A morning out and about

Regular wintering birds in regular type numbers at Llanon/Llanrhystud; 42 Oystercatchers included the leucistic individual. 3RT Divers were quite close to shore.

The big flocks of Golden Plovers and Lapwings were still in the fields near Ty Gwyn pools but a little further back on the brow of a slope so a bit more difficult to attempt to count. Certainly between 1-2000 birds I would say. I saw 9 PF Geese earlier in the week and one was among 100 Greylags today but others could have been just out of sight.

Late winter build up of Goosanders continuing at Celtic Lakes, Temple Bar. I was able to count 8 as I drove past at 40mph! I have politely asked permission twice before in previous winters to view over the main lake, which is pretty large, and twice been politely thrown out. Hard not to escape the feeling that interesting stuff must turn up there never to be seen.

Hen Harrier

 There was a male Hen Harrier outside  the Ynys Feurig hide at Ynys-hir yesterday. 

Thomas Simpson 

Willow Tits

 A pair were present this morning near the top of Cwm Twrch at 682507. Later at Pont Gogoyan there were 85 Wigeon, 2 Little Egrets, a Dipper and a Sparrowhawk. Yesterday 9 Gadwall were on Maes Llyn pool.

Day out

 Highlights of a drive around

Ynys Las/Leri; Great Egret and GC Grebe

Glandyfi layby; Great Egret, 8 Goldeneye, 3 Green Sandpiper and a Marsh Harrier

fields near Ty Gwyn pools; 800 Golden Plovers, 400 Lapwings, 140 Fieldfares, 9 PF Geese

Pochard

 A male Pochard was present on Maes Llyn pool, Cors Caron at about 9am this morning. As well as Mallard/Teal/Wigeon I also saw pairs of Gadwall, Goosander and Tufted Duck. The female Goosander appeared to be displaying to the male. I couldn't find the Pintail but it began to rain heavily.

Little Egrets

 I noticed a few as I drove around today; 4 Henllan, 3 Lampeter, 1 Betws Bledrws.

Ynyslas

 The eight Brent Geese were still at the point at low tide as well as over c200 Golden Plover.   A few Pintail and a Greenshank outside the visitor centre and a Marsh Harrier by the boathouse. 

Thomas Simpson 

MAESLLYN POOL, CORS CARON

 Midday: One drake Pintail,  3 drake and 3 female Goosanders and 98 Wigeon.

Starling roost at Ynyslas

 With Dave and Sue Purdon yesterday afternoon to Cors Fochno to watch for harriers.   coming in to roost .  We tried a different viewpoint  - at the furthest end of the circular boardwalk near Ty Mawr - access from NRW's car park.   It was actually quite disappointing,  only one bird was seen which looked like a dark marsh harrier,  which came over from the east,  circled in a wide arc towards Borth and then returned inland and disappeared.   We were distracted by a large flock of starlings - probably roughly 8000 strong  which "murmurated " ( I hate that word ) above an area of the bog east of the railway line and above the River Leri.   As a viewpoint for watching the harrier roost it was not great as you tend to be looking into the sunset from there. 

Jerry Moore 

Aberaeron

 Single Med Gull (sports field, north beach car park) and Fulmar flying past. Four Goosanders were at Celtic Lakes, Temple Bar.