Glossy Ibis

 Yesterday, Sunday 5th at about 9:15 I saw two Glossy Ibis flying down river from the Leri Boatyard towards Ynyslas. I've just come back from another visit, but didn't see them today. And I've just noticed that there was a report of them in the same location last Monday. Maybe they're hanging around for a while...

To Llanfair Clydogau and beyond

 Two Willow Tits were at Clywedog plantation this morning, along Sarn Helen. A Great Egret was just upriver from the bridge at Llanfair.

Ynys-hir

 Yesterday at Ynys-hir there was a Marsh Harrier,  a Raven and a pair of black-tailed Godwits.

Thomas Simpson 

Llansantffraed

 Generally fairly quiet. 19 Med Gulls were present, 17 Ringed Plovers, the leucistic Oystercatcher. When I arrived there were a number of gulls on the flooded field which promptly flew off leaving a single behind which turned out to be a juv Kittiwake, perhaps weak or injured. Later, when I returned it was still all alone except for a BH Gull that was right next to it. At the time I thought it a touching scene. But on reflection I wonder if the BH Gull had an ulterior motive?

Tanybwlch

 Yesterday the Dipper showed no sigh of leaving the Ystwyth.  There was also a Raven being mobbed by crows around the Pen Dinas hill fort.

Thomas Simpson 

BTO Winter Bird Survey extra info

 If you already do a BBS square and want to take part this winter go to "my details and settings" on web portal. It is also possible to select not doing the survey yourself but to have someone else to do it this winter only instead. This will not affect your BBS (spring) allocation which carries on as normal. For those not familiar with BBS methodology; the squares available are preselected at random by the BTO, you can't just choose one that you happen to fancy.

Tanybwlch

 The Dipper was still on the Ystwyth at Tanybwlch yesterday.  In the small culvert between the fields there were two Snipe. 

Thomas Simpson 

BTO Winter Bird Survey

 Harry has asked me to put details about the one off BTO winter survey on here. I hope I have this correct. It is based on the BBS squares. Minimum 2 visits, max 4 visits, and using the same methodology as BBS, recording all birds seen. Details can be found on the BTO website or contact county rep. Naomi Davis.

naomi.davis25@gmail.com

I know that Naomi would be very grateful for our help with this. So I guess I'd better find myself a square!

Ian

Richard's Pipit at Patch

 A little after 9.30 am I was walking behind the static caravans at  Patch on the coastal path looking out across to Poppit and Cardigan Island.   There were huge numbers of Goldfinches about and plenty of meadow pipits.

Close to the bench that looks out cross the bay,  I suddenly caught sight of a large pipit  standing very upright close to some boulders.   It was a type of pipit I hadn't seen before  but everything about it,  from the long tail with white sides,  it's size and shout bill, and general appearance makes me believe it was a Richard's Pipit.   

I have not seen one before so there must be a degree of caution with my identification but I  thought it worth reporting. 

John Ramm 

Morfa Bychan / Ynyslas

 Another decent few days in Ceredigion. 

Morfa Bychan 25th:  A Purple Sandpiper flushed off the beach and a close in Razorbill. 

Yynyslas 26th:  2 Glossy Ibis feeding on the bank of the Leri l, opposite the boatyard. 

Pete Hackett