Migration - where and when

[gripshift]

I am returning to birding after many years away from it. I live in Cardiff, and would like to see some migration this late summer/autumn. I have easy access to Pembroke and could also go to S W England. What would the more experienced birders advise in terms of where and when?

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Hi Gripshift,

A few suggestions are in this thread:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=19837

In terms of when, you could do well anytime between now and mid November. What's most important is the right weather conditions (usually rain coinciding with easterly winds originating from high pressure over northern and central Europe). Also check sites like Birdguides to see if lots of migrants are about.

[Jos Stratford]

Lived in Gwent for many years, and read now with great envy the amazing things happening at Goldcliff - sounds a good place to be out birding and only about ten miles or so from your front door!

[Andrew Rowlands]

Hi Gripshift,

For visible migration, choose a coastal patch between Goldcliff (Eastern side of Newport, on the mouth of the Usk) and Kenfig or Eglws Nunnydd. Work it as often, and as hard as you can; you'll be surprised at what will turn up (you're probably missing out on a couple of Aquatic Warblers right now)!

Andy.

[John o'Sullivan]

Hello, without wishing to appear patronising try looking back at the records on the glamorgan bird club and gwent ornithological society websites it will give you a general idea as to what is possible. Last autumn there were some excellent records from a valley (Mewslade I think) on the south side of the gower just before worms head. The classic sites around gwent/ glam include Goldcliff, peterstone gout, sluice farm, Rhymney estuary, cardiff bay, lavernock point, nash point, ogmore estuary, kenfig pool-sker point-kenfig river mouth, blackpill, port eynon, worms head, whiteford point. All of them produce migrants. Further afield Portland is easy to access as is the Dawlish area. In Pembrokeshire, strumble head in a north westerly for seabirds also has an enviable record for rare migrants.

[gripshift]

Many thanks for these suggestions. I hadn't realised I have so much close to home. I will explore promptly now, and try to link up with some local groups.

Will keep the Forum updated.

John, since you are so local, perhaps we'll bump into each other somewhere in the locality.

Regards,

[John o'Sullivan]

Generally i'm either around the Gwent wetlands reserve or Ynys Y fro resevoir (my local patch, almost devoid of birds but a habit I can't break) keep an eye out for a lunatic springer spaniel pup (Sam) and I'll be the person controlling it. John

[gripshift]

Generally i'm either around the Gwent wetlands reserve or Ynys Y fro resevoir (my local patch, almost devoid of birds but a habit I can't break) keep an eye out for a lunatic springer spaniel pup (Sam) and I'll be the person controlling it. John

Maybe Monday even. I contacted Glamorgan Bird Club, and the Gwent Ornithological Society thanks to your advice, and will be joining the GOS for a visit to the Newport Wetlands Monday evening.

Thanks again for the advice - it has been extremely helpul to learn about both societies.