February delivers...American Wigeon

A drake American Wigeon was found on Patch at Gwbert on the 15th February by David Clarke.

American Wigeon - David Clarke

The bird was mobile around the estuary but was seen by many observers mostly on the seaward side of Patch with over 250 Eurasian Wigeon at least until the 19th.

A rare vagrant, there are have only been a handful of records in West Wales. In Pembrokeshire the first record was Dec 1996 to Jan 1997 at then in 2004 a  male at was at Carew, 2005-2007 there was a regular returning male at Angle Bay. In 2017 a male was The Gann (Pembs Avifauna). In Ceredigion there was a female at RSPB Ynys-hir in 1981, a male at Cors Caron December 1999 to March 2000, a female at Cors Caron in 2004 and a male at Ynyslas in 2016. (Ceredigion Bird list)

On the 18th a Caspian Gull was also seen in the estuary (Arfon Williams)

Caspian Gull - Arfon Williams

The male Goldeneye present on the river through the Teifi Marshes since the 14th January was joined by a second male on the 16th February. They were displaying to each other with head throwing and neck stretching. Males do this together to impress females although none are around this year so far.

Goldeneye - Diane Williams

In some gardens, Siskin are becoming more noticeable with a flock of at least 40 in Llechryd. Jen had a smart male in her garden. 

Siskin - Jen Evans

(Wendy J and Rich D)