April near Aberystwyth

A selection of bird images during this magical month around a small wild beach. Buzzards and kestrels soar overhead, ringed plover feed on the tideline, just arrived in pristine plumage. Gooseander fly up and down the nearby river, whle sandwich terns fish the shallows. The gorse is buzzing with insects and a male stonechat has its favourite perch. A song thrush suns itself while a swallow is inspecting its nesting site in an old shed. Whimbrel numbers are up this year ,again feeding in the soft sand, gone the next day. Resting in the harbour, an adult yellow legged herring gull, a rarity here, loafs around for an hour or so. Wheatears should be here anyday now.

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.

Mediterranean Gull

Two adults together away from Holbeck for a change, these were at Seamer road mere with all the Black heads, not as approachable, and soon flew off.

Mediterranean Gull

At least three different adults and a 1st winter, all easy viewing at Holbeck car park. One adult constantly displaying and pestering black headed gulls.

Black Bellied Dipper(Cinclus cinclus cinclus)

Great views of a fantastic bird near tophill. Only seen one of these continental forms before near Scalby mills years ago. A very confiding bird, well worth a visit. A nice covey of common partridge in a nearby field brought back memories when these beautiful birds were common.