I had been unsure of here to go on Saturday, initially thinking of trying a bit of vis-mig'ing at Lavernock, then payed with the idea of Ogmore for the Wryneck but, following the report of an Aquatic Warb at Llangorse on Friday, I decided to head into Powys.
Not expecting the Aquatic to show but the forecast looked decent to drop a few terns onto the lake. Alas, no terns drooped in during the showers. The best birds were two Hobbies hawking for dragonflies, and a Spotted Flycatcher around the car park/church at Llangasty.
I did pick up a few new ticks for my pan species list, picking up my 3000th species in the UK. Initially I thought this was the Rhubarb growing in the car park at Llangasty, but checking through yesterday it was actually the less conspicuous, but slightly more interesting, fungus Ustilago succisae - an anther smut of Devil's-bit Scabious. I was more pleased to pick up Water Ladybird - a species that has eluded me despite being classed as common in suitable habitat - reed beds.
It was good to meet Mark Waldron and Chris Dyson during the day.
Ustilago succisae, Small, but actually easy to see as it turns the anthers of Devil's-bit Scabious white.
Water Ladybird - smaller than I was expecting, and paler.
Sunday was set aside for the annual trip to Strumble Head. The forecast looked good with not-too strong North-westerlies, swinging round to Westerly winds, dry with good visibility. Anticipation grew after seeing the log from Saturday.
It was a late departure for myself, Phil and Martin Bevan (04:00am) getting us to Strumble just as it was getting light enough to watch. In fact the Master of Strumble, Richard Stonier, was on a Balearic Shearwater as we set up, though only Bevan got onto that one.
Those first two hours must have been some of the best sea-watching I've experienced at Strumble with multiple Bonxies, and Arctic Skua's, a single Long-tailed Skua, several Leach's Petrel and a Sooty Shearwater. Risso's Dolphins and Harbour Porpoises providing mammal interest.
If the first two hours were great, the rest of the morning didn't dissappoint - check the Strumble Head Seawatch Facebook page for a full list for the morning - we only missed the Little Gull and Black Tern as we left just after Midday. We didn't get onto every Skua of Leach's Petrel, but we enjoyed great views of many of those we did see.
From Strumble, we dropped into Fishguard Harbour to see if the Black Guillemots were still around. Unfortunately, they had taken their leave, but a few Sandwich Terns were fishing and loafing around the harbour, with a Wheatear on the breakwater.
With the weather being good, we then traveled down to West Williamson, for our annual try for Brown Hairstreak. Although a bit breezy, Phil did manage to pick out a single Brown Hairstreak - a lifer for him.
Not expecting the Aquatic to show but the forecast looked decent to drop a few terns onto the lake. Alas, no terns drooped in during the showers. The best birds were two Hobbies hawking for dragonflies, and a Spotted Flycatcher around the car park/church at Llangasty.
I did pick up a few new ticks for my pan species list, picking up my 3000th species in the UK. Initially I thought this was the Rhubarb growing in the car park at Llangasty, but checking through yesterday it was actually the less conspicuous, but slightly more interesting, fungus Ustilago succisae - an anther smut of Devil's-bit Scabious. I was more pleased to pick up Water Ladybird - a species that has eluded me despite being classed as common in suitable habitat - reed beds.
It was good to meet Mark Waldron and Chris Dyson during the day.
Sunday was set aside for the annual trip to Strumble Head. The forecast looked good with not-too strong North-westerlies, swinging round to Westerly winds, dry with good visibility. Anticipation grew after seeing the log from Saturday.
It was a late departure for myself, Phil and Martin Bevan (04:00am) getting us to Strumble just as it was getting light enough to watch. In fact the Master of Strumble, Richard Stonier, was on a Balearic Shearwater as we set up, though only Bevan got onto that one.
Those first two hours must have been some of the best sea-watching I've experienced at Strumble with multiple Bonxies, and Arctic Skua's, a single Long-tailed Skua, several Leach's Petrel and a Sooty Shearwater. Risso's Dolphins and Harbour Porpoises providing mammal interest.
If the first two hours were great, the rest of the morning didn't dissappoint - check the Strumble Head Seawatch Facebook page for a full list for the morning - we only missed the Little Gull and Black Tern as we left just after Midday. We didn't get onto every Skua of Leach's Petrel, but we enjoyed great views of many of those we did see.
From Strumble, we dropped into Fishguard Harbour to see if the Black Guillemots were still around. Unfortunately, they had taken their leave, but a few Sandwich Terns were fishing and loafing around the harbour, with a Wheatear on the breakwater.
With the weather being good, we then traveled down to West Williamson, for our annual try for Brown Hairstreak. Although a bit breezy, Phil did manage to pick out a single Brown Hairstreak - a lifer for him.
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