A Cuckoo and other returning birds this week
A drake Tufted Duck found by Catrin Williams was on Kingfisher pond on the evening of the 14th April
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| A Tufted Duck distantly on Kingfisher pond |
The Tufted Duck is an annual visitor to the Teifi, sometimes in small groups but this was the first this year. That same evening a Hobby also flew over. Plenty of food for an early Hobby with 200 Sand Martins and 100 White Wagtails. The evening before there were greater numbers with 300 Sand Martins and 200 White Wagtails. A few Swallows passing over during the day and a couple of small flocks of House Martins too. A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling and at least 3 Snipe were calling and flying around at dusk. A calling Tawny Owl finished the evening.
Evenings have been very atmospheric watching these returning migrants to the backdrop of a sunset.
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| Kingfisher pond, Teifi Marshes |
Some other firsts this week...
A Cuckoo at Gwbert - Siwan Thomas on the 16th April
A Purple Sandpiper was on the dark rock in the picture under the Cliff Hotel golf course on the 17th April. Maybe the last sighting this year. It was with 3 Turnstone and a Common Sandpiper in this beautiful location.
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| Looking towards Cemaes Head |
13 Whimbrel on the17th were on the central sandbank in the Teifi Estuary viewed from Coronation Drive. This one pictured was one of 5 near Swallow Boats on the 20th.
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| Whimbrel near Swallow Boats |
Off shore the first Manx Shearwater was seen on the 20th April
And today, the 21st a Whitethroat in the usual patch of scrub by Poppit lifeboat station
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| Whitethroat at Poppit (Rich D and Wendy J) |