Friday, 26 August 2022

Down South

Annoyingly and slightly worryingly I got the tide wrong yesterday (as it was the 26th not 16th) for my Teifi watch but it was pleasant enough in the sun. Up to a dozen Curlew were poking about and later 2 calling Whimbrel led by a Curlew flew inland. Ravens croaked overhead alerting me to a common Buzzard lazily circling or to the owner of the property in whose garden I had inadvertently paused and who was approaching! No worry as he was  extremely helpful and interested in birds having lived many years on the estuary edge. 

At Swallow Yard ditch outlet over 50 Barnacle geese were joined by a fledged shelduck youngster and the usual gaggle of Mallards. 

This morning on a flat calm sea Sandwich Terns provided the entertainment as they perch on the marker buoys off Aberporth beach which are spherical so only one bird can balance at a time and this left the several youngsters flapping and squawking begging to be allowed to perch and hoping for a free fish.

Way out on the horizon was some Gannet and Manx action but it didn't last long, the fish all seem to be  up at the Dyfi.  At 11am 11 Scoter flew west, no hesitation, so they will not be the ones we see all winter.