Pantmaenog Forest and the Uplands of Pembrokeshire

After lunch we spent the rest of the day in the Preseli Hills and Pantmaenog Forest. On the way there a fly over Red Kite and 2 Red-legged Partridges weres a good start. The first few minutes in Pantmaenog Forest I didn't find much but a singing male Whitethroat and a pair of Stonechats. However further on I heard my first reeling Grasshopper Warbler, I managed to catch a quick glimpse but it was sulking very elusively in a small bush. Walking towards Rosebush slate quarry I heard a faint 'cuck-oo' sound, this was my first Cuckoo for years!! We tried to get closer and eventually it was singing directly above me from a pine tree, it then flew away closer to the quarry. We carried on the path and passed about 5 Willow Warblers when I heard a Cuckoo singing again, probably the first bird. I found it in a pine tree and it showed well for about 10 minutes. A few steps on and a Tree Pipit was singing in another tree again with a few Willow Warblers around. The path took us to Rosebush village where we had a quick stop. During the time I noted a pair of Kestrels on top of the valley and 4 Siskins and 3 Lesser Redpoll were flying around the village. By now it was getting dark so we headed back to the car. On the way back I heard another reeling Grasshopper Warbler, which offered slightly better views, 1 Willow Warbler and a Reed Bunting.

Red-Legged Partridge

Cuckoo

 Siskin

 Willow Warbler

Tree Pipit