Friday 24 August 2012

Dyfi Estuary - waders and Terns

I've spent the last week birding around the Dyfi Estuary. There are many birds there at present, especially waders and terns. Amongst the 1000+ small waders each day at the point at Ynyslas were up to 3 Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 50+ Sanderling, 60+ Knot, 5 Whimbrel, 2 Black tailed Godwits, 8 Turnstone, 660+ Ringed Plover and 450+ Dunlin. A 'small' odd Dunlin also got the pulse racing and caused a bit of interest over the weekend.
At nearby Ynys-Hir a Wood Sandpiper showed well on the pools below the carpark, while Green Sandpiper was also on the Dyfi.
Terns were represented by several Black Terns, with a maximum of 4 together, 3 Little Terns, 120+ Common Tern, 30+ Arctic Terns and 500+ Sandwich Terns. During a night time ringing session, a fine Roseate Tern was caught here by Tony Cross and his team. See - http://midwalesringers.blogspot.co.uk/
A superb adult Sabine's Gull flew north out of the estuary with 4 Black Terns on Friday - one of those 'special' moments.
Seawatching picked up with 5 Arctic Skuas, Bonxie and a 3 Balearics during the week while Mediterranean Gulls were also on show with a superb flock of 200+ at Llanrhystyd and small groups at various sites around the county.
Tregaron Bog held 3 super Hobby's catching the local dragonfly population, while non-birding highlights included 8 species of Dragonfly, lots of Common Lizards, Bottle-nosed Dolphins, Sunfish and amazing views of Badgers.
Here are some of the picture highlights of the week:-

 As the week wore on, numbers of juvenile waders increased. This super juv Sanderling showed very well.
 Black Terns entertained at the beginning of the week, joinging the large tern flock present on the Dyfi.
 One of three Little Stints present in the flock, all were juvs. Two Curlew Sands were also present.
 Many Dunlin were caught in an all night ringing session with Tony Cross - a good way of studying this species close up.
 This fine Whimbrel was also caught and colour ringed.
 One of three Hobby seen at Tregaron Bog huntinmg dragonflies.
 Common Lizard - over 50 seen sunning themselves on the boardwalk.
 Badgers entertained each night outside the bedroom window!
This small calidris wader caused a headache. It is presumed a small juvenile 'arctica' Dunlin.

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