My Life Outside blog

Glossy Ibis at Kidwelly Quay

A Glossy Ibis was found at Kidwelly Quay yesterday morning and fortunately it was still there when we rolled up just after six that evening. In fact we managed to time our arrival to perfection as we parked, walked the short distance to the appropriate flooded field, found the bird Read more…

My Life Outside blog

An Indian Autumn?

After being promised Indian summers for the last two years that have then completely failed to materialise it would appear that we are instead to be treated to an Indian autumn. In a move completely out of character for the last week of September, temperatures have been soaring into the Read more…

My Life Outside blog

American Invasion on Gower

Last week was something of a red letter day for the birding scene on Gower with an invasion of American waders. Following up on reports concerning a couple of suspicious looking birds, Barry Stewart and Mark Hipkin were amazed to find both a Pectoral Sandpiper and a White Rumped Sandpiper Read more…

My Life Outside blog

Owl Telescopes and Ynys-hir

We took a trip north on Saturday to the wonderful RSPB reserve at Ynys-hir. It’s new found fame after featuring on the BBC’s Springwatch series was much in evidence with a tripling of staff in the shop (to three) and the highest visitor numbers that I have ever seen. I Read more…

My Life Outside blog

Mumbles Turnstones

Having spent some time with the Mediterranean Gulls at Bracelet Bay it would have been rude not to make the short walk down to Mumbles Head and its ever accommodating Turnstones. The flock there is by far and away the tamest that I have ever found which makes it a Read more…

My Life Outside blog

Wet Times on Gower

If your weather has been anything like ours this past week then I think you’ll be able to relate to the photo above. We have had four days of heavy rain and wind broken only by light rain and stronger wind. The Mint in the garden that had been standing Read more…