Pembrokeshire Birds

Newport

2012-02-08T18:33:00.002Z

On the mud at the bottom of Long Street, as well as the usual sprinkling of Redshanks, Curlews & Lapwings, there were 55 Dunlin, 12 Ringed Plovers, 5 ea Sanderling & Barwits, 3 Grey Plovers & 2 Knot.
At the bridge c70 Teal & 50 ea Mallard & Wigeon. A M & F Goosander looked in briefly at the bend & 2 Snipe in the gap.
Few gulls but included an ad Med.

Fishguard Harbour and Fort

2012-02-08T18:16:00.000Z

At the Flagpoles: 19 Dunlins, 2 Sanderlings, 4 Ringed Plovers and a Grey Plover. From the Fort: 2 Black Guillemots, Great Northern Diver, 3 Red-throated Divers and 3 Great Crested Grebes.

Lapwings

2012-02-08T10:05:00.002Z

On the Trehill fields on the other side of Marloes Mere yesterday morning was probably thebiggest flock of Lapwings I have even seen -about 1500 I reckon. They were eventually disturbed by a sheep dog and spent the next 20 minutes milling around in the sky. Eventually they headed off south - I wonder if they will be back.
No sign of any ibises but from the notebook they were seen on the 5th.
A good selection of ducks, including 8 Tufted Ducks, were looking very smart in their spring finery.
Note that the door knob on the Britten hide is broken but you can still turn it with care!

Glossy Ibis

2012-02-07T20:03:00.002Z

Yes ---- We cracked. Today we joined the list of Glossy Groupies and waited dutifully at Carew Cheriton roundabout for the fly-past. At 5:13 Karen yelled "There they are" as they appeared above the church , flying high, fast, and elegantly, in a perfect straight line ------ there were 14! The spectacle was over so fast we barely had time to catch a breath!
It was worth it. Janet and Karen

Black Redstart

2012-02-07T19:56:00.001Z

The male at Pembroke Dock yesterday. (Monday)

Glossy Ibis and Owls

2012-02-06T22:21:00.002Z

13 Glossy Ibis seen coming into roost near Carew and on journey home saw a Barn owl around Boncath cross roads and a Tawny Owl in the car headlights on the way back from cardigan on the canal road towards Abercych

Dowrog

2012-02-06T21:18:00.002Z

Visited Dowrog in the vain hope of stray Glossy Ibis` and no luck--- Never mind, we parked in usual place and saw a Shortie straight away, hunting round the withies. This was quickly partnered by another. Scanning right , found a male Hen Harrier sitting on a tump. Looking left , another male Hen Harrier, coming in fast, straight at the Shorties, and a bit of a sparring match followed. The three birds circled up and up together until eventually the harrier peeled off and descended whereupon it was joined by the other male and they both settled down on tumps , affording great views----- the Shorties went into a display, the uppermost one doing stiff winged circles and short stoops with half closed wings, the other descending slowly in circles until they joined and went to ground away from the Harriers. Janet and Karen

Glossy Ibis

2012-02-06T17:51:00.002Z

Thirteen flew over Carew Cheriton at 17:20 this evening in the direction of Carew River / Radford Pill to roost.

Out West

2012-02-06T15:53:00.002Z

At Porthlysgi Bay (West of Porthclais) at low tide this morning there were 10 Sanderlings, a Grey Plover and 4 Curlew ---not much of a bay for waders normally but this winter there is a lot more sand than usual, which probably helps.

Bird Group meeting Tonight

2012-02-06T10:02:00.001Z

Unfortunately tonight's meeting has to be cancelled. We do apologise to everyone as the meeting was for us all a special one. We have re arranged the meeting for next Monday the 13th February – same venue same arrangements. Once again please accept our apologies and we look forward to seeing you next week for Chris’s talk on Skomer etc. For any further information please phone me on 01437 721859 - Lyndon

Glossies and more

2012-02-05T18:43:00.003Z

I was watching from Carew Mill and saw the 13 Glossy Ibis drop in to roost on the east bank of the Carew River just downstream from the mouth of Radford Pill (approx SN034041) at 17:09ish. Didn't actually see them land because of the angle, but the map is pretty close I think. From the OS map there appears to be a footpath running NNE from Paskeston to Hakin Point through the woods, perhaps there is a better viewing point along this path? Take a torch for the walk back if you try it!

Earlier my WeBS was clicker-tastic, my thumb was sore from counting 5,095 birds between Hook & Sprinkle Pill. Highlights were:

Greylag Goose 39 (by far the biggest flock I have ever seen in Pembs)

Teal 946

Lapwing 1,215

Dunlin 1,778

Golden Plover 740

Pintail 15

Black-tailed Godwit 3

Bar-tailed Godwit 2

Knot 2

Grey Plover 18

Another record breaking flock (for me) in a Pembs context was the 44 (!) Stock Doves that flew up from a sheep field at the mouth of sprinkle Pill (SM995110).

Just a thought.....

2012-02-05T18:02:00.004Z

The colour ringed Ibis that Richard photographed in the week, came from (as everybody realises) Spain. Mark Grantham at BTO tried to jigsaw puzzle it in with other photos of ringed Ibises, but couldn`t make it work. So whoever gets the clincher pic, email mark.grantham@bto.org & he`ll be very pleased!

Marloes Mere

2012-02-05T17:44:00.002Z

Early this morning - 1 Ringtail Harrier.
Later this afternoon, I met Sue & Alun Lamb, while we were talking a female Merlin flew past, then a few moments later a Short Eared Owl flew past us, showing very well, absolutely gorgeous. Sue & Alun had a Brambling, in the Chaffinch flock. Many hundreds of Lapwing in the fields. I`ve been looking (hoping?) to see the Ibises, these last couple of days, I fear they`ve moved on though.

Glossy Ibis

2012-02-05T17:24:00.001Z

Thirteen Glossy Ibis flew over Carew Cheriton at 17:06 this evening on their way to roost. They followed the usual pattern of descending as they headed towards Radford Pill and the Carew River.

Newport Sun am

2012-02-05T15:31:00.002Z

A good selection. 74 Teal (my 2nd highest ever here), 84 Wigeon (should be >100), a flock of 5 Sanderlings, another of 6 Barwits, 3 Grey Plovers & a Knot.
Also, 38 Dunlin, just 6 Ringed Plovers, a Shelduck & the Gran Canaria 2nd W Med gull of a week ago.

Lapland Bunting at Broomhill Farm

2012-02-05T12:41:00.000Z

A Lapland Bunting was feeding with the Skylark flock (100+) in a field at Broomhill Farm this morning. The Skylark flock was viewable from the B4320 (in the field on the right just before the turn to Freshwater West - see image), and the birds were often within c.20-30m of the road.

Llys y Fran

2012-02-05T12:33:00.004Z

Broad Haven early - 18 scoters

Llys y Fran - 348 Canadas with a Greylag in amongst them
8 Wigeon, 10 Goldeneye

Broad Haven

2012-02-04T16:53:00.003Z

Diver sp. and Slavonian grebe on north side of bay viewed from near Lion Rock, about 30 scoter scattered in groups of 5-10 and a peregrine.

Angle & Freshwater West

2012-02-04T14:27:00.001Z

Regular readers of this blog will know that over the past 5 years or more I have spent a good deal of time in the Angle area watching and photographing birds. Many of the photos have appeared on the blog and are on my own photo website . I have now put a book together with many of my favourite photos from the area called, imaginatively, "Birds of Angle & Freshwater West".
If you want a look at some photos of Pembrokeshire birds other than Glossy Ibis you can preview the book by clicking on the picture above. Once the page opens click "Preview Book".
If you fancy a copy the book, which has 180 pages and is 10 x 8 inches, it can be ordered from the publisher, Blurb, direct from the preview page.

Black Redstart

2012-02-03T22:19:00.001Z

News from Paul Warren of a male Black Redstart this morning at Popton.

Hen Harrier

2012-02-03T20:05:00.002Z

Not often I bump into a Hen Harrier away from the regular roost sites, so it was nice to see a stunning male float across the A487 at Pelcomb Bridge yesterday at around 15.40 on my way back from Roch collecting my daughter from school. It was heading in the general direction of Plumstone.

Ibis

2012-02-03T19:49:00.000Z

News from Dave G: also saw the 13 Ibis from Carew Cheriton taking the 'normal' flight path at 17.25.

Thirteen ibis observed from Milton this evening

2012-02-03T18:19:00.000Z

Annie and I watched from behind the Milton Brewery this evening. A couple of grey wagtails came into roost along the stream, just as they did the previous evening at about 1700 hrs. We waited and eventually 13 ibis came over, following pretty well exactly the same flight path as last night but a bit lower and 10 minutes later (1725 hrs). We watched for several more minutes until it was becoming a bit too dark to see well but the other 10 didn't appear. So it seems that the flock has now split up. Did the other 10 come into roost from a different direction we wonder? Hopefully other observers will have seen them somewhere.

Ibis and Bosherston

2012-02-03T14:08:00.002Z

I waited from 08:00 to 08:45 at the bottom of Radford Pill, behind the Milford Brewery pub this morning but no sign of the Ibis. Another guy I met later had also been looking in the same area but saw nothing. Could be the birds took a slightly different flightpath or have changed feeding ground. However, it was -6.5 degrees at Milton this morning and the ground was/is solid. How do they feed and have they moved on? It will be interesting to see if they fly in again over Carew Cheriton this evening.
Late morning at Bosherston little of the lakes were frozen over. Pretty quiet there with 22 Goosander and 12 Goldeneye the highlights.

The Ibis

2012-02-03T12:33:00.001Z

Have done some searching of UK records and it looks like the Carew flock of 23 is the second largest flock ever, following 25 reported in Carmarthenshire in 2009.

Couldn't resist the temptation to witness the amazing fly-over

2012-02-02T18:40:00.004Z

Matt Sutton and I managed to watch them fly over us, behind Milton Brewery, heading (as Dave suggests) towards Carew River somewhere beyond the Millpond - they passed over us at about 17:15 hrs. An hour or so earlier there was a nice flock of lapwings in frosty root-crop fields nearer to Cosheston - must have been 500+. Bob H.

Carew Glossy Ibis x23

2012-02-02T18:11:00.002Z

The birds were seen again this evening flying to roost over the A477 at Carew Cheriton (Dave G), Paul G was further north on the footpath that runs down to Radford Pill, N/E of Milton, and saw them drop down - looked like they were coming down on the Carew River between Radford Pill and Carew Mill. Worth a look first thing in the morning as it may be possible to see them at roost before they head SSE again.

Whooper Swans

2012-02-02T17:27:00.001Z

There were two Whooper Swans on Penberi Reservoir this morning at 9:45: unfortunately they didn't hang around and flew noisily east. There was another 1st W Sanderling looking rather lost on Whitesands Beach. The wintering male Ring Ouzel showed at least a couple of times in the garden of the pink house and adjacent field St Justinians around midday (found by the Wisemans).

Marloes Mere area

2012-02-02T14:42:00.002Z

Actually this dates from Tuesday when there were still around 1200 Lapwing around the Mere in groups of 200-400 birds in most visible fields.

On the stubble fields around the Britton hide large finch flocks included c.200 Chaffinch with Goldfinch and Greenfinch mixed amongst them and at least 30 Reed Bunting. In the field nearby over 90 Skylarks and briefly a nice male Hen Harrier hunting along the hedgerow.

An icy Gann

2012-02-02T12:55:00.002Z

The pools were pretty well covered with ice this morning, so no birds there apart from two Crows enjoying a big fat mullet which had somehow got stranded on the ice. However there was plenty on the river and on the shore - at least 100 Teal, some on the sea and many tucked up under a bank of the river, 2 Greenshanks, 2 Grey Plovers, 100 Curlew, 25 or so Ringed Plovers (which flushed from the stony beach - we hadn't seen them at all), a good number of Redshank, 11 Brent Geese, 10 Wigeon, 2 Shelduck and 10 Goldeneye. And something I have never seen before - frozen sea foam on the beach.

Rosemary

Mid Pembs and Bird Group Field trip Sunday 5th Feb 2012

2012-02-02T11:37:00.000Z

Sunday 5th February 11.am Fishguard Harbour –. A walk along the outer breakwater. Please use the link to the Pembrokeshire Bird Group Blog or visit the Trust WEB site for more details

St Davs Glossy Ibis

2012-02-02T09:47:00.001Z

Just an update. They were not see after 10.30 yesterday morning nor this morning as yet.

Plumstone

2012-02-01T19:55:00.002Z

Starlings seemed to appear in numbers from soon after 5pm until we left around 5.30pm. We didn't witness any exaggerated gyrations with most dropping straight into the plantation but the sheer number of birds was fantastic to see, some coming at head height! At least 2 sparrowhawk, 2 kestrel, 2 buzzards, a merlin had a go, at least one peregrine and a goshawk earlier pre-starlings but didn't notice it once the action began. Also in the forestry a flock of around 10 bullfinch and a GS woodpecker.

More of the same....

2012-02-01T18:32:00.000Z

At lunchtime I decided to take a drive around the area between Milton and St Florence, in the hope that the Ibis flock had dispersed into more viewable fields. This hope was largely forlorn, though I did manage very good fight views of a single bird flying low over Coal Lane - about halfway between the Ridgeway and the B4318. The Ibis was flying pretty much east to west, over an area where large pools of frozen floodwater were present either side of the road, and where small numbers of Lapwing and Golden Plover were feeding in adjacent fields. More surprising than the Ibis were two Dunlin skating around on the surface of the icy floods.

Dowrog and Fishguard

2012-02-01T18:27:00.005Z

The 2 Glossy Ibises were in the usual Dowrog field at 9:35am, also a Little Egret dropped in nearby. This afternoon both the Black Guillemots were visible from Fishguard Fort along with 5 Red-throated Divers and 3 Great Crested Grebes. Most surprising record was 2 1stW Sanderlings on the grassy roadside verge behind the beach at Goodwick; with Oystercatchers and Starlings. At Sealyham, the Green Sandpiper was calling at dusk though I couldn't see it.

Ibis............again

2012-02-01T17:36:00.002Z

The 23 Glossy Ibis again flew over Carew Cheriton this evening. Same details/flight path as yesterday although a little earlier at 16:53. They descended as they flew over the A477 over Milton and may well be roosting around Radford Pill which is off the Carew River.

Gotcha!

2012-02-01T10:07:00.006Z

To quote that well known phrase from the Falklands "I counted them all out and I counted them all back in"! Having watched the astounding spectacle of 23 Glossy Ibis flying off to roost yesterday I determined to find where they were feeding during the day. At 07:20 this morning I was in position up on the Ridgeway with Carew Cheriton and the Carew River in the distance spread out below me. Of course I was miles too early and with a hard frost and -2 degrees c. I was starting to freeze nicely by 08:25, although the wait had been enlivened by 4 Buzzards, a Peregrine and a few Lapwings passing. At 08:28 I picked up a group of likely looking birds over trees near Carew Cheriton and sure enough in the scope they were the Glossy Ibis - all 23 of them. Amazingly they came on towards me and dropped in below a farm a quarter of a mile or so away. Astounding!!! I then went down to the farm and with permission was able to find them quickly in the corner of a field sunning themselves in an attempt, no doubt, to warm up. I was able to get a few photos but a closer approach was not possible with open ground between me and the birds. The Ibis' then started to disperse to an adjoining field near to some ponds. As hypothermia set in I set off for home to warm up. Hopefully the sun will thaw out the ground and allow the birds, which have probably been in the area for a few days at least, to feed. One bird had a ring - see pic - but unfortunately not readable.
There are no rights of way near the fields in which the birds feed and in respect to the people on the property, which is a busy working cattle farm, I cannot give the precise location. The best way to see the birds is to watch them flying to roost - details in post below.

A Day Out

2012-01-31T18:55:00.001Z

At the LlysyFran roost there were 2 ad Yellow-legged Gulls and 2 Med Gulls (ad & 2ndW). Also a strikingly pale (eastern?) abietinus Chiffchaff was at the top of the northern arm. A Jack Snipe showed very well in flight at Garron Pill and 4 Pintail were at Landshipping.With Paul G.

Ibis Overload

2012-01-31T17:18:00.008Z

So far we have had the three Glossy Ibis at Marloes and the two at St Davids. I have also received a report today of a single bird in the Walwyns Castle area.
Having received a tip off from Richard Ellis of a flock of 20 or more birds (!) flying over near Carew a couple of days ago which he thought were Ibis I joined him this afternoon feeling a little sceptical. However, at 17:01 I was astounded when 23 Glossy Ibis appeared flying near to Carew Cheriton Church heading roughly ESE to WSW. They passed over quickly pretty close and disappeared in the direction of Milton and the Carew River beyond. Clearly they were off to roost but where do they spend the day! 23 must be some sort of record!
Hopefully they will stick to the same roost flightpath. Map below shows where we observed from "A" - the stub road which is off the Carew roundabout. The white line is the rough flight line of the birds. Apologies for the photos - not one of my better efforts. Well done Richard Ellis.

Carew River

2012-01-31T13:11:00.001Z

On the upper reaches of the Carew River by Carew Mill late morning 32 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 20 Dunlin and a few Teal.

Skomer and Skokholm - Bird Group -Monday 6th Feb

2012-01-31T12:33:00.000Z

We are pleased to welcome Chris Taylor, warden Skomer, as our guest speaker next Monday 6thFeb 2012. The presentation will be in ‘The Patch’ Furzy Park, Haverfordwest commencing at 7.30pm. Chris will be including in his talk information info regarding previous research on Skokholm and of the proposed new Bird Observatory on the Island. This is a great opportunity for many to find out more about Sk and Sk and for ‘Birders and Ringers’ to find out and discuss how they can be involved and support the project if they wish to. I am sure many of you will find this particular evening of interest and we look forward to seeing both Trust members and Non members. Admission is free and for further info please phone Lyndon on 01437 721859

The two Glossy Ibis are...

2012-01-31T12:23:00.001Z

...still in 'their' field by the Dowrog

The Marloes Glossy Ibis

2012-01-31T10:59:00.003Z

The three birds are still around but now in a field to the west of Marloes Mere which is actually pretty dry so I suspect they are now using the very west end of the Mere mainly. Haven't gone far just a bit harder to find.

Ring Ouzel

2012-01-30T14:20:00.003Z

The wintering male Ring Ouzel was on the lawn of the pink house at St Justinians before flying to the round tower this morning.

Dowrog - and the precision of Ibis roost flights

2012-01-30T12:55:00.001Z

A couple of late afternoon visits to Dowrog on Friday and Saturday were rewarding, with the two Glossy Ibis, a Barn Owl and Hen Harriers (m+f) seen on both occasions, and a Short-eared Owl also seen on Saturday afternoon.

Of particular interest, however, was the precise timing of the Glossy Ibis flypast over Dowrog to the roost at St David's Airfield over the two days. I photographed the birds as they flew over Dowrog Common on both afternoons, and the time of the photographs differed by only six seconds over the two days (they appeared at 16:47:34 on Friday and 16:47:40 on Saturday). Impressively precise body clocks those birds have....

Mute Swans

2012-01-30T00:43:00.004Z

Yep Derek,
meant to congratulate Rich Stonier on the Pen Caer owls, stunning, Strangely enough there were two Mute Swans in the inner tiderace off the Mackerel rock , floating towards Strumble Head lighthouse on Friday at about four pm, A passing Fishing boat spooked them and they flew off in the direction of Fishguard. Rare enough as a fly-by but distinctly odd looking sat on the sea!

Owl Pics...

2012-01-29T16:58:00.002Z

Stunning photos Rich, now I know what a rat really feels like....!

Plumstone

2012-01-29T13:22:00.003Z

I have had problems blogging recently so installed Google Chrome as recommended. Its slower than a slow thing in reverse... any ideas?... anyhow good to meet up with J&J yesterday at Fishguard Harbour. It was probably the first time I have heard a GND call other than in films etc. I dropped in to see Jack Donovan at Withybush (who is recovering well from a bout of pneumonia in ward 11 if anyone wants to visit him). He told me about a GND which someone handed into him which he put in the bath and which kept him awake all night with its howling!

After seeing JD, I went to the starling roost at Plumstone/Roch and watched from near the abattoir. Before the first starlings arrived a ring-tail hen harrier flitted in and out of view out on the moor and then a big heavy female Goshawk came lumbering in off the moor to the plantation.
It seemed a few thousand starlings had arrived from the opposite side of the plantation as I missed them coming in, but they performed a few gyrations above the trees with brief views of some raptor stirring them up. But this was nothing but a taster. They started coming in from the north east, more and ever more. I was trying to keep up with a rough count and then another stream started coming in from the east. Did I say stream ? more like a torrent , black swathes in the sky as far as the bins could see! and then even more from the south east, and then even more from the south, ribbons of many thousands of starlings several miles long. I gave up counting. Millions no doubt, but I gave up on any meaningful estimate.

They all kept on coming, sweeping into the aerial maelstrom above the plantation, millions of swirling wings whooshing loudly, stirred and re-stirred by hunting raptor sorties. Here a Peregrine, there a Gos' several Buzzards and with a Raven cronking maniac laughing at the craziness. A single bird got separated and was snatched by a Buzzard in mid air, a Peregrine winged off up and up and then stooped back into the fray... For a few moments a Gos' sat bemused on a treetop before plunging back into the general mayhem. As the night took hold and last trickles of starlings slunk in to the murmuring wood, more Buzzards seemed to be following them in. Safety in numbers perhaps, but the numbers also attracting the danger.
.
I have seen a few Starling roosts over the past forty years or so but this one takes some beating , not so much for the gyrations but just sheer numbers and also the variety and numbers of raptors they attract. I think the raptors attentions may have something to do with the lack of really flamboyant protracted shows that I have seen elsewhere but this has to be, minute for minute, the mos texciting birding spectacle I have seen anywhere!

Black Gullemot

2012-01-29T12:39:00.001Z

The summer plumage bird was in Fishguard Harbour this morning.

Bird Records 2011

2012-01-29T11:39:00.005Z

This is just a reminder if anyone has not yet sent in there 2011 bird records could they either send them to Jon or myself within the next couple of weeks. So far we have received very few.

This can be done by the record submission link on this blog,many thanks.

Got em!!! (5th Time Lucky!) (28 Jan 12)

2012-01-29T10:36:00.005Z

Say hello to the camera shy Strumble Shorties!!! 2 Owls showing well late afternoon Saturday.

Ty Rhyg (28 Jan 12)

2012-01-28T21:18:00.000Z

The Great Grey Shrike showing on and off for most of the morning at Ty Rhyg. Ranging widely.

The St Davids Ibises

2012-01-28T18:05:00.002Z

As reported earlier the birds are extremely wary at the fields where they have been feeding on Dowrog (Gobaith). Even from the distance suggested earlier, they can be startled by people and cars; they are very different to the confiding Marloes birds. Bernie seems to have a good overview of their movements. They roosted at the Airfield pool as usual, arriving at 4:50. They put on quite a show as they arrived and could be seen well out on the water. Also here 3 Short-eared Owls with another at Dowrog earlier. A ringtail Hen Harrier flew over Carnhedryn later. Also today a 1st W Little Gull and 2 Ad Med Gulls at the south end of Whitesands Bay.

iceland

2012-01-28T17:59:00.002Z

There was an adult Iceland Gull near the mouth of the Haven viewed from the ferry.

Wandering Med Gull

2012-01-28T17:48:00.002Z

Yesterdays 2nd W Med Gull at Newport had been ringed as a pullus in Holland in June 2010. It spent most of Oct in County Cork, then in Feb 11 was in Gran Canaria, the last sighting before pitching up in Pembs a year later.
2 more 2nd W at Newport today.

WOW

2012-01-28T16:14:00.004Z

Details and dates for this year's Wildlife Observer Wales (WOW) courses are now available. The courses are developed and delivered jointly by Pembrokeshire College Coastal and Marine Environment Research Unit and Sea Trust and cover Cetaceans, Seals, Seabirds for Beginners and Seabird Monitoring. Click here for dates and for further information and details on the Pembrokeshire College website click here

Deer Park, Marloes

2012-01-28T15:41:00.002Z

A stroll around the Deer Park this morning was enlivened by a ringtail Hen Harrier soaring over Wooltack Point and then flying over the Deer Park and on towards Marloes Mere. Also a Peregrine and 4 Chough.
At Marloes Mere early afternoon just a few Shoveller, Teal and Mallard and in nearby fields a lot of Lapwing which were put up by a passing Peregrine. Three Stonechats on the coast path above Marloes beach.
I looked very briefly for the Glossy Ibis' in Marloes but no sign.

Ibis

2012-01-28T15:35:00.002Z

From Bernie Stevens - Glossy Ibis feed daily in field immediately NW of Drys-gobaith on Dowrog Common. They left last night at 4.40pm and returned this morning at 7.40am. People wishing to view the birds are best to park by the cattle grid on the Rhodiad side of the common and walk to the small humped back bridge. The birds can be seen on the field to the left as are looking towards the house. The Ibis here are much more timid than the Marloes birds and they have already been flushed from their favoured feeding site. Grateful if they could be viewed from between the cattle grid and the bridge and not from the gate by the house.

Goodwick

2012-01-28T15:31:00.002Z

Bumped into Cliff, at the Goodwick end of the Parrog, tending to his octopus with a repast of crab and prawn. After John and I had duly admired the creature, and with those eyes, they look most intelligent, Cliff offered to run us up to the outer breakwater.
While there, we counted 6 Ringed plover and 4 Dunlin, and more interestingly--- both homed in on a familiar but out of place, mournful, double-noted call---- A lonely Great Northern Diver, in summer spots. As Cliff said----Golden Pond.

The other Ibis

2012-01-28T12:43:00.007Z

After some detective work by Bernie, the two Dowrog Glossy Ibis were tracked down to some fields near the cottages on the moor (Drws Gobaith). Unlike the Marloes birds they are extremely nervous.

Day out

2012-01-27T18:54:00.003Z

The results of a trip down south today were: 3 Purple Sandpipers at Tenby Lifeboat Station and a female Eider with 300-400 Common Scoter and about half a dozen Red-throated Divers at Amroth. At Angle there was a good selection of duck and waders with a neat Slavonian Grebe, picked out by Paul, actively feeding out on the remaining water. (With Paul G.)

Glossy Ibis/ Marloes Mere

2012-01-27T18:41:00.003Z

The 3 birds flew in to roost on the Mere, around 16:45, & landed in front of and slightly right, of the Britton hide. (I stopped on the way there at 16:00, & had a look around where they normally hang out, but couldn`t see them.) They flew in from the East roughly from the disused/derelict farm area, though they could`ve come from anywhere I suppose.
Also over the Mere, 1 male Kestrel, several hundreds (1,000?) Lapwing.

Newport Area

2012-01-27T17:07:00.002Z

This morning a Chiffchaff at Aberforest.
This afternoon at Newport 2 ad Med Gulls & a 2nd W with a readable darvic ring. At the bridge a Water Rail.

Bosherston & Angle Area

2012-01-27T16:48:00.003Z

At Bosherston this morning pretty quiet apart from 16 Goosander, many of them adult drakes.
At Freshwater West there were 20 grey Plover on the rocks and a flock of c.40 Dunlin and Ringed plover. A couple of hundred Lapwing were on Castlemartin Corse and the fields up above the Corse still hold plenty of Lapwing, Golden Plover and Skylarks.
Very quiet at Kilpaison with 120 or so Dunlin and just 20 Wigeon though the tide was still up and the larger waders were still in the roost on the north side of the bay.

City News

2012-01-26T22:29:00.003Z

A record shot of the Ibis settling down at their Airfield roost at sunset.

And for something a little less exotic a Long-tailed Tit at Porthclais this morning.

Ty Rhyg Dale and Marloes

2012-01-26T21:04:00.003Z

Ty Rhyg
Great Grey Shrike showed on right of gate
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1

Dale
Little Egret 2
Bar Tailed Godwit 5

Marloes Mere
Merlin male
Shoverler 4
Gadwall 4
(no sign of glossy ibis)

St Davids Ibises

2012-01-26T17:58:00.003Z

The Two Glossy Ibises arrived at the pool at St David's Airfield this afternoon at 4:57; Byron Davies and I watched them as they preened and flapped until frostbite began to set in and I left. I looked around Tretio yesterday thinking this would be the favourite feeding area and watched intently this afternoon for them appearing from that region (Tretio campsite is visible from the Airfield). However, somehow they slipped in under the radar and just appeared above the pool. I believe they have been seen, at least in flight, around the area today? Also two or maybe three Short-eared Owls present.

Black Redstart

2012-01-26T17:29:00.001Z

Appeared today at Pembroke Dock, was there also last Saturday too.

St Davids Glossies

2012-01-25T22:54:00.000Z

From Bernie Stevens - Two Glossy Ibis flew across Dowrog common at 4.30 this afternoon in their usual S.E direction. I then managed to catch up with them at 4.55 at the roost site which are the pools
300 m. S.E.of St.Davids tip.

As a matter of interest I've been keeping a close watch on the weather in S.W.Spain over the last 4 months. During this period, high pressure and low rainfall have been dominant. By contrast N.W.europe has had the exact opposite. (Earthworms are nearer the surface in mild ,wet conditions making easy feeding for Ibis) Could this lack of available food in Spain and greater pickings further north be the reason for the Ibis' eruptions here?

That St Justinian Ring Ouzel

2012-01-25T22:17:00.000Z

John Best emailed us after seeing our posting to say that he and Marion had noted what they thought was a ring ouzel at St Justinian on Thurs 19th January, a few days before our sighting in the same location, so this adds a bit more weight perhaps to an over-wintering bird.

Today (in the large lagoon on Brownsea Island, Dorset!) we have been delighted by extremely close views of 160+ avocets, a feeding flock of 15 or so spoonbills, 100s of black-tailed godwits amongst numerous other waders and waterfowl - a fantastic place in this Dorset Wildlife Trust managed reserve.

Marloes (Sunday 22 Jan 12)

2012-01-25T21:59:00.001Z

Pics from last Sunday:

Ring Ouzel deja vu

2012-01-25T10:52:00.002Z

Speculation that the Ring Ouzel seen by Bob and Annie at St Justinians on the 23 January could be overwintering, brings to mind the occurrence of one in a St Davids garden on the 6 January 1985, also suggested as overwintering (reference: Avifauna link). The same reference notes the earliest spring migrant at Skomer on the 29 February 1984, so where does one photographed at Lydstep Haven on the 3 & 4 February 1996 fit in? Trying to understand birds is such a challenge to put it mildly.

Marloes area: raptors and others

2012-01-24T22:14:00.001Z

Better news was a wonderful day for raptors yesterday: a ringtail and male Hen Harrier between Marloes Mere and Martin's Haven, and wonderful views of a Short-eared Owl over the Trehill Farm fields at about 1500.

Marloes Mere itself had a fair number of Gadwall (12+ visible), 20+ Wigeon and smaller numbers of Teal, Mallard, Shoveller, but no really large build-ups of duck. There remain up to 1000 Lapwing on the Trehill Farm fields, often split into 3-4 slightly smaller flocks, but not Golden Plover seen.

Glossy Ibis: what brilliant birds! The 3 were still present in the "usual" field this afternoon at about 1430, feeding contentedly.

Another oiled seabird

2012-01-24T22:04:00.004Z

I was a bit distressed to read Bob & Annie's report of several oil-stained Kittiwakes up at Ramsey Sound. We found a relatively lightly oiled juvenile Guillemot on Martin's Haven beach on Sunday afternoon. It was energetic enough then to evade me and a bucket, and swam off strongly, but we saw it again, much less healthy, yesterday evening. No sign today. The oil was a mid-brown in colour; we talked to Phil, Mark and Kate at the Skomer MNR, and they are keeping a watch for any other signs of an oil spill; there was no oil that we could see on Martin's Haven beach, or round to Marloes.

St Davids Ibises

2012-01-24T17:49:00.000Z

This evening at 4:42pm the 2 Glossy Ibises again flew South East over Dowrog Common. They appeared to come from somewhere north of Penberi and would appear to be headed for the Airfield (pool?). They were so close in the murk that they changed direction when they saw me and gave stunning views. Yesterday I went to the Airfield but arrived late (4:50pm) so not much use, but it will be worth trying again. There was a Short-eared Owl there however and there were 2 at Dowrog this afternoon and another at Trefeiddan earlier.

Iceland Gull at Freshwater West

2012-01-24T13:48:00.003Z

A fine adult Iceland gull was with a small group of other large gulls on the shoreline at Freshwater West this lunchtime. Also, an adult Mediterranean Gull was with a large flock of gulls in fields opposite the Speculation Inn on the B4320, the fields immediately on the left after the Hundleton turn as you head towards Angle.

Dowrog

2012-01-23T21:05:00.000Z

From Alan Hill - A good hour or so produced hen harrier 1m-1f, wonderful views of the short eared owl flying over head,stonechat 2,song thrush 1

Black-headed Gull with ring in Pembroke Dock

2012-01-23T20:33:00.003Z

The Black-headed Gull in the above pic was in the vicinity of the ferry berth in Pembroke Dock on 15th January. It has a metal ring on its right leg (inset) that appears to read BTO / SW? /BX? - where the question marks = letters or numbers that I can't make out. Is there enough info here to give us any clues as to its origin?

Ramsey Sound - Ring Ouzel - an early spring migrant or what?

2012-01-23T18:39:00.002Z

This morning, as we headed to our Sound watch-point, we flushed a very handsome adult male ring ouzel from the coast path just to the north of the lifeboat station. It shot off at high speed uttering a characteristic tacking alarm call, briefly displaying its white breast-band and silvery edges to wing feathers, before disappearing behind the lifeboat station somewhere. A search with a camera a few hours later failed to relocate it.

Question is an over-wintering bird or one already heading back north from wintering grounds (e.g in Morocco perhaps?). I do recall them sometimes turning up quite early in March at upland breeding sites I surveyed for the old Nature Conservancy Council in mid Wales back in the late 1970s, but certainly not this early as far as I can recall. Perhaps it is overwintering in the general area - watch out for it, you never know!

In the Sound, more bh gulls and kittiwakes today, including at least three kitts showing oil-stains on their underparts - one adult was quite badly oiled. Has their been a leak of something near their overnight roost site? Where is their roost site anyway? Or has a small patch of something nasty passed close to Ramsey recently?

Also present were 4 ad and one first winter med gulls, a few common gulls and still one little gull present. A single common scoter heading north through the Sound being the only other bird of note today.

Golden Plover at berea

2012-01-23T14:12:00.003Z

Spent some time today looking for GlossyIbis around St David’s. I failed on that but between Crug Glass and Berea was the most amazing flock of Golden plover. As best as I could count about 5K. Wheeling around in flocks and wedge shaped groups – brilliant. Many split of and went north – however many landed and as so many of them immediately put their heads under their wings and went to sleep they were maybe new arrivals. Plenty of Lapwing present as well.

Camera Found

2012-01-23T12:47:00.000Z

A Digital SLR has been found at the Pembroke Watersports Centre (Cosheston Pill) and it contains a lot of bird pictures. If you think this may be your camera please contact the police station (presumably Pembroke Dock).

Marloes and Teifi

2012-01-22T21:00:00.001Z

From Dave and Sharon Brittain - Just to confirm Derek’s sighting of the Ibis,we were at the Britton hide at that time and saw them come down onto the mere and settle somewhere towards the middle of the area.

Also earlier walking around the mere we saw a Barn Owl, Peregrine and also a Sparrow Hawk attacking a starling. There was a large amount of Lapwing flying together then roosting at dusk, must have been at least 500 maybe more.

And from John O'Sullivan - On the Teifi this morning amongst others

1 2nd winter Medgull (moorings) 4 Little Egrets 24 Dunlin 1 Grey Plover

Blackcap in Crundale

2012-01-22T20:32:00.002Z

A female blackcap was present in our garden this morning, feeding on crab apples; possibly the same female that was here on 11 Jan with a male?

Blustery Brownslade Burrows

2012-01-22T19:27:00.000Z

There was quite an impressive gathering of corvids in the dunes and at the Bluckspool area this morning - including not less than 82 ravens in the air together - much displaying, calling and landing on the coastal turf. Presumably they had been attracted by something dead in the area, although there was nothing particularly obvious.

There were also 2 merlins, a peregrine and 2 buzzards in the same area. Nearby in the dunes, there were at least 65 curlew, smaller numbers of golden plover and lapwing. No obvious choughs around though and otherwise generally quiet.

More Glossies!

2012-01-22T19:08:00.003Z

Message from Nigel Allen who saw 2 Glossy Ibis fly over the Dowrog heading S/SE towards St. David's Airfield at 4.48pm and appeared to drop down intending to land. Presumably the same 2 birds seen by MYP a few weeks back flying over the Whitesands road - hopefully their feeding area can be found now, evidently to the N/NW of the Dowrog? Also here a male Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl and Barn Owl.

Earlier I could not find the Marloes birds at 3.30pm (the posts below explaining this - they must have another feeding area to explain their whereabouts between 3 and 4.30pm? At the Gann 18 Brents and in the Dale gull roost an impressive 20 Mediterraean Gulls (13 adults, 3 2ndW, 4 1stW). Also 4 Great-crested Grebes in Dale Roads.

Ibises/ Marloes Mere.

2012-01-22T18:05:00.002Z

Walking back from the clifftop fields with my dogs, I was about halfway between the YMCA & the car park, when the 3 Ibises flew over heading towards the Mere. Their flight attitude suggested they were going to land there. Time was 1630.

Marloes & Tresinwen (22 Jan 12)

2012-01-22T16:52:00.000Z

The 3 Glossy Ibis showing extremely well at Marloes today on both sides of the road (between 10am and 3pm). At 3pm they flew off South and out of view. Pics to follow later in the week when I have had chance to process them.
Back at Tresinwen this evening one of the Short Eared Owls hunting again over their favourite field (except when I am there with my camera!)

The Gann & Clarebeston Road

2012-01-21T22:03:00.002Z

Seen at The Gann today by Gary Jenkins - Good number of Curlew. Approx 30 Teal 20-30 Small flock of Brent Geese 10-12 3 Little Egrets. 4-6 Goldeney 3-4 Redshank, Cormorant.
And from Linda & Ian McKenney a report of 7 Redpolls on their Niger seed feeder in Clarbeston Road this morning.

Wintering Warblers

2012-01-21T18:51:00.001Z

At Monk Haven today, three Chiffchaffs at least, two were seen well (1 abietinus & 1 collybita). In the last week or so there have been Chiffchaffs at Bosherton (3) and at Westfield Pill (nr Marina). Also Blackcaps (females)at the Gann and Cwm yr Eglwys.

Llys-y-fran

2012-01-21T17:46:00.003Z

In the roost this afternoon: adult Ring-billed Gull (as usual, tucked in with the Lesser Blacks, at the back of the flock), adult Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Med Gulls (2 adults, 1 2ndW). Lots of BHGs, but very few Herrings (no Great Blacks), and around 20 Common Gulls. Good size Canada Goose flock - maybe 250 birds?

Glossy Ibis this afternoon

2012-01-21T16:31:00.001Z

The three Glossy Ibis were still present this afternoon, but had relocated to a small flush on the opposite side of the road (see image). This is only a short distance from the usual feeding area, but the birds were impossible to see from the main Haverfordwest road, and could only be viewed by looking over the hedgebank along the road between Marloes and Dale. Worth bearing in mind if you are planning a visit.

Also this afternoon, there were two adult Mediterranean Gulls with a small flock of Black-headed Gulls in Milford Haven docks, and a male Hen Harrier flew south across the B4320 between the Rhoscrowther turn off and the Freshwater turn off - generally heading in the direction oof Castlemartin Corse.

Ty Rhyg and Rosebush Res.

2012-01-21T14:14:00.002Z

Ty Rhyg
A Goshawk making crows and jackdaws very jittery. Crossbill calling. Kestrel hunting, making a couple of drops to ground - at least one looked succesful. Great Grey Shrike tucked in a quiet corner. A few frogs in the ditches.

Rosebush Res.
Young Mute swan, a few Teal (10'ish), Mallard (20'ish), Little grebe 3, Coot 3, Goldeneye (4male, 3 female), Tufted (4male, 1 female), snipe 20-25 and a heron.

If you wondered what they were feeding on .......

2012-01-21T10:34:00.005Z

......... then have a look at this video. (Sorry about the quality - you should see it in the original HD!)

Ibises/ Golden Plover

2012-01-20T20:58:00.001Z

Still there at 16.00, but had flown by the time I returned at 1630.
32 GP`s over St Ishmaels.

Glossy Ibis

2012-01-20T17:20:00.002Z

The 3 birds still present and showing well this afternoon - they generally fly off to roost (somewhere to the south) around 4.30pm. Apologies for another pic and some shaky video - it's digiscoped handheld don't forget!! Many thanks to Mike & Claire for their hospitality to birders and sharing them with us - wonderful.

Ramsey

2012-01-20T16:40:00.002Z

3 red-throated divers past the seawatch hide between 08:45-09:45. Also of note was 1 common gull and 5 gannets.

Frenni Fawr

2012-01-20T15:59:00.001Z

150 lapwing on the Frenni today

Ibis & Brents

2012-01-20T15:11:00.008Z

Glossy Ibis quite near the road late morning at Marloes. At the Gann, Brent Geese (13) & a pair of Goldeneye.

Glossy Ibis

2012-01-20T15:11:00.005Z

The three Glossy Ibis still showing well this morning at Marloes. The sun even came out to really show the gloss! Click photo for a few more on my website. Or follow the Photos link on the right.
At Marloes Mere pretty quiet on the Mere itself with just a few Shoveller Teal and Mallard. The surrounding fields had loads of Lapwing and Starlings and a Merlin passed over putting the whole lot up. Quite a display with over a 1000 Lapwing.

Glossy and Lesser

2012-01-19T20:41:00.002Z

Thanks for the text D! I have not made a post for ages, The three Glossy Ibis were a real treat, and today for only the second time in 5 years I saw a Lesser Spotted W at the 6th hole H'west GC.

Also yesterday a remarkably spotty Female Teal at the Gann, briefly I got very excited as a distant bird it looked decidedly Marbled, but a close view revealed what was surely just an aberrant plumaged Teal.