June...Osprey to Orchids

Sighting of the week was an Osprey over the Teifi Marshes with a fish, late evening on the 15th June. 

Osprey - Simon James

Many thanks to Simon James for the sighting and photo. He said that it was harassed by a Herring Gull and managed to capture the action.

The sight of a  female Goosander with 2 flightless juveniles on the river on the 7th is interesting. In recent years we have seen family parties of Goosander on the river but presumed they arrived from further up the river systems. Never before have we seen flightless young, they must be breeding locally.

On the 19th, the first returning Common Gull - and surprisingly an adult. The first returning birds are usually second year birds that have not attempted to breed. Also an adult Mediterranean Gull and the 1st juvenile Black-headed Gull, again an early bird.

Near a couple of the hides on the marshes juvenile Reed Warblers have been showing. 

Juvenile Reed Warbler - Tommy Evans

Like the one above sighted by Tommy, although out of the nest, probably have limited flying and feeding abilities..

The four Mute Swan cygnets are surviving and growing fast on Mallard Pond and soon they will be walked to the river by the adults.

Mid June is generally quiet for birds but plenty of other wildlife peaking now. A walk though Poppit dunes is full of interest. With a bit of hunting some Bee Orchids can be found.

Bee Orchid - Dyfed James

This year there are a good number of Pyramidal Orchids

Pyramidal Orchid

As well as swaithes of Common Spotted Orchids

Common Spotted Orchids

Damsels and Dragonflies are on the wing. Beautiful Demoiselles can be seen from the bridge over the stream at the start of the Otter Trail on the Teifi Marshes but it was a surprise to see one on Kingfisher pond

Mwnt .....

The longest day 

23.30 and there was still a red glow in the sky. Midsummer's Eve was so calm that Bottlenose Dolphins could be heard feeding just offshore and a Manx Shearwater called in the still of the night . 

Bottlenose Dolphin - Simon James

This superb photo from Simon taken at Mwnt last week shows how close to the rocks they come in at times. 

(Rich D and Wendy J)