Aberleri fields and Maes-y-crugiau

Walked dog along past the hide to the Leri bank at Aberleri fields this evening: 3-4 Grasshopper warblers singing, a male Cuckoo calling continuously around the willow scrub, and a female bubbling from nearby. I think they're roosting in the willows. Also 3 Snipe "chipping", Reed warblers chuntering from the various ditches, and a distant Redshank calling - very atmospheric (very midgey too!)

Belated news from Friday am: did a BTO atlas tetrad centred on Maes-y-crugiau, on the Teifi: 40 species including Dipper, Grey wagtails, Kingfisher, Redstart, and Spotted flycatcher (just on Carms side of the bridge!). I was impressed by the diversity of birds around - but also by the beautiful sunny morning!

Yellowhammers

This afternoon we took the dogs on a regular local walk on Foel Fawr. Saw Willow & Wood Warblers, Siskin, Red Kite, Buzzard and a pair of Yellowhammers - both with food in their beaks.
Heard Cuckoo and Garden Warbler. What fabulous weather!

sunny sunday afternoon

Basking demoiselles, a nervous heron and at last a full box load of blueys in a wood nr Cors Caron.

Painted Ladies

Many many of these butterflies spotted at the university yesterday, (Friday 29th) flitting about everywhere! I saw them and thought they were painted ladies but I didn't recall seeing them often around Aber so I dismissed the idea and just thought the sunny weather was responsible for the invasion, then I check the blog and hear there's a migration on! Apparently they are not there today (Saturday 30th) which would suggest they've moved on, fascinating stuff!

And last night my friend found this beautiful cockchafer, thought I'd share a photo.

Maria Gill

Ynys Lochtyn and Mwnt

Yesterday at Mwnt: 1 peregrine, 1 male kestrel, 1 pair wheatears feeding young, 2 pairs chough. At Ynys Lochtyn: 2 pairs chough, 1 kestrel and a raven's nest with the 2 occupants squawking hopefully at anything black flying past. At both site clouds of thousands of painted ladies feeding on the thrift.

OSPREY AT ABERYSTWYTH

I was sitting in the sun by the pier this morning, reading the paper when, at 10.10am all the gulls started calling loudly. I looked up and over Pier Street, not too high, was an Osprey. It circled around for a while and then began to fly north, over Terrace Road and then towards Consti.

Butterflies and birds

Anne and I were at Ynyslas point yesterday where we estimated 1000 painted ladies per hour just in one small 20m section, which is about as far as the eye can see them unaided. But it was clear that this was just a small part of the 'invasion' from the sea.

Earlier in the day we went to see the ospreys. The new one is much lighter and now having two to compare, the team makes this a male and the original a female. While we were there, the new one was eating a fish, building up his strength, while the female remains starved of attention. A brimstone flew through adding a new record to the daily list board.

We rounded the day off in Le Figaro, where I had Duck in Honey and Orange sauce. Later, it was still warm enough to sit out until 11.30.

More Painted Ladies

Today Friday 29th crossing our field we counted Over One Thousand Painted Lady Butterflies from 17:00 to 18:00 all flying from North to South. Amazing!

Also yesterday I saw my first pair of Spotted Flycatchers at my house near Trefenter.

Chris Bird

More Painted Ladies

Just been reading the Birdguides email for this week and there was an article about the invasion, apparently over 1million were counted last weekend entering Britain over southern coasts. The Butterfly Conservation Organisation has arranged a country wide count for tomorrow between 11am and 1pm. Details can be found for free on Birdguides (if you don't subscribe) go to www.birdguides.com or you can spend some time standing still somewhere and count how many you see in a 20m line of sight and enter you findings on www.butterfly-conservation.org/migrantwatch, I haven't tried the link but will check it out later.

Painted Ladies

Ah there had to be another reason for living here!, having spent the afternoon cleaning our caravan down at Furnace Farm where we had quite a lot flying past but were too busy to count we have returned home to a garden metaphorically buzzing with Painted Ladies there are eight superb specimen on one bush. I can't remember where but at one location reported on Birdguides there were 100 flying past in 8.5 minutes. Lets hope they all breed as butterfly numbers are so low.

Butterfly migration

I was interested to read that there is an ongoing Painted Lady migration at present. I've just come in from the garden where,without having to even move from my deckchair,I counted at least 50 fly right past me heading west,during the course of about an hour.

The Foel Eglwys Fach

Sheila and I walked the upper and middle paths of the Foel this morning from 8 to 10am. WE saw 1 male Whinchat, 2 pairs of Stonechat, male Yellowhammer, heard or saw at least 10 Willow warblers one feeding a young bird, Tree Pipit, Wren, Robins, Ravens, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, then Blackcaps and Garden Warblers around the lower wall, we could hear the Cuckoo calling from Ynys Hir. The biggest point of interest higher up was at least 4 Painted Lady butterflies, there is a continuing large influx into Britain at the moment. There were also dozens of small Heaths.

Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted flycatchers seen today Thursday 28th at:
Bontnewydd NGR: SN618657 &
Blaenpennal NGR: SN623637

Hope this is of interest.

Trevor Storeton-West

Dyfi Osprey Project

Excellent news today - we now have two ospreys at the Dyfi again! At just before noon today our resident osprey returned to the nest from a fishing trip but this time with a mate. The new bird is a male which means that the osprey we thought was a male, that's been here since early April, was in fact a female! It can sometimes be difficult to gender an osprey by just looking at one bird especially if the brown breast collar is fairly light - that's my excuse anyway!. 450 visitors came to the project today and it was lovely to hear them gasping and chatting away looking at two ospreys simultaneously live on two large plasma screens.
I hope both birds will be here for the summer obviously, but we have been here before of course. However it is good news that it was the female that has stayed so long as it is the female osprey that tends not to wander around so much once she has settled on an area she claims as 'home'. Hopefully the Dyfi will now be her base for future years; sadly though, it's too late to breed this year.

Osprey News

I called in at Cors Dyfi at noon today to find great excitement: a female Osprey had joined the male about 10 mins before I arrived! They stayed at the nest for about 2 hours - the male adding extra sticks to the nest periodically, the female mostly sitting on the top of the dead tree, and occasionally dropping down to join the male at the nest. At 2 pm they flew off together and headed down the estuary, presumably to fish.

It's 5 weeks now since the previous female left, so let's hope this one stays around! She's paler brown on the back than the male, with a yellower iris compared to his orange one, which suggests she's older.

On the Foel this morning 2 pairs of Whinchats, and a Cuckoo calling from the top of a larch, mobbed by Tree Pipits and Yellowhammer. Counted 7 singing Wood Warblers along about 800 m of the footpath along the edge of Ysgubor-y-Coed woodland at the base of the hill.

Mediterranean Gulls

4 First Summer Mediterranean Gulls at Ty-Gwyn Pool at 5.00 this afternoon.

John Davis

Ynyslas

At Ynyslas today at around noon -
267 Ringed Plover, 289 Dunlin, 4 Turnstone, 1 Sanderling and 5 Whimbrel.

John Davis

Cwm Einion & Llyn Conach

Sunday 24th

Cwm Einion

I Common Cuckoo calling in the newly planted conifers at the top of the valley.

Llyn Conach

1 Tree Pipit standing out from the Meadow Pipits - which were quite few in number compared with last year.

Two pairs of Tufted Ducks.

I Canada Goose - female sitting somewhere???

1 Black-headed Gull.

Two broods of Mallard.

Ian Harrison

Seabird Survey -Help Wanted

Would you be interested in helping out with a seabird survey between Newquay and Cardigan Island in the next few weeks? We are organising the survey between CCW, RSPB and the Ceredigion County Council Coast and Countryside Officer, looking between New Quay head and Cardigan Island.

We are hoping that the survey can take place on either Thursday (am) 4th June or Wednesday (am) 10th June and have a 12-seater boat booked from New Quay for the work. I hope you are interested in coming along and would welcome the help,

Thanks Amy

Amy Vanstone

Designated Sites Bird Monitoring Officer

This is a partnership post funded by CCW

RSPB Swyddfa Gogledd Cymru

RSPB North Wales Regional Office

Maes-Y-Ffynnon

Penrhosgarnedd

Bangor

Gwynedd

LL57 2DW

Ffon/Tel: 01248 363808 / 07500 123807
E-bost/E-mail: amy.vanstone@rspb.org.uk

Spotted flys

Pair building in a previously used open box on our property nr Tregaron.
Pair in traditional site at Cors Ian.
Should we be listing all sightings for the recorder on this blog given the drastic reduction in numbers recently?

nestbox drama

In one of the boxes in a nearby wood I found a dead male pied flycatcher face down in the moss beside a nest full of dead but freshly hatched great tits. The nestlings may have been actually hatching when abandoned as there are still eggs in the nest. I have frequently found pieds, in this part of the wood, nesting on top of used nuthatch and tit nests sometimes with a tit dead underneath the new pied nest. I have seen great tits fighting pieds over ownership of a hole but this must have been an extreme 'fight to the death'. We have added boxes over the years to prevent this double decking of nests and the irony is that, this year for the first time, occupancy is way down below 50% and nearby boxes were available!
On the Nest record forum a recorder put a video clip on youtube showing 2 blueys in a big fight in the box with the male coming in and out trying to feed his mate whilst she was in a head lock....

Cuckoos

A very interesting BBS survey this morning on my square above Tal-y-bont, with cuckoos very much in evidence.

On arriving at the farm in my van, a cuckoo could be heard calling nearby, but off the square. Halfway along the first transect, I heard a cuckoo calling ahead of me, again off-square. Then it was calling from my square (!) as I reached the beginning of the return transect. I suspected that each bout of calling was from the same bird, even though it had travelled some distance from its original location.

Then I noticed it on a fence post actually on the transect, only about 30 yards away, so I had no alternative to stand and watch. It was squatting down with its wings both lowered, and was raising and lowering its tail in a rhythmic fashion. As it did so, it rotated round on the fence post, and called quietly. Absolutely fascinating! It was clearly a male. The local meadow pipits were all on fenceposts as well, appearing to be fascinated (or perhaps horrified) by this spectacle. Then I realised there was a second cuckoo, more brownish, on another post nearby.

I had to move on - after all, this was science! The male cuckoo flew off, and could then, I thought, be heard calling from the direction where I had first heard it, possibly half a mile away. But there were still two cuckoos - both females, I thought, on fence posts not far away from me, with meadow pipits in attendance.

That was the narrative I put together for my cuckoo sightings; it may not have been correct, but there were definitely three birds, and there was breeding activity taking place. The cuckoo seems to be becoming a rare species, which makes it all the more exciting!

Also, one of the grasshopper warblers was still singing, it looked like wheatears were breeding, and the whinchat was still in its territory.

Jeremy Moore

Nightjars

Sunday, 24 May. Tonight at Cross Inn there were 2 Nightjars calling at around 22:00. Chris Bird

Dyfi Osprey Project

On the Welsh language wildlife program Galwad Cynnar on Radio Cymru this morning, the presenters were talking about the two osprey projects in Wales. Whilst the comments given about the Glaslyn Osprey Project were correct, the comments they gave about the Dyfi Osprey Project were anything but correct. They stated that there were now, no ospreys to be seen down on the Dyfi essentially saying that there is hardly any point in visiting as both ospreys had now departed. This is NOT correct. Almost 400 people visited today and were treated to fantastic views of the male on the nest and flying around - at one time, directly above the hide. He's also bringing twigs back to the nest. The female has indeed gone but hardly a day goes by that we don't see any osprey, moreover, on some days we see two. We see plenty of other birds too of course, kite, goshawk, nightjar to name but three.
I have asked the BBC to contact myself or Alwyn, the two Welsh speaking staff of the project, if they are to talk about the project in future programs so that the correct information gets out into the public domain. I have also asked the BBC to correct this morning's comments on next Saturday's program.
If you do wish to visit, please do. The reserve (Cors Dyfi) is teaming with wildlife at the moment. Plus we have ospreys - well at least one.

Wood Warbler

2 singing Wood Warblers seen in beech woods by the Ystwyth at Hafod today.

Philip Ellis

Nantymoch

A trip around the Nantymoch reservoir this afternoon in search of Dippers on the tributary streams, produced a nil result. Completely absent from their usual haunts. Similarly there was a dearth of Grey and Pied Wagtails which normally frequent these mountain streams. A few Meadow Pippit were to be seen, a single Skylark, about half a dozen pairs of Wheatear, together with a few Buzzards, Ravens and Crows. A lone Mallard drake and a single Canada Goose on Llyn Nant-y-Cagl indicated that their partners were possibly brooding somewhere out of view.

Is this paucity of birds in the hills and upland this year a reflection on the late season or as a result of poor breeding success over the past few years.? It is too marked a decline to lay at the door of climate change!

6 hour hike

Went for a long walk today up Cwm Pysgotwr, Cwm Doethie, across to the beautiful chapel at Soar y Mynydd and down through Dalarwen, an area of forestry above Llyn Brianne.There were many highlights along the way inc.
Cuckoo in Cwm Pysgotwr.
5 male Yellowhammers in Cwm Doethie and 5 male Whinchats here too.
5 more Whinchats around and below Soar y Mynydd with 3 male Reed Buntings seen in this area.
A pair of Spotted Flycatchers in the grove of trees at the chapel and just downstream from here were 2 female Goosanders(possibly those from Pont Gogoyan a couple of days ago).
I'd not walked through the forestry at Dalarwen before but it proved to be very productive with 5 singing Pied Flycatchers,8 singing Wood Warblers and a pair of Crossbills.

Teifi -- shelduck

The first brood on the Teifi (of 6) at Jewsons this am.

(Curlew Sandpiper at Newport Pembs this am)

Newquay Head

Yesterday at New Quay Head were choughs (at least one pair), a male peregrine, a red kite and masses of seabirds.

Just offshore were bottlenose dolphins.

Wildlife in Wales doesn't get much better than this!

Jerry Moore

Swallows, Martins & Swifts

What a difference a day makes.The swallows and sandmartins that we share our meadow with each summer were in a frenzy this morning (Tursday 21st) and making the most of the humid conditions which have brought out the flying insects that they rely on.This afternoon against a blue sky I was able to make out 2, swift hopefully a pair.They had been invited to tea no doubt.

The blue tit family are still in their nest in the wall of the house. They are being fed on the abundant grubs that live on the willow .Unfortunately there is one less nestling owing to overcrowding which is unavoidable but a good sign that there are lots more inside and that they haven't suffered the effects of the recent rough weather.

Lis Collison

PURPLE SANDPIPER

Harry Pepper reports that there was a Purple Sandpiper still to be seen at Aberystwyth, early this morning, at the edge of the wooden jetty by the harbour.

Dyfi Osprey Project

A fairly quiet week and still no female unfortunately. We see our male most days but in strong winds he tends to not frequent the nest, choosing instead to shelter on the north side of the estuary where he can see the nest (and any passing females!) but out of the full force of the winds. We live in hope however - the female didn't turn up until June last year so hopefully she's on her way. Wishful thinking? who knows, but we've all been amazed by wildlife before.

Still no signs on the nightjars but it can't be long now - hopefully the change in the weather forecast for the next few days will facilitate their arrival. Still lots of birds on the Cors Dyfi reserve with many whimbrel choosing to stop over on their long northern migration for a refuelling stop.

Llanddewi Brefi

Up to 20 Swifts over the village this morning and nearby a couple of Wood Warblers singing. At Pont Gogoyan there were 2 female Goosanders on the river.

Ynys-hir

At Ynys-hir ten species of warbler seen and heard this morning including lesser whitethroat near the railway bridge. The osprey was fishing opposite the Breakwater hide and a yellow wagtail was on the flooded field near the Breakwater hide.

Russell Jones

Whinchat

A male Whinchat and a Tree Pipit singing and displaying were my treats as I walked on Foel Fawr this afternoon.

Ynys-hir's 40th Birthday Bash

An Invitation to Ynys-hir's 40th Birthday Bash

Mon 25 May 10am-5pm

Local foods, crafts and entertainment on the reserve all day. Cafe Seren, Jack Grasse and his bushcrafts and lots of activities for kids. All welcome free of charge

Sweet, Tweet Music 6.30-10pm

Local Bands Molly, Ember and Cloud Cuckoo will play in The Iron Room, Eglwysfach. Tickets £3 available on the door or phone 01654 700222 for tickets or any more details you need.

Hope to see you there in the sunshine

Caroline

Visitor Centre Manager

Ynyslas - Tuesday

A sunny interlude in an otherwise very wet day provided an opportunity for a brief visit to Ynyslas yesterday afternoon. Out at the point were several small flocks of Ringed Plover and Dunlin, predominantly the former. Along thhe saltings were the resident mute swans, a meadow pipit and a pair of wheatear, otherwise very quiet.

Birds Rock (Craig Yr Adar) and Skomer

I took some people to 'Birds Rock' (Craig yr Adar) on New Quay head yesterday to view the
sea-bird colony and it didn't disappoint it was teeming with birdlife, Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes in full voice, Fulmar, Gannets close inshore and the usual stars of the show made an appearance, a dashing Peregrine and a pair of charismatic Chough and the 'big brother' of the corvid family, the Raven. The sea state was good but we didn't see any dolphins or porpoise or any seals hauled out on the rocks below. Lots of whitethroats singing in the area.
Last week my wife and I visited Skomer island crossing a mirror calm 'Jack Sound' On the 'Dale Princess'. The island was absolutely alive with sea-birds, puffins, guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes. Minutes after disembarking and making our way up the path to the new information centre we were shown a little owl and a short-eared owl by one of the volunteers staying on the island (I missed the Golden Oriole seen on the island that day though!). There was an absolute profusion of wild flowers, colourful swathes of bluebell and red campion. Tussocks of thrift brightened up the sea cliffs. I swear that the birds were just enjoying the warm spring sunshine and not really bothered about getting on with the business of breeding! There was evidence of the presence of the Manx Shearwaters from their numerous carcases widely scattered over the island having falling victim to the predation of gulls (presumably Great black backed). There were lots of porpoise in the area. Grassholm was barely visible through the thin mist.
I have never seen Skomer looking so good. I get the impression that the seabirds in Wales are faring much better than their northern counterparts.
You might all be interested in acquiring the spring issue (No.30) of that excellent bi-lingual magazine 'Natur Cymru' (Nature of Wales) which has a couple of interesting articles in it, and more specifically-'Guillemots on Skomer' by the eminent ornithologist Tim Birkhead and an article by another eminent man Chris Perrins entitled 'Tracking the movements of Manx Shearwaters at Sea'. All good stuff. The said magazine retails at £4.00 and I think you can get it from 'Siop y Pethe' in Aberystwyth and possibly the 'Waterstones' bookshop in the Uni. or go on line http://www.naturcymru.org.uk/ Or http://www.natureofwales.org.uk/

Commercial Fishing

Elfyn has forwarded the following information, I reckon some of you will be interested........


I'm contacting you from the Fish Film Company, We have our cinematic
release of End of The Line on June 8th , the first major feature
documentary film revealing the impact of overfishing on our oceans.
Filmed over two years, we see firsthand the effects of our global love affair
with fish as food. The film examines the imminent extinction of bluefin
tuna, brought on by increasing western demand for sushi; the impact on
marine life resulting in huge overpopulation of jellyfish; and the
profound implications of a future world with no fish that would bring
certain mass starvation.

Tickets for preview screenings at cinemas on World Oceans Day –
Monday 8 June, Aberystwyth Arts Centre now available from
www.endoftheline.com

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SWALLOWS

Chris Bird had an interesting time at Tanybwlch, by the old tip, this afternoon. Seeing a passage of northbound Swallows he made a count, over a 30 minute period of 450+ Swallows, 30+ House Martins and a few Swifts. 2 male and a female Stonechat were nearby.

Whales in Wales Blog

A new Blog for sightings of Dolphins, Porpoises and other Cetaceans and marine wildlife around the Welsh coast was launched in January this year. We are now into the season when more sightings of Cetaceans should be made around our coastline. Please have a look at the Blog by clicking here or follow the link to it in the Websites section of this blog.

Any sightings are most welcome and there is an email link direct from the Whales in Wales Blog to send them in.

Job Opportunity

I have just added details of a job opportunity to the News & Events page.
The BTO are looking for a Research Ecologist.

Reader writes.

I have just read your message about your field trip and admire you for your perseverance. I am so pleased that you saw the osprey, what a handsome fellow he is .I can't help feeling sorry for him though as he has no company.

I would very much like to add a message.
I thought you would like to know that we were also dissappointed to see a very young and inexperienced pair of kites displaying a few months ago and indeed they either built a nest or added to one The male still comes back each day over the abandoned nest sight but to no avail.We hope that they come back next year to complete their task.

On a more happy note I enjoyed seeing a proud mallard mum bringing out her 4 little ones to show them how to survive life on the Rheidol a week ago This is obviously all that remains of a much larger brood.She seemed confident and they looked very river wise as they went down stream in the lovely sunshine.

Many thanks to all your contributors it keeps us lesser birders inspired!

Lis Collison

Field Trip Report

When I looked out of the window at 8.00 this morning I was very apprehensive about the field trip. As the rain got heavier I thought "Only mad people would want to go birding in this."
At 10.00 eight of us met-up in the car park at Furnace!
Looking west we could see blue sky. We all wished it in our direction and our collective wishing paid off. From then on we had superb weather. Amongst the birds seen were Willow Warbler, Wood Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Stonechat, Grey Wagtail, Tree Pipit and Yellowhammer.
In the afternoon seven of us visited the Dyfi Osprey Project. To be honest, I didn't expect to actually see an Osprey and I don't think any of the others did either. Oh ye of little faith........
Soon after we arrived, as we munched sandwiches and slurped tea in the car park a large raptor passed some distance away and high in the sky. It appeared to be carrying something fish shaped in its talons. It disappeared behind the inland hills before any of us got a good enough view to identify it. But a minute or two later it reappeared. This time it was closer and we were able to positively identify it as an Osprey carrying a large fish. It looked like it might be heading towards the nest so we all climbed up into the hide and sure enough it landed beside the nest and proceeded to devour the fish. We were treated to fantastic views as we watched it through our optics and on the flat screen erected inside the hide.
I must say, he was a very handsome fellow indeed.

Friday at Borth

Went for a walk along the beach at Borth yesterday with a birding friend who has been staying with us for a few days. There was a steady "visual migration"' or vis-mig in the current slang, of swallows in the 12noon to 1pm time slot, with about 400 flying North and 1 going South, I suppose there's always one odd-ball. We also had two distant Pom Skuas and one dark phase Arctic and a few Gannets.

tits in woods near Tregaron

Tits are hatching now so they don't need this rain. Clutches seem to be 7 or 8.
No flash used:the Lumix TZ5 seems to take pics in the dark!

waders

Llanrhysted this afternoon was grey but enlivened by an interesting group of waders: 12 whimbrel,sanderling 2 in summer kit and 1 still wintry looking,32 ringed plover, 6 turnstone in varying plumages, and a few dunlin. A peregrine flew low over the sea towards the lime kilns to finish the day off.
The photo is to show the two white spots either side of the bill, have to confess I've not noticed them before tho' we don't see many in breeding plumage.

7a.m. on Cors Caron

Well, S.... Law saw the skies clear magically over the bog so I went to have a look: 2 drumming snipe overhead; 2 competing and displaying curlew plus 4 more passing by; churring grasshopper warblers; virtuoso sedge warblers;redstart, willow warbs,swifts,mallard with 3 ducklings,cuckoo x2 and a brief glimpse of the redshank.
All in all worth getting up for!

Kingfisher over Bow Street!

An extraordinary sighting this morning: a Kingfisher flying high over the main A487 road in the middle of Bow Street! It was heading west towards the diminutive Bow Street Brook that follows the railway line, but where had it come from? The nearest significant rivers are the Rheidol and the Leri, but both are quite some distance away...

PEN DINAS

Tom Wells tells me of an abundance of small birds in the area of the Pen Dinas cycle way: 12 Sedge Warblers, 8 Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, a Garden Warbler, 4 Linnets, 6 Goldfinches and a pair of Stonechats. Earlier he saw 6 Common Scoters flying over the sea off Aberystwyth.

Olmarch

There was a pair of Little Grebes on a small private pool at Olmarch this morning. On the other side of the main road in a rushy field there was a pair(or 2 individuals?) of Lapwings.Not sure if this was a breeding pair or not.

Swifts !

About half a dozen Swifts over Bow Street just before lunch - they must have gone North to pester Bob!

Swifts

Swifts, seven of them, dashing around and screaming in the sky behind my house as I write this.
Hooligans!

Cuckoo - Devil's Bridge

A Cuckoo heard at Devil's Bridge this am.
(Adrian Rogers)

Liz Snell's breky walk.

The walk at Tregaron on Friday 15th to (hopefully) see/hear drumming Snipe followed by breakfast at Liz and Brian Snell's has had to be postponed. The forecast is not very good and it appears to be an awkward date. So, Liz has kindly rescheduled the outing to Saturday 30th May. Same details as before, same conditions.............
Meet at 7.00am at the new car park GR 692625 for a two hour walk followed by breakfast.
Only room for 8 people to attend so if you want to be one of them contact me asap.

THE ANNUAL CEREDIGION BIRD REPORT

Only a few copies of the 2007 Report remain unsold and can
be purchased from the visitor centres at Ynyshir and Teifi
Marshes (Welsh Wildlife Centre), Ystwyth Bookshop in Aberystwyth or from John Davis (01970 890281).
Sales revenue plus some advertising revenue will ensure that our publisher, The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, who pays the printer, is reimbursed in full.
(As we have no county bird club and no Hon. Treasurer, I do maintain sales revenue figures and the cost of printing figure and Russell Jones has a copy, should anyone want to know about the finances of The Report.)

Work has started on the 2008 Report, the bulk of which is made up of records of bird sightings, predominently from local bird watchers, which were sent to Russell, our County Recorder.
The various articles in the 2007 Report were written by local birdwatchers and I would be delighted to receive more contributions for the next Report. They could be about the birds on your local 'patch', along the lines of Harry's acclaimed piece on birdwatching from the prom at Aberystwyth or about an interesting or unusual aspect of bird behaviour, like Bob's one about a Buzzard, or about any aspect of the birds and birdwatching in Ceredigion. Contributions from local nature reserve wardens would be welcomed.
Photographs will also be welcomed for the next Report and not just of rare or scarce species seen in the county. The 2007 Report has a great mix of attractive photos.
Contributors are asked to get in touch with me either by phone, 01970 890281 or e-mail: johndavis@midwalesbirdwatching.co.uk
Many thanks to all birdwatchers for past contributions of bird records, articles and photographs and to everyone who buys and reads the Reports.

Whinchat

A walk up Foel Fawr this afternoon was rewarded with a male Stonechat, a pair of Whinchat showing very well and glorious views over the Dyfi estuary. Cuckoo heard but not seen.

Free breakfast!

Just a slight correction to Bob's message: brekky is free for anyone who can get down the bog by 7a.m. but if you would like to make a donation all of the proceeds will go to Buglife.
Last time(2007) generous folk supplied around £45 for the Kite Trust but that's not a hint!

YNYSLAS

Today's wader count was 96 Ringed Plovers, 136 Dunlin, 1 Whimbrel and 1 Sanderling.
30+ Wheatears were on the ploughed field, including several likely 'Greenland' birds.
On the sea-ward side there was a continuous northward passage of Swallows.

PURPLE SANDPIPERS

This morning there were 8 Purple Sandpipers on the edge of the wooden jetty by Aberystwyth harbour and a rather splendid looking Turnstone in summer plumage.
2 White Wagtails were on South Beach.

Dyfi Osprey Project.

A rather uneventful week ends on a high! Despite several sighting of an osprey over the week, our male bird has been absent from his nest. However, as from 6.30 tonight an osprey has been perching on the T perch of the nest - too early to say whether he's our boy, but certainly good news. We'll have another go at identification tomorrow, he'll still be there hopefully. The very severe winds this week might have driven our male to calmer, sheltered areas of the Dyfi with a return today with calmer conditions - only a theory of course, but plausible. Not long now also until the nightjars return - looking forward to seeing them.

Just a quick plug here if I may? Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust are hosting an evening on the Dyfi Osprey Project this Wednesday at 7pm in the Tabernacle, Machynlleth. A chance for folks to learn more about ospreys, the project and volunteering. Everyone is warmly welcome and admission is free - I hope you can make it, it should be a good night.

Extra, extra, read all about.........

Liz Snell has kindly offered to host an extra walk for anyone interested in trying for drumming Snipe at Tregaron. Details as follows........
Only 8 places available for reasons that will become apparent.
Meet in the new car park GR 692625 on Friday 15th May at 7.00 am. for a two hour walk followed by breakfast at Liz and Brian's. Donations will be welcomed to help cover the cost of breakfast, proceeds to "Buglife".
Please contact me if you would like to attend, only the first 8 to respond will be able to attend so on your marks, set, bang..........

News from Jim Marshall

I have received the following communication from Jim Marshall re the Dyfi Ospreys -
Sadly the female Osprey vanished 17 days ago, the male will have been absent for 8 consecutive days by 3.00 this afternoon.

Jim has logged the following birds close to his house on the Dyfi -
4th May - 2 big groups of Whimbrel (counting difficult because of visibility) 1 male Goosander, 2 Wheatear, 1 Greenshank and 6 Greylag Geese.
5th May - 48 Whimbrel, 1 male Goosander, 1 Greenshank and 3 Swifts.
6th May - 46 Whimbrel and Swifts in groups heading north.
7th May - 71 Whimbrel, 6 Greylag Geese and 4 large groups of waders comprising of c100 Dunlin/Ringed Plover. Also, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls attacking a Stoat.
8th - 3 very large groups of Dunlin c200 in each and 2 smaller groups with Ringed Plover and 12 Sanderling, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit in full breeding plumage and 2 Great Black-backed Gulls fighting very savagely - trying to drown each other.
9th - 90 Whimbrel + 5 Curlew. Redshank have gone very quiet. Egrets with breeding plumes. Warblers - Sedge, Grasshopper & Whitethroat - in full song.
10th - 11 Whimbrel, 9 male Goosander + 2 pairs, 3 Wheatear, 1 Greenshank and 1 Black-tailed Godwit.

Llanio

There was a Cuckoo and Spotted Flycatcher at Llanio this morning.

Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher arrived and singing (hardly up to Blackbird standard poor thing) in our garden.

2 days later than my 17 year average but still very welcome.

Philip Ellis

Ynyslas - Aberleri

At Aberleri this morning I saw a Great Crested Grebe as well as the usual Swans, Shellduck and Gulls. There were also Whimbrel calling. On the ploughed field I counted 9 Wheatear but I probably missed a few amongst the Dunlin and Ringed Plover feeding there.

Stonechat

Today - Saturday 9th May - Just North of Penuwch 1 Male Stonechat carrying food. Still 1 Great Crested Grebe at Llyn Eiddwen. Chris Bird

Peregrine Ynyslas

A peregrine visited the high tide roost at Ynyslas this evening but left empty-taloned

Pwll Crwn - Gogerddan

An early evening walk around this delightful little woodland - recently renamed 'Ford Wood' -was accompanied by a veritable choir of Blackbirds and Song Thrushes - all trying to drown out the sound of the nearby A487. Other birds present included Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Wren, Chaffinch, Wood Pigeon, Jackdaw, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff and possible Wood Warbler - heard not seen.

Osprey on the teifi.

An Osprey was watched over the reserve @ 1100 this am before flying up the gorge.
(Karen)

Sanderling, amongst Dunlin, Ringed Plovers & Whimbrel still on Patch.
(Wendy)

blue tits

In our camera box the blueys started building on 21st April in an on-off sort of way. First egg 30th, then daily until 7 eggs were in the nest. Blueys start sitting when the clutch is 3 eggs short and so as she began sitting on 6 we thought she would have 9. She is stuck on 7 so we think the low temps at the end of the week might have put the brakes on. I agree with her: Atlassing at 7a.m in this wind has been wintry to say the least.
Screaming swifts in Tregaron on 8th, courting Curlews on farmland near Brynarth on 8th, one pair of bhg's on cors caron big pond (sitting female),little grebe on nest there also.

Ynys-hir

Good views of Garden Warbler and Pied Fly at Ynys-hir this morning where I met John Davis and his guests. We were also treated to an extended session of drumming and a brief look at a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. There are several Swifts about now and a Cuckoo was heard calling from the direction of Foel Fawr.

Redpoll

First Redpoll seen in my garden at Tyn-y-Griag since 1992!

First Swift (early for here). Garden warbler, Willow Warbler and Redstart all singing in the garden.

No Spotted Flycatchers yet ( they usually arrive 8^th May).

Philip Ellis

Whimbrel

There were two Whimbrels in amongst 22 Oystercatchers on the south end of Tanybwlch Beach at around 19:40 this evening (May 8th).

Helen Ougham and Sid Thomas

Swift

At last, there was a Swift scything through the air at the back of my house in Eglwysfach at 5.00 this afternoon.

Ynyslas

Mervyn and I went to Ynyslas this morning to catch the high tide and see what birds it might push towards us. We saw lots of Dunlin and Ringed Plover near the point, the high winds made counting them difficult and the birds were quite flighty but I would guess there was a mixed flock of around 300. There were also 6 or 7 Sanderling with them. There were 15 Whimbrel at Aberleri. We bumped into Jeremy Moore who had seen a Turnstone and Little Stint just before we arrived.

Whimbrel

6 whimbrel going south off Aberystwyth.

good numbers of manxies offshore.

Jeremy Moore

Whimbrels at Borth

This afternoon 20 Whimbrels were on the railway line at Borth before they moved onto the golf course.
Nearby, at Ynyslas there was another Whimbrel and a female Merlin which remained for some while, perched on a post on the saltings. A White Wagtail and several Pied Wagtails and Wheatears were on a nearby field.

Whimbrels at Aberystwyth

Two Whimbrels resting on college rocks Aberystwyth at 11.25am today.

Swift

A bird seen whilst driving along the coast this am, at Llanrhystud.
(Adrian R.)

PURPLE SANDPIPERS

There were 5 Purple Sandpipers at Aberystwyth this morning, below the prom wall just before the wooden jetty by the harbour.

nestboxes and open day

Occupation of nestboxes (89) is down this year by over a third so far. As the tits have eggs already I don't think there will be a late rush of bookings for the vacancies. Last season's poor fledging has resulted in a lack of breeding adults this year and the proper winter weather probably thinned them out further.
Denmark Farm has an Open Day this Sun(grid ref:SN586537). Worth going to see how wonderful a wildlife friendly farming regime can be and to enjoy the wealth of birdlife in their thick hedges. 2pm onwards, with loads of child friendly activities (see website).

Red Liford reports that in 1km of Cwmystwyth hillside he found 12 male wheatears, 10 of which were displaying;doesn't get much better than that!

NEW QUAY and elsewhere.

All morning there was a noticeable movement of House Martins and Swallows, all flying south! Good numer of singing Whitethroats there and the usual pairs of Chough plus a flock of 8.
(Harry Pepper and Pete Scott noticed Swifts flying south over Cors Caron. Also Marsh Tit on the feeder by the new car park and toilet block.)
A Little Ringed Plover was at Ty Gwyn pool and on a ploughed field near Pisgah were several Wheatears and 20 Stock Doves.

WHIMBRELS

A report from Tom Wells of 21 Whimbrels on College Rocks this morning

The Teifi

Both at Patch & The Webley, Whimbrel & White Wagtails late pm yesterday.

The first Constant Effort ringing session yesterday brought some nice surprises,

A French ringed Sedge Warbler amongst the staggering! 144 new Sedge Warblers trapped.
A French ringed Reed Warbler, & a British ringed Willow Warbler of unknown, but not local origin.
Also Grasshopper & Cettis amongst the 9 warbler species present.
(Teifi RG)

Nest building

Ynys hir , en route to Marion Mawr hide-watchedWillow Warbler with mouthful of feathers, Flied Pie (pic) and Swallows on hide roof. Sedge Warb down below-5 males singing.

3 male Redstarts also. May 2nd.

Ynys-hir

Harry, Pete and I met at Ynys-hir this morning, just as it started to rain. On our way to Marian Mawr hide we saw Pied Flycatcher and Redstart. From inside the hide, at about 10,30 we were treated to great views of an Osprey obviously looking for something to fish out of the estuary to the right of the hide. We also saw 6 Grey-lags on one of the ponds in front of the hide. We saw Wood Warbler on our way to Ynys Eidiol hide and heard but didn't see Garden Warbler and Reed Warbler.

Cross Inn/Bethania

Lots of Willow Warblers as usual at Cross Inn, I counted 48.Also 7 Tree Pipits,9 Redpoll , a pair of Stonechats and a Cuckoo. Nearby at Bethania there was also a Cuckoo(could have been the same).Amongst the birds here were 3 Grasshopper Warblers,17 Whitethroats and 21 Sedge Warblers.

Lesser Spots

Early bird-not an easy customer! May 1st 2009

Whimbrels

12 Whimbrels on a field near Ty Gwyn Ynyslas at about 1pm yesterday (3rd May). Nothing seen glancing out to sea but last Friday there were lots of Manx Shearwater offshore. Woodland walk at Ynys-hir was productive. Wood Warbler and Redstart among the list.

WHIMBRELS at ABERYSTWYTH

Harry Pepper had more Whimbrels on College Rocks, with 25 there yesterday morning and Tom Wells even saw 3 on South Beach in the afternoon.

Mwnt to Pen Peles

Yesterday along coast path from Mwnt to Pen Peles 1 kestrel, 1 peregrine, 1 sparrowhawk, 2 pairs chough, 1 pair stonechat, a few wheatears and at Pen Peles 2 purple sandpipers and a turnstone, 1 kestrel.

Ynys-hir

An early morning visit to Ynys-hir resulted in the following sightings -
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. I could hear one drumming as soon as I got out of my car. The drumming continued for some time and eventually I got a brief sighting at the usual hot-spot.
Blackcaps and Willow Warblers singing their little hearts out all over the place.
Grasshopper Warbler heard but not seen near Marion Mawr hide.
Cuckoo and Wood Warblers also heard but not seen.
Sedge and Reed Warblers seen at Breakwater and Ynys Eidol hides.
4 Wheatear, 4 Stonechat, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Peregrine and 1 male Pintail seen.
I also saw my first Canada goslings of the year!

Picking up on Mike Hayward and other peoples observations, I have also seen far fewer Wheatear, Stonechat and other hitherto common species this year compared with what I have come to expect. I do hope we're not being unduly pessimistic but it is worrying isn't it!

Dyfi sightings

Jim Marshall reports the following sightings from his house on the Dyfi this week -
April 27th 12 Whimbrel, 2 Wheatear, 2 male Goosander and 1 RB Merganser.
28th 49 Whimbrel, 1 Wheatear and 2 male Goosander.
29th 49 Whimbrel, 3 Wheatear and 2 beautiful Hares playing like kittens.
30th Two groups of Whimbrel 58 & 9 plus 5 Curlew one of which was exceptionally pale.
May 1st 41 Whimbrel, 5 Wheatear and 11 Goosander (8m 3f)
2nd 43 Whimbrel, 8 Wheatear, 11 Goosander (as above) and 3 male RB Merganser.
3rd 26 Whimbrel, 4 Curlew and 3 male RB Merganser.

Osprey Update.
This is the 10th consecutive day that the female has been absent and the male spends longer and longer periods absent from the nest site with each passing day. My despair increases.

Teifi Pools

A visit today to the Teifi pools confirmed observations that have been made over the past few years - a marked decline in the number of upland birds. Wheatear in particular are very rare although a few are present in Cwm Egnant. Compared with three years ago I would estimate a fall in numbers of about 80%! Meadow Pippits and Skylarks are also well down. May be this is a reflection on the poor weather of the past couple of summers but it also coincides with the introduction of some of the agri-environment schemes to this area with its consequent change in the vegetation.

Birds also noted - Kites - 5 - mainly juveniles which have started moulting their primary feathers, - Buzzards, Ravens, Mallard, Canada Geese, Pied Wagtails, and a pair of Common Sandpipers on Llyn Gorlan.

Borth Bog

At Borth Bog today we had a lovely view of a male Cuckoo singing away and being pestered by what I think were warblers (too far away to tell), also sedge and reed warblers, reed buntings, linnets and 4 lapwings on a gorgeous morning. Also came across a couple of very chunky caterpillars (including one about to start its cocoon) which we think the cuckoo was feeding on when it dipped into the reeds occasionally. Anyone any idea what will emerge?

Maria Gill

Dyfi Osprey Project.

Still no female as of today but we were treated to some wondrous views of the male eating a large sea bass this afternoon. As soon as he tucked in he was mobbed by several corvids and a LBB gull.

Also good to have images of the male's head plumage pattern. With the absence of rings, it's the head pattern that is individualistic in ospreys and can be a useful tool in recognising individuals in the future.

More Whimbrel

Eight birds on the Castle Rocks in Aberystwyth at 11.30 ish

Colour Ringed Great Tits.

The following colour ringed Great Tits have been feeding regularly on my peanut feeder this last ten days or so:-

Red/Orange and Orange/BTO ring
Blue/Red and White/BTO ring.

I would be most interested as to the provenance of these birds and the objectives of the colour ringing scheme. If anyone out there knows, or is interested in the location of these birds, please post it on the blog, phone me on 01970 828268 or email to mike.hayward@btinternet.com Thanks.

Clarach to Wallog

As an alternative to my seasonal activity of Kite monitoring I decided this morning to go for a coastal walk before too many 'grockles' arrived for the bank holiday. The cliff path from Clarach to Wallog generally has a variety of birds at this time of year - but not today! A smattering of the usual gulls, a few corvids on the fields inland and a pair of choughs. Conspicuous by their absence - Stonechats and Wheatear. At this time of year virtually every clump of gorse would, in past years, have its resident pair - but not a bird today - where have they gone?

Out to sea a lone Gannet fishing and a couple of Cormorants. Back to Clarach just as the rain arrived - a few more birds back on the beach - 8 Oystercatchers and a Whimbrel around the river mouth.

PEN DINAS again

Until rain stopped play, Bob, Meurig and myself had a good warbler session thgis morning with views of Chiffchaffs, Whitethroats, Willow, Garden, Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers and with bursts of song from Blackcaps and Lesser Whitethroat. A Sparrowhawk showed very well and a couple of Whimbrels passed overhead, very high.