NEWS FROM THE HARBOUR

  A cold, lifeless Rock Pipit lying on the snow-covered quayside this morning was evidence of the bitterly cold conditions. On a happier note, Aberystwyth's Mute Swans are back.

   Early this morning they flew in and settled below my window. Recognising the red plastic bag containing the grain that I had fed them and their family last year, they came swimming up to me. Bearing large blue leg rings (7HZN and 7HZP ) it was good to see them again after their long absence. Their heads and necks were stained brown and so I assume they had been living on the still waters of a lake somewhere. (Does anyone know where?)

   Last October, on 12th, they and their 5 young and their Canada goose companion, flew out to sea from the harbour and retuned a little later. The next day they flew out and settled on the sea but they did not return and were not seen again. 

    The Canada Goose which had rather oddly become a member of the Swan family for the past few years returned to the harbour last  Wednesday. Recognising the red plastic bag it came noisily swimming up to me to be fed. It did it again the following morning and then swam up and down the harbour as if looking for its Swan 'family'.  I have not seen it since.

   So, a bit like a soap opera, will they meet up sometime soon, will the Swans have their own family again this Spring and will they once more be accompanied by the Goose?

Iceland Gull - Teifi

A juvenile Iceland Gull was on the Ceredigion side of the Teifi estuary early morning viewed from the railings. It then flew high over St Dogmaels and inland.
Lots of variety as the tide dropped. Hundreds of Black-headed Gulls, 70 Lapwing, 1 Knot, 1 Greenshank, 50 Dunlin, 46 Redshank. A Med Gull was in the field behind the boat builders where they are spreading slurry.

the pics from beached Bird Survey Aberaeron North

Hallelujah pics at last. See previous post.

Icelandic Kittiwake

After 2 mornings slogging across our boulder strewn beaches bereft of dead birds, today I found 4 on my stretch north of Aberaeron, 3 gulls and a guillemot. One of the gulls, an adult Kittiwake, had a ring from Reykjavik. Will post when I get the bird's history but must say I was excited that it had a ring and now will be part of the data base.
A Lesser Black Backed had a badly broken wing and am wondering how a seabird, traditionally long lived, would obtain such an injury....mistake to come anywhere near land.
If I live long enough I may be able to post pics from google photos!!

Glamorgan Bird Club: Cors Caron yesterday

Glamorgan Bird Club's field trip yesterday (25/2) included an afternoon visit to Cors Caron.

From Cuddfan y Gors: small flock of Teal, 2 Little Egret, 2 Green Sandpiper and a few Snipe.

At Maes Llyn - Great White Egret, pair of Teal, Canada and Greylag Geese, Grey Herons and a flock of Wigeon.

From the old railway line near the small hide, and looking over the fields to the north east - Ringtail Hen Harrier seen briefly in flight before it went to ground and out of view. Then after a few minutes it took off again, and good views as it flew west over the fields past farm buildings and along a line of trees until it disappeared from sight just as it reached the old railway line.

Ceri Jones

Glamorgan Bird Club

Coed y Foel, Llandysul

A pair of Marsh Tits on the lower path next to the stream. Bumped into Gary Reynolds, also looking for LS Woodpecker (also without luck when I met him at least). He pointed me in the direction of a path which led out of the reserve but through more woodland. Very beautiful and enjoyable walk but alas no LSW. Lots of Redwings about. Wandered up and down Llanfair Road in the Teifi valley too but no joy there either with woodpecker or Goshawk.

Golden Plover

 There were scores of golden plover and a mixed flock of fieldfares and other thrushes in Ynys Fergi fields (north of church) Borth this afternoon.

 Ianto and Sue Thomas

College Rocks, Aberystwyth

37 Turnstone and one Purple Sandpiper on College Rocks, Aberystwyth at lunchtime today
John Woodruff

Green Sandpiper

There was a green sandpiper just below the ford at Tre'r ddol this morning.

And two days ago a peregrine was perched on the top of a crag at an inland site, although later on it had gone and ravens were "ruling the roost". (Craig-y-pistyll.

Jerry Moore

Dyfi and Borth Bog

 A walk to the pill box from the railway crossing at the Leri produced very close views of the female king eider, sitting on the east bank of the Leri, smiling away.  Two greenshank were at the tideline, with good numbers of redshank, dunlin and curlew.  30+ pintail out in the estuary, with several hundred wigeon.

 A short walk in the opposite direction to Glandwr revealed two ringtail hen harriers, one on a post at the edge of the first field and one over, 10+ snipe and 4 goosander on the Leri.  On the sea were c. 20 common scoter and 2 great crested grebe.  No divers though.

Chris Forster Brown

Aberystwyth

This morning Red-throated Divers on the sea off Castle Point, along with a Great Crested Grebe.  A Moorhen in the entrance to the Gap at both ends of the day and Redwings in the cemetery.

Helen Herbert

Water Pipit, Common Sand, &....

..... a report of a Bonaparte's Gull on the Teifi today...no further details on the gull and we haven't refound, but the Teifi will be well watched over the weekend.
The Water Pipit was feeding below the outflow at the Boat Builders - usual site.
The Common Sandpiper was feeding in Cardigan by the Indian restaurant on the boat - usual site.
Small waders were very active on the high tide today, 1 Greenshank, 1 Sanderling, c16 Ringed Plover and c 50 Dunlin. A lone Golden Plover...looked lonely near the Cliff Hotel, a sole flying Lapwing looked lost....3 Goldeneye on the river in the reserve.
(sev obs)

Coed y Foel, Llandysul

A smart looking Marsh Tit in the car park as I sat in the van on my lunch break.

Purple Sandpipers - Teifi estuary

Purple Sandpipers have been seen on several visits to the rocks below the Cliff Hotel golf course this winter. Maybe an overlooked regular wintering site. Four were there today at high tide.

Following on from Harry's post below, there weren't any Divers in the bay beyond the Teifi estuary but a single Red-throated Diver was there earlier this week.

Several rafts of Razorbills were around but no Guillemots. 3 Chough were on the Cliff hotel golf course, usually just 2.
(Photos Dyfed James)

Divers galore

Red-throated Divers were present in numbers down the coast this morning.  I managed a total of 79; 33 off Llanrhystud-Llansantffraed and 46 off Llanon.
Also on the sea were three Great Crested Grebes and two Canada Geese at Llanrhystud and three Wigeon at Llansantffraed. 
52 Curlews in a field near the lime kilns and two Redshank on the flood, with just a single Grey and nine Golden Plover on the beach. 12 Lapwings were in a coastal field south of Llanon and among the hundreds of Black-headed Gulls were two Meds, one with a very smart black hood.

Tanybwlch

Fairly calm and mild this morning so I had a walk along Tanybwlch to Allt Wen (and back), after finding just one Purple Sandpiper on the stone jetty.
Still plenty of water in the fields which attracted 26 Oystercatchers, eight Curlews, three Redshank and a Lapwing.  A Ringed Plover on the beach was my first there for quite some time.
During a 15 minute seawatch six Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver flew north, a Guillemot was on the sea and a Harbour Porpoise was moving north.
I managed to photograph the Chough near Allt Wen, after first seeing it and reading the ring number 5H when it was near the harbour. For further information on this bird, see feedback from Adrienne Stratford on the blog on 7th Jan and 20th Jan. Two others also flew over.

Water Pipit - Teifi estuary

A Water Pipit was seen late this afternoon feeding at the usual spot below the outflow at the start of the railings on the Gwbert Rd.
(Simon Murray)

February Cors Caron WeBS count

A very enjoyable day doing the monthly count at Cors Caron - finally no need for waders!
Highlights were a dipper on the Fflur not far from the small hide, a green sandpiper in front of the big hide, two early curlew at Pont Einon (they don't normally turn up until the March count), the Great White and four little egrets, and herons carrying nesting material at Maesllyn. A further sign of Spring was several skylarks singing overhead.

A Night of Welsh Choughs

A date for your diary - the next meeting of the North Ceredigion Section of the SWWWildlife Trust is an evening talk by the well  known ornithologist - 

 Tony Cross  

The Choughs of Wales

7-00pm ,  Monday - 5th March ,

 Lecture Room -  C22, Hugh Owen Building, 

Aberystwyth University 

Open to Non-members, all welcome. 

Field trips

Details of the March and April walks are now on the Field Trips section of the blog.

Ynyslas again

The high tide once again drew me to Ynyslas where the 11 pale-bellied Brent Geese were feeding on the tideline near the tern posts. Nearby were 16 Sanderling and a single Grey Plover.
A Great Crested Grebe off Borth was in full breeding plumage.

Llyn Fanod and Llyn Eiddwen

An uneventful visit to his local lakes for Chris yesterday, with six (one male) Goosanders and 54 Lapwings at Llyn Fanod and two Goldeneye on Llyn Eiddwen.

Today's field trip: Rheidol gravel pits

The lay-by in the Rheidol Valley was filled to capacity as no fewer than 15 of us turned up for today's walk round the gravel pits, led by Red Liford.
On a spring-like morning Red demonstrated his keen ear for songs and calls and we eventually amassed a total of 40 species (Moira got 41, so I must have missed one).
Not a lot of wildfowl on the waters, highlights being three each of Coot and Goosander and two Little Grebes. We also enjoyed close views of a Treecreeper working its way up a trunk in typical fashion.
Some of the party were also lucky enough to see a couple of Woodcock, which flew across the river.

Total list, roughly in order of appearance:-
Robin, Woodpigeon, Mistle Thrush, Red Kite, Chaffinch, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Herring Gull, Starling, Buzzard, Song Thrush, Magpie, Grey Heron, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Coot, Moorhen, House Sparrow, Goldcrest, Mallard, Long-tailed Tit, Blackbird, Treecreeper, Kingfisher, Coal Tit, Redwing, Sparrowhawk, Raven, Goosander, Black-headed Gull, Mute Swan, Little Grebe, Jackdaw, Canada Goose, Woodcock, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock.

Today at Ynys-hir

Another fantastic day at Ynys-hir. Between getting out of the car and walking into the visitor centre I had excellent views of a lesser-spotted woodpecker drumming in the car park and a goshawk soaring overhead! On the reserve the water pipit is still around at Ynys-Edwin and a Cetti’s warbler was heard near Ynys-Feurig.

Dave Anning

Ynyslas

There weren't many birds around at high tide at Ynyslas this morning,but it was good to get out without being soaked, frozen or blown over.
Four Grey Plover showed well, and a Merlin was on a fence post on Ynys Tachwedd fields.
Earlier there were five Purple Sandpipers in the Aberystwyth roost (nine yesterday, when also 25 Turnstones near the point).

Drive by Glauc

On my way to Aber yesterday morning to attend yet another Brexit 'what does it all mean' meeting I passed a field of slurry munching gulls just to the north of Llanrhystud by the turning to Llandeiniol. The gull nearest the road was a very large, pale 1st W Glaucous Gull. Might be worth checking the Llanrhystud gulls over the next few days!

GLYNARTHEN and BRYNHOFFNANT

A flock in excess of 600 golden plover on the fields adjacent to the school in Brynhoffnant at lunchtime today, all looking resplendent in the sunshine! The starling exodus this morning was more diffuse than normal. Still the massive numbers but taking more dispersed flight paths with the birds being severely buffeted by the gusty winds. Two red kites performing what looked like a food pass over the fields behind the house, being buzzed by a nuisance of two crows and a gaggle of magpies. A flock of 15 long tailed tits on the fat ball outside our window this morning, unbelievably all at the same time! The numbers of small passerines in evidence around the feeders is noticeably higher, hopefully evidence of a good breeding year last year. Haven’t yet got over to Deinol Farm so can’t add anything to Ian’s recent post regarding finch flocks.

Roger Watkins

 

Ferwig Goldies

A minimum of 600 Golden Plover in four or five flocks swirling about over the fields each side of the minor road from Cardigan to Mwnt near Ferwig this morning, SN1848.

Hawfinches

The Hawfinch flock at Wenallt has doubled in size. There were two birds in the line of Hornbeams there today.

Field trip reminder

A reminder that the February field trip is on Saturday 17th. It will be
a chance to visit part of the Rheidol valley that is not usually open
to the public. Full details are on the field trip section of the web
site. After all the wet weather we have had recently the paths are
likely to be very wet so do make sure you bring suitable footwear.
Everyone is welcome to attend our field trips.

Elaine Izett

Ynys-hir this week

A good series of sightings since Tuesday. Up to two hen harriers daily, ringtail and male, two Merlins seen most days, 25 Greenland white-fronted geese, 8 barnacle geese and a water pipit on the way to Ynys-Edwin.

Dave Anning

Glaucous Gull at Aberystwyth yesterday

Andy Dent, who I met at Ynyslas yesterday, later went on to Aberystwyth where he found an immature Glaucous Gull on the beach between the pier and the harbour.
There was also a Kingfisher performing superbly on the rocks and the Starlings entertained, as ever.

Snow Bunting at Llanrhystud

Yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, there was a Snow Bunting on the coast path at Llanrhystud. The cold weather had also brought flocks of Lapwings and Golden Plovers to the fields. Apologies for the picture quality - I only had my phone with me (unforgiveable, I know).

Around Ynyslas

The highlight of a brief stop at Aberystwyth was a passing Shelduck, then on to Borth where I had a good look at the sea between Upper Borth and Ynyslas turn.  No sign of Chris's Scaup, just 285 Common Scoter.
At Ynyslas the 11 pale-bellied Brents were showing well and the King Eider was in typical "resting on a sandbank" pose.
An addition to the usual waders were two Greenshank, which flew around the mouth of the Leri before disappearing up the Dyfi.
Elaine and Ian turned up and we walked to the boatyard, where a Snipe flew over. Returning, I met Andre Morgan, then Andy, a visiting birder who I had met last year at Ynys-hir.  Three Pintail had joined the hundreds of Wigeon.
Ynys Tachwedd fields continue to hold large numbers of birds.  There were 85 Fieldfares in one field next to the caravan park and hundreds of waders scattered around.  Majority were Golden Plover, with fewer Lapwings today, plus 15 Dunlin and 55 Redshank.

Scaup at Borth

A scan of the sea at Upper Borth revealed a female Scaup with around 30 Common Scoter.

Earlier at Ynyslas the 11 Brent Geese were still present and the King Eider was showing well.

Chris Bird

Ynys-hir and Ynyslas 4 Feb

Had a great day's birding today at Aber Prom (5 min only for purple sandpiper), Ynys Hir and Ynyslas with Arfon Williams, Andrew James, Gary Reynolds and Waine Foster. Purple sandpiper (Aber), mute swan, lapwing, golden plover, cormorant, curlew, buzzard, teal, shoveler, red breasted merganser, peregrine, shelduck, red kite, redshank, spotted redshank, little egret, great white egret, wigeon, mallard, carrion crow, robin, kestrel, Canada goose, GBB gull, common gull, herring gull, heron, oystercatcher, magpie, dunlin, treecreeper, goldcrest, blue tit, great tit, coal tit, blackbird, chaffinch, starling, wood pigeon, pheasant, moorhen, pied wagtail, fieldfare, redwing, brent goose, greenshank, sanderling, reed bunting and king eider. 50 in total for the day. Highlights were the purple sandpiper, spotted redshank and king eider.

Shane Jones

Llanon and Borth

On Friday 2nd Feb. while we were walking at Llanon there was a group of
five choughs, and a kestrel close to the steps down to the beach. There
were also plenty of house sparrows at the old chapel squabbling and
exploring holes in the stonework. Later that afternoon at
Llansantffraid we saw a group of three choughs and a flock of 240
lapwing (we can be sure of this because Ian took a photograph and
counted them off later).

On Sunday 4th. I walked at the south end of Borth around by the zoo and
the golf course. There were chaffinches singing (the first I have heard
this year) and the Borth sparrows were were squabbling and carrying
bits of nesting about at the donkey shed. The starlings were in and out
of holes in the telegraph poles so it seems that the birds of Borth are
preparing for spring. In the field in front of the church I had really
good views of a mixed flock of starlings, song thrushes, fieldfares and
redwings. There was a kestrel in the council car park opposite the Nisa
shop. I met a local couple who told me that they had seen this bird in
the same area frequently since since Christmas day.

Elaine Izett

Ynyslas - High Tide

 At high tide this morning a large number of Wigeon - 150+ were dabbling along the edge of the rising water near the 'Tern posts', together with 40 Sanderling, a brace of Dunlin and 11 Brant Geese.

Great White Egret - Teifi estuary

A Great White Egret was watched in a channel by the Boat Builders c4pm, then the egret flew further down river towards Patch / Webley.
(Howard Thomas)

winter flocks

Great White Egret still at Maes Llyn pool. Yesterday, the very large mixed finch flock was still present at Deinol farm Glynarthen. Also large numbers of Redwings, I think, in the fields next to Ysgol T Llew Jones in Brynhoffnant. No time to stop and check them but maybe both worth checking out more carefully if you happen to live in the area.

Ynys-hir

Very wet morning at Ynys-hir. Great white egret still showing well on the lake in front of the visitor centre (as of midday). From Ynys Feurig hide: over 100 curlew out on the saltmarsh, lapwings, redshank, teal, shoveler, canada geese, little egret, heron, cormorant. Also treated to a ring-tailed hen harrier and a peregrine too.

Naomi Davis

Iceland Gull

1st winter Iceland Gull at the Teifi est this evening.

MORE PHOTOS OF THE YNYS-HIR GREAT WHITE EGRET

Ynys-hir

After the recent rain and cold winds it was a pleasure to get out on a calm sunny morning, so Bob, John and I joined forces for a look at what the high tide had brought.
We chose the Ynys Feurig hide.  Lots of the commoner waders on the pools, including 195 Dunlin and at least 200 Redshank with probably at least as many Curlews and hundreds of Lapwings, many in the fields to the west.
Also on the pools were 11 Shoveler and scanning the river revealed 10 Pintail, two male Goldeneye, a male Red-breasted Merganser and three Great Crested Grebes.  Raptor highlights were a male Merlin and a ringtail Hen Harrier.
Back at the visitor centre we enjoyed the unusual sight of Great and Little Egret and Grey Heron together.
John and I called in at the Clettwr on the way home and found a Green Sandpiper and a Grey Wagtail.

The one on the right is a Little Egret, honest

Distant Merlin

Cors Caron

It's a while since I visited an old 'stomping ground' and I was rewarded with lovely views of a Great Egret,  Red kite,  Sparrow hawk, good numbers of Fieldfare and a lovely flock of one of my favourite birds Wigeon 

New Quay seawatch

An hour and a half off New Quay Head this morning produced c60 Herring, c100 Black-headed, five Great Black-backed and one Lesser Black-backed Gull, nine Kittiwakes, five Fulmars nine Red-throated Divers, one Great Northern Diver, two Common Scoter and nine Guillemots.

Andy James