Both the Surf Scoter (at Porth Dinllaen yesterday) and myself!
Despite getting out a few times these last few weeks between the wind, rain and cloud I've seen very little - hence the lack of updates. A single Grey Plover in Pwllheli harbour last weekend was only my second ever at this site - and the previous one was over a decade ago! Has anyone else recorded them here?
Good to hear more of the resident species in the village clearing their throats in preparation for the proper dawn chorus over the next few months. Chaffinch and Little Owl were both 'singing' this week for the first time this year. The latter species seem to have been hard hit by the previous two winters with their prolonged cold spells; it will be interesting to see how they fare this spring after a particularly mild and wet season.
Friday, 24 February 2012
Friday, 10 February 2012
Waterfowl
It was cold, grey and foggy first thing this morning and the cloud has hardly lifted all day. The sort of bone-chilling drizzly cold where you think it's going to sleet or snow but never does.
Anyway, I had to drop into town afternoon so took the scope and checked the harbour as usual. Fortunately the council have repaired the shelter on the north side which enables you to keep out of the elements whatever the wind direction. Despite trying all I could find today spread across the mud at low tide were the usual mix of several hundred Dunlin, a few Knot, Redshank, gulls etc... hard work!
I'd noticed a couple of LBB Gulls on the floods at Penrhos on the way in and found another three at my next stop, Llanengan - so at least some migrants are moving through. Numbers of Lapwing and Golden Plover were down from last weekend (to several hundred each) but 42 Wigeon, 71 Teal and three drake Shoveler added some interest.
Anyway, I had to drop into town afternoon so took the scope and checked the harbour as usual. Fortunately the council have repaired the shelter on the north side which enables you to keep out of the elements whatever the wind direction. Despite trying all I could find today spread across the mud at low tide were the usual mix of several hundred Dunlin, a few Knot, Redshank, gulls etc... hard work!
I'd noticed a couple of LBB Gulls on the floods at Penrhos on the way in and found another three at my next stop, Llanengan - so at least some migrants are moving through. Numbers of Lapwing and Golden Plover were down from last weekend (to several hundred each) but 42 Wigeon, 71 Teal and three drake Shoveler added some interest.
Sunday, 5 February 2012
Whooper Swan
Had an hour in town today before heading off for my morning appointment. The timing was perfect with the tide receding and the waders appearing. The Dunlin count was 192 with 11 Bar-tailed Godwits, 10 Oysteratchers, 9 Redshank and 4 Knot, plus the usual gulls, Shelduck etc so not the best selection but all showing well on this calm, dry morning.
I was interrupted from the waders by a good ten minute burst of Skylark song from the rough ground opposite the council HQ - fantastic! Greenfinch, Song Thrush, Robin and Dunnock were also clearing their throats in preparation for the breeding season while the single Great Crested Grebe in the harbour was moulting into summer plumage.
After lunch a brief drive-by stop at Aberdesach resulted in another Great Northern Diver, 3 Red-throated' and 12 Red-breasted Merganser.
A detour on the way home to Llanengan proved worthwhile with good numbers of birds on and around the flooded fields between here and Llangian. This marsh looks excellent for Bittern (and I've heard of one flushed from there in recent years) but none were seen today. A single Whooper Swan was associating with a handful of Mutes while 110 Teal were nearby. Decent numbers of waders were noted; 15 Dunlin, 120 Curlew, 660 Golden Plover and 770 Lapwing plus hundreds of Starling. Several hundred Herring' and Black-headed Gulls, plus a single LBB Gull, were also around.
Steve Stansfield also called to report a fine adult Mediterranean Gull showing from his temporary base down the road from me in Rhiw - where he'd also discovered a wing-tagged Red Kite heading over my house on Friday - fortunately I was in when he called and managed to connect with it!
The long-staying Surf Scoter is still showing well at Porth Dinllaen today, as is the adult Iceland Gull at Rhyd-y-clafdy. With the near Continent and the eastern part of the U.K. frozen I have to wonder what else might be lurking out there?
I was interrupted from the waders by a good ten minute burst of Skylark song from the rough ground opposite the council HQ - fantastic! Greenfinch, Song Thrush, Robin and Dunnock were also clearing their throats in preparation for the breeding season while the single Great Crested Grebe in the harbour was moulting into summer plumage.
After lunch a brief drive-by stop at Aberdesach resulted in another Great Northern Diver, 3 Red-throated' and 12 Red-breasted Merganser.
A detour on the way home to Llanengan proved worthwhile with good numbers of birds on and around the flooded fields between here and Llangian. This marsh looks excellent for Bittern (and I've heard of one flushed from there in recent years) but none were seen today. A single Whooper Swan was associating with a handful of Mutes while 110 Teal were nearby. Decent numbers of waders were noted; 15 Dunlin, 120 Curlew, 660 Golden Plover and 770 Lapwing plus hundreds of Starling. Several hundred Herring' and Black-headed Gulls, plus a single LBB Gull, were also around.
Steve Stansfield also called to report a fine adult Mediterranean Gull showing from his temporary base down the road from me in Rhiw - where he'd also discovered a wing-tagged Red Kite heading over my house on Friday - fortunately I was in when he called and managed to connect with it!
The long-staying Surf Scoter is still showing well at Porth Dinllaen today, as is the adult Iceland Gull at Rhyd-y-clafdy. With the near Continent and the eastern part of the U.K. frozen I have to wonder what else might be lurking out there?
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Pwllheli to Llanfairfechan
Headed up north this morning, on a freezing day with persistent rain showers and a biting SE wind, calling into the harbour for a brief look on the way. A single Grey Heron was again roosting above the nest at Pont Solomon while the tide was rapidly incoming pushing the waders really close to the Cob; these included 180 Dunlin, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 25 Redshank plus a few Oystercatcher and Curlew. Also, 10 Snipe and an adult LBB Gull were on the pool.
Later, I stopped off at Llanfairfechan mid-afternoon where a single Great Northern Diver, a couple of Red-throats and at least 40 Great Crested Grebe were noted. I reached Aber Ogwen just before dusk as the tide was dropping, revealing the vast expanse of Traeth Lafan. A smart Spotted Redshank and two Greenshank were notable while way offshore a group of seven Eider drifted past. Also enjoyed point blank views of a party of five Bullfinch feeding on dock seeds along the strand line. The males brought some much needed colour to the gloomy afternoon.
As I departed a party of 40 Greylag Goose headed over with the peaks of the Carneddau cloaked in low cloud and snow in the background. Unfortunately there was no Bean Goose with them - as reported here a few days previously. Does anyone have any more information on this bird?
The feeders by the hide were buzzing with activity (usual tits and finches) including a female Blackcap, while one of the distant Little Egrets on the estuary was sporting a whitish colour ring but was too far away to read. It was good to revisit sites I checked regularly some years ago, and despite the miserable weather some nice birds were seen.
Later, I stopped off at Llanfairfechan mid-afternoon where a single Great Northern Diver, a couple of Red-throats and at least 40 Great Crested Grebe were noted. I reached Aber Ogwen just before dusk as the tide was dropping, revealing the vast expanse of Traeth Lafan. A smart Spotted Redshank and two Greenshank were notable while way offshore a group of seven Eider drifted past. Also enjoyed point blank views of a party of five Bullfinch feeding on dock seeds along the strand line. The males brought some much needed colour to the gloomy afternoon.
As I departed a party of 40 Greylag Goose headed over with the peaks of the Carneddau cloaked in low cloud and snow in the background. Unfortunately there was no Bean Goose with them - as reported here a few days previously. Does anyone have any more information on this bird?
The feeders by the hide were buzzing with activity (usual tits and finches) including a female Blackcap, while one of the distant Little Egrets on the estuary was sporting a whitish colour ring but was too far away to read. It was good to revisit sites I checked regularly some years ago, and despite the miserable weather some nice birds were seen.
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Wind, rain and birds
After a day swearing at the computer I finally broke out mid-afternoon, despite the strong SSW wind and showers, and headed over to look for the Iceland Gull which Eddie found yesterday (picking Steve Stansfield up in the process). This beautiful adult was very active in flight over a roadside field just NE of Rhyd-y-clafdy at SH 333354 - good find!
Next stop was Porth Dinllaen and a brisk walk in the failing light over towards the Ty Coch. After a long time scanning we managed to connect with the immature female Surf Scoter again; it was actively feeding fairly close inshore between the pub and the lifeboat station.
A few auks, four Great Crested Grebes and a Red-throated Diver were also in the bay with several Turnstone and Redshanks. As the light faded a small gull roost began to assemble and four Mediterranean Gulls (3 adult and a 1st winter) dropped in. A nice end to a rather grey day.
Next stop was Porth Dinllaen and a brisk walk in the failing light over towards the Ty Coch. After a long time scanning we managed to connect with the immature female Surf Scoter again; it was actively feeding fairly close inshore between the pub and the lifeboat station.
A few auks, four Great Crested Grebes and a Red-throated Diver were also in the bay with several Turnstone and Redshanks. As the light faded a small gull roost began to assemble and four Mediterranean Gulls (3 adult and a 1st winter) dropped in. A nice end to a rather grey day.
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Surf Scoter & Iceland Gull
Rhys Jones was fortunate in finding a cracking 1w Surf Scoter at Porth Dinllaen this lunchtime which I managed to connect with later this afternoon. I also witnessed the biggest assemblage of twitchers I've ever seen on the peninsula today - a shocking total of six birders!
This North American duck was eating crabs with a great appetite, diving constantly for them. When first found it was fairly close inshore between the Ty Coch Inn and the Golf Club car park, then began drifting out as the tide dropped - affording excellent scope views, unlike the drakes I saw off Llandulas last winter which were mere specks through the Swarovski at full magnification! The bird was first reported as a probable female Common Scoter back on 16th January by a less experienced local birder who soon had doubts about the identity and was delighted to have it confirmed as something better today. Some nice photos here.
Having returned from a spot of duck twitching, Eddie Urbanski had a quick look over Cors Geirch later and found an Iceland Gull in a field by Rhyd-y-clafdy - another good local record.
This North American duck was eating crabs with a great appetite, diving constantly for them. When first found it was fairly close inshore between the Ty Coch Inn and the Golf Club car park, then began drifting out as the tide dropped - affording excellent scope views, unlike the drakes I saw off Llandulas last winter which were mere specks through the Swarovski at full magnification! The bird was first reported as a probable female Common Scoter back on 16th January by a less experienced local birder who soon had doubts about the identity and was delighted to have it confirmed as something better today. Some nice photos here.
Having returned from a spot of duck twitching, Eddie Urbanski had a quick look over Cors Geirch later and found an Iceland Gull in a field by Rhyd-y-clafdy - another good local record.
Monday, 23 January 2012
Snipe and Catkins
Despite grilling the gulls in Aberdaron this morning I was unable to find anything out of the ordinary - just 145 Herring' were counted plus a few Great Black-backed' and Black-headed'. It's a bit depressing to read of sites that attract these birds in their thousands with scarce species guaranteed to add some spice to the mix. A couple of Canada Geese were on the shore - uncommon down here, but hardly exciting. Gulls and geese - winter birding at it's best!?
The breeze was fresh on Mynydd Mawr where seven Chough and four Raven wheeled overhead. A few auks were passing through the turbulent Bardsey Sound which was otherwise quiet. A quick wander around Pwll Bron-llwyn, Uwchmynydd flushed a good count of 26 Common Snipe (but no Jack Snipe at this regular spot).
Porth Meudwy was extremely quiet - a Brambling being the highlight plus a couple of Bullfinch, three Goldcrest, 10 Blackbirds and two Song Thrushes.
A few sprigs of willow catkins were flowering by Ffynnon Saint plus Butterburr in Porth Meudwy where a single Bramble flower looked rather out of season.
The breeze was fresh on Mynydd Mawr where seven Chough and four Raven wheeled overhead. A few auks were passing through the turbulent Bardsey Sound which was otherwise quiet. A quick wander around Pwll Bron-llwyn, Uwchmynydd flushed a good count of 26 Common Snipe (but no Jack Snipe at this regular spot).
Porth Meudwy was extremely quiet - a Brambling being the highlight plus a couple of Bullfinch, three Goldcrest, 10 Blackbirds and two Song Thrushes.
A few sprigs of willow catkins were flowering by Ffynnon Saint plus Butterburr in Porth Meudwy where a single Bramble flower looked rather out of season.
Sunday, 22 January 2012
LBB Gulls
Not much to report of late - the return of strong cold winds and some heavy rain showers has not helped. I dropped into Llyn Glasfryn the other day where a Goosander and a few Canada Geese were seen - not the most productive of visits!
A flying visit to Pwllheli harbour yesterday revealed a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls plus the usual mix of gulls, waders and wildfowl.
Although it's great to see the first Wheatears and hear the first Chiffchaffs in mid-March, I always think of LBB's as a species at the vanguard of spring migration - many start appearing from around February onwards. They are virtually absent from the peninsula during the winter with most of the local breeders migrating as far down as Iberia and NW Africa. Strangely enough if one ventures over to parts of N.E. Wales this species is more regular in winter - I've seen good numbers at places like Gresford Flash near Wrexham for example.
Low tide in Porth Neigwl today saw me checking the Rhiw end of the beach. A Stoat was again seen feeding amongst the boulder scree; nearby an adult Med' Gull was roosting with 246 Common', 30 Black-headed', 3 Great Black-back' and a handful of Herring Gulls.
Way offshore a feeding flock of 410+ Kittiwake was spread across the bay where the usual few Comrorant, Shag, Razorbill and Guillemot were busy fishing.
A flying visit to Pwllheli harbour yesterday revealed a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls plus the usual mix of gulls, waders and wildfowl.
Although it's great to see the first Wheatears and hear the first Chiffchaffs in mid-March, I always think of LBB's as a species at the vanguard of spring migration - many start appearing from around February onwards. They are virtually absent from the peninsula during the winter with most of the local breeders migrating as far down as Iberia and NW Africa. Strangely enough if one ventures over to parts of N.E. Wales this species is more regular in winter - I've seen good numbers at places like Gresford Flash near Wrexham for example.
Low tide in Porth Neigwl today saw me checking the Rhiw end of the beach. A Stoat was again seen feeding amongst the boulder scree; nearby an adult Med' Gull was roosting with 246 Common', 30 Black-headed', 3 Great Black-back' and a handful of Herring Gulls.
Way offshore a feeding flock of 410+ Kittiwake was spread across the bay where the usual few Comrorant, Shag, Razorbill and Guillemot were busy fishing.
Sunday, 15 January 2012
Grey Plovers
Another day of high pressure - the morning started sunny, with blue skies and a bone-chilling south-easterly.
I called in at Aberdesach at lunchtime and was relieved to find the wind had eased off and conditions for scoping the sea were near perfect. A single Great Northern Diver was munching crabs as usual with 5 Red-throated Divers, 33 Wigeon and 23 Red-breasted Mergansers. A flock of 15 Grey Plovers were a nice surprise as this is quite an uncommon, localised species in Gwynedd.
Pwllheli harbour played host to a similar selection of birds as of late including; 14 Shelduck, 9 Wigeon, 2 Little Egrets, a Water Rail, 59 Oystercatcher, 41 Ringed Plover, 6 Knot, 171 Dunlin, 2 Turnstone, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 59 Curlew and 27 Redshank.
Various gulls dropped in to wash, preen and loaf around, prior to flying off to roost at sea; 179 Black-headed', 70 Common Gull, a Lesser Black-backed', 92 Herring' and a Great Black-backed'.
Also, there was a 2w Med Gull at the west end of Porth Neigwl yesterday afternoon with 225 Common Gulls.
I called in at Aberdesach at lunchtime and was relieved to find the wind had eased off and conditions for scoping the sea were near perfect. A single Great Northern Diver was munching crabs as usual with 5 Red-throated Divers, 33 Wigeon and 23 Red-breasted Mergansers. A flock of 15 Grey Plovers were a nice surprise as this is quite an uncommon, localised species in Gwynedd.
Pwllheli harbour played host to a similar selection of birds as of late including; 14 Shelduck, 9 Wigeon, 2 Little Egrets, a Water Rail, 59 Oystercatcher, 41 Ringed Plover, 6 Knot, 171 Dunlin, 2 Turnstone, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 59 Curlew and 27 Redshank.
Various gulls dropped in to wash, preen and loaf around, prior to flying off to roost at sea; 179 Black-headed', 70 Common Gull, a Lesser Black-backed', 92 Herring' and a Great Black-backed'.
Also, there was a 2w Med Gull at the west end of Porth Neigwl yesterday afternoon with 225 Common Gulls.
Friday, 13 January 2012
Cob Pool Water Rail
Despite regularly hearing these secretive reedbed inhabitants squealing and whistling away, I've seldom seem the elusive little ******* in Pwllheli!
An afternoon visit in perfect conditions (calm, dry and sunny blue skies, albeit a tad on the cold side) found me enjoying really cracking views of one wandering along the muddy edge of the Cob Pool, only metres away from the passing traffic - brilliant. Years ago I found a still warm bird freshly dead on the road in Nefyn and was amazed at how small and narrow it was; perfectly designed for scuttling around between the reed stems.
The Teal flock on the pool was up to 21 and 10 Snipe dropped in. Despite giving the harbour a good grilling there was little else to get excited about; a small group of Wigeon and Shelduck, 3 Little Egrets, 15 Ringed Plover, a couple of Oystercatcher, 4 Knot, 60 Dunlin, 20 Curlew and 23 Redshank, plus a couple of hundred gulls.
An afternoon visit in perfect conditions (calm, dry and sunny blue skies, albeit a tad on the cold side) found me enjoying really cracking views of one wandering along the muddy edge of the Cob Pool, only metres away from the passing traffic - brilliant. Years ago I found a still warm bird freshly dead on the road in Nefyn and was amazed at how small and narrow it was; perfectly designed for scuttling around between the reed stems.
The Teal flock on the pool was up to 21 and 10 Snipe dropped in. Despite giving the harbour a good grilling there was little else to get excited about; a small group of Wigeon and Shelduck, 3 Little Egrets, 15 Ringed Plover, a couple of Oystercatcher, 4 Knot, 60 Dunlin, 20 Curlew and 23 Redshank, plus a couple of hundred gulls.
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