Spotted Flycatcher bonanza at the Farm.

Tuesday 13th September 2022.

The Spotted Flycatchers showed very well today at the Farm this afternoon.

This morning, it was Becky's turn in choosing where to go and she wanted to visit the town of Tenby, in the southern end of Pembrokeshire, some 25 miles away down on the south coast of Wales. True, I didn't expect much wildlife there for me to look at, although the obligatory Herring Gulls and Jackdaws were plentiful and I did see, believe it or not, a Coal Tit, Goldcrest and a Robin in the heart of the main shopping area by a Church garden as we had a Pasty & Coffee on a bench. There were quite a few Swallows flying over too, which is no surprise for this time of year. 

Above, a distant view of Caldey Island from the South Beach and below, the Lighthouse on Caldey Island.

Though scenic by the sea, with lovely views of both the North & Sand Beach that is so popular for Holidaymakers and also Caldey Island in the distance along with its Lighthouse (my second Lighthouse this week!) and also Tenby Castle. We had a bite to eat earlier and the weather was overcast with a drop of rain now and then, but the whole area was swarming with Holidaymakers and their dogs (us included, I suppose) and really, though there were some nice shops, it really is not my type of holiday.

Above, Tenby Castle which was attracting the Holidaymakers and below, it also attracted the Herring Gulls.

We made our way back at around 2.30pm and got back to our Cottage roughly 45 minutes later. One thing we noticed was that the Fuel prices vary immensely from garage to garage and we even saw one Petrol Station selling unleaded fuel under £1.50 per litre; easily the cheapest I have known it for some time and there was a huge queue of traffic waiting to get in there! The weather greatly improved when we got back into Crymych, the sun shining and the tall hills in the distance looking green and lush.

From top to bottom: Chiffchaff in the garden, Spotted Flycatcher in the same place and bottom photo, a Blue Tit sharing the feeder with a female Chaffinch.

After dropping everything back into the car and making a coffee, I did another shift of birding around the Farm and came across some good numbers and a variety of birds. Around the bird feeders, which attracted Blue, Great and Coal Tits, House Sparrows and Chaffinches, while all around there were at least ten Chiffchaffs seen flitting around every bush and tree in the area; but what really got me excited was the amount of Spotted Flycatchers present. I counted at least 6 individuals, though there could have easily been more than this and some showed incredibly well, totally oblivious of me standing there watching. Will I eventually get lucky with a Pied Flycatcher?

From top to bottom: Jay, Spotted Flycatcher x 2, Chiffchaff.

Other notable sightings included a pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker in an Ash tree by the Horse Field. A single Common Buzzard drifted over, but too quick for me to grab a photo. A small flock of Meadow Pipits flew over as did another Siskin, though I never saw the latter, but I did see the Linnet flying over. A Jay was preening itself within a tree adjacent to the Horse Field. A nice hour birding in lovely weather.

Above, a Marmalade Hoverfly enjoying the sunshine as was this Speckled Wood butterfly below. There were also a few Red Admiral and Small White butterflies seen during that hour.