| I have just returned from an unusually long stay in my home town of Aberystwyth (I visit often) and walked my local patch at least once a day, sometimes more often if time allowed. Here are the more interesting birds that I saw during my 9 day visit. 23rd Oct 9 a.m. Castle Point: 2 distant Gannets. The small patch of rocks left of the breakwater held 1 drake Mallard, 10 Ringed Plovers and 1 Redshank. Just beyond the furthest rock I briefly glimpsed an auk which I believe was a Razorbill. Later in the day there was a female Wigeon on the Rheidol by the football ground. 25th Oct. There was 1 female Wigeon still on the Rheidol. 1 Red Kite flew above the river by the police station. 26th Oct. 9 a.m. There were at least 11 Rock Pipits on South Beach near Castle Point. 27th Oct. There were 2 Goosanders (2 male, 1 female) by Aber town football ground. A Kingfisher flew upriver. 28th Oct. There was 1 Sparrowhawk over the football ground. 30th Oct. Castle Point at 9 a.m.: 15 Ringed Plovers & 5 Turnstones. A probable Red Throated Diver just off the furthermost rocks at Castle Point which gradually made its way further out to sea (by diving) until no longer visible. (This was a 1st for me and although I only had compact bins with me at the time I was able to eliminate Cormorant, Shag and Great Crested Grebe). 31st Oct. Castle Point at 9 a.m: 16 Ringed Plovers, 12 Turnstones and 1 Purple Sandpiper (is this the 1st this Autumn?). Late afternoon there were 2 male Goosanders and 4 female Goosanders just upriver from the police station along with 1 Moorhen and 1 Grey Wagtail. |