Dyfi Osprey Project - Ready to migrate?

For the first time in over 400 years, a pair of Ospreys have bred successfully raising an impressive 3 chicks in the Dyfi Valley, on the Trust's Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve. After a summer of high drama, we've got to the point where the three birds are at the point of dispersal, to migrate down as far as Africa.

Here's a short video of the 3 raised young of this year (2011)

For more information on the Ospreys and the Dyfi Osprey Project, please visit http://www.montwt.co.uk/dyfiospreys.html

Icterine Warblers on Bardsey

Yes, it's official, autumn is on its way, many waders are making their way back down through the country on their way to their wintering grounds already and this is also the case with the 3 Icterine warblers found on Bardsey this week. The three birds appeared a day apart from each other on the 21st and 22nd August and then to everyones suprise, a third appeared on the 23rd August.

Taken by Ben Porter - Icterine Warbler

Icterine can be easily confused with the very similar Melodious Warbler, but can be determined by its longer wings and well marked wing panel with its paler edges to the primaries, secondaries and tertials. Another note to take is its square-shaped end to its tail. This bird, to me looks like a juvenile bird with its more dull-brown appearance to its upperparts. An adult would appear a lot brighter in a green-yellow colour

This is another 'Iccy' taken at Spurn point a couple of years ago. Notice the bill size, comparing to that of Willow Warbler or Chiffchaff, the bill is a lot more stoat and slightly longer.

Ringed Plover numbers exceed 100 on the Clwyd

I'm spending quite a bit of time down the River Clwyd at the moment and rightly so, the numbers of birds down there are great with the waders stealing the limelight. With a walk just before high tide revealed Ringed Plover numbers break the 100 mark with 114 recorded.
Dunlin numbers are also developing nicely with 74 spotted today. There must be something in with this lot within the next few weeks!

A knot was a new bird for the summer which feed along with a group of Redshank and 4 Turnstone. Both the Bar and Black-Tailed Godwit was still present just past the railway bridge as was the lone Common Sandpiper.

Oystercatchers yet again were in their numbers with nearly 300 counted. There were less Lapwings than during the last visit with just over 50 seen along with 50 or so Curlews. Another noticeable feature was the count of Cormorants, 76 in total!

Other birds included a good count of 16 Goosanders, 1 Little Egret, 5 Linnet, 2 Pied Wagtails and a Blue Tit

Wader build-up at the River Clwyd

Setting out on a walk just before hide tide, it was evident that as we are getting closer to Autumn, the wader numbers are building up quite nicely:

1 fresh Bar tailed Godwit was a nice find, with the River Clwyd being one of the best places to see these birds during this time of year.
A Black tailed Godwit was also present feeding away on the mud flats
Ringed Plover numbers have dramtically increased to well over 50 birds with approximately 56 seen
Dunlin numbers are hanging around the same numbers as last week with just over 30 recorded.
1 Common Sandpiper was still bobbing about near the railway bridge
3 Turnstone including one striking summer plumaged bird were present
Over 40 Redshank were also scattered about
There were also significant numbers of  Curlew (55), Lapwing (140) and Oystercatchers (270)

Other birds included 3 Little Egrets, 6 Gooseander, a handful of Canada Geese and Greylags and nearer the path; 15+ Linnets, 6 Swallows and 2 Whitethroats

The only thing I could actually manage to take a picture of that would stay still for long enough was this lovely Common Blue Butterfly:

River Clwyd, Rhyl

River Clwyd looking up, after the last week or so. Wader numbers are increasing well:

1 Green Sandpiper was a nice find along with 2 Common Sandpipers, over 100 Lapwing, 39 Dunlin and approx. 30 Ringed Plover.
A striking summer plumaged Turnstone was also good to see along with 10+ Curlew and 9 Oystercatchers

Over birds included about 200 Sandwich Terns, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Gooseanders, 2 Whitethroat and a large finch flock of 50+ consisting of Linnets, Gold and Greenfinch
A family of Swallows landed on nearby fence and posed for a few pictures:

Weekend of Waders at Conwy

With the water levels low at Conwy RSPB, it is drawing in a good selection of Waders.
A Greenshank showed well feeding away

Redshank were in their numbers outside Benarth Hide

These were joined by up to 6 Green Sandpipers which is a good reserve record 

Although they were occassionally 'strung' for this Common bird on the reserve

A Little Egret rested as the hours passed

A nice Peacock Butterfly also allowed me good views

Other birds included a nice flock of Curlew with a couple of Whimbrel mixed in, a handful of Lapwing, Oystercatchers, 16 Black Tailed Godwits and 4 Dunlin.

So how about a rare wader... Red-Necked Stint? White-Rumped Sandpiper? Semipalmated Sandpiper?

Either for me!!