The Seabirds at Borth (1 Viewer)

I was thinking of trying for the shearwaters and other seabirds at Borth this weekend. Does anyone know if the 'event' has started yet this year, or is it, and this weekend coming too perhaps, too early? When does the peak tend to be? And is it best at any particular tide state or time? Any advice really appreciated.

There was a report of 20k Manx Shearwater about a week ago.

It is a moveable feast - the birds follow the food, sometimes they are close by in big numbers, sometimes distant and/or moving.

I think you mighht have to factor weather in too. If I hear anything more concrete I will post here.

Thanks, Rob. Appreciated. And, if you can, something a little more concrete before driving across the width of the UK would be great.

I'll be heading up around about August 15th. Hopefully there'll still be some birds around.

Rich

Rob Smallwood said:

I think you mighht have to factor weather in too. If I hear anything more concrete I will post here.

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You don't just happen to work in the fencing business do you?


( )

In the absence of any definite news on the seabird 'happening' at Borth, I decided to abort last weekend, but I am still very interested if there is any news on the shearwaters coming close in during the next week or two. Any definite info much appreciated....

Steve Gantlett said:

In the absence of any definite news on the seabird 'happening' at Borth, I decided to abort last weekend, but I am still very interested if there is any news on the shearwaters coming close in during the next week or two. Any definite info much appreciated....

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I was there a couple of weeks ago Steve, there were thousands of Manxies present, I've been going for the past four years and never been disappointed. I'd get there early morning, preferably on a rising tide as that's when the fry the birds are feeding on enter the bay. The feeding frenzies that look so spectacular can occur anywhere from the seafront at Borth to the Dyfi estuary, sometimes it's best to base yourself in the north car park at Ynyslas and watch were the birds are gathering, then dash down there in the car if they start gathering off Borth or elsewhere.

If you want to look for Balearics, etc. then you're probably best away from the madness of the frenzies, again the car park at Ynylas is good as masses of shearwaters pass by, but not too many at once - you have time to go through them!

I think you'll see a wider variety of species if you go in the next few weeks rather than when I went. Tern number start to build up on the Dyfi, as do waders, there should be more Med gulls around and a better chance of the odd skua (especially early morning). If you drive north half a mile and park around the level crossing you can walk south down the Ceredigion Coast Path that runs alongside some decent wader scrapes.

Cheers
Jonathan

That's encouraging, Jonathan. Very many thanks.
Steve

My contact in mid-Wales reports that c100 per minute passing Tywyn north this morning heading towards Ynys Las

Has anyone been recently? I'm looking to spend an evening at Cors Caron before heading to Borth next week.

Cheers,

Rich

Went up this morning. A few small parties of Manxies still around along with a few Gannets.

Rich