West Wales

Strong gale force winds brought up to 6 kittewakes into Aberystwyth south bay
on the 8th, not a common bird here. A walk along tanybwlch beach suprised a female goosander on the river and the first wheatears of the year. Just 1 male on the 12th and 6 males on the 17th, habitat is ideal here and they never fail to impress. Next morning a new bird for the garden, two nervous jays, briefly, and 1 male and 2 female siskins, every spring these appear, surely on nothward migration! On the 14th a hunt for the long staying cattle egret was successful, just a few miles inland from Aber. Poor light, and not close enough, some shots at 1000 asa, but a great bird for ceredigion. Buzzard and Kites just everywhere, so no suprise to get these,they just seem so difficult at times to get the right shot in the right light and background. Brambling seem to be abundant this year and this stunning male rounded the week off at nant yr arian. Note: female blackcap still in garden.