Anyone know sites in Pembrokeshire containing these species? (1 Viewer)

[devilbirder]

Hello,
I am going on holiday to Pembrokeshire in Wales this August.
I am hoping to get the following species:
Red Grouse
Dipper
Redstart
Pied Flycatcher
Spotted Flycatcher
The last three are summer migrants so it might be a bit trickier getting them however I would like to get as many as possible.
It is rather daunting going to this place because I have absolutely no idea what the birding in the area is like. All I know is we are staying in a cottage on a farm somewhere in Pembrokeshire overlooking a reservoir.

If anyone knows any sites in Pembrokeshire or within sensible distance of Pembrokeshire where we may find these species help would be much appreciated as I do not want to go there and not see any good birds.

Also, is there a nearby seabird colony in Pembrokeshire? I know it is very late for it and most of them will be gone but I will see something there. I have only seen Razorbills and Kittwakes before on seawatches and a visit to a seabird colony no matter how little number of birds there are still there will be lovely.
Please help!
Thank you!
David

 

[Jos Stratford]

Also, is there a nearby seabird colony in Pembrokeshire?

! Assuming you typed this correct, then you'll pleased to know that Pembrokeshire contains some of the best seabird colonies in Britain - Skomer, Skokholm, Grassholm and Ramsey. Skomer is the easiest and best for a day trip and, even in August, would be a most pleasant day trip. Grassholm is a Gannet colony and you can't land, but trips go out and circle the island, giving good views and you should see rafts of shearwaters on the way out and back. Ramsey nice, good for Chough (as is Skomer), but less than on the other islands. Skokholm does not have day trips, unless something has changed recently. Grey Seals plentiful around all islands.

 

[devilbirder]

Wow! I completely forgot about Choughs! There should still be some lingering seabirds, thanks Jos I can't wait!
Any good woodland sites (for flycatchers and redstart) and where can I see Grouse? Do you get Black Grouse in Pembrokeshire?
Thanks Jos!

 

[Connor Rand]

Hi David,

as Jos has already said some great sea-bird colonies there. A few seabirds should still be around at the colonies and if you visit Strumble Head this is supposed to be a good sea-watching spot as well with Manx Shearwaters and other skuas/shearwaters possible as well as plenty of Gannets, Kittiwakes, auks etc.

Struggling to find sites for the other species you mention, looking back through several 'where to watch bird in Britain books' two sites that stand out are the Gwaun Valley (which is supposed to hold Redstart, Wood Warbler, Dipper and Grey Wag) and Minwear and Canaston Woods (which is supposed to hold Wood Warbler, Redstart, Tree Pipit and Nightjar).

Having never visited the area sorry I cant help more. Hopefully a local will post here soon. PM me for details of the sites mentioned above if you want them and i'll keep on looking for sites over the next few days.

Cheers,

Connor

 

[devilbirder]

Thank you Connor! The only book that I have that could help me is where to watch birds in britain, is this the one that you looked in? I had a quick flick through it and found that if I get all that I want I could finally get up to 200 on my life list.
I am going on the 18th and it says that the Auks will have gone by mide August I suppose a few might still be lingering off shore?
Looking through the book it looks like the empty Red Grouse box on my checklist is a bit further away than I thought.

I might PM you if I can't find these sites in my book. Thanks for the help Connor!

 

[Jos Stratford]

I am going on the 18th and it says that the Auks will have gone by mide August I suppose a few might still be lingering off shore?

If you go to Skomer, I would be a little surprised if you didn't see any auks at all, I think some will still be on the waters. If you do, the boat goes from Martin's Haven near Marloes - if you get there a little early, walk around the headland, a good spot for Chough and nice views across to Skomer, possible Peregrine here too, plus Wheatears, etc. On the island, the farmhouse area has Short-eared Owl, sometimes quite easy to see.

If you can, presuming it still runs so late in the season, take the day trip out to Grassholm - it's a fair sea crossing, so you will absolutely see the auks then, plus shearwaters and, of course, Grassholm itself.

 

[hebog]

Hello,
I am going on holiday to Pembrokeshire in Wales this August.
I am hoping to get the following species:
Red Grouse
Dipper
Redstart
Pied Flycatcher
Spotted Flycatcher
The last three are summer migrants so it might be a bit trickier getting them however I would like to get as many as possible.
It is rather daunting going to this place because I have absolutely no idea what the birding in the area is like. All I know is we are staying in a cottage on a farm somewhere in Pembrokeshire overlooking a reservoir.

If anyone knows any sites in Pembrokeshire or within sensible distance of Pembrokeshire where we may find these species help would be much appreciated as I do not want to go there and not see any good birds.

Also, is there a nearby seabird colony in Pembrokeshire? I know it is very late for it and most of them will be gone but I will see something there. I have only seen Razorbills and Kittwakes before on seawatches and a visit to a seabird colony no matter how little number of birds there are still there will be lovely.
Please help!
Thank you!
David

Have a look at UK county by county in these forums.

 

[bitterntwisted]

Pembrokeshire Bird Club have some site details here... http://docs.google.com/View?docid=ddf9b4g8_5g2tdxx

 

[nickderry]

You should get some auks, I saw my first ones at South Stack on Anglesey in late August. It wasn't the hustle and bustle of spring, but there were still enough lingering around to be good. Pied Flycatcher may be very difficult at the time of year, as they leave quite early (Wood Warbler too will probably be difficult), but Redstarts should be easier, look along woodland edges with sun, they're often perched on fences, I used to get most of mine around that time of year (in Mid Wales). You stand a good chance of Spotted Flycatcher in this habitat aswell. I doubt you'll have much luck with grouse either, unless you can find a place that is reknowned for them, it's not the sort of bird you stumble across. In any case, you're bound to get some exciting birding, and maybe a few surprises.

 

[devilbirder]

Thanks guys! I will look at the county indexes and websites soon. I am glad I may see the auks after all. Pied flycatcher, after looking through my books and hearing you guys does sound like a more distant possibility, but I'm sure there will be plenty surprises!

 

[MarkHows]

Stop at Nagshead RSPB (Wye valley/Forest of Dean, Gloustershire) which is between Surrey and Pembs Redstart and Pied Fly are quiet easily found there. There used to be dippers in Monmouth not far from Nagshead but not seen them there the last few years, possibly due to Mink there.

South Wales does have Red grouse, not seen them for a while but there were some on the Blorenge a mountain in Gwent not to far from the Abergavenny, dipper is apparently available on some of the black mountain rivers but I don't know any specific sites.

Hope thats of some use

Mark

 

[Jos Stratford]

There used to be dippers in Monmouth not far from Nagshead but not seen them there the last few years, possibly due to Mink there.

Dippers are still common on most of the small streams in the Monmouth area, eg the Angidy (above Tintern) has about one pair of Dippers to each 2–300 metres

 

[DGRW]

Choughs - St Govans Head.

MOD land though but usually open.

 

[Cudyll Bach]

Lots of information here, also recent sightings.....http://www.pembrokeshirebirdgroup.blogspot.com/

 

[devilbirder]

Thanks for the help. I will try to stop by at Nagshead on the way, i would love to see Pied Fly. CHoughs are also another primary target and thanks for the site DGRW.
The site just provided looks very good and will help me alot, thank you Cudyll!

 

[luke]

red grouse is a little difficult in south wales. not really good numbers only small populations on a few moors. but as already mentioned the blorenge is as good a place as any.
i am not sure if there are any grouse at all in pembs though.