Dawn Delivers (Notes from Pencarnan)

And it has been a long time waiting.

Autumn passerine migration here in the St Davids area this year can hardly be described as dynamic due in part to the persistence of anti-cyclonic meteorological conditions that became established as long ago as Sept 12th.

However, the low pressure system that took hold on Tues released a tide of birds that flooded down the north coast where, on arriving near St Davids Head, turned south and flew over Pencarnan.

Today, during the half hour, 08:00-08:30, we counted 47 flocks of Chaffinch totalling 1350 birds. With these flocks (within, and in discreet flocks of their own) came Greenfinch, possibly 2% of all birds. Starling, like Chaffinch, were also flying south within an hour of dawn, with flock sizes of 200+. By 10:00 Skylark were in the ascendancy with many flocks of 100+. Throughout the morning small numbers of Siskin, Linnet and Meadow Pipit were also recorded, but no Brambling. We wondered; were we overlooking their calls? Migration continued until midday.

The dynamics of this morning's observations were repeated on Tuesday and Wednesday with numbers increasing as the week progressed.

Standing outside at dawn this morning, close to the coast and beneath a red sky full of warning and armed with notebook, pencil and ears, was a wonderful experience. For us, visible migration is one of the most exciting aspects of birdwatching. Will tonights low pressure system throw in a new mix of birds?