It was one of the best days of the year both in terms of the variety of species and number of birds. Three probable Common Redpolls were found amongst some Lesser Redpolls and Goldfinches at Ty Nesaf in the morning, the first Lesser Whitethroat and Yellow Wagtail of the year were seen on the South end and Carreg Wetlands respectively and two Short-eared Owls remained in the lowlands. Totals of passerine-migrants amounted to three Cuckoos, four Swifts, 25 Swallows, nine House Martins, five Tree Pipits, a Robin, five Redstarts, two Whinchats, 200 Wheatears, three Grasshopper Warblers, 14 Sedge Warblers, seven Whitethroats, 46 Blackcaps, 13 Chiffchaffs, 285 Willow Warblers and three Goldcrests. 56 Whimbrels, a Common Sandpiper and four Dunlins were seen on the wader front, whilst the Brent Goose remained on Pwll Cain.
The first Yellow Wagtail of the year was a rather smart male
Several Redpolls were recorded; what they are and where they come from is anyone's guess! This bird is certainly not a little brown thing that inhabits Welsh conifer plantations.
The day was mostly wet and miserable, but the hundreds of Willow Warblers that were grounded were probably a result of the poor conditions. Fields, brambles, gardens and even the main puddle filled track were alive with phylloscs.
Blackcap
Four Swifts roosted at Cristin overnight
Sandwich Tern
Stonechat
A Shag tackling a rather large fish!
Not sure that the photo shown was of a Swift and the statement that four Swifts roosted at Cristin overnight was a little confusing.
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff, Steve and great photos by Ben as usual.
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