New Year............Thank You

Many thanks to all who have contributed to Pembsbirds, in a variety of ways over the last year. Please continue to support us in 2010; Have ...

Spoonbill

checked pembroke river at 11am and one of the Spoonbills is still there. Happy New Year to everyone.

Landshipping

Took a stroll along the shore between Landshiping slipway and the quay and quite a good variety of species were present. Most notable (at le...

Chough on Poppit beach -- Teifi

This Chough was working away at exposed roots along the bank of Poppit Beach car park this afternoon. It was very busy there with dogs, chil...

Solva Harbour ---

Hi everyone, We think we spotted a Black-necked Grebe in Solva Harbour today (New Year's Eve). Sandra Young

Teifi - - - & - - -

Common Sandpiper & a Moorhen ! at Jewsons. A splendid pr. of Red-breasted Mergansers off the Quay, with another male off the Railings. 3...

Gann & Otter!!

Much the same as Derek at the Gann late afternoon, all I can add is a single Great Northern Diver in the bay, and an adult Med Gull out in t...

Goodwick (31 Dec 09)

No sign of any Med Gulls this afternoon. 2 Ringed Plover on beach with 6 Turnstone, 1 Bar Tailed Godwit, 3 Redshank and 3 Curlew.

One last look.....

Had a quick scan at the mere, usual Teal, Shovelor, Wigeon. c1000 Lapwing over Winterton farm, 1 Golden Plover over the YHA. The Lagoons at ...

Hen Harrier at Martin's Haven

Having looked in vain for any sort of raptor at Marloes Mere this morning, a ringtail Hen Harrier flew past our window during lunch today. I...

Woodcock

Two Woodcock flushed at Cwm Yr Eglwys this morning

The starling roost debate

Noted Paddy's observations of route being taken by starlings, suggesting another possible starling roost somewhere in the Tenby area. My...

Starlings

At Slebech this evening about 5000 starlings passed overhead in seven different groups, but none stopped. They all headed approx SSE between...

Starling challenge progress.

Was Mark's observations at Bwlch y groes an indication that there is no longer a Preseli roost? Were his birds going to an unknown roost...

Plumstone Starlings

After a rather anxious (and very wet) wait, the Starlings turned up at 1610 tonight, and proceeded to stream in astonishing numbers for the ...

Marloes

My dogs decided I needed some exercise despite the weather, so they dragged me off to Marloes. Needless to say, nothing much happening - the...

starlings -- latest update

I reckon well over a million last night (could easily have been 2 million or more)- absolutely huge numbers putting on a magnificent show; b...

Deer Park: Snipe and Med Gulls

Relatively quiet out here in the last few days, but 2 Snipe flushed on the Deer Park yesterday. The remnants of a large finch flock on the T...

roost flightlines

About a week ago I was watching many thousands of starling flying over Bwlch-y-groes heading east.

Starling roosts

Observations and pictures of Starling roosts entertain us on the blog from time to time. Do we know how much these roosts have changed over ...

Brents

Students of the Brents in Pembrokeshire may be interested in the following web-sites: http://www.irishbrentgoose.org/ http://www.sligobirdin...

Whoopers over St Davids etc

At Dusk, 5 Whooper Swans flew over Dowrog Common in a south westerly direction heading for Trefeiddan maybe? Worth looking for in the morn...

Spoonbills -- Pembroke River

Report from Barry Potter of 2 Spoonbills on Pembroke river this morning on the Pennar side. Pembroke millponds Top pond water level dropping...

Scaup, & 3 !! Pochard -- Rosebush

Rosebush Resr;- The female Pochard now joined by a pair today.... also the fem. Scaup, & ....c7 Goldeneye. Llys-y-fran Resr;- 2 rh Goosa...

Blackcaps ..& .....Black Redstart.

Blackcaps reported today;- Male -- Jon Green's garden, Ceredigion! Female -- Merv's garden,Llangym Female -- Janet's garden, Fel...

Plumstone -- Starlings

Hi, I viewed this roost from the rock, they soon vanished from view as more gathered, do they go behind the woods as viewed from plumstone r...

Newport -- waders

Richard, I have seen several references to the black tailed Godwit off Newport bridge but not seen a photograph so here is one taken today ...

A very cold Gann at high tide

25 Brent - including the colour ringed individual that Dave picked up on the 13th Dec. 2 Grey Plover, 5 Snipe, c7 Goldeneye, 8 Little Greb...

Starling Roost -- Plumstone

Is it worth mentioning that the Starlings at Plumstone are generally roosting in a different area to last year - -- this year they seem to b...

starlings

This was also a cold visit to Plumstone mt., but was great to see all those starlings flying in. A million, I haven't a clue, but if any...

Tresinwen & Goodwick (27 Dec 09)

Water Rail still in the shadows behind my pond. Adult Mediterranean Gull at Goodwick late afternoon along with 8 Turnstone.

Little Auk - Teifi

While scanning the small wader flock late afternoon at Patch, a Little Auk was spotted off the end of the spit. It swam around for 5 minutes...

Rosebush Resr -- Scaup

Still present today in very brief look at resr.

Ringtail

Still at Marloes mere, around 2:45pm.

Tresinwen (26 Dec 09)

Water Rail in the garden today - first for the garden! No photo as it stayed in the shadows behind the pond all day.

Resevoir -- ducks ....&...Goosander

Rosebush Resr;- This afternoon, 2 rh Goosander new to go with the fem Scaup, fem Pochard, 7 Goldeneye etc. Llys-y-fran Resr;- By 16;30, 5 G...

Blackcap -- Felindre too

Janet saw her 1st garden Blackcap of the winter today, a female. Siskins still in low numbers.

Newport Sat am

Not much change from Thurs except the Teal have mostly gone & there are now 2 Bar T Godwits to compare with the long stay Black T.

Angle Bay (25 Dec 09)

Over high tide this morning: Great Crested Grebe - 3 Bar Tailed Godwit - c.15 Dunlin - c.150 Knot - 8 Ringed Plover - 10 Pale Bellied Brent...

Snow Buntings

3 Snow Buntings on the Crymych side of Foel Drygarn in the Preselis late afternoon. SN161333

Pen-Caer peninsula

Small flocks of lapwings about the area, counted a flock of approx 45, nother of 14 & nother of 9. Red-throated diver flew past the ligh...

Back for Lunch.

I got a Black-Cap for Christmas !

Very happily feeding on an apple for his xmas breakfast ! Best Wishes for Christmas & the New Year.

Teifi -- Common Sand.

As last Christmas Day, 1 (the same?) Common Sandpiper at Jewsons.

Redpolls -- Ty-rhyg

Yesterday whilst at Ty-rhyg,(no sign of shrike yet) I did have over the time of the visit up to a dozen redpolls flying about--- a couple of...

Manorbier-Jameston area tetrad-bashing

This afternoon visiting tetrads - lapwings (c.400+) golden plovers (500+) feeding mainly in several Brassica fields. Song Thrushes greatly o...

Spotted Redshank -- Llangwm

All you need to know... Hi Richard... Living in such close proximity to Llangwm Pill I've been monitoring the birds around here for 30+ ...

Woodcock

Just back from some upland fields nr Cilgwyn -- now thawed. c18 Woodcock in 3 fields, including a group 4 & 2 more birds close by. The o...

Plumstone mountain

A male Hen Harrier was the highlight of a very cold visit to the mountain. Also a Merlin. The starling roost was as dramatic as ever with an...

Rosebush Resr... Scaup

Rosebush Resr;- The fem Scaup still & 7(1m)+ Goldeneye, & 7+ Tufted the highlights. Llys-y-fran Resr;- 7+ Gt. Ctd. Grebes, the gull ...

Gann

Highlights this afternoon: 23 Brents, 2 R B Mergs (fems), 1 G C Grebe, 1 1st W Med Gull, 1 Grey Plover, 11 Dunlin, 12 Turnstone, 13 Ringed P...

Season's Greetings

Happy Christmas to all Bloggers and Viewers of Pembrokeshire Birds. Enjoy the festivities and good birding in 2010! Click on the White Capp...

Newport Thurs am

Lots of birds on the rising tide. Upstream 40 Teal. The Black Tailed Godwit at the bridge On the Long St mud 50 Common Gulls, 20 Lapwings, 3...

Ringtail

Still present at Marloes mere this afternoon.

Goosander

A pair of Goosander this morning on the river at Cilgerran

Flagpoles 16.00

2 New Ad. Med. Gulls at the Flapoles , 1 with a white plastic ring with black lettering but too distant to read with bins & the other h...

Black Redstart

I saw perhaps the same male Black Redstart that was with the female on Pen Anglas point at 12:30.

odds and...

On a bright still starlit night, Tawney Owls were calling from two seperate terretories, Trefwurgi and Carne farms. Woodcock sprung up from ...

Another leucistic Lapwing

I know what Dave means for it once happened to me, when noticing a leucistic Lapwing among a flock of normal birds near Hasguard Cross on 13...

reservoirs -- Scaup

Rosebush Resr;- About 1/3 frozen, perhaps a decline in duck numbers, 1 fem Scaup, c7+ Goldeneye. Llys-y-fran Resr;- -- treacherous roads!! ...

Spotted Redshank -- Llangwm Pill

The Spot shank showing very well in wonderful sunshine at 12pm. A rough count of 1 L Egret, 20 Redshank, 30 Teal, 10 Shelduck, 6 Oystercatch...

Ringtail

At Marloes mere around 4:15 pm. Looking at that leucistic Lapwing jogged my memory, I saw a uniform pale sandy individual at Seaton marshes ...

Flagpoles 16.00

Ad Med Gull on groyne to left of carpark.

Ramsey

2 black redstarts on the east coast this morning.

Leucistic Lapwing

Never seen one myself but one recently in Warwickshire, see http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=232325&d=1260532384 If ...

Whooper Swan ...&.....last year......!

Some sightings from Rob Johns, Trefasser This morning,1 Whooper Swan flying south towards St. David's. Yesterday 2 Pochards on one of th...

Newport Mon pm

An influx of Teal upstream. The Black T Godwit seems partial to the mud just downstream from the bridge. Amongst the Gulls c 40 Commons ...

Bosherston Lakes - pm

During the usual monthly WeBs count today, nothing especially numerous but goosander numbers have risen to 20 (interestingly 10 males and 10...

velvet birding .....& ....BoP !

Broad Haven;- 2 Velvet Scoter, also 120 Common Scoter, 3 Wigeon, & 10 Red Thd. Divers St. David's Airfield;- 2 imm/ fem Merlin, ...

The Gann

A total of 35 Brent on the lagoon & sea. All appeared light - unable to see any rings. c40 Snipe, 10 Little Grebe, 18 Turnstone, 4 Ringe...

Goshawks at St Brides

Got to talk at length to one of the shooting syndicate who are feeding pheasants etc in the St Brides area. They confirmed that the pair of...

St.Davids Airfield

5 Whooper Swans on the big pond near the Airfield this morning, 3 of them young birds. There's a good chance they might stay around for ...

Resr birds ...& .....

Rosebush Resr;- 1 fem Pochard, 1 fem Scaup, 7+ Goldeneye, & c 10 Tufted Duck. Llys-y-fran Resr;- Gt Ctd. Grebes up to 8 now.... little e...

Brent

The colour-ringed Brent at the Gann was ringed on 21 October at Strangford Lough, seen there next day, and then not reported again until it ...

Venturing out !

After the trip to the Gower yesterday the urge for a trip further afield was still upon me , especially when Fishguard Harbour could only pr...

Castlemartin Corse Webs

Standing in for Richard Crossen, today I accompanied Morris North onto Castlemartin Corse for this month's Webs count. It is always a tr...

Siskin

A male Siskin briefly in the garden around the feeders at 9 o'clock this morning .

Gower Gyr

Following on from Richard's posting , a short while ago there was a thread on the Pembs. Blog about birding & how people started ...

The Gower Gyr !!

A stunning visit to neighbours probably left Pembs thin on the ground !! But The imm female "white" Gyr Falcon on the Gower, was a...

tegryn

New garden bird for me, a woodcock out in the open for a while but as it got lighter it moved off under cover.

Winter Atlas: SM84 and SM94 - more missing species?

Following on from the recent (missing) species list for SM71 and SM81 10 km squares placed on the BLOG, we have now listed species recorded ...

Stock Dove

1 Bird flying up out of stubble as I past a field nr. Llangloffan this pm, of this rarely recorded & reported species..... hopefully thi...

Black Redstarts

2 Black Redstarts on Pen Anglas point at least from 12:30 to 13:15, a male and a female.

Gyr

ps - for those who don't follow Birdguides or similar, you may be interested to know that there is a juvenile female white phase Gyr Fal...

Velvets & that Jackdaw

2 Velvet Scoter on the sea just north of Broad Haven at lunchtime today, appeared to be females/imm males. They were separate to the two fl...

The Gann

26 Brent, inc the colour ringed bird that Dave saw last week. 8 Wigeon, 2 Gt/C/Grebes were really the only birds of note. I had a look at St...

Cold weather movements on Castlemartin peninsula

With the colder easterlies this week, have arrived good numbers of lapwing and golden plover. At least 3,000 lapwings and 2,000 golden plove...

Lawrenny

LT this mid afternoon;- The highlight being 8 Black-tailed Godwits, c6+ Little Grebe, c30 Shelduck, c400 Dunlin amongst the 100's of Wig...

Hook ....

Hook; Post HT this am, 2 Grey Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, c150 Redshank, c350 Dunlin, c400 Golden Plover, 100 Lapwing, 1 Gt...

Otters

Reference the e-mail from wdigbirder concerning the Otter at Abermawr, local fishermen have been reporting sightings of Otter for the last 2...

Marloes Mere

Lots more duck on the Mere than of late - perhaps a bit of cold weather movement. Nothing unusual but good numbers particulalrly of Wigeon,...

Pen Anglas

I saw a Black-throated Diver fly west past the point at 13:30.

Richard's Pipit nr. Kilpaison.

Richard's Pipit seen & heard a couple of times this am (latest 11:40) in fields nr the ruined farm on the road up from Kilpaison to ...

Strictly......... Gulls !!!

From Peter Stewart of The Severn Estuary Gull Group, (part of a reply to Sam) I received 58 sightings of our gulls yesterday. Most of our bi...

Glynaeron Forest

PM today. Not much in the forest of note apart from 1 woodcock, but on the hill opposite the entrance were 10, yes ten, Red Kites. The most ...

Hen Harrier -- Plumstone

Plumstone Mountain;- A cracking male Hen Harrier this evening & a stunning Starling roost of c90,000 birds if not more. Earlier, an imm/...

Little Milford to Hook

1 Chiffchaff, 50 Wigeon, 29 Curlew, & a calling Tawny Owl. (Merv.)

Westfield & Neyland

Westfield Pill very quiet, 3 G S Woodpeckers and all the other usual residents. Neyland Promonade Tide fully out, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Sh...

Newport Tues am

Mostly very predictable. c20 ea Dunlin & Ringed Plover, 60 Wigeon, 10 Redshank & O Catcher.C40 Common Gulls was quite a lot. Highlig...

Deer Park & Marloes Mere

A belated post for yesterday A wonderful calm clear morning, with the Deer Park very quiet apart from a few Blackbirds, the odd Song Thrush ...

Last Thursday!!

Sorry but just got back to Pembs so some belated bits and pieces:- Thursday 10th December Kilpaison - 16 Barwit, c.300 Dunlin, a Sanderling,...

Whooper Swans ...&...

Nr. Trefasser;- c16:00 this evening, 6 Whooper Swans flying towards the Mathry area. (Rob Johns) Our guess that Heathfield GP & Llanglo...

Water Pipit and Divers

The Water Pipit was showing well on Newgale marsh with at least 47 Snipe early afternoon. 3 Rock Pipits were on the campsite. In St Brides ...

Rosebush 14.30 & Flagpoles 16.00 14th Dec.

Female Scaup still present at Rosebush Res. approx 14.30. Flagpoles. A single Adult Med. Gull roosting on the groynes 16.00.

Otter Abermawr 14th Dec.

A large Otter feeding just off the rocks at Pen Deudraeth which is the tiny bit of land that sticks out separating Abermawr & Aberbach b...

St Brides Bay

From Haroldston Chins towards Broad Haven. about 40 Common Scoters in two groups feeding near the Stone Arch, and one RT Diver. The Scoter f...

Llys-y-fran Resr.

1 ad. Med. Gull in a very disappointing roost, less than 2000 gulls. 1 Greylag with the Canada Geese still, & the highlight c35 Golden P...

Rosebush -- Scaup.....&...

Rosebush Resr;- Early pm, prob. 1yr fem type Scaup, (head shape, small black on bill nail & hint of pale ear patch), as well large white...

Out & about

At Newgale early afternoon most of the water had drained from the campsite, 3 Rock Pipits on the damp ground but no Water Pipit. The marsh ...

Marloes revisited

A female Merlin this afternoon hunting in the fields around the YHA. Further to this morning`s post :- c180 Canada geese, c150 Lapwing, 50+...

Merlin at St Davids

There was a Merlin hunting low over the Cathedral grounds in St Davids yesterday, 12 Dec 09.

2 Ringtails

At Marloes mere this morning, showing well in the light of the rising sun. 1 adult male Merlin at Mabs gate (St Ishmaels)

Teifi -- Common Sand... &..

Jewsons;- 1 Common Sandpiper, St. Dogmael's Quay;- Most of the estuary's Redshank appear to be here,(42 on Wed. Wendy) Also 1 Bar-ta...

Monkstone Point (12 Dec 09)

Just one Purple Sandpiper found this morning with at least 10 Turnstone. 5 Common Scoters off-shore.

Flagpoles 15.00 12th Dec.

2 Adult Med Gulls & up to 20 Turnstones which is not a bad count for this year.

Firecrest -- Goodwick Moor

From the footpath to the Reserve, alongside the bank, 1 Firecrest with a v. active calling Chiffchaff. Also Goldcrest, Siskins & Goldfin...

Snow Bunting -- Fishguard (OBW)....&

Outer Breakwater;- 1 Snow Bunting, no sign of Purple Sands (tide low). In the Harbour;- 2+ Gt. N. Divers, 1 fem Common Scoter, & 1 Bar-t...

Med. Gulls -- Westfield Pill

1w & 2w Med. Gulls at The Pill (Paul G.)

Guillemots

Several hundred Guillemots on Stack Rocks and stack at Green Bridge on Thursday. (Andrew Baxter)

Winter plovers

Nr. of Felindre;- Nr. Post Goch, Golden Plovers & Lapwings back now in a usual wintering area. Also up to 5 Yellowhammers with the finch...

birding down south -- Purple Sandpipers

Wiseman's Bridge;- 3 Red-throated Divers, 10 Red-breasted Mergansers (2 ad males), 9 Gt. Ctd. Grebes. St. Catherines Island, Tenby;- 5 P...

This weeks birds

I was getting stir crazy by midweek and dawn on Wednesday saw me at Strumble on a relatively quiet morning. No porps but a Peregrine "w...

Little Gull

An adult Little Gull seen from the flagpole car park Fishguard Harbour at lunchtime today

Firecrest Goodwick Moor 10th Dec.

A Firecrest by the 5 Bar Gate with the stile was the highlight of an interesting walk around the Moor.There seemed to be good numbers of sma...

BTO Atlas -- Little Owl

See the BTO Atlas site;- Bird of the day;- Today's map shows winter distribution of Little Owl (provisional). No wonder they are difficu...

The Dowrog -- Hen Harriers

2 rt Hen Harriers at The Dowrog this evening also 1 Little Egret. (Paul G.)

tegryn

3 male & 3 female bullfinches in the garden today. They made a bright spot in a dull day

Water Pipit -- Newgale ....

Newgale;- 1 on the Campsite field again this am, but flighty. Also 1 ad. Med. Gull on the Marsh. Fishguard Fort;- 4 Gt. N. Divers (Paul G.)

Garden Dippers

1 Of Janet's regular Dipper's already singing his heart out today!

Garden Siskins

Reports of Siskins in gardens seem very thin on the ground... Janet had her first Siskins feeding in the garden on Tuesday. Fishguard -- Sis...

Wildlife Trust Information

To receive information and updates from the Wildlfie Trust in the form of a monthly email letter please send your email address to Lyndsey M...

A Blogger Abroad

Currently halfway through a 3 week campervan trip round south island New Zealand. Strange to be the other side of the world with Blackbirds ...

Freshwater West & ...........

Angle this am:- 8 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Great Northern Diver, 15 Redshank, 20+ Ringed Plover, 30+ Turnstone, 3 Med Gulls out of a mixed bu...

Teifi..

Patch;- HT, 35 Ringed Plover, 35 Dunlin, 4 Turnstone, 1 Shag. Webley / Quay;- 200 Lapwing, c40 Redshank, & 1 Kingfisher, 4 Shelduck amon...

Dale / Gann

At the Gann late afternoon 27 Brents, including one colour ringed bird: red ring on right leg (I think!) and either a yellow or metal ring o...

Marloes / Dale

This afternoon at the mere, 140 Lapwing, 1 Backtailed Godwit flying over. This evening at Dale, 3 Gt Northerns - 1 appeared to be an immatur...

Fishguard (06 Dec 09)

Great Northen Diver - 4 Off Lower Town Quay. 2 * Juv, 1 * Ad (Partial Sum), 1 * Ad (Win)

Whooper Swans -- Newgale ... &.. Hen Harrier

Still present at 15:40, although not that easy, eventually found them from the hill going towards St. David's. Could not be seen from Ne...

Around Fishguard

This morning from the fort at least 4 Great Northern Divers in the bay. One very smart summer plumage Great Northern Diver in Lower town har...

whoopers -- Newgale

Still present c9:30 this am. (Paul G.)

Xmas greetings!

Hello everybody! Just wanted to say a quick goodbye before we head off back to the Antips & wish everyone a Happy Christmas & New Ye...

Garden Redpolls -- Fishguard

Redpolls arrived on the niger-seed feeders yesterday. Hola R.D. This is probably common-place, but since it is only the 2nd year that I have...

Whoopers !!

6 Whooper Swans at Newgale marsh this afternoon. 2 adults and 4 juveniles, hopefully a happy family ! Red Kite at Rosemoor (nr. Walwyns Cas...

Thursday 3 Dec - Harriers

1xMale Hen harrier and 1xRingtail seen together at 4.15pm from the st Davids to Fishguard road near the Dowrog

Common Sand.... & ...

Castle Pill;- 1 Common Sandpiper, 8 Turnstone, 20 Redshank. Gelliswick;- 3 Med. Gulls( 2 ad 1 1w) Milford Dock;- 1 Shag. (Paul G.) Newgale;-...

Bonxie

I saw a late Great Skua fly west past Pen Anglas point at 13:45.

Rooftop Herons

I was on the phone to Nick o' Sullivan a couple of days ago (he lives in Llanstadwell ) he suddenly started hollering and cursing and I ...

Pembroke -- today

Hi Your Pembsbirds blogspot is ideal for a visitor with a couple of days in the area. Went looking for the Grey Phalarope yesterday (1st) bu...

Great Northern Divers

Bashed out to Ticklas Point (2 Great Nothern Divers) and Borough Head this A.M. - Bird Tracking for Annie. This section of lofty, narrow an...

R c Starling, Hen Harrier & ........herons...

Pembroke Dock;- The Rose-coloured Starling arrived at his bird table at 0830 this am. (Helen Clayton) Dinas, in fact...Mynydd Llanllawer;- A...

Western Roof Heron

I remember quite vividly driving down Barn Street in Haverfordwest one morning a few years back on the way to work, dawn had broken, and on ...

herons

There is quite often a heron perches on the roof of Oriel Jones' (now Dunbia) in Llanybydder. I assume it is after what the kites are af...

Herons

Further to Graham's posting , although i have not seen this in Pembrokeshire , i witnessed it many times when i was a Postman in Luton ,...

Urban Herons

This past week single Herons have been seen perched on the ridges of houses in the estate on which I live. Some of the gardens adjoining the...