Teifi marsh

The Marsh Harrier was seen flying for long periods late afternoon. A good bird for the reserve and well worth seeing. Best viewed from Heron hide ( the one on the knoll overlooking a pond on the Ceredigion side of the reserve)

Marsh Harrier - Teifi Marsh

The Marsh Harrier spotted earlier by Mark W put on a good display at dusk over the reed bed in front of Mallard hide.
It went down to roost so there should be a good chance of seeing it again in the morning.
(Dyfed and Wendy James)

Whinchat on Foel Fawr

A pair of Whinchats were showing off on Foel Fawr this afternoon, stunners both of them.
As I was concentrating on the male, a Cuckoo flew past behind.  I followed that until it was lost from sight  and then resumed watching the Whinchats, my first this year.

Teifi Marsh

Heard sedge and reed warblers and an explosive cettis right next to us, as one might expect, but the afternoon was brightened by the appearance of a marsh harrier.
Favouring the reed bed between the creek hide and the river we watched from up near the badger. At one point it plunged 2 or 3 times into the reeds, and didn't come up for a while. At that point a crow became interested, and a circling red kite also went very low for a good look. Prey, maybe; for me a highlight of the year so far!

Horeb, Llandysul

Whilst delivering the post to Blaendyffryn Nursing Home this morning I noticed a pair of Spotted Flycatchers in the grounds.

Long Wood, Betws Bledrws

Went for a long walk from one end to the other this morning. Seemed to me that there were fewer warblers around than usual but the cold wind may have given that impression perhaps. I counted 6 Wood Warblers, 5 in close proximity to each other at the Lampeter end of the wood, an area marked on the OS Explorer map as Olwen Wood. For anyone in this corner of the county who "needs" Wood Warbler I recommend a walk in this part of Long Wood. The birds were very obliging despite the weather. Park near the Rugby club and climb the hill in to Long Wood. Olwen wood is the first compartment you enter.

Field Trip Reminder

A reminder that this months field trip is this Sunday, (19th.) at Cwm Berwyn. Please note that it starts at 9am. Full details are on the field trip section of the blog.
I will not be able to make this trip but I look forward to seeing a long and interesting bird list for it on the blog.
Elaine

Red-legged Partridge in Bow Street

Friend of mine reported seeing a reg-legged partridge in Bow Street and managed to get a snap of it.

Rhys Thatcher

Redpolls and Cuckoo...flowers

The masses of Goldfinches, Chaffinches and Siskins have recently be joined by four Redpolls, the males look stunning in the sun, unfortunately the photo was taken through the glass of the window today as the rain fell, still, an impressive little bird.
Noticed the first Cuckoo-flowers of the year in the field had just opened today, checked back in my notes for the last two years, the first in 2012 were recorded on 30th April and in 2011 on 11th April, so this years are a month later than two years ago! Checking the nest boxes, many of the Tits are now sitting but there are still three active boxes with just a few covered cold eggs. Hope all the open nests are able to cope with this current cold, wet and windy weather.

Alan Lyne
Blaenpennal

Ynyslas this afternoon

As I was scanning through c150 Ringed Plover & Dunlin at Ynyslas this afternoon my attention was drawn to the approaching racket being made by a couple of Herring Gulls who it turned out, were chasing a Peregrine across the saltings.  There were also 5 Sandwich Terns making their delightful "kereck" noise.  Later, at the Turn Car Park I picked out 2 Velvet Scoters with a raft of c400 commons.