking over reed beds,...
A Sandwich Tern was present, then flew inland over the rugby pitch at c1545 this afternoon. (Adrian.) The 2nd record of Sandwich Tern this J...
An early morning visit, by Dave, Paul & I, couldn't find yesterday's reported diver. We did see the Black-necked Grebe & c14...
Grey Phalarope still at Newgale this morning (what a relief - we usually turn up for things the day after they depart) with a lot of Snipe f...
The Phalarope still present, at Newgale, midday; ad Med Gull still near Hayscastle.
Marloes Mere: 3 Pochard (!! - male, imm male, female), 7 Tufted Duck, and usual stuff incl Snow Goose Gann: 28 Brents, including the darker ...
West Arm;- 1 Black-necked Grebe & 1 rh Goosander this afternoon. Also 3+ Gt. Crested Grebes, & c220 Canada Geese. Gull Roost;- Med...
A short stay at Strumble this afternoon produced a single Red-throated Diver, several Fulmars and a steady movement to and fro of Auks and K...
A smaller than normal group of us visited the Fishguard Outer Breakwater today. Despite yesterday’s fears the weather turned out to be real...
The Pembrokeshire Bird Groups Annual dinner is to be held on Saturday the 31st of January 2009 at the Mariners Hotel in Haverfordwest For fu...
The two Blackcaps frequenting a garden in central Milford before the cold stuff have survived and are still around the same garden. Per Paul...
Still present until 12 noon at least, the Whooper Swans and Grey Phalarope. The water level has now dropped considerably so this may well ch...
1 Firecrest today, & a flock of 12 Long Tailed Tits, more survivors! (Mark & Wanda)
Fishguard;- From the Fort this afternoon until 1530; 1 Black thd. Diver, 1 Great Ntn. Diver, 5 Red thd. Divers, 12+ Shags, c40 Guillemots, c...
Teifi ;- 1 Little Egret on the Marshes, the only 1 seen in 4 hours on the estuary. 1 Cetti's singing below Heron Hide, & Wren's ...
Jan 5th;- 4 Whooper Swans? photo'd at Llys-y-fran Resr. 1 is a Bewick! Edited by Rich D. after viewing photos.(Jon G. et al agreed) (Ma...
The 9 Whooper Swans still at Newgale Marsh this am, -- the Grey Phalarope not seen in brief search. Med. gull in field with gulls Nr. Hayca...
A single Little Egret in with cattle at Philbeach this morning. Gann: 26 Brents (one bird looking very much like the Grey-bellied type bird ...
Newgale Marsh;- The 9 Whooper Swans present at c900 this morning, still present midday at least. The Grey Phalarope, not seen before c930 du...
High tide at Kilpaison this morning-1 Grey Phalarope feeding close in c.50yds from turn into bay. Also 17 Brent geese, 9Knot,25+ Dunlin. Da...
Tomorrow, 16 Jan. is the anniversary of the return of the Pacific Diver to Llys-y-fran resr. That evening Adrian & I also had 1st year G...
No sign of the Spoonbill (previously seen from Lawrenny) this am. - Looked until c.1100. But c20 Grey Plover seen flying a couple of times w...
The nine Whooper Swans were on Newgale marsh from mid morning until about 1pm when they flew 'up' the valley. Also present the Gre...
9 Whooper swans and 1 Grey Phalarope still on the marsh this morning. (Paul G)
The Grey Phalarope was showing well up to 1500hrs today, as were the Whoopers. I forgot to add a female Shovelor to my earlier list and so a...
Just a quick reminder that we urgently need your 2008 records - preferably by the end of this month. Records received by e-mail, or by post...
Rare Birds, Where and When: An analysis of status & distribution in Britainand Ireland by Russell Slack is probably the most detailed an...
Fishguard Harbour;- 1 sum. plum. Gt. Ctd. Grebe, not the regular bird & Kingfisher. (Adrian). Felindre;- 2 Bramblings feeding in Janet...
Both Dennis & Robin have been looking for the Spoonbill this am. Mostly without success. Robin did see the bird from Lawrenny, at a dist...
A text from Jonathon B. this morning in reply to todays news; A friend in Newgale phoned him last night to tell him that there were 18 (eigh...
Westfield Pill;- The female Mandarin showing this morning, also 4 Redpoll feeding by the pool on your left as you walk up the pill. (Dennis ...
The Grey Phalarope was still present at 1130hrs today, along with the 9 Whooper Swans, c50 Mallard, 20+ Teal, 15+ wigeon and 15+ Snipe. The...
The 9 Whoopers flew back onto Newgale Marsh at 08.45 this morning. Also, a Grey Phalarope. (Richard D)
Newgale Marsh is extensively flooded at the moment. Late this afternoon there were nine Whooper Swans on the water: seven adults and two imm...
No Swallows have been seen recently. We would have expected these to have been young birds, which for whatever reason decided not to travel ...
Lawrenny;- We dipped the Spoonbill, but it was seen between c930 - 1030 on the far side of the estuary from where we view.(Dennis N. & A...
Bosherston this afternoon, 15 Goosander, a few Goldeneye & Gadwall. On cliffs nearby (SR984942) 3 Black Redstarts. (Karen) This grid r...
Since early November a party of 11 to 13 Long tailers passed through the garden just after dawn and just before dusk every day so they were ...
Remarkably little change despite the change in weather.Redshank down at 7, but 21 Dunlin, 16 Ringed Plovers, 45+Curlews. Single Sanderling ...
I unblocked my 250th today at Westfield Pill, it was on the east bank, the partial albino Blackbird was at the car park and just above the w...
The adult Ring-billed Gull was with a flock of gulls in a field with cattle at the end of the road to East Blockhouse at 08:30 this morning....
January events for the Mid Pembs section of the Wildlife Trust Sunday 18th Jan 2009 Outdoor event – 11am meet at the Parrog Goodwick to go t...
Picking up on Byron's point. Long tails had a brilliant breeding season in 2008 so there were lots of big families and flocks around in ...
Lawrenny;- I have just received a call regarding a Spoonbill, at Lawrenny. First seen on Friday morning, & seen over the week-end. Seen...
Very often the birds you don't see are just as intriguing as those you do see. For instance what's happened to our Long-tailed Tits?...
Teifi;- A visit covering most sites, produced very little, 7 Turnstone, c80 Dunlin, & c10 Ringed Plover on Patch. Fishguard;- The Flagpo...
The maximum count of Brent Geese in Angle Bay over the weekend was 27 yesterday, all pale-bellied as far as I could tell. This morning, in a...
My wife saw a Spectacled Petrel on Friday, but sorry, not in Pembrokeshire!
Richard C;- You will have to do better than a Coppersmith Barbet! Quite a few of us in Pembs have seen that one! & the Asian Fairy Blueb...
In Thailand for a couple of weeks. Needless to say there are some amazingly colourful birds here. The Coppersmith Barbet was in Bangkok whic...
Porth Selau, nr. Whitesands;- 2 Brent Geese this pm, also Lapwings, Fieldfares & Redwings nearby. (Sarah & Jane)
The Flagpoles;- 1 ad. Med. Gull. a large increase in the number of BH Gulls roosting this pm, but very few Common Gulls. (Mike, Adrian ...
At a Christmas drink, Jonathon was delighted to talk about John & Marion's Lists, including the famous "Bush List"; (among...
Firecrests;- 2 still with the regular 10+ Chiffs (collybita) & 2/3 v.pale birds at Monk Haven Sew. Works. Mandarin Duck;- The female see...
Yesterday;- 1 Peregrine, c30 Teal, 2 Curlew, 3 Redshank. Also Redwing feeding with Starlings on housing estate lawn, in Haverfordwest. (Pau...
A Tawny Owl was calling at around 1600hrs today on the eastern side of Westfield Pill at GR SM963070. No sign of the Mandarin, but there we...
c40 Brents - I started to count them when a dog walker put them to flight, they flew over me & kept on going, straight down the Cleddau!...
This morning:4 Pochard, 13 Tufted Duck, 12 Shoveler, 10 Teal, 12 Mallard, 5 Wigeon crammed into a tiny spot of open water with the pr of Mut...
Mid A.M. today 2 Red Kites flew low and purposefully over Narberth Castle. Following last year's success at breeding they are now seen ...
Late pm at Newgale, a very tight flock of Teal off the north end (250-300 birds) with around 20-30 Wigeo (very difficult to count) - so tigh...
I also had a Redwing in my garden this week - my first as well - I was pleased as well. I think everyone in St david's has as well - m...
I saw an adult Med Gull bathing in front of the flagpoles at 13:15.
The Common Sandpiper still at Jewsons. A low tide look around the estuary found nothing un-expected in terms of species or numbers. A Common...
A Redwing in the garden this morning, eating stale porridge! I've had plenty fly over the house, but never seen one in the garden. I was...
During this cold snap, like many people I have been feeding the birds, apart from the usual hanging feeders I also scatter a large amount of...
I received this report yesterday At 7pm tonight I was sitting quietly at the bar in The Farmers Arms Mathry when there was a loud thump on ...
Goodwick Moor;- 2 Lesser Redpoll with c8 Siskin feeding in the Alders by the reserve entrance. Also 1 Cetti's Warbler singing! The Flagp...
A journey up St. Brides Bay coast today, by Paul G. & I;- Continuing the very poor numbers of scoter in the bay. Goultrop & Little H...
The Iceland gull was back today, the first record in 2009. Golden plovers and lapwings still present plus good numbers of redwings and field...
The adult Ring-billed Gull was back on the beach at West Angle at lunchtime today, along with three adult Mediterranean Gulls. As far as I ...
The Irish Brent Goose Research Project are co-ordinating a Brent Goose count this weekend and I have volunteered to collect counts for the C...
I regret to inform you of the death of Hywel Roderick, the ex-county recorder for Ceredigion, on Tuesday night. He had been ill for some tim...
A walk down Nine Wells this afternoon produced a pair of Shoveler on the pond at the end of the wooded area, along with one of several Snipe...
Hundreds (500+) of Redwings heading towards Skomer first thing and plenty tucked away in the gorse bushes on the deer park. At least 2 Water...
Took some new birders to see Golden Plover at Pwllgwaelod. Early afternoon, sunny, the field above the road to Island Farm, thawed out a bit...
Nr. Ffynone Estate;- A pheasant rearing area for shooting, near feeding bins I occassionally look at, 4 Yellowhammers, & in the nearb...
On the river above the by pass bridge, 1 male tufted duck and 1 female Goldeneye. Jewsons, 1 Common Sandpiper. From the railings, 140 Dunlin...
Hook Viewpoint:- 6 Greenshank, c30 Redshank, c150 Dunlin, 2 Little Grebe. 1 Snipe flushed from the roadside. Sprinkle Pill;- 3 Grey Plover,...
Fishguard Harbour;- From the Flagpoles, 1 Dunlin, & 2 Teal,(good harbour bird!) Pen Anglas;- A muck spreader helped the Lapwings & G...
A reasonable selection of waders at Kilpaison at lunchtime, including a Grey Plover, 300+ Dunlin, a single Sanderling, 35+ Knot, and a small...
There is no doubt birds are finding it hard going. I have now had three people tell me of Snipe feeding on thier front lawns. Two from Sol...
A female Stellar's Eider, was present & photogaphed at Morfa Nefyn, Gwynedd on Saturday & Sunday. The bird could not be found to...
The Flagpoles;- 2 Red Thd. Divers, 1 ad. Med. Gull, Lapwing, Ringed Plover. Goodwick Moor;- The Dipper present on the stream by the entra...
I had my first good day of 2009 today, saw a female Black Redstart close up and flushed a Jack Snipe in quick succession at Carnfathach, the...
Arriving at St Justinian at 09:30 this AM, the car's O.A.T. gauge indicated -6c. That's extremely cold for the coastal strip along ...
A quick walk today along the middle (largest) of the Mill Ponds. About 50% iced over but near the top end it was clear and there were 30 Co...
This cold spell may have a severe impact on the Dartford Warbler population. A report yesterday from Richard Ansett, of 1 near Druidston o...
John H. saw 1 Swallow still trying to feed at 17:00 last night, clearly pretty desperate. Also 1 more was picked up dead yesterday making a ...
Teifi;- 1 male Tufted Duck & fem Goldeneye on the river below the by-pass. Common Sand. still at Jewsons. (Rich. D & Wendy) Felindre...
Round up of Ramsey highlights for Nov and Dec 08: November highlights included a female ring ouzel, female black redstart, single chiffchaff...
Sighting via e mail from John Mc - Went to check out the Mandarin Duck at Westfield Pill at about 12.15 today(Sunday). No luck with the Mand...
Paul and I did the roost tonight, went as far up as the hide but no sign of the Pacific Diver - we were wondering if it might appear for the...
As of last night, there were 33 Cattle Egrets reported y'day in SW Britain & S. Ireland (RBA)
Mandarin, Westfield Pill;- The female Mandarin was on the waters-edge beyond the first weir this morning. It did take flight with the Mallar...
Yesterday we moved around approx 12 tetrads in SN11 and SN10 (between roughly Kilgetty , Tavernspite and Whitland) where there had been n...
A quick look for porps at the outer breakwater Fishyguard, produced the three long staying Snow Buntings also a couple of miserable looking...
Good numbers of Red-throated Divers (30+) and Great Crested Grebes off Amroth this morning, though most birds were very distant. Also five ...
A single Cattle Egret flew across the road and landed in a field of cattle at about 11am near Carnhedryn. Unfortunately I left the area and...
2 adult and 3 juvenile Bewick's at Heathfield gravel pits this morning but flew off north at 10.45. (Mike Y-P)
The Mandarin duck is still at Westfield Pill this morning (Richard D and Adrian)
Cold though it may be, some couples just cannot resist a little courtship. In fact the whole field full were 'at it'
A very cold and fairly quite days birding. At the Upper Mill Pond Pembroke 2 Black-tailed Godwits , Stackpole 17 Goosanders , then past Fre...
Cattle Egret;- Appeared in the field to the north of the Steve & Anna Sutcilffe's house at c13:00. But flew inland broadly in the P...
A brief look around the usual fields at Sandy Haven / Capeston again failed for Cattle Egret. Richard C - lovely wader shots. If you should...
The 2008 records from Westfield Pill have arrived;- Highlights are up to 3 Firecrests & a female Mandarin Duck, present from November 19...
Sightings via e mail from Andrew Baxter - Today at Carew below the mill; 50 redshank,60 dunlin,12 lapwing 20 curlew; 2 little egret, 8 shel...
Can anybody point me in the right direction for the best place to view the Starling roost at Plumstone Mountain please?
A series of brief site visits today saw some Chiffs, Goldcrests and a singing Blackcap at Monk Haven (not sure what it had to sing about - s...
Like Richard Stoniers comments, lots of Golden plover, c150 on the stubble between Gt Castle Hd, & Trewarren farm. Redwings everywhere t...
Walk around Strumble Head today - Golden Plovers seemingly in every field (circa 100+), 50+ Lapwing, 5 Snipe on roadside verges, 200+ Redwin...
Sorry to do this !! After Richard had left a Slavonian Grebe seen a long way off the beach with 7 or 8 Great crested grebes in loose associ...
Some great photographic opportunities at Angle this morning in the superb light. Sitting on the beach for an hour was a trifle chilly but t...