A very brief visit to Ynys Hir, Thursday 10th, 08.00-09.30 resulted in a number of singing Willow Warblers, a Grasshopper Warbler, a few Barn Swallows and a Tree Pipit. A pair of Robins feeding young. Missed the two Black-t Godwits that were apparently around as well as the Whooper but since I was concentrating on the woodland/bog, that's hardly surprising!. Haven't been there for some time (18 months?) and was quite surprised at the number of farmyard geese about, plus the numbers of Grey Squirrel.
A visit to the hills later in the morning resulted in zero Willow Warblers - indicating perhaps that the early birds are heading further north following the coast (???) and later arrivals head to the hills to set up territory (again???). Also no Barn Swallows or Tree Pipit again perhaps indicating that the early migrants follow the coastline rather than coming through on a broad front. But there was a pair of Tufted Duck on Llyn Conach, a number of Wheatears about, mainly male, some juvenile Mistle Thrushes and a pair of Great Crested Grebes enjoying courtship on Nant y Moch.
A visit to the hills later in the morning resulted in zero Willow Warblers - indicating perhaps that the early birds are heading further north following the coast (???) and later arrivals head to the hills to set up territory (again???). Also no Barn Swallows or Tree Pipit again perhaps indicating that the early migrants follow the coastline rather than coming through on a broad front. But there was a pair of Tufted Duck on Llyn Conach, a number of Wheatears about, mainly male, some juvenile Mistle Thrushes and a pair of Great Crested Grebes enjoying courtship on Nant y Moch.
House Sparrows with young in my honeysuckle and in my cavity wall nest boxes in Aberaeron - quite early I think. A pair of Marsh Tits, male singing for two weeks now. The Mallard arrived as usual in my garden at the end of February and have been here ever since. A very strong male this year who is seeing off all comers - normally there is a a bachelor group of up to six birds waiting to pounce. But the female is spending most of the time being very visible, sitting under the feeders or roosting on the lawn/field - normally by this time she disappears for long periods, presumably to lay/incubate. Not sure what is going on this year.
The male pheasant has three females this year, one of which is absent for long periods, presumably sitting. Only had one certain successful hatching (2010? - must check my records) when the large chicks (certainly pushing three weeks old) were brought through my garden by the female.
Ian Harrison