Surprise Garden Visitor

Tony Allenby has sent this picture of a Yellowhammer. He says
"I never managed to find one on my trips to Foel Fawr, but this afternoon this one turned up in my garden with all the finches."

Llanrhystud

Lots and lots of fresh air at Llanrhystud this morning and a few birds too inc. 5 Wheatears and 3 Sand Martins. A Chiffchaff and Blackcap were at the lime kilns. Two Mediterranean Gulls were in the field between the access road and the caravan park.

Redstart and other migrants at Ynys-hir

A short walk to the Marian Mawr hide was rewarded with a lovely male redstart perched on a fence near the hide and at least 30 willow warblers were feeding in the same area, sheltered from the wind by bramble and a fallen tree. A couple of pied flycatchers were in the main stretch of woodland, 63 Greenland white-fronted geese were feeding right in front of the Breakwater hide and a white wagtail, 200 sand martin and a few swallows were on and over the pools there. A little ringed plover was on Lodge Farm on Monday 28th and a bean goose was with Canade geese near there the same day (most likely an escape if with Canadas).

GRASSHOPPER WARBLER

An early Grasshopper Warbler heard reeling briefly, but not seen, in a ditch a few fields from the coast just south of Llanrhystud on Tuesday morning.

 Len Kersley.

NANT YR ARIAN

Nice mix of birds for us all this afternoon: a singing Willow Warbler, a male Brambling on the feeder and at least 20 Crossbills including at least 3 young, one of which was being fed by an adult; and all seen from almost the same spot.

more Yaffling

Green woodpecker yaffling in our neighbouring oak-wood on the east escarpment above Cors Caron and a little later a regular in the Afon Berwyn valley very near Tregaron. Great that they have survived the winter(s) in 2010.
Also saw a kite making a food pass,not seen that before.

OSPREY

We were by Blaendolau fields at Aberystwyth at midday when Herring Gulls started making an enormous racket. I looked up and they were mobbing an Osprey. It separated from them and continued flying north and low over Waunfawr.

Blackcap

Blackcap singing at Tir Sisial, Llanrhystud today.
Also Pheasant calling which is unusual for here and the first sign of a
Greenfinch in months, singing this afternoon.

Keith Burdett

Pied Flycatcher

One of my guests yesterday, a budding wild-life photographer called Robert Chapman, took this shot of a Pied Flycatcher at Ynys-hir.

Hirundines and Yaffle

Plenyt of sandmartin at pont gogyan llanddewei brefi 27th march exploring old nest holes sad to say if we get the expected monsoons over the summer they will all get wiped out, this nesting in low river banks seems peculier to this region ive noticed this behaviour before on the teif at strata florida. Cant recall it from hampshire. Also the swans have built a nest in the middle of the river another catastrophe. Two yaffle around the area.

David Price

What a nerve some Jackdaws have.......

Yesterday, as we walked towards the cliff tops at Newquay we noticed this cow (or is it a bull?) in an adjacent field. What drew our attention was the Jackdaws on its back. They were tugging out beakfulls of the beast's hair which we can only assume they intended to furnish their nest with.............

Photograph by Robert Chapman.

Ring ouzels

Yesterday morning I saw 2 ring ouzels chasing each other above our garden. They landed in a tree in the field at the back of the house and I could see they were a male and a female. Unfortunately they didn't stay around long because the farmer decided to rake his field.

Llanybydder

A flock if 25 hirundines over Pencarreg lake today included sand & house martins, & 1 swallow
Bev Hopkins

TWITE

Yesterday I was painting the back of my house (Pontrhydfendigaid) when I heard some unusual calls from a few small birds flying over and watched them land on a tree 100yds away. I ran in to get the scope and viewed 3 twite with some chaffinches, I think there was 1 male/2 female. They flew off towards Cors Caron.

Andre Marsh

Aberaeron Sightings

Sparrowhawks very active in Aberaeron during the last week.

Sandmartins passing through all week - a flock of c30 this evening (26th). Swallows also around since Tuesday 22nd. Two House Martins today, 26th.

Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming - at least four in different areas near the town.

Blackcap (male) -1

Robin building nest on tool basket in garage - better than the wine rack as it did last year.

Ian Harrison

Another Nice Day Out

Bob, Harry and I met bright and early on the prom. at Aberystwyth. A Sandwich Tern on College Rocks was the first of the year for the three of us. Twice it looked as if it was flying off out to sea, only to return, finally onto Castle Point Rocks. 

Four Purple Sandpipers and a male and female Wheatear were also there and three, possibly four Bottle-nosed Dolphins put on a good show some way offshore.

There was a sprinkling of waders at Llansantffraed and a couple of Red-throated Divers.

 From the comfort of the seating at Aberarth we watched a Canada Goose, far out on the sea, steadily drifting north. Distant Gannets were seen and a couple of Goosanders much closer in.

After chips and then  seeing 11 Turnstones on the metal breakwater at Aberaeron we headed for the cliffs at New Quay and were immediately rewarded with the sight of a couple of Swallows and a Sand Martins speeding northwards.

There were masses of Auks present, plenty of Kittewakes and some Fulmars and Chough. Shags and Cormorants were  on their nests brooding their eggs.

Return of the Sand Martins

I have been keeping an eye out for the return of the sandmartins,and today (Thursday 24th) I was rewarded.Too many to count accurately but at least 15 all enjoying the flies that the warm weather has provided.The Rheidol river has undermined a site just upstream from us and this one is being erroded by the water and the frost.However there are still about 12 burrows that look viable so lets hope that they succeed again this year.Tonight we had two pipestrelles out and very active also making the most of the flying insects!

Lis Collison

Sightings from Tir Sisial

At Tir Sisial, Llanrhystud today: Pair of Grey Wagtails and Dipper on the
River Wyre. Several Chiff Chaffs now singing amongst the general Spring
hubbub, also after a slow start, multiple Wrens. Great Spot Woodpecker
drumming through the day.
A superb ariel display from a very large female Sparrowhawk chasing a
Jackdaw. The chase went on for at least a minute ranging between the tree
tops and ground level over an area of around 100x100 metres and as close
as 20ft at times. The Sprawk left the chase several times to reposition
and dive back in at a better angle of attack. I was amazed when it finally
veered off letting the Jackdaw escape.


Keith Burdett

Nice Day Out

Meurig and I began the day along the prom at Aberystwyth where we saw the now regular 20 Turnstones which were at Castle Point with one of the 17 Purple Sandpipers. They were between the wooden jetty and the prom wall by the castle.

At Tanybwlch, near the sheds, were 10 Wheatears enjoying the warm sunshine.

We then headed inland to a spot that Meurig keeps an eye on which had Curlews, Lapwings and Golden Plovers.

A brief visit to Cors Caron from the Ystrad Meurig end produced a singing Willow Tit from one of the first trees we came across.

It was now a bit too warm to walk far and we headed back to Aber to see if Bob's Mandarin Ducks had settled on College Rocks. No sign of them (but we believe you Bob), but plenty of students in skimpy summer clothes, a white donkey having a paddle and a beach full of people; all a bit surreal. March 24th?!!!

All sorts........

Yesterday on our walk at Ynys-hir we saw 2 Lesser Redpoll as well as Goldfinch, Bullfinch and Goldcrest. Later, at Upper Borth I saw my first 2 Swallows of the year flying North.
Today at Upper Borth there were 7 Wheatear in the field to the South of the memorial. Further along the footpath towards Clarach, as we ate our lunch we watched 12 Chough grubbing around in a field. As we returned, near the gate from the footpath back onto the road I was amazed to see a pair of Mandarin Ducks on one of the rocks below us. We watched them for a few minutes before they took off and flew south.

Tanybwlch

Male and female wheatear by the old firing range.

hen harrier

Ringtail harrier hunting the usual patch north of the old tower hide (now the new hide) also lesser redpoll singing, pair of snipe flying in and a displaying curlew. Otherwise a bit quiet this morning. There could have been a peregrine sitting out there but in view of recent posts, as it was on the edge of my range even with bins,I'm not making a claim!
In full view however were a stoat and a hare...fortunately in different places.

Constitution Hill

On a walk to watch the sunset over Aber I heard 2 chough calling in the sea fog and on the way back to Clarach a pipistrelle bat was hunting along the coast path

Cwmtudu

approx 10.30 this morning i am almost certain that i saw 3 house martins flying north over the fields above CWMTUDU and they were in a great hurry.

alan.hill

Early Swallows

Three swallows seen today, one at Ynyslas and two over Cors Fochno. Also a wheatear at Aberleri, 2 chough over the dunes and about 70 golden plover over the bog.

Mike Bailey

Soar-y-Mynydd and Doethie

More kite surveying today in the hills above Tregaron. The number of kites nesting in the area appears to be a lot lower than it was 25 years ago. Numbers of ravens too are well down with several old sites seemingly unoccupied. Not difficult to see why either - no sheep!! In the Doethie the river has been fenced along its whole length (presumably at huge expense and using some sort of conservation grant) and yet the only three sheep I saw were inside the fence as the gates had been propped open!

On a more positive note there was a Yellowhammer calling by Pen-y-Gurnos and the Great Grey Shrike was still present on the Ceredigion side of the Upper Tywi along with another Yellowhammer, loads of Meadow Pipits, Siskins and Crossbills.

My birds today

Ynyslas Point at high tide - a few golden plover on the foreshore as well as some knot, dunlin, ringed plover & singing skylark. Sea-watching was hopeless due to sea-mist.

Cwm Ystwyth - Peregrines very active at usual site. Food pass witnessed on the ground (male to female?) also kite, buzzard & raven present.

Nant-yr-Arian - 50+ kites, little grebe, teal, coot, male goosander, male goldeneye, mallard on the lake.
The TV screen in the restaurant shows an owl nestbox fitted with an infra red 'wireless'? nest cam and it depicts a sitting tawny owl so this should be interesting as time goes on.

Plas Gogerddan

I have just returned from a very pleasant walk in Plas Gogerddan where there
is plenty of spring activity. There were at least eight singing chiffchaffs and
plenty of singing wrens. I saw a mistle thrush with a beak full of nesting
material and a great tit apparently checking out a suitable nesting hole
before anyone else got to it.

Most surprising though were the two house martins I saw shoot by as I was
watching fieldfares in the fields above the woods. It was a blink and you'll
miss it moment but I don't think I was mistaken. Perhaps someone else has seen
them in that area today?

Elaine Izett

Reports from David Bratt

A lovely day started out overcast and misty at Ynyslas, where two Brent
geese (probably Dark-bellied) flew down the estuary just before high tide
and out to the north it seemed. There were 7 Dunlin and 9 Ringed Plover
attempting to settle on the only bit of dry ground remaining, near to the
car park entrance/signs. At the turn car park there were plenty of Common
Scoter scattered about the sea, with a lone bird quite close in and
allowing good views.

Round to the Leri, which looked fairly quiet on passing and on to the pill
box, where there were good numbers of Meadow Pipits in nearby fields,
singing Skylarks, some Redshank and plenty of Oystercatcher, Curlew and
Shelduck as usual, there were also 3 Grey Plover and 3 Red-breasted
Merganser, 2 females and one male.

The Clettwr was quiet, with only 2 Oystercatcher and 1 Redshank, and a
pair of Goosander near the footbridge on the way back up.

Back at home and the sun came out for lunch, with up to 8 Buzzards up at
the same time, 4 Kites, 2 Ravens (which appear to be nesting) and a lone
Peregrine all enjoying the weather over Llanbadarn Fawr.

In the afternoon, a university field trip up the Rheidol Valley past the
dam produced plenty of soaring raptors, including a couple of very distant
hawks/falcons and a Great Spotted Woodpecker but little else of any note.


David Bratt

A Wren at last

Having not seen or heard a wren this year, it was a relief to hear one at Coed Dolgoed this morning. Also saw a marsh tit, crossbill, a meadow pipit and a pair of lesser redpoll. A goldcrest was proudly showing off his crest.

Later this afternoon I saw the golden eagle in the area it was first spotted a year ago, about a mile past Strata Florida, sitting on top of the hill between 'Troedrw' and the farm 'Tyncwm'

Not many migrants inland at the moment, unless I've been unlucky. Saw a chiffchaff at Maes Llyn on 17th. Haven't seen or heard any since

Andre Marsh

Sunday Field Trip

Twenty brave souls attended the field trip on Sunday. Instead of walking up Cwm Einion and across Foel Fawr at the beginning of the day we went to Ynys-hir to look for the otters. On my recce earlier I saw one on the lake in front of the visitor centre, but there was no sign her or her cubs when we all stood peering through the drizzle at 10:00. So we continued on a walk around the reserve. After lunch 8 of us did Cwm Einion and the Foel.

Here is the list of birds seen, as recorded by Moira and some photographs taken by Laurie -

At Ynys Hir.

Mute swan, mallard, little grebe, Canada goose, moorhen, shoveler, carrion crow, chaffinch, great spotted woodpecker, blue tit, robin, woodpigeon, wren, long-tailed tit, little egret, heron, blackbird, bullfinch, nuthatch, goldfinch, chiffchaff, jay, oystercatcher, great black-backed gull, reed bunting, shelduck, black-headed gull, goldeneye, teal, greylag goose, pink-footed goose, redshank, greenfinch, goldcrest, pheasant sand martin, coot.

In the afternoon in Cwmeinion and the Foel, birds were scarcer.

Chaffinch, blue tit, great spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, robin, grey wagtail (pair in suitable nesting habitat), treecreeper (pair ditto), siskin, woodpigeon, meadow pipit, wren, mistle thrush, and for the last out of the car park only red kite,

The Hills are Alive!

Had a day up around Soar-y-Mynydd and Llyn Brianne checking for kites. Not many kites to be found but there were loads of Meadow Pipits, a Wheatear, a pair of Kestrels prospecting a nest site, a cracking male Merlin on a roadside fence post (just missed a photo!), a pair of Stonechats near the county border and yet another Ceredigion Great Grey Shrike!

migrants

Saturday 19th:Wheatear on the hill 300m above the east side of Cors Caron.
Sunday 20th:Sandmartins x 2 at Pant Pit; not close to the water but high in the air. Only noticed them because I was watching kites performing and they flew through my view.
Monday 21st: 12 chiffchaffs singing between Aberaeron and Llanina but not one stonechat.

Dyfi "Osprey"

Hi Emyr
I think you're right about the Osprey, it was the Cormorant, particularly as it was exactly where my bird was seen. I hadn't got any bins with me and it was raining so it looks more than likely that I was wrong. It didn't have its neck outstreatched or show its' bill and I must admit I was drunk, no not really, but was concerned that the tail looked a bit longer than the wing tips though not as long as a Cormorant normally shows. I guess enthusiasm got the better of judgement in this case. I hope that I didn't cause to much disruption to anyone elses Sunday and sorry about wasting your time. See you soon.

Ospreys

Had a look this afternoon after seeing your post Merv by the Caravan Cafe. Nothing to be seen at around 3pm apart from this cormorant, nothing either on the osprey nest itself at the reserve.

The female Glaslyn osprey near Porthmadog however did return from Africa at around lunch time today. Was it her you saw this morning? Could well have been, Machynlleth is only around an hours flight away and there aren't that many ospreys in the country at the moment. Chances are it probably was!

We open April 1st this year, I'll post a bit nearer the time.

Saw my first warbler of the year this afternoon - pretty sure it was of the Garden variety going by its song but could be wrong. It was a fair distance away in the gloom and the only shot I got of it is too embarrassing to be put up here!. Bob - thanks for the text. Emyr.

Dunnocks

Waiting for Morrisons to open this morning went along the path behind up to the footbridge. An active chiffchaff, 6 singing male dunnocks, billfinch, a goldfinch and two long-tailed tits at the footbridge. OK nothing unusual unless you see a goosander but it's a good little area. On way back, the dunnocks were quiet, and I thought that unlike Dafydd ap Gwilym, they had be successful.

No birders in Morrisons. Sounds like John D has a Moriisons list of birders.

Then off for 33 hands of bridge in the Mid-Wales final of the Evan Jones trophy. Came 6th out of 11. Surprisingly, Evan Jones was not a Welshman.

A red throated diver off the prom at 5.

First Migrant for Matt and Charly

Today in Ystumtuen, we had the first migrant, a stunning male Wheatear was on the Henrhiew.

Matt and Charly Potter

Osprey on Dyfi

Had to go into Potters in Machynlleth this morning and on the way in I had an Osprey perched on top of a dead tree by a sharp bend in the Dyfi opposite the Caravan Cafe in the lay-by just before Mach. I know it's not in the county but thought someone might be interested.

Mwnt

Yesterday at Mwnt: 1 white wagtail, a male stonechat and wheatear, 2 pairs of chough, a pair of buzzards being harrassed by the chough and a peregrine. A little further down the coast path 2 male peregrines were zipping around.

Cross Inn forest

The Great Grey Shrike was again at Cross Inn forest this afternoon, sitting in the top of a tall dead conifer on the south side of the main clearing.

TANYBWLCH

Nice stroll at Tanybwlch this morning with little Daisy Davis. This Stonechat showed well as did a summer-plumaged Red-throated Diver just off the beach. 3 Wheatears were about and a pair of Chough collecting sheeps' wool. 

At Aberystwyth, 22 Turnstones by the pier.
At Morrisons, Harry Pepper.

At Morrisons the other evening, Chris Bird, Euan Parry and John Val.

Would be good to meet fellow Ceredigion birdwatchers elsewhere for a change.

Otters at Ynys-hir

I reply to the latest posting re water voles, otters and mink. Please attached taken this morning (19th March 2011) at Ynys-Hir.


Rhys Thatcher

Good News........

Good news is that a population of water voles has been found on Cors Fochno.

Bad news would be mink in the Dyfi Valley/floodplain area.

There is strong evidence that the presence of mink usually leads to a decline in water voles and waterfowl.

It is thought highly likely that mink were instrumental in the decline of water voles on the Dyfi floodplain and that mink were preventing any recovery.

Has the mink population declined over the past 5 or 6 years? Have you seen any mink in that area recently and are you seeing otters more often?

Chance would be a fine thing!

There appears to be some correlation between an increase in otters and a declining mink population and knock on benefits to water voles.

Any info/comments re mink, otters or water voles in the Cors Fochno and the wider area of the Dyfi floodplain, please.

Many thanks

Roy Bamford

Pond yr Oerfa

A quick count of the birds on the pond today revealed two herons, seven
goosanders, four Canada geese, four mallard, one little grebe and three tufted
drakes. We were out on toad patrol last night and we were speculating that the
recent high numbers of herons ( I have seen up to five at once ) and
gooosanders could be due to them hanging around to eat all the spawning
amphibians that we have so carefully saved from the wheels of cars the night
before!

On the path by the lake I saw two male yellowhammers. On the common by the
wind turbines were two meadow pipits and a pair of stonechats - seeing them
back on the hills makes me feel that spring really has arrived.


Elaine Izett

Tan-y-bwlch

‘A short walk along Tan-y-bwlch this morning resulted in good views of one chough, two wheatear and a male and female goosander.’

Rhys Thatcher

Aberaeron Raptor

I should have perhaps added to my previous posting that the workman/falconer did confirm that he flies the Hawk over Aberaeron during the day and that it is particularly partial to rabbits!

Mike Hopkins

Starlings and chiffchaff

An interesting deviation from the normal aerial displays yesterday – a part of the starling flock broke away and settled on the roof of the building behind the site of the chapel that burnt down in Mill St. The whole roof of the building was black with starlings. After 5 minutes or so they took off again.

Chiffchaff in roadside tree at the bottom of Pendinas this morning.

John Woodruff

Purple sandpipers and Grey Grey shrike

Yesterday (March 17th) at about 6pm I counted 15 purple sandpipers on sea wall at Castle Point in Aberystwyth - I've never seen such a large number.

Earlier in the morning of same day (and previous day) whilst jogging in Cross Inn forest the great grey shrike was very much around in the big clearing - seems to alternate between both sides of the road.

Terry Barry

Chiffchaff and Sand Martins

John and I visited Ynyslas this morning and had very good views of a singing Chiffchaff. On Cors Fochno, in a field beside the Leri we spotted 7 Golden Plover very nearly in full Summer plumage.
Two Sand Martins flew over heading North. At Ynys-hir we saw a female Golden on the lake in front of Marian Mawr hide and 6 Sand Martins high over the lake in front of the visitor centre.

Large Raptor, Aberaeron

Thanks for the responses re the large raptor in Aberaeron. The Harris Hawk was discounted since it is tethered (why bring such a bird to work...?) - allegedly it was attacked and injured by a dog a day or so ago. Re the suggestion of a large kite - possible but I I must say I was discounting wild birds in a back garden in town. I had a glimpse of a large eagle yesterday from my garden on the outskirts of the town but apart from being able to say it was an eagle and not a vulture (!) , no further ID since it disappeared over the hill and could not be relocated.

Singing Chiffchaff in Aberaeron yesterday,, 16th March. Not the first but an indication of things to come!

ian Harrison

LRP

A report this morning from Andy James of a Little Ringed Plover at Ty Gwyn pools.

On the move

Popped over to Llanrhystud this morning. No sign of any Divers and worse still no comfy benches like wot they have at Aberarth. A gentle headwind was allowing views of what appeared to be a light but steady passage of birds. Heading north over an hour were; 18 Pied Wagtails, 65 Meadow Pipits, 24 Lesser black-backed Gulls, 3 Sand Martins, a Dunlin and a pair of interesting but unidentified ducks. On the ground were 4 Wheatears, 100 Golden Plovers and 3 Stock Doves. Four Mediterranean Gulls were near the hotel car park in Llannon.

Aberaeron Raptor

I too was in the vicinity of Aberaeron today(Tuesaday) I was driving towards the town fom Aberystwyth and on the hill spotted a very large bird indeed My first reaction was Golden Eagle but then I noticed its forked tail so came to the conclusion that it was a very large kite and in soaring mode with its wings outstretched.

Lis Collison

Aberaeron Raptor

In response to Ian’s message, I too saw a large raptor at Aberaeron last week. It was a Harris Hawk tethered to a perch whilst a workman cemented the sea wall! Could it be the same bird?

Mike Hopkins

CHIFFCHAFF

A report from Chris Bird this morning of a Chiffchaff at Nanteos lake.

Mwnt - migrants

A dawn visit to Mwnt today before the drizzle;-

3 Wheatear, 1 singing Chiffchaff, small numbers of Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails moving. 1 female Stonechat, a pair of Chough, and of birds of prey, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, and a resident Kestrel.
(Teifi RG)


Cetti's Warbler, unfortunate for Jon T , our Teifi birds are regularly singing at 6-7pm at the moment, so don't give up. c5 males singing.

Chiffchaff Singing

Hi, this is my first submission to the Ceredigion birding blog so I hope
this is the correct way to go about it.
A Chiff Chaff was singing at Tir Sisial, Coed Cwm Wyre, Llanrhystud for
most of the morning today (14th March).
I've been enjoying reading the blog since early this year and hope to be
able to make further contributions from Tir Sisial.

Keith Burdett

Aberaeron Golden Eagle?

I received a phonecall this evening from a friend in Aberaeron saying that his wife had seen a "huge bird with a ring on its leg in their garden in Tabernacle Street, Aberaeron. at 11.00, today, 14 March. The bird was eyeing up the rabbit in the cage. It landed on the lawn and then perched on a nearby roof for about five minutes before flying off." (Pity the wife did not phone nme immediately but never mind..!) She googled - not sure what - and came to the conclusion that it was a Golden Eagle. This identification may obviously have been influenced by the Pontrhydygroes GE being on the web - who knows?! (Bear in mind the Hooded Vulture in Aberaeron in 2009!).

Anybody else seen large raptors ion the area?

Ian Harrison

Teifi Marshes

Three Chiffchaffs at the Teifi Marshes late this afternoon, actively feeding and calling but none in song. No Cettis heard (too late in the day) but a fine Barn Owl hunting over the reedbeds of Pentood marsh (the Ceredigion part!). A Buzzard tried chasing it for a bit, before losing interest. The owl then just carried on hunting.

38 Teal and 2 Little Grebes on the river, plus a further 3 pairs of Teal on the Bass lagoon.

LLANSANTFFRAED to NEW QUAY

As much as I like Llansantffraed, where a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers were loitering just offshore late morning, Aberarth has the advantage of a couple of wooden benches overlooking the shore. When I arrived the calm sea looked devoid of bird-life. Then I noticed a scattering of Red-throated Divers and close in, up popped a Great Northern Diver. A Gannet sailed by, plunge-dived and bobbed about on the surface before it continued its flight northwards. Another large diver appeared while the Great Northern was still in view and this one was a Black-throated, showing all the typical features.

I then moved on to New Quay where a good number of Guillemots, Razorbills and Kittewakes were about and Shags and Cormorants were on their nests. The highlight here was the number of seals, including these three, high  up on one of the larger rocks.

BRITISH BIRDS AND BTO BIRD STUDY MAGAZINES.

Red and Peggy Liford have some interesting old magazines - British Birds, BTO Bird Study etc - up for grabs. Have a look at "News & Events" if your interested.

Ysbyty Cyfyn

I had a very enjoyable walk here this morning in almost spring like weather.
By the church I saw a pair of yellowhammers who obviously felt that the season
is changing and were chasing furiously among the gravestones. I shall return
soon to listen for singing. A fieldfare feeding in the field next to the church
reminded me that we may still have some winter to come. On the rough hill
slope I saw a single meadow pipit - the first of many I'm sure. All the usual
woodland species were singing and I had the place to myself- what more could I
ask?

At home I have a very smart male reed bunting in summer plumage at the
feeding station.

Elaine Izett

Green Woodpecker at Llanddewi Brefi

Having seen from the blog that the green woodpecker had been heard in Llanddewi I set out to try and find it in Cwm Brefi. No sooner had I gone through the kissing gate into the field with the moat than I heard what I thought was a green woodpecker coming from the trees over the river. In fact I heard the call four times as I walked along the fence by the river. But no sign of it no matter how hard I looked. I did see a great spotted through. I continued further up the valley via the road and was lucky to see two peregrines.

On my return journey I again walked by the river and heard the woodpecker call. After spending some 10 minutes scanning the trees I managed to track him/her down and was rewarded with a good view for just a few seconds. Perseverance pays off in the end.

Karen Gregory

Llanddewi Brefi

Migrants etc.

There was a sand martin over the teifi at pont gogyan sunday 13th march. A yellow hammer on territory in cwm brefi, the green woodpecker was seen and heard on the 12th and 13th march in cwm brefi. David Price.

Sightings from Matt and Charly Potter

On Pond Yr Oerfa there were 4 Goosanders, 2 male and 2 female, plus a lone Little Grebe (not often seen here) a Male Tufted Duck, a pair of Mallards and 4 Grey Herons.

In our garden all the usual suspects. The Siskin numbers have now dropped, a welcome sight of a few Greenfinches after last yearsTrich. disease outbreak and the long staying Treecreeper still lurking about with a visit from a Goldcrest.

Down Cwm Reidol, plenty of Kite activity, several Buzzards, 2 Pairs of Ravens, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and plenty of Blue and Great Tits and finches.

Matt and Charly Potter (and 6 month old Jack)

Lost Property

I lost a a hide clamp on Aberystwyth sea front this morning, (Sunday) somewhere
between the pier and the harbour; or possibly at Clarach.

It's about 6" long, made of metal with plastic parts.

I have upload an image of a similar clamp to http://twitpic.com/497zlx

Please let me know if you hear that anyone has found it.

Regards,

--
Andy Mabbett
@pigsonthewing
http://pigsonthewing.org.uk

College Rocks

Ten Purple Sandpipers on College Rocks at lunchtime, and sixteen Turnstones. Earlier this morning the male Black Redstart was on the Old College, sitting on his usual gargoyle - according to Sue Reeves!

Later there were 150 Golden Plovers at Ynyslas Point.

Penrhyncoch lakes

A trip around the Penrhyn lakes this afternoon revealed a pair of Golden Eye, Mallard and Canada Geese on Syfydrin, another pair of Canadas'and a lone Tufted on Blaenmelindwr. Nothing to be seen on Pendam. In addition saw seven Buzzards, three Red Kites and a pair of Ravens -small birds conspicuous by their absence

Squatters............

The ospreys had better hurry back from Africa or their nesting platform at Dyfi Junction will be taken when they arrive.

There was a pair of canada geese holding fort there when I went past on the train yesterday morning......

jerry moore

MORE MIGRANTS

Sand Martins were reported at Ynys-hir yesterday and this afternoon Andy James saw a White Wagtail at Aberaeron's North Beach.
I was pleased to see a couple of Wheatears, a male and female, at Tanybwlch this morning.

Cross Inn Woods

The Shrike was still there this morning in the same clearing.
It was also good to see my first Stonechat up there for several months. Crossbills also showing well.

More Wheatears

There were three Wheatears at the end of the track beside Aberleri Boatyard this morning.

Spring arrivals

2 Wheatear at Tanybwlch this afternoon.

Aline Denton

Golden Eagle

The Golden Eagle was high up over the back of my house in Pontrhydfendigaid just after 10.30 this morning. It was over the river Teifi just where Cors Caron starts with a buzzard for company. It then drifted back over the village and back up the valley towards Strata Florida

Andre Marsh

Llanon and Llanrhysted

3 ringed and 7 grey plovers with 6 redshank. The stubble fields are being ploughed so hundreds of gulls taking their chance plus dunging on the pastures providing aromatic enhancement of the scene.
Up to 20 red-throated divers with auks and the odd gannet at Llanon but not close enough for a picture.

Divers at Mwnt

3 Red-throated Divers close in off Mwnt today and 3 more distant. Also, 2 Common Scoter and several Gannets.
31 Barnacle Geese on Cardigan Island along with a few hundred Canada Geese.
Just 3 Ringed Plovers on Patch.

Ringed Cormorant

Yesterday I received a letter from the BTO. The letter, sent as a result of a report I had forwarded after spotting a ringed cormorant, contained the following information -

The bird was ringed by Blackburn, Leighton & Moores (presumably the names of the actual ringers) as a nestling, sex unknown on 14th May 2008 at Abberton Reservoir near Colchester, Essex.

It was found (seen) on December 9th at Ynyslas by Roy Bamford and me, 939 days after it was ringed and 344 km from the ringing site!

Trawsgoed

it was quite quiet at Trawsgoed/Black Covert yesterday but was pleased to see grey wagtails and a treecreeper at the car park.

Andy & KimRayment

Great Grey Shrike again

Got good views of great grey shrike this morning (Wednesday) in Cross Inn Forest, again in big clearing beween 9.30-10.00 - interesting how there is a rash of sightings in same location and then it disappears for a while.



Terry Barry

COLOUR-RINGED BLACK-HEADED GULL

White 22C7 was once again in the harbour at Aberystwyth this afternoon.
This was first seen at Aberystwyth by Chris Bird on 5th January and subsequently on 24th February and 4th March.
(See blog entry on 2nd March for details of this bird from Berkshire.)
Earlier I watched a Peregrine take a Starling from one of the fields at Tanybwlch and was pleased to see a pair of Stonechat near the sheds.

Raptors at Cors Fochno

Mervyn and I spent some time at Cors Fochno this morning, hoping to see the Short-eared Owl reported by Mike yesterday. No sign of that but we did get great views of a Hen Harrier and a Merlin, both females. The harrier quartered an area of tall reed/grass and settled on a fence post for a while. The Merlin flew in with prey which it devoured on the ground. Unfortunately whilst doing that it was behind a five-bar gate so we could only see parts of it. But after its breakfast it flew up and settled on the top bar giving splendid views. Buzzard and Red Kite also seen from the same spot.

Photography

Having decided to concentrate on bird watching for the time being and forget photography ,I now know why.Those shots of the starlings are something else! We are so fortunate to have three or four very gifted bird watchers. I and many others can just sit back in amazment and enjoy .Thank you all for your fantastic contributions.They make this blog !

I am currently enjoying the waterfowl of the Abberton Reservoir Nature Reserve near Colchester. Essex and Suffolk Water are raising the level of the reservoir and creating a new visitors center in the process.A brilliant resource to look forward to .Today the sunshine brought out the skylarks in great numbers and the air was full of song.A good example of sustainability. Essex Wildlife Trust are to be complemented on taking such a positive step forward!

Lis Collison

More starlings

Amazing display this evening

Leri Saltings

At high tide this morning the Leri saltings were virtually a 'Bird Free Zone' - just a couple of Oystercatchers and three Curlew were to be seen. Back along the road nr Ynyslas turn there were five or six Teal on the unfrozen water alongside the rushes.

Back home in the garden the GSWoodpeckers are busy declaring territories!

Short-eared Owl etc

Short-eared owl seen on northern side Cors Fochno this am. 2 female hen harrier, 9-10 curlew, lapwing displaying, pr Shoveler, pr wigeon and 10+ pr Teal present NW bog last Friday.

Mike Bailey

Great Grey Shrike

I've seen the shrike at last!

I went to Cross Inn this morning and finally saw my first Great Grey Shrike after many fruitless trips; in the big clearing at about 10am, so thanks to Phil and this blog! Also saw and heard plenty of crossbill, goldcrest, siskin, coal tit, reed bunting and also saw a pair of kestrels. It's a few years since I've seen 2 together

Andre Marsh

Aber starlings

Starlings congregated in large numbers on College Rocks this evening before settling in for the night under the pier. Peregrine visited a couple of times.
There was also a peregrine at Penbryn beach earlier this afternoon.

'WHITE' BUZZARD at PISGAH

WOODCOCK at YNYS-HIR

Went to Ynys-hir for some uni assignment work yesterday. I flushed a Woodcock from a wet flush amongst Birch scrub.
Kevin McGee

ABERYSTYWYTH

We had a short but very rewarding walk late Friday afternoon: two female Goosanders in Aberystwyth Harbour just below the Gap; a leucistic Carrion Crow in a tree beside the Rheidol near the police station; and a very lively Goldcrest in the vegetation by the ditch at Plascrug, making the most of the abundant gnats. It was moving too fast for us to take a picture, but obligingly came close enough for us to get an excellent view of its prominent gold stripe. The Starlings are still giving a superb evening show above the pier, too.

Helen Ougham and Sid Thomas

Great Grey Shrike, Cross Inn woods

I was very pleased to see the shrike there this morning in the main clearing.
Possibly even more pleasing was my first wren of the year!

Crossbills at Cwm Berwyn Forest, Tregaron

Yesterday afternoon, 16 crossbills feeding alongside the most easterly forestry track of the Cwm Berwyn plantation, Tregaron (immediately before the cattle grid onto the open mountain). By the continuous calling, there were many more further back into the woodland and out of view. Interestingly, they were all feeding and moving as male & female couples rather than as a flock. Does anyone know if this is usual at this time of the year?

Also;

30+ Siskins feeding with the crossbills, often in the same tree and on adjacent cones.

Male Greater Spotted Woodpecker – feeding, not calling

Stuart Perry

Whimbrel -- Teifi

1 Whimbrel calling as it flew over Patch out to sea this evening.
(Teifi RG)

Goshawk

A Goshawk was soaring (or at least attempting to) at a site in the south of the county where I have seen individuals in the previous two years also. I say 'attempting' as it was being perpetually harried by a Peregrine that was very persistent in its dives and lunges. After a few minutes they disappeared in to the sun. I noticed that there was bird in the Teifi gorge a few days ago also. I'm very happy to give out this location too but wasn't sure whether to or not. Please advise!

Fieldfares in Cwm Einion

I counted 23 Fieldfares in one small tree on my walk along Cwm Einion this morning.

Siskin Deaths

The cause of death of the siskins mentioned earlier by Alan could also have been salmonella poisoning. I had a similar incident a few years ago which affected siskins, goldfinches and the odd greenfinch. I sent them off to be analysed and was told it was salmonella, possibly caused by bird seed contaminated with mouse urine/droppings. Sure enough I had had mice get into the feed bins. Apart from throwing all the contaminated food away the cure was the same - stop feeding for a while, move the feeders regularly and avoid feeding too much on the ground if mice are present (where aren't they?).

Teifi Gorge.

28th Feb. 09.50 A male Goshawk was displaying over the gorge this morning accompanied by the resident pair of Crows.

Karen

Sorry Karen, I'm a bit late with this posting!

Llanrhystud

The two Goosanders were still about today and a handful of Red-throated Divers were offshore but otherwise fairly quiet.

Siskins and Goosanders

Please can you pass my thanks on to Mervyn Lloyd re the advice on how to counter the disease currently affecting Siskins.

Some of the 19 Goosanders seen on Llyn Fanod may well have found my small lake here in Blaenpennal. Just disturbed 13, 10 female and 3 male Goosanders, so much for my coarse fish stocks, was looking forward to fishing for a few carp, bream and tench on a balmy summer evening this year!

Alan Lyne

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER

Yesterday Meurig Williams and I were lucky enough to get good views of a Great Northern Diver at Llansantffraed.
A pair of Goosanders were just offshore at Llanon and a Stock Dove was on one of the coastal fields, my first ever along that coastal strip although Meurig recalled some at Llanrhystud some years ago.

COLOUR-RINGED BLACK-HEADED GULLS

The first year bird with a white ring marked 22C7, seen by Chris Bird in Aberystwyth harbour on 5th January, was seen again by Chris on College Rocks on 24th February. It had come from a colony at Hosehill Lake in West Berkshire.
On 28th February, Chris saw another first year bird with a similar ring, white 27C8, also on College Rocks. That one had also been ringed at Hosehill Lake and on the same day as the other one, 7th June 2010. Both had left the site by early July and as the ringing coordinator said, "we haven't had many cases when 2 birds have been so close in time and space!"

Siskin Deaths Re: Alan Lyne's question.

Hi Alan,
In response to your querie your Siskin have most probably got the same disease as the Greenfinches. It is a virus that affects the throats of some birds and prevents them from swallowing their food. When they spit this out it then gets passed on to other birds feeding in the same area, it is particularly virulent at breeding time when it can be passed on to young. Unfortunately keeping the feeding area and equipment clean has little effect on the virus, the recommended course of action is to stop feeding for several weeks until infected birds die off and hopefully the virus goes with them. The disease is unusual apparently as it has been around for some time and used to affect pigeons and doves but it has transferred to greenfinches and now siskin. One of the problems is feeding the birds as they are concentrated in a small area. I have had problems in Eglwys Fach with this, last winter (2009-10) I had a total of about 20 birds die. Most of these were Greenfinches and Siskin but one Chaffinch, one Goldfinch and a Collard Dove were seen suffering. I stopped feeding all of last summer and left it until November 2010 until I put the feeders out. I haven't seen any poorly birds this winter but have only had occasional greenfinch, one or two instead of the 15 to 20 I can usually expect, though chaffinch and siskin numbers have usually been above 15. I did submit a report to the BTO about this and they were keen to have feedback about all such cases.