MALTA MASSACRE

I watched the third of Chris Packham's broadcast from Malta this evening, if you haven't watched it or any of the videos I strongly advise you do. It is disgraceful that these 'sportsmen' are shooting migrant birds, that could be going to the UK, for no more than target practice! If the videos inspired you to help please write to your local MEP or donate to Birdlife Malta.

The videos and advice on how to help are found at www.chrispackham.co.uk

Wheatears at St Govan's Head

4 Wheatears were at St Govan's Head today. Other birds of note included 5 Sandwich Terns and 2 Gannets off Broad Haven and 2 pairs of Linnets, with the females carrying nest material. 2 Skylarks were performing their song flight and a pair of Choughs flew over.

Wheatear

Angle Peninsula

After lunch we drove down to Angle and spent the afternoon birding around the peninsula. From West Angle the first birds of note were 2 Black-tailed Godwit circling the beach, one of which showed beautiful summer plumage; the first time I have seen a summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwit. Further on a party of 4 Linnets flew over the scrub. Whilst trying to photograph them a Whitethroat (my first of the year) appeared doing its display flight just above us. Looking to to sea I saw a Shag fly past and a Mallard sleeping on the water. There was plenty of hirundines mostly Swallows but I managed to find 4 House Martins in amongst them. Heading back to the car I passed 3 Chiffchaffs and another Whitethroat.
Next we made a quick stop at Freshwater West to see if there were any Sand Martins. Driving to the car park we passed a Stonechat and a pair of Reed Buntings. After parking it wasn't long before we got to some Sand Martins. I counted 8 with a few Swallows circling around the cliffs.

Linnet

 Whitethroat

Meadow Pipit

Spring Migrants at Bosherston Lily Ponds

We spent the morning at Bosherston Lily Ponds. On arrival I was hit by the songs of hundreds of birds. Walking around the ponds I passed a male Blackcap singing proudly from the top of  an ash tree. Towards Stackpole Court I passed 5 Chiffchaffs, all singing their 'chiff-chaff' song. On the water there was a few Coots, including a pair with 4 young! Also, there was a Common Sandpiper flying around the pond calling sharply. Walking out to Broad Haven beach, another Common Sandpiper flew past me. Behind Broad Haven beach there were 10 linnets, 1 male Reed Bunting, another male Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaffs and a pair of Blue Tits carrying nest material.

5 Swallows were flying around the car park as we were leaving.

 Mute Swan nest

 Wren 

 Peacock Butterfly sunning itself on the path

 Grey Heron

 Swallow

Stonechats from Telpyn point yesterday 

School Summer Migrants

No sign of the Purple Heron today, but in the trees around the school field there were a few summer migrants. In the trees I found my first Willow Warbler of the year and a Chiffchaff. A Swallow and my first House Martin of the year flew overhead at 9:40am.

Probable Purple Heron over school!

During break (10am) at Ysgol Dyffryn Taf, Whitland, I watched what appeared to be a first summer Purple Heron flying over the trees alongside the school field. It looked similar to Grey Heron but it had black/dark wings with brown wing-coverts, long trailing legs, long toes and looked, all in all, slightly smaller than a Grey Heron. Unfortunately, I could not see the head, as it was flying away from me. After flying over the school field, it headed north west. I am not 100% certain, but I am pretty sure what I saw was a Purple Heron!

Swallows

4 Swallows flying north through Newgale were the only birds of note today.