Llyn Blaenmelindwr at night

Just got back from a quick trip to Pendam et al. to try and spot the Neowise comet. Came away with much more than had hoped - heard a nightjar churring away south-west of Blaenmelindwr, then saw it fly across the lake towards the clearfell in the east. Then, had an incidental encounter with an otter, and saw a Daubenton's trawling the lake for morsels. Lovely stuff. Grace Dooley

Back on and off the trail

After a few false starts, dead ends and blocked footpaths, a Willow Tit was calling near Bwlch Llan at 575598 with 2 Grasshopper Warblers reeling in the same sort of area. Not far away I also wandered round a very beautiful area that reminded me of a place that Silke led us on a guided walk a few years ago. Then realised it was the very same place but approached from the opposite direction. No Willow Tits there, just a couple of deliriously happy looking tourists who seemed to be skipping along a footpath.

Swift Report

The little beauties are still busy feeding their young, and I'm still busy trying to photograph them.

Aberystwyth prom

Quite a social gathering this morning as Helen and I were joined at Castle Point by Sue and Terry Reeves. As yesterday, an early passage of ca140 Manx Shearwaters soon petered out. Highlight was three Sandwich Terns, going north as was everything else. A few Gannets, six Common Dcoter and four or five Med Gulls made up the rest. On the rocks were two Turnstones and this juvenile Shag

Along the coast

Started at Aberystwyth where I met Helen H on her first visit since the virus struck. Cold wind and few birds, just 140 Manx Shearwaters, four Gannets and a Curlew. Then I carried on to Llanrhystud, where 52 Mediterranean Gulls and a Greylag Goose were the main attraction. Finished at Llansantffraed; another 60 odd med gulls and 11 Curlews.

Gwbert

Visited Gwbert again this afternoon and the lone Little Egret was still in the estuary, as well as 50+ Canada Geese, there was a couple of Grey-lag Geese tagging along.

Paul and Lesley Taylor

Swifts

They're still hard at it - visiting our box to feed their young.  These two shots are the sum total of about two hours spent trying to photograph them today, all the rest were rubbish.  But I'm not a very competent photographer, I'm lucky to get anything at all.  Still, it keeps me off the streets...

Curlew Passage

A phone call from Chris to say his neighbour John Gettings has just witnessed a very unusual movement of Curlews: a flock of at least 80 heading south over Llangwyryfon.

Little Egret

A lone Little Egret was at Gwbert this afternoon. Paul and Lesley Taylor

Ynyslas

my first visit for four months this morning. The beach entrance has been cleared since Russell's visit yesterday. Not a lot around, just nine Dunlin, two Common Sandpipers, 25 Curlews, 10 Redshank, 117 Oystercatchers and a Med Gull. At least 40 young Swallows went through, accompanied at one point by a Swift. I finished off at Glandyfi where there was a Coomon Sandpiper and six Goosanders. My first two Ospreys of the year were visible up the valley.