Great White Egret

 A Great White Egret at the South End of Cors Caron this morning as I was going to work.

Will Davies

Swifts / House Martins

 I’ve got a wasp nest (again) in one side of a double Swift box this year don’t think the Swifts are nesting in it this year although I have seen them go in unfortunately the wasps have built their nest on  the camera and I can’t see what’s going on, the Swifts fledged last year despite the wasp’s. The other four Swift boxes are all doing ok

. The saddest story is the Hs Martins down to one pair and they have only just started pairing if I see a Hs Martin in the air out the back of my garden this year I know it’s off my house because there are no others to be seen here, fourteen pair a few years ago with hundreds at the end of the season a real shame let’s hope they recover

Tony Clark

Penrhiwllan

 I saw a Hobby quite early at work this morning. Though at about 9am the heavy rain hadn't set in, it was still chilly, breezy and drizzly but still I noticed that it appeared to take some sort of flying insect with its' talons and pass it forward to munch. A surprising record perhaps in mid summer but I remember that a few years ago there was a spate of similar records (over a couple of summers?) in the Llandysul/Horeb/Gorrig area. A brief glide from Penrhiwllan for a Hobby.

Llangybi

 A Marsh Tit has been hanging around my garden today as I've been outside working-a lovely surprise.

Whinchats

 Yesterday morning we went for a walk on a forest track off the A487, south of Eglwys Fach. As close as I can pinpoint it on a map we were near Cefngweiriog, where we saw three Whinchats - a pair of adults, male & female, and a juvenile. Not much else though!

Great White Egret

 There was a great white egret at Pont Einon last night. Also, a mallard with at least 9 young. I was on my bike and didn't stop.

André Marsh 

Spotted Flycatchers

 Before we left for home yesterday I took a last walk round the corner from the caravan to check up on the spot flys  I've been checking on regularly whilst I've been dow. .Delighted to say there were a minimum of 3 youngsters out of the nest being fed by their parents amongst the oaks,they seemed very well grown.

Paul Bennett

 I've been engrossed in watching swifts yet again. They seem to live on the edge, they do everything at a hundred miles an hour,

Moving Swiftly on

 At work today I decided to concentrate more. Not on delivering the mail more accurately, obviously, but on counting Swifts. Not much of a survey, but for the record (last year in brackets); Henllan 3(6), Penrhiwllan 4(4), Aberbanc 0(4) ie 7(14).

Merlins

 I was very lucky yesterday to visit a merlin nest, under licence, with Tony Cross, bird ringer extraordinaire. Five young were present, about 2 - 3 weeks old, and they were all ringed. As well as the BTO rings, they had colour rings fitted, and Tony would be very keen to hear from anyone who comes across them. The colour rings are pale lime green with black inscriptions. I was very impressed by the calm and professional way that Tony dealt with these stunning little creatures (see attached pic.)

Jerry Moore

Spotted flycatchers, swifts and a starling

 Whilst out cycling Wednesday evening, I saw a lone starling (adult) in Bronnant. I stopped at Pont Einon and found two spotted flycatchers feeding young. They are on the north side of the bridge, the nest is central, so best to stand on either end of the bridge to observe

There is currently 20+ swifts in Pontrhydfendigaid. I built some new swift boxes on the house next to the shop last year, so far, no takers...

André Marsh 

Swifts

 I haven't been around much this spring, due to various reasons, so I have no evidence to back this up, but I agree with Ian that Swift numbers seem to be much depleted this year.  I've seen very few anywhere, particularly around Aberystwyth.  

In previous years I've noticed a few regularly at Tregaron and Lampeter.  Perhaps someone could let us know if these.birds are still.around or not.

On my mind

 I was interested to see on the blog posts referring to the very two species' that were on my mind when I got back from work a while ago. I seem to stumble across occasional Spotted Flycatchers when I'm not looking. Like today, when I stopped for lunch in the van at a spot under some trees where I don't normally take a break. And there was an adult feeding a young bird on a branch close by. It also seems to me that there are not so many Swifts about this summer. I normally see up to half a dozen zooming about in places like Henllan/Penrhiwllan/Aberbanc but this year hardly a bird at all. I 've been wondering whether anyone else has thought this or have I just not been paying attention.

Spotted Flycatcher

 Had a good look around the river walk at Black Covert, Trawscoed this morning but it took half an hour at Cross Inn forestry before finally finding a Spotted Flycatcher. Year ✅

Andy James

Swifts busy feeding young

 I spent a while photographing swifts attending their nest box on our house today. I wanted to get a shot of the bulge in their throat, (the bolas,) where they store food to take back to the nest to feed their young. It can be seen quite clearly in the picture of the bird arriving, And for good measure, a shot the bird leaving, minus the bulge.

Congratulations, Kev

Lovely shot of a male and juvenile Wheatear in this week's BirdGuides Photo of the Week feature, taken by Kev Joynes from the mysterious East, (well, Llandrindod Wells)

Cors Caron

 Around the boardwalk this morning were 3 Whinchats, 2 Reed Buntings and 2 Whitethroats. Also saw my first Large Heath butterflies. At Pont Einion, distant views of a Great White Egret,

Martin Perry

Report from Patch

Yesterday I had an early morning stroll at Patch at low tide and in glorious sunny weather. At one point about 40 barnacle geese flew overhead in the direction of Cardigan Island. In the shrubs beyond the caravans there were linnets, stonechats and a singing whitethroat together with a willow warbler. A single wheatear looked out across the bay from his perch on one of the large breakwater boulders. On such a glorious day the only downside was a dead chough by the pontoon on the river-side of the dunes.

,John Ramm

Cors Caron

 On Maesllyn Lake there was 2 Moorhens, 1 Coot and 5 Canada Geese. On the Railway walk there were Common Whitethroat, Chiff Chaff, Blackcaps,  Bullfinches, Garden Warbler, Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler, Wren and GS Woodpecker.

On the circular boardwalk there were Whinchat, Stonechat, Linnet, Redpoll, Reed Bunting and Meadow Pipits. Also a lone Jay.

7 Red Kites and 4 Buzzards were also present.

Will Davies

Llyn Mynydd Gorddu

 A quick visit to Mynydd Llyn Gorddu this afternoon; two pairs of little grebes with large young, sedge warbler, moorhen and mallard also present. Overhead were two sand martins and a (very) few swallows.

Jerry Moore

C ross Inn Forrest

 I went to Cross Inn forestry Saturday evening to look for nightjar. Arriving about 9.15 I walked to the straight section of track just before the T junction. It was quite chilly but still. I waited until nearly 10.00 with no churring heard and was about to go home when I heard and then saw a cuckoo calling for about 5 minutes from the top of a small tree. I had no idea they were active so late. When the cuckoo flew off I headed for home, only to have a nightjar fly right past me along the track at chest height. A lifer for me.

Just as I got back to the car I saw a tawny owl and heard at least one other calling close by. 

Well worth a few midge bites.

John  Woodruff

Cwm Wyre

 , At various times but almost always after rain, groups oSwifts and House Martin's come up Cwm Wyre to feed. I assume they arebreeding birds from Llanrhystud but how much of Llanrhystud I don' tknow.. Yesterday evening there were typical numbers for this year - 4 Swifts and 12 House Martins. Brimstone butterfly on the 17th.

Keith Burdett

Afon Teifi, Lampeter

 An interesting riverside walk yesterday with 2 Kingfishers, 1 carrying food, Mute Swan with well grown cygnet and several Herons. Also seen, 2 Sedge Warblers in reed sweet grass, 3 singing Reed Buntings, small colony of Sand Martins and a large fox on a sheep carcass in the river with 3 Greater Black-backed Gulls looking on.

On Wednesday a walk on the Carmarthenshire border below Carreg y Bwchi gave a singing Grasshopper Warbler at Sychnant and a deer, probably Roe in Clywedog plantation.

Martin Perry

Cors Caron

This morning Paul Bennett and I started at Maesllyn where there were three Tufted Ducks, a Coot and a fem Mallard with at least 10 small ducklings.  A couple of Garden Warblers were singing nearby.

Then it was a circuit of the boardwalk (hide still closed).  In a stiff South wind there wasn't a lot around, highlights being a male Whinchat, a couple of Swifts and a  Hobby which Paul watched after I had wandered off

On Tuesday Paul found a pair of Whinchats by the Devil's Bridge road off the A44, with a Tree Pipit nearby.  Then on Wed at Cilcennin  Swifts, Stock Doves and  a male Redstart.  Later, a pair of Spotted Flycatchers where he has has singles in the past.

Consti to Clarach

  On Wednesday I had really good views of a pair of Peregrines passing food on the wing to a very vocal youngster,  between the top of Consti and Clarach.Also saw a pair of Choughs and Stonechats.

Rhiannon Twigg

Hobby over Aberystwyth

Not long before dark this evening I was surprised to see a hobby fly over my accommodation towards CK’s supermarket. It then headed off SE. 

Peregrines

 Re Jerry's post. I saw a pair inland on May 22nd apparently displaying together. At least, they were flying together, sort of mirroring each other, if I remember. I saw a single in the same area on the 26th. The "pair" blasted off into the distance at high speed, so the location where I saw them was not necessarily a breeding site.

Pant Pond

 Two young coots on pant pond this afternoon with their parents.

David Price

Raptors, etc.

 I sometimes see a hawk and I'm not sure whether it's a spar or a gos. But then I remember that if you're not sure, like the distant golden eagle/buzzard scenario, it probably isnt a goshawk!

One evening about a week ago just outside the house I saw a huge hawk powering northwards at quite a low level. It appeared to be heading for a flock of jackdaws but as I didn't have my bins with me, lost it against the hillside. A female goshawk, without a doubt.

I'm hearing a few wood warblers singing from the edges of forestry plantations these days. Are they moving into forestry like some of the other warblers seem to be doing?

And finally an inland pair of peregrines has three large young, which looked yesterday as if they were ready to jump ship! A few years ago it was said that most inland sites in Ceredigion had lost their peregrines, but several of them now seem to be occupied again.

Jerry Moore

Cross Inn Forest

 Lovely walk around Cross Inn forestry this morning. Birds recorded-

Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Blackbird, Robin, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Wren, Carrion Crow, Raven, Siskin, Lesser Redpol, Long tailed Tit, Goldcrest, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Swift, GS Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blackcap a calling male Cuckoo and a "bubbling" female.

Andy James

Cross Inn Nightjars

 Four churring Nightjars at Cross Inn forestry last nightt.  First clearing on the right from the Cross Inn side. 

Andy James

Nightjars Cors Fochno

The Nightjars put on an excellent show last night at Cors Fochno with lots of churring, frog calling, wing clapping and multiple flypasts with some birds flying just above our heads.

Aber House Martins

 Checked out the much depleted House Martin colony around Quay Road at lunchtime yesterday..  The 3 or 4 birds that I saw on Tuesday had now increased. 5 birds were together collecting mud in the Gap, with a probable 6th bird nest building. This is an improvement on last year when I saw only 2 birds, but a big drop from a couple of years ago when I counted 30 plus birds later in the season. Earlier my 1st Aberystwyth Swift for this year was also seen over the Gap.

Helen Herbert

Aberystwyth seawatch

 Helen H and I joined forces on the prom this morning.  Nothing out of the ordinary offshore but the SW wind had livened things up and we enjoyed a continuous passage of Manx Shearwatets and Gannets, with quite a few Kittiwakes.  Many of the manxies were passing the point very close inshore.  A single Fulmar passed and I had a brief and distant view of a tern diving in.

At one point a flock of Herring Gulls approached slowly and as Helen suggested, they were accompanying a couple of B-n  Dolphins.

Marsh Harrier and Great White Egrets

 A female/immature Marsh Harrier was hunting just north of the Clettwr where it crosses the marsh near Lodge Farm this afternoon. Also two Great White Egrets together on the bend in the river just downstream of Domen Las visible from the Glandyfi  lay-by.

Andy Sims

Visiting birder from Pembs

Turtle Dove

 Turtle Dove at Cilcennin today - reported on Birdguides.

Arfon Williams

Nightjars and a Goshawk

 Chris Bird was near Llangwyryfon this afternoon, shortly after setting off for Aberystwyth when he witnessed a male Goshawk stooping at  a Buzzard.  The Buzzard dropped towards the ground to avoid the attack and the Gos continued on its way.

Last night Chris visited an area of forestry near Joppa. He noted a bigger area of clear fell since last year and on arrival could hear a distant churring Nightjar.  Soon he was joined by two more which put on a display at close range, one even landing on the road  nearby.  Before leaving he added a fourth bird.

Local surprises

 There was a pair of Crossbills with at least 2 juvs at Cockshead earlier. Also, a female Goosander with 6 very cute, fluffy headed ducklings at Pont Gogoyan. My first Spotted Flycatchers this year were also there and later another pair at Olmarch. On 3rd a Cuckoo at Blaenbrefi.

Rose-coloured Starling at Borth

 Adult Rose-coloured Starling at Borth yesterday – reported on Ceredigion Birds and Wildlife Facebook page.

 Arfon Williams

Very Great young Spotted Woodpecker

 I think these two might be from the nearby GSW nest I posted a picture of the other day. The adults have obviously been feeding this youngster well, it's bigger than its dad!      The shot was taken through our slightly mucky kitchen window during a downpour.

For Ian Harrison (Pont Llanio/Cwm Doethie)

 Hi Ian

I was interested to read your blog post. Regarding the Kingfishers; A few years back I looked through several years of back copies of the annual report and there were virtually no breeding reports. I once obtained a free "fishing permit" for a couple of seasons from the local angling club. This gave me access to many stretches of the river between Llanfair and Tregaron that are otherwise inaccessible. But no Kingfishers. I wondered whether there is a lack of suitable breeding sites?

Regarding Cwm Doethie; I get the impression that we were walking different stretches. Did you do the circular walk from Soar y Mynydd or maybe walk up from the bottom? I parked at the very top. I titled my post "Doethie Fawr" for convenience but actually only 7 of my Whinchat records were along that upper part of the valley cf. 13 last year, so as you say, quite a lot less than usual perhaps.

Pont Llanio WBBS survey and Cwm Doethie

 Thursday 2nd June

Two Kingfishers flying downstream under Pont Llanio were the first I've recorded on this survey (have been quite surprised about this) and I note that the last sighting was in 2013 by a previous surveyor. That said, the local farmer sees them on occasion so obviously about.

Mute Swans with two cygnets, a Canada Geese with two goslings. No Willow Tit heard this year and no Sandmartins again this year. But  a Spotted Flycatcher was my first for the transect.

To add to Ian Morris's Cwm Doethie sightings the next day (my 2/6 visit was shorter and I didn't get as far as hostel turnoff)

No Yellowhammer (or on a previous visit in mid-April); my last was a pair in 2017 just up the track from the hostel towards Soar y Mynydd.

Spotted Flycatcher 1

Stonechats - at least 10 including young ones.

Wheatear 3

Whinchats 5 singing  - I was surprised how comparatively few there were this year (cf Ian M's total of 13, however).

Ian Harrison

Llangybi

 Forgot to mention that I saw a Hobby yesterday evening over the house, very low, fast and purposeful flight, like it was heading somewhere before dusk.

Doethie Fawr

 Fantastic as ever. No Yellowhammer this year but I did see a female Goosander very high up towards the source. Other birds (males); Whinchat 13, Stonechat 5, Grey Wagtail 2, Reed Bunting 6, Cuckoo 1, Tree Pipit 4, Pied Flycatcher1. Spoke to the very nice warden at Ty Cornel hostel who was just setting off by bicycle to Lampeter to stock up on emergency rations of pot noodles. It's challenging enough driving by car. The track that leads over to Soar y Mynydd is shut once again due to erosion. In places the furrows gouged out by winter rain were 6 feet deep. Will attempt the section below the confluence of Doethie Fawr/Fach soon I hope, all being well.

Aberystwyth prom

 A couple of Bottle-nosed Dolphins entertained the paddle boarders in South Bay this morning.  A total of 23 auks went north, of which a party of seven were close enough to i.d as Razorbills.  The only wader was a Turnstone.

Borth Cliffs

 A dolphin watch at Borth yesterday was enlivened by a small party of five juvenile herons that appeared over the sea from the Aberystwyth direction. They spiralled about for a while (very raptor-like!) before trying to land on rocks occupied by cormorants, great black-backed gulls and oystercatchers. They got quickly seen off  before settling on easier rocky perches nearby. 

Few seabirds moving around but a couple of noisy chough were in the area.....and a small pod of dolphins to keep the visitors happy!

Dave Thomas

Feeding time

 Of all the places to choose to raise a family, a telegraph pole surrounded by trees...

Cwm Carfan (between Tregaron and Llanddewi Brefi )

 Single Cuckoo and Whinchat towards the top of the valley.

Borth - Ynyslas

 Offshore at Borth this morning were at least 30 Gannets, most of them resting on the calm sea.  A few Kittiwakes were close inshore, with more in the distance, along with a few Manx Shearwaters and auks.  Five Greylag Geese flew north. 

Small waders still passing through: five Sanderling and three Dunlin on the beach near the golf clubhouse, then at Ynyslas a flock.of ca 35 Dunlin flying around, and I heard a Ringed Plover.

A Cuckoo was calling near the railway crossing.

Cors Caron

 A walk this evening along the railway walk and the circular boardwalk produced 5 Whinchats (3 female and 2 male), 5 Meadow Pipits, 2 Reed Buntings, 3 Wood Warblers, 6 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers, 2 Wrens, 1 Willow Tit, a single Cuckoo and a Mallard family with 14 chicks.

Will Davies

More Starlings

 I also had a breeding starling family at Silian, also several Skylark territories. A Kestrel did a flyby. At Falcondale lake a Coot was on a nest and there were 2 adults on the lake,

Martin Perry

Cuckoos & 'inland' Starling Breeding

 A visitor at Nant yr Arian reported seeing/hearing 3 cuckoos this morning (Weds) of which one was a female. Then, a running friend (Helen) came in reporting hearing one of the cuckoos which it has a slight variation at the end of the call, and because of this, she was sure it's the same calling male from last year! She also had 5 starlings in her Ponterwyd garden on Tuesday (31st), of which 4 were lovely juveniles.

André Marsh