Morfa Madryn to Aber 01/11/12

On many trips down to Morfa Madryn over the past few years I have been struck by the amount of birds following the coast here during migration (Thanks to David Lee and Jen for confirming my theories!). So with light westerly winds and calm conditions I was down at Morfa Madryn at first light. From 07.25 to 09.10 there was some very good passage of birds moving west. I counted 1270 Chaffinch, 73 Siskin, 38 Brambling, 44 Greenfinch, 16 Goldfinch, 2 Crossbill, 18 Meadow Pipit, 7 Pied Wagtail, 4 Grey Wagtail, 1510 Starling and 1 Skylark. The finch passage petered out in the next half hour but the Starlings continued to move west until midday at least. Great to see some proper visible migration!
As the tide was rising the next three hours were spent general birding between Glan y Mor Elias and Aber Shore. Highlight was a very obliging Water Pipit strutting around on the saltmarsh at Aber (near the old outflow pipe) with 3 Rock Pipits for company. An unharvested area of barley stubble just east of here looks superb, and held 300 Chaffinch, at least 1 Brambling, Greenfinch, Linnet and House Sparrow in small numbers. Other birds included 27 pale bellied Brents, 2 Dipper, 1 Goosander, 8 Bar Tailed Godwit, 3 Black Tailed Godwit, 1 Knot, 30 Siskin, 2 Crossbill, 1 Goosander and 11 Skylark. At least 300 Redshank were on the west pool at Morfa Madryn with 60 Dunlin. Also one Lapwing displaying briefly!
An enjoyable morning!