After a pleasant evening at Ian's we headed off with him in the morning in search of Chough and a visit to the Sea bird colony at New Quay. First call was Aberarth for Chough, which only Ian managed to pick up a pair as they headed rapidly around the cliff face but we did come across Fulmars using the cliffs together with 3 pairs of Stonechats and 2 male and 1 female Wheatear. There also was a pair of Buzzard and Red Kite in the area of the cliffs. At one point one of the Red Kites was seen flying over the sea around the cliff face, an odd site for someone use to the Chiltern Kites that are always seen over land. Quite an interesting site of a bird somewhat out of its usual perspective. Also a Great Skua was seen lazily flying past south.
Aberarth cliffs looking towards Aberarth
Afterwards we headed for New Quay Head and the nesting Fulmar, Guillemot, Razorbill and Kittiwake. A few Gannet were offshore as were about 15 Manx Shearwaters, together with what was certainly the same Great Skua now haring the odd auk. And fortunately a couple of Chough, one of which was seen feeding on the cliff face (in dung) which colour-ringed, right leg white with 3 black lines above metal and left leg orange above green.
New Quay cliffs containing Guillemots and Razorbill
Afterwards a visit to Rhos Pil-Bach NR for Marsh Fritillary proved unsuccessful, probably too early, but a nice large Adder was found on top of a grass clump sun bathing.
