Newport Magic

One night we went to the wetland area of Newport and witnessed one of the most wonderful sunsets we have seen!

Guillemot

This lone bird was seen in New Quay for about 3 days running

Grey Heron

This heron was observed at St Dogmaels

Dipper

Dippers were again fairly common in most areas we visited.

Herring Gulls

We spent a lot of time on the rocks near the fish processing plant, fishing, watching the dolphins, seals and birds. A very smelly place to sit!! The waste products pouring out into the sea attracted the gulls in large numbers.

Oystercatchers

A common sight around the Welsh coast

Chough

Our "target" bird having never seen them before - most days we observed them flying over, we usually heard them before seeing them - they have a very distinctive call. We had this flock pass us over the sea and then on the last day found a few more in a field hanging out with jackdaws.

Woodpecker and Stonechat

Whilst walking along the coastal path above New Quay we were watching Stonechats along the fence above the cliff when we were surprised to see 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers join the chats along the barbed wire fence. They werent too confiding so these are distant shots.

Welsh Raptors

We saw Peregrine and Buzzard most days whilst in Wales.

Curlew

Lots of these around today, including 3 together on a grass verge!

Cormorant

I got a very good view of this bird, they are usually at a distance so I was happy when this one came close by!

Water Rail

A really elusive species, more often heard than seen but I was lucky this week to have one show briefly enabling me to photograph it.

Bugs and Butterflies

Here are some shots from the weekend. Common Blue Butterfly, Grasshopper and a thirsty Wasp (my favourite picture of the weekend!)

Migrant Hawker

Finally got out for a few hours together over the weekend. Here are photos of quite an obliging hawker.