With good reports of migrants coming in last week from the Machynys area we decided to chance our own luck there on Sunday. Prime target was definitely a Whitethroat as after coming tantalisingly close on Gopa Hill a few days earlier we really wanted to see one in the flesh. As it turned out we didn’t have to wait long with a bird in full song not far from the first slipway. Brief glimpses were all we got however as it stuck resolutely to the undergrowth despite our encouraging words. Not to worry as down by the pond another male was in even finer voice and this time showed no signs of any nerves. In fact as I tracked it through the trees it got ever closer until we were virtually face to face allowing me to get the great shots below. Pretty sure these are about as good a Whitethroat photos as I’m ever likely to take.
As we stood and watched we could hear a Cetti’s Warbler calling from somewhere nearby, two Tufted Ducks briefly came to look for food and I spotted a Jackdaw sitting on its nest way up in the trees. Not bad for what is after all the corner of a golf course. It also became quite apparent that the pond was absolutely jam packed with fish, the majority being Rudd unless I’m very much mistaken.
Of course we weren’t satisfied with just that and managed to locate a Wheatear out on one of the breakwaters and, best of all, a small flock of House Martins coming in off the sea. More migrants were in evidence with plenty of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs about but it was also nice to pick up a couple of residents. Presumably the same pair of Gadwall from a month or so ago were still on the Afon Lliedi and there was also a rather fine Black-tailed Godwit present. Reed Buntings and Stonechats were also about in good numbers but my photographic efforts were somewhat thwarted by a constant procession of runners taking part in the Great Welsh marathon. Judging from a few passing faces I think we were having by far the more fun and probably got to enjoy the expansive views for longer as well.
Next up on my personal migrant roadmap has to be the Swifts and with their arrival imminent I shall be scanning the sky each day just that little bit harder. Can’t wait to hear their screaming calls above our village once again.
5 Comments
holdingmoments · April 25, 2015 at 9:27 am
Superb shots of the Whitethroat Adam.
Migration in full swing now; great time of the year.
Adam Tilt · May 12, 2015 at 9:31 pm
Cheers Keith.
eileeninmd · April 25, 2015 at 10:36 am
Wow, the birds are beautiful. Gorgeous shots..Happy weekend!
Sondra · April 25, 2015 at 2:27 pm
Wow what a great shot!!
Adam Tilt · May 12, 2015 at 9:31 pm
Thanks Sondra.