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Paul Grennard

@pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social
612 followers 443 following 464 posts

Ageing punk, birder, cyclist, vegan and all-around nature obsessive. Birding by bicycle, bus and train.

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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I caught the bus out to St Davids from the new Haverfordwest Bus Station and had a cycle around. The bushes and fields were pretty quiet but a daytime Barn Owl was rather nice, and the first one i have seen during the day in Pembrokeshire. More easterly in the wind please 🙏
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Strumble Head 07:00 - 11:15: 1 adult Sabine's Gull, 3 Grey Phalarope,1 Sooty Shearwater, 3 Little Gull,3 Leach's Petrel, 2 Great Skua and 10 Arctic Skua. @birdguides.bsky.social
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
My autumn is going well ☺️
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
I look quite glum considering i just saw a Wilson's Storm Petrel off Strumble Head 🤣 BTW hoodies are essential for seawatching 😅
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
I caught the bus to St Davids with the folder and found a Wryneck on the footpath to the Dowrog Pool.
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
I caught the bus to Newport, Pembrokeshire late morning. A Glossy Ibis was on the saltmarsh briefly before flying off and i failed to get a picture 😌 In the good numbers of small waders a juv Curlew Sandpiper was the highlight. Other birds on the estuary 3 Greenshank, 1 Blackwit & Common Sandpiper
Black-tailed Godwit Greenshank1cy Mediterranean Gull
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I caught the bus again this morning to Newport, Pembrokeshire to look at the Nevern Estuary. The best birds there were 1 juv Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper and 2 1cy Med Gulls. It looks like the Baird's Sandpiper i found on the estuary has now moved on.
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Also Strumble 3 Sooty Shearwaters.
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Strumble Head 06:00 - 11:20: 1 Cory's Shearwater, 2 adult Sabine's Gulls c25 Arctic Skuas. Thanks to my birding buddy Brian for the lift 😊
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Wood Sandpiper still Treleddyn Farm, St Davids on pond. @birdguides.bsky.social
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
I caught the bus to Newport Pembrokeshire this morning and found a Baird's Sandpiper. Also 2 juv Curlew Sandpipers 😁
Baird's Sandpiper Baird's Sandpiper
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
maps.app.goo.gl/MUdXDAKqgGfG... @birdguides.bsky.social The Wood Sandpiper was here.
maps.app.goo.gl
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
A Wood Sandpiper was the best today on a farm pond at Treleddyn, St Davids.
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Not a bad cycle out to the Dowrog Common yesterday. I juv Marsh Harrier, 1 Little-ringed Plover, 1 juv Dunlin.and best of all a male Southern Migrant Hawker which is a new dragonfly for the site.😁
Male Southern Migrant Hawker Little-ringed Plover
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
A fantastic seawatch at Strumble Head 06:15-13:30 (personal totals): 1 Wilson's Storm Petrel, 4 Arctic Skua, 1 Bonxie, 2 adult Sabine's Gull, 1 Balearic Shearwater, several Common Dolphins and 2 Ocean Sunfish. Thanks to @markhipkin.bsky.social for the Wilson's Storm Petrel 😀
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
I took a cycle down to the river at Fortunes Frolic, Haverfordwest as the tide was falling and watched an Osprey catch a fish which was brilliant.
Fortunes Frolic A ride on the Mule for a change
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
On Saturday i hopped on the train to Newport to have a cycle around the Gwent Levels. It didn't disappoint with 6 Willow Emeralds, 15 Migrant Hawkers, 10 Ruddy Darters and a great count of 16 Clouded Yellows. Willow Emerald is just starting to colonise Wales and hasn't reached Pembs yet.
Willow Emerald Goldcliff Uskmouth Lighthouse
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
I put the folder on the train and headed to Burry Port and cycled to Llanelli. 1 male Lesser Emperor, 6 Red-veined Darter, 2 Clouded Yellow, 3 Migrant Hawker, 1 Southern Hawker and 3 Common Sandpipers.
Migrant Hawker Black-tailed SkimmerClouded Yellow
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
An afternoon trip to Pantmaenog Forest with my birding buddy Brian Southern was successful for our target dragnfly species of Black Darter and Common Hawker.
Male Black Darter Pantmaenog Forest Preseli viewCommon Hawker female ovipositing
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Male Keeled Skimmers Dowrog Pool, St Davids
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
I caught the bus to St Davids and had a little cycle around on my folder. The highlights were 2 Common Quail singing, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Clouded Yellow butterflies, a Hummingbird Hawkmoth and 4 Migrant Hawkers.
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
A two day visit by train and bike to Esher Common, Surrey for Brilliant Emerald was successful with 6 seen. Also 12 Brown Hawkers, 1 Willow Emerald, Ring-necked Parakeets, Black-tailed Skimmers and Emperors.
Esher Common Esher Common Black PondBrown Hawker ovipositing
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
A little adventure around south Pembrokeshire by bus: 2 Clouded Yellows Penally. Pembroke: Med Gull, 6 Red-veined Darters and a pair of Lesser Emperors ovipositing on Pembroke Millpond.
Med Gull PembrokeRed-veined Darter Pembroke MillpondClouded Yellow Penally
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Male Red-veined Darter Burry Port, Carmarthenshire
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Lesser Emperors ovipositing including blue form female
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
It has been a great year for the scarce Lesser Emperor and Red-veined Darter. Today was no exception with 12 Lesser Emperors and 6 Red-veined Darters on a bike ride checking the water bodies from Burry Port to Llanelli..
Lesser Emperors in copulation
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Pair of Small Red Damselflies Dowrog Common, St Davids
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
I cycled from Brawdy to St Davids via Middle Mill listening for Quail in the many crop fields without success. My first Red-veined Darter in the St Davids area at the Dowrog Pool was rather nice.
Red-veined Darter Dowrog Pool Red-veined Darter Dowrog Pool
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Today i put the folder on the Cardigan bus to Crosswell turn and cycled from there to Pensarn Corner, Brynberian, Pembrokeshire..
Southern Damselfly Pair of Keeled Skimmers in copulation
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Great Egret Cattcot LowsScarce Chaser Cattcot Lows
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
The Great Reed Warbler was singing from Noah's Hide, Shapwick Heath this morning and another Lesser Emperor was hunting outside the hide.
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Earlier at Bason Bridge White-legged Damselfly and a single Small Red-eyed Damselfly.
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Fantastic day at Catcott Lows with at least 30 Scarce Chasers, 1 Lesser Emperor and 2 Norfolk Hawkers. A brief distance view of the possible Savi's Warbler in my binoculars but too brief to confirm its identification 😌
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
First train out of Haverfordwest for a day on the Somerset Levels..
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
I put the Mule on the train today and headed for Burry Port to check the waterbodies for scarce Odonata and i wasn't disappointed. 2 Lesser Emperor & 5 Red-veined Darter were the highlights. Also 5 Marbled White, 1 Common Sandpiper and 5 Med Gull.
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Reposted by Paul Grennard
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 13/06/2026
Tropical heron spotted in UK for first time as more exotic birds arrive to thrill birdwatchers
theguardian.com
Tropical heron spotted in UK for first time as more exotic birds arrive to thrill birdwatchers
Appearance of a western reef heron in north Wales is unlikely to be the last, as heating temperatures mean species can survive Britain’s winter, say experts It is a tropical bird typically encountered between west Africa and India, but last week a western reef heron arrived in north Wales in what is believed to be the first ever sighting in the UK. The heron was first spotted in Foryd Bay at the weekend before flying to nearby Caernarfon harbour where it fed among the boats. Continue reading...
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
I wish i had known about this at the time as it would of saved me a trip to North Wales 😕 Nevertheless a stunning bird that was worth the effort 😁
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/2618603...
westerntelegraph.co.uk
Photos show first UK sighting of very rare bird took place on Pembrokeshire beach
An extremely rare bird that’s getting ornithologists all of a flutter in north Wales with a UK first was spotted in Pembrokeshire nearly a month…
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
2 Traws Cymru buses later and i am back home. Not a bus journey i would like to do too often.
Western Reef Heron Caernarfon Harbour 😁
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
One train and 2 buses to Caernarfon. 😁
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
I put the folder on the St Davids bus and had a cycle around. The Dowrog Common was the best site i visited with a Quail singing, a Cuckoo and several Common Odonata species.
Emperor Dowrog Pool St Davids
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Good to see bee orchids in Haverfordwest.
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
I caught the bus to Cardigan yesterday with the folding bike and had a cycle around the Teifi Marshes. Unfortunately there were more people than wildlife there and Kingfisher Hide was standing room only. A Hummingbird Hawk-moth saved the day on the riverside Valerian. Plenty of Painted Ladies too.
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Lesser Emperors ovipositing Ivor's Pond St Davids
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
A record shot of a pair of lesser emperors ovipositing at Ivor's Pond St Davids. I counted 6 in total. The first lesser emperors i have seen in my home county of Pembrokeshire and nice to have found them myself.
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
I put the folder on the bus and cycled from Letterston to Puncheston Common for Marsh Fritillary. 30+ Marsh Fritillary on Puncheston Common were the most I have ever recorded there. Around 40 Painted Ladies were seen at many sites. A Cuckoo and a Garden Warbler at Puncheston Common.
Marsh Fritillary Puncheston Common Pembrokeshire
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
A great day out around Pembrokeshire with my birding buddy Brian Southern started off at Bosherston with 10 Small Blues, at Castlemartin Corse a Quail was heard and finally at Marloes Mere at least 10 Red-veined Darters.😀 The first time in a car for many months 😳
Red-veined Darter Red-veined Darter Small Blues in copulation
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
I took my new ride along the Neath Canal in search Odonata and it didn't disappoint once the cloud broke and the sun appeared. 5 variable damselfly, 2 hairy dragonfly and 10 common blue damselfly.It was nice to hear a singing cuckoo when i first arrived and at least 6 reed warblers as well.
Male Variable Damselfly Neath Canal Neath Canal
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Another visit to Minwear Wood and Canaston Wood Pembrokeshire and again no Wood Warblers for a second year 😌
Minwear Wood  Pembrokeshire Minwear Wood
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Paul Grennard @pembsbikingbirder.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Put the folder on the train and headed to Pembrey Forest Carmarthenshire again. Despite the weather not being perfect some leps did eventually show themselves once the cloud broke to allow a little sunshine.
Dingy Skipper Grizzled Skipper Mother Shipton Pembrey Forest
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