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