St Davids cattle egret

 Cattle egret with the Hereford cattle near Rhosson farm this evening. Hundreds of hirundines at various spots around the peninsula, the vast majority of which were swallows. 

A Replacement for the Britton Hide at Marloes Mere

To complement the recent improvements to the landscape and  views across Marloes Mere, the National Trust are in the early stages of planning an upgrade or replacement of the Britton Hide at Marloes Mere (the name Britton Hide will remain).

Before we put our designers pencil-to-paper, we wanted to gather ideas from local communities, bird-watchers and visitors as to whether this was a good idea, and if it was, what sort of facility would you would like to see (via a Survey Monkey). 

This survey will help National Trust to scope the type and scale of structure we design.  We want it to be big enough to cater for demand, whilst sitting gently in this sensitive landscape by using landscaping techniques and perhaps a green roof.

But what do you think?

Please use the QR code or the following URL to provide your ideas to National Trust 

 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PEMBSBIRDERS 

Thank you

Southwood Golden Plovers

About 40 of the 80ish Golden Plover in the recently ploughed field near Maidenhall Point at National Trust's Southwood Farm today were remarkably hard to see despite strong breeding plumage. 

Further north at the marsh near to the farm a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling, a Sedge Warbler was singing and a pair of Reed Buntings were enjoying the sun on a fence before racing off together. A crow followed a Buzzard that was carrying a young rabbit, but had no idea how to steal it and gave up the chase and a Kestrel was hunting nearby. There were several Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps in the hedges but no Whitethroats. I did not manage to get over to Folkston Moor side or see any Yellowhammers as the Welsh Black cows were showing a bit too much interest in my accompanying dog.

Nearby at Newgale beach a dozen Sand Martins briefly visited some nest holes in the cliff and six Fulmar ware apparently on four nests. A single Sandwich Tern was fishing along with a few Gannets.

Rosebush Redstarts

 Two male Redstarts were singing not far from the path, as I walked past the quarries near Rosebush this morning. On the way back, I also had good views of a male Redstart, and a brief view of a female. Near the lower path, a Willow Tit could be heard singing.  

Cuckoo

Cuckoo calling, Dinas Cross (towards N slopes of Mynydd Dinas).

Marloes peninsula

A short-eared owl across the Dale road, by Walwyn's Castle 4:30pm was a bit of a surprise. Plenty of warblers on the usual circuit 20+ Willow warbler, a dozen Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcaps and first 2 Whitethroat on the Deer Park. 8 Wheatear all in Martins Haven. Duckwise, pair Shelduck, pair Gadwall, pair Wigeon, 3 pair Teal, 6 pair and 8 m Shoveler with a few of these sitting tight to likely nest sites. The 5 Tufted duck still here. Most interesting bird was another European rubicola-type Stonechat in the same area of the Deer Park as a previous bird of a few years back. Big white rump, whitish belly with bright orange breast, it was roaming quite widely from beneath the lookout to the top of the steps.

Skokholm

Squacco Heron this evening

South coast this morning

We had a nice walk along the south coast from Skrinkle to Freshwater East this morning. Sand martins (several birds) were excavating holes in vertical sandstone cliffs at Manorbier where small numbers  have bred regularly in recent years. The population might be expanding. Numerous swallows were moving along the coast. 

At least 4 male whitethroats were singing in usual territories between Manorbier and and Fresh East. Good numbers of linnets were collecting nest material. There must have been at least 50 pairs or more between Manorbier and Fresh East. At least five pairs of stonechats included a couple collecting food for nestlings. 

The best birds though were 2 pairs of yellowhammer (males singing with females present) in the coastal scrub at Privar. Freshwater East is quite an important area for this species, but these were the first ones that I (Bob) have seen in the coastal scrub here for possibly 20-years. Hopefully various feeding stations are helping to boost their survival in the county. 

Two or three starlings at Whitehill (seen from the car on our way home) were probably part of a small, but regular, breeding population here. It is not a particularly common breeding species in Pembs., with a scattering of colonies in various places. 

Later at Landshipping, a little egret displaying fine breeding plumes was feeding in the lagoon. Four greenshanks were also feeding in the area plus 3 redshanks. It was also nice to hear greenfinches singing nearby. They have not been especially common in this area in recent years.

Waldo stone presseli hills

 Cuckoo male 

Grasshopper warbler 3

Willow warbler 10

Chiff chaff 6

Swallow 4

House Martin 2

Wheatear 2 males 

Stonechat 5 

Skomer boat trip

From Graham Sharples. The first Skomer sunset boat trip of the year saw thousands of puffins and guillemots, good numbers of razorbills and fulmars, gannets diving, and  a harbour porpoise. Further out were 2 small rafts of manx shearwaters with others flying around. Just the kittiwakes were absent.

Newgale, Short eared owl

 From Alan Collens. The Short-eared Owl was active near the lay-by again at 4.10pm Friday. A female kestrel was also in the area at the same time. Not sure what the attraction is of this little field

Skokholm

Over 500 warblers on the Island today. 

Pied Flycatcher St David’s Head

 Male pied flycatcher this afternoon in the valley at St David’s Head , based in willow scrub with willow warblers and blackcaps for company . 2 male wheatear on the headland. 

Grasshopper Warbler

A grasshopper warbler was reeling away, close to a rank, swampy field in the valley behind Pwllgwaelod early this morning. Willow warbler, chiffchaff, blackcap, chaffinch, song thrush, robin, wren, woodpigeon, tawny owl, also singing. Closer to Cwm-Yr-Eglwys there was one bird with an unusual hybrid willow warbler / chiffchaff song - I think it was probably a willow warbler, as a fairly typical ww phrase was sandwiched between a few chiffchaff notes at either end.

Cuckoo

Cuckoo - Fresh in last night I reckon, no song to speak off, just scoffing caterpillars around the rocks above Ty Canol  (Den Vaughan)

Dipper, Llawhaden

From Graham Sharples. A couple of dippers around Llawhaden Bridge. They had a good look at the fast-flowing water but it didn’t appear welcoming.