Merlin

The weather forecast last night was poor so I opted for a lie-in this morning - mistake! I awoke to a cool westerly and some drizzle - which usually means a few grounded migrants around - so visited Porth Meudwy late morning. Having forgotten my jacket in the rush I endured a couple of cold hours, with a few migrants seen.

An obvious influx of Robins and Blackcap saw at least 15 of each present with a couple of Chiffchaff and 5 Goldcrest. A fine Peregrine and a trickle of 4 Swallows headed over plus 38 Skylark, and a few pipits and finches, including a couple of redpoll spp. Thrush numbers are still low with just 10 Blackbird and 2 Song Thrush... where are all the Redwings & Fieldfares? Despite the cold a Red Admiral was on the wing.

After lunch - and this time suitably dressed - I headed for a wander around Uwchmynydd. Highlight was a terrific1w Merlin perched up by Mynydd Mawr while other bits and pieces included 6 Stonechat, a single Blackcap, 3 Goldcrest and a Yellowhammer near Gwyddel.

Also, some belated news from earlier in the week;

Eddie & Sally Urbanski found a Hooded Crow at Cwrt, Aberdaron on Wednesday with 60 Skylarks and 40 Linnets around the farm while yesterday there were c100 each of Skylark, Linnet and House Sparrow. A local resident informed me of a Hoodie a few weeks ago in the area, presumably the same bird.

Rhys Jones had 4 Red-throated Diver, 2 Med' Gulls, a juv Sabine's Gull, 2 Pomarine', 9 Great' and 7 Arctic Skua past Porth Ysgaden on Thursday while along at Porth Iago Dave Lamacraft scored with a Balearic Shearwater, 3 Leach's Petrel, a Grey Phalarope, 1 Sabine's Gull and 2 Poms - possibly the Ysgaden birds. Great stuff!