Day1 26/07/2008
Good start to the holiday with a sighting of a Red Kite circling fields just west of Swansea.
Arrived at Tycanol farm at noon and after setting up the van sat admiring the view and watching the Swallows flying low across the site when a Buzzard flew at hedge height across the field. Needless to say I did`nt have the camera handy!.
A walk along the coastal path to Newport for supplies produced a pair of Oyster Catchers and the usual Gulls.
An afternoon walk in the other direction was notable for the amount of Butterflies and Burnet moths on the wing.An added bonus was a good view of a Jellyfish drifting with the tide,I don`t often see live ones.
The evening was spent looking at the stunning view and watching the birds in the hedgerow.Sparrows,chaffinch,Greenfinch,Robin,Blackbird,Goldfinch.
Swallows,House Martins,Swifts quartering the field ,Jackdaws,Rooks,Crows and small flocks of Oyster catchers with pairs of Curlew returning to roost were a regular evening occurence all week.
27/07/2008
Decided to catch the bus to Fishguard and walk part of the Coastal path to Pwll Gwaelod/Dinas Head.
This turned out to be a mistake as Joy really struggled with the heat and did not enjoy it much.
Not much in the way of birdlife but lots of Butterflies and wildflowers.
Stunning views.
The main object of the day was to sort out bus times to enable us to get to Ramsey Island.
We bought weekly explorer tickets (£18 each), very good value for money and can be used on Richard Bros Buses including the Poppit Rocket.
Returned to the site footsore and weary.
Just sat about for the rest of the day and were visited by a Blackbird that hopped around our feet without any sign of fear.He became a regular visitor morning and evenings all week.The Buzzard was also a regular sight, but never quite close enough to get a decent photo.
28/07/2008
Up early to catch the Strumble shuttle to St Davids which leaves the Square, Newport at 7.20 am.The 1 1/4 mile walk to the village produced a magnificent Fox who appeared as curious about us as we were him.
The bus arrived at St Davids at 8.45 giving us just enough time to buy tickets for the boat and to catch the Celtic coaster to St justinians where the boat leaves from.Boat fare £11,Celtic Coaster £1 return.Landing is free to RSPB members,£4 to non members.Make sure you take food with you as only tea, coffee,crisps,biscuits and chocolate are available on the Island.
An excellent day on the Island with decent binocular views of Stonechat,Wheatear,Fulmar,Peregrin,Kestrel ,Meadow Pipit Chough,Raven,Kittiwake,Gannet,Red Deer and Grey Seal.
I will go again,but in early June when the Razorbills and Guillimots are about.
Left the Island on the 4pm boat to enable us to catch the only bus back to Newport at 5.45pm
The only disappointment of the day was that I could`nt get close enough to get any decent shots.