We spent the second week of April at our caravan at Poppit Sands with my youngest granddaughter 2 year old Olive for company.
I didn't do a lot of birding only visiting Teifi Marshes a couple of times, the marshes were quiet but here are a few images from my visits.........
After successfully seeing and photographing Grasshopper Warbler earlier in the day I paid a visit to Darren Woods in Llangynwyd hoping to see and photograph my first Wood Warbler of the spring.
The woods were very quiet with little activity and there was no Wood Warbler to be heard in the usual locations.
I decided to move on but whilst crossing the road bridge near the old Tylers Arms pub in my car I noticed a Dipper feeding from the stones in the river.
I quickly parked and grabbed my camera, the Dipper was soon joined by another and I could soon see that they were attending a nest in the riverbank.
They were very active and allowed me to get some images from my elevated position on the bridge.......
Last Thursday 25th April I made a visit to a site in Maesteg where in the past I've recorded and photographed Grasshopper Warbler although in 2023 I had no luck.
This time however I found two territories and after a couple of hours and plenty of patience both birds eventually showed if only very briefly.......
Back in January this year and being fed up with the atrocious weather week upon week I booked a break in Mallorca for myself and Teresa from 1st - 11th April flying from Bristol with Jet2 to Palma and staying in the 4* Club Pollentia Hotel in Puerto Pollensa.
The hotel had been recommended by a friend and although a little dated it lived up to expectations with lovely grounds and great food. it also backed on to the S'Albufereta Marsh nature reserve with a boardwalk leading from the rear of the hotel to an elevated hide.
Our first day was one of rest after a very early start for an early flight but thereafter I managed to get out birding most days for a few hours usually mid afternoon until dusk whilst Teresa took a siesta.
I didn't hire a car and used the excellent local bus service to get the Bocquer Valley twice and the Albufera Marsh nature reserve in Alcudia once, the bus service was top notch with pristine buses which were cheap and always on time.
The remainder of the time I birded locally by foot from the hotel visiting the S'Albufereta Marsh, the main entrance to which was only a 20 min walk from the hotel.
The weather was superb with the temperature ranging between 19-24 degC and it was a pleasure to get out in T shirt and shorts with the sun on my back.
It was however quite windy on a few occasions but this had a nice cooling effect especially when walking.
It was a really pleasant change to use the camera in decent light and at a low ISO and here are a few images that I captured during the 10 days with Collared Pratincole and Woodchat Shrike probably being the best birds......
