A Yellow-browed Warbler on the Farm.

Monday 28th October 2024.

I never expected a Yellow-browed Warbler to be in the Farm garden. The bird never uttered a note during its ten minute stay in the garden.

Before Hannah and Emma made their way on the long trip home this morning, we took a drive down to Llanbedrog Beach which was roughly about an eight minute drive from the Farm we were staying at. The early morning drizzle had gone and bright sunshine took its place as we took the dogs down there for a good run and also to have a nice Latte in the nice looking beach cafe there. Beforehand, before breakfast, I stood outside for around 45 minutes checking the local birds on the Farm and came across a Yellow-browed Warbler! Totally stunned was an understatement as the bird first showed in a small tree close to where I was standing by the kitchen door and then rediscovered in an Ornamental Pine tree and then in the shrubs beside it. I don't often find rare birds, but this was a real bonus.

Wern Fawr Manor Farm: 

Another photo of the superb Yellow-browed Warbler with a male House Sparrow beside it. There are two reported Yellow-browed Warblers on this peninsular, both in Caernarfon: Uwchmynydd and Aberdaron. I didn't put this on Birdguides as the area I am in is a Private estate.

This morning I spent a good 45 minutes checking the birdlife from the back kitchen door, but I would have never believed that a Yellow-browed Warbler would suddenly appear in the small tree close to where I stood. This bird never called once during the time I was watching it in the garden; so it begs the question on how many go unnoticed in the UK (which, I might add, has been a very good year for this species).

Above and below, the Yellow-browed Warbler. The bottom photo was when I first noticed the bird, but just couldn't get the 'money' shot I was looking for.

Above, a Goldcrest in the bush behind our Conservatory and below, a pair of Great Tits at the back of the house.

Above, a Blue Tit enjoying the sunshine and below, a male Chaffinch exploring the rocky wall within the garden.

Above, a Goldfinch in the garden and below, the regular Grey Wagtail on the roof of the Farmhouse.

Above and below, the Grey Wagtail on the Farmhouse roof.

Above, a male Blackbird searching for worms on the garden lawn. Below, some film footage of the Grey Wagtail on the Farm.

Other notable birds here included the Grey Wagtail which was showing well on the rooftop of the main Farmhouse and was even seen later this morning walking around near the Conservatory of our Cottage when we arrived back from the beach. All the usual birds were present again with a pair of Goldcrests close by the Cottage within a few shrubs and overhead, Siskins, Goldfinch and Chaffinch were all seen and heard. A Mistle Thrush was seen in the Holly Tree which was laden with berries and Redwing could be heard in the woods nearby. There are a handful of House Sparrows near the main Farmhouse, making the most of the three Nutfeeders hanging by one of the windows. A few Meadow Pipits flew over, but I have not seen or heard any Skylarks here yet.

Llanbedrog Beach, Llanbedrog:

A pair of Oystercatchers on the beach here, though not a lot else.

The dogs had a great time on the sandy beach here as I checked out the shells washed up on the tideline. I could only find a pair of Oystercatchers in the distance and a few loafing Herring Gulls on a flat calm sea, which was disappointing. But the Cafe looked good for a coffee and we will most certainly be back here for one of their breakfasts! 

Some of the shells I found on the beach here including (above) many Razor Shells.