That time of year - again !!

Birds of Prey

A really good trip to Mid Wales for birds of prey organised by Mark Sissons and Natures Images. Many thanks to them Despite the continual rain we had the opportunity of seeing and photographing some wonderful birds at close quarters

Pembrokeshire bird conference 24th November2012

Although at short notice we had a venue change it was thanks to Valero refinery that we had another great conference hosted by them. Their generous support once again allowed all ticket sales to be donated to our ‘mother ship’ the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. Thanks to speakers, helpers, those who joined us and to Valero and their Staff who made the event possible

A trip to Northumberland

Northumberland in November might not be the most popular time for some people – but it sure did give us some fantastic sightings of wildlife and scenery. Thanks to our guide Alan of Hawk’s head photography and Andrew, skipper of Serenity Two (sailing from Seahouses – Farne Island Boat Tours) we had a fantastic day both around the Farne islands and on the outer Island of Longstone. Seals, Purple sandpipers, Turnstone, more waders, LTDuck, Eider, GNDiver etc etc and, on the way home the most magnificent sun set behind Bamburgh castle together with a pod of 50+ Bottle nosed dolphin. I would also mention the approach to wildlife was careful and very considerate whilst still giving us superb views. As well as brilliant sea trips we had a great time in local woodlands with Peckers, Nuthatches etc and Red squirrel, and on Lindisfarne with Brent geese and waders Also we now know Eiders eat egg sandwiches, Tomato pasta, Thi flavoured noodles, chips, and, what they do with a pork pie has to be seen !! Many thanks to Alan and Adrian for their efforts. Was it worth 401 miles each way? Will we go back? – you betcha it was and we will

A lovely surprise this morning

After seeing thousands of starlings, huge flocks of woodpigeons as happens at this time of year around St Davids it was lovely to find these Bewicks swans on Penberry pool - especially as I nearly went ‘for a fix’ of Wildfowl at Marloes

Near St Davids

A female Scaup on Penberry pond this morning was nice to see on a little tour of localities closer to home

An October visit to Islay

Thanks to R and R travel for organising a trip to the lovely Island of Islay off the West coast of Scotland. The wildlife was varied, Common and Grey Seals, Red Roe and fallow deer, Eagles to wrens and of course approximately 40K Geese. Also it should be mentioned great tea rooms and seven Distilleries ies izs ‘hick’

22Sept2012 CBMWLC and FoCB

Another joint Research trip with Friends of Cardigan Bay and the Cardigan Marine Wildlife Centre found lots of Bottle nosed Dolphins along the coast South of Newquay. Lots of good sightings for those on board as well as invaluable data collected. We also had chance to see the amazing Geology around Cemais head as well interesting skies and a sunset on the way back.

WWT Llanelli

A very short passing visit to WWT Llanelli today was rewarded with a lovely lunch, approx 100BTGodwits, double figures of Greenshank and a Comma

Dolphin Survey Boat trip 8th September 2012

It was an early start in Newquay on ‘Sulaire’ for the start of a Bottle nosed dolphin survey trip organised jointly by Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre and The Friends of Cardigan Bay. The aim primarily to photograph animals and add new ones to the sightings catalogue and recognise animals we have seen before. A number of groups were found much to the delight of passengers who joined us. When miles of shore we were briefly visited by a Wheatear and meadow pipit both heading towards land. Presumably on passage from Ireland.

For more info about these trips and how to join us please go to http://www.cbmwc.org/and look under Boat Trips

A day with Seals on ramsey island

A breezy but very sunny and warm day was spent on Ramsey Island with Atlantic grey seals. The photos show a 3 day old pup, an older pup playing with sea weed, a mother teaching her youngster to swim and the ‘best Bull seal fight’ I have ever seen as well as total peace and tranquillity. Thanks to Thousand islands wildlife expeditions and to RSPB Ramsey island wardens Greg and Lisa Morgan

An open day at St Justinians RNLI

August Bank Holiday Sunday is traditionally the day that St David’s RNLI Station opens its doors to everyone and includes a launch of the Lifeboat. There were many spectators including a Juvenile Kestrel ! A really lovely afternoon. There are less than 30 RNLI stations that launch directly from the Station to the sea via a slip as happens in StDavid's, Angle and Tenby - how lucky we are in Pembrokeshire to be able to see this fantastic sight and to have such coverage for our lives in these difficult seas.

A day of two halves

This morning was an outright ‘twitch’ to see a Bairds sandpiper at West Angle, Pembrokeshire. Followed by lunch at the Old Point Hotel, Angle with then an hour or so spent looking around Angle Lifeboat Station.

Thanks to those birders who found the sandpiper, kept us informed and thanks to the RNLI Angle for showing me around the boat they are so justly proud of.

Unfortunately tomorrow’s trip on Celtic Wildcat with the Mid Pembrokeshire section of the wildlife Trust of South and West Wales has been cancelled due to the weather forecast

Thresher Shark - more

Further to my posting re our trip from Newquay on the 8th August – see below I have been sent a fabulous photo of the Thresher Shark taken by Sarah Bebb. I thank Sarah for allowing me to put the pictures on this Blog so we can all share the moment. The photograph is copyright to Sarah. The trip was a joint research trip with Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre and Friends of Cardigan Bay.

9th August ~ A day on Celtic Wildcat

Following on from an all day trip from Newquay it was off early for an all day trip on Celtic Wildcat. A circuit around Grassholm revealed lots of fluffy white chicks through to flightless birds having left the Island. Towards the Smalls Lighthouse we had lovely but distant views of shy Risso’s dolphin – counted as at least 10. Add to this Common Dolphin (with young calves), Porpoise, Storm petrels, Bonxie, various terns and brilliant sites of gannets diving by the boat it all added up to a great day out. Thanks to our skipper Nick O’Sullivan and to Robin Taylor (Mid Pembrokeshire Section of the Wildlife Trust) for organising the trip

8th August ~ Thresher Shark and more

A research day organised jointly by Friends of Cardigan Bay and Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre on the 8th of August resulted in some spectacular sights and records and also some much needed information and data. As well as Puffins (unusual for these waters) Storm petrels, Scoter, Sandwich terns and Comic Terns we recorded Seals, Bottle nosed Dolphins with calves, at least 100+ Common Dolphin with calves, Porpoise and amazingly the spot of a life time a breaching Thresher shark. A superb picture confirming identification was taken by ‘Sarah’ a passenger on board. Thanks also to skipper Steve Hartley.
For more information on future trips please go to ‘Boat trips’ at the CBMWLC web site http://www.cbmwc.org/