Our first full day on the Farm.

Saturday 26th October 2024.

Our superb accommodation for the week, Bragby Wern.

So, it is our first full day here in North Wales and it kicked off with a dewy start and cool too; but there is a clear blue sky above though it did start to cloud up in the afternoon.  The property is part of the Wern Fawr Manor Farm complex with at least four Cottages that can be rented here and I think we might have chosen the best one. No complaints from me anyway as we are situated deep within the Welsh countryside yet only about 2 miles from the beach! So, over the coming week, there will be much to write about (fingers crossed) as long as the weather stays nice.

Above, a Blue Tit in the trees within the garden and below, at least two Mistle Thrushes were in the fields and trees nearby.

Above, several Blackbirds were in the gardens for there were plenty of lawns to search for worms and below, at least one pair of Pied Wagtails were around.

Last night when we arrived, because of there being no light pollution, the night sky here was magnificent with the Milky Way showing very well and many constellations up in the sky. Russ even saw a huge shooting star going over (I missed that, fume!). This morning, I took the dogs for a quick walk before breakfast and already I was picking out Siskins flying over and Redwings calling in the distant trees. A Mistle Thrush was calling high up in a dead tree nearby and a variety of birds could be seen in and around the gardens that included Blackbird, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Goldcrest and a pair of Pied Wagtails.

Above, not only could you get a view of the sea from our accommodation, but also some of the tall hills in the distance. Below, Honey Fungus grows near a large tree stump.

Above, the large tree stump that attracted the Honey Fungus. A lot of the tree stumps on the Farm have been turned into seats! Below, the beautiful Snowy Waxcap Toadstool.

In the afternoon, I went and explored the area more thoroughly and took a walk down into the woodland nearby. Here, there was a small congregation of Titmice (Blue, Great, Long-tailed Tits) and a couple of Goldcrests were among them also. I wonder if there are Firecrest up here? Ravens could be heard ‘cronking’ in the distance and I did get a brief view of at least two birds behind the trees. The workplace barn behind the main owners Cottage held a pair of Grey Wagtails that were on the roof in search of insects and again seen flying over the fields. I found a small stream down in the woodland and I assume they like to forage around here also. The woodland held a good number of Siskins flying over, but too quick to grab a photo.

Above and below, one of the Grey Wagtails on the Farm.

Above, this is the best I could do with a Goldcrest in some branches within the woodland nearby and below, I found a clump of Self-heal plants by the woodland.

Above, one of the signposts to the main entrance and below, most likely Trooping Funnel toadstools.

Above, a pair of vocal Common Buzzards over the woodland nearby. Below, Wern Fawr Manor Farm.

Above, another view from the Farm and below, the main entrance to the Farm.

Above, one can see the sea from here. Our Russ took a walk there this afternoon, which didn't take him long.

Above, I found a few Red Campion plants growing on a brick wall by the garden and below, several Noon Flies were warming themselves up on the brick wall.

Above, I found this toadstool growing in the garden but yet to ID and below, a Nutchatch was calling in a nearby tree in the garden.

Other sightings here included a Great Spotted Woodpecker flying across the fields away from me and a pair of Common Buzzards soaring over the nearby woodland, calling in doing so. A Grey Heron flew low over the woodland heading west, while back in the garden by our Cottage; a Linnet, several Goldfinches and a Nuthatch were seen well. Talking to the owners of the Farm, they told me that a Barn Owl is using a nearby Barn near our Cottage. I shall therefore be keeping an eye out for the bird later this evening.

Some amazing moths today.

Friday 25th October 2024.

My first Gem moth for the year. This is an immigrant moth for Southern Europe, but does turn up in small numbers here on the South coast.

A very busy day today with us making our way to North Wales for a well-earned week's break (especially for my wife), but beforehand, I still had my two jobs to do before picking up my step-son from work and then taking the long, long journey north. But there was the small matter of both my Moth Box switched on overnight and the birds from Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth to check out. The weather wasn’t too bad either with a hazy orange sun trying to break through the thick cloud to the east, which eventually gave way to some sunshine as the day wore on. At least it was dry.

The Moth Box:

One of the amazing THREE Golden Twin-spot moths that were by my Moth Box today. Unbelievable! Again, these are also rare in the UK and originate from Southern Europe.

I had a quick check of the Moth Box before I left for my first shift and was surprised to see my third Golden Twin-spot moth on the white sheet behind the Box. I quickly potted it and kept it to photograph later. Also present were up to three Jasmine Moths and quite a few Light Brown Apple Moths and Rusty-dot Pearls. When I got back from my first shift, I quickly checked out my Moth Box again and found another two more Golden Twin-spot’s!!! One is good, but THREE is exceptional. But better was to come. When I got back from my other job, I had just a few minutes to check around the Moth Box again and I then discovered another moth on the bottom of the white sheet. Quickly potting the moth, I soon realised it was my first Gem moth of the year! Happy days indeed.

Above, one of the Golden Twin-spot's getting ready for take off and below, the Dark Sword-grass moth.

The moths present this morning included the following:

MACRO MOTHS:

• Golden Twin-spot x3
• Double-striped Pug x2
• Dark Sword-grass
• Lesser Yellow Underwing

MICRO MOTHS:

• Light Brown Apple Moth x5
• Jasmine Moth x3
• Rusty-dot Pearl x5
• Ruddy Streak

I couldn't resist putting another photo of the Golden Twin-spot. A stunning moth.

Not a bad selection I might add and overhead, a flock of 3 Redwing passed by heading south and a Pied Wagtail to round off a very good morning here.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

A superb total of 22 species were either heard or seen during my shift at Old Portsmouth and thankfully the weather was most kind today. Yet again, there was a huge movement of Wood Pigeons going over and many were in the Holm Oak trees along Pembroke Road. Occasionally, something would scatter the Pigeons and sure enough, a female Sparrowhawk went belting through heading north over the road.

I think the biggest surprise was when I heard some Jackdaws overhead, a species that is rare here during my shifts in Pembroke Road. When I looked up, I was staggered to see a huge flock of at least a 100+ going over in one big flock, heading south-west. The Jays went about their usual business, searching for acorns, which included one no less than 20 feet away from me! As I put my stuff away back in the boot of my car, a Goldcrest was heard calling in the garden opposite to round off an impressive list of birds here this morning.

After picking up my wife and Russell, it was then the long journey up to our Cottage for the week, which was called Bragdy Wern, situated on the Wern Fawr Manor Farm, near Pwlheli in Gwynedd. During the 277 mile trip, I encountered at least a dozen Red Kites and several Common Buzzards and stopped just twice for toilet breaks and refreshments; but it was a long, long journey and the M5 & M6 were a nightmare! It was 11.30pm when we arrived at our place of stay and we were most pleasantly surprised.

 

Plenty of 'Vis Mig' but low moth numbers.

Wednesday 23rd October 2024.

My third Pearly Underwing moth of the year.

There was the threat of rain this morning and there was a brief shower during my first shift at Pembroke Road. But there was hardly any wind whatsoever and so it was looking good for a bit of ‘vis mig’ overhead. I also put my Moth Box on overnight and I’m afraid to say, there wasn't many moths at all. While walking the dogs down my road, a Redwing was heard to call overhead in the dark!

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

 

One of several Harlequin Ladybirds on my second shift this afternoon.

Another good total of bird species seen this morning on my first shift with 19 species seen or heard during the hour I was there. Bird of the morning had to go to the vocal Jackdaw, which flew west heading towards Garrison Church. Thrushes were passing overhead with up to three Song Thrushes and two Redwing seen heading south, while a trickle of Meadow Pipits also went through.

The Moth Box:

Carnation Tortrix.

A Pearly Underwing, my second of the year, was sitting in one of the outside egg trays this morning and a Carnation Tortrix was a surprise find, only my third this year. Despite mild conditions, there were only 18 moths of just 9 species in and around my Moth Box; though a lot of Moth recorders are going through the same thing.

One of two Double-striped Pugs.

The moths recorded this morning included the following:

MACRO MOTHS:

• Pearly Underwing
• Feathered Ranunculus
• Double-striped Pug x2
• Blair's Mocha

MICRO MOTHS:

• Carnation Tortrix
• Rusty-dot Pearl x2
• Jasmine Moth
• Light Brown Apple Moth x8
• Common Plume 

One of the Ring Ouzels on Butser Hill today. Photo by Andy Friend.

Good species count at Pembroke Road.

Tuesday 22nd October 2024.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

I get to see a few large vessels sail out of Portsmouth Harbour including the HMS Prince of Wales Aircraft Carrier. It is huge!

Over the past two days, the weather has been a mixture of sunshine and showers, but it has produced good species totals of birds at Pembroke Road where yesterday, I had seen/heard 17 species, but this was trumped today by 20 species recorded. As we near the end of October (where has the time gone?), there is now a speedy movement of birds overhead that included at least 600 Wood Pigeons moving west. 

Above and below, Emma and Matt Parkes are staying on Elmley Marshes, Kent for three days. This Stoat had caught a Rabbit there.

Though nothing unexpected yesterday, this morning produced a Raven flying west low over Governor’s Green and with Carrion Crow, 3 Jays and Magpie seen; it was a good day for Corvids. It wasn't too bad for finches too with Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Greenfinch all seen. It will not be long before the Siskins start flying through. As I was making my way to my second shift, I saw a male Sparrowhawk flying low over Clarence Parade. The many Wood Pigeons and Feral Pigeons around today were flushed every so often; so I wonder if this Sparrowhawk was the culprit.

Above and below, a Snow Bunting proved irresponsible for Emma & Matt to ignore and so took a trip to Epple Bay, Birchington-on-sea. They also got a 'lifer' with a Smew at Worth Marshes.

On Monday, the news broke out that the female Ruddy Duck on Ibsley Water (Blashford Lakes) was in fact a Maccoa duck. This is a species of African duck that has obviously escaped from a wildfowl centre somewhere and has been touring the likes of Sussex and Surrey. To be fair, the two species in their female form are very hard to tell apart and I suppose the good news is that the RSPB will not send someone to shoot the bird!

This Hare was just outside where they were staying at Elmley Marshes.

In Hampshire today, there was a very good spread of Ring Ouzels with 8 birds seen at Butser Hill alone, which included two males. Three Glossy Ibis were still at the Bridge Street Floods and a Spoonbill flew over Farlington Marshes. I wonder if any work whatsoever has started on this reserve as mentioned last month?! 

Despite the storm, a Cypress Carpet added to year list.

Sunday 20th October 2024.

My first Cypress Carpet for the year.

As Storm Ashley batters the UK, I still had my moths to check within my Moth Box and was pleasantly surprised this morning with an additional ‘year-tick’! A Cypress Carpet moth was perched on the wall behind my Moth Box; a species that was long overdue this year. Light rain started to fall when I checked the Moth Box around 7.30am but by 9am, it was pouring down with a strong southerly blowing. The Great South Run got cancelled yesterday due to the oncoming storm and I took a good soaking while walking the dogs later this morning!

Turnip Moth was a nice surprise.

Despite the windy condition and rain, there were 13 moths of 8 species this morning with all being typical Autumn moths. Both Cypress Carpet and Turnip Moth are annual in my garden and vary in numbers too.

The moths present this morning included the following:

MACRO MOTHS:

• Feathered Ranunculus x2
• Double-striped Pug
• Cypress Carpet (New for Year)
• Turnip Moth 

MICRO MOTHS:

• Jasmine Moth
• Beautiful Plume x3
• Light Brown Apple Moth
• Rusty-dot Pearl x3

As expected, the female Ruddy Duck was still present on Ibsley Water (Blashford Lakes) this morning and a female Red-crested Pochard joined the bird too! It should be good for sea-watching today so I shall wait to see if any decent sightings were had in Hampshire today. Yesterday afternoon, birding pal Geoff Farwell went to Fort Southwick where a few more Ring Ouzels had been seen earlier this morning. He had a first-winter Ring Ouzel there plus a Firecrest, 115 Stock Doves, 3 Stonechats and 4 Common Buzzards.

Above, fellow 'Lazee' Chris Geary took this photo this morning of the female Ruddy Duck being joined by a female Red-crested Pochard on Ibsley Water! Below, the female Ruddy Duck photographed yesterday by Emma Parkes.