Strumble 30/12/2017

A session on the porpoise yesterday quiet at the start allowed us to take note of the passing birds. Several divers mostly white throat I suspect, four male Scoter and I think this female Peregrine (revised)  Merlin coming in off the sea.  Thanks Adrian.

Merlins

A poor shot of one of the two Merlins near Puncheston this afternoon, several Crossbill also present.

Strumble Roll call 2017.

Hope everybody had a good Christmas & is looking forward to a good year at the lookout in 2018.

Thanks to all contributors whether it be the people in the main list of contributors or anyone else who forwards information, including:

Chris Greyall
Richard Davies
Red Liford
Paul Grennard
Brian Southern
Peter Murray
Simon Murray
Paul Mahiques
John Faithfull
Rob Jones
Mark Hipkin
Graham Powell
Andy Phillips
Karen Meatyard
Elfyn Pugh
Alex Bevan

All the SeaTrust Team

Apologies to anyone I've missed & those who's names I don't know.

Strumble Head

A couple of pics from yesterday...

Strumble Head (Christmas Day)

Short seawatch from 1045 to 1230 today in a strong SSW wind - prob F6-7.

Great Skua - 2
Common Scoter - 1 (M)
Red Throated Diver - 5
Great Northern Diver - 1

Common Porpoise - showing very well
Risso's Dolphin - 1 (A big adult male and one I am as certain as you can be that I have seen before.  Big, white with a distinctive tall fin - 3 vertical stripes on the fin - grey stripe, white stripe, grey stripe.  Reasonably close in the tide race and breached twice.)

Firecrest

A Firecrest again in the woods at Llanychaer.

Wheres the wood?

So nothing special I suppose ,just a female Great Spotted Woodpecker and not brilliant quality as the window is filthy largely due to a fox that brushes against it on an evening. None the less its a favourite of mine. There are not many trees up here so its a bit of a treat when it pops in for a peanut or two!

More of a Strumble specialty, divers pass by and some stay to feed, wintering off Strumble.

Hen Harrier

A male Hen Harrier hunting over Dinas Mountain this morning.

While wdigbirders away....

No not a blocker but the snow and ice elsewhere have brought loads of winter thrushes our way on the coastal pastures! Not great images as very distant in poor light from car in sleet!

Blackcap

A male Blackcap in the garden and a Woodcock in woods at Llanychaer.
A ringtail Hen Harrier near Puncheston also a single Crossbill.

Recent sightings

A Firecrest and Woodcock in the woods at Llanychaer this morning.
Yesterday at Cwm yr Eglwys a female Black Redstart and a Goshawk.
On 4th Dec a male Hen Harrier between Llanychaer and Puncheston.

Night Visitor