Sunday 22 October 2017

Aberystwyth and Tanybwlch

Like Ian I headed for the coast this morning.  A Purple Sandpiper with ca25 Turnstones huddled on the beach next to Castle point was a good start.
Slightly more sheltered on the castle for a seawatch.  Strangely enough, the commonest bird passing was Shag, with at least 85 going south very close in, including one flock of ca70.  Also several parties of Cormorant.  Pretty quiet further out: the highlight was a late Sandwich Tern.
A Kestrel hovered over Constitution Hill.
Decided to brave the elements at Tanybwlch next.  Hundreds of gulls, mostly Black-headed with some Common were dip-feeding close inshore; others, including 31 Great Black-backed and 44 Mediterranean were resting on the fields. 36 Teal were on the floods at the far end and a Wheatear was on the riverbank.
Finally, on the way back and after many scans, a 1st winter Little Gull found among the gulls feeding in the bay.