West Coast Birdwatching
@westcoastbirds
AKA Dave Astins. Pembrokeshire (Wales 🏴) based bird tour leader and surveyor. I lead several overseas trips each year, usually for Wise Birding Holidays. Oman 🇴🇲 a particular speciality.
Pelagic trips off the Pembrokeshire coast - new dates added due to demand! #BirdingWales ** 4th September already sold out **
For the 3rd trip in succession we recorded Wilson's Storm Petrel in the Celtic Deep off the Pembrokeshire coast today. Two birds came to the slick, one very close at one point. Also a single Great Shearwater, 2 Blue Sharks, a brief Porbeagle and an Ocean Sunfish. #BirdingWales #RareBirdsUK
It was late arriving to the party, but this Wilson's Storm Petrel in the Celtic Deep today was hugely appreciated by everyone on board. The first time we have recorded this species in multiple trips in the same year 😊 #BirdingWales #RareBirdsUK
We recorded a total of 13 Ocean Sunfish off the Pembrokeshire coast during our pelagic trip on Friday. Amazing creatures! #NationalMarineWeek @wtsww.bsky.social
One of 9 Wilson's Storm Petrels in the Celtic Deep off the Pembrokeshire coast today, a new Welsh day record. Magic! #BirdingWales #RareBirdsUK
And the Western Reef Heron reappeared at Sandy Haven, just a mile from home, which was nice #birdingWales #rarebirdsuk
September sees the return of the @skomer.bsky.social Autumn Bird Migration event. I will be leading this event for @wtsww.bsky.social. The first event was back in 2014, where has the time gone! Just 3 places remaining, details of how to book are on the poster 👇
Pied Wheatear at David Gareji Monastery, Georgia, 8/5/2026 on our @wisebirding.bsky.social tour. At least one definite Pied/Eastern Black-eared hybrid also present, but this one looked good and sang perfectly for Pied #birds #Georgia 🇬🇪
Always a welcome sight, we have seen at least 5 Bearded Vultures so far.
One of our top targets and a extremely range-restricted species: Caucasian Snowcock. Best views I have ever had!
Probably the most wanted bird, given that we didn't see it on the last 2 tours: Great Rosefinch. At least 60 birds on 1 day! All down to the weather.
Güldenstädt's Redstarts were easy to find, up to 20 birds each day.
Great first 3 days on the @wisebirding.bsky.social tour of Georgia & Armenia. Some super birds and photo opportunities. First up: Wallcreeper. At least 5 seen!
Loved watching this pair of Red-billed Chough at the Deer Park, Martin's Haven, Pembrokeshire this evening. One of my absolute faves and an iconic Pembrokeshire bird! #BirdingWales
Mediterranean Gull is my favourite gull, and I love nothing more than reading a colour ring. So this beauty in Neyland, Pembrokeshire, today was particularly enjoyed. It's from Poland. #BirdingWales
All of our 2026 pelagic trips into the Celtic Deep are now sold out. We may add more dates in late August / September, but won't make that decision until early/mid August. Hoping for a good year for these beauties: Wilson's Storm Petrel. #BirdingWales
Bird of the day was a Red-necked Grebe at Goultrop Roads, but these 2 Russian Greater White-fronted Geese at Marloes Mere was a close second. #BirdingWales
Another day, another Caspian Gull! 3rd this week at the Gann, a clearly different adult to Wednesday's bird. What next? #BirdingWales
Pleased to announce we are putting on some pelagics into the Celtic Deep again this year. Starting with 4 dates, more may be added depending on demand. Details 👇 #BirdingWales #pelagicbirding
First good local find of 2026, a 2CY Caspian Gull at the Gann Estuary late afternoon. Lisa picked up an adult almost next to it just a minute later, a superb double! #BirdingWales
Final day of the @wisebirding.bsky.social tour of Senegal. Another boat trip on the Saloum Delta this morning, and a trip to Sipo Island. Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Broad-billed Roller, Purple Roller & West African Crested Tern the highlights. Next stop: Blaise Diagne Airport, Dakar....home time.
A brilliant day 7 of our @wisebirding.bsky.social tour of Senegal. A boat trip on the Saloum Delta produced the much prized White-crested Tiger-Heron, Beaudouin's Snake-Eagle & Goliath Heron. Birding near Toubakouta this pm produced an armful of new birds including Pygmy Sunbird, a stunner!
Early success on day 6 of the @wisebirding.bsky.social tour of Senegal: the mythical Quail-plover! Incredible views of 2 birds, field guides do not (and cannot) do them justice. They walk with a jerky gait like a chameleon. Simply stunning.
Day 5 of the @wisebirding.bsky.social Senegal tour. A long journey south today from St Louis to Kaolack for the incredible spectacle that is the Scissor-tailed Kite roost on Kousmar Island. A rough estimate of 5,000 birds came in!
A very watery feel to our 4th day on the @wisebirding.bsky.social tour of Senegal, with a day long visit to Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary. A long list of good birds, including Black-crowned Crane, African Jacana, Kittlitz's Plover & African Wattled Lapwing. Tomorrow we head south!
Quality all the way today on day 3 of the @wisebirding.bsky.social tour of Senegal. Starting at Podor, we worked west to St Louis via Richard Toll & Les Trois Marigots. Some big trip targets seen including Temminck's Courser, Saville's Bustard, Allen's Gallinule & a bonus Standard-winged Nightjar.
4 of my favourites from day 2 of the @wisebirding.bsky.social tour of Senegal, along the Senegal River on the border with Mauretania: Dark Chanting Goshawk, Cricket Warbler, Horus Swift & Red-throated Bee-eater.