September starts with Brent Geese and an Osprey
On the evening of the 12th September it was a surprise to see 21 Light-bellied Brent Geese in the estuary at dusk. They were looking tired, resting, preening and bathing as if they had just arrived. Their journey had started in Greenland or Arctic Canada. Although they are seen on a fairly regular basis this was potentially a record count. The next morning, Tommy Evans counted 35. Since then, a flock of 10 has been seen most days , feeding on the end of Pen yr Ergyd. Looking back at Teifi Wetland Bird Survey counts for the BTO, this is the highest count for September WeBS since 7 in 2014
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| Light-bellied Brent Goose - Diane Williams |
The usual September passage of waders is underway with an increase in Ringed Plover and Dunlin. The less common species over the last week included 2 Curlew Sandpipers on the 12th, 2 Knot on the 17th, just 1 Sanderling and 2 Turnstone. The first Wigeon are back with 21 recorded on the 17th.
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| Knot - Tommy Evans |
The reshaping and flattening of the spit at Pen yr Ergyd by wave action is helpful to the waders. There is a greater area for feeding and roosting and as the tide pushes in, the end becomes an undisturbed island for a while. The waders have been moving closer as that uncovers so very good views can be had from the end of the dune spit by the pontoon.
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| Pen yr Ergyd being covered by an incoming tide |
An Osprey has been seen regularly over St Dogmaels heading upstream every day since the 13th Sept. Reports have been from Howard James who conveniently lives at Glanteifion. One was also seen flying over Cilgerran by Charles Warner on the 15th.
A distant phone-scoped view of the Osprey across the other side of The Teifi from Glanteifion, St Dogmaels, late morning on the 20th Sept.
Away from the estuary, there has been little of note although on the 7th September, a Wryneck was seen by Catrin Williams on the track through the Teifi Marshes between the by pass bridge and Mallard hide. Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs are passing through in good numbers as they head south for the winter.
Last month, some interesting sea watching records from Martin Creasser...
Aug 1st, his first Cory's Shearwater in Ceredigion, only 2 previous accepted records, a 2nd passed 2hrs later seen by Russell Jones. Unprecedented numbers of Cory's that week passing the West Wales coast Also an Arctic Skua, 4 Storm Petrels and a Little Tern.
Aug 22nd 1 Black Tern, 4 Arctic Skuas
Aug 30th a Balearic Shearwater, 6 Storm Petrels, 7 Arctic Skuas and his first 'autumn' Red-throated Diver in summer plumage.