PEN DINAS,ABERYSTWYTH

2 reeling Grasshopper Warblers and a Lesser Whitethroat early evening.
A pair of Dippers and 2 fledged young, up the Rheidol valley this morning.

More whimbrel Ynyslas

66 whimbrel on Ynyslas beach this evening plus 12 flying over towards the golf course and a group of about 20 heading up the Dyfi estuary.

Ynyslas

Today at Ynys Las about half an hour after high tide I saw c500 Dunlin, c300 Ringed Plover, 2 Wimbrel, 12/13 Sanderling some going into summer plumage, 3 Male Wheatear, a Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 3 White Wagtails. Moving on to the sea at Ynys Las turn-off car park I had a fine summer plumage Black-throated Diver, 7 Red-throated Diver, c80 Manx Shearwater diving for fish, c20 Common Scoter, a lone Gannet, Great-crested Grebe and a Razorbill all of these birds were fairly close into the shore particularly the Blk-throated Diver and the Manxies.

Mervyn Lloyd

Whimbrel Ynyslas

22 whimbrel circling over the golf course at Ynyslas this afternoon. Also at least 3 whitethroats singing near the information centre.

NEW QUAY

A Lesser Whitethroat was at New Quay Head this afternoon. We heard it for some while before getting a look at it. Plenty more Whitethroats since the monthly walk last Saturday week.
Earlier, at Aberystwyth, we could only find 2 Purple Sandpipers at high tide.

cors caron

Whitethroats and garden warbs have arrived here but still not seen a female piedy. Willow tit x2 singing.
Up at our house the male and female mallard are still on our pond guarding the young but I haven't seen how many are left: heron took one and is a regular visitor. I read that male mallards push off before the eggs hatch so 'what's occurring'?

YNYSLAS

At the high tide roost this morning were nearly 500 Dunlin and 200 Ringed Plovers. The Curlew Sandpiper, sadly not in breeding plumage, eventually showed very well.
An Osprey, presumably from up the valley, appeared close by at 11.50 and headed out towards the sea and immediately returned on the Aberdyfi side before crossing over and plunging into the water near the Clettwr before heading upstream at 12.00.
A Merlin dashed across the saltings where 21 Whimbrels gathered. On the meadows behind the caravans there were still plenty of Wheatears and 2 Golden Plovers in breeding plumage. Nearby a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling.

Stock Doves

Today near Llangwyryfon (Brynchwyth) a notable flock of 20+ Stock Doves feeding on a corn field. From C Bird

Dyfi Osprey Project.

I'm glad to say that the opening event went well on Saturday - we had almost 500 people throughout the day! Thanks to all of you that came along to say hello.
Unfortunately, the female that had been around from April 18th has now departed - last spotted last Thursday evening (23rd). Our boy is all alone again, lets hope he finds a mate soon.

In the meantime, here's a close up of him taken during Iolo's visit on Saturday. What a handsome chap he is, the osprey that is!

More Migrants

2 Whinchats were by the Pendam Mountain road just east of LLyn Blaenmelindwr and an early Spotted Flycatcher was at Ynyshir.

Ynyslas high tide wader roost

I visited Ynyslas point this morning armed with a 'brolly' cause it looked like I might get rained on! The wind was quite keen but it was pleasant nonetheless. I was joined by Russell Jones. We had great views of good numbers of Dunlin and Ringed Plover at the usual roost site the birds shifting around according to the state of tide. Russell spotted a Curlew Sandpiper amongst the Dunlin actively feeding on the shoreline and a wheatear and White Wagtail on the spit. A Peregrine made an appearance heading in quite a decisive manner across the estuary over to 'gog' land (looked like a female). There were Gannets, a Fulmar and good numbers of Manx Shearwaters offshore and a solitary drake Scoter flying North. Not a bad tally of bird species standing in one spot! Sometimes its nice to reflect on the fact that we live in a beautiful part of Britain.

Ystumtuen & Ynys-hir

Ystumtuen – Cuckoo and a Redstart

Ynys Hir – Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Several blackcaps and Wood Warblers, sedge warbler ,a pair of Great spotted woodpeckers mating and all the other usual bits and bats.

Matt Potter

Llyn Eiddwen

Today at:

Llyn Eiddwen

I saw the first Great Crested Grebe here for several years.

Very good views of a Cuckoo and one male Stonechat.

Nearby whilst looking for Stonechats at OSl35 60:65, I found a Whinchat. At this site last year, I had five or six pairs of Stonechats but this year so far none.

Llanrhystud

Six White Wagtails and three Brent Geese flew up from the South and landed on the sea. Just one Whimbrel.

From C Bird

Lowland and Upland

A walk around the garden for half an hour or so this morning with notebook and 'bins' produced a list of 23 different species - mainly the common garden birds as expected but also Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Siskin, Goldfinch, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, apir of Greater Spotted Woodpeckers, Kite, Heron, and also a colour ringed Great Tit - Red/Orange and Orange/BTO ring. Only one pair of Swallows taken up residence in our barn so far this year compared with the usual three of later years.

An early evening walk around Syfydrin was very quiet except for a large flock of Swallows feeding above the rushy ground between the lake and woodland on the north-west shore. Six juvenile Canada gees came in and then delightfully a pair of Sandpipers on the dam wall. A lot more Swallows feeding over Pendam.

Swifts

3 Common Swifts heading north over Aberaeron on 25 April at 09.30.

Ian Harrison

YNYSLAS

Harry Pepper and I were watching 8 Purple Sandpipers on the wooden jetty at Aberystwyth when Bob called from Ynyslas.

There, at high tide, the three of us saw a good wader roost: 424 Dunlin, 260 Ringed Plover, 21 Whimbrel, 3 Sanderling, 2 Knot and 1 Black and

1 Bar-tailed Godwit. One of the Whimbrels posed for a photo.

Bob then returned for domestic duties while we watched a smashing looking summer plumaged Golden Plover on the field behind the caravans. There were also 27 Wheatears and 2 White Wagtails. Finally, we 'scoped an obliging Grasshopper Warbler.

Cors Caron

6.30am Pont Einon: sedge warb in hedge, 2 male bullfinches on blackthorn blossom,willow warbs and a grasshopper w singing out on bog plus 2 redshank on mud at river edge.
Boardwalk:7.15am NO snipe heard or seen but a 30+ group of swallows and sand martins were feeding and perching(all together) in a scrubby willow. Probably a migrant flock which had over nighted in the bushes so hopefully we'll see more swallows yet. Redshank called, skylark sang above its peat dome nest area in spite of curious sprouting of bamboo canes with bird scaring red and white plastic streamers!!
No whitethroat in usual place by willow arch( but one near Cors Dyfi yesterday plus a reed warb putting on a virtuoso performance.)
At home the mallard hatched her eggs:8 ducklings. Still no female piedy here yet.

Colour ringing in Bar-tailed godwits Ynyslas

The link to the study and details of the colour ringing project of waders based in the Netherlands is http://www.nioz.nl/nioz_nl/272a421d4f3323757c5744dc10d43f7b.php
I had a colour ringed godwit in 2007, contacted the research project and they sent a life history of the bird which, up until then, had only been seen in Texel.

Bar-tailed Godwit at Ynyslas

Amongst a group of 12 Whimbrel feeding on the beach at Ynyslas this afternoon there was a single bar-tailed godwit which had 4 blue coloured (darvic?) rings fitted on the lower part of its legs (2 on each leg) and a red plastic 'tag' on the upper part of the left leg. It also had the standard aluminium ring fitted. Has anyone any ideas of who (or which country) might be carrying out studies on this species?

Jim Marshall's sightings

Jim Marshall's sightings from his house on the Dyfi this past week have included 17 Whimbrel and 2 Wheatear on April 18th. 11 Whimbrel, 7 Wheatear and 3 Greenshank on the 19th. 9 Whimbrel, 8 Grasshopper Warblers heard reeling and drumming Snipe on the 20th. 14 Whimbrel, 12 Wheatear, 2 male Goosander and 3 male Red-breasted Merganser (females laying or sitting?) on the 21st. 19 Whimbrel, 5 Wheatear on the 22nd. 32 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew, 5 Grasshopper Warblers and 1 large Otter with large eel on the 23rd. 12 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew and 1 Great White Egret on the 24th. And, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit in breeding plumage, first major movement of Dunlin - groups of up to c130 on the move - 40 Ringed Plover and 2 (escapee) Snow Geese heading East on the 25th.
Also, in summary, Redshank numbers declining, only single birds seen (females sitting or laying) Common Sandpipers increasing in number, 5 pairs so far and Little Ringed Plover, only 2 pairs confirmed so far.

Swallow Numbers

I was talking to Richard Stagg today, who has a farm near Llandysul; and he mentioned that he only has 5 pairs of swallows in his barns - and usually he has around 20 pairs.

Given that there is concern over wheatear numbers, I wondered if this was worth mentioning on the blog?

Jean Morgan

Osprey project

May I take this opportunity to thank all concerned with this GREAT project-especially Jim Marshall , the warden (sorry ,even tho we chatted, I forgot your name-senility) , Emyr Evans and everyone else.

Mont W T deserves a HUGE amount of congrats and I hope All goes really well .Even if the birds don't make it this year, they will.

Here are a few tentative pics to start it all off-Emyr's are much better, but I do hope to catch up....Watch this space!

Dyfi Osprey Project - Grand opening!

hi folks - just a quick note to say that the project officially opens tomorrow, Saturday, 25th April. I have met many of you over the last couple of weeks and have had many an interesting conversation - thank you for droppimg by.

Iollo Williams will officially open the project at 3pm and this is an invitation to all of you to drop by and join in the festivities.

Hope to see you all tomorrow. Finally, just a quick thank you to all of you that have offered your support to the Dyfi Osprey Project - I'm extremely grateful, diolch.

Warblers, Flycatchers and a Swift

Bob, Harry and I had a productive session with warblers at Pen Dinas this morning with good views of the numerous Whitethroats, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs, plus Blackcap and Garden Warbler. A reeling Grasshopper Warbler did not want to be seen but a pair of Kestrels were very active overhead. The monument tower looks just right for them. There was also a good variety of butterflies.
Inland, up the valley from Strata Florida we enjoyed a veritable abundance of singing and calling male Pied Flycatchers. On the journey home we watched a Swift flying about over Pontrhydfendigaid.

Cors Caron

6a.m -7.30a.m Main boardwalk: grasshopper warbs 3, willow warbs 4,swallows 2, female goosander flying south 1,mutes 3 ads flying, mallard 2,herons 2,willow tit 1,garden warb/blkcap(only a snatch of song)cuckoo 1( later seen flying east),mistle(in Tillo's wood),blackbird.robin,wren,bluey,great tit,meadow pipit,reed bunt,crows 8.
Either side of the boardwalk were the most dog prints I have ever seen as the bog is dryish so good luck bog rosemary(I say this as a dog person). No BHG's on the pond all day but Canada geese most entertaining.In front of the visitor building the flash was showing loads of mud but not a single bird!
Later the cloud and breeze dropped and up the hill our first blackcap arrived and the piedys were singing relentlessly altho I haven't seen a female yet.

Swift

I saw my first Swift of the year over Aberystwyth marina
this morning (8-8.15).

Simon Cox

Mwnt

Yesterday at Mwnt: 5 whimbrel in the Bay, on the headland 1 chough, 1 kestrel, 2 peregrines, a few wheatears but only 1 male stonechat in area normally supporting at least 7 pairs.

Ynyslas

Ynys-las Beach & Point, Wednesday evening: Among a mixed flock of 250+
Dunlin and Ringed Plover were 3 Knot (in various degrees of summer
plumage), 2 Sanderling and 1 Curlew Sandpiper. Two Whimbrel flew north.
Off shore, there were small numbers of Manx Shearwaters but no Terns.
Also, unusually for this spring, there was a Wheatear in the dunes.

Rhiannon Thomas

Vultures and Teifi Valley Lakes

I understand that these photos were taken near Llanybydder,possibly just over the county border.
I don't know much about the bird. It refused roast chicken but came down in to the garden for cat food and hard boiled eggs. Frightened of the local pussycats too.
When I visit the lakes I normally start at the little parking area a mile above Strata Florida,up past Llyn Egnant and down past Llyn Teifi and Frongoch. In previous years I've counted 21,27 and28 male Wheatears but only 16 the other day soI'm glad you hasd more success than I did.Hopefully things not quite as bad as I thought.

Whimbrel Ynyslas

1 whimbrel this morning on the shingle at high tide, Ynyslas beach

Across the border

Visited Dolydd Hafren today(on the Severn flood plain near Montgomery) and was delighted to see little ringed plover displaying against a supporting cast of 50+ sand martins, goosander,shelduck,curlew,snipe, reed warbs,common sands etc. Just missed a great white egret but would rather watch lrp's any day. Lesser whitethroat also present.
On Cors Caron there are 50 black headed gulls, 3 pairs trying to settle on the big pond inside the boardwalk between visits from the dog-walkers. Last year one pair raised a chick (later predated)having defended their nest by dive bombing an otter!

More on Wheatears

I noticed a few Wheatears on Borth golf course yesterday. Having noted Ian Morris' comments about the lack of these birds in the Teifi Pools area I made an effort to look out and listen for them on my usual April circular Teifi Pools walk, starting up the valley from Strata Florida. During the three and a half hours when I was in suitable habitat I saw 27 Wheatears, including 4 females. There were some stretches of the walk where these birds did seem a bit scarce but overall I thought that was an encouraging count. One Common Sandpiper had arrived at the lakes.

Interesting and pertinent comment from Gareth Rees about bird sightings from Cors Caron. Indeed, we get few records from another important CCW reserve, Cors Fochno/Borth Bog except mainly from a small number of regular visitors (two of whom come from the Midlands!).

The Vulture

Over breakfast this morning my wife mentioned that during her Welsh classes yesterday somebody from the Drefach area showed her a picture of a Vulture that had apparently spent most of the weekend perched on her rooftop looking morose! According to my wife it looked like a big sad pigeon. "******* big pigeon," thought I as I munched on a piece of toast. I'm trying to get a copy of the picture for the blog.
At Llanrhystud this morning there was a Mediterranean Gull,Common Sandpiper and a small group of Sand Martins on the sandy cliffs(possibly a colony?).

Borth Bog

I have been looking at the Ceredigion Birds website. I am sorry that this information is late but on Borth Bog (on west side of river) there was one Whinchat and one House Martin on Sunday evening. There were not many birds except a few Grasshopper and Sedge Warblers. I did not see any Stonechats.
If you are interested in Green Woodpeckers, there was one at Cors Dyfi also on Sunday.

Pawel Galazka

Wheatear

We were walking along the left bank of river Cletwr in Tre-r'ddol on Sat afternoon (18/4)

and we saw one male wheatear. It was a lovely sunny afternoon with a cool Easterly wind.

Great news about the ospreys.

Diana Whitehouse

Borth Bog

Couple of friends and I were at Borth Bog early this morning (5 o'clock start!) and were rewarded with lovely views of Sedge Warblers, Reed Bunting and Snipe in flight. A pair of Shelducks also made an appearance and just the one pair of Stonechats. A Cuckoo was also heard very early on much to my delight! 22 species totted up in all, not a bad morning's work.


Maria Gill

Dyfi Osprey female

Is she big or what?!
One of the biggest ospreys I have seen. Again, today, both birds went fishing and brought a fish back each. Behaviour I haven't seen before until this year. This is the female, not as dark around the chest as some other ospreys..

Llyn Eiddwen

Did my TTV around Llyn Eiddwen this morning and saw three pairs of Wheatears north of the lake and heard Grasshopper warblers at the southern end. Went to Cors Dyfi this afternoon and got a few distant views of Osprey in flight, apparently they had both been at the nest with fish just after 11 this morning.

Tony Allenby

Skylarks

11 skylarks singing on my tetrad on hills south of Cilcenin, largest concentration I’ve ever seen in UK.

6 golden plover in full summer plumage still in large field which holds winter flocks behind my house at Tyn-y-Graig, 2 pair Lapwings and Wheatear nearby.

Philip Ellis

Borth

2 Arctic terns and 5 Bottlenose dolphins at Borth early this morning. Mid morning the 2 Dyfi ospreys returned to the nest from a successful fishing trip downstream.

May Field Trip

There is a slight change to the itinerary for the Field Trip on Sunday 17th May. After Artists Valley instead of carrying on to Ynys-hir we will visit the Dyfi Osprey Project at Cors Dyfi.

Borth

John Davis and I had a tromp across Borth Bog this morning and managed to get good views of Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers. A few Reed Buntings about but a noticeable lack of Stonechats, what's happened to them this year?
Later we sat having lunch and looking at the sea, we saw quite a few Sandwich Terns and Manxies plus 2 Porpoises.

Green Woodpecker

Just been loading the car to go birding and heard a "yaffle" from somewhere at the back of the house. First time I've encountered a Green Woodpecker here in Eglwysfach, in fact first one I've encountered in Wales. Didn't see the little blighter though.......

wheatears

Drove home over the Abergwesyn mountain road yesterday after 6 weeks away and was mildly alarmed not to see a wheatear in Cwm Irfon or at Nant y maen; now having read the blogs I'm really worried. There has been bad weather in the Med for a week but wheats usually here before then. Our garden willow warbs(2 singing males) have arrived plus 2 male pied flys but no garden warb or blackcap.
Living in hope that Red is finding some wheatears up at Cwmystwyth.

Wheatear numbers

I read with interest Ian Morris's post on Ceredigion Birds regarding breeding Wheatears being in short supply this year. I cover large tracts of south-west Breconshire and a visit to Fan Gyhirych above Crai reservoir over the last BH weekend gave only a pair and a single male where I would expect to find 3+ pairs. This prompted me to ask the same "are they down" question to Andy King and this was his reply:-

"I also believe Wheatear are in trouble. I did two TTV around Grwyne Fawr res/Mynydd Du spending 4 hours up there on Monday, and only had one pair on sheepfold wall in the valley bottom - amazingly no passage birds travelling the ridges either. John Lloyd has also reported scarcity."

I also saw a comment on the Portland Bird Obs. web site on the 12th April that had stated the numbers passing through there were "particularly dreadful".

I would be grateful if you could pass these on to Ian.

On a separate front, I was wondering how well covered Cors Caron was as I don't see many reports on your web site. I am tempted to try and visit the reserve sometime in the next couple of months (possibly on the way to some TTVs in the western part of SN86) and will record the results on Bird Track.

Regards
Gareth Rees
Sennybridge

Teifi Valley Lakes

Went for a great walk in the lakes area above Pontrhydfendigaid this morning but disappointed to see only half the numbers of Wheatears that I usually record at this time of year on the same route.I glanced at the bto bird track site later and got the impression(if I was reading the graph correctly!) that Wheatears have been recorded in far fewer numbers this year compared with 2007/2008. Has anyone else noticed this?

Cors Dyfi and Ynys-hir

Visited Cors Dyfi this morning to see the Ospreys and saw them mating on the nest.
Later at Ynys-hir saw Wood Warblers, Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers, Blackcaps and a Cuckoo all in gorgeous sunshine. This is the life!

Sandwich Terns

Two Sandwich terns and a Gannet out to see off South Beach this morning.

Maria Gill

Manx Shearwater and Sandwich Terns seen today off Ynyslas. Grasshopper Warblers, Willow Warblers, a pair of Jays, a pair of Ravens and Sedge Warblers on Cors Fochno.

I was lucky to get a great view of a Cetti's Warbler at Teifi Marshes yesterday afternoon despite the crowds.

Will someone send the Ospreys down to Ynyslas so I can see them? I feel left out!

Dyfi Osprey Project.

Our female is back!!
Jim Marshall told me around two months ago that he expects the female to be back 18th April; I replied - don't be stupid, she'll be back far before then!! Humble pie or what?
She arrived back this afternoon, at 18.21 they were displaying to eachother and by 20.05 were mating. Brilliant news, will we see osprey chicks on the Dyfi for the first time in centuries? More updates in a few days.

The (2nd) Osprey has landed

Terrific news from Jim Marshal -
18.21 Two Ospreys were circling high over the nest site performing their aerial courtship and pas-de-deux.
18.36 Two Ospreys reunited on the nest.
20.05 First mating on their nest.

ps
They actually appeared at 14.37 but Jim wanted to be sure that there were deffinitely two.

pps
Yesterday four Whimbrel and eleven Wheatear early am
twenty seven Whimbrel late am and eight more at dusk plus another nine Wheatear.

Pen Dinas

A Grasshopper warbler singing its heart out on top of pen dinas today was
a nice suprise
Josh Maynard

Llanrhystud

Called in at Llanrhystud on the way back from Newquay trip, and had an Arctic skua flying past southwards - harried a Black-headed gull briefly. Single male Wheatear on the shingle ridge.

Thanks again to John for leading an excellent walk.

Ceredigion Birding Group Field Trip

Seventeen of us had a most enjoyable walk along the cliff-top at Newquay today, the weather was just superb. Amongst the birds seen were Kittiwake, Fulmar, Guillemot, Razorbill, Shag, Cormorant, Chough, Peregrine, Kestrel, Whitethroat, Stonechat and Rock Pipit. We were also able to see into a Ravens nest and got a good look at the young ones. Four Common Lizards were seen along the path, two individuals and one mating pair locked together.
Thanks to John Davis for leading the walk.

Hooded Vuture

I have had several messages from Ian Harrison regarding a Hooded Vulture, first seen over Aberaeron on Wednesday 15th. The bird has been seen several times. Ian would like to know if anyone has any ideas about where it might have escaped from?
Photographs have been taken, but unfortunately I don't seem to be able to get them onto the blog. If you're in that neck of the woods, keep your eyes peeled!

Ynys-hir

At Ynys-hir today - Thursday 16th - there were 46 ringed plover, 80 dunlin, 7 sanderling and 3 curlew sandpipers. The osprey made a few forays into the county with good views from the Marian mawr hide on the reserve and a common sandpiper was on the Ceredigion side of the Dyfi. The lesser spotted woodpeckers still noisy and active.

Russell Jones
Warden Ynys-hir RSPB reserve
Gwarchodfa natur Ynys-hir

Grasshopper Warblers galore

On a walk from Cwm Tydu to New Quay on 15th April I had at least 5 Grasshopper Warblers flush from beside the cliff path and two others reeling. It was a bit misty so probably a fall of passage birds as there were numerous Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers and a single Whitethroat singing too.

 Also had at least half a dozen White Wagtails in a ploughed field near New Quay Coastguard lookout.

Redstart Ynyslas

Female black redstart molehill hopping and catching flies in my back garden this afternoon.

Cuckoo

A Cuckoo was calling on Foel Fawr, Eglwysfach at 8.45 this morning.

Night-time on the Dyfi

Last night, dusk - 22.00, the night made wondrous and magical with the displaying calls of Redshanks; the first 2 returning Greenshanks adding their clear and beautiful notes to the nocturnal chorus which included song of the Little Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, chipping and drumming Snipe, Common Sandpiper and Curlew.

Message ends.
Jim Marshall

ps Where have the Avocets gone?

Osprey

Mervyn Lloyd and I visited Ynys-hir early this morning. After the beautiful spring sunshine we've enjoyed recently today's weather was a bit of a let-down. The Osprey put in an appearance, right in front of Marian Mawr hide, fantastic!

Osprey

Good view of the Osprey from the track leading to Dyfi Junction Station this morning.

Great White Egret

Seen from Ynys-hir this morning: Great white egret on the salt marsh near the Saltings hide, greenshank, dark-bellied Brent goose, osprey (of course), 1 white wagtail, lesser spotted woodpecker drumming and showing well and wood warbler.

Russell Jones
Warden Ynys-hir RSPB reserve Gwarchodfa natur Ynys-hir

Ynyshir -

An enjoyable few hours at Ynyshir included, in the order seen or heard, blackcap, the great white egret on the saltings, spaarowhawk, four redstarts, a female pied flycatcher, tree pipit, a grasshopper warbler heard in front of the Breakwater hide , osprey on the far bank and two white wagtails at the east end of the Breakwater fields. Unusually, a nuthatch pecked the ground. Nesting little egrets made what sounded to me like bubbling sounds, which Collins describes as gargling.

Last night, about 50 house martins and a swallow over the William Condry reserve and a Belgian couple photographing a 'hawkmoth with eyes'.

Crossbills

Another message from Marc Hughes yesterday at approx 6.30pm - Two Crossbills near Penlanlas golf course.

Ring Ouzel

From Mark Hughes yesterday at approx 12.00 noon - female Ring Ouzel in gorse along coastal path between Morfa Bychan and Tanybwlch beach.

Osprey Ynyshir

A squadron of 6 shelduck successfully repelled an approaching osprey this morning at Ynyshir. And deprived the waiting cameras!

Ynyslas

Ringed Plover and Turnstone amid the usual suspects at North Point. This morning a Whimbrel was seen with some Oystercatchers on the beach.

This afternoon near the old golf course hide a Sedge Warbler was heard singing with a Grasshopper Warbler in the background.

Avocets

Within the last minute I have received news from Jim Marshall that Russell has alerted him to a pair of Avocets seen at Ynys-hir, heading north on the Dyfi, well within Ceredigion. As I said before, it's all happening isn't it!

Little Ringed Plovers

Jim Marshall reports 2 pairs of Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Grasshopper Warblers and the Great White Egret have been spotted on the Ceredigion side of the Dyfi at the extreme northern end of the county. It's all happening isn't it!

Sea Bird Survey

The questionnaire requires that you enter only whole numbers with no decimilisation or £ signs- and does not like blanks or X's etc.

Dyfi Osprey Project.

Hi folks, I'm Emyr as Bob mentioned below and it's good to be on board as it were. I have managed the Glaslyn Osprey Project for the last four seasons and now work for Montgomery Wildlife Trust as project manager for the Dyfi ospreys. I'm sure you all know but we are situated at the Cors Dyfi reserve just off the main road between Derwenlas and Eglwysfach. The male osprey has been with us a couple of days now and is almost definitely the same male as last year - Jim Marshall tells me that behaviourally, he is identical in his activities. He has been nest building since his return and flying high over the nest in an attempt to advetrise himself to a passing female - no luck yet! I have been down at Cors Dyfi all day today and the male has brought back three fish, two flounders and a mullet at around 5pm.
Lastly, if you would like to come as see the Dyfi osprey(s), from Monday 13th onwards our brand new elevated hide will be open and staffed from 10am until 6pm everyday. Our new visitor centre will be finished and ready for our grand opening Saturday, April 25th. If you would like to contact me regarding the Dyfi Osprey Project, my contact details are: email, emyr@montwt.co.uk and telephone 07595 932 537.
Fingers crossed that the female is not far behind - more updates as they come in, all the best, Emyr.

Various

There was a Female Red-breasted Merganser at Llanrhystud this morning and on the way home 2 Red-legged Partridges were strolling along the road at Pontsaeson,Cross Inn. A Green Woodpecker was calling down the road in Betws Bledrws this afternoon.

Dyfi Ospreys

I'm delighted to announce that Emyr Evans will soon be posting news regarding the Ospreys on the Dyfi estuary. Emyr will be contributing regular bulletins so that we can all share the thrill and privilege of having these spectacular birds here in our community. Watch this space...........

Ynys-hir

John Davis and I had a very pleasant few hours at Ynys-hir today, what fab weather!
Between us we recorded Osprey at the nest-site again, Tree Pipit, Black-tailed Godwit 2, Raven with 4 young in its nest, poss/prob Spotted Redshank, Pintail, Bar-tailed Godwit 46, Pied Flycatcher and Redstart.

Sand Martins

Saturday, 11^th April

Nanny Goat Walk (footpath following the River Ystwyth between Tan-y-Bwlch and Rhydyfelin)

At least six Sand Martins starting to build/renovate their nests in the banks of the Ystwyth, plus a fine looking pair of Goosanders who allowed us good close views.

Stuart Coleman

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Osprey, Warblers and more....!

A trip to RSPB Ynys-hir this morning proved to be a very rewarding one. Highlights of the day were an Osprey on the nesting platform, 2 Sedge and 1 Grasshopper Warbler near the break-water hide, 2+ Redstarts and 3 Pied Flycatchers in the oak woodlands and Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and Blackcaps singing just about everywhere. But undoubtedly the bird of the day was a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drumming near the visitors centre.

Cross Inn Forest

Message from Marc Hughes - Cuckoo and Tree Pipits showing really well at Cross Inn Forest this evening.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

At Ynys-hir this morning I saw 6 Greenland White-fronted Geese, possible Bean Goose, dark-bellied Brent Goose, Greylag Goose and 2 Black-tailed Godwit. My morning stars though were a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker which showed very well and an Osprey. It was on the nesting Platform and took to the air to do a few circuits.

Great White Egret

Great White Egret seen this morning at the Leri by Marc Hughes. Also Osprey, Merlin, Water Pipit and Slavonian Grebes, 2 in breeding plumage.

Sea Bird Survey

No Bob, it is not just you, however, I did reach page three. I have emailed the address shown under contact us to ask if they would have a look at why we are having trouble. If others are in the same position perhaps they would email also. It is worth the effort as could be a useful survey.

Tanybwlch

We walked along Tanybwlch beach today, hoping for our first sightings of Whimbrels this year in their favourite spots at the south end of the beach or the fields just above it. However, as we approached we saw many tyre tracks on the beach and then a car firmly embedded in the sand with two men and a boy nearby. Shortly afterwards a coastguard vehicle arrived, and the coastguard staff didn't seem very impressed with a group of idiots who'd trespassed on a nature reserve and then got themselves stuck. I suspect a large recovery fee and a fine will ensue. Wonder if they had any connection with the group you encountered at Ynyslas on Monday?

Anyway, no Whimbrels, Oystercatchers or other shore birds in that area because of the disturbance, but we saw large numbers of both Wheatears and House Martins. Also far more singing Chaffinches than we've ever heard in that area before; and a Carrion Crow aggressively harrying a Buzzard (including repeated physical contact) over Pendinas.

Helen Ougham and Sid Thomas

Osprey

Great news from Jim Marshall - at 17.06 this afternoon the first Dyfi Osprey returned and landed on the nesting platform. Lots more news to follow I'm sure..............

White Wagtails

4 White Wagtails, 1 1st winter Med Gull at Llanrhysud and 8 Willow Warblers at the Lime-kilns this evening.

Marc Hughes

SeaBird Watching in Wales- Bangor University Survey

I wonder if anyone else has had trouble completing the Bangor University Survey?
I can't get past the first page. Is it just me?

Grasshopper Warbler

Grasshopper warbler, sedge warbler, female merlin, 70+ swallow and 2 house martin at Borth bog/Leri fields. 4 Manx shearwater, 3 sandwich tern, 30+ common scoter, 4 white wagtail and red throated diver Ynyslas.

Marc Hughes

Ynys-hir

Sedge warbler, tree pipit, 4 sandwich terns, a little ringed plover and 8 white wagtails at Ynys-hir this morning. Also 21 distant Greenland white-fronted geese and a probable bean goose.

Russell Jones
Warden Ynys-hir RSPB reserve Gwarchodfa natur Ynys-hir
Tel/Ffon: 01654 700 222

SeaBird Watching in Wales- Bangor University Survey

Help us to find about the importance of seabird watching
in Wales?

Many people enjoy the benefits of a day by the sea. But exactly how important are coastal and marine ecosystems to our everyday lives? Researchers at Bangor University are investigating how different groups people use the Welsh coastline, and want to understand the economic importance of these activities to Welsh communities. The study has already considered key recreational users of the marine environment such as divers, sea-kayakers and tourists. Bangor research team need to extend the research to capture the importance of bird-watching to local economies.

Although the researchers will be collecting data in the field around the Welsh coast, you can help them to find out about the distribution of seabird watching along the Welsh coast by completing a brief questionnaire that won’t take more than 5 minutes to go through!
To access the survey go on to www.sos.bangor.ac.uk/survey and click on the link to the questionnaire.

The information collected through this study will be essential for the inclusion of people’s interests in management plans for the marine environment, like the design of marine protected areas that the Government plans to do as required by the newly published Marine Bill. The design of successful marine protected areas requires the integration of both biological and socioeconomic data so that both conservation interests and user’s needs get addressed.
Help us to find about the importance of seabird watching
in Wales?

Ynys-hir

Visited Ynys-hir with John Davis today and saw male and female Blackcap. John also saw a Pied Flycatcher which I unfortunately missed, drat! Chiff Chaffs belting out their song?! Willow Warblers not quite giving all they've got yet. Nearly forgot, 1 Brent Goose and 2 female Goosanders.

Redstarts

Today (Wednesday 8 April) I saw my first pair of Redstarts at Nanteos pool catching flies around the island. Also 3 pairs of Wigeon remaining on the pool. Chris Bird

Wallog

This afternoon at Wallog....

3 redthroated divers at the end of the sarn.

1 whimbrel on the end of the Sarn

5 chough flying north

3 shearwaters -> S offshore

1 auk -> north

blackcap singing in trees just inland

Jeremy Moore

Redstart at Ynys-hir

I visited Ynys-hir this afternoon and was delighted to see my first Redstart of the year. Also saw Willow Warblers and Swallows and enjoyed the glorious sunshine.

Swallows and Martins

A lot of House Martins and about a dozen Swallows over fields nr Bow Street this afternoon

Lechryd Bridge & Cych

Loads of sand martins, with some swallows & house martins around the bridge. Willow warblers in the willows (where else!)+ chiffs.
On the Cych, dippers, grey wagtail, blackcap singing.
Despite the cold breeze find some shelter & spring is here......

Green Woodpecker

One calling this morning at Hafod Hotel, Devils Bridge.
Also Nuthatch breeding there.
(Adrian on his travels in Ceredigion)

Llanrhystud

A group of about 20 swallows in Llanrhystud on Saturday, at least 2 house martins with them.
John Woodruff

Ynyslas

I visited Ynyslas this morning, there were about 9 or 10 cars parked in a group well away from the entrance and it seems their owners/drivers had slept in them overnight. Sadly, there was rubish all around the cars and there was evidence that there had been some "speed games" involving vehicles circling at speed and churning up the sand. Despite all this, the birds seem to be clinging on. I saw my first 2 Manx Shearwaters of the year plus 20 Golden Plover, 3 Swallows, 1 Peregrine hunkered down on the rocky shore, 1 Gannet, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers a few Common Scoter and a few Auks.

Coast path Cwmtydu to Llangranog

In woods at start of path at Cwmtydu 5 chiffchaff, some willow warblers and1 pair of buzzards. Along coast path 6 chough, 2 kestrels (male and female), 1 red kite - tagged but not possible to read, 6 ravens discussing ownership of a rabbit's head, 6 swallows, 2 sand martins, 1 female red-breasted merganser flying out to sea and 2 peregrines hunting over the sea.

Garden Birds

Tried photographing the few Siskins coming in to the 'Niger Feeder ' in the garden - rudely interrupted by the appearance of a Tree Creeper.

Sea Trust Pelagics from Pembrokeshire

There will be a Sea Trust Pelagic Boat Trip on Easter Monday 13 April. Meet at Neyland Marina at 8:30 for a 9:00 am departure returning c.5 - 6pm. The boat will likely go out to Grassholm & the Celtic deep depending on weather and sea conditions.Price £50 per person. Email info@seatrust.org.uk to book a place. Sea Trust will also be running a number of Pelagic Boat Trips from Neyland Marina in July, August and September this year. As well as Dolphins and other cetaceans the trips provide a great opportunity to see a wide variety of sea birds at close quarters. Dates and full details of these trips can be seen by clicking here.

Willow warbler

Anne and I enjoyed hearing and seeing a willow warbler on the Teifi Marshes this afternoon, together with 4 sand martins and a sparrowhawk chasing a pigeon. Birders may want to justify the trip by shopping in Seconds Aheads, I got a pair of trousers and jeans at a real bargain price.

Purple Sandpipers

7 Purple Sandpipers , dozing mostly, in the afternoon sunshine on the wooden jetty.

April 2nd.

Ynys-hir

Spotted redshank, black-tailed godwit and a green sandpiper on the Breakwater fields at Ynys-hir. First willow warblers this morning, a female merlin on the saltmarsh and 3 lesser spotted woodpeckers calling and drumming near the Visitor Centre.

Russell Jones

Whimbrel

Last night (2 April) at 22:40 near Trefenter flying North a Whimbrel and Blackheaded Gulls calling. Today at Castle Point 2 Manx Shearwaters and 20+ Guillemots and 2 Sandwich Terns. Also at College Rocks 9 Purple Sandpipers and 11 Turnstone. Chris Bird

Red-legged Partridge

I have seen a pair of red-legged partridges again this week in the garden in Tre'-ddôl. I just wondered - one of the birds is fractionally smaller and somewhat duller in plumage - would that be the difference between the male and female? None of my bird books gives me the answer!

Jean Morgan

YNYSLAS

2 Manx Shearwaters and 3 Red Throated Divers offshore this morning.
In the trees in my garden, first thing, were 50 Fieldfares.

TEIFI

Bob abd I heaed south today, calling in at Aberaeron where 11 Golden Plovers and a couple of Turnstone were on the foreshore.
At the Teifi estuary the wintering Common Sandpiper was opposite the old Jewsons site. Downstream were 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 35 Redshanks and 5 Little Egrets, all on the Ceredigion side.
At the Teifi marshes, on the wrong side of the county line, we heard at least 3 Cetti's Warblers and had a good view of a Water Rail and an Otter. A few Swallows and Sand Martins were overhead. A Blackcap was singing by the car park.

Cuckoo Llanfarian

Female cuckoo seen in trees by the Llanilar road just out of Llanfarian this morning

LLanrhystud

There were a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers this morning as well as Swallows, a Chiffchaff and 3 Wheatears