Cwm Brefi

 Reassuring to see 8 singing Whinchats earlier. Back up cast; 6 pairs of Stonechats, 3 Grey Wagtails, pair of Wheatears, 2 pairs of Stock Doves, 3 male Reed Buntings, a Cuckoo and a Spotted Flycatcher.

Salem swifts

It was reassuring to see 7 Swifts feeding over the Stewi valley above Penrhyncoch at sunset this evening - a traditiional dusk feeding spot for birds from the Salem colony further up the valley.

Quail at Llansantffraed

This morning I heard a Quail (first reported a couple of hours earlier) singing in the fourth field to the north of the mouth of the river Peris.

Hafod

Heard 9 Wood Warblers as I walked round, most of these as usual were along the brown trail (14 last year). Also present; Cuckoo and Spotted Flycatcher.

Upper Cwm Doethie and beyond

 This morning I counted 18 singing Whinchats and 7 male Stonechats at the top of the valley. There were also 2 male and a female Cuckoo. I'm inclined to agree with the previous post about the Swallows and lots of people tell me there don't seem to be many about. I did see 8 Swifts in the centre of Henllan last week while working.

Swallows

 To me there seems to be a dire lack of Swallows this year, having only seen 8 in Ceredigion and it appears to be similar in North Pembrokeshire and Meirionydd.  Making the most or the dry weather i have had 8 weeks of long walks in those 3 areas and have actually heard more Cuckoos than Swallows seen.   Also the number of Swifts to Swallows i have observed is about 2 to 1 !!!

Dave Taylor 

Cross Inn forest

 Birds recorded at Cross Inn forestry this morning. 

Chiffchaff , Willow Warbler l, Chaffinch, Song Thrush, Blackbird l, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Robin, Garden Warbler, woodpigeon, Redstart, Siskin, Wren, great spotted woodpecker, Bullfinch, meadow Pipit,  Grey Wagtail, Red Kite, Cuckoo, Lesser  Redpoll, Goldcrest, Stonechat, Jay, Buzzard, Collared Dove, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit and Mistle Thrush.  A little later a Kestrel flew across the road by the Pennant/Llanon  junction. 

Andy James 

Tre'r ddol

 A few interesting records from my BBS survey at  Tre'r-ddol yesterday. 

Firstly a new  species  - ,Cetti's Warbler!

Interestingly, three  Lapwings,  which, like the Cettis, we're on farmland to the west of the Cletwr so not in the NNR,or,  I  believe, on RSPB managed land.

Therewere five swifts at Tre'r-ddol, but very few swallowsl, and no house martins at all, which was a first.....

There was very little bird song in the woodlands although I didn't start until 6.30 am,the exceptions were several Chiffchaffs  

Jerry Moore 

Cuckoo

 Very happy to hear a Cuckoo calling at Ynyslas yesterday. 

David Williams 

Long Wood cont.

 Two more Wood Warblers present this morning in areas of old beech plantation towards the Lampeter end (Coed Olwen and Coed Gwarallt). So perhaps 3 across the whole site (see 10th).