There was a Great Crested Grebe on Pant Pool this morning, though no evidence of a second bird, but worth keeping an eye on. Six Pied Flycatchers in Cwm Carfan. With fear of boring you all senseless, I'd also like to mention Stock Doves. I quite often see them mentioned on the blog, suggesting that birders here are pleased to encounter them. This impression is reinforced by the introductory statement in the bird report for many years; "Much reduced as a breeding resident in recent years, now localised." It is very possible that compared to some time ago they are reduced. However, I have been studying the bird populations in the OS square SN65 since 2007 and have found that Stock Doves have increased both in distribution and total numbers over that time. They are widespread throughout, albeit in small numbers, and usually only absent in tetrads that lie above 300m. The BBS index for Wales for this species is in fact nearly twice as high as it was in 1994. I encountered 7 individuals this morning walking in the area between Llanddewi Brefi and Cwm Carfan.
