Drim to Rugby Club Goodwick.

A quiet walk with just the usual Robins & Blackbirds was brightened up by first a Siskin on top of a tree near the ponds & then a Firecrest with approx. 10 Goldcrests a bit further along. As I passed the pitch the Fishguard Under 20's conceded a try so that wasn't good.

Woodcock

8 Woodcock tonight flew up the Valley over my position from roost, wonder how many are actually there and fly other ways to feed.

Maesgwynne 19th Nov.

Lots of birds visiting the feeders with the Marsh Tit being almost the most frequent.

Polecat

A walk over Dinas Mountain at dusk produced excellent views of a Polecat. Also around 60 Fieldfare and in excess of 100 Golden Plover coming into roost.

Maesgwynne Late Evening Shift.

As I parked the car up from coming home from work a pair of Tawny Owls calling from behind the farm opposite.

Maesgwynne 15th Nov.

This evenings watch saw 5 Woodcock come out of roost & fly up the valley, also 2 Mallard over in the near dark. 

Oh dear... murder most fowl on the breakwater!

My offer of a chance to come out on the breakwater to try and see the Snow buntings was taken up by Dave and Fran. After a stormy night it seemed likely they might have moved on. Having all got into my car I drove slowly along the breakwater all of us searching hard for a sign of the buntings. Sadly my eye was soon drawn to a little scattering of pale feathers.

Sadly, closer examination of the crime scene left little doubt as to who the victim was...

Especially as a moment later we saw the female, sadly it appears that the victim was our splendid cock Snow Bunting

The jury is out as to who the killer was. I have (not so far as I can remember) seen a Sparrowhawk actually hunting the breakwater but one often shows above the harbour. I guess Kestrel would also be a likely suspect and they hunt there quite frequently. I doubt any other of the raptors that frequent the area such as Buzzard, Peregrine or even Red Kite would be so likely to have killed it but I suppose you could not definitely count them out.

It remains to be seen if the female will stay or even if she will become a second victim of the mystery killer, but this little episode illustrates the fact that being a flashy male has its ultimate downside!