This course is now fully booked.
The aim of the course is to build confidence in bird identification, in an easy going and digestible way, starting with resident and common migrants. The focus will be on watching and identifying birds ‘in the field’, getting to grips with birds typical of the West Wales coast, and hopefully through this finding and identifying scarcer migrants and possibly something even rarer.
The 3-day course will include:
- 3 full days birdwatching in Pembrokeshire, in particular the Dale and Marloes peninsulas
- Autumn migration trip will include a visit to RSPB Ramsey Island (subject to boats running)
- An evening talk (optional) on birdwatching overseas
- A bird identification quiz on the final evening
Tutor: Dave Astins
The course is led by Dave Astins, who has over 30 years birdwatching experience in Pembrokeshire and overseas. Dave has run his own bird watching tour company, West Coast Birdwatching, since 2014, specialising in Pembrokeshire. Dave's particular expertise is bird identification, which has seen him serve on the Welsh Records Panel for several years, and he is a former Chairman of the Pembrokeshire Bird Group. He is a regular contributor to the Pembrokeshire Birds Blog, and has an enviable list of self-found rare and scarce birds, including two Isabelline Wheatears (the only 2 ever in Pembrokeshire), Black Scoter (the first for Wales), Semipalmated Sandpiper and Snowy Owl.
Example Timetable
Please note: Island trips are subject to boats running (weather dependant) and the plan for each day may be reordered based upon the weather conditions.
Day 1: After dinner there will be an opportunity to meet the course tutor, Dave Astins, and discuss plans, aims and expectations for the next 3 days
Day 2: A day trip to RSPB Ramsey Island to look for migrants & enjoy the Grey Seals. Target birds will include Little Owl, Chough and Peregrine as well as migrants.
After dinner there will be a talk on birdwatching overseas.
Day 3: Exploring the Cleddau Estuary and surrounding woodlands. Target species will include Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Greenshank, Redshank, & Black-tailed Godwit.
Day 4: Exploring the Marloes and Dale peninsula, sites will include a mixture of coast, wetland and estuary. Target species will include wintering and migrant ducks, waders and late autumn migrants.
After dinner there will be a bird quiz to finish the course.
Day 5: Breakfast and departure.
What's Included
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Expert Tuition -
Free Wi-Fi -
Full Board Accommodation -
Hot and Cold Drinks -
In Course Transport
Before You Attend
Start and Finish Times
Resident visitors are requested to register at the main office between 4.00 – 5.30pm. Dinner will be at 6.00pm. An introductory talk will follow. Breakfast will be at 8.00am. Departure will be after breakfast on the last day. Non-resident guests are asked to arrive in time for dinner.
What to Bring
- Warm clothing
- Waterproof jacket and trousers (can be borrowed from Centre)
- Outdoor footwear – sturdy shoes or boots
- Day rucksack
- Binoculars
- Notebook and pencil
- Warm hat and gloves for inclement weather and sunhat and sun-cream for sunny days
- Water bottles and/or thermos flask and packed lunch box
Sorry this course has ended