Llanon today

Walking north from the church there was a very large flock of curlews and gulls on the rocks at half tide.  The curlews flew up and split into 2 equal looking flocks, one lot landed again so I counted 118.  Thus the whole flock was in excess of 200 birds.
3 Golden and 4 Grey plovers were also in there.
Over 200 starlings were feeding in the field near the church and a Chiffchaff looked lovely in the sunshine flitting about in the ash trees lining the little river.
Lunch ( those Xmas leftovers do linger) in the beach carpark was enlivened by the appearance of a immature Merlin chasing a rock pipit which escaped so the Merlin flew south along the tideline, a view not often featured in the guide books.
In a particular field below the road there was the usual gathering of Kite and Buzzard, the latter totalling 20. It must be full of worms.
Apart from the usual gulls Bri photographed 2 second winter kittiwakes flying close along the shore so we only noticed them once we looked at the pics.

The Lapwing and Goldie flock were at Ty Gwyn pools; what is happening up there?  No access for anyone now?

Kingfisher

The kingfisher was on the rocks opposite Old College this morning, 11.15 ish. There were also several oystercatchers, a cormorant and, on South Beach, near Castle Point, where the wind made it almost impossible to hold the binoculars steady, four ringed plovers.

Jenni Hyatt

Ladybirders

If you didn't already know, Caroline DeCarle is back in town and is working on plans for a guiding business. Let her tell you about it.......

To all my female friends and their lady friends and family I hope the festive season is fabulous for you all. Now for my exciting plans which I hope you will i...ndulge me by reading... here goes.... LADYBIRDER.org. I am planning to start a bird-guiding business, visiting one of the most amazing wildlife/birding place you could imagine, The Gambia. The birding breaks will be for one week at a time, for maximum 4 LADIES per trip - a ladies only offer! We know how competitive the boys can be when they are birdwatching - it all gets a bit serious, right? Well, how about a week's chilled birding. For an all inclusive price, to include flights. transport and full board at the award-winning Footsteps Eco Lodge, The Gambia, staying in amazing comfort in outstanding surroundings (over 140 species of bird have been recorded in the grounds of the Lodge). My first trip will take place in April (date tbc) as a one off trial run at a very special price of £850, all inc. apart from your bar bill. I would love 4 guinea pigs to join me. Feeling adventurous and ready for a taste of paradise only a 6 hour flight away? Go on, email me for more info... catdecarle@gmail.com Thanks for your attention - now get your binos ready for a real adventure

Caroline x

Ducks at Ynys-hir

 

I enjoyed good views from the Domen Las hide at Ynyshir this afternoon of a female Goosander, a female Scaup and an immature male Goldeneye.

 

Andre Morgan

Ynys-hir yesterday

Here are a couple of photographs taken at Ynys-hir yesterday by Keith Roberts.

Happy returns

Pleasantly surprised to see that siskins and red polls have re-acquainted themselves with the Nijer feeder over the Christmas period.

David, Felinfach

Winter Blackcaps

The first blackcap of the winter at our seed feeder here in Aberystwyth was a male, on December 5th, but there were no further sightings, so it may have been on its way to somewhere else. But since Christmas Eve, we have had a male Blackcap at the seed feeder several times each day (photo attached). Last year, the "regulars" started coming on Christmas Eve as well. It adds to one's enjoyment of Christmas.

Laurie Wright

The unusual Blackbird is back

Not seen since 30 March but the white headed Blackbird is back in our garden http://ceredigionbirds33.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/unusual-blackbird.html 

Compared to last year its bulkier but still rather nervous. 

Penri James

Ynyslas - Borth

Yesterday at Ynyslas there was a pair of red-breasted mergansers close in by the car park.

Today we had a male long-tailed duck at Borth and a single grey plover at the mouth of the Leri.

Steffi Carter

Mwnt

A mid-morning wander and look at the sea produced 3 Red-throated Divers and a few passing Fulmars of note. Later in the morning Wendy J had 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese fly south, a nice fly-by!

Whitey at Llanrhysted today.

The 'odd' oystercatcher is still managing to survive despite its rather conspicuous attire.

Also, under the overhang on the cliffs just south of the Lime kilns were two chough hunting for bugs in the freshly exposed soft strata.  Unfortunately they were impossible to photograph in the deep shadows and I couldn't make out their leg colour rings though I could see they were ringed; possibly the siblings seen earlier in the year from a nearby nest site.
 Over 20 redshank were with curlews, oystercatchers and lapwing in the field just north of Llansantffraed and a similar number of Turnstone were working the beach.

Boxing Day

A Pochard was on Pant Pool along with 4 Little Grebes and a couple of Tufted Ducks. Nearby at Pont Gogoyan, 120 Wigeon, 60 Teal and a couple of Goosanders. A pair(presumed) of Dippers flew out of the Brefi on to the Teifi in close formation, never more than a metre or so apart. Surprisingly dynamic looking.

Hen Harrier

We walked from the Animalarium along the Leri yesterday, it was very blowy so we didn't see many birds.  But there were Fieldfares in the sewage works fields and further along we saw a female Hen Harrier being buffeted in the wind. 

Acorns injurious to health...

This morning I noticed activity below the oak trees in the hedge where buzzards habitually perch. A buzzard had killed a wood pigeon and was making short work of it while a another hung around in the hope of a share.

David Lucas

Felinfach

Cors Fochno

A pair of gadwall were on Glandwr pool today along with 70 or more Teal.  Two jack snipe were flushed out on the bog. At least one dabchick on the Leri yesterday.

Mike Bailey

A walk to the pillbox

As we were struggling to release a sheep with its head stuck through a fence opposite the Leri boatyard, an otter loped along through the middle of the field, a delight that made our day.
Continuing our walk we enjoyed a male Goldeneye fly past but as we got closer to the pillbox a shooter appeared a couple of hundred yards ahead so the birds we had hoped to see were disturbed and moved off upstream. We did get distant views of lots of stuff but we didn't stay long, I've no stomach for watching birds being shot.

Strange but true

At work today I saw a flock of about 40 Ravens wheeling round over the hillside above Bangor Teifi. Also saw 2 Sparrowhawks during the morning. It's a little known fact that it is actually far easier to see Sparrowhawks driving round like a maniac in the pouring rain delivering the post than it is when strolling patiently through a woodland conducting a formal survey of some sort. At least in my experience it is.

Foel Fawr

Just back from our walk on the Foel where we flushed a Woodcock, the first time I've seen one up there. A couple of Ravens were wheeling in the sky above and there were a few thrushes about.

Ynyslas today

We arrived at Ynyslas at about 11:00 this morning and walked for an hour and forty minutes.

Birds of note were 3 Chough and c500 Golden Plover. We also saw a few Redshank, Curlew and Lapwing.

When the heavens opened we were pummeled by stinging hailstones and Buster was not happy with the thunder and lightening, not happy at all.

Sightings from Mark Cutts

Today along the Ystwyth at Rhydyfelin there were a pair of Goosander, a single Chiffchaff.

 

Yesterday at Llansantfraed, 21 Curlew, 4 Oystercatchers, 12 Turnstone, A female Peregrine and a single RT Diver.

 

Mark Cutts

Visiting Hampshire birder

Sightings yesterday

Single Green Woodpecker heard calling and briefly seen flying in woodland below Hafod Church.  Two Dippers on the Ystwyth there as well.   Starling show this evening was better than that of previous evenings last week.  Instead of the flocks disappearing under the pier shortly after arriving, tonight one group put on a reasonable show for us over the sea.  One of many photos taken is attached.

Brian Wiley

Vacancy - Ceredigion Correspondent for BirdWatching Magazine

Having undertaken this role for quite a few years I wish to retire and hand it over to someone else. Either contact me for details (johndavis@midwalesbirdwatching.co.uk) or the editor, Matt Merritt, (matthew.merritt@bauermedia.co.uk), a  friendly chap who will be delighted to hear from you.
I will do this December's report for the magazine's county sightings section. The deadline for the January report is February 6th which hopefully somelse will be doing to keep Ceredigion represented in the mag. Payment is in the form of a free monthly copy of what has become  a really good read. 

Clettwr

Our highlight late afternoon at the Clettwr was this ringtail hen harrier looking stunning in the golden light. Also present were a few flocks of golden plover, good numbers of lapwing as well as numerous reed bunting, stonechat and three redshank on the riverbank. Out on the estuary large numbers of curlew and shelduck.

Steffi Carter

Misc.

There were 5 Goosander at Pont Gogoyan this morning and 2 more at Maes Llyn pool. Nearby, the male Goldeneye mentioned previously was present on Pant pool. Quiet at the coast apart from a Chough (Llanrhystud). At work recently; I noticed the large flock of Lapwings(also previously mentioned) whilst emptying the box at Post Bach. A Peregrine cruised low over Henllan Post Office. A few Woodcock at dusk.

Blackbird

Might be of interest, a blackbird singing near our cottage in Llanddewi Brefi at 1045 this morning 16th December, not the full song but more powerfull than normal subsong. the earliest before this was some years ago on the 6th January in Carmarthen. 

David Price.

Bittern at Cors Dyfi

Cors Dyfi is closed at the moment while we build the Observatory, we'll be open again in March.

We captured this inquisitive bittern over the weekend with one of our Stealth Cameras, it clearly didn't see the closed signs!

Short video of the bird here

Blackcap in garden

A female Blackcap in the garden today in Bow Street, feeding on old apples - our first of the winter. Walked dog down the Clettwr bank, but too windy for much except a couple of Little Egrets.  Main road closed N of Tre'r-ddol - apparently due to a tree down.  Hope Bob or Merfyn weren't planning to come into Aber today!

PLOVERS and GULLS

The big mixed flock of Golden Plover and Lapwing are back on the high ground between Post bach and Pisgah (SN400514). Not quite as many yet as I reported last February. There were perhaps 200 Lapwing and twice as many Golden Plover. Always a cheering site if you are passing by.

David Wooley

 

I had a Adult winter Ring-billed Gull last Saturday mid- afternoon in among large gull flock on the long harbour wall at Tanybwlch.

I among the flock also included 1 Great-black backed, 1 Lesser black-backed, 15 Common Gulls, 1 Med Gull, 50+ Black-headed Gull and plenty of Herring Gulls in various plumage stages. A very nice selection to see. Flock constantly moving from the harbour to rocks after been flushed by students!!

I noticed 2 Black-headed Gulls had metal rings but could not read them.

(No Iceland or Glaucous gulls yet or Ivory Gull!!;)

Brendan Sheils

(Sorry this is late; my fault)



Cors Caron

2 male Hen Harriers with 2 Ringtails hunting over the marsh adjacent to the small hide by the Fflur bridge and a male peregrine with a struggling bird in its talons overhead at 9am Wed morning.

BLACK REDSTART

C.B. thought he had at least 2 birds around the old university buildings. One bird looks like the bird ringed a few years ago, they seem faithful to their winter home.

Binocular for sale

Swarovski Binocular for sale.
See the News & Events page for full details.

Tawny Owl

Since September we have been hearing a Tawny Owl call – usually at dusk. This last week we have heard the calls just before sunrise. Have now stood outside before sunrise and what we are now hearing is more than one Tawny Owl. Not quite sure where but between Capel Seion and Pant yr Crug.

Sue and Terry

Snow Bunting etc

Snow bunting at Ynyslas north point today. Also... on Sunday 8th, 24 common snipe at marshy area beside Penycefn Res. near Bontgoch, also c.200 Common gulls regularly on nearby fields, and 14 Wigeon on Mynydd Gorddi pool. At Cors fochno yesterday 6 snipe and female hen harrier.

Mike Bailey

Scopes for sale

Red Liford has a couple of scopes for sale.

Details on the News & Events page.

Ynys-hir yesterday

Keith Roberts has sent another picture of an otter, taken at Ynys-hir yesterday.

Aber birds

The water rail was in Plas Crug ditch this afternoon, just west of the old Tax office. I’ve never seen one swim before.

 

A black redstart on the roof of Old College, and a nice gathering of starlings over the Pier at dusk.

Jerry Moore

Yesterday's Birding Group walk at Cors Caron

Here are a few photographs taken by Laurie Wright on yesterday's walk led by Liz at Cors Caron.

Here is the bird list for yesterday at Cors Caron. we went round Cruglas owned and managed by Terry Mills. The work done to improve the habitat was most impressive .

Red kite, blackbird, magpie, starling, great spotted woodpecker, fieldfare, redwing, carrion crow, meadow pipit, stonechat, buzzard, robin, dunnock, reed bunting, snipe, peregrine, teal, wigeon, mute swan, goshawk, hen harrier, pheasant, sparrow. 

Moira

Cors Caron, walk,whoopers,Harrier and Iolo.

Yesterday and today 8 Whooper swans, 3 ads 5 imms, on the boardwalk pond gliding through the wraiths of mist, fantastic sight.  Another nice sight for me today was Iolo making another film on the boardwalk but by then I was back on my chain at the sink!
Yesterday a male Hen Harrier also cruised by at close range and the dipper was under the railway track near the car park.

The walk in the afternoon was well attended and we were blessed with sunshine (though in our eyes as we marched down the track) and a vivid sunset as we made our way back.  We were all moaning about the paucity of winter thrushes around recently but happily saw 2 small groups feeding on the fields east of the track and caught a distant view of a male Harrier later glowing in the rays of a low sun.
In between we were guided around the Cruglas ponds by the landowner and conservation farmer, Terry Mills.  The suite of carefully sited ponds is surrounded by a mosaic of habitats large enough to encourage all sorts of wildlife from water voles and otter to some of the scarcer bird species that arrive for the winter.  The trees and hedges are a haven for birds and invertebrates throughout the year as a result of  assiduous management and advance planning which gives them a sporting chance against the many predators that go looking for food.  Whilst there we saw a Peregrine do a drive through with buzzards and kites also in attendance.  Highlight for many of us were the swirling flocks of Teal put up by our presence; over 300 birds.  Terry mows small zones of rush to create the favourite feeding habitat for snipe and we saw 3 take off on their towering escape flight but not unfortunately the secretive little bobber, Jack, which Terry had seen earlier.   Snipe are never shot at Cruglas though it is still a quarry species(unbelievably) and are shot by the other owner of shooting rights (see my earlier post).
Cruglas is a shooting estate in the traditional style where etiquette still matters: shooting is on few occasions and the bag strictly limited, non-lead shot is compulsory and care is taken to pick up wounded birds ( by Terry's talented and faithful old Labrador).  Feeding the ponds costs a small fortune  and whereas it does monopolise the duck on the bog it is a life saver in hard winters and enables birds to get in good condition for breeding).  Agri-environment payments help in  running such a wildlife friendly farm but if all the recipients made the same effort we might not be looking at the disastrous drop in farmland bird numbers recently publicised.
Many of us would prefer that wild birds are not shot at but Terry Mills at Cruglas is showing how best practice can benefit all sorts of wildlife and can be compatible with co-existing with a NNR on the doorstep.
All enjoyed the afternoon and expressed sincere thanks to Terry for showing us around his private wildlife wonderland.

PS There is a public footpath that crosses the bog at the northern end but it is imperative to stick to the signed path and not stray onto quite dangerous boggy ground.  Dogs must be on short leads all through the year for the benefit of wildlife and the animals grazing the bog.  It should not be attempted in times of high rainfall as the river rises very suddenly, is swift flowing  and overtops the banks obscuring the path.  Its unsuitable for anyone with any difficulty in walking rough, boggy ground. 

The River Walk is closed next Sat 14th.Dec.

A blast from the past

Any of you remember Maria?

She was a student at Aber a while ago and joined the birding group on several field trips.

I received this from her today and thought some of you might like to take a look at some of her work.

Not sure if you'll remember me but I used to be a student at Aberystwyth Uni, I used to come out with the Ceredigion Bird Group on the organised walks .

I remember you kindly posted something when I first started out with my art business so I thought anyone who might remember that might like to see my progress.  Would it be possible for you to post a little something about my artwork on your blog? Which is still very much going strong I see. I keep up with it on my Blogger feed, makes me just a tad homesick for Aber though. I do so miss it there!


I thought I'd share a couple of bird drawings I've completed over the last couple of years, one of the Dyfi's own Ospreys who sadly didn't return this year, Nora. The title for this is "Blumin' Nora". And a Barn Owl, the chosen subject for my Christmas Cards this year (images attached). I'm also partway through a Puffin Study portrait from my time spent on Skomer as a volunteer in 2011 so I've attached a progress picture for you. I have the same website as before but it had a makeover this year with the addition of an online shop at  www.megghyll.co.uk.



I hope all is well with you and yours Bob! I still keep in touch with Len and Red, not as well as I should but I've been planning to come back to Aber for a visit (time didn't allow this year) so when I do I might just have to time it to coincide with a Bird Walk! 

Bit of an essay of an email, my apologies. If you could post anything at all I would be most grateful!

All the best for Christmas and New Year, and please pass on my best wishes to the Ceredigion Bird Group. Perhaps I will have the good fortune to see you all again when I next visit.

Kind regards, 
Maria 

-- 

Purple Sandpiper at Llasantffraed

 

There was a Purple Sandpiper on Llansantffraed beach this afternoon, just to the north of the river Peris.

 

Andre Morgan

 

 

 

 

 

ABERYSTWYTH

Yesterday Harry Pepper saw a Water Rail in Plas Grus ditch and 8 Purple Sandpipers at their high tide roost.
 All 8 were present again today and we also had good, prolonged views of a male Black Redstart on The Old College.

TURTLE ALERT

If you are on the beaches please look out for stranded turtles: a live Ridley's 10" in size has washed up at Tresaith.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE WATER>>>>PHONE 01239 682405

Sunday afternoon at Cors Caron WALK

The Birdwalk this Sunday starts at 2pm from the car park Ystrad Meurig end of Cors Caron.
Terry Mills at Cruglas has kindly offered to meet us at 2.45 on his part of the bog and show us his wildlife ponds and explain the management he has in place.  There are Whoopers and Harriers present plus whatever ducks are on the bog!
Wear WELLIES and maybe bring a torch just in case we get carried away and return at around 5 in darkness.

WeBS Ynys-hir

Whilst I was at the Leri and Ynyslas sections Dave Anning was at the Ynys-hir section of the WeBS. His highlights were 321 barnacle geese, a scaup, 4 black-tailed godwits, a spotted redshank, 2 greenshank and two green sandpipers.

Smew

Highlight of the WeBS count on the Dyfi this morning was a redhead smew near the pill-box between the Leri and the Clettwr. Also of note was 248 shelduck, 2 brent geese, 11 knot and 14 grey plover.

Grey Wagtail at Tanybwlch

There was a Grey Wagtail on the bank of the Rheidol at Tanybwlch this afternoon (Tuesday), where the path has been eroded by the river. A dipper was seen in the same place a week or so ago.

Laurie Wright

Greenshank at Cors Fochno

A Greenshank at Glandwr pool was an unexpected surprise today.

Mike Bailey

Wildlife photographs exhibition

I expect most of you are miles ahead of me but just in case - if you haven't been to see the wildlife photography exhibition at the university yet, do go.  There are some fabulous photographs, it's a real treat.

Llannon

The Snow Bunting reported in the fields south of the village last week was still present today. I'd like to add, "showing well" but to be honest I walked right past it on my way 'out' and only noticed it on my return to the car park as it took to the air. It's brown-grey and off-white colours made it well camouflaged against the stony and beet littered field.

Blackcap

A male Blackcap bathing and preening in our Aberystwyth garden lunchtime today.

 

Len Kersley

Snow Buntings

C.B. had 2 male snow buntings near the Leri, these flew off towards the point. Two brent geese also near the Leri.

Clettwr

33 Greenland white-fronted geese (including 3 juvs) feeding in fields west of the Clettwr this afternoon. At the mouth of the Clettwr there were 950 oystercatchers, 11 knot, 16 bar-tailed godwit, 140 dunlin and 5 grey plover. On the way back to the car a flock of around 900 golden plover flew over, probably heading to roost.

Cors Caron - Pant Pond

There were at least 50 reed buntings between the willow arch and waiting room  board walk Cors Caron on Sat 30th November.  Nice view of male hen harrrier from old railway track.  A brilliant drake golden eye on pant pond am Sunday 1st Dec.

David Price

Whoopers

The Whoopers, one adult and two immature, were still on the field just south of Bow Street at 9.20 this morning. Thanks to Jon Turner for the tip-off!

Pete and Jenni Hyatt

Sightings from Ian Harrison

Saturday 30 November

Llanon to Aberaeron

A pair of Peregrines on Craig Ddu.

Very, very few waders. 
c25 Skylarks on the stubble fields near Llanon.

Two Rock Pipits and one Meadow Pipit. 

Nice day for a walk, however!

Sunday 1 December

On my way to get the newspapers, 37 Mallard on the Aeron below the top weir to the road bridge.

Also a pair of Dippers fairly close to the road bridge.

Ian Harrison

Cors Caron Little Egret

A Little Egret is on the bog again much less shy than the resident herons.
Harriers active at dusk.
Spent 2 hours in Coed Maenarthur Pontrhydygroes today and like Mike at Cross Inn found it extremely quiet though 3 woodcock got up off the dry forest floor under a big stand of Noble Fir.  At the very top of the wood there is a standing crop of oats over the fence but no flocks on it yet.

This young chap at Lampeter's Xmas Fair (where I was trying to flog the Kite Trust's excellent Xmas cards) was well impressed by 'Stuffie', my sales partner.  He/she was a great hit with lots of children and a surprising number of adults including the Mayoress who also had her photo taken!  I spent more time fielding questions such as 'is it real' and 'is it a buzzard' and 'why isn't the tail more forked' (I blamed the taxidermist for the latter) than selling the merchandise but I was very gratified by the interest and pride expressed by many people: kites are still appreciated as an exciting addition to the skies of Ceredigion.

The Clettwr

A Dipper under the footbridge to Lodge Farm then, a Green Sandpiper (very shy but bobbed), a Greenshank, a Redshank and a Little Egret.

 

Philip Ellis

Whoopers and Black Redstart

There's a family of Whooper Swans (2 adults and 2 imms) feeding on the level  IBERS fields below Bow Street today - never seen swans on these fields before. Also the male Black Redstart on the Old College roof opposite St Michael's church at lunchtime.

Starling roost

I've received the following enquiry. I don't know but I wouldn't be surprised if one of you does...

Do you or any Ceredigion bird blog people know where the starling roost south of Lledrod is? I've been seeing huge flocks flying roughly south at dusk over the last couple of weeks (definitely not heading for Aberystwyth). 

Jasmine Donahoye