October arrives with a Spotted Redshank

The Thursday work party were busy by Curlew hide on the 29th Sept when Ewan pointed out a Spotted Redshank. A very unusual bird for the Teifi, the last was about 8 years ago. It flew upstream with a Common Redshank and was lost. It was resighted late afternoon and again at dusk feeding along the water's edge.

September ended with 3 Glossy Ibis from Curlew hide with the gulls on the evening of the 30th. With the light fading fast Justin arrived just in time to capture the scene.

Glossy Ibis - Justin Yates

An hours sea-watch in a strong south westerly on the 2nd was productive with a feeding flock in the mouth of the estuary. In that time, 120 Gannets were watched feeding and moving through west. Also an Arctic Skua chasing Kittiwakes and 4 Sandwich Terns.

In the hope that some of the terns had flown  upstream to roost on the buoys, a quick look from Coronation Drive produced the big surprise of an Egyptian Goose across the estuary in front of the Waterside Hotel. 

Phone-scoped record shot from 780 metres away - Wendy

Hannah and Liz were able to get to the Pembs side of the estuary quickly and took some photos

Egyptian Goose - Hannah 

Egyptian Goose in flight - Hannah

The last one seen in the Teifi area was 2008

On the 3rd, a Wheatear was at Gwbert on the Cliff Hotel golf course. 

Wheatear - Dyfed James

On rocks below the farm park there were 17 Turnstone, a high count for here and 2 Ringed Plover. 

These rocks towards Cardigan Island are always worth scanning for Turnstone, especially at high tide.

A Clouded Yellow butterfly was along the cliff edge vegetation.

On the yellow theme, a Yellow-browed Warbler was seen in Cilgerran with a mixed flock on the 3rd.

As we head into peak rutting season, stag Red  Deer has been seen with the deer herd in Cilgerran.

Red Deer stag- Diane Williams

It's getting late for Sedge Warblers but Diane was fortunate to find one to photograph on the 5th

Sedge Warbler - Diane Williams

After the wader fest of the last few weeks,  numbers and variety on the reserve have massively reduced.

Some Bar-tailed Godwit can be seen most days from Curlew hide with the usual Curlew and one or two Redshank but the Dunlin, Ringed Plover and less common waders seem to have all passed through

Bar-tailed Godwit - Diane Williams

(Wendy J and Rich D)