Spring....or is it winter

Although the first  Spring migrants as expected were Sand Martins on the 13th March,  birding around the estuary and Teifi Marshes in early March  had a winter feel. Birds from the north included an immature Glaucous Gull on the 9th, followed by an immature Iceland Gull on the 10th. 

The immature Iceland Gull above was found by Jon Green on the 19th (photo Luke Gravett)

Also on the 19th the first Swallow (Cliff Benson), with Swallows and Sand Martins been seen daily now. In some late evenings c100 Sand Martins are feeding over the reeds.

Migrant Chiffchaffs are now singing, the only other notable migrant was a Little Ringed Plover on the Reserve on the 14th.  The first Manx Shearwaters past Mwnt on the 19th and during this early year seawatch by Luke, Red-throated Divers and Common Scoter were also seen.

First Wheatear photos in the area are usually at Mwnt but this year the first ones were at Gwbert on the Cliff Hotel golf course on the 20th. At least 8 late morning. 

Wheatear - Dyfed James

 One Turnstone was on the rocks but still no Purple Sandpipers there this year.

While looking for Wheatear at Mwnt a pair of Chough were seen. Our most well known Mwnt female is now ten years old....

She was ringed near Cwm Tydu in 2013 and is paired with an unringed male. She was seen on the 14th March feeding near the church. A large movement of Meadow Pipits were seen the same day with over 80 in the ploughed field beyond the stream.

During the last days of February, the usual area of the reed bed on the Teifi Marshes was cut and the reeds removed. This creates a different - but short term habitat for the reserve before the reeds start to grow.

This wet but very short stubble and reed growth produces new feeding areas for waders like Curlew and Snipe, for Teal and when the early migrants arrive the Wagtails and Hirundines love to feed over or on it.

 

The reserve has very high water levels at the moment with the main path flooded for the last few mornings at high tide.

Common Toads have been active in the ponds

Common Toads - Stuart Hall

After not being easy to see over winter, Otters have once again been reported intermittently over the last couple of weeks on the Teifi Marshes. 

(Rich D and Wendy J)