From Philip Ellis

Despite earlier concern, a pair of Curlew up hill from our house have returned and are vigorously seeing off Kites and Crows, 2 Lapwing also close by.

Also a Whinchat (first sighting here for 3 years) a Wheatear, 2 Swifts and a Kestrel.

This afternoon on old railway line at Cors Caron, large number of Willow Warblers, some Chiffchaff, a Whitethroat, a Kestrel and a male Sparrowhawk with unidentified prey in talons.

 

Philip Ellis

TANYBWLCH

An afternoon at the (extremely) windy Tan y Bwlch was surprisingly good.
On arrival at the harbour entrance, there were around 15 Sandwich terns
quartering up and down south beach and along the edge of the lighthouse.
Further out were around 6 Gannets dive-bombing and a pair of Eider flew
past. There was a single female Goosander on the Ystwyth and plenty of
Wheater, Stonechats and Linnets in the surrounding fields. Looking back at
the sea, there was an apparent constant passage of Sandwich terns north in
small groups. My main mission however was to see a Whimbrel, of which
there have been many recently. On the walk back, one landed right in front
of me on the beach and I got great views along with 2 Ringed plover, 2
Dunlin and a Sanderling. In the harbour I flushed 5 Common Sandpiper which
flew back down the Ystwyth. A walk along south beach revealed a further 10
Dunlin (in full summer plumage) on castle rocks and 4 Turnstone, 6
Oystercatcher and, (spoiling me this time!) - 2 Whimbrel by the Pier.

Mike Waller.

Sightings from Ian Harrison

10 Common Swifts over Aberaeron this morning, 30 April, at 10.00. I see that others have also noted what appears to be a movement/influx. About time!

 

During my chat survey - just north of the Urdd Centre at Llangranog - on Saturday 28th, a total of eighteen wheatears. Three pairs, with one singing male. The other twelve birds were an interesting mix - four females and eight males, three of which were cracking Greenland Wheatears. The females were loosely consorting with the oenanthe males but no obvious pairing. The three leucorhoa stood out in terms of size and colouration but seemed to be part of the 'flock'. All the wheatears in the flock (i.e. not the three pairs which were clearly separate)  were generally feeding or flying from field to field. No particular direction noted.

 

One Peregrine also seen flying along the cliffs.

 

A Hobby over Aberaeron on Saturday 29th, 14.15, generally flying northwards, is an early record - particularly in view of the recent weather patterns in southern Europe and the UK. That said, the strong southerly winds further south may have contributed? An excellent view - flew more or less overhead as we were changing ends in between games on the tennis courts.

Bar-tailed Godwit

Beautiful summer plumage barwit at Llanrhystud beach this evening

John Woodruff

whinchat and tree pipits

Yesterday Carolyn had 2 tree pipits in her valley(Cwm Ere) which the walk group visited last month . I heard and saw both tree pipit and whinchat in the Upper Doethie valley this afternoon though higher up on my BBS there were only meadow pips and not many of them.
The whole of the river Doethie in Ceredigion has been fenced by the Rivers' Trust which has not enhanced its landscape value but perhaps there may be wildlife benefits.

Llyn Pencarreg

18 tufted duck on the lake & more than 6 swifts over. Bev Hopkins

Aber Swifts

I was interested to see that Liz had Swifts over the railway station this morning. In my experience this is the best area of Aberystwyth for early Swifts. In the days when I used to walk to work that way, in most years I would see my first Swifts in town around there, particularly over Plas Crug/Elm Tree Avenue.

swifts over Aber

This morning around 9ish at least 2 swifts were circling over the railway station in Aber.
Got home to find a long-eared bat flying over our pond in sunshine,must have been hungry as it flew really close to us clearly trying to catch flies.
Last evening 'our' Tawny caught a vole under the bird feeder probably feeding a chick somewhere as it has been hunting in near daylight during the recent poor weather.

Swifts at Mwnt

Like other sites along the coast today, a good number of  Swifts came in low off the sea. The only other migrants around the head were one Wheatear (Greenland male) and a Whitethroat.
At Patch, a Bar-tailed Godwit and a Ringed Plover were the only birds of note in a windswept estuary.
Further upstream - 2 Common Sandpipers behind the old Jewsons and 2 more by Cardigan hospital.

Newquay Head

A cheeky hours sea-watching off Newquay Head yesterday evening was well rewarded with a dark phase Arctic Skua and three Eiders (2 males & 1 female) heading north.

llyn eiddwen

Chris Bird had very close views of a cuckoo which flew onto a fence post near him being chased by a meadow pipit.

A GOOD DAY (Yesterday)

Rain had stopped play so often that I took advantage of the decent conditions yesterday and had a good day out. (Having been indoors for much of the month much progess is being made with the 2011 Bird Report and Russell has also made great strides. We are not exactly ready for the Printer but the Report could be out even earlier than last year which does help sales). Today has more than made up for it and the stormy weather took out my electricity which was down for most of the day. Yesterday I began at Tanybwlch where 5 Whimbrel were on the beach plus a couple of Sanderling, one of which was colour-ringed. (Will post the details on the blog when I receive them.) Plenty of Wheatears about and several more on the meadow by Spencer's sheds across the river below Pen Dinas and as Harry mentioned, a good number of warblers nearby plus Stonechats and newly fledged young. A Common Sandpiper was beside the Ystwyth and 3 Goosanders were in the river. Next stop was Llansantffraed where there were 12 Whimbrel, 3 Common Sandpipers and a White Wagtail on the beach. A few Whitethroats were at the lime kilns and on the adjacent ploughed field were 2 White Wagtails and 80 Meadow Pipits. There was a good passage of Swallows with a few House Martins with them. At Ty Gwyn pools there was another Common Sandpiper and a Little Ringed Plover. Cross Inn forest still had its Great Grey Shrike which showed rather well. Earlier I received a message about a Cuckoo there in the morning. I got back to Aberysywth in time to meet Chris Bird but just in time to miss the Iceland Gull he had been watching just below the prom wall by the pier!

Whimbrel, Ynyslas

About 30 whimbrel trying to shelter behind the sheep this morning in atrocious weather

Great Grey Shrike

The shrike was still in Cross Inn woods this afternoon. According to Birds of Ceredigion the previous latest record was 27 April.

Tanybwlch and Pendinas

The forecast was for the rain to clear from the west, so I was optimistic as I set off along Tanybwlch bay. Five Goosanders (1m, 4f) on the Ystwyth near the harbour were a good start. Further along, a group of about 30 hirundines were feeding low over the river:  mostly Swallows with a few House Martins and a couple of Sand Martins. 

Very little on the beach; just a single Ringed Plover and four Wheatears.  A Chough appeared over the cliffs at Allt Wen.  On the way back I was pleased to see that a Swift had joined the hirundines and there were three Common Sandpipers on the riverbank near the Goosanders.  Even better, a quick look at the harbour before moving round to Pendinas revealed an Otter swimming past the lifeboat station towards the harbour mouth.

And so to Pendinas. From the sheds I walked along the footpath round the lower slopes before coming back and having a look along the cycle track.

This place really is well worth a visit, especially in spring when there are small birds everywhere. Apart from the resident birds, which included Long-tailed Tit and a pair of Bullfinches, I had six species of warbler; Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler and Grasshopper Warbler, and seen well at close range (apart from the gropper of course).

The rain was still falling steadily as I set off home, but somehow it doesn't seem to matter if the birds are showing.

Ynyslas

In a brief spring like interlude yesterday morning I heard whimbrel and grasshopper warblers calling over Ynyslas dunes. Early evening there was a Grey plover on the beach with 2 Dunlin.

MERLIN

A Merlin was seen at Ynyslas yesterday by Chris Bird.

LLANRHYSTUD

An exciting start to the morning when I heard a cuckoo from my front door - it seemed to be coming from Alltlwyd woods and is the first one I’ve heard here.

Then down to the lime kilns where I saw my first whitethroat of the year. Also there were willow warbler, blackcap, chiffchaff, goldfinch and long-tailed tits. 2 sand martins were flying around the cliff nesting site, and a male and female wheatear sitting nearby on the fence posts.

Returned home to find a blue tit taking nest material (looked like the cat fur I put outside yesterday!) into the nest box we recently put up on the side of the new wood shed.

Aline Denton

JACKDAW

Alan Hale wonders what this Jackdaw is doing collecting relatively large pieces of gravel which he assumes are too large for its gizzard.

SWIFTS!

2 swifts flying high and fast north over the east side of Cors Caron at 3:40pm today.

Female pied fly in the garden is being taken on a tour of the empty boxes by one happy boy.

The rescued Red Kite

A lone Great Crested Grebe at Llywernog on Tuesday morning with 2 pairs of Tufted Duck. The Kite that was attacked by the Canada Goose thankfully made a full recovery and was released the following day. It was ringed in 1998 and is probably male.

Andre Marsh

Migrants

The talk of Groppers on the blog reminded me that I think I heard (probably the same) one at the bottom of Pen Dinas on Sunday morning. Later there was a sedge warbler further down in the ditch by the cycle path. On Monday morning at Tanybwlch there were four Whimbrel and five Common Sandpipers.

Simon Cox

Migrants

Two very nice male Greenland Wheatears on Monday morning on one of my bbs squares - between Cribyn and Dihewid - were an interesting and welcome change from the usual suspects.

Three House Martins at Aberaeron on Thursday 19th were my first for the year - either I haven't been looking properly or they are later than usual. Normally see them earlier than this. Barn Swallows seem a little reduced in mumbers.

Ian Harrison

whitethroat

First whitethroat at Bird rock Newquay yesterday. 

Dyfi ospreys

This morning the Dyfi female laid her third egg, and probably the last of this year's clutch. Here are the timings for the egg laying:

1st egg - April 18th at 19.06

2nd egg - April 21st at 15.20
3rd egg - April 24th at 09.06

All three are exactly a week earlier than last year.

Denmark Farm Conservation Centre

There were 16 singing Pied Flycatchers on my CBS visit to the farm this morning plus a pair of Willow Tits excavating a nest in a rotten stump. Also popped back to Llanerchaeron and, steering well clear of the dead Otter artefacts, went for a quick walk round the new paths in the woodland. Lots of magnificent old trees in various stages of grandeur and decay. It's been six years I think since the last record of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker from this site but surely there's still hope?

Cold and windy at Ynyslas high tide this morning. Assortment of waders huddled against the wind while one braved a cold bath.

CWM CLETTWR

Despite the awful weather forecast I spent a  pleasant couple of hours at Cwm
Clettwr today and was very pleased to see summer visitors  making themselves
at home. A pair of pied flycatchers were showing a lot of interest in one of
the nest boxes and a separate lone male was singing. I saw and heard two
singing wood warblers - the first I have found this year. Willow warbler,
blackcap and chiffchaff were all singing at different points along my walk. The
local song thrushes have been busy and I saw two recent fledglings perfecting
their flying skills. On the river were grey wagtail and dipper. Also good to
see were two very fresh looking speckled woods and a green veined white.
Elaine Izett

Grasshopper Warbler makes a double impression.

Pretty sure I heard a Grasshopper Warbler this evening (Sunday), reeling off behind
the houses at the bottom of Pen Dinas. It was singing yesterday as well.
Mike Waller.

A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling at the side of the Ystwyth cycle path this afternoon (the stretch behind Tanybwlch beach).

Aline Denton

 

Llyn Pencarreg

This evening, 19 tufted duck & a common sandpiper.
Bev Hopkins.

"A stuffed otter foot stall. How utterly charming! Must get one for the wife." That's what I thought when I was out in Africa. I thought I could get an elephant foot stool for my wife. Unfortunately the market trader wasn't prepared to do the swop!! Sorry about that Ian, I couldn't help myself!!

Llanerchaeron

Family visit using free entry tickets. Saw a Little Grebe on the restored lake and there may be a pair but the ducklings were much funnier to look at. The most interesting thing I saw was a new bridge from the car park giving access to the woodland on the opposite bank. Looks like an excellent area to explore and some interesting things could turn up, but no time today. The most astonishing thing I saw was inside the house. A stuffed otter foot stall. How utterly charming! Must get one for the wife.

Coastal Walk

Managing to avoid the rain and hail yesterday morning walking from Llanon to Aberarth and back looking for Chats the blustery westerly wind provided perfect conditions for some outstanding flying displays, a couple of pairs of Ravens took the honours, narrowly beating a pair of Buzzards with groups of 3 to 7 Red Kites coming third, never seen so many along this stretch. 

It would have been fascinating to see how Choughs would have competed but none were seen. Late on a Peregrine came along to 'play' with the Herring Gulls whilst a solitary Kestrel remained perfectly still watching from high above the chaos below.

9 Stonechats (3 pairs) and 7 Wheatear (3 pairs) observed during the walk yet only one of each in the Tetrad being monitored. 

Steady flow of Swallows heading up the coast goodness knows how they find food in such conditions.

Alan Lyne

YNYSLAS

Nice variety of waders at the high tide roost this morning and, like Harry, it was a way of escaping from much of the rain: 350 Golden Plovers, many in fine breeding plumage, 8 Knot, 7 Dunlin, 4 Sanderling, a Bar-tailed Godwit and 120 Ringed Plovers. However (as cricket aficionados might say) where was KP when he was wanted?

Aberystwyth and Tanybwlch

As I set off into the murk this morning following heavy rain and hail at home, I convinced myself that it couldn't be as bad in Aberystwyth.  Sure enough, when I arrived, the town was bathed in sunshine.  Good old Aber.

Just a few distant Gannets, Manx Shearwaters and Kittiwakes offshore, though there was a close Guillemot on the sea. As there were no Purple Sandpipers on the wall I went down to the harbour, to find 14 on the rocks by the wooden jetty.

And so to Tanybwlch.  A few Swallows had begun to move through as I was leaving the harbour and this passage continued. The final total was about 55, among which I picked out one Sand Martin and one House Martin. 

On the beach were 16 Oystercatchers,  four Turnstones, two Ringed Plovers and a Whimbrel, plus a Common Sandpiper on the Ystwyth near the sheds.

A very smart male Wheatear and a party of nine Linnets near the harbour were the pick of the passerines.

House Martins

The first two House Martins have just arrived back in Lledrod; three days later than last year.

ICELAND GULL

One is still to be seen at Aberystwyth. At around 4pm Chris Bird noticed what he thought may have been a 2nd winter bird near the harbour entrance before it flew of in the direction of the pier.

Aberaeron starlings

For a few years now starlings have nested in the shelter in front of 'Colditz' just north of the harbour entrance.  I hold my breath waiting for the tidy mob to repair the holes in the edge of the roof which allow these entertaining birds to breed.

We have also had an influx of redpolls,siskins,green,gold and chaffinches on the feeders, no wonder given the weather!  Tregaron this morning was 7C chillier than Carmarthen.

STARLINGS

I was delighted to see 2 stunning male Starlings 'singing' their courtship songs, and displaying, at Aberaeron harbour this afternoon. They were quite tame, I'd forgotten how spectacularly beautiful their plumage is at this time......something not seen too often nowadays!

Kevin McGee.

Ynyslas & Foel Fawr

Riding on Russell's coat-tails this morning I was lucky enough to see the Kentish Plover at Ynyslas as well. When I arrived at 10:15 it was in amongst a group of about 25 Ringed Plover and 3 Dunlin but it stuck out like the proverbial sore thumb - daintier and more elegant than the other plovers. I got thoroughly soaked in the down-pour but it was a price worth paying.
This afternoon Buster and I went up Foel Fawr (as per) where I hoped for and looked for Ring Ousel. No luck with them I'm afraid but we did see two Yellowhammers.

I forgot to mention a particularly yobish Raven I saw up there yesterday. First - and for no good reason, there was plenty of sky for everyone - it attacked a Buzzard then it turned on a Red Kite. At one point the two raptors joined forces to ward him off. I thought I might have seen a ring on the Raven's leg, or was it something to do with an ASBO?

More on Garden Birds

I was surprised to read that people are reporting the return of Redpolls this week, because up here (above Bontnewydd) ours returned to the Nyjer feeders on the 14th Feb (having left in Oct) and have been here ever since - although they are looking markedly redder this week. The Siskins arrived back on the 10th Feb and we now have quite a large number of both sharing the nyjer with the Goldfinches.

Interestingly, our house is only about 1 mile (as the crow or blue-tit flies) from Alan Lyne's house and despite all the ringing of his garden birds, we have never seen a ringed bird up here. It just goes to show how local the populations are.

And "our" cuckoo returned today! - 4 days later than last year.

Rachel Tindall

The Nant y Moch road

We drove round the Nant-y-Moch Reservoir this morning and saw several Wheatears and Meadow Pipits, also, we are pretty sure, a Tree Pipit on the way down towards Talybont.

 Pete and Jenni Hyatt

YNYSLAS

You know the feeling. You arrive where a good bird has been seen and someone, in this case Bob, tells you "It's just over there". You look and not a bird now remains in sight! So, I missed the Kentish Plover but together with Gary Smith (CCW Ynyslas) saw the Short-eared Owl hunting along the sea-wall just upstream of the Leri. We also heard a Whimbrel. 

As I started to head home a Whimbrel was feeding near the golf course.

View from a Window

I glanced out of the window yesterday to see a Buzzard in a vertical dive
into the mature Ash trees opposite. Beneath it was a freefalling pale
object which, once caught by the Buzzard turned out to be a Squirrel.
After only a few moments perched with its prey however, a Crow piled in to
harass the Buzzard. Buzzard attempts to take off but the (now dead!)
Squirrel has become caught in the tree branch. The Buzzard refuses to let
go its prey so ends up  upside down hanging by the Squirrel! Crow watches
on for several minutes while Buzzard dangles. Finally the Buzzard lets go
and flies off a way and the Crow moves in to dine on the (still trapped)
Squirrel. The Buzzard surprisingly gives up in disgust and flies off up
the valley                                Keith Burdett

More on Garden Birds

A pair of Mistle Thrush have successfully nested next to the house in an ivy clad young Sycamore as there are three young being fed incessantly. Any approaching Jay, Crow or Magpie are immediately threatened with loud alarm calls from both parents and aggressive flying from one or other of the birds sometimes coming within a few inches of the trespasser. However the most aggressive tactics seem to be used against the local male Sparrowhawk. Earlier this week he landed on the arm of the bird feeder having missed his intended target, almost instantly he was hit by one of the Mistle Thrushes, quite literally knocking him off his perch, gathering himself as he fell backwards towards the ground he quickly flew off down the field.

This evening I heard the alarm calls and saw the two Mistle Thrushes 'dive bombing' the hedge at the bottom of the garden, on investigating there was a male Sparrowhawk 'cowering' in the hedge. On seeing me he made his escape as the two thrushes gained height to launch yet another attack.

In the last week the number of Siskins at the feeder has more than doubled, the majority being very smart males. Whilst amongst the multitude of finches a couple of pairs of Lesser Repolls have appeared, the red/pink on the forehead and breast making the males look particularly dapper. Heard my first Redstarts today, at least a week later than last year. 

Alan Lyne.      Blaenpennal 

Ynyslas and a kentish plover

A WeBS count this morning and I was at the pill-box near the Leri at 8am. A short-eared owl was the highlight there with very few waders at all and the only ducks were lots of shelduck, red-breasted mergansers and a lone female pintail. As the sky steadily darkened I scurried back to the car and got there just as the heavens broke and steady rain poured down. On to the Ynyslas section of the WeBS count and fortunately, because of the rain there were no other cars or dog walkers on the beach and right at the entrance was a mixed flock of waders. Quickly scanning through with binoculars from the comfort of the car I straight away picked up a superb male kentish plover though it was not showing much rusty colour on the crown and nape. Lovely long blackish legs and a much finer bill than the 100 or so ringed plovers it was with. Two sanderling, a few dunlin and 3 sandwich terns completed a lovely morning's birdwatch, despite the rain.

GARDEN FEEDERS

Was fortunate to see a Redpoll make a brief (30 sec) visit to our feeders yesterday lunchtime; too timid to actually eat anything! First I have seen here for c. 3yrs.
Robins fledged and now started again somewhere in my workshop; trying to find the nest in case I disturb them inadvertently
 David Lucas, Felinfach

(Just about everyone I have spoken to has remarked on the number of birds coming to their garden feeders. Here at Trisant it is costing me a fortune with a giant niger seed feeder emptying every day. The mixed Goldfinch and Siskin flock, plus four or more Lesser Redpolls, is totaling around 100 birds! JAD)

CUCKOO

I was driving between Pennant and Llanon this afternoon when I think a male cuckoo flew over the car.  I particularly noticed the grey colouring, the barring and the rounded end of the long tail.

Is it too early in the year or is this a spring migrant, do you think?

Jean Morgan

(Nice sighting: only a very few have been reported in Ceredigion so far. JAD)

Dyfi ospreys

The Dyfi female laid her first egg of the season tonight at 19.06, April 18th. Exactly a week earlier than last year and after spending exactly the same amount of time with her partner - 16 days.

If all goes well she'll lay a second egg probably Saturday and a third early next week.

Migration

Thanks for that news Derek.
12 swallows over and 49 black headed gulls beside Maes Llyn pool today. I too have been looking at Pant pit and not seeing anything so these 12 were a joy to see. Monday there were a few stragglers beating north along the cliffs at Newquay avoiding the attentions of a displaying peregrine,otherwise all a bit quiet. At least the dolphins were performing to type.

Drying a red kite: time is of the essence. One person to hold bird whilst another fluffs up the feathers and waves a hairdryer over the underlying downy feathers. Its important to dry the feathers next to the skin and keep the body temperature up without scorching the bird! I know this because we had a kite that had nose-dived into a farm slurry pit and watched in trepidation as Tony Cross first showered then blow-dried the unfortunate creature...it survived to hunt another day. Can't speak for Tony's shower!

Message from France

    I am seeing one or two references to bad weather in the Mediterranean.  We are at our French place in Languedoc 35 miles from the Mediterranean.

   The weather here has been miserable - days of freezing northerly winds and driving rain with 3cm of snow on Monday.  Absolutely no migration with species like Nightingales now at least 4 days later than usual.  It has improved slightly today with some signs of migrants at last.  If the wind shifts to the south it will be like turning a tap on.

   Be patient it will all be with you soon.                         Derek Moore

Olmarch

There was a Lapwing today at a site where I've seen them in previous breeding seasons. Whether they ever breed successfully is another matter. It's Crow Town hereabouts.
Nearby in Allt Olmarch there were lots of Chiffchaffs singing along with a number of Siskins and Redpolls, plus 4 Crossbills and a singing Willow Tit.
An astonishing absence of birds at Pant pool, not even a single Sand Martin and adjacent to a major colony too. I think Liz mentioned that bad weather in the Med. is holding things back.

Ringed kestrel update

Received from Paddy Jenks 'The kestrel was ringed as a chick on 10/06/2011 at St Justinian, Pembs.' 28 birds were ringed and this is the first sighting of any away from the nest. Paddy would appreciate any more sightings of this or any of the other birds.

CANADA GOOSE ATTACKS RED KITE!

I fed the kites yesterday at Bwlch Nant yr Arian and we had a great turnout of approx 100 hungry birds. There are some canada geese nesting on a tiny island between the grass feeding area and the main viewing spit of land opposite. During the feeding frenzy, one unfortunate kite got a bit too close to the island and one of the geese flew in to the kite on purpose. The kite crashed in to the lake just in front of the spectators with the goose in hot pursuit. The goose then landed on top of the kite and tried to drown it. The kite was struggling to get to the side of the lake with the goose repeatedly attempting to push it under. The attack lasted for about a minute. 

Sarah Cookson pulled the kite out and we tried to dry it off and warm it up in the foot well of my car. After an hour it didn't improve. I took the bird down to Llanbadarn Vets and left it with them. They will contact Tony Cross at some stage - hopefully the bird can make a full recovery!

Andre Marsh

Ynyslas

Lots of ground feeding going on today on the golf course and adjacent field between the Turn and caravan site at Ynyslas today. 15 plus wheatear and flocks of roving linnets were joined by a kestrel worming and beetling. I think from its ring it is a Pembs bird but will update later if I get the info.

ring ouzels

Red saw 4 in Cwmystwyth on Sunday including one in his garden!

COLOUR-RINGED HERRING GULL

I noticed a colour-ringed Herring Gull at New Quay yesterday, Blue JBY. The Severn Estuary Gull Group have just sent me its details: 

It was ringed as a first winter bird in January 2010 at Stoke Orchard landfill site in Gloucestershire and seen subsequently in February, March and December 2010 at Gloucester L.S. Yesterday's sighting was the first since then. 

In recent years we have had a few Herring Gulls on the Ceredigion coast which have been ringed in Gloucestershire.

photo caption

Marc and Arfon locate rare "Two-headed" Herring Gull, (Larus argentatus bicephalus).

Iceland Gull

Chris Townsend has asked me to post his sighting of the gull. Image taken at 15.00 from Aber harbour on April 16th.

ICELAND GULL at ABERYSTWYTH

Whilst trying to relocate the Black Guillemot, Chris noticed a first winter Iceland Gull by College Rocks (Aberystwyth).

Not the Iceland gull

I didn't find the Iceland gull either. This photo begging for a caption though..

From Matt Potter at Ystumtuen

On Saturday a walk down the prom produced at least 9 Purple Sandpipers on the seawall at Castle Point, plus a few Gannets offshore plus at least 6 Dolphins. Lack of bins meant that anything else off shore was impossible to see.

A short walk in Ystumtuen turned up 2 Willow Warblers, at least 4 Yellowhammers, with 3 potential territories, Stonechat, lots of Meadow Pipits and Linnets, all in teritory battles.

Today with a sleeping Toddler, 2 Swallows over Leri Boatyard, first of the year! A quick look from Ynyslas Turn produced lots of Manx Shearwaters far offshore flying North. Not much else was about so I went to South Beach to continue seawatching. Lots of action again far offshore with lots of Gulls in feeding frenzies. Quite a few Gannets were out there plus 2 very distant Guillimots. 2 Sandwhich Terns were patrolling the surf which gave my now strained eyes a rest! Not really much else.

Back into Ystumtuen where another Swallow flew over and a single female Redstart made a brief appreance. Another first for the year. Plus a Yellowhammer.

From Ian Harrison at Aberaeron

Blackbirds feeding young as are Robins in the garden. Normal nesting Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Dunnocks, Nuthatch, Blue Tits, Great Tits - all the nest boxes used this year - House Sparrows, plus a pair of LT Tits for the first time in the immediate area of the house. A Greenfinch has been singing for the last week - despite being strangely absent from the feeders in the winter. My regular pair of Mallard have been with us since late February and lots of copulation taking place - with as usual, more than one male, The singing Blackcap appears to have moved on. A lone Treecreeper was the first I have seen in the garden for some years - I used to have a regular breeding pair. The occasional Barn Swallow flying over/around but none entering the shed where they have nested in past years. No House Martin as yet. Marsh Tits still visiting the feeders and are holding territory on the river bank. There appear to be two Dipper territories - one between the two road bridges and one further upstream above the footbridge near the Cwmins.

ICELAND GULL

The second winter Iceland Gull was still at New Quay fish factory today until 8:50am at least.

Wayne Morris

(But sadly not in view later on when I was there!  However I did enjoy a great show put on by several Dolphins.)

 

BLACK GUILLEMOT

From the prom by the castle at Aberystwyth at 5.50pm Chris Bird noticed a Black Guillemot flying out from the direction of Clarach Bay and then heading south. It might have flown on but Chris is looking on the sea in case it settled off Castle Point or the harbour.

(You may recall the last one seen in Ceredigion, again by Chris, from his car on the prom!)

Foel Fawr

Back from a trip down south we went up Foel Fawr for our walk this morning.
There was beautiful sunshine - that wasn't here when we left - and singing Redstart and Tree Pipit. Just goes to show what can happen if you risk leaving your patch for a few days.

Field Trip

Regarding the turn-out to the field trip, I failed to find everyone. I should have written instructions down. Sounded good.

I went to Osprey Project instead. Opinion has it that first egg due Monday or Tuesday. Good showing of redpolls on the feeder.

Iceland Gull

The second winter Iceland Gull still at New Quay fish factory today.

More Summer Migrant News part 2

 There were 4 Whimbrel on Llansanffraed beach this afternoon, at the mouth of the river Peris.  Also 2 Grey Plover nearby.

Andre Morgan

Herons

Its time to count the heronries, a project which has been running since 1968 and which for the most part has been carried out by one of Ceredigion's celebrated ornithologists:Peter Davis.
I have taken on a nearby wood and now realise how difficult it is to work out whether the nest of such a monster bird as a heron is active when there can be 4 nests in one tree and one can only look up....with attendant risks!
Unfortunately 3 dead youngsters and one embryo littered the forest floor no doubt a consequence of the sudden change in our weather earlier this month.
p.s. I'll try and get a pic of a fluffy and alive chick next visit!

Monthly Field Trip

There was a disappointing turn out of just seven for the walk starting at
Bwlch Glas mine today but those who took part agreed that it was well worth
the visit. The weather was good and the habitat interesting and varied giving
us a list of species seen and heard as follows. Buzzard, kite, pheasant, great
black backed gull, wood pigeon, skylark, meadow pipit, pied wagtail, wren,
dunnock, robin, wheatear, stonechat, mistle thrush, blackbird, blackcap,
willow warbler, chiffchaff, goldcrest, great tit, coal tit, blue tit,
treecreeper, jay, jackdaw, rook, crow, raven, chaffinch, linnet, goldfinch,
redpoll, yellowhammer, siskin and beautiful close views of crossbills
(although, unfortunately, none of them obliged by drinking from a puddle at
our feet!).
All in all it was a very enjoyable outing and I think we are all making plans
to return to the area soon.
Elaine Izett

More Summer Migrant News

Another House Martin turned up around the house this afternoon; I was beginning to wonder where are the Swallows? I have only seen one, that was on Monday flying against torrential rain. However tonight around 8pm on the way to the town a wave of between 20 to 30 maybe more passed over flying in a north westerly direction. Perhaps summer is now really on its way?  Tony Clark

A Swallow at Aberystwyth Marina and 13 Turnstones on College Rocks this lunchtime. John Woodruff.

I noticed my first Redstarts at Cross Inn Forest yesterday plus a Pied Flycatcher near Nanteos Lake.

Today Swallows at Trisant, Pontrhydygroes and Coed Dolgoed near Pontrhydfendigaid where there were some more Pied Flycatchers and a couple of Tree Pipits.

cors caron hen harriers

Friday 14th: ringtail over bog.
Saturday 14th: male hunting rough bits of pasture on the eastern escarpment.

Having heard an early cuckoo this year I'm disappointed that the usual arrival dates for redstart and pied fly in our garden have been passed. Yesterday in Cwmere there were no sightings of redstarts in a valley usually well populated. My researches on the web reveal some awful weather in the western Med so perhaps they are being held up.

Teifi

The Ring-billed Gull on his old favourite post at 2pm near Priory Bridge, also 2 Common Sandpipers.
2 Wheatear amongst the caravans at Patch.

Swallows and Wheatears

Constant stream of swallows moving SW down the coast over Mwnt yesterday, I counted 95 in an hour. 11 wheatears on the golf course at Ynyslas first thing this morning.

RING OUZEL

Roger Ash, a regular visitor to Borth, watched a Ring Ouzel this afternoon, close to the church. It eventually flew off along the Leri in the direction of the estuary.

Ynyslas

Chris bird was watching a short e owl over the turn car park, very close views i believe, also hundreds of manxies offshore.

ynyslas

Aberystwyth prom and Black Covert

The rain was just clearing when I arrived at the castle about 8.00. Hoping for Whimbrel, but all I could find were single Curlew and Ringed Plover on the rocks, plus a Wheatear which later flew onto the castle. 

Offshore were good numbers of Gannets, Kittiwakes and Manx Shearwaters.  I was about to head off in search of migrants when John Davis arrived. 

We stood chatting (and freezing) for about an hour, during which time three Sandwich Terns flew by, close in, and John picked out a 1st winter Little Gull among the Kittiwakes. As is often the case on these occasions, neither of us wanted to be the first to move, in case the other person found a good bird.

 Nevertheless, we parted company and then it was up the Ystwyth valley for me, to Black Covert, Trawscoed. Got off to a good start before heading off into the woods, with a Dipper on the river and a Goshawk being mobbed by two Carrion Crows over Alltfedw.

Highlights of the walk were great views of singing Blackcaps and Goldcrests, my first Willow Warblers of the year, a Garden Warbler seen chasing off a Chiffchaff, and last but not least, a male Pied Flycatcher.

Stopped off at Comins Pen-y-banc on the way home and found a pair of Kestrels, probably in the same area where Meurig had one a couple of days ago.

Pencarreg Lake

Called in at Pencarreg at the end of the day to have a look at the gull roost, which consisted of two birds. One was a Lesser Black-backed whilst the other was a rather smart first year Yellow-legged Gull.

CUCKOO

Exploring the uplands today between Ysbyty Ystwyth and Tyn y graig, Meurig Williams came across a a pair of Lapwings and heard a Cuckoo.

Back at Tyn y graig there was a pair of Lapwings at a tradition al site and between there and Lledrod he noticed 2 Curlews and a Kestrel.

(All I can offer is 4 Lesser Redpolls on my niger feeder and sadly, my Blackbird's nest by the back door has 2 eggs and 2 dead chicks, victims of the really chilly conditions up here.)

Another shot of today's Iceland Gull at New Quay

Iceland Gulls order of photos

When I composed the bit on Oceland Gulls below I had a nice neat row of photos. The first photo (top row left hand bird) is the Herring Gull, the next is the Aberaeron Iceland Gull, the next is last months Iceland Gull at New Quay and the bird on the second row is todays Iceland Gull. I've also no idea where the cryptic message/label about Kev Joynes has appeared from. Right I'm off before anything else goes wrong.

New Quay Fish Factory

New 2w Iceland Gull at the fish factory today (bottom bird) . This bird has pure white wings and tail unlike the bird present during the last few months, which had a lot of brown shading on the tail and primaries (third photograph down).

The second photograph down shows another 2w Iceland Gull that has been seen at Aberaeron. This again is quite a pale bird but unlike the gull present at the fish factory today the tip of the bill isn't wholly dark (not easy to see in this shot) with the very end of the bill being noticably pale.

The first photo isn't an Iceland Gull but a cracking [2w] leucistic Herring Gull - not seen today, but photographed at New Quay last month. A second leucistic bird has also been present but this has more brown marbling on the wings and tail.

And if that wasn't enough a very smart adult Yellow-legged Gull also at the fish factory today.

Golden plover, Ynyslas

Over a thousand golden plover at Ynyslas Point at daybreak today.

Tregaron Blog

Little Egret and 'reeling' Grasshopper Warbler at Tregaron Bog this evening. The North Wales birder's blog webirdnorthwales is well worth a look - lots of photos taken by Marc during his recent visit including the Hooded Crow.

'ORANGE' GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER

A couple of photos (taken from behind glass and through rain) of our 'orange' Great Spotted Woodpecker. 

We think it is a first year bird, perhaps when it next moults the orange plumage will be replaced by the normal red.

 

Alan Lyne

Cross Inn woods

Fortunate to bump into Marc Hughes this morning. The 'usual' shrike was in its 'usual' location. Marc indicated where the second one had been so I continued on in the hope of seeing it. I didn't have to go far before I saw one flying towards Joppa. Swinging my binoculars around confirmed that the regular was still on its perch.

As I returned, Marc was looking at a pair of Willow Tits. They were showing really well and kept flying back and forth to a fence post where they have either built their nest or are still building.

With Crossbills, Stonechats, Willow Warblers, Reed Buntings it was a great morning. Marc had also seen a couple of Tree Pipits.

The man from the Forestry Commission confirmed that they have now finished felling trees. Even more territory for Nightjars? Lorries will be going along to collect the timber but access restrictions have been removed.

Swallows, chough

Steady movement of swallows north over Ynyslas and Constitution Hill today. 3 chough on Constitution Hill.

CROSS INN FOREST

Decided to make the trip down to Cross Inn for the Great Grey Shrikes this
afternoon and was lucky enough to meet John Davis and Meurig Williams also on the look out. Definitely saw a shrike, whether
it was two swapping places I can't say as I never saw them at the same
time. Eventually got fantastic close views regardless.
On the way back down the track, I also noticed an adult female and
immature Crossbill high up in a larch. To my amazement, the female started
flitting down towards me into the lower branches and then flew right
towards me and landed beside the puddle at my feet!!! She wasn't in theleast bit fased and stayed drinking as I watched without binoculars.
Others birds of note - 2 male Siskin (in song flight), Stonechats, 2
Redpoll, Raven, GS Woodpecker and Willow Warbler.
At Llanrhystud the leucistic herring gull was present infront of the
caravans.

Mike Waller.

(We were lucky and saw both GG Shrikes, but no Crossbills!  JAD)

WHITETHROAT

Chris Bird reports hearing a singing Whitethroat at the start of the cycle track at Pen Dinas, Aberystwyth this afternoon.

Hoody goody

A morning at Llanrhystud with Marc this morning was looking pretty uneventful until a cracking Hooded Crow, the first Ceredigion record since 2000, appeared on the fence along the cliff edge just to the south of the lime kilns. County tick, marvellous. Made up for dipping the Ynyslas Twite. Its local counterparts however, were less than impressed and the Hoody was last seen being chased towards Llanon by a mob of angry Carrions Crows.

Other highlights include 25 White Wags on the ploughed field just to the south of Llanon and the 2 Great Grey Shrikes still at Cross Inn.

Marc later had a singing Wood Warbler at Llanerchaeron.

Highlights from Marc Hughes

Water Pipit and Common Sandpiper on the Afon Leri. At Ynys Las - pale phase Arctic Skua, 23 Grey Plover, 700 Golden Plover, 14 Knot, 13 Sanderling, Osprey, 3 Common Tern and 30+ Sandwich Tern. Male Redstart at Morfa Bychan.

Twite

A late posting from Chris Bird from yesterday afternoon. He spotted a Twite with a flock of about 20 Linnets at the end of the golf coarse near ynyslas turn. An excellent find old chap for quite a rarity in the county.

Red's 700 Golden Plover

At high tide this morning Red's flock - 700+ - of Golden Plover dropped in to the ploughed field at Ynys Tachwedd. When on the plough - very difficult to see!

On the Leri - just the usual mute swans and a pair of Oyster Catcher.

High Tide at Ynys Las

Like Harry I decided to face the wind today but at Ynys-las Turn Off. I arrived about noon and faced a rough sea and strong onshore winds that made it difficult to see, at first there didn't appear to be much about but gradually I got my eye in and managed some good birds, the star was a pale phase Arctic skua close in on the sea, with two 1st winter Little Gulls, a 1st winter Kittewake, several Gannets, a handful of Guillemots, about 200 distant Manxies, two or three Great Crested Grebes and a solitary swallow made up the rest of the birds.

No sight of the Long-tailed Duck today though I did see it on Friday evening together with a good passage (27) of Sandwich Terns, a Swallow, an Arctic Tern and several Common Scoter.

Seawatching at Aberystwyth, etc

The stiff onshore wind persuaded me that a look at the sea might be productive, so I was on the castle by 7:30.
A steady stream of Gannets were heading south; at least 85 during the session. Kittiwakes began to appear shortly afterwards, also moving south.  For the first 45 minutes all were adults, then 1st year birds began to appear and were in the majority by the time the passage petered out shortly after 9:00.
The highlight was a Great Skua, heading south, close in, and brilliantly illuminated by the sun which had just broken through.
Also noted were two Sandwich Terns, a Fulmar, a little feeding raft of about five Manx Shearwaters, a few distant auks, and a northward bound Shelduck.
The tide was well in as I was leaving at about 9.30 so I checked the sea wall and was pleased to find 15 Purple Sandpipers in the roost.
After a little shopping I went south along the coast. Very little off Aberaeron, just a very occasional Gannet and four Fulmars.
Back via Llanon, where the big ploughed field just next to the little beach side car park produced two Wheatears, nine White Wagtails and 12 Linnets, as two Swallows moved through.

Fieldfare, Redwing and a swallow

This morning 4 fieldfare and 2 redwing at a very murky, wet Bwlch Nant yr Arian. Also my first swallow of the year appeared out of the mist. At 3pm the kites failed to turn up for their feed as it was still misty, but 2 mallards tucked in and a splendid male goosander waddled on to the grass for a quick feed and then back on to the lake. Back home, the 3 mistle thrush chicks are doing well.

Andre Marsh

Pied Flycatcher

In the face of unrelenting rain today we went to see the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhib at Aber Arts Centre(finishes on 14th)...fantastic pics though I reckon Janet's starling pics as good as some of the black and white entries. Worth going just to see the 'merlin with snipe as prey' .
On the way home had to walk Toffy down the railway line and at Maes LLyn lake were 2 male piedys. Brown primaries and tiny headlights so not an alpha male but here in time to grab an empty nestbox!
Also a wren building in a tussock in the middle of some heavy scrub cutting on the north bog.

Redwings still here

Having lunch, looking out at the rain through the kitchen window here in Blaenpennal a flock of 20 Redwing alighted on an ivy clad tree, feeding on the berries, they then moved down on to the ground in the middle of field but could not see what was attracting them. This day last week in the evening a flock of about 40 Fieldfares settled in some hollies at the top of the field, wonder if both species know of some impending severe weather conditions!
Meanwhile, on the feeder a male Great Spotted Woodpecker, nothing unusual about that except that instead of the back of the head and the vent being bright red they were a distinct orange.
Seem to have a large number of Goldfinches joining the clamour at the feeder recently and just these last couple of days several Lesser Redpolls whilst worming on the mole riddled lawn a Mistle Thrush, there must be a nest close by as the pair are quick to discourage the presence of any Corvids.
In a break in the weather yesterday Brenda managed to ring 24 birds covering 9 different species including the first Chiffchaff of the season. On the margins of the lake we disturbed a Jack Snipe, another first for Blaenpennal.


Alan Lyne

More from Ynys Las Sunday 8th

As well as the sightings Russell has posted, I also saw c120 ringed plover, 12 grey plover, c700 golden plover- most of which were in summer plumage - and then a 1st winter Iceland gull landed near them. A short-eared owl was hunting the edges of Aberleri fields and then went up to have a go at a kite.

Ynyslas yesterday

At the turn again yesterday, joined after a while by Red Liford and Janet Baxter. Lots of manx shearwaters in the bay (around 700) with gannets and lots of auks. Highlights were the first winter and adult little gulls, 5 red-throated divers and 70sandwich terns. Red went on to the northern point at Ynyslas and saw 700 golden plover, many in full summer plumage, and a first winter Iceland gull. Much quieter at Borth late afternoon with a few kittiwakes and the adult little gull the highlights.

LLYN EIDDWEN

Yesterday: 22 Tufted Ducks, 2 Goosanders and the 2 Great Crested Grebes are back. Chris Bird

Teifi Ring-billed Gull

Photos from Tommy taken today near Jewsons

Sightings from Simon Cox

A Common Sandpiper at Tanybwlch this morning, on the shore next to the
bend in the Ystwyth, with 14 turnstone and two ringed plover. Also 5
wheatears there, and a mallard with a brood of 12 tiny ducklings on
the river.

Simon Cox

Long-tailed duck

The Long-tailed Duck was still off Ynyslas Turn car park at lunchtime today.

Marc Hughes is back

A day out with Marc - highlights include:

Llansanffraid: 1w Iceland Gull & G N Diver

Llanon: 15 White Wagtails & 7 Wheatears

Aberaeron: 3 Med Gulls

Cardigan: 2w R B Gull

Cross Inn: two Great Grey Shrikes

Osprey

I went looking for the house martin in the centre of Pontrhydfendigaid but no joy, but I did see an osprey fly over the village, only 100m high, flying north (of course). Also my first willow warbler of the year, heard just north of Pontrhydygroes and 15 crossbill at Coed Dolgoed

Andre Marsh

p.s.

re. unusual nest sites, mentioned by Bob a couple of days ago. forgot to mention that Great Tits have started nest building in the same post box as last year, not far from Llandysul. I've left a note for whoever is on that route Tuesday to ask our manager to give us a "temp. out of use sign." Last year we were too slow and posted mail prevented them being successful. Hopefully, I've spotted it a bit quicker this time.

House Martins

Two Hs Martins arrived back this morning looking for their boxes. I
intended putting them back on the wall on Sunday. These first birds have
arrived back ten days earlier than last year. Thick snow over the top at
Delife Skylarks displaying well over and around Clewedog.

Tony Clark

Capel Dewi, Llandysul

A Marsh Tit was in the woods between Chestnut Mill and Rock Mill this morning.

April Field Trip

Elaine has sent the following additional information regarding the April Field Trip -
The walk will be about 6 kilometres and will last 2 1/2 - 3 hours so perhaps
people may like to bring a drink and a snack with them.

High tide at Ynyshir

As there was a very high spring tide today (5.5m) I decided to head for the Saltings hide at Ynyshir in the hope that it would push some waders up the estuary.
Setting off in a misty drizzle, I decided to have a look at the sea at Aberystwyth first, and was pleased to find that the weather had cleared by the time I hit the coast, with even some glimpses of the sun.  Offshore were at least 25 Gannets, a Kittiwake, three Common Gulls, a Fulmar and two commic terns (must brush up on tern i.d.).  The high tide roost of nine Purple Sandpipers were on the wall in front of the Old College for a change.
And so to Ynyshir and the Saltings hide, one of my favourite places on a high tide. You never know what might drop in here, and I was quite happy with 10 Grey Plover, 12 Knot, 8 Curlew, 18 Redshank and 242 Oystercatchers. As the tide was dropping two Black-tailed Godwits flew in, one in lovely breeding plumage.
As I was looking up the estuary, one of the local Ospreys left his or her perch near the nest for a fishing trip.
Back to the visitor centre, from where Caroline very kindly took me to see my first Pied Flycatcher of the year, and then a quick look at the pool revealed the Gadwall was still present.
Must go, the boat race has just started.

A Curlew!

Despite my gloomy report of no more Curlews near our house, I heard one yesterday but not confident it is a resident.
The silent spring has cheered up with a pair of mistle thrushes, the cock singing, a song thrush singing 100 yards away and a singing treecreeper in the garden with mate or rival.
6 Fieldfares paused in a tree before heading North-east.

Philip Ellis

CUCKOO! Cors Caron

07:45 a burst of cuckoo-ing from the west side of the bog. I was studying a pair of stonechats on one of the heathy domes to see if they were feeding young yet when I heard loud and clear, not a muffled wood pigeon, but a Cuckoo! By the third call I was jolted by the thought that this is much earlier than I normally hear one but perhaps it had travelled in with the early pieds. I know the Springwatch cuckoos are still in Africa or were couple of days ago.
I only saw and heard one pair of Curlew over most of the north bog. The male circled and called in huge orbits,landing in between times,this lasted 45 minutes from 07:15; if I had been walking I might have recorded it 3 times.
Also Skylark singing with soft return calls from its mate scurrying about on a heathery bank and a passing Wheatear. More Woodcock feathers of indeterminate age under a well-used plucking post probably the work of our local Peregrine.

Ynyslas turn

A quick hour's watch from the turn this morning before heading into work. Around 50 gannets and 500 manx shearwater were feeding off-shore with small numbers of kittiwakes, razorbills and 32 sandwich terns. Two red-throated divers were far out and amongst the feeding herring gulls and kittiwakes was an adult and first winter little gull.

Aber

Lots of feeding activity in Aber harbour this evening, including 20 sandwich terns diving and about 6 bottlenose dolphins with a mother and calf just off the stone jetty. 19 turnstones flew past heading for Tan y Bwlch beach. No sign of the leucistic herring gull though.

Aberaeron to New Quay

A bank holiday stomp from Aberaeron to New Quay today wasn't as birdy as I hoped it would be but there were lots of singing chiffchaffs and blackcaps and a dozen swallows were also seen flying north in ones and twos.

Llyn Pencarreg & Borth

Pencarreg:- 9 tufted duck. Around 100 hirundines over the lake (but not house martins!).
Borth Golf club:- Single Swallow

Borth Bay in the afternoon on 5th April

In addition to what was seen in the morning, a 2 hour watch at low tide
in the afternoon revealed 1 Osprey at sea going North, 1 Long-tailed
Duck making short flights across the sea, at least 6 Sandwich Terns and
3 Razorbills. Also 9 Golden Plover at Llanrhystud.

Gerard Fordham

Colour-ringed Chough

This evening (Thursday 5th)at Tanybwlch there was a colour-ringed Chough feeding on the sheep field. The photo isn't great but it's the only one I got on which you can see both rings. Maybe someone knows which bird it is...? Also present were a pair of Wheatear.

Steffi Meier

Ynyslas Turn Car Park

This morning Gary & Pat Jones and I went to Ynyslas Turn Car Park where we bumped into Marc Hughes. It wasn't nearly as chilly as yesterday but the visibility wasn't as good either. All the same we saw some very pleasing birds - Gannet, Sandwich Tern, Little Gull, Mediterranean Gull, a dark phase Arctic Skua picked out by Marc who also spotted a Long-tailed Duck just as we were leaving. There were perhaps a couple of hundred Manxies mostly way out to sea and a few Common Scoter.

Ynyslas Thursday evening

The dolphins were close off shore again at Ynyslas Turn again Thurs evening. Also the 8-9 comic terns still and 8 Great-crested Grebes, but only a couple of distant Manxies. About 350 Golden Plover at the Point this evening - looking very smart as they moult into summer plumage - with 40 Ringed Plover and 1 Dunlin. As I left the Short-eared Owl flew past me from somewhere at the north end of the dunes, rose high over the visitor centre and disappeared off towards the golf course and bog. Nice sunset too!

On Weds evening the newly sown field behind our house in Bow Street hosted a flock of 70-80 feeding 'alba' wagtails; the majority were Pieds but about 1/3rd were White wags - hard to count as the flock tripped around the field in the wind. A new addition for our window list!

LEUCISTIC HERRING GULL

First seen at Llanrhystud on 1st March and then on the Teifi just upstream of Cardigan on 15th March (photos on the blog for those dates), it was seen by Chris Bird in Aberystwyth harbour this afternoon. It's an interesting-looking bird.

Brambling

A rather late Brambling was on my garden feeder just after noon today.

Last few places available for Denmark Farm's Spring Forum

We have a few places left at our Spring Forum at Denmark Farm Conservation Centre near Lampeter on Wednesday 18th April. This FREE event runs from 10 am to 4.30 pm - lunch included - and is a fun and informative day for anyone with an interest in Welsh wildlife
Guest speakers include Jenny McPherson from the Vincent Wildlife Trust, talking about the 'Mammals in a Sustainable environment' project; Jenny will describe how VWT are helping to protect our mammals in Wales, and how you can get involved. Colin Russell from the West Wales Biodiversity Records Centre will explain why your wildlife records are so important.
This is also an opportunity to find out what our 'Wildlife Where You Live' communities in Ceredigion have been up to, and how you can join in.
To book a place, please contact Denmark Farm on 01570 493358 or info@denmarkfarm.org.uk by Friday 13th April
We look forward to seeing you!

Ynyslas Turn

An hour spent in a chilly breeze at the turn car park this morning brought its just rewards. I saw 1 adult and 7 immature Little Gulls, at least 8 Gannets, c200 Manx Shearwaters, 1 Red-throated Diver, several Common Scoter & Kittiwake and 8 or 9 comic terns. The way they dipped into the sea so delicately led me to believe they were Arctics but I couldn't say for sure.

Summer visitors on a wintry day

I did a sea-watch this morning from Aberystwyth front and saw 6 gannets, 1 red-throated diver and 1 commic tern.

I then went on to Nanteos and saw 1 male pied flycatcher and 1 willow warbler.

More Ceredigion Birds

And finally - thanks for these great photos Steve.

More of Steve Nesbit's photos

Some more great photographs taken by Steve Nesbit here in Ceredigion last week.

Birds at Nant Yr Arian

Here are a couple of photos taken by a visiting bird photographer Steve Nesbit at Nant Yr Arian last week.

Ynyslas high tide

About 500 golden plover roosting at the Point this evening at high tide. Also around 200 ringed plover and a few dunlin.

Bittern from Pontrhdyfendigaid

A bittern was mentioned to me a few weeks ago near Coed Dolgoed but the bird has been spotted again twice very recently flying between Pontrhydfendigaid and Ffair Rhos, just behind the school towards Teifi Pools, going left of the 'trig' point overlooking the village. The most recent sighting was Monday approx 9.30am.

This morning 50 redwing behind my house and the mistle thrush is sitting on 2 or 3 chicks, nearly a week old. Also heard a snipe late on in Coed Dolgoed last night. I saw the house martin again Thurs evening, it must be hanging around the village somewhere as I only see it briefly.

Andre Marsh

Long-tailed Duck

P.S. Somehow forgot to mention during my piece below. The Long-tailed Duck flew in from the south and landed while we were at Ynyslas turn, though it subsequently proved very difficult to see in the waves.

Seabirds and Ospreys

Arriving at Aberystwyth at just after 7:30 I went up onto the castle and set up the scope, hoping for my first Manxie of the year. No luck, but Gannets were much in evidence, with some feeding in their usual spectacular fashion.  Difficult to estimate how many in total during the session, but one scan revealed 23. 

Also offshore were around 20 Kittiwakes, all adults, as were the Gannets. Sandwich Terns were on the move northwards; I counted 11.  Also heading north were 15 Common Scoter in small parties, a single flock of 15 Wigeon and a 1st winter Little Gull.  In contrast, a Shelduck went south. 

Luckily the rain had held off during the seawatch and visibility was quite good. The onshore wind was fairly light at first, but freshening and veering to the north.

An hour and a half later it was time to meet up with John, pick up Meurig and head to Ynyslas turn.

It was noticeably windier and colder when we arrived, but it was worth a little discomfort to witness a light passage of Manx Shearwaters and Common Gulls, four or five Sandwich Terns and a small group of six 1st winter Little Gulls.  It struck me just how small these birds are when a manxie flew alongside them for a short distance.

On the beach were nine Sanderling, two Ringed Plovers and a Dunlin.

From there it was off to the Dyfi Osprey Project, picking up Bob on the way. 

The rain had set in by the time we arrived, but both birds were present and perched near the nest, looking a little bedraggled. Both then flew off, making occasional visits back to the nest site later.

This place is well worth a visit.  The cctv pictures are of incredible quality and the reception centre is cosy and welcoming.