Is Autumn ending....Ospreys
Has the Osprey gone? No reports on Sunday or today the 31st from its usual feeding and perching spots around the Teifi on a day of torrential rain and rainbows.
During the few weeks that the Osprey has been around, its fishing skills have increased. There are a lot of Mullet in the estuary at the moment and it has been seen with these as well as Sewin (Sea Trout) and flat fish.
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| Osprey - Sid Simmons |
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| Osprey - Sid Simmons |
Two Ospreys were seen on the 23rd and 24th. The 2nd one was distinctive with a much whiter breast
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| The 2nd Osprey - Karen Leah |
Other raptors have been seen by photographers while watching the Osprey including a Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine and Merlin
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| A young Peregrine - Tommy Evans |
A Great Egret was seen on the 10th, and of interest was the 6 Great Egrets which flew along the north Pembs coast, seen near Moylegrove and the presumed same 6 birds seen on the Dyfi estuary on the 20th. This morning - the 31st nice to pick up a female Red-breasted Merganser from St Dogmael's Quay.
Scarce bird records from the Teifi Marshes
The Coot and a moulting immature Great Crested Grebe were present on the 16th, both have now moved on..
A female Pintail was on Kingfisher pond on the 29th with several of the numerous Little Grebes, often 4+ on some of the ponds.
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| Female Pintail - Tommy Evans |
The first Jack Snipe at Mallard pond on the 30th October, though small numbers of Common Snipe have been present for most of the month.
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| Jack Snipe - Tommy Evans |
The Starlings have started to roost in increasing numbers, though still in the low thousands - small murmurations so far.
Kingfisher hide has had a new mural painted on the back wall. Another splendid work of art by Lloyd the Grafitti.
The work parties have been busy cutting reeds in front of the hides and the whole reserve looked fantastic on television. BBC Autumnwatch this year was hosted from the Teifi Marshes by Iolo Williams and Gillian Burke. There was some excellent footage of the wildlife of the marshes and estuary, some great views over the area from drones.
The four episodes can be watched on iPlayer for 11 months if you missed them.
(Wendy J and Rich D)