Ceredigion Birds

TREGARON

2012-01-27T19:20:00.000Z

On my return from my visit to Norfolk (always fantastic in winter) I had a message from Will Davies (Will Tregaron) that 18 Whooper Swans are wintering on Cors Caron and up to 4 Hen Harriers are present. Also, by the Teifi, between Tregaron and Llandewi, a shooting party on 7th flushed a Bittern!

The lone Whooper Swan is still up here at Trisant, moving from one lake to another.

close to the border

2012-01-26T16:15:00.002Z

Pencarreg Lake; 34+ goosanders, 100 + mallard, & a few other duck besides.
The algae I took the picture of the other day seems to have disappeared!

Dulas - what a journey

2012-01-26T09:52:00.000Z

As reported by Emyr it was wonderful to watch an Osprey with a small transmitter on its back circle over the pools at Panchang in the Gambia, thankfully Brenda had the presence of mind to catch the moment on her digital camera, on our return she contacted Roy Dennis who referred her to Emyr only then did we know it one of the three juvenile Ospreys from just up the road!
When looking at the Dyfi Osprey website one can see the route taken from their nest site to the wetlands of Western Africa, yet flying to the Gambia looking down from the 31,000ft at the vast arid areas and snow capped mountains of Northern Africa they have to cross one starts to really appreciate what an epic flight it is that such young birds undertake.
Looking at our Gambian birds seen list there are over 20 other bird species that may have made a similar journey from the UK or at least Western Europe, birds such as Whinchat, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Yellow Wagtail, Sand Martin, House Martin as well as a number of waders, Common, Green and Wood Sandpipers, Sanderling, Ringed, Little-ringed and Grey Plovers, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone and Whimbrel.
Although, to my knowledge, no crow has flown from Aberystwyth to the Gambia it is very nearly 3,000 miles in a straight line!
So come the Spring and one hears the incessant 'song' of the Chiffchaff I for one will regard it new and greater respect.

Alan Lyne

Ysgol y Dderi, Llangybi

2012-01-24T19:01:00.002Z

Back to school this morning to help with a bit of bird identification. With several feeders set up, as many as 50 birds could be seen at any one time. Like last year there were about 20 Siskins present. A single Redpoll was a good bird but not bright enough to excite your average six year old!
A week last Monday I managed to get great views of the Starlings crossing Talgarreg and Bwlch y Fadfa on their way to roost. The light was perfect. The sky cloudless. The sun red, resting on the horizon. I was able to time my arrival at various postboxes to coincide with their arrival. Fortunately, the second main group appear ten minutes after the first and about two miles further down the road. I thought previously that there might be 50000 birds though on this occasion I estimated 30000. Take your pick.

Ospreys

2012-01-24T17:41:00.000Z

Absolutely brilliant news Emyr-cheered me up on a very dull day.

Dyfi ospreys sighted in Africa

2012-01-24T13:32:00.000Z

Two of the Dyfi osprey fledglings from last year have been spotted and photographed in Africa last week. The two boys, Einion in Senegal and Dulas in the Gambia. Incredible! Full story here

Einion in Senegal

Shorty at Ynyslas

2012-01-23T19:55:00.002Z

As already reported this evening one of the Short Eared Owl was hunting around the golf links. It was possibly the same one that I watched for about half an hour around the back of the caravan site. Whenever it dropped on some prey it was harrassed by several crows. At least three times it was forced to drop its kill. The photo was during one of it's 'resting sessions' - a bit far off and in poor light so not too good.

Out of county experience

2012-01-23T18:18:00.002Z

Having failed miserably to find a Ceredigion Iceland Gull during the last few weeks I finally tracked one down on my own inland doorstep with a very smart adult at Pencarreg Lake this evening - shame its in Carmarthenshire! Also of interest were two female Shovelers and a fly over Goshawk.

Shorty is still about

2012-01-23T17:50:00.002Z

My neighbours, Pat and Gary Jones tell me that they saw a Short-eared Owl hunting over the rough ground and dunes at the northern edge of the golf course at Ynyslas at 3.55 today.

Ringed Oystercatcher

2012-01-22T13:26:00.000Z

I was up on Foryd Bay near Caernarfon yesterday photographing ringed Brent geese. (a little bird tells me that a couple of eminent CB members were there also a few days ago.. no names mentioned!)

I post this here because of a ringed Oystercatcher I saw with a White Darvic S65 which may be of interest to us in Wales.

I reported the sighting to Alistair Duncan in Aberdeen who coordinates the Oystercatcher ringing project. Here's his response I've just received:

Hello, Emyr. Thank you very much indeed for this sighting of one of our birds.

S65 was ringed, one of a brood of two, on the roof of Gray's School of Art here in Aberdeen on 3 June 2011. You are right about the age but I can't be sure of the sex.With that bill it could well be a female. This is the first sighting of it.

Aberdeen has about 200 pairs nesting on flat gravel covered roofs in the city. Roof nesting is widespread round coastal Europe but in very small numbers. Aberdeen has considerably more than anywhere else. About 25 other towns in Scotland have small numbers. England has about six towns with roof nesting pairs. Only one pair in Ireland, in Cork, and none in Wales that we know of. The bulk of our birds winter in north-west England and north Wales with pairs scattered round other estuaries.

We have been monitoring these roof nesting pairs since about 1986 and started fitting darvics in 1996.

Many thanks again for this sighting and keep looking for more!

Alistair.

Come April/May, check your roofs!

***UPDATE*** I'm staring to get reports from people about Oystercatchers nesting on roofs in Wales. If you know of any records, please let me know and I'll send the information back to Alistair in Scotland (ems11@btinternet.com).

Goosander

2012-01-21T22:29:00.002Z

A female goosander was still on the Rheidol downstream of the police station lunchtime. There was a female bullfinch in the scrub by the Ystwyth surgery. Liz, shouldn't the Ystwyth Surgery really be called the Rheidol Surgery?

There were at least 12 turnstones foraging on the rising tide underneath the pier about 1PM.

WHOOP(er)S

2012-01-20T12:47:00.004Z

Sorry folks, I got my Whoopers and Bewick's mixed up.
The 5 swans (still at Ynyslas this morning) are Bewick's.
Thanks to those who pointed my mistake out to me.

Bewick's swans, Ynyslas

2012-01-19T23:53:00.003Z

The 5 Whoopers were still at Ynyslas by the boatyard this evening. Correction Bewick's. Note to self - don't post in haste. Thank you Liz for your proof reading!

Short-eared Owls

2012-01-19T21:19:00.001Z

2 short eared owls at Cors Caron (Ystrad Meurig end) late this afternoon. Also 2 brambling in my garden in Pontrhydfendigaid and a peregrine flew over the house

Andre Marsh

Bittern from Kingfisher Hide at Teifi Marshes

2012-01-19T20:53:00.004Z

Barely time to sit down let alone get bins out when a bittern flew in to the reeds behind a willow at the back of the pool around 11.15. Therafter, a search with the scope only yielded false tricks of camouflage.

Whoopers at Ynyslas

2012-01-19T14:26:00.002Z

There were 5 Whooper Swans grazing on the field beside the Leri Boatyard this afternoon. Earlier at the Clettwr a Dipper was hanging around close to the bridge and a beautiful male Bullfinch attracted my attention with his plaintive little call. I located him in a bush nearby and was dazzled. What stunning little birds they are.

KINGFISHER

2012-01-18T17:47:00.002Z

There was a Kingfisher in the sunshine at Nant Plas Crug (formerly ‘the Plas Crug ditch’!) this morning.

In addition, Meg and David Kirby, volunteers from the Greener Aberystwyth Group (GAG), were doing a sterling job removing litter from this reclaimed and renamed waterway at the same time.

Len Kersley

Ynyslas and Aber

2012-01-17T22:11:00.002Z

A Peregrine was flying low over Halfords car park at lunch time. 2 Brent geese at Ynyslas at high tide and a Shortie was hunting over the golf course and dunes this evening.

Ringing

2012-01-17T18:01:00.002Z

The black redstart at the Castle in Aber is ringed and, thanks to some fantastic pics from Janet, Tony Cross was able to id it as the one he ringed in Dec 2010 thus proving the site fidelity of at least this winter visitor.
There is some other info of interest on mid-walesringers.blogspot.com: if you scroll down to Jan4th entry 'New Year,New Project ' there is a full explanation of the wader ringing project. It might seem intrusive to go out in the fields at night netting goldies whilst they feed but the information gained is vital when the siting of windfarms is being considered and there is hardly a hilltop in Wales that is not being looked at for those.

"Shopping" in Aberystwyth

2012-01-17T17:20:00.002Z

Spent a couple of hours in Aber around lunchtime today and was lucky to get 4 Purple Sands on the jetty rocks together with a lone Rock Pipit. Moving on to College Rocks there were 23 Turnstones and local feral Pigeons feeding in the surf but no sign of any Ringed Plover. Two Black Redstarts on the College roof from St Michael's car park, the stunning male and an almost as attractive female together with another Rock Pipit. On the drive in there were 15-20 Red Kites on the hill just before Bow Street and a "safety camera van" in the lay-by by the school.

Aberystwyth today

2012-01-16T21:53:00.002Z

This morning there were three Purple Sandpiper feeding on the steps of the stone jetty, at high tide at lunch time there were five Purple Sandpiper roosting and feeding on the rocks next to the wooden jetty along with a Rock Pipit. Also at high tide there were 20 Turnstone feeding on South Beach. The Black Redstart was showing well in its usual location and my local Stonechat by the marina were very confiding today.

Happy New Year!
Stefffi Meier

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COMMON SCOTERS

2012-01-16T21:14:00.000Z

This afternoon Chris Bird noticed a raft of 120-130 Common Scoters off Wallog, to the north of Aberystwyth; just about the same number that he saw off Aberystwyth last Friday.

Before this cold snap, one very dark night last week he listened to 3 Wood Pigeons cooing away to each other for a period after 10.30pm by his home at Trefenter.

Pipers and Plovers

2012-01-16T17:21:00.002Z

Three Purple Sandpipers and twelve Ringed Plover on the Castle Point rocks early this morning

Black Redstart

2012-01-16T15:42:00.000Z

Showing well at lunchtime today between St Michael’s church and the Old College

John Woodruff

Some photos from Laurie

2012-01-16T11:01:00.001Z

Nearly forgot - here are some of Laurie Wright's photographs taken on yesterday's field trip.

Bits and pieces

2012-01-16T10:56:00.002Z

Yesterday, in bright sunshine and with a free pass from the wife, I ventured out for some birding. Cors Caron was rather quiet with 16 tufted ducks on Maesllyn pool the only species of note. At Cross Inn forest I had superb views of 9 crossbills including 3 singing males. The Iceland gull was at New Quay and there were 16 red-throated divers and a red-breasted merganser at Llanon and 13 Red-throated divers off Llanrhystud. At Borth/Ynyslas there were 48 red-throated divers, 26 common scoter, 7 great crested grebes and, the highlight of the day, 2 slavonian grebes off Ynyslas turn.

Sunday's Field Trip

2012-01-16T10:17:00.003Z

I think I can speak for all who attended the Birding Group Field Trip on Sunday when I say how enjoyable it was. The weather helped, but it was a really interesting area to visit, one I had never been to before. We had great views of some woodland bird species and a chance to chat and catch up with old friends. Many thanks to Andre for guiding us around, to Elaine for organising the meeting and to Moira for compiling the following list -

buzzard, magpie, raven, blue tit, great tit, robin, blackbird, red kite, reed bunting, woodpigeon, jackdaw, wren, treecreeper, nuthatch, coal tit, great spotted woodpecker, siskin, marsh tit, chaffinch, lesser redpoll, greenfinch, goldfinch, crossbill, mistle thrush, carrion crow, jay, and snipe.

Starling roost Aber

2012-01-15T20:32:00.004Z

A peregrine was paying very close attention to the starling roost this evening, hunting just above the houses by street lights until at least 5.30. It knocked a bird off the Old College roof but the starling got away. Another bird was not so lucky.

Request for sightings of migrating bats

2012-01-15T20:11:00.000Z

A bat research group is looking for records of bat from birders/ naturalists who have seen bats flying in off the sea or heading out to sea in the British Isles, and for any casual bat records from ferries. Further info can be found on the attached link: http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=3061

Aline (wearing my North Ceredigion bat group hat!)

Ynyslas Turn Car-Park 13th Jan

2012-01-15T20:05:00.002Z

Common Scoter 12 off the car park, Ringed Plover 8, a few Dunlin, Curlew & Redshank. Little Egret 2, Stonechat 2.
Cors Fochno, Ringtail, Gooseander 3 (2f-1m) Little Grebe 1, KIngfisher 2.
14th Jan 300-400 Lapwing near Post-Bach.

Alan Hill

Ynyslas

2012-01-15T20:04:00.000Z

From the car park, a tightly huddled group of 16 grey plovers, 9 knot and
17 dunlin pushed up with the rising tide. Also 3 ringed plovers and what I
was initially convinced was a Ring-billed Gull, but on closer inspection
was probably just a 2nd winter Herring bobbing around just offshore. The
bill pattern and plumage were exactly right for Ring-billed!

Mike Waller.

Pencarreg lake

2012-01-15T19:45:00.002Z

A slightly different angle.........This is Pencarreg lake on Friday - presumably green algae! I suspect it would not do your dog any good, but how do the birds cope?
If anyone knows the answer I for one would be intrigued to know, thanks!

Various @ Aber.

2012-01-15T17:42:00.004Z

Great to meet up with Janet again and as she has already posted cracking shots , I'll just do one diffferent-still can't make mine smaller tho'.

Purp Sand on Wooden Jetty also Rock Pips.

Black redstart, Aberystwyth

2012-01-14T23:05:00.003Z

Black redstart around much of the day, flitting between St Michaels and the back of Old College

Roosting Starlings

2012-01-13T19:13:00.002Z

Lucky to see some immense flocks of Starlings again flying to roost this evening near Talgarreg. One or two smaller flocks looked to contain a few hundred birds but then the main swirling mass arrived. Not once, but twice. Each trailed back a huge distance and clearly comprised many thousands since they utterly dwarfed the first little groups. All in all there could easily have been 50000 in total, but who can say for sure?
Earlier there were also sizeable groups of Lapwing(300) and Golden Plover(500) nearby at Capel Cynon.

Black Redstart

2012-01-13T18:06:00.000Z

The black redstart was showing well this morning, in his most usual spot above the main entrance at the back of Old College. Yesterday (12th) there were two beautiful female goosanders on the Rheidol near the football ground.

Pete and Jenni Hyatt

Leri at High-tide (WeBS count)

2012-01-12T13:59:00.002Z

After a long trudge to the Leri pill-box in poor visibility and rain expectations of seeing anything were not high. However, after 5 minutes the rain and cloud cleared and I was able to carry out the WeBS count for that section of the Dyfi. Highlights were 11 grey plover, 9 pale-bellied brent geese, a greenshank and a female merlin. Wigeon numbers were very low though 92 pintail, over 400 oystercatchers and 210 shelduck were nice. On the way back to the Leri the female eider put in an appearance too. Yesterday at RSPB Ynys-hir 4 Greenland white-fronted geese and a goshawk were good too. My year list for the county has got off to a reasonable start with 100 species exactly seen to date.

Black Redstart

2012-01-12T13:47:00.002Z

The male Black Redstart was flitting around the Old College roof at lunchtime today, mostly around the conical roof to the left of the entrance (as viewed from the church carpark). Looked very smart in the sunlight.

Sanderlings

2012-01-11T14:52:00.000Z

After a very brisk surf at ynyslas, I noticed 7 sanderlings at the
edge of the surf opposite the turn car park at about 3 this afternoon (Tuesday 10th).
Probably the same ones that were at Borth. Just missed the Shortie again!

Mike Waller.

Singing Chaffinch

2012-01-11T14:26:00.003Z

We had to go Morrisons today. As we left at about 1:00 there was a Chaffinch in full song in the car park - the only part of the shopping experience I enjoyed!

Maesyderi pool, Llangybi

2012-01-11T14:23:00.003Z

Eagle-eyed bloggers will know that I always like to find new places to explore and birdwatch. I can now add Glendas dog grooming parlour to that list. Strictly speaking not the parlour itself but her fields and neighbouring pool. A few weeks ago a Water Rail and Willow Tit were present and today 70 Teal were squeezed on to it.

Iceland Gull -- Aberaeron

2012-01-11T11:55:00.001Z

Yesterday, 1w Iceland Gull at Aberearon Harbour nr. Newquay.
(Ed Hunter)

Ynyslas this afternoon

2012-01-10T19:06:00.002Z

A Short-eared Owl put in an appearance at Ynyslas again this afternoon. I watched it hunting from 3:10 until 3:25. It came quite close a couple of times, apparently completely indifferent to my presence. Nothing else to report though.........

CORS CARON

2012-01-10T17:03:00.000Z

At midday from the bridge over the Teifi at the Ystrad Meurig end, a Short-eared Owl and ring-tail Hen Harrier.

Earlier at Maesllyn, sadly no sign of the Pochard but 17 Tufted Ducks, 89 Wigeon and several Teal and some Mallard and Moorhens making more birds here than possibly on all the other Ceredigion inland waters at this time put together!

ABERAERON

2012-01-09T20:46:00.000Z

From the river footpath this afternoon: Hen Harrier, Marsh Tit and Chiffchaff - Andy James

BORTH

2012-01-09T20:45:00.002Z

10 Sanderling on the beach this afternoon - Chris Bird

Australian shelduck

2012-01-09T15:38:00.002Z

Finally had decent views of the strange shelduck that John Davis saw at RSPB Ynys-hir some days ago and yes, as suggested it is an Australian shelduck, another escapee on the Dyfi. Also today, a first winter little gull feeding over the salt marsh near the marian mawr hide and a ringtail hen harrier feeding near the hide. Shoveler numbers have increased to 18 and over 900 teal were on the pool near the Breakwater hide.

Aberystwyth Gulls

2012-01-09T14:09:00.001Z

Still no luck with the little gull – despite having devoted a few lunch-breaks to the cause! I did get a couple of common gulls and an adult med gull in the harbour at lunchtime today though.

John Woodruff

Pochard

2012-01-09T10:14:00.001Z

Forgot to mention due to the excitement of seeing the shorties, that there was a male pochard on Maes Llyn pond with 90+wigeon yesterday, not a common duck in our parts.

January Field Trip

2012-01-09T08:31:00.000Z

Hello Everyone,

A reminder that next Sunday sees the first group field trip of 2012. It will be
at Coed Dolgoed, Pontrhydfendigaid, an area that is well worth getting to
know.

Let's hope for good weather and start 2012 as we mean to go on with a well
attended meeting and a long bird list!

Elaine Izett

turtle result

2012-01-08T17:38:00.002Z

The very rare Kemp's Ridley's turtle was recovered by its original finder and is now with 2 others washed up on the Glamorgan coast. They have apparently arrived from Mexico or Florida;the one at llanon accompanied by trigger fish!
It was at first thought to be an Olive's Ridley turtle which, though less globally rare than the Kemp's, would have been a first for the UK hence the panic to re-find it. Subsequent examination of its underside confirmed it however as a Kemps,possibly only the 37th finding in the UK.

shorties etc at Cors Caron

2012-01-08T17:33:00.002Z

Well at last I timed my walk down the bog to coincide with the hunting shorties,one either side of the track on the north bog. I met Philip Ellis looking at the same birds and then we saw a barn owl,ringtail and male harrier all within a few minutes!
4pm!

Iceland Gull

2012-01-08T17:08:00.002Z

The 2nd winter Iceland Gull was again at Borth Coastguards again this afternoon (2.45 pm), on the shore between the slipway and reef with c.100 Herring and 50 BH gulls. Nice close views - I wish I'd taken my camera!

NEW QUAY

2012-01-08T16:33:00.000Z

A report of sightings yesterday by Andy James: 11 Red-throated and 1 Black-throated Diver off New Quay Head.

Also a Dipper at the Rheidol near Aberystwyth's police station yesterday, seen by Helen Ougham and Sid Thomas.

Nothing to be seen here at Trisant. Only now has the rain stopped and the mist lifted; but now its getting dark!

kites and guns

2012-01-07T23:25:00.002Z

The guns on the bog certainly contributed to Andre's sightings because although the harriers and marsh/willow tits have been in evidence the number of ducks visible on this east side of the bog have been miserly. Feeding the ponds at Cruglas keeps most on the NW bog including most of the wigeon flock, this winter Maes Llyn has hosted only a small group with a smattering of mallard teal and tufted. The whoopers are see-able from the Flur hide but mostly they also keep to the fed ponds.
Guns were banging off at Ty Gwyn pools as we made our way to Talsarn to count the kites at Susanna Binstead's feeding station for the Europe wide annual count. Over 200 turned up the most since a cold snap in November plus 2 of the most beautiful pale buzzards I have ever seen. I could only see 4 tags so wondering where all the tagged birds have gone!

Gulls Galore

2012-01-07T21:04:00.000Z

At South Beach to the harbour this afternoon, there were lots of Herring Gulls and Black Headed Gulls, 2 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, 2 Great Black Backed Gulls, and amongst a group of Black Headed Gulls opposite the Sailing Club, there was a first winter Little Gull.

Also, there was a Dipper at the Lletwr by the ford.

Matt Potter

Harriers Shortys and Guns

2012-01-07T21:01:00.000Z

An eventful walk late this afternoon at Cors Caron; First a marsh tit at the car park and 14 tufted, 104 wigeon at Maes Llyn. I could hear a lot of shooting going on on the bog and during the walk northwards I counted at least 10 guns mostly along the river and spread over a mile. Lots of teal were in the sky mostly in flocks of 20 to 30, probably 150-200 birds. A male hen harrier flew through the commotion. 2 willow tit were very nice to see as where 40 fieldfare. 16 whooper swans (3 juv) flew south down the river. As I walked further north a shortie came in to view and then another one. One of them saw off a buzzard - whilst this was going on the male harrier flew past again and then 2 ringtail birds came in to view, I didn't know where to look first. I could still hear the shooting going on. One of the shorties settled on the stone ruins not far from the river Teifi bridge

Andre Marsh

Mwnt -- divers

2012-01-07T19:12:00.002Z

1000-1100;-
A great start with a flock of 8 Red-throated Divers, followed by 1 Black-throated Diver and a further 5 red-throats. With 5 red-throats on the sea feeding.
No Gannets, a couple of Fulmars. Common Gulls & Black-headed Gulls out-numbered the Kittiwakes, with small numbers of auks moving, mainly Guillemots.
1 Kestrel and 2 Chough.

Ynyslas

2012-01-07T19:02:00.002Z

Curlew numbers in the Ty Canol fields have been growing over the last week, maximum number about 190. Short-eared owl on the golf course at dawn on Thursday morning and one flew across the garden and over the road into the dunes this evening once all available light for photography had gone.

ICELAND GULL

2012-01-07T17:27:00.000Z

Thanks to a call from John and Andy Morris, regular visiting birders from the Midlands, Bob, Harry and I dashed up to Borth where they pointed out an Iceland Gull which was with a flock of Herring and Black-headed Gulls near the life-boat station, between the shore and the new reef. Russell soon arrived! We now reckon that it was not the one Helen Herbert saw at Aberystwyth recently as this one appeared to be a 2nd winter bird.

Celtic Lakes, Temple Bar

2012-01-07T15:25:00.002Z

Called in on my way to the coast and found the owner to be very welcoming to birdwatchers. 26 Goosanders were present, the most I think I've ever seen, though not much else. Regular visits would surely turn something up now and again such as the possible Hobby that David mentioned the other day.

Iceland Gull Borth

2012-01-07T12:10:00.002Z

Birdguides has a report of an Iceland Gull on the shore at Borth opposite the Life Boat Station at 10am today. No details of age.

CHIFFCHAFF at LLANRHYSTUD

2012-01-06T17:16:00.000Z

My first Bullfinch of the year was along the path from Llanrhystud church which leads down to the shore.

Nearby was a Chiffchaff, feeding low in the vegetation beside the path, on the path itself plus some flycatching between the path-side bushes.

Yesterday the lone Whooper Swan which has been up here at Trisant for a few days was on Llyn Frongoch. I did wonder if it was one of the pair which had been here at the beginning of 2009. One was unable to fly and its mate eventually left it to return to Iceland on 9th April. The sick bird was taken into care in early June.

A resting gannet

2012-01-05T17:52:00.002Z

There was a gannet sitting on Borth golf course not far from the 30 sign this afternoon, about 2.30. It occasionally got up for a flap and a stretch. From Ynyslas beach, about 50 wigeon close in, six ringed plover and a red-breasted merganser. The gannet was not there on the way back.

New Quay seawatch

2012-01-05T17:40:00.002Z

There was a steady passage of auks, kittiwakes and fulmars, including a cracking 'blue' phase bird passed New Quay Head this morning between 8.30 and 10.00. Other highlights included single Great Skua, imm Little Gull and imm male Eider. Small number of Common Scoter (3 males) and Red-throated Diver (5) were also noted.

For those who might not know 'blue' phase fulmars are darker than the normal phase having head and rump/tail the same colour as the upper wings (head and rump/tail white in normal phase). The darkest birds also have dark underparts. 'Blue' fulmars tend to occur in the northern part of the species range and are not often seen in Ceredigion waters.

Shorty's still around

2012-01-05T16:06:00.002Z

A Short-eared Owl was quartering the field beside the Leri Boatyard this afternoon.
There were about 50 Curlew in a flock mixed up with Wigeon out on the saltings and 6 Sanderling on the sand near the row of posts at the end of the beach. I bumped into a lady dog-walker, Jan, who told me that her husband had picked up an injured owl nearby and taken it to a local vet a few days ago, she didn't know what sort of owl. Unfortunately the bird had to be put down. If the local vet happens to be reading this, I would be very grateful if you could get in touch and let me know what species it was........

Today's gulls at Aberystwyth

2012-01-05T14:01:00.002Z

A 1st winter Little Gull just off the harbour entrance again at lunchtime today, and the adult Mediterranean Gull with the Black-heads at North beach between pier and wooden landing-stage.

more dead things and a survivor

2012-01-04T18:56:00.002Z

For those with an interest in dead birds (I hesitate to use the n word in case I get spammed out) I return to the gull I posted on Dec 30th: it was still on the beach but in much better condition if you discount the whiff and on seeing it, I realised it was too big for a little gull. I include a pic of the legs which are pale by any standard so in immatures its pale grey or variable not black as per the guide books! Measurements confirmed it so that's that and I now need to get down to Aber to see a live little gull!
Also on the beach a gannet skeleton(that beak never fails to impress), plus a freshly disembowelled GC grebe which,in deference to your sensibilities I have declined to picture, sorry Lyndon.
The survivor is that BHgull which I pictured on Dec 13th, amazingly its still on the beach at Ynys Las with all the other sandwich hunting gulls! I was a bit tempted to create another corpse on the beach when a guy in a Range Rover with a small child at the steering wheel repeatedly drove through the gulls...if only he knew what effort it took for that damaged gull to keep moving.

GULLS at ABERYSTWYTH

2012-01-04T16:51:00.002Z

An adult and 1st winter Little Gull just off South Beach and 2 Mediterranean Gulls, also adult and 1st winter, between the pier and wooden landing-stage. Before I got to town Helen Herbert had watched an Iceland Gull flying past Castle Point.

Kite attack and response to Ian

2012-01-04T14:08:00.001Z

Bird watching as usual whilst having my early morning coffee in bed, I noticed a stray starling, not quite right, through bins it had a leg injury which made it very ungainly. After about 20mins a kite came and gave it a good look over, dived and just missed. It chased the starling to the nearby hedge, without success, then landed by a puddle in the middle of the field for drink.

With reference to Ian's blog; Felinfach is quite close to these lakes, which are now beginning to mature, and I have sighted what I was fairly sure were hobbies on a few occasions in the last couple of years and was curious as to why, but I have come to the conclusion that the lakes are extensive enough to yield a good crop of dragonflies. I noticed what looked like Shelduck as I drove by about a week ago.......now I know!! Thanks Ian.

David,
Felinfach

ABERYSTWYTH

2012-01-03T19:38:00.000Z

A few of us, including Bob, Jon Turner, Clive Hurford and myself noticed an adult Little Gull over the stormy waves just off South Beach at Aberystwyth today. 5 Purple Sandpipers were present and Clive also reports and 1st winter Mediterranean Gull infront of the Richmond Hotel.

Temple Bar

2012-01-03T19:08:00.002Z

On the road between Aberaeron and Lampeter there are a number of newish fishing lakes. I've never stopped for a closer look but there has never appeared to be much about. Today, however I spotted something, pulled over, and counted 21 Goosanders. Perhaps other interesting things turn up here now and again.

Otter

2012-01-02T19:28:00.003Z

My neighbours Gary and Pat had the good fortune to see an otter on the lake in front of Marian Mawr hide at Ynys-hir this afternoon.

Green Sandpiper

2012-01-02T19:28:00.001Z

A Green Sandpiper feeding on the edge of a flooded field just south of Swyddffynnon, a Tufted Duck on the nearby pond. Unusually few winter thrushes about in this area, just 2 Redwings in a flock of 25 mostly male Blackbirds.

Philip Ellis

New Quay(fish factory)02/01/2012

2012-01-02T18:52:00.000Z

A short visit today red throated divers 5-guillemot15-a few kittiwake mostly juv chough 2 over.

alan.hill

Ynyshir

2012-01-02T17:09:00.003Z

Inspired by recent tales of peregrines and little gulls, I went out to the Breakwater Hide this morning. On the way, five cock pheasants flew out of the arable area, frightening the life out of me. I did see a peregrine (though not as obliging as for Bob and John) but the gull flying like a marsh tern was too far away to call.

I must have fallen asleep as I dreamt that the RSPB were going to run shuttles down to the hide and provide a telescope for high tides. Coming back to reality, the path back is like quicksand in places. It struck me that now that the path along the railway is closed so as not to disturb the birds on the fields, there will be up to twice as much traffic on the route, and large amounts of stones and/or boardwalk will be needed to keep access reasonable for paying visitors.

A sparrowhawk flew in front of the visitor centre.

YNYSLAS

2012-01-02T08:06:00.000Z

I cannot recall a wetter, drearier start to a year but I persevered and on my traditional local tour to start the year one highlight was the sight of 10 Purple Sandpipers at Aberystwyth.

Later at Ynyslas conditions were a bit better for a while and the 2 Short-eared Owls did raise my spirits. As my favourite bird it was a shame the light conditions were so poor but here is one of them on a post and the other photo shows one of what were some very noisy and rather aggressive interactions.

12 Sanderling, 5 pale-bellied Brent Geese and the wintering female Eider were also present.

Meanwhile Chris Bird was enjoying the delights of Llyn Fanod where there was a gathering of 9 Goosanders and a Goldeneye. 200 Golden Plovers were also nearby and he wondered if anyone else has noticed them up there as he cannot recall seeing them there before. The previous day he noted 4 Mediterranean Gulls on College Rocks at Aberystwyth.

Blwyddyn newydd dda

2012-01-01T17:21:00.002Z

Not much birding today but an afternoon stroll along the Llanerchaeron to Aberaeron path began with a single Brambling in a flock of over 200 Linnets feeding in the stubble field at the beginning of the walk. Not a bad way to get the 2012 list started.

Hope all you Ceredigion bird watchers out there have had a good Christmas and are looking forward to a bird filled new year.

Myherin 01-01-2012

2012-01-01T15:23:00.000Z

Flock of 25 Crossbills flew over the car park on a very wet day

Ynys-hir in the rain

2012-01-01T13:28:00.002Z

Appalling weather for the first day of the year, so, rather than get wet at Ynyslas I popped into Ynys-hir and bird watched from the shelter of the reserve's land-rover. The first year little gull was still here, feeding with some black-headed gulls over the river and the barnacle goose flock was feeding scattered on the salt marsh. Despite the very mild weather teal numbers were very high with over 1600 scattered on the wetter areas of the lowland wet grassland. A solitary bar-tailed godwit was the highlight from the Breakwater hide and a black-tailed godwit was at Morfa Cud. Some 1300 golden plover, 2200 lapwing and over 100 redshank were other highlights there.

Another Shorty

2011-12-31T23:17:00.000Z

I was lucky enough to see a short eared owl hunting at the north end of Cors Caron this evening (31st)

Andre Marsh

Deceased

2011-12-31T16:28:00.002Z

There we are then Liz, I am not the only one to notice, the rest of us look for tea Rooms on a walk !! I hope everyone has the best Birding year ever in 2012

Dear Liz

2011-12-31T14:20:00.002Z

Is it my imagination? Every time something dead or mutilated appears on this blog you always seem to be the first on the scene. Spooky, eh, fellow bloggers?

little gull?

2011-12-30T17:45:00.003Z

This morning I found this gull on the beach just north of the turn carpark. It was wet, I was wet and there were young children looking at me so I took a quick pic, checked for rings and went on up the beach to see 20+ dunlin on the stones.
I assumed from the W pattern that it was a young kittiwake, ( it had been decapitated)but I later realised that it had very pale flesh coloured legs which wouldn't be right for kittiwake. I have beaten myself up for not doing a proper id job on it even at the expense of the feelings of young on-lookers! It does have a short body compared to wing span.

Shelduck

2011-12-30T15:32:00.001Z

Hi John-sounds like an Oz Shelduck-could you see a white eyering?

YNYS-HIR

2011-12-29T19:09:00.000Z

Bob and I were determined to get out this morning and so we went to Ynys-hir and made for the Breakwater hide. From there we noticed a first winter Little Gull fly over the embankment and railway line and over the Breakwater fields. Dipping low it looked rather like a marsh tern. It paused on the ground a few times before flying back to the saltings and upstream. It was soon back although spooked for a while by a Hen Harrier which passed above it. It settled on one of the pools for a while and eventually it flew off, passing the hide, heading for the sea.

(During the afternoon Chris Bird noticed this or another first winter Little Gull off South Beach at Aberystwyth.)

We were then entranced by a Peregrine which landed on one of the boulders by the railway, immediately infront of the hide. It remained there for 15 minutes or so.

A strange-looking Shelduck also appeared which at first glance looked like a Ruddy Shelduck but instead of a paler, creamy-coloured head and neck with a black band at the base of the neck it had a very dark head and neck, black or dark green and a white neck band. We were not sure whether it was a hybrid, a freak or an exotic variety from a collection. Worth looking out for.

Yesterday I noticed a Greenshank by the Clettwr, the first December sighting of this species since 2006.

"Earthflight" 6-part series starting tonight

2011-12-29T18:22:00.000Z

I just thought people on the blog might be interested in the new BBC nature series "Earthflight" starting tonight 8.00pm BBC One. The promotional blurb says "...provides a bird's-eye view of the world, joining our feathered friends as they soar across 6 continents..." - so it sounds as though its mostly about birds. See:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/8982758/New-BBC-One-nature-series-Earthflight-gives-us-a-birds-eye-view-of-the-world.html

Enjoy!
Rachel Tindall

Mydroilyn

2011-12-28T09:03:00.001Z

A spectacular starling roost this evening (Tuesday 27th) near Mydroilyn they put on a show,really worth a visit .
also in attendence 2 buzzards,1peregrine.

alan hill

Short-eared owl, Ynyslas

2011-12-28T08:33:00.001Z

Shortie on dawn patrol between the golf course and caravan site this morning.

Ynyslas/ Leri - high tide

2011-12-27T12:42:00.002Z

This morning, as the tide began to ebb,there were 99 Curlew, 3 Mute Swans and 7 Ringed Plover along the waters edge. As the tide dropped - much to my surprise, along came the Short Eared Owl to see what pickings were left behind.

Tir Sisial

2011-12-27T11:23:00.000Z

2 Dippers on the River Wyre at Tir Sisial this morning - seeing them much
more this year than usual. 2 Woodcock which were the first of the winter -
these seem in short supply.
Also keeping eyes and ears peeled to confirm a probable Little Owl...

Keith Burdett

Hen Harriers

2011-12-27T11:22:00.000Z

There were 3 ringtail harriers together at the north end of Cors Caron late this afternoon - Friday 23rd

Andre Marsh

Yellowhammers

2011-12-27T11:20:00.000Z

There were at least 6 yellowhammers feeding by on beetfield by bridge on b4343 nr llwyn just outside of llanddewi brefi 21 December this is not unusal at this time of the year it might be worth looking at other fields with beets in other places, also at least 3 female goldeneye on pantpool with tufties.

David Price

Teifi

2011-12-26T12:05:00.002Z

Our 1st Sanderling for a while with the c30 Dunlin and a few Ringed Plover on Patch.
The Grey Plover still at the Webley, and plenty of Wigeon and Teal around the estuary and marsh to search through! 1 Goldeneye on the river.

Shorties

2011-12-22T19:15:00.000Z

Looking for mammals rather than birdies, I spotted this majestic chap over the golf course at Ynyslas late on this afternoon. Doesn't quite beat Janet's garden tick though!

There were two in all foraging for prey.

HELP PLEASE DEAD TURTLE MUST BE FOUND

2011-12-22T18:43:00.002Z

Lin Gander has asked me to ask you guys for help in re-locating a dead turtle which was found originally between Aberarth and Llanarth and may have been swept along the coast possibly going north.
It will be quite de-composed but you are looking for a carapace with head and a bit of leg about 18" long.
The urgency is because it might be a species NEW to this areaturtle: a Kemp's or Olive's Ridley. A photo won't do so please contact Marine Environmental monitoring on 01239 682405/ 07970 064240 as it will need collecting. It might be helpful to move it above the high tide line if its in danger of floating off again.

RHOS LLAWRCWRT

2011-12-21T16:42:00.000Z

Rhos Llawrcwrt, near Talgarreg is one of those little jewels that I have never heard of until today when David Wooley, who lives near the reserve got in touch with a list of recent sightings:

Kingfisher on 1st, Short-eared Owl on 5th and 7th and Jack Snipe on 7th.

His weekly visits which began many years ago will hopefully continue to produce more great sightings.

Teifi Valley

2011-12-21T11:33:00.002Z

You make me laugh Liz. Thank you.
Mid-winter blues? Christmas post doin' yer 'ead in? Coming down with a bit of "man flu"? (sniffle...sniffle). Best get out birdwatching. Thought I'd tackle a stretch of the river by looking upstream from Pont Gogoyan and then walking down from Pont Llanio (floodwater perilously close to top of wellies). Lots about, inc 9 Goosander and 130 Wigeon. Nearby at Pant pool there were 6 Tufted Ducks and 4 Little Grebes as well as an Otter that was casually swimming and diving out in the open.

NEW QUAY

2011-12-21T08:31:00.001Z

Proof that many Guillemots do not leave our inshore waters during the winter came from Penny at New Quay. A regular cliff-top walker and organiser of the dolphin watches from the old coastguard lookout, she noticed around 300 Guillemots on the cliff ledges earlier this week and reports that such numbers have been seen in recent weeks.

As well as the erosion which Liz noticed at Aberaeron, the shingle bank just to the south of the car park at Llanrhystud has been taking a beating and looks as if a breach could occur before too long.

Aberaeron today

2011-12-20T21:25:00.002Z

47 curlew in fields north of town, 16 turnstones and 15 ringed plovers plus a grey wagtail and 4 rock pipits by the harbour.
Is it me or has anyone else noticed the increased erosion just beyond the boulders walking north? Was this an intended outcome of the flood scheme or did they run out of boulders?

16 crossbills in Cwm Berwyn on Sunday...the only birds seen or heard!