A Grey Phalarope visits the Teifi..

Highlight of the month was a Grey Phalarope on the 16th September. It was photographed from the river viewpoint on the Teifi Marshes and recorded on Ebird by a visiting birder. The picture can be seen on the Ebird checklist here 

The monthly WeBS count of the estuary and river for the BTO was carried out on the 13th, a dull and drizzly day. There was less wader variety than recently from Curlew hide but still 27 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, 2 Turnstone, 4 Black-tailed and 3 Bar-tailed Godwits. 

Bar-tailed Godwit - Diane Williams

Flock of Dunlin in the drizzle - Diane Williams

Around the estuary on the 13th, 1 Turnstone and 4 Redshank. The Redshank were stretching and preening as if newly arrived

It is surprising that no returning Wigeon have been seen yet. The first are usually back in August.

Jax has photographed an increased number of Bar-tailed Godwit in the estuary with a count of 11 last weekend.

 

Bar-tailed Godwit roosting with Curlew and Oystercatchers - Jax Wing

Highlights from sea-watches

15th September - Mwnt...1 juvenile Long-tailed Skua, 12 Arctic Skua, 1 juv Sabine's Gull, 317 Common Scoter, 129 Sandwich Terns, 1 Black Tern and 3 Red-throated Divers (Arfon Williams)

16th September - Gwbert... quiet with mainly Common Scoter and Gannets. On the fields by the Cliff hotel, 21 Barnacle Geese and 5 Turnstone on the rocks.

Barnacle Geese at Gwbert 

17th September - Mwnt.. 2 Arctic Skua and 8 Sandwich Tern. Passerines around the headland included a Wheatear.

20th September - Mwnt.. with south-westerlies going north-west overnight although not very strong it looked a few seabirds should be passing. By Mwnt standards, a "large" gathering of 6 birders spent an enjoyable few hours. Some of the totals were 8 Leach's Petrels, 3 Red-throated Divers, 9 Arctic Skuas, 3 Great Skuas, 1 Black Tern, 6 Med Gulls. Large numbers of Razorbills moving west with over 50 recorded. 

Sea watching at Mwnt

On the evening of the 15th,   a Great Egret flew down river  and at at least 20 Pied/ White Wagtails and 100 Starlings roosted in the reeds. 

Jason had photographed the Great Egret the evening before.

Great Egret - Jason

Ten days of September remain.....a season of great change in both bird variety .... and numbers..

(Wendy J and Rich D)