Early April - familiar Osprey

A walk on the Teifi Marshes at dawn in April is always filled with hope as to what new species might have arrived overnight

5th April - a 2 hour walk around the reserve resulted in 34 species. Migrants included 12 Willow Warblers, 11 Chiffchaffs and 3 Blackcaps singing. At the river viewpoint it was unusual to see several Goosanders in April..a pair and separately, 4 adult females. Teal numbers are going down as they head off to breed.

7th April - An Osprey was fishing on the river in front of Curlew hide (Catrin Williams)

The 8th April was a day of arrivals -Tommy and Jen managed to photograph the Osprey and it turns out to be Blue 7H6, the Scottish ringed bird from 2022.  It is also a very familiar Osprey to the Teifi having been seen here in June 2024, Aug 2024 and September 2025. 

Osprey - Tommy Evans

The first Sedge Warbler was heard on the Teifi Marshes (Catrin again). In the evening, Tommy photographed 2 Little Ringed Plovers from Curlew hide. 

Little Ringed Plover - Tommy Evans

At dusk there were at least 300 Sand Martins over the reed beds with fewer Swallows (around 50) . An impressive sight. This has been the same most evenings since then with increasing numbers of Swallows and now House Martins as well. 

Sand Martins move through during the day but in lower numbers than at dusk. On rainy days when they fly lower,  Philip Wilson proved that the marshes are still worth a visit with some wonderful images.

Sand Martin - Philip Wilson

He watched hundreds and hundreds of them swooping over the water then they gathered in large numbers in the reeds on the far side of Mallard pond.  

Sand Martins - Philip Wilson

More arrivals on the 12th April with the first Reed Warblers singing and a Cuckoo calling near the main reserve car park. The first  Whitethroat too.

Whitethroat - Diane Williams

White Wagtail numbers are increasing. These roost in the reeds on their their migration to Iceland. Dusk is the time to see them.

Down at the estuary there was a flock of 17 Ringed Plover on the 9th. The number of waders passing through should increase over the next couple of weeks. A daily look as the tide drops is definitely worthwhile. The first Sandwich Tern of spring is yet to be recorded here but small numbers have been seen further up the Ceredigion coast.

(Wendy J and Rich D)