Monday 31 December 2012

Fishguard Harbour 31st Dec.

At least 2 Great Northern Divers feeding quite close in to the inner breakwater on the Ferry Terminal side at 2 p.m.

Strumble Head (31 Dec 12)

Time: 1000 - 1200
Weather: Damp & murky(!)
Wind: SW (F7-8)

Common Scoter - 1 (M)
Red Throated Diver - 1
Black Throated Diver - 1
Great Northern Diver - 1

Common Porpoise - Quite a few showing better and better as the time got closer to midday - can't tell whether that was due to tide or the wind abating a little.

A couple of Strumble Pics from 29th:


Sunday 30 December 2012

Tresinwen & Strumble (30 Dec 12)

A male Yellowhammer in the garden this morning - the first of the winter.  Surprising as I suspect they bred nearby this year. 

Flushed a Buzzard down near Porthsychan beach this morning with a freshly caught Magpie - it just about managed to fly across the bay with it.  Pair of Chough keeping an eye on proceedings.

Saturday 29 December 2012

Goodwick (29 Dec 12)

2 Barn Owls hunting together this evening (1830) by the roadside at the Windyhall roundabout (the one above SeaView Hotel).

Thursday 27 December 2012

Goodwick Moor 27th Dec.

Very quiet this afternoon apart from a wintering Chiffchaff by the far west corner of the boardwalk. a very bright green-yellow individual so nothing to get too excited about.

Wednesday 26 December 2012

Garden Birds.

Even in the horrible conditions, plenty of birds still on feeders.

Friday 21 December 2012

Flagpoles 16.00

A single Adult Med. Gull in the good collection of gulls, plenty of oystercatchers & 17ish Turnstones.

An interesting passerine flew across infront of me to the bushes on the bank beneath the convent. Meadow Pipit size or bigger & appeared in the gathering gloom to be yellowy orange colour with noticeable white wing bars ? in silouette when first seen I initially thought it was one of the kingfishers that winter in the harbour but the flight was obviously completely wrong, but that may be another pointer to possible size. Day off tomorrow so will look again.   

Thursday 20 December 2012

Ho,Ho,Ho !

Merry Xmas to all, here's hoping for another good year next year at the lookout.

Tuesday 18 December 2012

Fishguard Harbour 18th Dec.

A quick walk along the inner breakwater, 2 Herons all the usual waders & a very large number of gulls in the roost this evening. Mostly Black Headed, good numbers of Common, a few Herring but couldn't find any Meds.

Saturday 15 December 2012

Garden Birds 15th Dec.

Garden busy this morning, the first Redpoll of the winter back on the nyjer seed feeder. 

Thursday 13 December 2012

Fishguard Harbour 13th Dec.

A good total of 10 Red Throated Divers from the Fort & 3 Adult Med. Gulls in the roost at dusk.

Many Thanks to Paul Grennard. 

Wednesday 12 December 2012

Tuesday 11 December 2012

Hen Harrier

Another Hen Harrier this time a ring tail flying high over Fishguard Fort this morning heading towards Pen Anglas, Strumble Head direction straight across the bay.

Monday 10 December 2012

Yellowhammers

A group of four Yellowhammers this morning at Pen Anglas,a bird that was fairly common here not many years ago, is a bit of a scarcity these days.

Strumble/ St.Nicholas/Fgd Harbour 10th Dec.

A short tour round this morning, first to Strumble where seabird activity was virtually nil in a near


easterly wind. On land not very much either apart from more Song Thrushes around the headland than i would normally expect. Then to have a look at Trefayog Pond St.Nicholas which had 7 Teal in residence. Lastly Fishguard Harbour, couldn't find any divers.The usual gulls around & a pair of Wigeon close in by the Ocean Lab. Back home & a rather obliging female Chaffinch around the feeders & a Red kite from the front door as i came in. 

Sunday 9 December 2012

Woodcock

One at Pen Anglas this morning.

WOS Lifetime Achievement Award - Graham Rees

An apology first for not making a reference to this sooner, on November 10th at the Welsh Ornithological Society Conference Graham was awarded one of the first Lifetime Achievement Awards for services to Welsh Ornithology obviously much of it in the context of Strumble Head observations.Many congratulations to him on a much deserved award, without his well known dedication , encouragement & knowledgeable discussion the whole Strumble picture would have been vastly different & this blogsite you are reading certainly wouldn't exist.

Many Thanks to " The Boss "

Adrian  

Saturday 8 December 2012

Hen Harrier

A male Hen Harrier hunting over the heather area at Pen Anglas looked fantastic in the sun. Quite an increase in the number of Skylarks compared to recently around 40 .

Friday 7 December 2012

Firecrest

A Firecrest near Jordanston this afternoon the Goldeneye and at least four Little Grebes still here on the pond.
At Abermawr a Woodcock flushed.

Thursday 6 December 2012

Pen Anglas

Excellent views of a male Merlin,a Great Northern Diver flew west as did 2 female Common Scoter, a strange record of 2 Mute Swans in the bay quite a distance out from the shore.
The Goldeneye is still present on the pond near Jordanston.

Saturday 1 December 2012

Strumble (01 Dec 12)

Tawny Owl between Pontiago and the Jam Factory - flew over the car this evening.

Goodwick / Flagpoles 1st Dec.

Couldn't find any Waxwing in Goodwick or any decent berry bushes.


At the Flagpoles a Bar-Tailed Godwit & a Drake Goldeneye. Another one of those interesting looking Jackdaws on the grass opposite the Pendre Garage at Fishguard.

Goldeneye

A very smart adult male Goldeneye on the pond near Jordanston.

Tresinwen (01 Dec 12)

Ringtail Hen Harrier hunting fields behind house earlier this morning.  Also Merlin briefly.

Of interest there is a very pale grey Blue Tit on feeders in the garden.  Very little yellow tone at all.

Thursday 29 November 2012

Brambling

A single Brambling present late afternoon near Jordanston and at least five Water Rails heard around the pond area,also quite large  impressive flocks of Starlings passing over I would image heading for the Plumstone Mountain roost.

Wednesday 28 November 2012

Strumble Head 28th Nov.

Time: 10.30 - 12.30
Weather: Bright sunny
Wind: NE 4/5

Common Scoter - 1
Red Throated Diver - 6
Black Throated Diver - 7 ( Inc a group of 5 together )
Great Northern Diver - 2 ( Both through high, above horizon )
Med. Gull - 1 ( Adult )

A Bar-Tailed Godwit hanging around the puddles by the car park was an interesting site & a Brambling with the Chaffinches by the big puddle at Tresinwen.  

Sunday 25 November 2012

Rosebush and Ty Rhig

Slightly out of the area at Rosebush Reservoir,a male Pochard, 9 Tufted Duck, a single red headed Goosander, several Goldeneye along with small numbers of Teal,Mallard and Coot at Ty Rhig a couple of fly over Crossbills,4 Redpoll a group of 12 Bullfinch and a single Willow Tit and just for a change plenty of rain.

Saturday 24 November 2012

Tresinwen (24 Nov 12)

A very vocal Crossbill low over the garden this morning heading towards Porthsychan but no further sign.

Sunday 18 November 2012

Strumble Head 18th Nov.

Time: 14.00 - 16.00
Weather: Cloudy & overcast
Wind: SSW 2

Wigeon - 4
Common Scoter - 7 ( 2f )
Red Throated Diver - 1
Great Northern Diver - 1
Med. Gull - 1 ( Ad )
Black Guillemot 1 ( Winter )


A 1st W Male Black Redstart entertained us outside the lookout at approx. 3.30 p.m.
( Species No. 150 for my Fishguard area year list ). 

AR & SB

Friday 16 November 2012

A few birds from Tenerife.



 
Berthelot's Pipit, Canaries race Chaffinch ( not blue one though ) & Cory's Shearwater. Obviously bird ringing happening in Tenerife, would be interesting to find out any info.

Tuesday 13 November 2012

Scaup


The first winter Scaup is still present today near Jordanston, an interesting looking bird.
( Now thought to be a hybrid)

Sunday 11 November 2012

Pale-bellied Brent

There was a single pale-bellied brent in Fishguard Harbour this afternoon.

Winter Thrushes

Good numbers of thrushes on the ground and flying over at Pen Anglas this morning,with 700+ Redwings,300+ Fieldfares,40+ Song Thrushes,smaller numbers of Blackbirds and 3 Mistle Thrushes,other birds of note included a single Brambling and Yellowhammer.
Near Jordanston on the pond a single first winter male Scaup 10th and 11th ,a Goosander on 5th.
Also today a Firecrest and 3 Stock Doves

Sunday 4 November 2012

Flagpoles 15.30 4th Nov.

At least 6 Ad. Med Gulls at the Flagpoles, joined by another 2 shortly after this pic ( which i think has 4 in it ) was taken. Conditions not very comfortable to say the least!

Garden Birds





As in Tresinwen, very busy in the garden with birds. First Siskin of the autumn on Nyjer seed. 

Saturday 3 November 2012

Brambling

A single Brambling flew over with a flock of Chaffinchs near Jordanston early this morning.20+ Redwing around as well.
Yesterday 4 Fieldfare and 3 Little Grebes on the pond also a Water Rail present.

Tresinwen (03 Nov 12)

Well it didn't take the birds long to find the bird feeders that I put up last week.  I think it is going to be an expensive winter!

In the garden this morning a Lesser Redpoll, Bullfinch, Coal Tit, Brambling and 2 fly over Fieldfares.  What is notable is the number of Greenfinches around - guestimate of circa 20 at least around the feeders.

The Sparrowhawk has also found the feeders!  Two attempted ambushes this morning and two failures.

Quite a lot of Starlings about but number wise only about 25% compared to last Sunday.  No sign of the Rosy.

Friday 2 November 2012

Peru







A few shots from my recent visit to Southern Peru. Only one has turned up in Pembrokeshire so far

Thursday 1 November 2012

Strumble Head 1st Nov.

Time:07.00 - 09.00
Weather: Bright Sunny
Wind: NW 4

Common Scoter - 11 ( All Males )
Red Throated Diver - 1 ( After 09.00 Thanks Chris Grayell )
Manx Shearwater - Still a few coming through.
Meditteranean Gull - 1 ( Ad. )

Flagpoles later on 4 Meds, 1 Ad. with a green ring, on Stena side a 1st w Kittiwake roosting with the Black Headed.

Auk numbers building up & Kittiwakes moving in quite good amounts.

Again very few Porpoises showing.

Wednesday 31 October 2012

Flagpoles 16.00ish 31st Oct.

2 Adult Meds, 2 2nd W Meds & an ever increasing count of Common Gulls.
A walk around Goodwick Moor produced only a small flock of Blue & Long Tailed Tits with a couple of crests, 2 Moorhens by the road bridge.

Monday 29 October 2012

Pen Anglas 29th Oct.

Not anywhere near the amount of birds moving as there were at Strumble this morning ( see Pembs blog ), A few Blackbirds, Goldcrests, Reed Buntings & a Woodcock ( species no. 142 for Fishguard area list 2012 ) flushed by the derelict building with the murals.

Strumble Head 29th Oct.

Time: 07.00 - 09.00
Weather: Overcast
Wind: SW 1/2

Wigeon - 4
Teal - 5
Common Scoter - 10 ( all males )
Red Throated Diver - 1
Mediterranean Gull - 1 ( 1st W )

Very few Porpoises showing.

Sunday 28 October 2012

Tresinwen - Rose Coloured Starling (28 Oct 12)

While putting up the bird feeders in the garden I heard a big flock of Starlings feeding in the field behind the house.

On closer inspection there were about 1,000 Starlings feeding very noisily and in with them a 1st Win Rose Coloured Starling.  Flock very mobile feeding in any of the fields around the house and at one point beyond the pond at Bronmor with the Rosy and others roosting in the trees in the garden temporarily.

Watched from 1330 to 1350 when a wet Sparrowhawk flushed the flock which then flew over my house and in the direction of the camping field.  I will take another look if this rain stops.  (If !)

Tresinwen & Strumble (28 Oct 12)

Time: 0700 - 1100
Weather: Cloudy.
Wind: WNW (F6)

Leach's Petrel - 1
Common Scoter - 39 (21F, 18M)
Mediterranean Gull - 3 (1 Ad, 2 1st W)
Puffin - 1
Merlin - 2
Teal - 7
Snipe - 5

As for commoner species - 10 Gannets, 1 Fulmar and 2 Manxies.  3 figure counts each of Kittiwake and Black Headed Gull. 

Following the large passage of Little Auks yesterday (and today) on the east coast from Scotland to Kent I was reasonably optimistic of finding one at Strumble.  The Puffin got the pulse going but was definitely a Puffin!

Common Porpoise - showing quite well in reasonable numbers.

Notable abundance of Blackbirds and a few Song Thrushes on the drive between the house and the lookout.  Back in the garden a few Goldcrests and a Mistle Thrush.

Saturday 20 October 2012

Strumble Head 20th Oct.

Time: 13.45 - 14.30
Weather: Bright Sunny
Wind: SW 2/3

Common Scoter - 15 (1f )
Mediterranean Gull - 2 ( Ad & 1st w )
BONAPARTES GULL - Adult still showing in feeding flocks.

Lapland Bunting flushed from just North of the lookout.


Many Thanks to Paul Grennard for the sightings.
 

Friday 19 October 2012

Strumble Head ( Bonapartes ) & Fishguard Harbour 19th Oct.

On arriving at Strumble it was evident there were many gulls, the majority Black Headed feeding in a very close tide race no more than 200m offshore. "You never know ", i thought to myself. Within approx. 5 minutes i picked up the Adult Bonapartes Gull in the flock , had good views of the clean white underwing & even it's pale pink legs on a couple of occasions as it dip fed. News out & DJA & PKG made it up to Strumble picking up the bird on the sea on the far side of Mackeral Rock with reasonable views of it's black beak, head pattern & upperpart colouring obtained.

A trip round to Fishguard Harbour was next as the birds were leaving Strumble in that direction. No "Bonies" but the Ad. Little Gull, 3 Ad. Meds, Great Crested Grebe & 7 Pale Bellied Brents. 

Tuesday 16 October 2012

Strumble Head 16th Oct. ( Bonapartes Gull ! )

Time: 09.00 - 11.30
Weather: Bright , Sunny
Wind: WNW 6/7 decreasing.

Common Scoter - 26 ( 1f )
Manx Shearwater - Still passing in small no's
Grey Plover - 1
Arctic Skua - 2 ( 1 Pale , 1 dark )
Long Tailed Skua - 1 ( Juv )
Bonxie - 2
Med. Gull - 1 ( AD )
Little Gull - 1 ( 1st W )
BONAPARTES GULL - 1 ( Ad )
Commic Tern - 2

Risso's Dolphin - 1

The Bonapartes Gull was picked up at approx. 10 a.m. by Red Liford, feeding at about tide race distance with a group of Kittiwakes. The two other observers ( Myself & Clive Hurford ) soon got on to the bird which was then present for another 20+ minutes until a Bonxie moved through. A short time later the flock re-formed slightly more distant & the bird was present again for a short time.

Pen Anglas 15th Oct,

A quick very uncomfortable wet walk late afternoon didn't turn up much except a group of 12 Pale Bellied Brent Geese flying West close in.

Saturday 13 October 2012

Dragonfly

Took a pic of this at work yesterday. Hopefully someone can ID it for me.

A Common Darter , Thanks PKG. ( I thought it was but the colour threw me. ) 

Friday 12 October 2012

Strumble Head 12th Oct.

Time:0715 - 12.15
Weather:Fine
Wind:WNW 5

Brent Goose - 3 ( Light Bellied )
Common Scoter - 12 (1f)
Red Throated Diver - 2
Manx Shearwater - 1
Balearic Shearwater - 1
Golden Plover - 2
Dunlin - 10
Grey Phalarope - 1
Pomarine Skua - 4 ( All Pale )
Arctic Skua - 2
Bonxie - 4
Little Gull - 4 ( 2 Ad, 2 1st W )
Med. Gull - 4 ( 1 Ad, 3 1st W )
Arctic Tern - 3

Many Thanks to Richard Davies for the records , it's still worth going  !!

Tuesday 9 October 2012

Jackdaws Fishguard

As with other years at this time the skies over Fishguard see's huge flocks of Jackdaws with a few other Crows mixed in. In this picture there's approx 150 , which makes the total number in the widespread flock in the region of 500+.

Strumble Head / Garn Fawr 9th Oct.


Quite a few birds present, 5 Wheatears, Mipits & Swallows going through. Hi-lights at Strumble a Merlin & a Short Eared Owl in off the sea which carried on West. Garn Fawr quiet except for a very pale faced Buzzard.

Monday 8 October 2012

Lapland Buntings

2 Lapland Buntings with Meadow Pipits on the heather area at Pen Anglas this morning,other birds included 3 Swallows,2 Snipe,the Goldfinch flock has increased to 100+ and 25 Common Scoter heading west off shore.

Sunday 7 October 2012

Pen Anglas

A single fly over Golden Plover and quite late Whimbrel this morning ,Skylark numbers have increased with 60+ birds present,a flock of 80+ Goldfinch feeding on thistle heads.
Yesterday near Jordanston  single Willow Tit,Water Rail and Blackcap.

Friday 5 October 2012

Bottle-nosed Dolphins

At least six Bottle-nosed Dolphins feeding off Fishguard Fort this morning they were just inside the outer breakwater.
There was a single Common Scoter in the harbour yesterday.

Wednesday 3 October 2012

Strumble Head 3rd Oct.

Time:07.30 - 13.30
Weather:Bright
Wind: W3/4

Common Scoter - 13 (1f)
Red Throated Diver - 1 ( Summer Plumage )
Sooty Shearwater - 1
Balearic Shearwater - 3
Dunlin - 4
Arctic Skua - 2 ( Both Pale )
Long Tailed Skua - 1 ( Juv )
Sandwich Tern - 18
Common Tern - 2

Many Thanks to Paul Grennard for the totals after 09.30.

When myself & Elfyn Pugh arrived at the lookout there was someone asleep in the corner, when he woke up he introduced himself. His name was Christian & he is walking around the British Coastline & sleeping rough while he does for charity ( Help for Heroes , he's ex military ). He took a picture of his mascot Sebastian the Crab from a childrens film , looking through my scope. He commented that those of us that get up & go down to the freezing cold lookout & stare out to sea were " Madder than he is !" You can follow his progress on Christian Walking Britian on Facebook.
 

Monday 1 October 2012

Strumble Head 1st Oct.

Time: 07.00 - 12.00
Weather: Showers & squalls
Wind: WSW4 then SW4

Common Scoter - 14 ( All Male )
Red Throated Diver - 2 ( Both summer plumage )
Sooty Shearwater - 1
Balearic Shearwater - 2
Arctic Skua - 6 ( 1 pale , 4 dark , 1 Juv )
Bonxie - 5
Little Gull - 1 ( Ad winter )
Arctic tern - 1
Commic Tern - 1

100's of Swallows migrating South , 20 porpoise.

Many Thanks to Richard Davies for the days report.

Sunday 30 September 2012

Lapland Bunting

A single Lapland Bunting with two Skylarks on the heather area at Pen Anglas this morning

Saturday 29 September 2012

YBW Update

Visited the garden again at 14.40 & 15.40 both times with a small group of Blue tits & a Goldcrest. 

In a Fishguard garden ! YBW !!


At approx 10 a.m. this morning , had me reaching for my BP pills !

Wednesday 26 September 2012

Strumble Head 25th Sept.

Time: 07.00 - 12.00
Weather: Cloudy , some rain.
Wind: W/NW 4/5

Wigeon - 7
Common Scoter - 11 (1f)
Sooty Shearwater - 6
Balearic Shearwater - 3
Dunlin - 1
Bar Tailed Godwit - 3
Turnstone - 4
Arctic Skua - 11 ( 6 Pale , 5 dark )
Bonxie - 8
Mediterranean Gull - 1 ( 2w )
Little Gull - 1
Sandwich Tern - 2
Commic Tern - 3

Chris Grayell
 

Tuesday 25 September 2012

Pen Anglas

A dark phase Arctic Skua past Pen Anglas late afternoon today,yesterday 4 Wigeon flew over heading west.

Monday 24 September 2012

Strumble Head 24th Sept.

Time: 06.30 - 17.30
Weather: Cloudy, Some showers.
Wind: NW 6/7 Occasionally 8

Wigeon - 7
Teal - 4
Common Scoter - 53 (14f )
Red Throated Diver - 1 ( Summer Plumage )
Great Crested Grebe - 1
Sooty Shearwater - 47
Balearic Shearwater - 4
Arctic Skua - 27 ( 13 Pale , 13 Dark , 1 Juv )
Long Tailed Skua - 3 ( All Juvs )
Bonxie - 46
Mediterranean Gull - 1 ( Ad )
Sabines Gull - 2 ( Both Ad )
Sandwich Tern - 4
Common Tern - 14
Arctic Tern - 4
Commic Tern - 7
Little Tern - 1
Black Tern - 1

Observers - CG , R Davies , AR , PKG , MYP , MJ.

 

Sunday 23 September 2012

Flagpoles 15.00 23rd Sept


A few waders feeding at the high tide, 5 Redshank, 3 Dunlin, 12+ Turnstones & a sgl Ringed Plover. More Rock Pipits about than normal maybe indicating a few migrant birds.

Saturday 22 September 2012

Tresinwen & Strumble (22 Sep 12)

With the winds not ideal for sea-watching I decided to hit the bushes.  Lots of Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs about with a small number of Pied and Grey Wagtails around.  House Martins still feeding young in nest on the farm.  Best migrant was a Reed Warbler in the bushes at the top of Porthsychan.

Friday 21 September 2012

Little Gull

An adult Little Gull off Pen Anglas Point yesterday late afternoon.

Wednesday 19 September 2012

Strumble Head 19th Sept.

Time: 06.45 - 08.30
Weather: Bright , scattered clouds very COLD !
Wind: NNW 5/6 or more.

Teal - 1
Common Scoter - 43 (3f)
Balearic shearwater - 1
Leach's Petrel - 10
Long Tailed Skua - 1 ( 1st Summer )
Bonxie - 2
Sandwich Tern - 10


 

Tuesday 18 September 2012

Strumble Head 18th Sept.

Time: 06.30 - 15.00
Weather: Bright.
Wind: NW 5/6

Common Scoter - 20 (3f)
Red Throated Diver - 4
Sooty Shearwater - 6
Balearic Shearwater - 3
Leach's Petrel - 29
Turnstone - 1
Pomarine Skua - 3 ( 2 Ad, 1 with Spoons & a Juv )
Arctic Skua - 34 ( 18 dark , 16 Pale )
Long Tailed Skua - 3 ( All Juvs )
Bonxie - 20
Sabines Gull - 1 ( Ad still with full dark head )
Sandwich Tern - 117
Commic Tern - 3
Puffin - 1

Ocean sunfish - 1

Many Thanks to Richard Davies & Paul Grennard for the total count between the hours watched.

Another all 4 skua day, tomorrow the next one ?   

Monday 17 September 2012

Strumble Head 17th Sept.

Time:06.15 - 13.00 then 16.00 - 17.30
Weather:Bright, some rain showers
Wind; W/WSW 4/5

Common Scoter - 29 (1f)
Red Throated Diver - 1 ( Summer plumage )
Sooty Shearwater - 6
Balearic Shearwater - 4
Dunlin - 1
Redshank - 2
Turnstone - 1
Pomarine Skua - 2 ( both 3rd Sum pale with spoons )
Arctic Skua - 7 ( 2 Pale,5 Dark )
Bonxie - 19
Sabines Gull - 2 ( Ad winter & Juv )
Sandwich Tern - 1
Common tern - 2
Arctic Tern - 1
Commic Tern - 1

A constant steady stream of hirundines moving south must have numbered many hundreds.

Many Thanks to Richard Davies for the early totals.

 

Sunday 16 September 2012

Sand Martins

5 Sand Martins Pen Anglas this morning very little else.

Friday 14 September 2012

Strumble Head 14th Sept.

Time: 06.20 - 15.20
Weather: Bright, Showers early on.
Wind; WSW 5/6

Common Scoter - 24 (1f)
Red Throated Diver - 2
Sooty Shearwater - 11
Balearic Shearwater - 1
Leach's Petrel - 6
Curlew - 1
Arctic Skua - 19 ( 4 Pale, 13 Dark. 2 Juv )
Bonxie - 13
Sandwich Tern - 23
Arctic Tern - 4
Roseate Tern - 1
Commic Tern - 11

Many Thanks to Paul Grennard for supplying the totals after 08.40.

Wednesday 12 September 2012

Strumble head 12th Sept.

Time:06.15 - 14.10
Weather:Cloudy, showers
Wind:WSW 4/5

Common Scoter - 32 (3f)
Red Throated Diver - 2 ( Sum Plumage )
Sooty Shearwater - 2
Balearic Shearwater - 6
Golden Plover - 1
Dunlin - 2
Whimbrel - 1
Turnstone - 8
Pomarine Skua - 3 ( All Pale , 2 with Spoons )
Arctic Skua - 33 ( 16 pale, 16 Dark , 1 Juv )
Long Tailed Skua - 5 ( All Juvs )
Bonxie - 8
Sabines Gull - 1 ( Ad )
Sandwich Tern - 21
Black Tern - 2
Commic Tern - 4

Many Thanks to Richard Davies for the totals.

Tuesday 11 September 2012

A few extras

I did a two hour Seawatch at Strumble 4-6 pm 3 Arctic Skuas, 1 Bonxie, 3 Balearic Shearwaters, 22 Sandwich Terns also a Sunfish.
This morning off Pen Anglas 3 Arctic Skua ,1 Bonxie,3 Whimbrel,10 Common Scoter also a flock of geese flew in off the sea over Dinas island but were only silhouettes with the sun , I don't think they were Canadas.
Also found a freshly dead Water Shrew.

Strumble Head 11th sept.

Time: 06.30 - 15.15
Weather: Cloudy
Wind: NW 4/5

Gadwall - 2
Common scoter - 22
Sooty Shearwater - 5
Balearic Shearwater - 3
Leach's Petrel - 1
Whimbrel - 4
Arctic Skua - 43 ( 12 Pale , 1 Intermediate , 30 Dark )
Long Tailed Skua - 1 ( Juv )
Bonxie - 21
Sabines Gull - 4 ( 2 Juvs )
Sandwich Tern - 25
Common tern - 1
Arctic tern - 1
Commic Tern - 10

Many observers, Thanks to Paul Grennard for the update of stuff after 08.30.  

Monday 10 September 2012

Birdwatching in Wales - DVD


I have recently received my copy of the Birdwatching in Wales DVD made by Yorkshire based Paul Doherty. It is broken down into monthly sections , with a different area of Wales for each month. My interest was stimulated when i met Paul at Strumble in Sept. 2010 & he explained the concept of his work in progress & that Sept. was going to be Seawatching at Strumble Head. Fortunately the week Paul had was a very good one & the filming turned out to be successful. That is not to say that the rest of the DVD is of any less quality  as each month is equally as interesting , moreso if it's your local patch. The Gigrin Farm filming is quite spectacular ! Even more pleasing from a local point of view is that the picture cover is by our own Richard Stonier. Cover & list for each month pictured, all you need to do is put it on your Xmas List ! www.birdvideodvd.com is his site.

Strumble Head 10th Sept.

Time: 06.45 - 12.00
Weather: Cloudy & overcast , rain.
Wind: SW 2/3

Common Scoter - 23 ( 1f )
Balearic Shearwater - 1
Bar Tailed Godwit - 3
Whimbrel - 1
Arctic Skua - 1 ( Intermediate )
Commic Tern - 1

A pod of c.12 Common Dolphin seen twice first distantly then much closer in contained at least 2 calves. 

Saturday 8 September 2012

Felindre West to Abermawr 8th Sept.



A couple of Wheatears by the pond which also had a Dabchick on it. Large flock of Linnets on coast path & a calling Dartford in a new place.