A week in Wales with my grandson

We had a cottage booked in Laugharne (famous for its connections to Dylan Thomas) for last week and luckily our grandson decided he'd come too so we enjoyed a lovely week with him exploring Pembrokeshire with us. We visited Skomer Island for the round island boat trip which George enjoyed and he especially liked the Puffins on the water. I found a couple of Chough up on the Deer Park with Rock Pipit, Raven and Wheatear. Out at sea we saw Peregrine, Razorbill, Guillemot, Gannet and Fulmar but no Shearwaters. I managed a couple of images but spent most of the boat trip clinging to the little guy making sure he was safe.

Puffin

Puffin in flight

I slipped off twice during the week to find the Iberian Chiffchaff at Pantmaenog which was only about twenty miles away. First hearing the bird call in heavy rain and then the following morning hearing it and this time getting good views although the heavy early morning mist made it difficult to grab a record shot. Whilst waiting I also had Cuckoo, Willow Warbler, Bullfinch, Siskin and a nice pair of Willow Tits which I don't see too often so that was a nice find.

My second ever Iberian Chiffchaff 

We had a couple of lovely coastal drives taking in places like Tenby, Saundersfoot, Wisemans Bridge, Fishguard, Abereiddy (The Blue pool) Solva, St Davids and Newgale.  We made a trip into town at Haverfordwest to give the girls a little retail time and found a decent Weatherspoons in the shape of the William Owen.  We also visited Castle Coch and the Abbey at St Davids but the Blue pool at Abereiddy proved a family favourite. (I found nesting Rock Pipits and Fulmar...#always birding)

On the last day we made the near annual pilgrimage to Dinas where we enjoyed good views of the usual suspects including Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, lots of Wood Warbler and a single Garden Warbler.  We found several Redstarts but struggled to see or hear any Tree Pipits. A Merlin, Cuckoo and Raven made up the rest of the cast. If you're ever in the area make time to visit this wonderful reserve.

Pied Flycatcher

Pied Flycatcher

Pied Flycatcher

We encountered dozens of Red Kites on our travels as you'd expect.

Red Kite

All in all a very special week watching our little lad have a good time.

George enjoying the Bluebells at Dinas

Year list now 257 (best ever May total was 248)