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Strumble Head - West Wales (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Colin
- Start date
Docmartin
Thought Police
Only been once, 22.9.91 Wind was west force 6-7 after a SW gale. Imagine it's best in NW after Sw. As I remember that was/is a big concrete 'hide' /wartime battery. We had a long-tailed skua, 1 pom, 13 arctic skuas,, 12 great skuas, a great shearwater, 9 sooties, 4 Balearics, 2000 Manxies, 2 storm petrels, 1 Leaches, , a sunfish and a leatherback turtle, a phalarope sp, 1 black-throated diver and 5 red throateds, and also saw a sorry dunlin chased and killed by a whole family of peregrines. One of my better morning's work. Doubt it's like that all the time though.
There's an article by Jon Green on sea-watching at Strumble Head 1994-2003 in the latest edition of Welsh Birds (Vol 4, No.3, 2005) - worth a look if you can get hold of a copy. To quote:
The "ideal conditions are prolonged south-westerly gales followed by strong west or north-westerly gales.
Late August to the end od September is probably the best time.
The "ideal conditions are prolonged south-westerly gales followed by strong west or north-westerly gales.
Late August to the end od September is probably the best time.
Colin
Axeman (Retired)
Docmartin and Rhion,
Thanks for the replies. I will try and get there towards the end of August or very early in September. I would like to give it a go in middle to late September but cannot afford the time then although I may be able to squeeze a trip at the very end of that month.
Thanks for the replies. I will try and get there towards the end of August or very early in September. I would like to give it a go in middle to late September but cannot afford the time then although I may be able to squeeze a trip at the very end of that month.
Corax67
Well-known member
Hi Colin,
Over the years I have found Strumble Head to be a productive site for passage birds.
My trips have been at varied times between August & April, always with something of note to see (including great porpoise & seal watching) - break of dawn is my favourite time which does necessitate an overnight sleep in the car but i feel any discomfort is worth it.
Good luck & dress up warm - it is ALWAYS cold on Strumble Head.
Over the years I have found Strumble Head to be a productive site for passage birds.
My trips have been at varied times between August & April, always with something of note to see (including great porpoise & seal watching) - break of dawn is my favourite time which does necessitate an overnight sleep in the car but i feel any discomfort is worth it.
Good luck & dress up warm - it is ALWAYS cold on Strumble Head.
redeyedvideo
It's like water off a duck's back!
Don't forget to check the cliffs & fields for Chough, Wheatear, Peregrine etc.
I once did a 14 hour sea watch from there & counted over 100,000 Manx Shearwaters with a peak of 4000 an hour & several British Storm Petrels in fading light but very little else. Harbour porpoises & dolphins should be seen if it's not too choppy. The last time I went, which was mid-September 2003, a Long-tailed Skua was the highlight.
It's a fabulous place and well worth the seemingly never ending narrow road to get to it. You will go past Fishguard harbour which has held the odd rare gull & Forster's Tern (but not in September!) There was also a Alpine Accentor reported from the steps to the Strumble lighthouse some years ago too.
Enjoy Colin.
Dave J
I once did a 14 hour sea watch from there & counted over 100,000 Manx Shearwaters with a peak of 4000 an hour & several British Storm Petrels in fading light but very little else. Harbour porpoises & dolphins should be seen if it's not too choppy. The last time I went, which was mid-September 2003, a Long-tailed Skua was the highlight.
It's a fabulous place and well worth the seemingly never ending narrow road to get to it. You will go past Fishguard harbour which has held the odd rare gull & Forster's Tern (but not in September!) There was also a Alpine Accentor reported from the steps to the Strumble lighthouse some years ago too.
Enjoy Colin.
Dave J
redeyedvideo
It's like water off a duck's back!
Docmartin said:I hate to be a pedant, but how does that maths work? 14 x 4 is only 56.
I stand corrected. I was quoting from memory, or exagerating or something.
Nevertheless it was an amazing spectacle & the final total was over 100,000 birds. Seeing is believing I suppose unless anyone else can back me up?Dave J
