I set the phone alarm for 0515 this morning, ready for a dawn blitz on the headland. Unfortunately, I managed to accidentally set the bloody thing to 'vibrate only' and slept straight through it. Doh!
Anyway, with sunshine, fresh northerlies and no rain the plan was to grill Pwllheli harbour yet again and produce a mega wader like the Lesser Yellowlegs that lingered here between 9th-10th September 1975. Did any readers actually see it?
Sadly (read predictably) this did not happen, despite a few hours here as the tide dropped afternoon. In fact, there wasn't anything even remotely uncommon (and I did try for Semi-palmated Plover but could not pull one out from the mass of distant Ringed Plovers).
No Little Stint, Bar-tailed Godwits, Sanderling even... just 13 Oystercatcher, 160 Great Ringed Plover, 6 Red Knot, 6 Dunlin, 15 Curlew, 75 Redshank and 4 Ruddy Turnstone were revealed through the trusty old Swarovski scope. Even hirundine passage was reduced to just a trickle of Swallows, unlike yesterday.
A group of 15 Teal were feeding at the Cob Pool plus the usual mix of gulls but little else here either. Must try harder next time!
Talking of readers I note that I'm on roughly 10,000 page hits and
nearly 100 Twitter followers. I hope you're enjoying my now regular missives from the peninsula, really appreciate any feedback you can be bothered to write and would like
to send my best regards to all of you, whoever and wherever you are!
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Tuesday, 4 September 2012
Swallow rush
The village I live in is up on a hill and was sandwiched in cloud
this morning after heavy overnight rain so I did not venture out until
it had cleared, only to hear that the Bardsey Island Bird Observatory team had an incredible movement of 3500 Swallows
passing north early morning! They were still streaming north and east mid-morning (with a handful of House' & Sand Martins) as I
birded Porth Meudwy, and although numbers were not quite as high it was absolutely
fantastic to witness these royal blue birds head off on their way to South Africa for the winter! Presumably the slight detour is related to a passing cold front.
A few migrants and residents were showing in and around the valley; 20 Goldfinch, Bullfinch, a single Spotted Flycatcher, at least 13 Blackcaps, 7 Chiffchaff and 3 Goldcrest while apart from the hirundines other birds overhead included several alba wagtails and a buzzing Tree Pipit.
A few migrants and residents were showing in and around the valley; 20 Goldfinch, Bullfinch, a single Spotted Flycatcher, at least 13 Blackcaps, 7 Chiffchaff and 3 Goldcrest while apart from the hirundines other birds overhead included several alba wagtails and a buzzing Tree Pipit.
Monday, 3 September 2012
Tripits, Mipits & Mud
With a definite drawing in of the evenings and a few hirundines on
the move it was time for a proper session of visible migration counting
over at Mynydd Mawr this morning.
Weather conditions were great - dead calm, some high cloud and a great sunrise. I counted between 0637-0837 hrs and logged a nice selection including a flava wagtail, 8 Tee Pipits, 4 Grey Wagtail, 28 alba wagtails and a good count of 38 Red-billed Chough.
Full details are over at the amazing Trektellen migration website (I'm unable to copy the table but here is the link).:
http://trektellen.org/trektelling.asp?telpost=812
Having completed the count I wandered uphill to have a go at reading some of the Chough colour-rings but found the birds very skittish, the closer ones seemed to be unringed although I did manage to get a couple. I then headed for Porth Meudwy, when on arrival, I realised that I'd managed to leave my notebook on Mynydd Mawr. Fortunately I found it (never lost a notebook before fortunately) after an hour but decided to postpone a visit to the valley and enter some records instead!
After lunch I had to visit town so naturally checked the harbour. With the tide well out I wandered around and grilled the waders. The highlight was a single juvenile Little Stint - the first time I've connected with this species here - and although no great rarity they're a fairly scarce migrant in the area.
Also noted were: 9 Teal, 8 Oystercatcher, 131 Great Ringed Plover, 11 Red Knot, 5 Turnstone, 5 Dunlin, 50 Redshank, a single Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Curlew with both Northern Wheatear and Common Whitethroat on the passerine migrant front.
Weather conditions were great - dead calm, some high cloud and a great sunrise. I counted between 0637-0837 hrs and logged a nice selection including a flava wagtail, 8 Tee Pipits, 4 Grey Wagtail, 28 alba wagtails and a good count of 38 Red-billed Chough.
Full details are over at the amazing Trektellen migration website (I'm unable to copy the table but here is the link).:
http://trektellen.org/trektelling.asp?telpost=812
Having completed the count I wandered uphill to have a go at reading some of the Chough colour-rings but found the birds very skittish, the closer ones seemed to be unringed although I did manage to get a couple. I then headed for Porth Meudwy, when on arrival, I realised that I'd managed to leave my notebook on Mynydd Mawr. Fortunately I found it (never lost a notebook before fortunately) after an hour but decided to postpone a visit to the valley and enter some records instead!
After lunch I had to visit town so naturally checked the harbour. With the tide well out I wandered around and grilled the waders. The highlight was a single juvenile Little Stint - the first time I've connected with this species here - and although no great rarity they're a fairly scarce migrant in the area.
Also noted were: 9 Teal, 8 Oystercatcher, 131 Great Ringed Plover, 11 Red Knot, 5 Turnstone, 5 Dunlin, 50 Redshank, a single Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Curlew with both Northern Wheatear and Common Whitethroat on the passerine migrant front.
Sunday, 2 September 2012
Birding Walk
I had the pleasure of taking a group of North Wales Wildlife Trust members birding in the area yesterday. Having met in Pwllheli harbour (where the tide was wrong for looking at shorebirds) we made our way to Rhiw.
A gentle walk took us up past the Plas and along through the network of paths on the east side of Mynydd Rhiw then down through the forestry at Ty'n-y-parc. Highlight here was a family party of Spotted Flycatchers with around half a dozen birds busy feeding. A flock of 12 Red-billed Chough circled over while other entertainment came in the shape of Ravens, Sparrowhawk, a selection of warblers and a few other woodland birds. Several hawker dragonflies whizzed past, a dead Slow-worm was seen and a variety of nice autumn plants.
Reaching back to Pwllheli and the tide was well out. Birds here comprised the usual wader suspects including a couple of smart Bar-tailed Godwits, 6 Red Knot and 7 Turnstone although numbers of Dunlin and Ringed Plover were low. Altogether we saw around 50 species - not a huge amount but it was a pleasant day in very good company - many thanks to all who attended.
I've been busy with other things today although a vocal flock of 50 Curlew over the house this afternoon was a nice distraction.
A gentle walk took us up past the Plas and along through the network of paths on the east side of Mynydd Rhiw then down through the forestry at Ty'n-y-parc. Highlight here was a family party of Spotted Flycatchers with around half a dozen birds busy feeding. A flock of 12 Red-billed Chough circled over while other entertainment came in the shape of Ravens, Sparrowhawk, a selection of warblers and a few other woodland birds. Several hawker dragonflies whizzed past, a dead Slow-worm was seen and a variety of nice autumn plants.
Reaching back to Pwllheli and the tide was well out. Birds here comprised the usual wader suspects including a couple of smart Bar-tailed Godwits, 6 Red Knot and 7 Turnstone although numbers of Dunlin and Ringed Plover were low. Altogether we saw around 50 species - not a huge amount but it was a pleasant day in very good company - many thanks to all who attended.
I've been busy with other things today although a vocal flock of 50 Curlew over the house this afternoon was a nice distraction.
Sunday, 26 August 2012
Migrants?
Flushed a couple of Northern Wheatears by the road to Aberdaron this morning - was it a sign of hordes of migrants passing through? Checked Aberdaron briefly to see a couple of Sandwich Terns on the beach and a Grey Wagtail around the stream.
A few hours wandering around Mynydd Mawr/Uwchmynydd in beautiful weather - sunshine, blue skies with some fluffy cumulus and a refreshingly cool northerly breeze resulted in very little.
The garden at Safn Pant proved tempting so I sat on the heath above it and waited for the migrants to appear. Result - zilch! The 'flycatcher' I staked out turned out to be a juvenile Robin and a Goldcrest called from the trees but that was about it. I've said it before but will reiterate, as one of the last small patches of cover on the peninsula I reckon it must have paid host to some great migrants. Within a few hundred metres of here there have been Tawny Pipit, Alpine Swift, Shorelark, Hoopoe etc in recent years despite very sporadic visits (plus that funny flyover passerine with the totally unfamiliar call I had a few years ago!).
Anyway, the only presumed migrants this morning were a single alba wagtail, 15 Meadow Pipits that seemed to be moving and a couple of Wheatears.
Four Red-billed Chough swirled around the hill and dropped out of sight towards the seacliffs. A (family party?) of three Kestrels were hunting over the heather then a fantastic female Peregrine buzzed me along the clifftop then returned for another look. Offshore 40+ Northern Gannets were feeding.
Butterflies and other insects were out in force including several Graylings, Gatekeeper, Red Admiral and many Small Tortoiseshells.
A few hours wandering around Mynydd Mawr/Uwchmynydd in beautiful weather - sunshine, blue skies with some fluffy cumulus and a refreshingly cool northerly breeze resulted in very little.
The garden at Safn Pant proved tempting so I sat on the heath above it and waited for the migrants to appear. Result - zilch! The 'flycatcher' I staked out turned out to be a juvenile Robin and a Goldcrest called from the trees but that was about it. I've said it before but will reiterate, as one of the last small patches of cover on the peninsula I reckon it must have paid host to some great migrants. Within a few hundred metres of here there have been Tawny Pipit, Alpine Swift, Shorelark, Hoopoe etc in recent years despite very sporadic visits (plus that funny flyover passerine with the totally unfamiliar call I had a few years ago!).
Anyway, the only presumed migrants this morning were a single alba wagtail, 15 Meadow Pipits that seemed to be moving and a couple of Wheatears.
Four Red-billed Chough swirled around the hill and dropped out of sight towards the seacliffs. A (family party?) of three Kestrels were hunting over the heather then a fantastic female Peregrine buzzed me along the clifftop then returned for another look. Offshore 40+ Northern Gannets were feeding.
Butterflies and other insects were out in force including several Graylings, Gatekeeper, Red Admiral and many Small Tortoiseshells.
Saturday, 25 August 2012
Painted Lady
Yesterday we enjoyed some rather wet and windy summer weather - a strong SE with heavy rain showers. I decided to check Pwllheli harbour and arrived as the tide was dropping during late afternoon.
It was good to bump into and put a face to a name in the shape of blog reader Dave Elmley who was checking the waders on the Cob before the increasing torrential rain drove both of us away. I went around to the large shelter on the north side of the harbour and waited to see what would appear.
Waders were the main attraction, comprising: 31 Oystercatcher, 181 Great Ringed Plover, 2 Knot, 2 Turnstone, 9 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpiper, 61 Redshank, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits and 8 Curlew.
This morning the wind was in the north and I hit Porth Meudwy for a couple of hours. I might as well have stayed at home with very little avian activity although some nice butterflies included an immaculate Painted Lady (seen v few this year), Red Admirals, a blue spp, some Walls and a Speckled Wood.
Small numbers of phylloscopus warblers included a couple of Willow Warblers and 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrests were calling and just two Blackcaps were noted. Small numbers of alba wagtails seemed to be on the move and a few hirundines. A flock of 12 distant presumed Golden Plover flew high to the south but there was very little else to report.
With the wind easing and some welcome broken sunshine later I decided to head for the harbour again and managed just an hour here as the tide began dropping early evening. Fantastic views at point-blank range are guaranteed here as the mud is exposed and the flocks arrive to feed!
Total counts were: 35 Oystercatcher, 119 Great Ringed Plover, 2 Knot, 3 Turnstone, 20 Dunlin, 52 Redshank, 1 Bar-tailed Godwits and 7 Curlew.
Again I was left wondering - what passes through here undetected!? At times like this I wish we had a few more active birders in the area.
It was good to bump into and put a face to a name in the shape of blog reader Dave Elmley who was checking the waders on the Cob before the increasing torrential rain drove both of us away. I went around to the large shelter on the north side of the harbour and waited to see what would appear.
Waders were the main attraction, comprising: 31 Oystercatcher, 181 Great Ringed Plover, 2 Knot, 2 Turnstone, 9 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpiper, 61 Redshank, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits and 8 Curlew.
This morning the wind was in the north and I hit Porth Meudwy for a couple of hours. I might as well have stayed at home with very little avian activity although some nice butterflies included an immaculate Painted Lady (seen v few this year), Red Admirals, a blue spp, some Walls and a Speckled Wood.
Small numbers of phylloscopus warblers included a couple of Willow Warblers and 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrests were calling and just two Blackcaps were noted. Small numbers of alba wagtails seemed to be on the move and a few hirundines. A flock of 12 distant presumed Golden Plover flew high to the south but there was very little else to report.
With the wind easing and some welcome broken sunshine later I decided to head for the harbour again and managed just an hour here as the tide began dropping early evening. Fantastic views at point-blank range are guaranteed here as the mud is exposed and the flocks arrive to feed!
Total counts were: 35 Oystercatcher, 119 Great Ringed Plover, 2 Knot, 3 Turnstone, 20 Dunlin, 52 Redshank, 1 Bar-tailed Godwits and 7 Curlew.
Again I was left wondering - what passes through here undetected!? At times like this I wish we had a few more active birders in the area.
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
Guided Walk - Bird Watching on Lleyn
I'm leading a guided walk for the wonderful North Wales Wildlife Trust in a couple of weeks time. Thought I'd give some advance notice for anyone who's interested.
We're meeting by the War Memorial on Pwllheli Cob at 10 am on Saturday 1st September. The intention is to do some birding around the harbour then share lifts up to Rhiw for a walk around the village, probably near Plas-yn-Rhiw. We may well have another look in the harbour on the way back. Finish time 5 pm at the latest.
Bring lunch, binoculars, telescopes, suitable clothing and footwear as some of the paths may be a little muddy. Everyone welcome!
We're meeting by the War Memorial on Pwllheli Cob at 10 am on Saturday 1st September. The intention is to do some birding around the harbour then share lifts up to Rhiw for a walk around the village, probably near Plas-yn-Rhiw. We may well have another look in the harbour on the way back. Finish time 5 pm at the latest.
Bring lunch, binoculars, telescopes, suitable clothing and footwear as some of the paths may be a little muddy. Everyone welcome!
Sunday, 19 August 2012
Waders
No, I'm not talking about the funny long wellies you wear to go fishing in or nightclubbing (yes, I have seen it with my own eyes... many years ago in a rather dodgy establishment in Sheffield...) I am talking about shorebirds dudes.
Specifically Ringed Plovers (or whatever they're called these days) marching across the mud in Pwllheli. I counted at least 245 of them which is a personal site record.
Also here were 35+ Dunlin, a cracking summer-plumage Bar-tailed Godwit that looked like it had flown straight out of a Lars Johnsson painting, Common Sandpiper, 60 Redshank, 13 Curlew, 46 Oystercatcher, a couple of Ruddy Turnstone and 4 Sanderling. Plus a few other bits and pieces. It was certainly worth the hobble around the harbour, which has gone up a gear as the back pain seems to be easing.
Spurred on by this unprecedented bit of patch birding I had an early dinner then wandered down the treacherous muddy path by Tre-heli Farm to Porth Neigwl. The target species was Med' Gull but I was disappointed to find the only laridae were literally miles away along the beach and dropping on the sea to roost. With the light fading I only managed to pick up a couple of adults and a 1st winter and with virtually no other birds on the beach I headed back.
With little wind, a cloudy sky and high temperatures it was rather sticky going - certainly not a night to be wearing waders!
Specifically Ringed Plovers (or whatever they're called these days) marching across the mud in Pwllheli. I counted at least 245 of them which is a personal site record.
Also here were 35+ Dunlin, a cracking summer-plumage Bar-tailed Godwit that looked like it had flown straight out of a Lars Johnsson painting, Common Sandpiper, 60 Redshank, 13 Curlew, 46 Oystercatcher, a couple of Ruddy Turnstone and 4 Sanderling. Plus a few other bits and pieces. It was certainly worth the hobble around the harbour, which has gone up a gear as the back pain seems to be easing.
Spurred on by this unprecedented bit of patch birding I had an early dinner then wandered down the treacherous muddy path by Tre-heli Farm to Porth Neigwl. The target species was Med' Gull but I was disappointed to find the only laridae were literally miles away along the beach and dropping on the sea to roost. With the light fading I only managed to pick up a couple of adults and a 1st winter and with virtually no other birds on the beach I headed back.
With little wind, a cloudy sky and high temperatures it was rather sticky going - certainly not a night to be wearing waders!
Saturday, 18 August 2012
Dark Green Fritillary
One of these beauties sped past through the yard this afternoon where I had hobbled out (back still knackered) after another misty morning. They really can accelerate!
A (family?) party of five Red-billed Chough wheeled over Mynydd y Graig later on while I soaked up the sunshine, something severely lacking this year.
The young Common Buzzard continues to vocalise incessantly. It's a really pale thing - very white underparts. I really should get around to digi-scoping it if I can stand it anymore (yes, I hear you laughing - you don't follow this blog for the photos). Will try not to throw any rocks in it's direction first. Noisy bugger! Plenty of rabbits in the fields around here, surely it will learn to feed itself soon?
A (family?) party of five Red-billed Chough wheeled over Mynydd y Graig later on while I soaked up the sunshine, something severely lacking this year.
The young Common Buzzard continues to vocalise incessantly. It's a really pale thing - very white underparts. I really should get around to digi-scoping it if I can stand it anymore (yes, I hear you laughing - you don't follow this blog for the photos). Will try not to throw any rocks in it's direction first. Noisy bugger! Plenty of rabbits in the fields around here, surely it will learn to feed itself soon?
Friday, 17 August 2012
Micro-blogging
Crikey... how time flies! Since my last post, and despite getting out fairly often between the showers I've been been rather slack at updating this site - hope to remedy that in future, if there are any readers left!?
You'll find a few short missives if you follow my Twitter feed.
Rhiw has been cloaked in thick mist today with some heavy downpours off a strong SSW wind and I've been stuck inside most of the time with a knackered back. Maybe the yoga session the other night in the village hall was a bit extreme. I am trying to get prepared for the autumn migrant hunting extravaganza where crouching under bushes in strange positions, breathing steadily and awaiting the next avian excitement, while maintining concentration and blood pressure levels as the rarities turn up at sites all around my own patch exerts special demands on the birding body.
Already feels autumnal as the nights draw in rapidly and the grasses fade. Bird-wise it's quiet around the village with many passerines presumably moulting after the breeding season. Young Buzzards are constantly begging for food and one of the adults obliged yesterday by flying over the garden dangling a huge Rabbit between it's legs.
I see that the big shearwaters have been and gone past Cornwall and southern Eire recently. Shame we get so few up here - apparently even Pembrokeshire has only managed 15 Great Shearwaters in a day despite years of observations from the shelter at Strumble Head. I intend to reach Porth Ysgaden soon. I've had a couple of Cory's there in the past but something different would be rather nice...
Anyway, until next time - Good Birding!
You'll find a few short missives if you follow my Twitter feed.
Rhiw has been cloaked in thick mist today with some heavy downpours off a strong SSW wind and I've been stuck inside most of the time with a knackered back. Maybe the yoga session the other night in the village hall was a bit extreme. I am trying to get prepared for the autumn migrant hunting extravaganza where crouching under bushes in strange positions, breathing steadily and awaiting the next avian excitement, while maintining concentration and blood pressure levels as the rarities turn up at sites all around my own patch exerts special demands on the birding body.
Already feels autumnal as the nights draw in rapidly and the grasses fade. Bird-wise it's quiet around the village with many passerines presumably moulting after the breeding season. Young Buzzards are constantly begging for food and one of the adults obliged yesterday by flying over the garden dangling a huge Rabbit between it's legs.
I see that the big shearwaters have been and gone past Cornwall and southern Eire recently. Shame we get so few up here - apparently even Pembrokeshire has only managed 15 Great Shearwaters in a day despite years of observations from the shelter at Strumble Head. I intend to reach Porth Ysgaden soon. I've had a couple of Cory's there in the past but something different would be rather nice...
Anyway, until next time - Good Birding!
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