3rd September

I am back from a very enjoyable week down in Pembrokeshire. The weather was very kind to us with the only rain that we encountered was on the M4 on the drive down, otherwise we had sun or high overcast conditions on 2 days. The wind was variable breezy on NW Friday to Sunday, dying down to almost non existent by mid week, before veering SE on the Thursday. Migrant passerines were fairly low with Wheatear being the the most numerous until a steady Swallow passage commenced on Wednesday. I only spent an hour see watching, this produced 1 Sooty Shearwater and 1 Balearic Shearwater and hundreds of Manxies, 1 Pomarine and 6 Arctic Skuas. It was really pleasing to see Choughs on all our coastal walks, with at least 26 present on St Martins Head. Peregrines were also a regular feature with young hassling the waders on the Gann estuary.

Below are a few snaps, which will be followed by some of the birds that I missed in the park while away. 

Raven

Chough

Fulmar on St Martins Head

I managed to get on a boat trip out to Grassholm and beyond hoping for an odd Whale and a few Dolphins. It was slightly disappointing on that front, though we did see a few Porpoise’s and a small school of Common Dolphins. Seabirds were also scarce with only a handful of Manx Shearwaters but I did get to see thousands of one of my favourite birds.

 

juvenile Gannet’s first trip on the sea.

Manx Shearwater juveniles first trip away from it’s burrow

 

Swallow’s nesting in the public toilets in St Martins Haven

 

Migrant Swallows and House Martins gathering on the roof of the toilets.

 

Highlight of the past week

Tree Pipit: one over 28th.

Northern Wheatear: one 28th.

Spotted Flycatcher: three in area 32 on 28th

Lesser Whitethroat: one area 31 on 28th.

Garden Warbler: two in area 31 on 28th.

Willow/Chiffs: 50 plus 28th.

Kingfisher: one flew over the lake on 29th.

Whinchat: two on gorse by area 34, 29th.

Whinchat: one present 30th.

Northern Wheatear: two on the Open Spaces 30th.

Lesser Whitethroat: one still in Cricket Pen, area 31 30th.

Spotted Flycatcher: one in area 31 on 30th.

Mediterranean Gull: a juvenile present on the lake from 7.45am until 9.30am.

Mediterranaean Gull juvenile (Rose Farmer)

Swift: two over the park 31st.

Northern Wheatear: two birds present 31st.

Reed Warbler: two present in area 31 on 1st.

Garden Warbler: two in area 31 on 1st.

Common Sandpiper: one flying around the lake 2nd at 7.30am.

Today

Hobby: one was hawking insects at 7.15am.

Peregrine Falcon: an adult flew through at 8.00am.

Grey Wagtail: one flew over.

Swallow: eight birds flew south, the first of the autumn.

Spotted Flycatcher: one was in area 31.

Common Whitethroat: one in area 31.

Blackcap: six present in area 31.

Wood Warbler: one was reported from area 31 at 9.20am.

Willow Warbler: eleven birds in area 31.

Chiffchaff: six birds present.