Tuesday, 3 April 2012

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.