Snow Bunting and Long-tailed Duck

 Snow bunting at Llanrhystud and the long tailed duck at Llyn Fanod. 

Shane Jones

Essential viewing

 Red Liford has asked me to post the following request.

Please watch the documentary The Serengeti Rules.  It's on PBS America, Freeview channel 91 at 7;:50 tonight.

Red has seen it before and considers it essential viewing for anyone with an interest in Natural History.

Pistyll-y-Llyn

I was at the top of Pistyll-y-llyn on Friday. This is a waterfall along which the Ceredigion/Powys boundary runs south of Machynlleth. It drops down into the magnificent valley of the Llyfnant which then flows through Glaspwll on its way down to the Dyfi estuary. The valley is the site of the new "Dyfi Falls" gamebird shoot which suddenly appeared during lockdown earlier this year. It is believed that 40,000 pheasants were released into the valley this spring/summer plus an unknown number, (but probably many thousands) of red-legged partridges. A large field in the valley bottom has been re-sown and a large number of bird feeders placed there as close as possible to the boundary of the Pencreigiau'r Llan SSSI.

 That's the background to this post. If anyone would like to read about this in more detail here is a link to my blog https://wildwalesphotography.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=2882&action=edit 

 There were a few interesting sightings on Friday. These included a very large number of ravens, probably at least fifty; a few buzzards and kites: six stock doves dropped down into the re-seeded field, and there was a surprise flock of 12 long-tailed tits around the top of the waterfall - all in Ceredigion!

  Jerry Moore

Llanrhystud / Llansantffraed

 A nice selection of waders today between the point and Llansantffraed – a large flock of golden plover (in the 100’s, but tricky to count as the tide was out and I didn’t have the ‘scope),  40 lapwing, 20 curlew, a few redshank, 25 turnstone, 3 ringed plover and a single grey plover. The leucistic Oystercatcher was also around, and at one point a merlin flew in and perched on a rock on the shore. There were also three groups of wigeon offshore, totalling around 40 birds. 

Yesterday, there was a Little Egret on the shore in front of the lime kilns.    

Aline Denton

Aberystwyth

 Purple Sandpipers on the sea wall now up to four, and 35 Turnstones were by the pier.  Offshore a single Red-throated Diver on the sea and another three went south, as did six Gannets.  Six Common Scoters headed north.   A few Common Gulls and Kittiwakes also passing.

Llyn Eiddwen

 A more varied collection of wildfowl than usual on Llyn Eiddwen this afternoon.  The three Pintail still present, plus 14 Goosanders, two Goldeneye, seven Teal and a female Tufted Duck. 17 Fieldfares were in a nearby Ash tree.

Chris Bird

Snow Bunting at Llanrhystud

Snow Bunting  today seen popping between the shingle and the stubble /fodder crop field next to the car park.at Llanrhystud beach..

 Meurig Garbutt.

Meurig suggests that this is the same bird that was  photographed at the same site on 23rd Oct.  I think it's a different bird.  Have a look at both sets of photographs and see what you think.  

NEW QUAY

We were slightly surprised yesterday afternoon at the number of Guillemots plus a few Razorbills visiting their nesting ledges on the cliffs.

Brief Jaunt

 A Little Egret was at Pont Gogoyan this morning along with a Goosander, Dipper and a few dozen Wigeon and Teal. At Pant Pool, 12 Little Grebes still present, along with a Coot, 50 Mallard and 8 Mute Swans. Thankfully, no large flocks of Long-tailed Ducks were present at either site.

And finally...?

 I do believe you are right, Harry. Thanks for pointing that out. Will upgrade my specs asap.

Re: L-t Duck

I'm no expert, Ian, but if the bird is a 1st winter male as I think it is, the tail streamers will be growing very shortly. As far as I can find out, there is no female plumage in which the bird has a white crown, as the Llyn Fanod bird clearly has.                                      

The LT Duck

 I'm a little bit out of my depth here, but isn't the bird in the photo taken by Luke, a female. It has no long tail. The two field guides I've just been looking at show males as always having long tails. Or maybe I need to upgrade my £1 reading glasses.

Wildfowl update

 Chris did the rounds of of his local upland lakes today and found the three Pintail still present on Llyn Eiddwen, along with a Goldeneye.  Six Bullfinches were feeding by the lake side.

Over on Llyn Fanod the Long-tailed Duck was showing very well.  The four Goosanders and two Goldeneye still present amd nine Wigeon had joined them

Nine Fieldfares were between the two lakes.

Ynyslas and Salem

 Ynyslas, Wednesday. - 

A few common scoter just off the brick shelter on the golf course; 

About 350 wigeon to the west of the Leri between the boatyard and the inner beach.

Ynys Tachwedd fields -  a selection of waders as follows

Lapwing - 75

Golden plover - 9

Redshank - 5

Curlew - some

Salem, today

A woodcock in woods below the village

Llyn Mynydd Gorddu 

Wigeon - 15

Teal - 2

Mallard - a few

Canada geese - 5  

 

Jerry Moore 

 

   

That duck

 As Ian says, we did have it down as a female originally.  I haven't seen the bird, but looking at the photo of 16th Oct I would have also said female.  Assuming it's the same bird, it was obviously a juvenile male, which some field guides show as very similar to winter female.

It's looking very good now, well worth a visit.

The LT Duck

 Didn't we (myself included) have it down as a female previously?

Hawfinch in Cwmystwyth

 This morning there was a Hawfinch on the bird feeders in Cwmystwyth, and the Black Redstart was showing well on the College in Aber late afternoon

Tony Ware

Short-eared Owl at Llyn Eiddwen

 While he was at Llyn Eiddwen, Chris met Luke Gravett from Llanllwni.  Luke had been at the other end of the lake shortly before and had found a Short-eared Owl.

He had also visited Lyn Fanod, where the Long-tailed Duck was back along with four Goosanders and two Goldeneye. 

Since its first appearance a few weeks ago the Llyn Fanod Long-tailed Duck has developed striking winter male plumage.

Long-tailed Duck by Luke Gravett

Pintail on Llyn Eiddwen

Chris Bird was scanning through the ducks on Llyn Eiddwen this afternoon when he came across three Pintail;  two males and a female.  The first record there since a female in Feb 1998 (also found by Chris--who else? ).

Also on the lake were 32 Mallard, a Goldeneye and a pair of Goosanders. 

Lampeter

 A Little Egret was opposite the co op yesterday morning.

Glandyfi swans

 A brief stop this morning. 4 whooper swans flew inland from Meirionnydd saltings, and a single green sandpiper opposite Domen las. Highest mallard count here for me this winter with 190.

Black Redstart

 Black Redstart back on the Old College today.  Seen and photographed by Sheila Gettings.

ABERYSTWYTH

A Firecrest was reported by Mark------ this morning in a hedgerow at the top of the golf course. Jill and I noticed this solitary Purple Sandpiper on the concrete jetty at the Tanybwlch side of the harbour,also this morning

:

Turtle Dove in Aberystwyth

 Sunday pm: Turtle dove in my garden in Comins Coch, Aberystwyth. A lifer for me and very unexpected as there hasn't been a record for the county since 2017 (NBN).

Naomi Davis

Above Tregaron

 Sometimes when you go out birding it isn't the birds that are the highlight of the walk. This morning I saw my first ever Ceredigion Red Squirrel. It was about 2km out of Tregaron in an oak tree along the side of a lane that runs up to Bryn Du plantation, an extension of Cwm Berwyn. I watched it for about 10 minutes as it sat motionless in a fork about 20 feet off the ground.

Great Egret and Kingfisher

 The Great Egret visible from the railway track In Aberaeron was still there Thursday 19th, feeding happily among the cows. A Kingfisher flyover was an unusual sight during a tennis game at the Aberaeron Sports Club late morning - it flew from the weirs over the club in the direction of the road bridge.  

Ian Harrison

Glandyfi

 A 20 minute stop this morning before the rain set in. 2 green sandpipers and a great white egret were the highlights.

Great Northern Diver

 During a short seawatch at Aberystwyth this morning three Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver flew south.  Two Shags flew in and landed on the sea by the pier.  I abandoned the session afer half an hour when the weather closed in.

Whooper Swans

 There were 13 whooper swans on Cors Caron Thursday afternoon, in two groups of 4 and 9. Also saw a water rail close up and at least 2 others calling near the Fflur Hide. 4 flyover snipe, 40 LBB gulls flying off towards the direction of Llyn Eiddwen just before dusk. A willow tit was in a small tit flock

André Marsh

 

Glandyfi

 Had a quick stop here this afternoon. Single whooper swan which flew inland, a single great white egret on the Meirionnydd saltings, and 4 little grebes. No raptors - still haven't seen a male hen harrier at this site! Big flock of carrion crows (300+) on the north side of the estuary. 

Back to Aber at last!

 A very frustrating day birdwise, although it was lovely to escape at last! Down to the sea wall by the crazy golf and 2 Purple Sands scuttling around , so I rushed back and got the camera...they had vanished! On to the pier where Sue spotted a Kingfisher and shouted "Come", I did and off it flew! Turnstones earning their names beneath the pier, Round castle and car park-guess what? No Redstart! We did the harbour and stone pier to no avail. Ne'er mind , the sun (yes I can just remember what the yellow sphere is called)came out and we enjoyed the day...FREEDOM!

Ynyslas

 Good to see a male kestrel hunting over the Boatyard Fields (Ynys Tachwedd)  at Ynyslas this afternoon. Also plenty of curlew and lapwing around. Seemingly hundreds of wigeon were on the banks of the Leri below the boatyard. Obviously hiding from the guy with a shotgun out on the eastern saltmarshes. Hundreds of golden plover in the sky and a few shelduck on the car park.

Dave Thomas

Sarnau waders

 100 + Lapwings and 260 Golden Plover in fields south of Sarnau.

Paul Taylor

Great Grey Shrike at Cross Inn Forest

A Great Grey Shrike was a nice surprise at Cross Inn Forest this afternoon. I saw it initially perched at the very top of a tall tree a couple of hundred yards from the car park, to the north west of the track. I enjoyed quite close views of it later when I was near the car park, in the clearing on the west side of the track. 

Ynys Tachwedd and Glandyfi

High tide at Ynyslas this morning had driven many birds on to Ynys Tachwedd fields. From the approach road I had 35 Curlews and ca280 Golden Plover.  Drove round to the boatyard area for a better view and found minima of 1200 Canada Geese, 60 Lapwings, 55 Pintail, two Redshank and a Shoveler.  Then the visibility declined as drizzle moved in, otherwise I'm sure the fields would have repaid further inspection.  

Then to Glandyfi, where it was almost as murky.  Worth the detour, though, as a fine male Hen Harrier was followed a few minutes later by a ringtail..   

WeBS sightings

 Enjoyable WeBS at Tanybwlch this morning; all six 'regular' gull species (HG, LB, GB, BH, CM, MU), pair of ravens overhead, 3 rock pipit, 2 pied wagtail, a flock of ~100 starlings in the wet fields, 9 teal, 17 mallard, 14 oystercatcher but no other waders

Naomi Davis

Curlews

 21 Curlews feeding in a field between Aberarth and Aberaeron, Sunday 15th.

Ian Harrison

Llanrhystud

 Six Med Gulls among a flock of about 500 BH Gulls this morning.

Borth to Taliesin

 Sunday afternoon:

Walk along the coastal path between Borth and Taliesin: steady stream of redwing overhead, snipe were flushed at various points in the wet fields and a surprise great white egret near Ynys y Capel farm - a year tick for me!

Naomi Davis

Llyn Fanod and Llyn Eiddwen

Chris's Sunday afternoon visit to his local lakes turned up a fine male Hen Harrier at Llyn Fanod.  On the lake were 14 Wigeon, a Goldeneye and a Goosander.

On Llyn Eiddwen; seven each of Goosander and Great Black-backed Gull and a female Tufted Duck.

 

Glandyfi at high tide

 Squally conditions so birding limited to between the downpours. Sundays a good day to visit as no disturbance from workmen on Dyfi bridge or the railway culverts below the lay-bye. Highlights were a ring tailed harrier, a peregrine, 3 goldeneye and 4 goosander. 120 wigeon and 40 teal were the highest number I've seen there this winter. 

Cors Caron

 A Chiffchaff was at the top hide this morning.

Re; Patch

Allow me to clear up an issue which Kev's post has raised.  

Patch is the name of an area on the Ceredigion bank of the Teifi Estuary, downriver of Cardigan and near to Gwbert.  This is the area from which John Ramm sends his sightings.

Kev has taken it to mean the more usual birders' definition of patch: an area local to us which we visit regularly.   

The confusion arose from the fact that John's patch is called Patch (or The Patch).

As I've said before, I'm happy to answer any queries readers may have regarding the location of birding sites mentioned on the blog.  Some of the places mentioned are pretty obscure but a good place to start is the Gazetteer of Ceredigion place names  at the back of the 2018 Ceredigion Bird Report, and previous reports.

PATCH

Re "Patch update"...well done John, but for the poor peasants who live inland  can you please locate your "Patch " in future??? 

Bits and bobs

Nice views of a male Hen Harrier passing over the road as I drove through Bronant at around midday today. Also probably over a thousand gulls (largely Black-headed & Commons) in fields to the north of Bow Street.

On the 7th November I had a close encounter with a Great Grey Shrike along the road at the northernmost arm of Llyn Brianne. 

Nearby two days previous a flyover Yellowhammer, 15 Brambling and what was probably a Little Bunting; calling a sharp singular 'zik' call which flew over heading south west, unfortunately I couldn't make out any plumage details on the bird.

Patch update

On a sunny morning at low tide a kingfisher was flying from one beached vessel to another close by the Boating Club. On the section of beach towards the Cliff hotel there was a brief sighting of a merli

John Ramm

Red-legged Partridges

 Earlier this morning, whilst driving from Talybont towards Nantymoch through Coed Fronglas, Talybont, I disturbed about 12 Red Legged Partridges running together on the road in front of me for a few yards, before they took off, flying to the right and landing further up into the woodland that this road runs through.  I parked the car further on and returned on foot, but despite a search I couldn't find them. 

Brian Wiley

Richard's Pipit on Constitution Hill

Yesterday a Richard's Pipit flushed with a Meadow Pipit from field adjacent to the radar station on Constitution Hill.  Seen in flight only but calling alongside mippit.  Long-staying bird?

Above is a text from a mobile numberI didn't rccognise, but I assume it's from Mark Carter who found the original bird on Consti on 21st Oct. 

Aberystwyth

 Helen was at Castle Point when I arrrived this morning. but we didn't last long  there before seeking shelter from the wind.  On our way to the Old College we noted two Purple Sandpipers on the wall.             We had a good look round St Michaels and the Old College, during which I had a brief view of a Black Redstart and were heading back to the prom when Helen found the Black Red on the castle.  We then both enjoyed good views as the bird, a rather drab f/imm, flitted atound the putting green wall.

Only a short time spent seawatching, but there were still a few Gannets passing; I counted seven, and Helen picked up a passing Goosander.

Aberystwyth Prom

 Three Purple Sandpipers roosting on the wall yesterday (usual spot by Cor y Castell), and at least 30 Turnstones on South Beach.  Couldn't find Black Redstart; will try again tomorrow.

Helen Herbert

Farewell John Valentine

Congratulations on moving to Lancashire;  the finest county in England by far, of course, and home of the best pies in the land (I know you're a man who enjoys his food). Seriously though, all the best to you and Shan.  Some excellent birding around there as you say, I also recommend Mere Sands Wood.

Although our paths have not crossed very often in recent years, I will miss our occasional meetings, on the prom among other places, with even the odd pint featuring at times.

So good luck from all your birding friends in Ceredigion and further afield, mostly the old-timers I imagine.  When all this Covid 19 thing has died down you must come back here for the occasional field trip.

PS  I was at Maesllyn on Wednesday, desperately looking for something unusual to put on the blog.  Trust you to find it.

Where sheep safely graze

 Pleased to see a green woodpecker today fly from the pasture on the north side of Maesllyn, Cors Caron into the big oak tree near the farm. Used to hear them a lot in the spring in South Wales in my youth. 

We are going ourselves to be saying goodbye to Ceredigion and my birding friends. We are moving to Orrell, in the old county of Lancashire - to be nearer Shan's daughter and future husband.  There are some very good birding spots nearby such as Pennington and Wigan Flashes and Orrell Water Park, and further afield Formby, Southport, Martin Mere and Leighton Moss. Good support from County Council and excellent footpath access. Wigan Flashes allegedly sits right at the centre of a network of habitats that support 10% of the UK’s willow tits: eat your heart out Ian Morris! 

Hen Harrier at Cors Caron

I had a brief view of a male Hen Harrier from Pont Einon this morning.

Maesllyn

A few Fieldfares and three Bullfinches along the old railway to Maesllyn this morning.  On the lake were 49 Wigeon, 15 Teal, a Tufted Duck and a Little Grebe. 

Willow Tits

 Three calling and one showing really well at the third cleaning in Cross Inn Forest yesterday morning. 

Andy James

Chris Bird's round tour

Chris got off to a good start this morning with the Black Redstart, which was on the tower of St. Michael's church.  Then to Ynyslas, where there were hundreds of Wigeon, ca 20 Pintail, three Grey Plover and a dark-bellied Brent Goose.

Next to Nanteos Lake, which held a pair of Mute Swans, at least 15 Moorhens. 10 Wigeon, six Teal and a calling Water Rail.  Last stop Llyn Eiddwen, just 22 Goosanders.

Black Redstart

 This Black Redtart was seen and photographed on the Old College, Aberystwyth, yesterday by Sheila Gettings.

Ynys-hir

 Spent a couple of hours mainly on the south side of the reserve yesterday morning. A ring tailed hen harrier and a red kite the only raptors. Highlights 220 teal, 6 shoveler on Breakwater  pools, 2 great white egrets on the saltings. 12 reed buntings on Covert coch.

Llanrhystud lime kilns and beyond

 Highlights yesterday included a merlin, approx 25 lapwing and 30 curlew in the field near the point, plus 7 wigeon just off the point. 

And in case anyone's been wondering about the White-fronted goose in the flooded field, I haven't seen it since last weekend. 

 Aline Denton

Woodcock

 First Woodcock here in Llangeitho, flushed by dog from edge of lane

.And nice day for Red Kites, 19 lazily circling

Martin Perry

Nanternis Woodpigeons

 This morning between 9.00 and 10.30 we had a steady stream of wood pigeons of 50 /80:  in total at least 500 heading north.

In the past we have noted 50 over on the 11/november in most years.

Alan Hill

Goosanders

 This afternoon Chris had a count of 24 Goosanders, which included five males, on Llyn Eiddwen.  At 4:30 they all took off and flew directly towards Llyn Fanod.

Interesting to read Dick's account of Woodpigeon movements as Chris mentioned that his brother also noticed an unusually large flock of Woodpigeons as he was driving this afternoon.

Woodpigeon movement

 Large  numbers of woodpigeons moving north during the day. 2000+ over Furnace during an hour count, and then 600+ over Glandyfi, heading across the estuary.  Flocks of up to approx 200 still moving north late in the afternoon.

Pant pool, Llanddewi Brefi

 An exceptional 12 Little Grebes were present this morning.

Aberystwyth

I started with a half-hour seawatch this morniing, during which 24 Gannets, three Red-throated Divers and 190 auks went north, and nine Common Scoters and about 20 auks south.  17 Turnstones were the only waders.

A quick chat with Naomi, who happened along the prom and then I decided to have a look around the Rhydyfelin end of the Pendinas cycle path.  On arrival, who should come along but John, so we joined forces and  strolled along the cycle path, where we met Karen (see John's post yesterday).  and the three of us enjoyed close views of Redwings and Fieldfares feeding on the berries in the morning sunshine.

Sarnau

 On a walk from Sarnau this afternoon.

At least 120 Lapwings took off from a field and headed North, returning shortly after and landed.  Also in the same field, 3 Buzzards and 6 Red Kites.  Numerous Redwings and Fieldfares alondg the hedges taking the Hawthorn Berries.

Lapwings

Fieldfare

Paul Taylor

Greenland White-fronted Geese

 There are now 27 Greenland white fronts back on the Dyfi, hoping for more over the coming weeks!

Tom Kistruck

PURPLE SANDPIPERS AT ABERYSTWYTH

2 on the stone jetty on the Tanybwlch side of the harbour this afternoon. Thanks to the person who pointed them out to Karen (photographer) and Anthony who identified them, told John and Sheila (Gettings) who were nearby who told Chris who rang me while I was reading a book in the sun on my balcony 5 minutes away.(So much for pounding the prom pavement day after day at high tides!)

Great Grey Shrike

 I've had a secondhand report of a sighting of a Great Grey Shrike at Cross Inn woods 2 days ago.  The person who told me said that the young birders who told her showed her a photo of it that they had taken about 1/4 mile from the main Cross Inn to Bethania road.

I've just walked through the woods and not seen it.

Phil Dennis 

ABERYSTWYTH

I must have followed Naomi this morning for at high tide the dark-bellied Brent Goose was just off the end of the pier and indeed, still no sign of Purps or Black Redstart on Old Coll. Yesterday, Basil and Rhiannon had a possible Waxwing in flight from the old rail line footpath below Pen Dinas.

Aberystwyth

 Thursday morning: Unexpected brent goose hanging around near college rocks along with the resident kingfisher. Turnstones are still happy to roost on the pebbles, nothing on the wall yet!

Naomi Davis

Pendam lakes

 A trip around the lakes on the bike yesterday revealed the following - one tufted duck on Pendam. However there was a (probable) goshawk near there and a kestrel hunting near Blaenmelindwr

.The previous day there were 12 wigeon and 3 teal on Llyn Mynydd-gorddu

Jerry Moore

Patch sightings

During lockdown I have made daily visits to Patch beach in the hope of seeing something unusual. Apart from six brent geese that stayed briefly today, a red kite mobbed by crows and a little stint a couple of days ago, there have only been the usual suspects

John Ramm

Phalarope

 An immaculate  grey phalarope at Glandyfi this morning-  in the middle of the river just north of the lay-bye.  

Chiffchaff

 I stepped outside this morning to the sound, then sight of a Chiffchaff working along the nearby trees.

Coed y Bont

 On my walk to Coed y Bont yesterday, a sparrowhawk flew over the road. Downstream from the bridge a dipper was briefly singing, it had a yellow darvic ring on its left leg but I couldn't read it with the bins! In the woodland I found plenty of treecreepers in 3 areas, one having an altercation with a nuthatch. A few small mixed flocks were around and eventually picked out a marsh tit in the mature upper woodland. On my way out, 2 willow tit were in the scru

André Marsh

 

Garden birding and just beyond..

 A good day for soaring raptors over the valley today - a surprising highlight was 2 hen harriers very high heading south west ( my first hen harriers this autumn), and then a peregrine which headed north west. A quick look at the high tide from Glandyfi yesterday was fairly uneventful, highlight was 2 great white egrets still on Meirionnydd saltmarsh. 

Lockdown in Talybont

 Little of note to be seen in Talybont over the last few days except the occasional flock of mistle thrush laced with a few redwing. A cormorant flew low over the village during the weekend winds. From up in the hills, a friend has reported a male blackcap in a Cwmerfyn garden. 

Dave Thomas 

Two Great White Egrets at Henllan

 1^st Nov there were two Great White Egrets at Henllan, found by Gary Reynolds.  One of the birds still present today (3^rd Nov), seen by Waine Foster.  Pics on Ceredigion Birds and Wildlife Facebook page.

 Arfon Williams

Choughs, etc.

I don't suppose much birding has been going on lately, due to a combination of the lockdown and vile weather, but John Woodruff reports two Choughs over Llanrhystud at the weekend.

Llangybi

 A Merlin flew across the field next to our garden when I was outside earlier.