HWR SUMMARY FOR APRIL

HIGHLIGHTS:

  A Garganey was at Cors Caron (2^nd) and also at Ynyslas (18^th). Arfon Williams found  an Iceland Gull at Llanon (4^th) and Helen and Gareth Herbert found one at Aberystwyth (13^th) which remained for another day. Edward O’Connor found a Little Gull at Llanrhystud (5^th) which was also seen over two days. Andy James had the good fortune to watch a couple of Avocets flying south at Aberaeron (9^th).     A farmer told Chris Bird of a Hooded Crow hanging around his farmyard at Llanddeiniol which he went to see, no doubt without him having to get out of his car (17^th). AJ then saw it at Aberaeron (23^rd). A Great Northern Diver passed Aberystwyth for Harry (19^th) and two Dotterel were on Plynlimon (21^st) making the slog up there very worth while for Arfon. The Great Grey Shrike remained at Cross Inn forest (to 16^th).

  Passage birds included 150 Whimbrel at Ynyslas (18^th) and Chris noted two amazing totals at Llanddeiniol: 76 White Wagtails (23^rd) an 114 Wheatears in a single field (26^th). The top count of Sandwich Terns was 40 at Ynyslas (29^th). There was a steady Arctic Skua passage of ones and twos (from 9^th).

   Four Purple Sandpipers remained at Aberystwyth.
COASTAL SITES:

  A Brent Goose was at Llanon (1^st), Llanina (2^nd) and Llanrhystud (11^th and 22^nd). 71 Golden Plovers were at Aberaeron (18^th), a Merlin at Morfa Bychan (20^th) and 13 Bar-tailed Godwits at Llansantffraed (21^st). Peak counts at Ynyslas were 560 Ringed Plovers and seven Knot (15^th), 50 Bar-tailed Godwits (18^th and 21^st) and 2400 Dunlin (25^th). Also there, an Arctic Tern (21^st), a Hen Harrier (24^th), a Little Tern (26^th), three Pink-footed Geese flying north (23^rd) and seven Eider (from 26^th).

OTHER LOCATIONS:

Cors Caron sightings from Arfon included a Jack Snipe and Green Sandpiper (8^th), a Little Ringed Plover (9^th), two Ruff, three Common Sandpipers and five Little Ringed Plovers (23^rd) and a Swift (27^th). A Merlin was seen at Cross Inn forest (17^th).