SW Wales

[birdman]

This will look a bit strange to anyone reading for the first time, but thanks to everyone for their kind comments... and in response, I am including my trip report and the birdlist at the end (as I type!) of the thread

Thanks to everyone who gave me some pointers, and also to the details in the “Wales” index.

[John N]

Glad you had a good time birdman. Did you manage to get any photo's?.

[birdman]

No photos this time, I'm afraid. (Only took a couple of sunsets.)

I have to make a choice (I s'pose we all do) as to what to carry, and as I'm no nigelblake, the camera is often deadweight. (No digiscoping capabilty here... :-C )

With hindsight, I wish I'd taken it to Strumble Head for the Choughs, and I will take it next time I'm at Gigrin Farm... and there will be a next time.

For the record, I wrote up the trip and thought about posting it... but it's v. long and probably wouldn't interest most people.

BUT, thanks to andythomas for the tip on Gigrin... where I had the please of seeing approx 150 Red Kites being fed!

[Geraldine]

Hi Birdman,
I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking I would be interested to read your account, if you feel like posting it, especially Teifi marshes, which I know nothing about.
I'm glad you made it to Gigrin farm, my favourite place in the world, and delighted to hear that the Kites are still thriving!

[Andrew]

I would love to read your full trip report. They make BF great for me. I rather read a detailed report than a bird list.

[John N]

I would also be very interested to read your report birdman.

[Doug]

I wonder if someone can confirm for me - I have been told you can only visit Gigrin now for the Kite feeding in the winter season? A friend of mine was told this by someone at the RSPB? Sounds unlikely to me?

[robinm]

Nice one. Glad you got those choughs.

[Geraldine]

Hi Doug,
If ever the farmers at Gigrin Farm did make it winter only visiting, they'd still do B&B, so you'd only have to look out of your window, they clearly love the Kites so are not going to stop feeding them, the mountain at the back of Gigrin Farm, although a fairly steep hill, is managable by me, with my back problems, and has strategically placed benches beside the zig-zag path here and there, and gives a wonderful birds-eye view of the Kites wheeling in the valley below, and the Wyeside campsite is nearby, friendly, and you can watch Kites as you lie on your sunbed by the river! The Elan Valley is ideal for those who for any reason, don't want to even get out of their cars, you can see Kites as you drive along, and sit in carparks to watch them. I've done it even when I could barely walk a hundred yards.
Gigrin Farm have a very good website, www.gigrin.co.uk I've just been and looked, and it's still there, better than ever!

[andythomas]

Hi Birdman,

Glad you had a good trip. How many lifers was that?

I'd also like to read your report, if it's no trouble.

I was up in your part of the world yesterday, at Fairburn Ings and Blacktoft, but that's another story...

--
Andy

[Doug]

Thanks Geraldine - you are right the GIgrin web site does say every day of the year - I don't see how they could stop feeding them - they rely on the regularity of the birds knowing that food is put out at the same time every day.

[Andrew]

It is not easy to find out on the websiote where they are but I suppose you could just drive to the Elan or Wye valley and look up into the skies?

[Geraldine]

Hi Andrew,
Maps are on this link: www.gigrin.co.uk/maps.html

[pauco]

Glad you had such a good trip Birdman, It would be good to read your full report if its not to much trouble to you they always make
good reading, and they are of interest to most members I would
think.
bert.

[Andrew]

Geraldine,

Thanks for the map link.

[IanF]

I'm glad to hea that you ahd a good trip Birdman. I'm sure there are plenty of members who'd like to read your full report, including myslef as it's a good few years since I visited Wales and I'd like to do so again in the next few years so any pointers would be much appreciated. The Choughs and Gigrin Farm would be a must see for me.

[birdman]

Well, I was so-o-o-o-o-o tired yesterday, and really not in the mood, but you've all talked me into it.

I'll post the full report (it's about half written) tomorrow evening... fingers crossed!

[Andrew]

Goody, I look forward to it.

I have actually just finished my Scilly report and am proof reading it. I tried to minimise it but hey you can only make a two week holiday so short. Will post mine soon.

[Geraldine]

Looking forward to both :t:

[John N]

Look forward to reading it.

[birdman]

Day 0
Little Haven (LH)

We arrived at our base in Little Haven just as evening was falling – and noticed immediately the Rooks coming home to roost. In the surrounding trees was a Rookery that comprised perhaps 500 birds. I can live with that!

Day 1
Little Haven to Haroldston Chins (LH)

After the long Saturday drive, we decided on a leisurely walk on the Sunday just to recce the area and see what we could see. Leaving the house we immediately saw some Blue Tits in the trees, missing the much more obvious Collared Dove on the telegraph pole! We walked in to the village, adding a few House Martins and a Robin.

Then, up over the spur and down into Broad Haven, we scanned the beach and added Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull and Oystercatcher. These three would become our “staple diet” over the week.

We then followed the Pembrokeshire Coast Path along the cliff top – where we began to realise, we should also be making a butterfly list. We had already seen a large number of Painted Ladies, and a good few Red Admirals. We were able to add some “Whites” and a “Blue”, along with Speckled Wood, Small Copper and Small Tortoiseshell. Then we saw the first of two Clouded Yellows. As this is “a lifer” for us, I had to note the details, but they were unmistakeable (I hope!) and my butterfly book confirmed the identity.

Just after reaching Haroldston Chins, we joined the road back to Broad Haven. Shortly after, we saw our first definite Raven of the trip, and Stonechat and a small flock of Linnets. Back at Broad Haven, we walked around the spur (the tide was out) into Little Haven, and caught sight of a Cormorant out at sea. We added a few more birds (see list) walking back to the house, and were also lucky enough to see a Hummingbird Hawk Moth and a few other moths – perhaps Silver-Ys.

Day 2
Strumble Head (Pen-Caer) (SH)

Up at 0450 (just me!) to make the journey to Strumble Head in time for dawn. Although clear in Little Haven, the fog gathered by the time I reached Haverfordwest (Hwlffordd), but fortunately cleared again before reaching the Headland. I parked up near the lighthouse; the beam gives off an eerie light and Strumble Head makes some strange noises!!!

I was hoping for some sea passage, but, as it turned out, the weather was too good and most of the passersby would have been way out to sea (or so I overheard).

But the journey was by no means a loss – quite the opposite, as I came away with two lifers and a few other good birds.

As the light improved, I was able to id the gull silhouettes as Great Black-backed and Herring Gull. Out to sea I saw about 20 Gannets, whereas in the gorse bushes and heathers, I was treated to good views of Stonechats. A few more waterbirds passed, and a flock of “Linnets” (see Strumble Head 2) were flying about. Also in the vegetation were Robin and Rock Pipit, and I also got good views of a couple of Ravens.

I then became aware of a commotion, and as I looked towards the lighthouse, it was obvious that a couple of gulls were not happy about the presence of another bird. I was fortunate to get good enough and long enough views of the interloper to id it as a Peregrine, and lifer No.1!

I then made my way to the opposite cliff edge, in the hope of seeing another of the birds I had come especially to see, when a female Wheatear scurried across the path 10 or so feet ahead of me. I spent a very pleasant few minutes watching her go about her business.

Then I resumed my “quest”. As I reached the cliff top, I saw a bird on the water, which a good close look enabled me to id as a Shag. More pleasant moments watching a bird do what it does. And then, all of a sudden, I was aware “they” were there. Two Choughs emerged from around the corner, and landed on one of the ledges just a few tens of feet away from me. Excellent views of my first ever Choughs (yep, Lifer No.2), clear enough to notice one was sporting a yellow ring.

Well, mission accomplished I suppose, it was time to return home for breakfast. Before reaching Goodwick (Wdig), I added Jackdaw, Magpie and Swallow, and between Goodwick and Haverfordwest, I saw Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon and Carrion Crow, whilst in Haverfordwest, I added Rook. Six different “Crows” and it wasn’t yet 9 am!

St. Brides (SB) / Wooltack Point (WP) / Marloes Mere (MM) / Marloes Sands (MS)

At St. Brides, our first bird was Buzzard, and, amongst others, we were able to add Grey Wagtail to our list. After a bit of rockpooling as well as birding, we moved on the Wooltack Point.

Wooltack Point affords spectacular views of the whole of St. Brides Bay from Ramsey Island in the north to Skomer and Skokholm just off Wooltack.

Of course there was the birding interest, but also, on the cliffs below us were a number of Grey Seals with their pups. One pup was particularly vocal, its tiny voice amplified due to it lying in the entrance to a cave. Sure enough, mum appeared and we experienced first hand the pup suckling from its mother.

From Wooltack, we were going to Marloes Sands, another of the many locations in SW Wales where partnyorsha can satisfy her twin passions of rockpooling and Geology.

However, we planned to call in first at Marloes Mere. It threatened to be very quiet and unprofitable for a while, but patience has its rewards. With just a solitary Moorhen, an equally solitary Little Grebe and a few Mallards to show, we suddenly noticed a small falcon land on the gorse bushes. We were able to watch it come and go for 10 or 15 minutes, which was fortunate, as it took us just about that long to id it as a Merlin – a third lifer. (We can do this birdwatching thing… it just takes time!!!)

We carried on to Marloes Sands, where the highlight was some views (although not particularly good ones) of Chough – which was a lifer for partnyorsha.

Day 3
Solva (Solfach) to Whitesands Bay (Porth-Mawr) (SO)

A short day today, as we had to buy groceries, the birding was OK if not fantastic, with repeat views of most of the usual suspects.

Solva Harbour was quite unusual, being a narrow a winding inlet, and in fact you cannot see the sea! Getting out of the car, we once again noted a Buzzard as “first bird of the day”. Our brief walk brought us three gulls, a highflying Feral Pigeon, a Great Tit in the shrubbery, and somewhere (heard but not seen!) a Wood Pigeon.
We drove on to St. David’s (Tŷ Ddewi), famous as the UK’s smallest city. I must say that it was bigger than I expected. We took a walk down (surprisingly) to the Cathedral (also a lot bigger than I expected), which stands immediately alongside a ruined Friary. A very impressive sight! En route, we added Jackdaw, Feral Pigeon (again) and Herring Gull (again) to the list.

On to Whitesands Bay, and more stunning views. Birdwise… Greater Black-backed and Herring Gulls, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail and probable Chough – and driving back, before we reached St. David’s we were treated to another Buzzard, which conveniently swooped down onto a closeby telegraph wire. Oh, and a Peacock butterfly on some Buddleia.

Day 4
Teifi Marshes (TM)

Travelling to Aberteifi (Cardigan) via the Mynydd Preseli, we again started the day with a Buzzard, along with Swallows and House Martins. As we passed Cerrig Lladron, we noticed some Ravens circling. We stopped for a quick view, when, as we were about to leave, partnyorsha noticed a bird over the fields on the other side of the road. Based on apparent size and shape – but nothing else, as it was in silhouette, we ided it as a possible (probable?) Peregrine.

We then continued on to the Teifi Marshes Reserve.

When we arrived, we had the choice of a number of trails to follow – and chose the second longest; the Otter Trail. It is appropriately named, as, although we saw none, the lower Afon (River) Teifi, and the reserve in particular is home to a number of Otters.

We began out walk, noticing a Grey Heron at the side of a small pool, and hearing the call of a Chiffchaff. We saw a good variety of birds on the reserve, which will be included in the list at the end or the report, but a couple of the highlight were two Jays from the Otter Hide, and four Kingfisher sightings along the river itself. The fourth, from the Creek Hide, included a successful plunge for a fish from a tree stump.

After completing the Otter Trail, and partaking of drink and cakes at the Reserve Café, we then took a walk along a combination of the other trails – including the Badger Trail, which is also appropriately named.

Teifi Marshes is a brilliant reserve, which I would recommend with just two reservations. Firstly, dogs are allowed on the reserve, but I’m guessing that the dogwalkers were there before the reserve was and that this is a working compromise. The send reservation concerns the boardwalks on the Otter Trail, which are narrow (barely enough room for two people to pass) and decidedly ricketty in places – quite a few places. But these gripes aside, if you are in the area I highly recommend a visit.

Teifi Estuary (TE)

After the reserve, we drove on to the Teifi Estuary proper. Again the birds we saw will be included in the list, but the best surprise was 3 (and perhaps 6) Little Egrets.

Frustratingly, among the birds we saw were two waders that eluded identification. One (two individuals) may have been Redshank, whilst the second was much smaller, and remained unided. Oh for better optics!!!!

[birdman]

Day 5
Saundersfoot, Lydstep, Manorbier (Maenorbŷr) (SF)

On the first grey day of the trip, it was back to birding with a coastal bias. We headed over to Saudersfoot, a very typical British Seaside Resort. From Saundersfoot we moved on the Lydstep Haven, but due to a complete inability to follow road signs (!) we called in at Lydstep Point first.

Whilst Saundersfoot gave us our first House Sparrows on the trip, Lydstep Point brought our first Blackbird, and a surprising Greenfinch.

From Lydstep, it was on to Manorbier, with its excellent castle overlooking the bay – and a nice Tea Room.

Stackpole Estate (SE)

From Manorbier, we next went to Stackpole Quay, part of the Stackpole Estate, once owned and managed by the Cawdor Family – the ones with the Castle in Scotland!

The footpath to the Quay passed through trees, and brought us a few woodland birds, whilst the Quay itself gave us Rock Pipit and two Herring Gulls, but nothing more.

Due to another wrong turning, we called in at Stackpole Court, but as a consequence, we added Moorhen to the day’s sightings.

Then we moved on to Stackpole Warren and Broad Haven (a different Broad Haven!) – which is an attractive bay with a sandy beach and a rock pinnacle just offshore, which played host to a number of Cormorants. The beach brought us a flock of 11 or 12 Pied Wagtails, and 2 or 3 Rock Pipits, while the dunes brought us Stonechat. We also saw the usual Gulls, and as we left a Buzzard hunting over the Warren – when the Gulls, Crows and Martins let it!

We journeyed back to the house via Pembroke, and another great looking Castle, and amongst other places, Walwyn’s Castle – which in the fading light had a very spooky “Sleepy Hollow” vibe on the nearby lanes. I kept expecting to see Ichabod Crane… or at least Scooby Doo. Well, no Ichabod, no Scooby… and no castle – unless walwyn has something to tell us all!!!

Back at the house, I managed to reverse the car into a protruding wallstone, and ended up with a dent and a broken taillight. Grrrrrr!

Day 6
Strumble Head (Pen-Caer) 2 (SH)

Yesterday’s grey day had turned into rain – which stuck for most of the day.

We decided to visit Pen Dinas (Dinas Head) and – a revisit for me – Pen-Caer (Strumble Head) in the hope of getting better views of Chough for partnyorsha.

We took in Strumble Head first, and although we saw fewer birds than on my early morning trip, we saw a flock of birds (probably the same flock I saw earlier in the week, which now looked like Greenfinches. Fortunately, as we had seen both Greenfinches and Linnets elsewhere, this abysmal id failure didn’t cost us any “numbers” – unless of course they were something else!

We did add Kestrel to the list, and also for both of us, a lifer; we were privileged to spot a pod (?) of about 20 “dolphins” – probably Harbour Porpoises. After a couple of hours’ birding, during which we did indeed get good views for partnyorsha of Chough, we saw another 4 or 5 cetaceans.

Fishguard Lower Town (Cwm Abergwaun) (LT)

From Strumble Head, we went on to Dinas Head, stopping briefly at Cwm Abergwaun to take a look over the harbour. Along with our “regulars” we also got good views of a couple of Redshank.

Dinas Head (Pen Dinas) – Pwllgwaelod (DH)

Travelling on to Dinas Head, we stopped at Pwllgwaelod. After teas and scones, we looked over the bay, where the birding highlight was a “formation flypast” of seven Oystercatchers.

A very pleasant spot, but with the drizzle now getting heavier, and the light beginning to fail, we decided to call it a day.

Day 7
Gigrin Farm (GF)

So, we came to the end of our trip to SW Wales, and headed home, with the intention of calling in a Gigrin Farm on the way, to hopefully add Red Kite to our list. We followed the edge of the weather northward, and so it was mostly grey, but not rainy.

Although we have friends in Oxfordshire, we (well I) have never had a definite sighting of the Red Kites there, and the Yorkshire release program is, at the moment, just too far from home – so I was hoping to catch a glimpse of one (or more?) of these birds in their Welsh heartland. I must confess though, I felt that going to the “feeding” at Gigrin was a little bit of a cheat (but no more so than any reserve).

As it happens, we were travelling on the A40, just east of Dryslwyn, when we saw three Kites just 30 feet above the road, one of which parachuted down into the field right as we passed, perhaps 20 feet away. One of those “Wow!” moments! And of course, a lifer.

Nevertheless, we continued to Gigrin farm, arriving just after midday. Feeding was at 3pm, so we had plenty of time to check out the seedfeeders, take a leisurely walk along the farm trail and then get come lunch, before returning for the Kite feeding.

All the time there were one or two Kites in the sky, along with 3 Buzzards and a few crows. As we eating, we noticed that “one or two” became “twenty or thirty”, became “fifty to a hundred”. We walked back to the hides and there were Red Kites filling the sky. The most recent “Where to watch birds in Wales” suggests that during the busy winter months there are a many a 70 Kites come to feed at the Powell’s farm. According to Mr. Powell, the current numbers are up at 150.

As the beef was distributed, the Kites were soon swooping down – the crows and starlings were none too shy either! – carrying off pieces of meat on which to feed. Another “Wow!” moment!

Lake Vyrnwy (LV)

From Gigrin Farm we moved on to Lake Vyrnwy. Time was against us and it would be a quick visit, not least because the water level was low and there was little to see from the Millennium and Lakeside Hides. However, Capel y Coed was quite busy with woodland birds, and we were able to add Coal Tit to the week’s list, along with a Great Crested Grebe on open water, and as we left Lakeside, we heard the call of a Tawny Owl.

So, a good week was had, and we managed a total of about 11 butterflies and moths and 63 birds (including those heard only), a number that was boosted by the two “special” trips to Teifi Marshes and Gigrin/Vyrnwy.

Butterfly/Moth List as follows

“Whites”
“Blues”
Clouded Yellow
Hummingbird Hawk Moth
Painted Lady
Peacock
Red Admiral
Silver Y
Small Tortoiseshell
Small Copper
Speckled Wood

Birds List as follows (* = heard only)

Blackbird - Mwyalchen - DH,GF,SE,SF
Black-headed Gull - Gwylan Benddu - LH,LT,MS,SB,SE,SF,SO,TE
Blue Tit - Titw Tomas Las - DH,GF,LH,LV,MM,TM
Buzzard - Bwncath - GF,MS,SB,SE,SO,TE,TM
Canada Goose - Gwydd Canada - TM
Carrion Crow - Bran Dyddyn - GF,LT,LV,SF,SH,TE,TM
Chaffinch - Ji-binc - DH,GF,LV,SE,TM
Chiffchaff - Siff-saff - TM*
Chough - Bran Goesgoch - DH,MS,SH,WP
Coal Tit - Titw Penddu - LV
Collared Dove - Turtur Dorchog - GF,LH,SH,TE
Coot - Cwtiar - SE,TM
Cormorant - Mulfran - LH,MS,SB,SE,SF,SH,TE,TM,WP
Curlew - Gylfinir - TE
Dunnock - Llwyd y Gwrych - DH,TM
Feral Pigeon - Colomen y Graig - LH,SF,SO,WP
Gannet - Hugan - DH,SF,SH,WP
Goldfinch - Nico - GF,TM
Great Crested Grebe - Gwyach Fawr Gopog - LV
Great Tit - Titw Mawr - GF,LV,SB,SF,SO,TM
Greater Black-backed Gull - Gwylan Gefnddu Fwyaf - SB,SE,SF,SH,SO,TE,TM,WP
Greenfinch - Llinos Werdd - GF,SF
Greenshank - Pibydd Coeswerdd - TM
Grey Heron - Creyr Glas - LV,SE,TE,TM
Grey Wagtail - Siglen Llwyd - SB,TM
Herring Gull - Gwylan y Penwaig - DH,LH,LT,MS,SB,SE,SF,SH,SO,TE,TM,WP
House Martin - Gwennol y Bondo - LH,SB,SE,TM
House Sparrow - Aderyn y To - DH,GF,SF
Jackdaw - Jac-y-do - GF,LH,LT,SF,SH,SO,TE
Jay - Ysgrech y Coed - TM
Kestrel - Cudyll Coch - SH
Kingfisher - Glas y Dorlan - TM
Linnet - Llinos - LH,SB,WP
Little Egret - Creyr Bach - TE
Little Grebe - Gwyach Fach - MM
Long-tailed Tit - Titw Gynffon-hir - TM
Magpie - Pioden - LH,MM,SB,SF,SH,TM
Mallard - Hwyaden Wyllt - LT,LV,MM,TM
Marsh Tit - Titw'r Wern - GF
Merlin - Cudyll Bach - MM
Mistle Thrush - Brych y Coed - GF
Moorhen - Iar Ddwr - MM,SF,TM
Mute Swan - Alarch Dof - TE,TM
Nuthatch - Delor y Cnau - GF
Oystercatcher - Pioden y Mor - DH,LH,MS,SB,SF*,SH,SO,TE,WP
Peregrine - Hebog Tramor - SH
Pheasant - Ffesant - LV
Pied Wagtail - Siglen Fraith - GF,LH,SE,SF,SO,TE
Raven - Cigfran - DH,GF,LH,MM,SE,SF,SH,WP
Red Kite - Barcud - GF
Redshank - Pibydd Coesgoch - LT
Robin - Robin Goch - DH,GF,LH,LV,SB,SE,SF,SH,TM
Rock Pipit - Corhedydd y Graig - DH,SE,SH
Rook - Ydfran - GF,LH,SH
Shag - Mulfran Werdd - SH
Starling - Drudwen - GF
Stonechat - Clochdar y Cerrig - DH,LH,MS,SE,SH
Swallow - Gwennol - GF,LH,MM,SB,SH,TM,WP
Tawny Owl - Tylluan Ffrech - LV*
Teal - Corhwyaden - TM
Wheatear - Tinwen y Garn - SH,WP
Wood Pigeon - Ysguthan - GF,SE,SF,SH,SO*,TE,TM
Wren - Dryw - MM,TM

[Andrew]

Thanks for providing this report, it certainly was worth waiting for especially to read about the numbers at Gigrin and the Choughs. Both are birds I need.

[Grousemore]

Very interesting read and thanks for posting it,Birdman.

[John N]

A great read. Thanks birdman. Congrats on the lifers. :t:

[birdman]

Thanks again to everyone for their kind words.

Andrew,

The Kites at Gigrin were truly spectacular, but we found ourselves in the ridiculous situation, while walking the trail, of not even bothering to look up when another Kite flew over, "because we would soon see 150". Mr. Powell told us that three of the people involved in the Chilterns Kite Release Program had visited just a couple of days earlier - to see some "real" Kites.

There is some information regarding the Kites - one bit of it that sticks in the mind being that DNA testing has shown that all the Kites that visit Gigrin have the same female ancestor!

andythomas,

For the record 4 bird Lifers - Peregrine, Merlin, Chough and Red Kite, along with the Clouded Yellows and the Cetaceans.

Thanks once again for the info - invaluable!

[Geraldine]

Thanks a lot, Birdman, that was fabulous. It just makes me want to get back to Wales as soon as possible. :t: