Ceredigion Bird Report 2017

Ceredigion Bird Report

2017 0

Front cover image of Cattle Egret by Kev Joynes 1

CEREDIGION BIRD REPORT 2017

Contents

Editorial and submission of records, Arfon Williams page 3 Systematic list, Russell Jones 7 Earliest and last dates of migrants, Arfon Williams 58 Caspian Gull – a first for Ceredigion, Edward O’Connor 59 King Eider – a first for Ceredigion, Liz Snell 60 Big Garden Birdwatch 2017 – UK & Ceredigion results 61 The Ceredigion bird ringing report, Mark Cutts 63 Colour-ring projects in Ceredigion, Wendy James, Teifi Ringing Group 67 Greenland White-fronted Goose – Dyfi satellite tagging project, Tom Kistruck 70 The Ceredigion Bird Race, 30th May 2018, Edward O’Connor 72

Printed in September 2018 by Print Services – University of Wales Trinity Saint David www.uwtsd.ac.uk Typesetting, layout and design by the editor.

County Recorder and Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) Organiser: Russell Jones, Bron-y-gan, Talybont, Ceredigion, SY24 5ER Email: [email protected]

British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Representative: Moira Convery, 41 Danycoed, Aberystwyth, SY23 2HD Tel: 01970 612998

Price £5.00

Editorial

A total of 221 species were seen in Ceredigion in 2017, a higher than average figure. Highlights included two new county firsts – a long anticipated Caspian Gull at Llanrhystud found by Edward O’Connor and a completely unexpected King Eider off the sea front at Aberaeron found by Liz Snell. Finder’s accounts for both birds are included in this report. Other rarities were a female Ring-necked Duck kicking the year off on the 1st January, the county’s second Red-footed Falcon in almost the same place the first turned up in 1988, the first Great Snipe since 1947 (if accepted by the BBRC), a Spotted Crake, Temminck’s Stint, Hoopoe, Wryneck and a Bluethroat, which was trapped for ringing at the Teifi Marshes. Egrets continue to appear in increasing numbers, mainly within the Dyfi estuary, with at least 10 Greats and 8 Cattles recorded. This included a flock of 6 stunning summer plumage Cattle Egrets present around Ynyslas/Borth in May and June. One of the year’s undoubted highlights was the immature Sabines Gull that spent three days in September on a flooded field at Llanrhystud and provided a great opportunity for local birders to get fantastic close-up views of this super little gull.

The high number of species seen this year almost certainly helped in establishing two new records for Ceredigion. On the 30th May Mark Hughes, Russell Jones, Edward O’Connor and Arfon Williams set a new record for the number of species seen in one day. A total of 124, which included all three species of egrets, a Ring-billed Gull and the Great Snipe. A full account of this mad dash around the county is included at the end of this report. The second record was set jointly by Russell Jones and Arfon Williams who both saw 201 species in 2017.

Whilst some species are appearing more frequently several once widespread breeding birds appear to be undergoing a continued decline such as Kestrel, Green Woodpecker and Yellow Hammer. It would be extremely helpful if more observers submitted records of species of conservation concern to assess their status in the county. More on this ‘ask’ from Russel Jones, our County Recorder, in the following Submission of Records section.

The ongoing decline in wintering Greenland White-fronted Geese is a major conservation concern and in 2016 fourteen were ringed and collar marked and two of them fitted with satellite tags in the hope that this would provide valuable information to aid the conservation of this species in both its wintering and breeding grounds. An article included in this report by Tom Kistruck, one of the RSPB wardens at Ynys-hir, provides an update on this work and a fascinating glimpse into the lives of these striking geese.

Ringers operating in the county continue to make an important contribution to the BTO’s ringing scheme and were responsible for ringing over 25% of all the Dunlin and Turnstone and 50% of all Whimbrel ringed in the UK in 2017. Increased effort to catch Linnets in the south of the county resulted in an incredible 587 being ringed compared to 41 (in Ceredigion) between 1991 and 2016. The ringing report, provided by Mark Cutts, highlights some of the valuable information this amazing effort provides including Dunlins ringed at Ynyslas turning up in France, Iceland, Spain, Mauritania and Sweden. Marking birds with colour-rings is a particularly effective way of gathering information on their movements and longevity. An article by Wendy James of the Teifi Ringing Groups explains this in more detail, describes the projects being undertaken in Ceredigion and how to report any colour-ringed birds seen.

The Ceredigion Bird Blog (www.ceredigion33.blogspot.com) continues to be a valuable and well supported means of communicating local bird news and a special thanks to Harry Pepper for managing this site. The recently created Ceredigion Birds and Wildlife Facebook page, run by Shane Jones is going from strength to strength and provides another popular means of communicating about the county’s birds and nature. Monthly bird walks, organised by Elaine Izett, continued throughout 2017 and details of future walks can be found on the Ceredigion Bird Blog.

Many people contribute to this Report and make it possible. I would like to thank the following who have not yet been mentioned: Our Advertiser ‘NatureQuest’ – Affordable optics and wildlife observation. The following photographers who have allowed us to use their excellent images including Brian Snell, Tom Kistruck, Shane Jones, John Davis, Viv Evans, Kev Joynes, Janet Baxter, Jeremy Moore, Waine Foster, Colin Dalton, Silke Einschuetz, Al Jones, Ivor Poole and Emma Brooke (plus some of my own).

Finally, I would like to thank local artist Becky Thorley-Fox for allowing us to include some of the wonderful wildlife art she has painted in Ceredigion. More of Becky’s work can be seen on her website www.beckythorley-fox.co.uk some of which are available either as originals or prints. Anyone interested can contact her on [email protected]

I hope you enjoy this report.

Arfon Williams, October 2018

Amongst the Redshanks Beckey Thorley-fox 4

Submission of records

The following contributed the 2017 records and where included in the systematic list are generally acknowledged by their initials. Without their efforts there would be no Report:

Tony Allenby, Abigail Amos, David Anning, Mike Bailey (MB), the late Roy Bamford, Mark Baptiste, Peter Barnes, Nigel Barratt, Janet Baxter, Bernie Beck, Paul Bennett, Chris Bird (CB), Nigel Bird, Rhodri Blakeway, Ian Boyle, Keith Burdett, Ian Burgess, David Campion, Steffi Carter, Arthur O Chater, Ray Collins, Lis Collison, Edward O’Connor (EOC), Moira Convery, Simon Cox, Tony Cross (AVC), Mark Cutts, Andrew Dally, Steve Davies, John A Davis (JAD), Peter E Davis, Naomi Davis, Phil Dennis, Aline Denton, Richard Dobbins, Tom Doidge, Jasmine Donahaye, Diana Dorrell, Silke Einschuetz, Philip Ellis, Dr Viv Evans, Kendall Evans, Lyn Evans, Tommy Evans. Gerald Fordham, Chris Forster-Brown, Wayne Foster, Lyn Gander, Chris Goding, John Gorman, Mick Green, Jon Green, Karen Gregory, Ian Harrison, Mike D Hayward, Helen Herbert, Alan Hill, Terry Hobson, Geraint Hughes, Marc Hughes, Jenni and Peter Hyatt, Elaine Izett, Andy James, Wendy James, Chris Jones, Pat and Gary Jones, Russell Jones, Shane Jones, Judith Johnston, Nigel Johnston, Kev Joynes, Len Kersley, Brian Kington, Tom Kistruck, Red Liford (RGL), Mervyn Lloyd, Lyndon Lomax, Alan Lyne, Paul Mahiques, André Marsh (AJM), Roger Matthews, Kevin McGee, Elliott Monteith, Jeremy Moore, Ian J Morris (IJM), Lisa Morris, André Morgan (AM), Brian O’Shea, John O’Sullivan, Carlton Parry, Ewan Parry, David Parsons, Barry Penney, Harry Pepper (ASP), Andy Polkey (AP), Angey Polkey, Matthew Potter, David Price, Liz Probert, Dave Purdon, Sue & Terry Reeves, Bob Relph (RR), Ian Scott, Pete Scott, Liz Snell (ES), Dick Squires (RS), David Taylor, Teifi Ringing Group (TRG), Rhys Thatcher, Dave Thomas, Ian Thompson, Jon Turner, John Valentine. Graham Walker, Mike Waller, Arfon Williams (HAW), Brian Wiley, Paul Wilkins, Colin Williams, Marc Williams, Richard Williams, Annette Williamson, Peter Wilmott, John Woodruff, David Wooley, Laurie Wright, Andy Young. Apologies to anyone whose name has inadvertently been left out.

Wildfowl counts (WeBS/Wetland Bird Survey) were carried out at the Dyfi estuary by RSPB staff and volunteers, at the Teifi estuary by Wendy James and at Cors Caron by Andy Polkey.

Some observers may be uncertain as to what records to submit to the County Recorder. Hopefully a look at this Bird Report will give some idea as to what is recorded in the archive, but here are some basic guidelines: • Scarce and rare migrants/visitors (see list below). • Breeding records of scarce and rare birds. • First arrival dates of summer migrants or winter visitors and departure dates. • Visible migration, cold weather movements. Counts of winter or passage wildfowl and waders. • Counts of seabirds or other colonial nesters e.g. Sand Martin. • Counts of finch and bunting flocks. If in doubt, please submit sightings to Russell Jones (County Recorder and Wetland Bird Survey Organiser) who also notes the contributions to the Ceredigion Bird Blog:

Russell Jones, Bron-y-gan, Talybont, Ceredigion. SY24 5ER. Email: [email protected]

Records of national rarities are considered by the British Birds Rarities Committee. (See their web site (www.bbrc.org.uk) for a list of species.)

There is a second tier of species which are scarce in Wales and records need to be assessed by the Welsh Rarities Panel. These scarce species are defined as those occurring on average five times or fewer annually in Wales and as of 1st January 2018 are as follows:

Bean Goose, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Ferruginous Duck, Lesser Scaup, Surf Scoter, Smew, White-billed Diver, Cory’s Shearwater, Great Shearwater, Wilson’s Petrel, Night Heron, Cattle Egret, Purple Heron, White Stork, Glossy Ibis, Red-necked Grebe, Black Kite, White-tailed Eagle, Montagu’s Harrier, Rough-legged Buzzard, Golden Eagle, Spotted Crake, Corncrake, Crane, Stone-curlew, American Golden Plover, Kentish Plover, Temminck’s Stint, White-rumped Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope, White-winged Black Tern, Ring-billed Gull, Caspian Gull, Alpine Swift, Bee-eater, Red-footed Falcon, Golden Oriole, Red-backed Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Penduline Tit, Bearded Tit* Shore Lark, Short-toed Lark, Red-rumped Swallow, Greenish Warbler, Pallas’s Warbler, Radde’s Warbler, Dusky Warbler, Barred Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Melodious Warbler, Blyth’s Reed Warbler, Marsh Warbler, Rose-coloured Starling, Nightingale, Bluethroat, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Citrine Wagtail, Olive-backed Pipit, Common Rosefinch, Common Redpoll, Arctic Redpoll, Parrot Crossbill, Serin, Cirl Bunting, Ortolan Bunting, Little Bunting, Corn Bunting. Scarce races are considered on the same basis. e.g. Black Brant.

A description might also be requested from our Recorder for other species which are scarce in Ceredigion, or particularly difficult to identify, or a common species reported out of season. The BBRC, WRC and our County Recorder may not accept a record if insufficient information has been provided to substantiate a record. In such cases it is generally not a question of disbelief, but simply that the description may have been a bit scant.

The more records which are sent in to our County Recorder, Russell Jones, the more useful and comprehensive our annual Reports will become. Many send their records to Russell on a monthly basis via email (address above). Otherwise the plea is for Russell to receive all records as soon after the start of the following year as possible.

Ivor Poole 6

SYSTEMATIC LIST FOR 2017 A code letter prefixes each species, as follows: (A) all records are given. (B) a summary of records is given. (C) selected records are given, e.g. first arrival date, weather movements, census results etc. (D) recorded during the year but no significant change in status.

(B) MUTE SWAN ALARCH DOF Cygnus olor Resident breeder in small numbers. Some immigration.

The only breeding reported was of a pair at RSPB Ynys-hir and a pair at Aberystwyth which had five cygnets by 4th September. As usual, the highest counts were from Cors Caron and the Teifi est with peak counts of 14 on 8th January and 23 on 28th November from the former and 20 on 11th June and 18 on 10th September from the latter.

(A) TUNDRA (BEWICK’S) SWAN ALARCH BEWICK Cygnus columbianus Scarce winter visitor.

There were three adults at RSPB Ynys-hir resting on the saltings at first light on 23rd February (RJ) which had departed north by 0930.

(A) WHOOPER SWAN ALARCH Y GOGLEDD Cygnus cygnus Winter visitor in small numbers.

In January, there were three at Cors Caron on 1st (ES), ten at Pond Yr Oerfa on 2nd(EI), four at Bray’s pool on 3rd (JAD) with four at Pond Yr Oerfa on 5th (MC), three at Cors Caron on 8th(JAD), six at Llyn Pendam on 12th(BW), seven at Llyn Rhosrhydd on 17th(JAD), nine at Cors Caron on 18th (AP) and one at Teifi est. on 22nd (RD). In February, there were two at Gorsgoch pool on 3rd (WF) and seven at Llyn Rhosrhydd on 17th (E O’C). In October, there were two at Teifi est. on 7th and 8th (CJ, WJ) and again on 27th (RD), one at Llyn Wnnwch, Trisant on 28th (JAD) three along the Clettwr on 30th (RJ) and nine at Gorsgoch pool on the same date (HAW). In November, there were five at Cors Caron on 1st (RGL) six at RSPB Ynys- hir on 15th (RJ), eight (4 ad. 4 juv.) at Pond Yr Oerfa on 28th November (EI) with five at Cors Caron on the same date (AP) with three there on 29th (HAW) and there were two at Llyn Frongoch on 30th (ASP). In December, there were three at Cors Caron on 1st (ASP).

(A) PINK-FOOTED GOOSE GWYDD TROEDBINC Anser brachyrhynchus Scarce winter visitor but also a small number of feral birds in the county.

There were four at Ystrad Caron on 2nd and 4th January (M Cutts, E Snell) and three flying north over Glandwr on 23rd April (ASP).

(B) GREYLAG GOOSE GWYDD WYLLT Anser anser Recorded in small numbers throughout the year. Birds re-established in parts of Britain from 1930’s onwards, are well-established in the county, ranging widely at times. Some records may relate to birds from southwest England and south Wales pausing on their moult migration to and from the Glasgow area.

Recorded in every month of the year from numerous locations. Peak counts were 70 at Llyn Eiddwen in January, 65 at Cors Caron in March, 100 at Llangybi in November and 72 at Cors Caron in November.

(B) GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE GWYDD DALCEN-WEN Anser albifrons Greenland race is a declining winter visitor to the Dyfi. Eurasian race is a rare winter visitor.

Greenland race: In January, there were 14 on 3rd, 19 on 19th then 14 from 29th to 26th February. In March, there were 18 on 13th, 22 on 20th with most leaving by the end of the month with one staying until 6th April. The first back were 11 on 3rd November with 20 on 11th November, 23 on 13th November and 25 on 20th November which were seen to the end of the year. On 22nd December, there were eight neck-collared birds in the flock: the satellite tagged bird WHIT 01 and seven other red-collared birds V0J, V3J, V4J, V5J, V7J, V8J and V9J. These were caught and collared on 4th December 2016 as part of a research project initiated by the Greenland white- fronted goose partnership (see article on page 70). It was a reasonable breeding season in Greenland with six juveniles present in the flock. Elsewhere one was seen at Llanon on 11th November.

(B) BRANT (BRENT) GOOSE GWYDD DDU Branta bernicla Uncommon winter visitor to coasts and estuaries.

There were up to five pale-bellied birds (two adults and three immatures) in the Dyfi est., usually at Ynyslas, between 3rd January and 24th February. There was a dark-bellied bird at Llanon/Llanrhystud between 2nd April and 22nd April. In the autumn/winter periods there were four at Cwm Tydu on 26th September, 13 at Ynyslas on 1st October with 15 on 2nd and one on 22nd October (all pale-bellied), 19 pale-bellied at Llanrhystud on 22nd October (16 south at Llanon on the same date may be part of this flock), one at Llansantffraed on 23rd October with two at Llanrhystud on 10th November. There were two at Borth on 19th November, one at Aberystwyth on 13th December, a dark-bellied at Teifi est. on 23rd December and eleven at Ynyslas on 26th December.

(B) GREATER CANADA GOOSE GWYDD CANADA Branta canadensis Resident breeder throughout the county.

Dyfi, Teifi and Cors Caron WeBS counts were as follows:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Dyfi est. 897 984 519 910 N/C 1138 1312 Teifi est. 520 32 4 1068 850 1100 670 460 Cors Caron 174 235 145 80 8

(B) BARNACLE GOOSE GWYDD WYRAN Branta leucopsis Two feral populations based on the Dyfi (from the Derwent water breeding population) and Teifi estuaries.

On the Dyfi most had left the estuary by January 2017 with just two reported from January to August. 328 had arrived back by 22nd September with 520 by 6th November and 528 counted on 6th December. On the Teifi there were eight in January, 102 in August, 52 in September, 80 in October and 25 in December. No breeding counts from Cardigan Island were reported.

(B) COMMON SHELDUCK HWYADEN YR EITHIN Tadorna tadorna Breeds at the Dyfi and Teifi estuaries where winter visitors arrive in good numbers. Scarce inland.

In 2017 bred at Dyfi est., Cors Fochno and Teifi est. Dyfi and Teifi WeBS counts were as follows:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Dyfi est. 324 238 177 17 N/C 209 297 Teifi est. 2 27 24 5

Away from the two main estuaries there were three at Llanrhystud on 8th April, ten at Llansantffraed on 20th April, two off Aberystwyth on 22nd April with three there on 3rd May and there were four at Llanon on 22nd August. One at Cors Caron on 23rd March was the only inland record.

(A) GARGANEY HWYADEN ADDFAIN Spatula querquedula Rare spring and autumn migrant.

There was a male at RSPB Ynys-hir on 28th March (RJ, TK), a male at Glandwr on 29th March (MPB), a male at Cors Caron on 2nd April (HAW), a female at Glandwr on 18th April (MH) and a male at Ynyslas on 1st May (RJ).

(B) NORTHERN SHOVELER HWYADEN LYDANBIG Spatula clypeata Mainly a winter visitor, has bred.

On the Dyfi reported in good numbers at RSPB Ynys-hir with up to 18 in the first winter period and 22 in the second winter period. Elsewhere on the Dyfi there was one at Glandwr on 5th January, three at Clettwr on 22nd January, one at Ynyslas on 27th January, eight at Leri on 2nd February, one at Leri on 16th February, three at Glandwr on 18th February, five at Glandwr on 7th May and there were three at Ynyslas and three at Leri on 6th November. Away from the Dyfi there were six at Llansantffraed on 8th January, two at Llyn Fanod on 22nd January, one at Maesllyn pool on 13th and 16th February, two at Cors Caron on 13th March, one at Mwnt on 4th August and four at Llanrhystud from 18th to 22nd September.

Shane Jones

(B) MANDARIN DUCK HWYADEN GRIBOG Aix galericulata Scarce visitor from introduced populations elsewhere.

The male reported from Aberaeron in 2016 was seen there again on many dates from 1st January to 28th September and the male present at Aberystwyth/Tanybwlch in 2016 was seen from11th January to 16th December.

(B) EURASIAN WIGEON CHWIWELL Moreca penelope Numerous winter visitor to Dyfi and Teifi estuaries and Maesllyn pool. Small numbers at other inland and coastal sites.

Peak counts for selected localities were as follows:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Dyfi est. 2609 3000 320 89 2300 3380 3382 Teifi est. 240 250 231 200 115 294 175 Cors Caron 220 190 100 28 50 195 Pont Gogoyan 100 90 60 90 LLansant/Llanrh 130 3 100

Notable counts elsewhere were 15 at Llyn Fanod on 22nd January, 19 there on 5th March, 31 at Aberystwyth on 12th March, 55 at Llanrhystud on 1st April and 11 at Pond Yr Oerfa on 30th October. 10

(A) GADWALL HWYADEN LWYD Moreca strepera Scarce and irregular winter visitor.

There were two at Cors Caron on 13th March (AP), a male at RSPB Ynys-hir on 28th March (RJ, ASP), one at Glandwr on 19th May (E O’C) and two at Cors Caron on 28th November (AP).

(B) MALLARD HWYADEN WYLLT Anas platyrhnchos Common resident and winter visitor

WeBS counts were as follows:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Dyfi est. 95 69 64 90 N/C 114 147 Teifi est. 78 47 8 52 62 67 55 Cors Caron 147 75 68 155 133

Counts elsewhere included 35 at Tanybwlch in September and 45 in October.

(B) NORTHERN PINTAIL HWYADEN LOSTFAIN Anas acuta Winter visitor mainly to the Dyfi, scarce elsewhere.

There were 400 at the Leri on 5th January, 370 there on 16th February, 150 at Ynyslas on 14th March, 231 at the Leri on 6th November and 320 on 7th December. Elsewhere the only records were of four at Teifi est. on 24th March with one there on 24th September.

(B) EURASIAN TEAL CORHWYADEN Anas crecca Common winter visitor with small numbers breeding at wetland sites.

Peak counts for selected localities were as follows:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Dyfi est. 457 336 261 18 N/C 833 862 Teifi est. 158 128 61 5 19 74 205 Cors Caron 465 498 262 694 338

Bred at RSPB Ynys-hir and Cors Fochno and one was on Camddwr pool on 13th May which strongly suggests breeding in that area.

(A) COMMON POCHARD HWYADEN BENGOCH Aythya farina A rare winter visitor nowadays, now red-listed due to decreasing numbers throughout Europe.

An immature male was at RSPB Ynys-hir between 15th and 24th November (RJ, HAW) which was the only record of the year.

(A) RING-NECKED DUCK HWYADEN DORCHOG Aythya collaris Rare winter visitor

A female was at Maesllyn pool on 1st January (HAW) was re-found on Llyn Glandwgan on 16th February (EO’C), then at Llyn Rhosrhydd on 17th January (EO’C) and again at Llyn Glandwgan on 4th March (EO’C). See centre pages for photo.

(B) TUFTED DUCK HWYADEN GOPOG Aythya fuligula Small numbers at many inland pools throughout the year and a winter influx. Regular breeding species in recent years.

Bred at Bwlchcrwys pond with a female with chicks on 7th July, at Llyn Nant Yr Arian with a female with nine ducklings on 3rd August and at Bray’s pool with a female and eight ducklings on 3rd August. Seen on numerous upland pools and lakes and occasionally on the two larger estuaries with peak counts of 12 at Maesllyn pool on 18th January, 13 at Llyn Rhosrhydd on 4th March and 15 at Llyn Glandwgan on 8th April.

(A) GREATER SCAUP HWYADEN BENDDU Aythya murila Scarce winter visitor

There was a female on Llyn Eiddwen on many dates from 4th January (CB) to 19th March and presumably the same female there from 3rd September to 17th November. This, or another female, was seen on Cwm Rheidiol gravel pits on 24th November (RGL).

(A) KING EIDER HWYADEN FWYTHBLU FAWR Somateria spectabilis

A female photographed at Aberaeron on 26th June (Lin Gander) was identified from the photograph as a king eider (E 0’C), the first record for the county and was present there until seen flying north on 29th June (see finder’s account on page 60). It was re-found at Ynyslas on 4th July (ASP) and remained there until 4th August (taking a trip north to the Dysynni) before re- appearing at Ynyslas on 18th September where it was seen on numerous dates to the end of the year. See finder’s account on page 60 for photo.

(A) COMMON EIDER HWYADEN FWYTHBLU Somateria mollisima Scarce visitor off-shore.

An immature male at Ynyslas on 25th April (ASP) was joined by six more eiders on 26th with all seven staying at Ynyslas until 2nd May. There were three females and an immature male at Aberporth on 17th May (RD) and two drakes off Mwnt on 2nd October (HAW).

(B) COMMON SCOTER MOR-HWYADEN DDU Melanitta nigra Present off-shore in all months.

Seen off Borth/Ynyslas in most months with peak counts including 130 on 17th January, 70 on 30th May and 145 on 2nd November. Regularly seen off Aberystwyth with peak counts there of 70 in January, 30 in July and 55 in December. Also seen in good numbers at Aberaeron with 45 in June, at New Quay with 70 in June and 100 in August, at Mwnt with 369 in August and 94 in September and off Teifi est./Cardigan Island with 139 in August.

(B) COMMON GOLDENEYE HWYADEN LYGAD-AUR Bucephala clangula Winter visitor in small numbers.

Seen in winter on most large lakes and ponds and in both major estuaries. Up to six were seen on the Teifi est., up to nine on the Dyfi est. and up to four were at Llyn Eiddwen with smaller numbers scattered on other inland lakes.

(B) GOOSANDER HWYADEN DANHEDDOG Mergus merganser Resident.

Breeding records came from both the Ystwyth and Rheidiol rivers. Double figure counts were as follows: 12 at Teifi est. on 12th February, 22 at Llyn Eiddwen on 11th March with 26 there on 19th March, ten at Glandyfi on 7th May, 22 at RSPB Ynys-hir on 11th July and 11 at Aberystwyth on 27th July and 17th August.

(B) RED-BREASTED MERGANSER HWYADEN FRONGOCH Mergus serrator Resident in the Dyfi estuary area. Irregular elsewhere.

Seen in the Dyfi in most months with a peak count of ten in February and nine in December. Elsewhere, the only records were of one on the Rheidiol at Aberystwyth on 8th February, two at Llanrhystud on 27th March and one at Teifi est. on 17th June.

(A) WILLOW PTARMIGAN (RED GROUSE) GRUGIAR Lagopus lagopus Scarce in the uplands of the North and East.

There was one flushed from a track near Pen Y Garn, Cwmystwyth on 2nd January (RJ).

(B) RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE PETRUSEN GOESGOCH Alectoris rufa An introduced species, scarce and local except where reared for shooting.

Seen regularly in the Tre’r ddol area following the release of over 100 for shooting. Elsewhere there was one at Plascrug Avenue, Aberystwyth on 19th April, two at Ynyslas on 26th April and three there on 19th May, two at Penrhyncoch on 22nd May, two at Llyn Syfydrin on 18th October, four at Aberarth on 30th October and two at Pontrhydybeddau on 30th November. 13

(A) COMMON QUAIL SOFLIAR Coturnix coturnix Scarce and irregular summer visitor.

The only record was of one calling at Tan Y Groes on 25th June (P Mahiques).

(B) COMMON PHEASANT FFESANT Phasianus colchicus Resident with numbers hugely inflated following releases for shooting.

Widely recorded throughout the county.

(A) LADY AMHERST’S PHEASANT FFESANT ARGLWYDDES AMHERST Chrysolophus amherstiae

There was one at Hafod estate on 16th April (M Baptiste).

(B) RED-THROATED LOON (DIVER) TROCHYDD GYDDFGOCH Gavia stellata Regular winter visitor and passage migrant.

Highest monthly counts from selected localities were as follows:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Borth/Y’las 5 9 10 10 27 23 8 5 12 Llanst/A’aeron 4 23 5 1 1 12 5 Aberystwyth 5 1 10 1 2 8 3 9 New Quay 12 1 4

Further south in the county there were singles at Mwnt in September with up to three in October and at Teifi est. there were up to four in January and singles in March and November.

(A) BLACK-THROATED LOON (DIVER) TROCHYDD GYDDFDDU Gavia arctica Rare winter visitor and passage migrant.

There was one at Teifi est. on 25th January (RD) and one off Llanina on 14th Match (KE).

(A) GREAT NORTHERN LOON (DIVER) TROCHYDD MAWR Gavia immer Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.

There was one off Aberystwyth on 23rd January (MC) and 23rd February (EO’C), one off New Quay on 2nd March (EO’C) with two at Aberaeron on 5th and 10th March (AJ), one off Aberystwyth on 19th April (ASP) and one off Ynyslas on 1st May RJ). Later in the year there were singles off Aberystwyth on 2nd (JAD) and 25th October (HAW), at Borth on 19th November (JAD), one off Aberystwyth on 30th November (ASP) with one off Borth on the same date (RJ).

Little Grebe Beckey Thorley-fox

(B) LITTLE GREBE GWYACH FACH Tachybaptus ruficollis Breeds widely on lakes and ponds. Small groups in the estuaries in winter.

Breeding records came from Llanerchaeron with a pair and two chicks on 25th June and from Cors Caron with a pair and two chicks on 11th August. More widely reported in winter with records from Pant pool (max. five in January), RSPB Ynys- hir (max. five in both winter periods), Teifi est (max. seven in November), Cors Caron (max. six in March), Llyn Frongoch (max. two in February), Llyn Glandwgan (max. three in April), Aberystwyth (one in January and October), Glandwr (max. four in February), Nanteos pool (one in February and March), Llyn Eiddwen (max. two in September), Maesglas clay pit (two in May), Bray’s pool (two in August), Llyn Nant Yr Arian (one in May) and Camddwr pool (two in May).

(B) GREAT CRESTED GREBE GWYACH FAWR GOPOG Podiceps cristatus An irregular breeder. Small numbers wintering off the coast and in estuaries.

Breeding records came from Bray’s pool and Llyn Glandwgan. Elsewhere reported from Borth/Ynyslas throughout the winter, though in much smaller numbers than usual, with a max. of only six in January and November, Rheidiol gravel pits with two in January, Llanrhystud/Llanon with one in Janury and two in March, Aberystwyth with two in January and February, singles in May and November and two in December, Teifi est. with singles in February and November with 15 two in May and December, Teifi pools with one in May, Llyn Nant Yr Arian with singles in May and August and Nant Y Moch reservoir with singles in June and July.

(A) BLACK-NECKED GREBE GWYACH GWDDDDU Podiceps nigricollis Rare winter visitor

One was seen in the harbour at New Quay on 6th September (V Evans).

(B) NORTHERN FULMAR ADERYN DRYCH Y GRAIG Fulmarus glacialis Resident, breeds in small numbers.

Seen in small numbers throughout the year with small numbers breeding. Notable movements in August with 30 past New Quay on 3rd, 53 past Mwnt on 4th and 150 past Teifi estuary on 18th.

(B) MANX SHEARWATER ADERYN DRYCIN MANAW Puffinus puffinus Common spring to autumn visitor.

Two off Aberaeron on 5th March was the first record of the year. There were rather poor numbers off Borth/Ynyslas this year with up to 4000 in July. Elsewhere there were 1000 off Llanon on 17th July and up to 3000 off Aberystwyth in late July and early August. Two off New Quay on 2nd October were the last of the year.

(A) BALEARIC SHEARWATER ADERYN DRYCIN Y BALEARES Puffinus mauretanicus Rare in spring, scarce in autumn.

There were two off Mwnt on 4th August (E O’C), one off Ynyslas on 13th August (RJ), one off New Quay on 6th September (JAD) and two off Mwnt on 14th September (HAW).

(A) EUROPEAN STORM PETREL PEDRYN DRYCIN Hydrobates pelagicus Scarce summer/autumn migrant.

A good series of records this year. There was one seen from a boat off New Quay on 16th May (Dr VE), five caught by the Teifi Ringing Group at Mwnt on 22nd June and again on 15th July, four past New Quay on 3rd August (EO’C), two past Mwnt on 5th August (EO’C), one at New Quay on 15th August (ASP), one at Borth on 2nd September (RJ), six passed New Quay on 11th September (CG), and two past New Quay on 13th September (ASP).

(A) LEACH’S STORM PETREL PEDRYN DRYCIN FFORCHOG Oceanodroma leucorhoa Scarce autumn migrant.

Following persistent strong winds there was one at Teifi est. on 10th September (RD) with three on 11th September (WJ), four at Mwnt on 11th September (HAW), six there on 13th September (CJ, RJ, HAW), five on 14th September (HAW) and one on 5th October (HAW, two at New Quay on 13th September (ASP) and one at Llanrhystud on 10th September (HAW). 16

(B) NORTHERN GANNET HUGAN Morus bassanus Off-shore all year, though only a few winter records.

Seen in all months apart from December with good winter numbers off Aberystwyth with 15 on 5th January and from Borth with 28 on 13th February. Peak counts were 400 off Borth on 8th May and 400 off Teifi est. on 18th August. Six off Aberystwyth on 30th November was the last report of the year.

(B) EUROPEAN SHAG MULFRAN WERDD Phalacrocorax aristotelis Resident with scattered small colonies along the coast.

No breeding counts were received. Widely seen along the coast in small numbers though there was a large movement noted on 22nd October with 25 at Llanrhystud and 85 past Aberystwyth on the same date.

(B) GREAT CORMORANT MULFRAN Phalacrocorax carbo Present all year. Several breeding colonies along coast.

No counts from breeding colonies were received. The only double figure counts were 17 at Ynyslas on 16th January, 12 at RSPB Ynys-hir on 16th March, 27 at Leri on 28th April, 52 at Ynyslas on 19th July with 96 there on 29th August, 12 at Teifi est. on 10th September and 58 at Leri on 22nd September.

(A) EURASIAN BITTERN ADERYN Y BWN Botaurus stellaris Scarce and irregular visitor

One seen at the Teifi on 12th February (WJ) may well have been in Pembs. The only definite Ceredigion record was of one heard booming at Aberleri on 30th May (E O’C, MH, RJ, HAW).

(A) WESTERN CATTLE EGRET CREYR Y GWARTHEG Bulbulcus ibis Rare migrant

There were six at Ynys Tachwedd fields on 1st May (Rhodri Blakeway) which were present almost daily to 11th June and, coming into beautiful summer plumage, were enjoyed by many observers. This is the first occurrence of multiple birds in the county. There was one feeding with cattle on the edge of Ynys Tachwedd fields from 23rd November (HAW) to the end of the year and there was one at Teifi est. on 24th November (WJ).

(B) GREAT EGRET CREYR MAWR GWYN Ardea alba Scarce, but increasing, vagrant

A great increase in records again this year; so much so that only a summary of records is possible. On the Dyfi seen mainly at RSPB Ynys-hir with singles on many dates in March, April, May and

17 from October to the end of the year with four on 18th November. Elsewhere on the Dyfi there were singles at Glandyfi in May and October. At Cors Caron there were singles in May, Sept, October and November.

(B) LITTLE EGRET CREYR BACH Egretta garzetta Resident though no longer breeds in the county.

Seen daily on the Dyfi with peak counts of 33 on 24th August and 57 on 21st September. Also seen in good numbers on the Teifi est with 11 on 12th March, 19 on 3rd September, 18 on 10th September and 13 on 7th October. Elsewhere seen at Cors Caron, Pont Gogoyan Pant pool, Aberystwyth, Mwnt, and Llanrhystud.

(B) GREY HERON CREYR GLAS Ardea cinerea Resident.

Reported widely throughout the county, apart from the uplands.

(A) SPOONBILL LLWYBIG Platalea leucorodia Scarce passage migrant

There were five at Teifi est. on 24th September (Jon Green).

(B) WESTERN OSPREY GWALCH Y PYSGOD Pandion haliaetus Regular spring and summer visitor with numerous sightings on the Dyfi.

On the Dyfi recorded between 25th March and 20th September with numerous sightings of the breeding pair at the Dyfi Osprey Project and other ospreys inspecting the area. There were no reports away from the Dyfi area.

(B) RED KITE BARCUD Milvus milvus Common and widespread resident

Widely reported with over 100 reported from the regular feeding stations. Breeding numbers remain good with a steadily increasing population.

(B) WESTERN MARSH HARRIER BOD Y GWERNI Circus aeruginosus Scarce but annual migrant recorded in all months.

One at Dyfi est. on many dates to 7th May (the green tagged bird of 2016, which had been ringed as a chick in Norfolk) though a few of the records may relate to an un-tagged juvenile. In late summer, there was a juvenile on the Dyfi from 21st July to November with two juvs on 16th August and 8th September. Elsewhere there was one at Cors Caron on 3rd and 12th August, a cream-headed bird at Llanrhystud on 6th August and one at Llyn Eiddwen on 10th August. 18

(B) HEN HARRIER BOD TINWEN Circus cyaneus Regular winter visitor, primarily to Cors Caron and the Dyfi area.

At Cors Caron there were up to three (two males and a ringtail) in the first winter period and in the second winter period seen from 18th September with up to four (two males two ringtails) seen to the end of the year. In the Dyfi area a male and a ringtail were seen up to 24th April and in the second winter period a male and up to two ringtails were seen from 25th September to the end of the year. Elsewhere the only record was of one at Llyn Eiddwen on 22nd October.

(B) COMMON BUZZARD BWNCATH Buteo buteo Common and widespread resident.

(B) EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK GWALCH GLAS Accipiter nisus Breeding resident

Reported widely in suitable habitat throughout the year.

(B) NORTHERN GOSHAWK GWALCH MARTH Accipiter gentilis Scarce breeding resident.

There were a few sightings, mainly in the north of the county with breeding suspected at a few sites though no confirmed breeding records were reported.

(B) COMMON KESTREL CUDYLL COCH Falco tinnunculus Scarce and declining breeding resident.

Known to have bred at a number of sites with 19 chicks ringed from boxes put up in north Ceredigion (RGL). Also bred successfully at New Quay (JAD). Seen at 27 different sites during the year, an increase in records with numerous coastal records and widely reported inland in areas of rough pasture, open forestry and moorland.

(A) EURASIAN HOBBY HEBOG YR EHEDYDD Falco subbuteo Scarce but increasing summer migrant.

All records were of single birds at Pant pool on 2nd May, at Cors Caron on 10th and 30th May, at Llanwnen on 11th August, at Lampeter on 12th August, at Ynyslas on 13th August, at Horeb on 24th August, at Cors Caron on 25th August and at Bettws Bledrws on 5th and 6th September.

(A) RED-FOOTED FALCON CUDYLL DRYDANGOCH Falco vespertinus Rare spring/summer migrant

There was a female at Cwm Berwyn on 12th and 13th April (CB, HAW). 19

Arfon Williams

(B) MERLIN CUDYLL BACH Falco columbarius Scarce and declining breeding resident with more on passage and in winter.

Seen from January to April and from August to the end of the year with no breeding season records. In January seen at Ynyslas, Cors Caron, Llyn Eiddwen, Llanrhystud, Llansantffraed, Glandyfi and RSPB Ynys-hir. In February at Cors Caron, Clettwr and RSPB Ynys-hir. In March at Llanrhystud and at RSPB Ynys-hir. In April at Cross Inn forest, Morfa Bychan, Borth and Ynyslas. In August at Aberystwyth on 26th. In September at Aberaeron,Llangrannog and RSPB Ynys-hir. In October at Cors Caron and RSPB Ynys-hir. In November at Gorsgoch, Cors Caron, Llanon, Ynyslas and RSPB Ynys-hir. In December at Aberystwyth, Llansantffraed and at RSPB Ynys-hir.

(B) PEREGRINE FALCON HEBOG TRAMOR Falco peregrinus Resident breeder.

A few breeding records were reported, mainly along the coast. Outside the breeding season widely reported in the north of the county at mainly coastal sites with a few records south of Aberaeron with a notable inland bird at Gorsgoch on 25th November. At Ynys Tachwedd one was seen to take a whimbrel on 4th May. 20

(B) WATER RAIL RHEGEN Y DWR Rallus aquaticus Scarce breeding resident with some influxes in cold weather

Breeding season records came from Glandwr and RSPB Ynys-hir with two pairs holding territory in late April. There was no confirmed breeding however. In winter, widely reported from the above localities as well as Cors Caron, Aberystwyth and Teifi est. There were good numbers at RSPB Ynys-hir in both winter periods with at least ten different individuals heard squealing on 15th November.

(A) SPOTTED CRAKE RHEGEN FRAITH Porzana porzana Rare passage migrant

One was on the Ceredigion part of Teifi marshes on 9th October (Geraint James). See centre pages for photo.

(B) COMMON MOORHEN IAR DDWR Gallinulus chloropus Widespread breeding resident.

Bred at RSPB Ynys-hir (an estimated six pairs), at Vicarage Pool, Llanilar, Maesllyn Pool and Llanerchaeron though presumably bred at a number of other locations.

(B) EURASIAN COOT CWTIAR Fulica atra Scarce breeding resident.

There were no reports of breeding this year. The only records were of five at Rheidiol gravel pits on 6th January with two there on 16th February, one at Nanteos pool on 2nd February and 30th May, up to six at Llyn Glandwgan between 16th February and 18th April, one at RSPB Ynys-hir in March and April, one at Pant pool on 2nd May and one at Llyn Eiddwen on 6th August.

(B) EURASIAN OYSTERCATCHER PIODEN Y MOR Haematopus ostralegus Breeding resident and numerous winter visitor.

Bred at New Quay, near the Leri and at RSPB Ynys-hir, though there were presumably other scattered pairs breeding along the coast.

Dyfi and Teifi WeBS counts and peak counts from Llanrhystud/Llansantffraed and Aberystwyth/Tanybwlch were as follows:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Dyfi est. 544 551 222 97 1176 N/C 655 559 Teifi est. 46 73 30 83 49 26 45 Llanrh/Llansan 22 30 18 20 21 30 Aber/Tan 28 45 28 25 28

Other notable counts were of 1000 at Leri on 2nd February, 96 at Teifi est. on 22nd July, a strong movement south off Mwnt on 4th August with 472 counted and 1000 at Ynyslas on 5th December. The leucistic bird seen for a number of years now was reported from Llanrhystud from 26th September.

(A) PIED AVOCET CAMBIG Recurvirostra avosetta Scarce passage migrant.

Two south off Aberaeron on 9th April (Andy James) was the only record.

(B) COMMON RINGED PLOVER CWTIAD TORCHOG Charadrius hiaticula A few pairs breed on beaches in the north of the county. Numerous spring and autumn passage migrant. Small parties dispersed along the coast in winter. Scarce inland.

Small numbers were present at Borth/Ynyslas in winter and there was a strong spring passage there with 560 on 15th April, 410 on 25th April, 405 on 28th April and 130 on 25th May. Autumn passage was heavy too with a peak count of 940 on 22nd August with 150 on 10th September. At the Teifi est. small numbers also in both winter periods with little evidence of spring passage. Autumn passage there was better with peak counts of 40 on 20th August and 43 on 5th September. Elsewhere, regularly recorded in winter at Aberystwyth with 19 on 10th January, a small passage there with 26 on 6th May and 35 on 29th September. At Llanrhystud/Llanon peak counts included 58 on 11th May, 95 on 10th August and 98 on 22nd August and there were five at Aberaeron on 1st January. Inland there were three at Cors Caron on 23rd April with one on 1st May.

(B) LITTLE RINGED PLOVER CWTIAD TORCHOH LLEIAF Charadrius dubius Scarce passage migrant and summer visitor, occasionally breeds.

In spring there was one at RSPB Ynys-hir on 25th March, two at Llanrhystud on 26th March with three the next day, another at RSPB Ynys-hir on 28th March, one at Ynyslas on 31st March, one at Cors Caron on 9th and 11th April with five there on 23rd April and three on 1st May. On return passage there was one at RSPB Ynys-hir on 28th June and 3rd July and one at Cors Caron on 16th July.

(B) GREY PLOVER CWTIAD LLWYD Pluvialis squatarola Passage migrant and winter visitor, mainly to the Dyfi and Teifi estuaries and Llanrhystud/Llansanffraed.

On the Dyfi recorded in good numbers between January and 30th May with smaller numbers from 10th September to the end of the year. Monthly peak counts on the Dyfi were 52 in January, 74 in February, 118 in March, ten in April, 12 in May, seven in September and then up to twenty to the end of the year. Elsewhere seen at Llanrhystud/Llansantffraed from January to May with a peak count of 12 in January and at Teifi est. January to May with a peak count of three in most of those months. 22

Arfon Williams

(A) EURASIAN DOTTEREL HUTAN Y MYNYDD Charadrius morinellus Scarce but regular passage migrant, mainly in spring and mainly on Pumlumon.

There were two near the summit at Pumlumon on 21st April (HAW).

(B) EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVER CWTIAD AUR Pluvialis apricaria Small numbers may still breed in the uplands of the north-east. Common passage migrant and winter visitor.

No breeding records were received. On the Dyfi seen up to 25th April and from 14th August to the end of the year with peak counts of 1800 on 6th January, 1020 on 15th February and 1200 at Clettwr on 19th December. Good numbers were also present at Llanrhystud/Llanon with 650 in January, 702 in March and 400 in October. Other large flocks included 250 at Aberaeron on 25th March and 600 near Cardigan on 3rd November. Inland flocks included 200 at Pennant on 26th November and 350 at Post Bach on 11th December.

(B) NORTHERN LAPWING CORNCHWIGLEN Vanellus vanellus Scarce and declining breeder. Good wintering numbers at a number of localities.

Breeding season records came from RSPB Ynys-hir where 24 pairs reared 31 young to fledging (productivity of 1.3 young reared per pair), from Cors Caron with 30 present in early April and

23 from brackish pools near Cwm Wyre, Llanrhystud where a pair were heard alarm calling in early May.

Peak counts Dyfi, Tefi Est. and Cors Caron were as follows:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Dyfi est. 2863 1185 65 52 N/C 1398 1519 Teifi est. 105 600 950 Cors 272 180 37 45 Caron

Other notable counts were 100 at Henllan in February, 100 at Capel Dewi near Llandysul in December, 950 at Post Bach on 26th December and 2000 along the Clettwr in December.

(B) RED KNOT PIBYDD YR ABER Calidris canutus Passage migrant and winter visitor, mainly to the Dyfi and Teifi estuaries. Rare inland.

Small numbers wintered on the Dyfi in both winter periods with 60 at the Leri on 28th February and 19 at Ynyslas on 5th December. Also seen on the Teifi in winter with singles in February, November and December. Small numbers seen on the Dyfi and Teifi estuaries on spring passage with peak counts of 36 at Ynyslas on 8th May and four at Teifi est on 6th May. There was a rather poor autumn passage with peak counts of 23 at the Leri on 22nd September and two at Teifi est on 17th September. There were no records elsewhere.

(B) SANDERLING PIBYDD Y TYWOD Calidris alba Winter visitor and passage migrant, occasionally in good numbers on spring passage.

Peak counts Dyfi, Teifi, Llanrhystud and Tanybwlch/Aberystwyth were as follows:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Dyfi est. 22 3 21 6 70 40 3 17 1 3 3 Teifi est. 1 7 6 4 8 4 Llan’stud 4 1 1 Aber/Tan 9 1 1

(B) PURPLE SANDPIPER PIBYDD DU Calidris maritima Regular winter visitor mainly to Aberystwyth with a few recorded elsewhere in most years.

Seen at Aberystwyth from January 1st to 12th May and from 22nd October to the end of the year with peak monthly counts of eight in January, nine in February, ten in March, five in April, three in May, one in October, nine in November and eight in December.

Elsewhere the only records were of one at Borth on 3rd February and one at the Teifi est mouth on 18th February.

(B) RUDDY TURNSTONE CWTIAD Y TRAETH Arenaria interpres Small numbers winter, mainly at Aberystwyth and Llanrhystud with small numbers elsewhere on passage.

Peak counts Teifi, Aberaeron, Llanrhystud, Tanybwlch/Aberystwyth and Dyfi were as follows:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Teifi est. 5 2 6 Llan’stud 37 20 12 42 14 55 Aber/Tan 42 30 37 25 15 1 12 24 25 25 30 27 Dyfi 4 6 2 2 6 3 3 4 4 1 2 2

(B) DUNLIN PIBYDD Y MAWN Calidris alpina Scarce breeding resident, common passage and winter visitor.

Peak counts Dyfi, Teifi, Llanrhystud and Aberystwyth/Tanybwlch were as follows:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Dyfi est. 300 500 150 2400 250 10 235 1500 300 195 626 990 Teifi est. 52 52 10 100 95 80 99 35 50 61 Llan’stud 4 40 8 15 8 10 Aber/Tan 1 6 2 Elsewhere the only records were from Cors Caron with one on 19th and 23rd April, four on 27th April, three on 1st May and two on 16th July. There were no breeding records and none were recorded elsewhere.

(A) CURLEW SANDPIPER PIBYDD CAMBIG Calidris ferruginea Scarce spring and autumn passage migrant.

It was a poor year with one at Ynyslas on 27th May (EO’C) the only spring record. Rather scarce in autumn too with one at Ynys Tachwedd on 1st August (EO’C), two at Ynyslas on 8th (ASP) and 15th September (HAW), with one there between 18th and 21st September (RJ, ASP, HAW) then finally one at Llanrhystud on 29th September (JT).

(A) TEMMINCK’S STINT PIBYDD TEMMINCK Calidris temminckii

One on the beach at Llanon south beach on 18th July (ES) was the only record.

(B) LITTLE STINT PIBYDD BACH Calidris minuta Scarce on spring passage, regular in varying numbers on autumn passage.

One at Ynyslas on 30th May was the only spring passage record. In autumn, rather scarce on the Dyfi with singles at Ynyslas on 15th and 21st September, one at RSPB Ynys-hir on 27th and 28th September, one at Glandwr on 3rd November and one at Ynyslas on 6th November. 25

Temminck’s Stint. Brian Snell Little Stint. Shane Jones

At the Teifi est. there was one on 17th and 24th September. At Llanrhystud there were two on 26th September, three from 27th to 29th September, five on 30th September, four on 1st October, then two from 2nd to 5th October with four late birds on 29th November.

(A) WOOD SANDPIPER PIBYDD Y GRAEAN Tringa glareola Scarce spring and autumn passage migrant.

There was one at RSPB Ynys-hir on 5th May (RJ) and one at Cors Caron on 28th August (HAW).

(B) GREEN SANDPIPER PIBYDD GWYRDD Tringa ochropus Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor.

In the first winter period, up to three were usually present on the Dyfi though five were present at RSPB Ynys-hir on 16th March with singles at Cors Caron in January and March and in the second winter period up to three were on the Dyfi with one at Cors Caron in November and December. Spring passage (unless one of the wintering birds) probably started at Cors Caron with one on 8th and 11th April with one at Ynyslas on 19th April and one at Glandwr on 8th May. Seen more widely on autumn passage between 7th July and 3rd September with a peak count of five at Cors Caron on 16th July.

(B) COMMON SANDPIPER PIBYDD Y DORLAN Actitis hypoleucos Scarce and declining breeder, common passage migrant and rare winter visitor.

Breeding season records came from Nant Y Moch, Teifi pools, Cwm Rheidiol res. and from RSPB Ynys-hir where three chicks were seen in June. Up to two were present on the Dyfi in the first winter period, usually near Glandyfi or RSPB Ynys- hir with one wintering there in the second winter period. 26

The first probable migrant of the year was at Teifi est. on 2nd April with small numbers present at a number of sites through to mid-May (maximum six at Llanrhystud on 23rd April). Autumn passage was noted from the beginning of July through to mid-September with peak counts on the Dyfi of 12 at RSPB Ynys-hir on 3rd July and six at Aberystwyth on 6th August.

(B) COMMON REDSHANK PIBYDD COESGOCH Tringa tetanus Breeds at Cors Caron and the Dyfi with reduced numbers on passage and in winter.

At RSPB Ynys-hir 34 pairs bred. There were six at Cors Caron on 8th April with one in May so presumably bred there and also presumably bred at Aberleri, Glandwr and elsewhere on the edge of Cors Fochno.

Peak counts Dyfi, Teifi and Llanrhystud/Llansantffraed were as follows:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Dyfi est. 236 138 220 96 68 62 50 86 66 129 296 303 Teifi est. 23 34 14 8 8 18 10 6 56 35 Llanrh/Llans 11 10 2 1 11 9 5

Also seen at Aberystwyth with singles in January, eleven on 12th July and singles in August, September and October and at Mwnt with 15 on 4th August.

(B) SPOTTED REDSHANK PIBYDD COESGOCH MANNOG Tringa erythropus Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant

The over-wintering bird was seen on the Dyfi on many dates to 31st March and presumably the same bird was present from 27th October mainly seen on the Ynys Feurig pool at RSPB Ynys-hir at high-tide periods. There were also one at Ynyslas on 28th October and 25th November which may have been the wintering bird noted above.

(B) COMMON GREENSHANK PIBYDD COESWERDD Tringa nebularia Regular spring and autumn passage migrant with a few occasionally over-wintering on the larger estuaries.

There were wintering birds in both winter periods on both the Dyfi and Teifi estuaries. Spring passage was almost non-existent with a few records of singles at Glandwr and Teifi est in April and May which may well relate to the wintering birds. Autumn passage was noted between July and November with peak counts of five at Glandwr on 8th October with two there in early November.

(B) BLACK-TAILED GODWIT RHOSTOG GYNFFONDDU Limosa limosa Scarce but regular spring and autumn passage migrant with small numbers over-wintering.

Scarce in the first winter period with up to six at Glandwr in January and February and one in March and two at Teifi est and RSPB Ynys-hir in March. There was a small spring passage peaking with seven at Teifi est on 6th May. 27

Autumn passage (or perhaps a late spring passage) was noted from 3rd June with 24 at RSPB Ynys-hir on 24th June, 15 at Teifi est on 10th July and 19 at RSPB Ynys-hir on 24th August the highest counts. Small numbers (six or less) were present at a few localities in the second winter period. The only other records away from the sites noted above were one inland at Cors Caron on 8th April, one at Ynyslas on 6th July, one at Llanon on 23rd July and one at Ynyslas on 9th November.

(B) BAR-TAILED GODWIT RHOSTOG GYNFFONFRAITH Limosa lapponica Regular spring and autumn passage migrant in varying numbers with small numbers wintering.

Small numbers present in the first winter period on the Dyfi and Teifi estuaries with 23 at Dyfi est on 16th January, 23 on 15th February and 25 on 2nd March the peak monthly counts with a single on Teifi est in January and February. There was a reasonable spring passage peaking with fifty at Ynyslas in mid-April with 40 there on 7th May up to 15 at Llansantffraed in April and a few at Teifi est and Aberystwyth. Autumn passage was noted from 16th July in smaller numbers with 14 at Leri on 22nd September the highest count. Small numbers over-wintered with up to 12 on the Dyfi to the end of the year and singles at the Teifi and Llanrhystud in November.

(B) EURASIAN CURLEW GYLFINIR Numenius arquata Scarce and declining breeding resident. Numerous visitor to the major estuaries and coastal locations between July and April.

The only breeding season records came from Cors Caron and from near Ffair Rhos.

Peak counts Dyfi, Teifi, Llanrhystud and Aberystwyth/Tanybwlch were as follows:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Dyfi est. 844 255 500 27 659 500 778 742 Teifi est. 96 43 22 50 63 78 91 52 60 Llan’stud 135 120 70 14 45 40 50 40 50 Aber/Tan 22 20 9

Other notable counts were 52 at Aberaeron on 1st January and 50 at Ynys Tachwedd on 4th December.

(B) WHIMBREL COEGYLFINIR Numenius paheopus Regular spring and autumn passage migrant, mainly along the coast.

The first migrants were seen at Llanon on 11th April and there was a widespread and heavy coastal passage to mid-June with peak counts of 150 at Ynyslas on 18th April, 50 there on 21st April, 50 at RSPB Ynys-hir on 28th April and 25 at Ynyslas on 10th May. Inland the only record was of one at Cors Caron on 1st May.

Autumn passage was, as usual, rather quieter with smaller numbers at fewer sites with peak counts of 15 at Ynyslas on 21st July, six at New Quay on 20th July and five at Leri on 22nd September, the last record of the year.

(B) EURASIAN WOODCOCK CYFFYLOG Scolopax rusticola Small numbers widespread in winter with fresh arrivals with hard weather.

Seen in small numbers at many localities in both winter periods with up to five at Cors Caron and four at Longwood, Bettws Bledrws.

(B) COMMON SNIPE GIACH Gallinago gallinago Breeds at suitable wet places at all altitudes, scarce and very local in the south-west. Numerous on passage and in winter, especially with the onset of hard weather.

Present in the breeding season at RSPB Ynys-hir, Cors Fochno, Cors Caron, Nant Y Moch and near Teifi pools. Presumably small numbers bred at other suitable locations in the uplands. Good numbers were present at Cors Caron with 47 in November, there were 150 at Ynyslas on 26th December and 30 in a field near Trefenter in January.

(B) JACK SNIPE GIACH BACH Lymnocryptes minimus Winter visitor and passage migrant.

Up to two were seen in both winter periods at Cors Caron, Llanon, Leri and Glandwr with up to eight flushed during rush-cutting at RSPB Ynys-hir in late September and October.

(A) RUFF PIBYDD TORCHOG Calidris pugnax Scarce passage migrant and occasional winter visitor.

Better numbers this year with one at Teifi est. on 2nd April (HAW), two at RSPB Ynys-hir on 21st April (RJ), two at Cors Caron on 23rd April (HAW), one at Clettwr on 28th April (RJ), one at RSPB Ynys-hir on 1st May (RJ), one at Ynys Tachwedd on 20th May (EO’C) and one at RSPB Ynys-hir on 28th June (DA). In autumn, there was one at Cors Caron between 28th and 31st August (IJM,HAW), one at Llanrhystud from 19th to 21st September (IH,IJM,HAW) with five there on 27th September (HAW), there were three at RSPB Ynys-hir on 27th September (RJ) with one present there on 28th September (RJ).

(A) RED (GREY) PHALAROPE LLYDANDROED LWYD Phalaropus fulicarius Scarce autumn and winter migrant, usually seen following strong westerly winds.

There was one in a ditch at Tanybwlch on 6th and 7th September (ASP et al), one past New Quay on 9th September (HAW), two at RSPB Ynys-hir on 11th September (DA), one at Aberystwyth (JM) and one at Mwnt (HAW, RJ) on 13th September and one past Mwnt on 5th October (HAW).

Grey Phalarope Jeremy Moore

(B) GREAT SKUA SGIWEN FAWR Stercorarius. skua Annual visitor offshore and in estuaries. Seen in all months.

On spring passage, there were singles past Ynyslas on 2nd, 4th and 14th May. In autumn, passage was noted between 23rd August and 5th October with a total of 43 off-shore on different dates with peaks of 13 past Mwnt on 11th September, eight there on 13th September and six there on 2nd October.

(A) POMARINE SKUA SGIWEN FRECH Stercorarius pomarinus A scarce passage migrant to coastal area, commoner in autumn, very rare in winter.

There was an immature past Mwnt on 29th August (RD), one flew past the mouth of the Teifi est. on 9th September (RD) and one was off Mwnt on 13th September (RJ, HAW).

(B) PARASITIC JAEGER (ARCTIC SKUA) SGIWEN Y GOGLEDD S. parasiticus A few annually offshore during autumn passage, July-October. Rarely seen in November and December and occasionally in spring.

In spring there was an excellent passage with singles past Llanrhystud on 9th April, Llanon on 20th April, Teifi est. on 22nd April, Ynyslas on 23rd and 25th April, two north off Aberystwyth on 26th April, further singles past Aberystwyth on 28th April and 1st May, singles past Ynyslas on 4th, 7th and 8th May with two there on 10th and 27th May and one on 29th May. 30

The first moving south were of two off Aberystwyth on 15th June with the main passage south beginning on 13th July with the last seen on 22nd October. Good sea-watching conditions saw excellent numbers from a number of sites with peak counts of eight past Mwnt on 4th August, nine past the Teifi mouth on 24th August, 35 past Mwnt on 11th September (HAW), nine there on 13th September and eight on 2nd October. In total an incredible 106 were noted on passage in autumn on different dates, probably the best autumn on record for this species.

(A) LONG-TAILED SKUA SGIWEN GYNFFON-HIR Stercorarius longicaudus Rare spring and autumn passage migrant.

There were juveniles past Mwnt on 11th September and 5th October (HAW).

(B) BLACK-HEADED GULL GWYLAN BENDDU Chrochocephalus ridibundus Scarce and declining breeder. Good numbers present from July and in both winter periods.

The only breeding colony reported was at Gorsgoch with birds present in June. High counts included 300 at Teifi est on 12th February, 380 there on 10th September, 460 at the Leri on 22nd September, and up to 700 at Llanrhystud in October and November.

(B) MEW (COMMON) GULL GWYLAN Y GWEUNYDD Larus. canus Winter visitor and passage migrant. Recorded all months although few records in June and July.

The only notable counts were 620 at Borth on 2nd February with 760 in December.

(A) RING-BILLED GULL GWYLAN FODRWYBIG Larus delawarensis Rare visitor.

There was an adult at Aberystwyth on 23rd March (E O’C), a second-winter at Ynyslas 3rd to 31st May (E O’C) and an adult at Ynyslas on 22nd July (B Beck).

(B) MEDITERRANEAN GULL GWYLAN MÔR Y CANOLDIR Ichthyaetus melanocephalus Regular visitor and passage migrant in increasing numbers. Recorded in all months.

Seen widely along the coast throughout the year. The usual late-summer build-up of numbers started with 17 at Llanrhystud on 22nd June with peak monthly counts at Llanon/Llanrhystud/Llansantffraed of 555 on 23rd July, 450 in August, 250 in September, thirty in October and three in November. At Aberystwyth peak counts were of two in June, 22 in July, 240 in August, 108 in September and 44 in October. At Aberaeron there were 50 in July, 74 in August, and 147 in September. Elsewhere notable counts were of 18 at Mwnt on 4th August with forty there on 29th August.

Notable counts included 450 at Llanon on 23rd July and 700 at Teifi est. on 10th September.

(A) YELLOW-LEGGED GULL GWYLAN GOESFELEN Larus michahellis Scarce visitor

There was one at Teifi est. on 2nd January (RD), an adult at Aberystwyth on 9th January (EO’C), a first-winter at Llanrhystud on 8th April (EO’C), a juvenile at Ynyslas on 19th July (EO’C) and a first- winter there on 21st July (E O’C).

(A) CASPIAN GULL GWYLAN CASPIAN Larus cachinanns Very rare visitor

There was a first-winter (ringed at Grabendorfer, Germany) at Llanrhystud 19th to 28th March (E O’C), the first county record (see finder’s account on page 59). On the 12th August the county’s second, a juvenile was found at Llanrhystud (HAW, decision awaited WRP). See finder’s account on page 59 for photos of both birds.

(C) GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL GWYLAN GEFNDDU FWYAF L. marinus Small breeding colony Cardigan Island and scattered pairs along the coast. Small numbers present all year on coast and a few irregularly inland.

No breeding counts were carried out. Notable counts came from Teifi est with 38 on 10th September with 31 at Tanybwlch on 22nd October.

(B) LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL GWYLAN GEFNDDU LEIAF Larus fuscus Breeds on Cardigan Island and a few pairs along the coast. Noticeable spring passage.

The only notable counts came from Teifi est with 150 on 4th January (PM) and 193 on 21st February (WJ).

(A) LITTLE GULL GWYLAN FECHAN Hydrocoloeus minutus Annual visitor, seen mainly at coast. A few inland records. Recorded in all months but rare in June or July.

There was an adult and first-winter at RSPB Ynys-hir on 23rd February (RJ), a first-winter at Borth on 28th February (EO’C), one at Llanrhystud on 5th and 6th April (EO’C), five off Mwnt on 4th August (EO’C) with one there on 13th September (HAW), a second-winter at Llanrhystud on 15th and 16th September (AM,HAW), one at Llanrhystud on 7th October (HAW), two at Aberystwyth on 21st October (CB) and a first-winter at Tanybwich on 22nd October (ASP).

(B) BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE GWYLAN GOESDDU Rissa tridactyla Breeding colonies between New Quay and Llangrannog. Common off-shore in the breeding season, scarce in winter.

It was a poor breeding season at New Quay with half the nests empty on 7th July (JAD). Scarce off-shore in winter with a few records especially after strong westerly winds with a good count of 127 off Aberystwyth on 23rd February. There were exceptional numbers moving past Mwnt on 11th September following the wind veering to the north-west with an estimated 9000 passing through (HAW). Elsewhere the highest counts were of 400 at Teifi est. on 24th August and 600 at Ynyslas on 20th September.

(A) SABINE’S GULL GWYLAN SABINE Xerna sabini Scarce autumn passage migrant

There was a juvenile off Mwnt on 13th September (CJ, RJ, HAW), a juvenile at Llanrhystud from 19th to 21st September (IJM et.al.) and a juvenile off Mwnt on 5th October (HAW).

The Llanrhystud juvenile. John Davis Arfon Williams

(A) ICELAND GULL GWYLAN YR ARCTIG Larus glaucoides Scarce winter visitor with influxes in some years.

There was an adult in a field near Aberaeron on 2nd January (A James), a second-winter on Teifi est. on 2nd and 3rd January (CJ,RD), one at Teifi est. on 3rd and 5th April (CJ,PM), a second-winter at Llanon on 4th April (HAW) and a first-winter at Aberystwyth on 13th and 14th April. (HH,JAD).

Dark juv. Glaucous Gull, Aberystwyth. John Davis Pale juv. Glaucous Gull, Tre’r Ddol. John Davis

(A) GLAUCOUS GULL GWYLAN Y GOGLEDD Larus hyperboreus Rare winter visitor

There was a first-winter at Aberystwyth 21st January to 2nd February (CB et al), a first-winter at Tre’r Ddol on 22nd January (JAD) with possibly the same bird there on 21st and 22nd February (TK,RR), a first-winter at RSPB Ynys-hir on 9th February (EO’C) with one at Ynyslas on the same date (RR), a first-winter at Ynyslas, RSPB Ynys-hir and another at New Quay on 26th February (EO’C,RJ), one at Llanina on 12th March (R Williams) and one at Aberaeron on 25th March (D Price).

(A) LITTLE TERN MORWENNOL FYCHAN Sternula albifrons Scarce spring and autumn passage migrant.

In spring, there was one at Ynyslas on 26th April (ASP) with two there on 1st May (RJ). In autumn, there was one at Ynyslas on 23rd August (TH), one at Teifi est. on 10th September (RD) and three south off Mwnt on 13th September (CJ,RJ,HAW).

(B) SANDWICH TERN MORWENNOL BIGDDU Thalasseus sandvicensis Common spring and autumn passage migrant with good numbers on the Dyfi in autumn in most years.

One at Llansantffraed on 22nd March was the first record of the year. There was a good spring passage with birds recorded from Teifi est., Llansantffraed, Llanrhystud, Aberystwyth, Borth, Ynyslas and RSPB Ynys-hir with peak counts of 17 off Aberystwyth on 19th April, 30 at Ynyslas on 20th April with 60 there on 28th April and 40 on 29th April. Mid-summer records included up to two off Aberystwyth in June and a single on Teifi est. on 22nd June. Autumn passage probably began with 11 at Ynyslas on 3rd July with monthly peaks here of twenty in July, 60 in August, 150 in September and 40 in October. Elsewhere there were 15 off 34

Kev Joynes

Aberystwyth on 1st September with 24 on 18th September and one on 22nd October, singles at New Quay on 20th July and 3rd August with two on 15th August and 40 on 13th September, eight past Mwnt on 4th August, 26 there on 11th September, 78 on 13th September, 40 on 2nd October and 7 on 5th October and finally, the last of the year at Llansantffraed on 23rd October.

(A) COMMON TERN MORWENNOL GYFFREDIN Sterna hirundo Spring and autumn passage migrant

The only record in spring was of one at Ynyslas on 20th April (MH). Rather scarce in autumn too with one at Ynyslas on 28th July (CB), eight past Mwnt on 4th August (EO’C), one at Ynyslas on 21st August (SE), two at Teifi est. on 3rd September (RD), 12 off Mwnt on 11th September (HAW) with six there on 13th September (CJ,RJ,HAW), one off Aberystwyth on 18th September (CB) and three at Ynyslas on 19th September (ASP).

(A) ARCTIC TERN MORWENNOL Y GOGLEDD Sterna paradisarea Spring and autumn passage migrant.

One at Ynyslas on 21st April (MH) was the first record of the year with 170 ‘mostly arctic’ there on 7th May (EO’C), 14 ‘commic’ on 26th May (EO’C) and a single there on 27th May (EO’C). In autumn, there was one at Ynyslas on 6th August (EO’C), five past Mwnt on 11th September (HAW) with 22 there on 13th (CJ,RJ,HAW) and five on 14th (HAW) one at Llanrhystud on 19th September (CB) and one past Mwnt on 5th October (HAW). 35

(A) BLACK TERN CORSWENNOL DDU Chlidonias niger Scarce spring and autumn passage migrant

There was one at Ynyslas on 26th May (EO’C), four at Ynyslas on 10th September (HAW) and one at Mwnt on 5th October (HAW).

(A) ATLANTIC PUFFIN PAL Fratercula arctica Scarce visitor to coastal areas

Five off Ynyslas on 2nd May (RJ) and 2 on 25th May (EO’C). 1 off Cardigan Island on 12th July (RD).

(A) BLACK GUILLEMOT GWYLOG DDU Cepphus grille Rare visitor to coastal areas.

There was an adult off New Quay on 2nd May (Lisa Morris).

(B) COMMON MURRE (GUILLEMOT) GWYLOG Uria aalge Several breeding colonies between New Quay and Cardigan. Seen off-shore in all seasons.

No breeding counts were carried out with no notable counts.

(B) RAZORBILL LLURS Alca tords Several small breeding colonies between New Quay and Cardigan island. Seen off-shore at all seasons with occasionally high numbers at Borth bay in late autumn.

No counts of breeding colonies were carried out. Seen widely off-shore throughout the year with 280 off Borth bay on 7th November the highest count of the year.

(D) ROCK/FERAL PIGEON COLOMEN Y GRAIG Columba livia Resident along coastal cliffs and towns.

(B) STOCK DOVE COLOMEN WYLLT C. oenas Much reduced as a breeding resident in recent years, now localised.

Either under-reported or the decline is continuing with only 18 records from twelve locations (27 records from ten locations in 2016, 25 records from 14 sites in 2015, 39 records from 20 locations in 2014, 15 records from 12 sites in 2013, 13 records from nine sites in 2012, 30 records from 17 sites in 2011, 36 records from 26 sites in 2010, 35 records from 30 sites in 2009 and 42 records from 30 sites in 2008). Breeding season records came from Cors Caron, RSPB Ynys-hir, Llanddeiniol, Clettwr and Ynys Tachwedd. There were a few large flocks with 40 near Tregaron on 20th January, 20 at Llanilar on 8th February, 25 at Llanerchaeron on 12th February and 34 between Pant Y Crug and New Cross on 7th June. 36

Female Ring-necked Duck, Maesllyn Brian Snell

Three of the six Cattle Egrets at Ynys Tachwedd Fields Tom Kistruck 37

Spotted Crake, Teifi Marshes Janet Baxter

The Mwnt Wryneck Arfon Williams 38

The only large flock recorded was of 1000 Llanon on 13th July.

(C) COLLARED DOVE TURTUR DORCHOG Streptopelia decaocto Fairly widely distributed resident in towns and villages and at farmsteads.

The largest flocks reported were of 30 at Ynys Tachwedd on 1st August and 47 near Ynyslas on 27th November.

One at Trefenter on 9th April was the first of the year with one at Ynyslas on 2nd Aug the last. Records came from 20 sites in the county, a decrease over last year (33 locations in 2016, 49 locations in 2015, 30 locations in 2014, 25 in 2013, 29 in 2012, 22 locations in 2011 and 25 locations in 2010).

Brian Snell 39

(A) LONG-EARED OWL TYLLUAN GLYSTIOG-HIR Asio otus Scarce breeding resident.

A male was calling in Cwm Einion at Blaeneinion on 26th March (Angey Polkey) with another male calling at Cae’r Rhedyn, Llyfnant valley on 3rd April (RJ).

(A) SHORT-EARED OWL TYLLUAN GLUSTIOG Asio flammeus Scarce annual passage migrant and winter visitor. Bred occasionally in the past.

A poor year with only four records: one at Borth on 17th January (the late Roy Bamford), one at Glandwr on 13th March (MPB), one at Aberaeron on 25th March (D Price) and one at Cors Fochno on 12th December (MPB).

Reported from only a few sites with only a few breeding season records. Widely under reported.

(A) LITTLE OWL TYLLUAN FACH Athene noctua Scarce resident

A pair was present in farm buildings in the north of the county and reared at least one young.

(B) EUROPEAN NIGHTJAR TROELLWR MAWR (NYDDWR) Caprimulgus europaeus Summer visitor, very scarce and local breeder.

There were only six ‘churring’ males reported in the county: one at Cross Inn forest, one on Foel Fawr, RSPB Ynys-hir and four at Cors Fochno (surely a matter of lack of observers rather than a lack of nightjars as much suitable habitat exists in the county).

First spring record was Cors Caron on 27th April with the last at RSPB Ynys-hir on 15th September. Breeding numbers appeared to be low yet again with, five or six pairs at Talybont, a few pairs in Bow St and Eglwysfach and other small colonies in the larger towns of the county. All breeding records would be much appreciated in order to judge the true breeding status of this species in the county. 40 at Llyn Eiddwen on 11th June was the largest flock seen. 40

(A) EURASIAN HOOPOE COPOG Upupa epos Scarce passage migrant

One was seen on the banks of the Clettwr on 3rd May (Annette Williamson).

(B) COMMON KINGFISHER GLAS Y DORLAN Alcedo atthis Scarce breeding resident, mainly in lowland areas. Seen in estuaries and on coast outside breeding season.

There were no records in the breeding season. Seen widely in many suitable areas in autumn/winter on the larger rivers (Teifi, Dyfi etc.) with occasional records from the coast.

(A) EURASIAN WRYNECK PENGAM Jynx torquilla Scarce spring or autumn passage migrant.

There was one in a garden near Llandysul on the unusual date of 18th July (Peter Wilmott), one seen and photographed in a garden, again near Llandysul at Rhydowen on 4th September (Diana Dorrell) and one at Mwnt between 9th and 14th September (Ray Collins et al.). See center pages for photo.

(A) EUROPEAN GREEN WOODPECKER CNOCELL WERDD Picus viridis Much decreased resident breeder.

Another poor year with only two records, one calling near Allt Y Crib, Talybont on 12th March (Dave Thomas) and one in a garden near Aberaeron on 6th and 7th June (Ian Harrison).

(A) LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER CNOCELL FRAITH LEIAF Dendrocopos minor Very uncommon resident breeder.

Two pairs present at RSPB Ynys-hir again this year (DA,RJ,TK et al) with most activity in March and April though occasionally seen during the winter months. Away from here the only record was of a female at Coed Y Foel, Llandysul on 15th March (IJM).

(C) EURASIAN SKYLARK EHEDYDD Alauda arvensis Widespread, but declining resident breeder. Commoner near coast in winter and considerable spring and autumn passage movements or in winter with hard weather.

Widely reported throughout the county though generally scarce as a breeding species in mostly re-seeded rye pasture.

(C) SAND MARTIN GWENNOL Y GLENNYDD Riparia riparia Breeding summer visitor and passage migrant. Much reduced in numbers in recent years.

First spring record was at Teifi est/marsh with 15 on 10th March. There were an estimated 60 breeding holes at Abercoed, Tregaron on 7th May and 40 pairs at Pant pool (IJM). The largest flock reported was of 300 at Cors Fochno on 11th April.

The first spring record was of one at Mwnt on 22nd March with the last record of three at Maesllyn pool on 12th October. The only large flocks noted were 500 at Ynyslas on 6th April and 450 at Llanrhystud on 15th April.

One at Clarach on 7th April was the first record of the year with the last record at RSPB Ynys-hir on 12th October. The largest flocks were of 80 at Ynyslas on 6th May and 60 at Lledrod on 19th July.

(B) WATER PIPIT CORHEDYDD Y DWR Anthus spinoletta Very scarce winter visitor or passage migrant.

In the first winter/spring period there was one at Teifi est. on 22nd January with up to two along st th the Clettwr between 1 January and 28 March. In autumn/second winter there was one inland at Cors Caron on 28th October, two along the Clettwr on 30th October then up to four there in November and December and there was one at Teifi est between 2nd and 16th December.

(C) EURASIAN ROCK PIPIT CORHEDYDD Y GRAIG A. petrosus Breeds along rocky coasts, extending into estuaries and low-lying coast in winter.

Seen all around the coast throughout the year and well up the Dyfi during the winter months.

(C) MEADOW PIPIT CORHEDYDD Y WAUN A. pratensis Numerous breeder. Scarce in hills in winter, concentrated near coast. Considerable passage movements in spring and autumn.

Few flocks were reported with 100 at Llanrhystud on 26th March with 50 there on 1st April and there were 250 at Llanon on 1st November.

(C) TREE PIPIT CORHEDYDD Y COED Anthus trivialis Common and widespread breeding summer visitor in upland areas, more local in lower ground and rather scarce in south-west

One singing at Cwm Cletwr on 7th April was the first record of the year. There were eight singing at Cross Inn forest on 18th April with nine singing males at upper Cwm Doethie on 24th May.

(C/B) PIED/WHITE WAGTAIL SIGLEN FRAITH/WEN M. alba Pied (M. a. yarreli), a common resident breeder. White (M. a. alba), a fairly common spring and autumn passage migrant.

Pied: The roost in trees near the White Lion pub, Aberystwyth held up to 90 birds in January. Widely reported as breeding in most suitable locations. White: Widespread coastal passage in spring from 27th March to 6th May with 40 at Llanrhystud on 9th April and 50 on 20th April, up to 76 in a field near Llanddeiniol between 22nd and 24th April and 30 at Llanrhystud on 1st May. Scarce on return passage with singles in July and August.

(A) YELLOW WAGTAIL SIGLEN FELEN Moticilla flava Scarce passage migrant.

Singles at Llanrhystud on 1st May (EO’C), Ynyslas on 2nd May (ASP), Ynys Tachwedd on 3rd and 6th May (EO’C), a pair at Lodge Farm, RSPB Ynys-hir from 5th May into early July which may have attempted to breed (the male singing on numerous occasions, (RJ,TK), one at Ynyslas on 26th May (EO’C), one at Ynyslas on 21st July (EO’C) and one at Llanrhystud on 27th September (HAW).

(C) GREY WAGTAIL SIGLEN LWYD M. cinerea Fairly widespread resident breeder by streams and rivers, commonest in the uplands. Tends to shift to lower ground in winter.

Widespread in suitable habitat throughout the county as can be seen by sample counts carried out by Ian Morris with a pair at Cwm Carfan, two pairs Cwm Brefi, and three pairs along the Camddwr.

(B) WHITE-THROATED DIPPER BRONWEN Y DWR Cinclus cinclus Resident breeder on suitable streams in all districts.

Seen in suitable habitat throughout the county.

(A) BOHEMIAN WAXWING CYNFFON SIDAN Bombycilla garrulous Rare winter visitor.

A flock of 20 was reported on the Radnor Bird Blog ‘across the border in Ceredigion at Cwmystwyth’ and there was one at Llanon on 21st January (Paul Wilkins). 43

There were 41 territories within the woodland areas at RSPB Ynys-hir.

(C) EUROPEAN ROBIN ROBIN GOCH Erithacus rubecula Numerous breeder everywhere except open uplands and exposed coast. More at the coast in winter

There were 78 territories within the woodland areas at RSPB Ynys-hir.

(A) BLUETHROAT BRONLAS Luscinia svecica Rare passage migrant

A first-year female was caught and ringed in the Ceredigion part of Teifi marshes on 31st August (Teifi Ringing Group). See Ringing Report (page 66) for photo.

(C) COMMON REDSTART TINGOCH P. phoenicurus Breeding summer visitor and passage migrant, common in upland districts and rather scarce and local in south and west.

The first record was at RSPB Ynys-hir on 2nd April with the last record there on 24th September. There were 46 territories at RSPB Ynys-hir.

(B) BLACK REDSTART TINGOCH DU Phoenicurus ochruros Mainly late autumn and winter visitor in very small numbers.

The regular wintering site at the Old College/St Michael’s Church area at Aberystwyth held a female in January and February with presumably the same female seen at the Marina and boatyard on occasion. There was a 1st summer male at Cwmystwyth on 27th March. In the autumn, there was one at Mwnt on 12th November, with one at Aberystwyth on 21st and 24th November.

(C) NORTHERN WHEATEAR TINWEN Y GARN Oenanthe oenanthe Fairly numerous breeding summer visitor in the uplands and breeding very locally on the coast. More widely seen on passage (including the Greenland form).

Two at Tanybwlch on 1st March was the first record of the year with one at Llanon on 27th October the last record. Widespread along the coast on spring passage with 40 at Ynyslas on 18th April, 60 (mainly Greenland race) at Llanrhystud on 20th April, 36 Greenland race at RSPB Ynys-hir on 21st April, 40 at Glandwr on 23rd April, 24 in a field near Llanddeiniol on 23rd April with 114 there on 26th April and 62 there on 28th April. Autumn passage was also widespread on the coast though in much smaller numbers with no more than five together reported. Fairly widespread in the breeding season both at the coast and in the uplands though no systematic breeding surveys were reported. 44

Waine Foster

(C) WHINCHAT CREC YR EITHIN Saxicola rubetra Breeding summer visitor and passage migrant, common in upland districts, scarce and local in south and west.

Two at Llanrhystud on 20th April were the first of the year. There were nine singing males at Cwm Brefi (11 in 2016), 16 singing males at upper Cwm Doethie with seven singing males along the Camddwr (IJM).

(C) EUROPEAN STONECHAT CLOCHDAR Y CERRIG S. torduata Resident breeder in rough ground all along the coast and more sparsely inland. Seen widely in winter

Recent mild winters has seen good numbers breeding inland at both low and high altitudes e.g. four pairs at Cwm Carfan, 4 pairs Cwm Brefi, five pairs Camddwr and four pairs upper Cwm Doethie (IJM). Widely reported at suitable breeding locations along the coast.

(C) SONG THRUSH BRONFRAITH T. philomelos Common breeding resident. More numerous in winter, especially at the coast in hard weather.

Widely reported throughout the county in suitable habitat. There were 50 territories at RSPB Ynys-hir. There were 120 in a mixed thrush flock at Llanon on 11th December. 45

(B) REDWING COCH DAN ADAIN T. iliacus Mainly a common passage migrant with relatively low numbers in winter, especially in the lowlands, but occasionally large arrivals with hard weather.

Small numbers in the first winter period with 60 at Trisant the largest flock. Slightly more numerous in the second winter period. First autumn record on 16th September with 280 in a mixed thrush flock at Llanon on 11th December the largest flock reported.

(C) MISTLE THRUSH BRYCH Y COED T. viscivorus Widespread and common breeding resident in all districts except open uplands and exposed coasts. More widely seen in open habitats after breeding season.

No large flocks were reported in 2017.

(B) FIELDFARE SOCAN EIRA T. pilaris Common winter visitor, more numerous in inland. On the coast, mainly a passage migrant or hard weather arrival.

In the first winter period seen up to 28th March with 100 at Llyn Eiddwen on 19th March the largest flock in the first winter period and in the second winter period seen from 3rd October with small numbers (60 or less) widely reported in the county.

(C) COMMON BLACKBIRD MWYALCHEN T. merula Numerous breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor in all districts.

There were 70 at Llanon on 11th December.

(A) RING OUZEL MWYALCHEN Y MYNYDD Turdus torquatus Now no longer thought to breed in the county and is now an uncommon passage migrant.

One at Cwmystwyth on 28th March (RGL) was the only record of the year.

(C) GARDEN WARBLER TELOR YR ARDD S. borin Breeding summer visitor, widespread and fairly common in suitable woodland or scrub.

The first migrants were reported from Cross Inn forest with two on 29th April with the last at RSPB Ynys-hir on 4th October. There were nine singing males at Longwood, Bettws Bledrws, six singing males at Cross Inn forest (IJM) and 16 singing males at RSPB Ynys-hir.

The first migrant was at Leri on 11th April with the last at Llanrhystud on 20th September. There were 27 singing males at Cross Inn forest on 8th May (IJM). 46

(B) LESSER WHITETHROAT LLWYDFRON FACH S. curruca Scarce passage migrant and summer visitor, probably breeding annually in the south-west.

One at Teifi est. on 22nd April, one at New Quay on 28th April, singles at Ynys Tachwedd, Aberarth and Teifi est. on 6th May, one at Glandyfi on 7th May, one at Pen Dinas, Aberystwyth on 12th May, two at Cross Inn forest on 23rd May and one at Ynyslas on 1st and 2nd August.

(C) EURASIAN BLACKCAP TELOR PENDDU Sylvia atricapilla Mainly a breeding summer visitor, widely but patchily distributed, generally less common than Garden Warbler. A few passage migrants to October-November and winter records in most years.

Wintering records came from Aberystwyth in both winter periods, Penrhyncoch in January and February and from Llanon in November. There was a widespread arrival from 26th March with the last probable migrants at RSPB Ynys- hir on 28th October. There were 22 singing males at Longwood, Bettws Bledrws, 13 singing males at Cross Inn forest (IJM) and 92 singing males at RSPB Ynys-hir.

(C) COMMON GRASSHOPPER WARBLER TROELLWR BACH Locustella naevia Fairly common breeding summer visitor to coastal scrub, valley bogs and young conifer plantations

The first was at New Quay and at Penderi on 8th April. There was a good movement through Ynyslas in April with eight there on 21st April and 15 by 23rd April. Widely reported in suitable habitat during the breeding season.

(B) CETTI'S WARBLER TELOR CETTI Cettia cetti Rare breeding resident.

Recorded all year at Teifi marshes, where small numbers bred. Elsewhere, it was a very good year with the recent spell of relatively mild winters allowing an expansion of the resident population. Singing birds were seen or heard at RSPB Ynys-hir with up to three singing in April, at Cors Fochno with birds singing from five localities in June and one was singing near the Leri in April and June.

(C) EURASIAN REED WARBLER TELOR Y CYRS A. scirpaceus Summer visitor in small numbers, breeding in reedbeds near Dyfi and Teifi estuaries

One at Ynyslas on 21st April was the first record of the year. Breeding season records came from Teifi est., Cors Fochno/Aberleri, RSPB Ynys-hir and near Glandyfi.

(C) SEDGE WARBLER TELOR YR HESG Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Widely but patchily distributed breeding summer visitor, mainly in marshy habitats in valleys and lowlands and a few in young conifer plantations in higher ground.

One at Glandwr on 9th April was the first of the year. There were six at Ynyslas on 19th April. 47

Sedge Warbler Colin Dalton

One between Aberystwyth and Borth on 27th March was the first record of the year. 75 singing males at Cross Inn on 8th May and 169 singing males at RSPB Ynys-hir were notable. In autumn, ten at Ynyslas on 6th August, one at Ynys-hir on 18th September the last of the year.

(C) WOOD WARBLER TELOR Y COED P. sibilatrix Breeding summer visitor, quite common in the upland valley woods of the north and east, rather scarce and local further south and west. Occasional passage records elsewhere.

One at Cwm Clettwr on 15th April was the first record of the year (ASP). There were eleven singing males at Longwood, Bettws Bledrws (IJM) and 31 singing males at RSPB Ynys-hir. 48

(C) COMMON CHIFFCHAFF SIFF-SIAFF P. collybita Summer visitor and passage migrant, breeding commonly wherever woods with suitable undergrowth occur. Heard widely on passage. Occasional winter records, mainly near the coast.

Wintering records came from Llanon with singles on 4th January Llansantffraed, 30th January, Llanrhystud and 24th February and Aberystwyth with two on 30th November. The first migrants were on 11th March with a fairly widespread arrival by the end of the month. There were 35 singing males at Cross Inn forest (IJM) with 79 singing males at RSPB Ynys-hir.

(C) GOLDCREST DRYW EURBEN Regulus regulus Common breeding resident in conifer plantations, with small numbers in hardwoods. Seen more widely on passage or in winter. Much reduced by severe winters.

(A) FIRECREST DRYW PENFFLAMGOCH Regulus ignicapus Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor.

One at Llanrhystud lime kilns on 25th September (HAW)

The commonest breeding woodland bird at RSPB Ynys-hir with 216 territories.

(B) SPOTTED FLYCATCHER GWYBEDOG MANNOG Muscicapa striata Widespread and fairly common breeding summer visitor and passage migrant.

The first record was of one at Cwm Brefi on 11th May. Breeding counts included single pairs at seven locations with four territories at RSPB Ynys-hir.

(C) EUROPEAN PIED FLYCATCHER GWYBEDOG BRITH Ficedula hypoleuca Breeding summer visitor and passage migrant, common in oak-woods in the north and east. Recent expansion in the south and west.

One at RSPB Ynys-hir on 2nd April was the first record of the year. There were seven singing males at Denmark Farm by 22nd April with six at Cwm Clettwr NR on 7th April. There were 69 territories at RSPB Ynys-hir with 35 pairs nesting in boxes. At RSPB Ynys-hir heavy rain in early June again caused many failures with many young chicks found dead. The shortage of food available during this crucial period is illustrated by the finding of five adult female pied flycatchers and two males dead in the boxes following a week of heavy rain 4th to 11th June. Productivity was understandingly poor with a mean of only 2.4 young reared per pair.

Blue Tit Beckey Thorley-fox

(B) MARSH TIT TITW'R WERN P.’palustris Fairly common breeding resident in the west and south but rather scarce and local in the north and east. Absent from some upland districts.

Recorded from ten localities with breeding pairs at Coed Y Foel, Llandysul, Longwood Bettws Bledrws, Llanerchaeron and Cwm Wyre Llanrhystud. 50

(B) WILLOW TIT TITW'R HELYG P’ecile montanus Patchily distributed throughout, mainly in wet scrubland areas. Scarcer than Marsh except in the north-east, where it is generally commoner.

Recorded in small numbers from eleven localities (seven in 2016 and 12 in 2015). Breeding season records came from Denmark Farm, Cross Inn forest, Cors Caron, Falcondale Lake, Coed Dolgoed and Clywedog plantation.

(C) LONG-TAILED TIT TITW CYNFFON-HIR Aegithalos caudatus Widespread and fairly common resident breeder. Severely reduced in hard winters

The largest flock was of 12 at Tanybwlch on 6th September.

There were 25 territories at RSPB Ynys-hir.

There were 31 territories at RSPB Ynys-hir.

(B) GREAT GREY SHRIKE CIGYDD MAWR Lanius excubitor Scarce winter visitor

In the first winter period singles were at Cors Caron on 1st January (CB) and Cross Inn forest on many dates with the last record there on 16th April (ASP) and one was at Cwmystwyth on 11th March (RGL). There were no records in the second-winter period.

Widely reported from suitable locations. No large flocks noted.

A widespread and common breeding species with an estimated 45 pairs breeding in Talybont village for example. 51

Reasonably common in both upland and coastal locations, no large counts were reported.

Viv Evans

No information on breeding numbers was received. Few large flocks seen this year with 17 between Llanrhystud and Aberystwyth along the coastal path on 15th April (E O’C).

(A) HOODED CROW BRAN LWYD Corvus cornix Rare vagrant.

A good series of records (or just one widely wandering bird) with records from Llanddeiniol on 17th April (CB), Aberaeron on 23rd April (AJ) and Ynyslas/Ynys Tachwedd from 4th to 20th May (EO’C et al).

Small numbers breeding at Ynyslas, Aberystwyth and Aberaeron though presumably breeding more widely in the county. The only large flock was 3500 near Penrhiwllan on 16th November.

(C) HOUSE SPARROW ADERYN Y TO Passer domesticus Numerous resident breeder near human settlements. Scarce in the upland districts.

Breeding numbers seem stable (perhaps increasing) with no hint of a decline as reported elsewhere in Britain. There were 120 at Llanrhystud on 28th July (RGL).

(C) COMMON CHAFFINCH JI-BINC Fringilla coelebs Numerous breeding resident in all districts; also passage migrant and winter visitor.

There were 87 territories within the woodland areas at RSPB Ynys-hir. The only large flock was of 2000 at Llanon on 1st November (HAW).

(A) BRAMBLING PINC Y MYNYDD Fringilla montifringilla Annual passage migrant and winter visitor in very variable numbers.

Remarkably scarce again this year with one at Llanddewi Brefi on 15th March (KG) and one at Cors Caron on 18th April (ASP) the only records in the first part of the year. In the second winter period ten at Llanon on 27th October (HAW), one at Tregaron on the same date (SE), one at RSPB Ynys-hir on 29th October (RJ) and 40 at Llanon on 1st November (HAW).

(B) COMMON LINNET LLINOS Linaria cannabina Fairly common resident breeder in suitable scrub near coast, scarcer in uplands.

The largest flocks reprted were of 100 at Llanerchaeron on 12th February, 350 at Llanrhystud on 26th March and 180 there on 22nd September.

(B) LESSER REDPOLL LLINOS BENGOCH Acanthis cabaret Resident breeder, mainly in upland districts. A scarce winter visitor or passage migrant along the coast and in the south.

Reported widely from wetter scrubby areas (e.g. Cors Caron, Cors Fochno and RSPB Ynys-hir) and from young conifer plantations in the uplands though no flocks of over thirty birds were reported.

(C) EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH NICO Carduelis carduelis Widely distributed breeder, scarce in the uplands, fairly common elsewhere. The only flock of note was of 40 at Aberystwyth in June.

(C) EUROPEAN GREENFINCH LLINOS WERDD Chloris chloris Fairly common resident breeder in lowland districts, scarce in the upland areas.

Widely reported in Birdtrack from the main birdwatching sites though no counts were in double figures. A number of observers commented on the lack of greenfinches this year with trichomonosis suspected of causing a large reduction of the population.

(B) EURASIAN SISKIN PILA GWYRDD C. spinus Breeding in plantations in the north and east, otherwise a passage migrant and winter visitor.

Numerous in suitable locations with flocks of 100+ seen at Llanrhystud and RSPB Ynys-hir.

(C) EURASIAN BULLFINCH COCH Y BERLLAN Pyrrhula pyrrhula Widespread and fairly common resident breeder in lowlands. Scarce in the uplands.

Widely reported in Birdtrack from the main birdwatching sites.

(A) HAWFINCH GYLFINBRAFF Coccothraustes coccothraustes Scarce visitor.

Following a large influx into most parts of Britain one was seen flying over a garden in Talybont on 25th October (RJ) and following a rather clever piece of research one was found in a small patch of hornbeams at Wenallt, nr Trawsgoed on 18th November (HAW).

(B) RED CROSSBILL GYLFINGROES Loxia curvirostra Rather irregular visitor in very variable numbers. Recorded in most recent years, mainly between July and October, though seen at all seasons. Occasional breeder.

Widely reported from the more mature, larger forestry blocks in the county and from a few oak woods in July and August. Bred at Allt-Y Crib, Talybont with up to thirty reported there throughout the year with juveniles present in June and at Cross Inn forest with two juveniles seen in June. Up to 21 were at Clywedog plantation in November. 54

(C) COMMON REED BUNTING BRAS Y CYRS E. schoeniclus Fairly widely distributed breeder in suitable wetlands at all altitudes. Scarce inland and more at the coast in winter.

Widely reported from suitable sites during the breeding season with 30 at Cross Inn forest in August the highest count of the year.

(A) LAPLAND LONGSPUR BRAS Y GOGLEDD Calcarius lapponicus Rare autumn and winter visitor.

One was at Llanon on 27th October (HAW) and again on 29th October (RJ).

(A) YELLOWHAMMER BRAS MELYN Emberiza citrinella55itronellat patchily distributed resident breeder; decreasing.

The only records were of two at RSPB Ynys-hir on 2nd March (RJ), three males along the Camddwr on 24th May (IJM) and one in Cwm Brefi on 30th May (MH,RJ,EO’C,HAW).

(B) SNOW BUNTING BRAS YR EIRA Plectrophenax nivalis Scarce winter visitor

There was a male at Llanrhystud on 28th January (HAW), a male at Borth from 30th January (E Izett) to 4th March with two there on 18th January (EP) one at Llanrhystud on 27th October (A Morgan) and one at Ynyslas on 24th November (HAW).

Kev Joynes 55

RECORDS NOT ENTERED IN MAIN TEXT OF REPORT

(A) GLOSSY IBIS CRYMANBIG DDU Plagodis plagodis Rare migrant

There was one at Glandwr on 18th and 19th March (MPB, JAD, ASP). This record has not been submitted to WRP.

(A) GREAT SNIPE GIACH FAWR Gallinago media

One was flushed from the edge of Glandwr on 30th May (E O’C, MH, RJ, HAW), a totally unexpected addition to the bird race being held that day. This record has been submitted to BBRC with a decision awaited.

ESCAPES

SNOW GOOSE GWYDD YR EIRA Anser caerulescens

There were two at Ystrad Caron on 4th January, up to four occasionally at Llyn Eiddwen and up to two for most of the year at RSPB Ynys-hir.

RED-BREASTED GOOSE GWYDD FRONGOCH Branta leucopsis

One was with the barnacle goose flock at RSPB Ynys-hir from October to the end of the year.

BAR-HEADED GOOSE Anser indicus

One was with the Canada goose flock at RSPB Ynys-hir from October to the end of the year.

FULVOUS WHISTLING DUCK Dendrocygna bicolor

There were two at Teifi marshes on 2nd December.

GOLDEN EAGLE ERYR AUR Aquila chrysaetos

The bird seen for a number of years was occasionally reported from the upland areas around Tregaron.

BIRDS REPORTED WITHOUT FURTHER DETAILS

For the sake of completeness, the following were reported in the county but without further descriptions (WRP or BBRC species) cannot be included in the main text of the report:

• Common Crane: Three were reported over Penrhyn/Coybal on 25th March.

• Bee-eater: One was reported over Llanarth on 18th August.

• Bonaparte’s gull: One was reported at New Quay on 12th September.

• Red-rumped swallow: One was reported at Eglwysfach on 19th July.

• Citrine wagtail: One was reported at Llanrhystud on 26th September.

• Common rosefinch: One was reported from Cross Inn forest on 12th July.

Rooks looking out to sea Beckey Thorley-fox

SUMMARY OF FIRST AND LAST DATES OF REGULAR SUMMER AND WINTER MIGRANTS

Summer migrant Winter migrant Species Fist date Last date Last date First date Whooper Swan 17th Feb 7th October Manx Shearwater 5th March 2th October Osprey 25th April 20th September Hobby 2nd May 6th September Little Ringed 25th March 16th July Plover Whimbrel 11th April 22nd Sept. Common 24th March 6th August Sandpiper Purple Sandpiper 12th May 22nd October Sandwich Tern 22nd March 23rd October Cuckoo 9th April 2nd August Swift 27th April 15th Sept. Sand Martin 10th March - Swallow 22nd March 12th October House Martin 7th April 12th October Black Redstart 27th March 12th November Wheatear 1st March - Whinchat 20th April - Tree Pipit 7th April - Redwing - 16th Sept. Fieldfare 28th March 3rd October Garden Warbler 29th April 4th October Blackcap 26th March 28th October Whitethroat 11th April 20th October Lesser Whitethroat 22nd April 8th August Grasshopper Wblr. 8th April - Sedge Warbler 9th April - Reed Warbler 21st April - Willow Warbler 27th March 20th October Chiffchaff 11th March - Spotted Flycatcher 11th May - Pied Flycatcher 2nd April -

Refer to the systematic list for sightings details including locations and number of birds seen.

Caspian Gull – a first for Ceredigion. Edward O’Connor

Checking a few of the Ceredigion gull roosts had been working out well for me during the early months of 2017, with an adult Ring-billed and two first-winter Glaucous Gulls added to my ‘self-found’ list. On the 19th March, I was eager to have another look as I thought the recent strong westerlies might throw up something a bit different. I headed to Llanrhystud, as it is one of the few reliable sites for good numbers of gulls in the county. On arriving at the beach car park I could see a flock of gulls sheltering on the wet field to the south. I quickly set up the scope and scanned through the birds only to find two Mediterranean Gulls, a bit disappointing. I got a bit closer, mainly to study the various plumage features of the Herring Gulls. As I did a gull in the background took a step or two forward, revealing a dark, slender bill, small dark eye and clean white head. You could find these features to some degree on some first-winter Herring Gulls, but there was something about it that brought Caspian Gull to mind.

I stuck with the bird for a while until it eventually came out from the behind the cover of the other gulls and to my delight the bird showed lots of Caspian Gull traits. The long wings, the birds’ posture, the large size, the dark tertials that were neatly fringed white and the grey scapulars, some with diamond-shaped interior markings were all stand out features. I managed to get some record shots of the bird before it took flight, which I posted online where my thoughts were swiftly confirmed. The bird was a first-winter Caspian Gull, the first for Ceredigion and only the third for Wales.

On the 27th the bird reappeared at Llanrhystud and this time it was noted as having a yellow ring with the code X290 (photo 1). Records show that the gull was ringed as a pullus at a gull colony at Grabendorfer See, Germany on the 6th June 2016. It was subsequently seen in Newport, Pembrokeshire on the 12th July, 2017 and was also the first record for that county.

Photo 1: 1st winter Caspian Gull X290, A Williams Photo 2: Juvenile Caspian Gull, A Williams

On the 12th August the county’s second, a juvenile was found at Llanrhystud by A Williams (photo 2).

King Eider – a first for Ceredigion Liz Snell

On 26th June I arrived a little late on the Aberaeron North Beach carpark to go for lunch with local naturalist Lin Gander. As part of the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme Lin takes a keen interest in what might be on the foreshore and greeted me with the news that she had photographed what she thought must be an Eider duck on the edge of the water at half tide. I had a look through bins and then the 60mm Swarovski scope as Eider ducks are not usually seen along our coast in June and worthy of note at any time of the year.

As the light was poor and behind the duck, which spent much of the time with its head under the water looking for food, I went down on the beach to see it at closer range though by then further out and not revealing its bill for more than a few seconds. The outstanding features were a white spot above the eye and blotchy patterning on its sides and flanks rather than the typical heavy barring. With the bird moving south and only appearing as a silhouette I considered Lin had waited long enough for her lunch.

Later at home I felt uneasy about the identification as it didn’t quite fit what I had seen at close quarters in Scotland. The body pattern and lack of white fringes to the speculum fitted King Eider. Clearly this was impossible (!) so with such a prominent eyespot I tried to fit it as an immature female Eider. Luckily eagle-eyed Edward O Connor looked at the bill in Lin’s photograph and identified it as a female King Eider!

Moral of the story is if it doesn’t look right it probably isn’t, no matter how unusual. Take a pic and put it on the blog!

Silke Einschuetz 60

Big Garden Birdwatch 2017 UK results……

……and in Ceredigion the top 20 species.

2017 2016 2017 2016 Species Rank % Rank % Species Rank % Rank % Starling 1 (2) 66.4 1 55.7 Jackdaw 11 (14) 33.2 12 29.4 House sp. 2 (1) 84.1 2 73.8 Coal Tit 12 (16) 54.7 10 57.7 Blue Tit 3 (4) 93.2 3 93.0 Long-tail Tit 13 (10) 26.0 15 19.4 Chaffinch 4 (9) 79.2 4 80.5 Collar. Dove 14 (11) 42.5 13 35.8 Blackbird 5 (3) 93.6 6 83.3 C. Crow 15 (17) 30.3 14 34.6 Great Tit 6 (8) 81.9 5 80.5 Rook 16 (-) 16.2 16 13.8 Robin 7 (7) 98.4 7 91.6 Woodpigeon 17 (5) 27.8 18 24.1 Goldfinch 8 (6) 32.9 8 33.7 Gt S W’peck 18 (-) 42.3 19 35.0 Magpie 9 (12) 65.4 9 67.1 Wren 19 (20) 38.3 21 30.4 Dunnock 10 (13) 61.0 11 53.9 Greenfinch 20 (18) 18.0 17 19.8

2017 Rank shows Ceredigion rank and corresponding UK rank in (brackets). % = percentage of participating Ceredigion gardens a species was recorded in.

To find out more about the next Big th th Garden Birdwatch, 26 – 28 January 2019 go to: www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

House Sparrow, Al Jones; Starling, Ivor Poole; Long- tailed Tits, Emma Brooke. 62

Ceredigion bird ringing report 2017 Mark Cutts

The 2017 total of 6932 is just over average for the last seven years. Highlights were a Bluethroat ringed in late August at Teifi Marshes and a Ruff ringed at Llanrhystud. Both were ringing firsts for Ceredigion as far as I can surmise.

In this year there were other noteworthy ringing achievements. As with the two previous years over 50% of the total number of Whimbrels ringed in the UK, 45 of 70 were ringed by Tony Cross and the Mid-Wales Ringing Group. Another fantastic wader effort by them throughout the season produced other notable results. 5 of only 7 Little Stints, 1 of only 3 Curlew Sandpipers and over a quarter of the total Dunlin and Turnstones ringed throughout the UK in 2017.

Species 2017 Since 2017 Since 1991 1991 Mute Swan 1 290 Firecrest 3 17 White-fronted Goose 0 14 Blue Tit 564 11524 Teal 2 25 Great Tit 201 4979 Mallard 1 14 Coal Tit 26 607 Goosander 0 8 Willow Tit 0 95 Storm Petrel 37 108 Marsh Tit 2 66 Cormorant 0 91 Skylark 0 328 Little Grebe 0 1 Sand Martin 3 941 Sparrowhawk 0 72 House Martin 0 63 Buzzard 0 1 Swallow 187 7442 Kestrel 23 311 Cetti’s Warbler 30 183 Merlin 0 35 Long-tailed Tit 52 847 Water Rail 1 1 Yellow -browed Warbler 0 4 Moorhen 2 10 Wood Warbler 6 110 Oystercatcher 39 218 Chiffchaff 127 2780 Grey Plover 1 18 Willow Warbler 25 1393 Golden Plover 11 11 Blackcap 133 1832 Ringed Plover 24 695 Garden Warbler 17 279 Lapwing 0 709 Lesser Whitethroat 1 66 Whimbrel 45 322 Whitethroat 4 281 Curlew 24 96 Grasshopper Warbler 7 92 Bar-tailed Godwit 3 16 Sedge Warbler 540 5209 Black-tailed Godwit 0 2 Reed Warbler 292 3339 Turnstone 40 162 Nuthatch 30 558 Knot 38 155 Treecreeper 2 136 Ruff 1 1 Wren 79 988 Curlew Sandpiper 4 35 Starling 19 2227 Sanderling 5 33 Dipper 12 301 Dunlin 1483 4595 Blackbird 137 1558 Little Stint 5 5 Fieldfare 2 134 Common Sandpiper 1 56 Song Thrush 16 356 Greenshank 0 14 Redwing 17 385

Redshank 69 197 Spotted Flycatcher 0 51 Jack Snipe 3 48 Robin 99 1540 Woodcock 180 1822 Bluethroat 1 1 Snipe 14 207 Pied Flycatcher 412 12850 Sandwich Tern 10 176 Redstart 29 603 Common Tern 0 10 Stonechat 1 146 Roseate Tern 0 1 Wheatear 2 174 Black-headed Gull 0 15 Dunnock 71 879 Herring Gull 1 1 House Sparrow 123 386 Woodpigeon 1 17 Grey Wagtail 0 88 Collared Dove 11 16 Pied Wagtail 22 762 Barn Owl 0 926 Tree Pipit 0 8 Tawny Owl 5 43 Meadow Pipit 31 550 Short-eared Owl 2 5 Water Pipit 1 1 Nightjar 3 21 Rock Pipit 4 4 Kingfisher 11 104 Brambling 0 208 Great Spotted Woodpecker 13 110 Chaffinch 193 3012 Magpie 10 105 Bullfinch 88 805 Jay 5 92 Greenfinch 6 1492 Jackdaw 8 127 Linnet 577 618 Rook 0 4 Lesser Redpoll 9 210 Carrion Crow 5 71 Goldfinch 316 1567 Raven 0 763 Siskin 176 1121 Goldcrest 38 742 Reed Bunting 43 1182

Total ringed 9190 See Note 1

Note 1 - The above list includes only species that were ringed in 2017. In total 103,156 birds of 161 species have been ringed in Ceredigion since 1991.

Recoveries The following records are those that have been deemed as noteworthy, either through the distance travelled by a species or by an impressive longevity record for the year. There are many more but space limits us to those annotated below.

C.B.R. – Caught by Ringer C.R.S – Colour-rings seen F.D.(S) – Freshly Dead (Shot) F.D.(C) - Freshly Dead (Hit by Car) D.(BoP) – Dead (Bird of Prey)

Wigeon Adult Male 19.12.2106 Wheldrake, York SW 256km FH51484 F.D.(S) 05.10.2017 Ynylas, Llancynfelyn 0y 9m 16d

Storm Petrel C.B.R. 22.07.2012 Mwnt 2661480 C.B.R. 26.06.2014 Calf of Man, Isle of Man N 214km C.B.R. 28.07.2014 Ffos-Las, Blaenplwyf ENE 43km C.B.R. 26.07.2017 Mwnt 5y 0m 4d 64

Buzzard Nestling 05.07.1994 Llanon SW 6km GF27715 F.D.(C) 02.05.2017 Abearon 22y 9m 27d

Oystercatcher First-year 10.09.2010 Borth NE 2454km FP62511 21.05.2017 Survik, Seiland, Norway 6y 8m 11d

Lapwing Nestling 04.07.2017 Tietjerk, The Netherlands W 670km 1641788 C.B.R. 12.12.2017 Ynys Tachwedd 0y 5m 8d

Whimbrel Adult 26.04.2012 Llansantffraed, Llanon NW 1585km EY08356 C.R.S. 22.05.2016 Langanesdy, Iceland 4y 0m 26d C.R.S. 13.06.2017 Rangarbakki, Iceland 5y 1m 18d

Knot First-year 30.09.2016 Ynylas E 629km SX01620 C.B.R. 26.08.2017 Harlingen, The Netherlands 0y 10m 27d

Dunlin First-year 26.09.2003 Ynylas SSE 766km NS63021 04.05.2016 Moeze, France 12y 7m 8d

Dunlin Adult 14.05.2017 Ynylas NNW 1684km BT74810 C.R.S. 23.05.2017 Hoskuldarnes, Iceland 0y 0m 9d

Dunlin First-year 23.08.2017 Ynylas SSW 1138km BT84123 C.R.S. 01.09.2017 Caldebarcos, Spain 0y 0m 9d

Dunlin First-year 22.08.2016 Ynylas SSW 3778km NR55701 C.B.R. 24.01.2017 Banc D’arquin, Mauritania 0y 5m 2d

Dunlin First-year 02.09.2016 Ynyslas ENE 1385km NR56883 22.07.2017 Ottenby, Sweden 0y 10m, 20d

Woodcock First-year 13-01-2016 Castle Hill, Llanilar EZ21803 C.B.R. 26.02.2016 Castle Hill, Llanilar 0y 1m 13d C.B.R. 30.01.2017 Castle Hill, Llanilar 1y 0m 17d F.D.(S) 24.11.2017 Sonderso Skov, Denmark ENE 997km 1y 10m 11d

Redshank Nestling 18.06.2017 Stokkseyri, Iceland SE 1599km 635223 C.B.R. 26.08.2017 Ynylas Oy 2m 8d

Sandwich Tern Adult 15.09.2015 Ynylas E 631km DK38789 C.R.S. 29.06.2017 Griend, The Netherlands 1y9m 14d

Cetti’s Warbler Adult 22.11.2014 Teifi Marshes E 254km Female Z250712 25.08.2017 Stortons Gravel Pits, 2y 9m 3d Northamptonshire

Bluethroat Teifi Ringing Group 66

Colour-ring projects in Ceredigion Wendy James (Teifi Ringing Group)

By colour marking a bird with lightweight plastic rings, leg flags, neck collars or wing tags, the identity of a bird can be established without the need for recapture. Re-sightings of birds add to the knowledge of migration routes, survival rates and breeding site fidelity. It is an excellent way for photographers and birdwatchers to add value to their observations.

Several species are colour-ringed in Ceredigion and there are many locations in the county are good for observing birds ringed elsewhere.

Colour-ringing of Chough has been undertaken by Tony Cross and Adrienne Stratford in mid and north Wales for over 25 years. More than 5,000 choughs have been colour-ringed, and approximately 30,000 individual re-sightings reported. This re-sighting data has shed light on the movements, social and nesting behaviour of chough, and has also given insight into life expectancy and survival rates. The results of the study have been used to inform statutory bodies involved in the selection of sites for designation and agri-environment agreements aimed at protecting and conserving chough in Wales.

If you find a colour-ringed chough, the following information is vital. Record the observers name, date, location (preferably with a 6 figure Ordnance Survey Grid Reference) flock size and colour ring details. Photos are ideal but otherwise record whatever detail can be seen. Each bird is ringed with 3 colour rings and one metal BTO ring. Please send your Chough sightings to Adrienne Stratford ([email protected])

Shane Jones 67

In the south of the county at the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve, the Teifi Ringing Group have been colour ringing Reed Buntings since 2014. Sightings of the adults year on year is used to calculate adult survival for the British Trust for Ornithology’s RAS (Retrapping Adults for Survival) project. Citizen science is encouraged by involving visitors to the reserve to report colour ringed birds. Some have been sighted away from the reserve, one in a Cardigan town garden and another near Cardigan golf course.

If you see a colour-ringed Reed Bunting at the Teifi Marshes make a note of the colour combination, preferably with a photo and report it to the Reception desk at the Welsh Wildlife Centre or email the Teifi Ringing Groups via the contact form on their blog: teifimarshbirds.blogspot.co.uk

Tony Cross has been working on the Curlew Country project which is trying to reverse population declines of this wader in the Shropshire Hills and Welsh Marches. Part of this work involves colour-ringing adult Curlews in Montgomeryshire but also at Llanrhystud on the Ceredigion coast. The main focus is to gather information on breeding site fidelity and adult survival rates but long-distance movements are always of great interest. A colour-ringed Curlew from the winter roost at Llanrhystud was seen on its nesting territory in Lanarkshire. On 4th May 2017, another of the birds from this roost was re-sighted nearly 2,000km NE on its breeding grounds in Lapua, Finland. These two recoveries show clearly how birds wintering together at a single site may have very different origins.

The map shows all Curlew colour-ring sightings (up to September 2017) with wintering sites shown as blue markers and breeding season records as orange markers.

Whimbrel passing through West Wales on migration have been colour ringed to try to find out to what extent birds use the same stopover sites in West Wales and their migration routes. More sightings are helping to fill in the knowledge gaps. Sightings have come from South Uist,

Brittany, one found dead on a beach in Morocco, Portugal, Denmark and in The Gambia. This was the first record of a BTO ringed Whimbrel from The Gambia which would not have happened if it was not wearing a colour ring as well as the BTO metal ring. Another good sighting was a Whimbrel photographed on its breeding territory in Iceland two years running. Other species studied on their migration through Ceredigion include Sandwich Terns where the furthest sighting was in Namibia 9,900 km away. Sandwich Tern (Red KAL) ringed at Ynyslas as a juvenile on 25th August 2013 has been seen on passage at Dawlish Warren in four of the five years since it was ringed.

Colour-ringing of Dunlin in Ceredigion only started in 2016, mainly at Ynyslas, but has already considerably boosted the number of recoveries from all the years of BTO metal ringing only. So far sightings have come from birdwatchers in Iceland, Sweden, Eire, Denmark, The Netherlands, France and Spain as well as numerous records of birds scattered around the estuaries of Britain. All birds have an engraved yellow ring on the right tibia and a plain orange one on the left. Please keep your eyes peeled and report any sightings - even local records help knowledge of how long birds stay on average. Speed of migration is always educational. One example, Dunlin YELLOW T67, travelled 1,142kms SSW to NW Spain in just a week.

Other species to look out for that have been colour -ringed in Ceredigion include Lapwing, Ring Ouzel and Dippers. Of course, there are thousands of birds colour-ringed elsewhere that could easily be spotted in Ceredigion. Gulls are an easy one and a photo or telescope will enable confirmation of the colours and numbers. Llanrhystud, Aberystwyth harbour, Llanon and The Teifi estuary all have gull roosts where colour ringed birds have turned up. Record the combination of rings carefully and ideally take a photo for confirmation.

In Pembrokeshire, there is an Oystercatcher ringing project based at The Gann and also includes breeding birds on Skokholm Island. Their rings with numbers on are easily seen so contribute to science and scan any Ceredigion Oystercatcher roosts with enthusiasm. Project co-ordinators are always pleased to receive details of sightings.

Nearly all colour-marked birds can be traced via the website www.cr-birding.org You can then contact the marker direct via the email address provided. If you cannot trace the marker of the bird you have seen go to www.euring.org and complete the online reporting form. You will be sent details of when and where the bird was ringed along with any other sightings.

More detailed information about the projects discussed can be found on local bird ringing groups blogs: • midwalesringers.blogspot.co.uk • teifimarshbirds.blogspot.co.uk • birdringingpembrokeshire.blogspot.co.uk

Greenland White-fronted Goose – Dyfi satellite tagging project Tom Kistruck

Greenland White-fronted Geese have long been a feature of the Dyfi estuary, however over the past few decades they have been in steep decline. In 2016 a project funded by the Welsh government to satellite tag two of the geese was undertaken. The aim was to better understand the way the birds use the estuary in winter, where they feed and what times of year they use different areas. The tags would also help us better understand their migration routes and behaviour on the breeding grounds. On 4th December 2016 14 birds were caught, two birds were fitted with solar powered satellite tags and 10 others were tagged with orange neck rings. The satellite tagged birds were called WHIT01 and WHIT02.

WHIT01 with satellite tag collar visible

Since then the tags have been providing valuable data about the behaviour of the geese on their breeding grounds in western Greenland but also importantly providing lots of data about how they move around the Dyfi in the winter.

The tag on WHIT01 has shown us that the geese often use the field out in front of the Ynys- feurig hide at Ynys-hir to roost, it was from here on a very cold Friday morning in early November 2017 that I got my first views of the season. Eleven birds were there on that first day but after a couple of weeks the number had gone up to 25, these 25 birds had several juveniles amongst them as well as WHIT01 and 7 others with red neck tags.

The geese have a relatively set daily routine, tending to leave the roost not long after dawn, often it is possible to see when they are about to move as several of the flock will start ‘head flagging’, bobbing their heads up and down and splashing in the water, this is a signal to the flock that it’s time to go. From there they head to one of about three or four favoured feeding areas around the Dyfi, covering both sides of the river. Interestingly they also appear to adapt their behaviour depending on the lunar cycle, around a full moon they will often spend the

70 night feeding out on the saltmarsh, we believe this is because with the increased visibility they feel less need to roost on open water to avoid predators.

In the 2017/18 season the flock showed an increasing preference for feeding on the RSPB wet grassland, as well as spending a lot of time around their favourite haunts further west. Unlike some other species of geese they are rarely out in the middle of open fields and seem to favour undulating terrain with lots of dips, hollows and longer vegetation, this can make them particularly hard to see when feeding. Along with the GPS data being gathered the habitat use and behaviour of the geese was also studied in 2017/18, the combined findings will help us understand more of what these birds are looking for and hopefully create more of the habitat that they favour.

It is always a privilege spending time watching these birds, they are charismatic and highly social but more than that they bring with them the idea of a place completely alien to most of us, they are birds of the low arctic, of ice caps and tundra, of truly wild country, anyone who gets to see these birds and hear their call in our small corner of mid-Wales will be left in no doubt that we must do all we can to keep them coming back for many years to come.

The funding for this project was provided by the Welsh government and all the research and project work is being carried out by a partnership group made up of the Welsh Government, The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB Cymru), Mick Green (ecologist), Natural Resources Wales, The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and the Dyfi, Mawddach & Dysynni Wildfowlers’ Association.

Greenland White-fronted Geese in typical feeding habitat Tom Kistruck

The Ceredigion Bird Race – 30th May 2017 Edward O’Connor

Marc, Arfon and I met Russell at the Ynys-hir car park at 4.30am to begin the bird race. We started off with a walk through the reserve to get the majority of the more common species as well as a reeling Grasshopper Warbler. A scan from the Marian Mawr hide produced a few nice bonuses like Great White Egret, Osprey, Teal, Goosander and an Otter.

The next stop was the Ynyslas brickhouse where we added most of the common seabirds as well as an Arctic Skua, Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter, Sanderling, Turnstone, Dunlin and Ringed Plover. A quick look onto Ynys Tachwedd fields added Cattle Egret and Ring-billed Gull. After this we stopped off at Glandwr, and as per usual there was nothing of interest on the pool. As Arfon and Marc went to look at the row of small pools in the field around the back of Glandwr pool they flushed a pair of Snipe, one significantly larger than the other. Incredibly it was a Great Snipe! An absolutely outstanding spring record and the first Ceredigion record since 1947.

From left to right: Arfon, Marc, Russell and Edward adding Chough to the day list at New Quay.

As we stood around discussing the Snipe a Water Rail called from behind Glandwr! Absolutely fantastic! We then ticked off Cetti's Warbler before heading off to Ynyslas, where really good numbers of small waders built up with the incoming tide. 70+ Sanderling and 100's of Dunlin and Ringed Plover including a bird ringed in north Wales were at the point. A couple of nice bonuses included two late passage Whimbrel, three Grey Plover, Sandwich Tern, Common Gull and a passing Redpoll. Quite a good start to the race I'd say!

We then headed off for Nant-y-moch where we only managed to add Grey Wagtail and Wheatear, in around an hour. A quick stop off at Bwlch Nant yr Arian added Little Grebe, Tufted Duck and Great Crested Grebe to the list. The Hafod Arch added Crossbill and Tree Pipit and Cwmystwyth added Peregrine.

Cors Caron added some tricky to get species like Willow Tit and Spotted Flycatcher as well as a brilliant Hobby. Cwm Brefi quickly added Kestrel, Yellowhammer and Whinchat to the list. Onto Cei Bach where we added Fulmar before heading off to New Quay where we found Rock Pipit, Chough and Shag as well as a corking male Bullfinch along the coastal path!

With the day beginning to come to an end we headed back up north along the coast where we managed to see the Aberaeron Mandarin and Long-tailed Tit. We managed to sneak a Med Gull from the Llanrhystud beach carpark before heading up to Nanteos pool to finally add Coot to our list after three failed attempts elsewhere. We then finished the day at Cross Inn Forest where we got Tawny Owl and had brilliant views of a Nightjar flying over our heads, thanks to Chris Bird and his car stereo.

We ended up with a brilliant 124 species, beating the previous record by 6! Some of the notable misses of the day include Marsh Tit, Sparrowhawk and Red-breasted Merganser, so there's room for improvement next year!

A special thanks to Gary Reynolds for his generosity and support of the day.

Young gulls and buoy Becky Thorley-fox 73