Spring arrives....
We start April with an Osprey seen from Creek Hide by Tommy and Jen.
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| Osprey - Tommy Evans |
Before we concentrate on the excitement of April arrivals, a look back at some March observations.
Down at the Teifi estuary, a Light-bellied Brent Goose was on Poppit on the 14th. On the 21st, opposite St Dogmaels Quay there was a Grey Plover, unusual as one wasn't recorded last year. Also the 2 Black-tailed Godwit changing into breeding plumage, on occasions 3 birds.
On the 18th the first Wheatears were seen briefly at Gwbert at The Cliff Hotel before flying to the Cardigan Island Farm Park.
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| Wheatear- Dyfed James |
On the Teifi Marshes, migration was evident as the month went on. After a slowing of Sand Martin migration with cold NE winds there were up to 100 at dusk over the pond and reed beds at Mallard hide on the 19th. The first 2 Swallows and 2 House Martins were both recorded in the afternoon of the 23rd. At least 300 were overhead there on the 31st March also at dusk, quite a spectacle as they swirled like Starlings, circling higher and higher until they left. Just a handful of Swallows with them. Pied Wagtails are also roosting on the marsh, numbers soon to be bolstered by White Wagtails on their migration to Iceland.
The first Willow Warbler was on the 20th and on the 24th an earlier than normal movement through the reserve with 11 trapped and ringed. Chiffchaffs could be heard calling in good numbers.
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| Chiffchaff - Diane Williams |
A Blackcap was first heard on the 19th, and the first Greylag Geese - a flock of 7.
On the 24th, a Marsh Harrier was photographed, an irregular raptor to pass through the reserve.
The female Gadwall is still being seen intermittently around the reserve and the drake Shoveler was with a female on the 31st on Mallard pond
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| Drake Shoveler - Diane Williams |
With higher tides towards the end of the month, the reed cut and the main track at times, was flooding.
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| The reed cut at high tide |
It is attractive to waders when pushed off the river edges particularly Curlew and Snipe whose tracks are visible all over the bare mud. Jack Snipe were recorded there too. One Curlew, originally ringed in the same location in April 2022 was recaught and colour rings added. It hasn't left yet on migration but we look forward to looking out for her again next winter.
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| Curlew black J0 - Tommy Evans |
The long staying 2 Black-tailed Godwit were still around on the 3rd April and looking more colourful as they moult into breeding plumage
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| Black-tailed Godwit - Diane Williams |