After yesterdays reported Wryneck I thought i would check out New Passage to see if it was still around.  After a brief search it was clear it had departed over night.  On the Estuary there was a Dunlin with 5 Redshanks and a few Black-headed Gulls.  I drove to Aust and walked the footpath to the Pilning  Wetlands around the Aust area there was 3 Wheatears and 2 Whinchats and several Meadow Pipits.

Whinchat, Aust Warth, September 2014

The tide was coming in and on the foreshore I could see a mixed flock of waders containing Curlews, Oystercatchers and others.  2 Cormorants flew down river.  On the flooded area there was 4 Shelducks and about 7 Yellow Wagtails were feeding around the edges.  

A quick trip to Northwick Warth after work for the Wood Sandpiper found by Paul Bowerman.  Weather was pretty bad wind had picked up and it was raining on and off.  I walked the whole area but no luck at first.  A Shoveler  and a Curlew were on the North end of the Warth, along with 10+ Yellow Wagtails and 15+ Pied Wagtails.   I returned to the small pools near to the Pilning Wetlands were I located the Wood Sandpiper.  It was only a few feet from me feeding in the pools.  Didn't seem bothered by anyone walking by.  I was joined by Paul Bowerman and he pointed out 3 Swifts flying over the wetlands.  I spent an hour with the bird and it fed and preened quite happy with me only feet away.  2 more swifts flew over head probably the last 2 of this year!!!

Wood Sandpiper, Northwick Warth, August 2014

Saturday 23rd August

Family Holiday to Pembrokeshire was a good way to spend the Bank Holiday weekend.  Saturday was a very sunny day so we headed to Porthmeigan Beach.  The route to the beach held stonechats, Whinchats and a Wheatear.  It was also a good spot for Wall and Common Blue Butterflies.  Wall being a new species for me.

Wall, Pembrokeshire, August 2014.

An afternoon walk around the heath produced a lot of Swallows and House Martins and a Common Lizard.  A fly over Peregrine Falcon was also a bonus.

Porthmeigan, Pembrokeshire, August 2014

Sunday 24th August

Weather was pretty shocking this morning Dull and wet by at least it wasn't windy.  Got up early for a pre breakfast walk with the Old man!!  We were staying at Caerhafod near Llanrhian so stayed local to here and headed towards Trwyn Llwyd.  There were numerous Stonechats on the route and a Cornfield held a flock of at least 50 Linnets.  Looking out towards the Sea we spotted a single Gannet, Several Fulmars were hugging the Cliffs and a couple of Gull species including a Greater Black-backed Gull. Rock Doves and Rock Pipits were also numerous in the area.  The main goal was Chough and even though the habit was there none were seen.  Highlight of the day was locating a Peregrine sat on a cliff top so we headed around to see if we could Photograph it on getting Closer we could see a total of 3 Peregrines.  Unfortunately we didn't get close enough for a photo as all 3 flew off!!!!  One flew over head giving amazing close up views shame the weather was so Dull.

Peregrine Falcon, Pembrokeshire August 2014

It was then we witnessed the Peregrines in attack mode.  A Group of Rock Doves left the safety of the cliffs and 2 of the Peregrines moved in for the kill! Boom one of the birds took a Dove with ease, what i would guess was a juvenile bird then came and caught the bird from the Adult who appeared to drop the Rock Dove to the juvenile bird.  An amazing scene to witness something i hadn't seen before.

Monday 25th August

This morning my Dad and I embarked on another pre breakfast walk to the same area we visited yesterday.  Pretty much same conditions as yesterday but even wetter today.  Dad spotted a large Flock of Gannets in the distance it then became evident they were fishing and we watched them diving into the sea.  This was when we spotted a pod of Dolphins hunting the same area.  To distant for a photo.

Only one Peregrine seen today along with a few more Fulmars and the flock of Linnets were in the same area.  I spend 20 mins trying to photograph the Fulmers but conditions were getting worse and the birds wouldn't come in close enough to nail it this was my best effort

This mornings highlight was 2 Whinchats who appeared to by feeding along a fence.  My best views of these birds in the Uk.  Only seen these before at Aust Warth and always distant.

Whinchat, Pembrokeshire, August 2013

The afternoon was spent at Abereiddi, were we went Coasteering which is basically climbing cliffs and jumping into the sea.  Amazing activity and well recommend for anyone seeking a buzz. Whilst Coasteering i saw 5 Choughs, 3 Oystercatchers and a Raven.