12 of us met on the shingle at Llanrhysted in cloudy and cool conditions yesterday. A very high tide made for sparse birding but once past the limekilns there were some nice sights: juv sandwich tern was the prettiest thing on the beach begging from its moulting parents whilst around 30 Med gulls in various plumages kept us on our toes. Waders too were interesting with some juv ringed plovers among the 50+adults,whimbrels called and were also easily picked out by size when flying with a group of curlew. Over 50 oystercatchers piped away (no young seen)putting up small groups of dunlin,sanderling,common sandpiper and turnstone still looking smart in their almost breeding plumage. A very dark backed sandpiper was vigorously preening having had a bath: a green in an unusual salt- water habitat.
Red thought he heard a yellow wag but we looked in vain as the grass was easily long enough to hide one. As the sun came out a party of chough flew by and numerous sand martins busied themselves feeding young in their cliff face nests. Out at sea gannets and manxies were joined by small groups of scoter and closer to shore a couple of young shelduck joined the meds. Finally,on our way back, 2 early common gulls accompanied a colour ringed juv and 3 wheatears reminded us that summer is over for them.
Many thanks to those who showed up and a reminder that next Sat 15th Elfyn is in Newquay:details see blog for June.