Newgale, Solva

Taking it easy after the Skomer ordeal. A leisurely wander around Newgale and Solva.

First a paddle and stroll along Newgale sands. Then after lunch at Solva, a short hike along the Gribin headland leading to the mouth of the Solva Harbour. Blindingly bright and hot again.

Newgale route

Solva route

John at Newgale beach

Seaweed

Shadows at Newgale

Obligatory I'm On Holiday shot

Harbour at Solva

Harbour at Solva

Solva Harbour (Black Rock on the horizon)

Solva Harbour and yacht

Grassy valley next to the Gribin (rocky headland)

Yacht by Newgale

Red Kite being harassed by a crow

Red Kite

Jackdaw

St Davids

On holiday in Pembrokeshire. As usual we forget something (coffee, this time) so a quick trip to Haverfordwest via Broad Haven for some supplies and lunch.

Beach at Broad Haven

One of many cheeky Jackdaws at Broad Haven

Then back up to St Davids for a look around the city (city?! More like village) and cathedral.

St David's Cathedral

St David's Cathedral

Well, we are on holiday so ice creams all round!

Back at the cottage we had a wander round the local roads to see what we could see. Not much as it turns out, mostly because the local farmers appear to have taken it upon themselves to remove all the footpaths (including removing the signs). This leaves only winding narrow lanes which aren't too safe to stand around on.

Linnet on the line

Sun setting over Newgale

Sun setting over Newgale

Archway of trees near the farm

Dunham Massey

A stroll around the grounds of Dunham Massey.

Dunham Massey route

Lots of rabbits near the visitor centre.

Rabbit near the fountain

In an open patch of grass a Fallow Deer was resting but being plagued by the flies.

Fallow Deer

Jackdaws to the rescue! They were running up and down the deer, snatching flies out the air and pecking things out of their fur. A complete top to toe inspection, with barely a flicker of an eyelid from the deer.

Jackdaw using Fallow Deer as insect bait

The Jackdaw Twins up to no good

A convenient support for...

...launching against flies

Deer doesn't care

A mobile perch

Grey Heron gathering twigs

Wet log with moss and lichens

Burton Marsh

A longer day than expected at Burton Marsh, as we were expecting it to be Burton Wood. A quick recon trip ended up taking all day as we waited around for Siskins (plenty) and Redpolls (never showed). The feeders are patrolled by boisterous families of Brown Rats which have become quite tolerant of the visitors.

Water Rail and Snipe were visible by the visitor centre but the awful plank hide/fencing around it make it almost impossible to a) get down to anywhere near ground level or b) even get the barrel of a large lens through the gaps. This is extremely frustrating, even for using binoculars if the birds are at an awkward angle (and when aren't they?!)

Jackdaws are nesting in the trees, although they need to either learn to pick smaller twigs or pick a larger hole to nest in.

Water Rail on the run

Brown Rat

Jackdaw

Jackdaw with nesting material

Treecreeper

Brown Rat nibbling

Nuthatch

Goldfinch

Female Chaffinch

Male Chaffinch

Male Siskin

Female Siskin

Male Siskin

Goldfinch

Snipe and the early worm

Jackdaw pair nesting

Mallard interrupted

Greylag/Canada cross

Brown Rat

Male Siskin by catkins

Dunnock

Grey Squirrel raiding the squirrel-proof feeders