SWB monthly round up

November Highlights

2010-12-09T14:16:00.000-08:00

The first part of the month was somewhat quiet although the drake Lesser Scaup did return to Cardiff Bay on the 7th and a couple of Leach's Petrels were seen off Porthcawl. Mid-month the first Waxwings started appearing with numbers increasing throughout the month and a record number of Hawfinches were seen at the traditional site at Forest Ganol. However we finally kicked into top gear during the final week of November. Large numbers of Lapland Buntings at Paviland on the Gower and a Common Rosefinch in a garden in Gorseinon were good enough but star bird was the Glossy Ibis at Dunraven. Found by Paul Roberts, it gave superb views on a small pond and nearby stream, even if people did have to brave some very cold weather to add it to their Glamorgan lists !

1st - Bittern Trowbridge.

4th - 2 Leach's Petrels Porthcawl. Water Pipit Rumney Great Wharf.

6th - 6 Med Gulls Rest Bay.

7th - Firecrest Norton Wood. Great Grey Shrike Rhyd-y-Fro. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay (til month end). 23 Hawfinches Forest Ganol (many further sightings through month).

8th -Bittern Dinas Powys.

10th - Slavonian Grebe Kenfig Pool.

11th - Red-throated Diver Porthcawl.

12th - Little Gull, Pom Skua & Snow Bunting Lavernock Point.

13th - Waxwing Merthyr Tydfil. 2 Ring Ouzel Caer-lan Farm. Brent Goose Aberthaw. Waxwing Sketty. Water Pipit Llanrhidian. 3 Short-eared Owls & 2 Barn Owls Llanilld.

14th - Great Grey Shrike Perthcelyn . Brent Goose Ogmore Estuary & Goldcliff.

15th - Hawfinch Penyrheol.

16th - Firecrest Kenfig River Mouth & Pant Norton. Long-eared Owl Llanilid.

18th - 2 Waxwings Brynmawr.

19th - 5 Waxwings Ebbw Vale.

20th - 5 Waxwings Ebbw Vale & 5 Brynmawr.

21st - Snow Bunting & Long-tailed Duck Rhosili. 26 Lapland Bunting & Woodlark Paviland. Firecrest Lisvane Reservoir. 7 Waxwings Ebbw Vale.

22nd - Woodlark & 17+ Lapland Buntings Paviland.

23rd - Bittern Kenfig Pool. 3 Waxwing Pontradawe. 10 Waxwings Bute Park. Little Gull Gileston.

24th - Yellow-legged Gull Lamby Lake. Waxwing Canton. 3 Waxwings Ebbw Vale & 11 Newport.

25th - 2 Waxwings Bute Park. 7 Waxwings Canton. 3 Bitterns Kenfig Pool.

26th - 5 Waxwings Bute Park. 20 Waxwings Barry. 2 Waxwings Roath. 11 Waxwings Merthyr Tydfil. 30 Waxwings Pontypool. 22 Waxwings Brynmawr. Richard's Pipit & 40+ Lapland Buntings Paviland. Snow Bunting Maesteg.

27th - Water Pipit Ogmore Estuary. Common Rosefinch Gorseinon (til 28th at least). 20 Waxwings Bute Park. 8 Waxwings Maes Glas Ind Estate.

28th - 20 Waxwings Brynmawr. 20 Waxwings Bute Park. Water Pipit Llwyn-onn.

29th - Glossy Ibis Dunraven (til 30th). 26 Waxwings Birchgrove Swansea. 32 Waxwings Bute Park. 35 Waxwings Brynmawr.

30th - Waxwing Pontycymmer. 40 Waxwings Bute Park. 3 Waxwings Ystradowen.

October Highlights

2010-11-08T12:43:00.000-08:00

After the excitement of September and the Bobolink, October was eagerly awaited. However, it was very much after the Lord Mayor's Parade and whilst there were a few things around, October was a somewhat disappointing month, not helped by a lack of easterlies.

A Yellow-browed Warbler at Norton Wood failed to linger and a juvenile Sabine's Gull at the Ogmore River mouth was equally frustrating disappearing not long after it was first found. Elsewhere a Richard's Pipit at Rumney Great Wharf also proved somewhat elusive during its five day stay with most people having to settle for flight views, that's if they could find it at all.
Two Spoonbills flying past Peterstone Gout finally got pinned down at Neath Saltmarsh, having stopped en route at Kenfig Saltmarsh.

So next up is November a month with some pedigree in terms of local rarities. Fingers crossed for a spectacular end to the autumn !!

1st - 2 Little Stints & Curlew Sandpiper Loughor Foreshore.
2nd - Great & Arctic Skuas Port Eynon. Little Stint & Curlew Sandpiper Loughor Foreshore. 2 Spoonbills past Peterstone Gout later seen at Kenfig Salt Marsh. Yellow-legged Gull Lisvane Reservoir. Osprey over Uskmouth, Goldcliff & Sudbrook.
3rd - 5 Brent Geese Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. Little Gull Ogmore Estuary. Short-eared Owl Goldcliff.
4th - Hen Harrier Rumney Great Wharf (reported until 10th). 4 Bearded Tits Cosmeston (birds reported until 16th).
6th - Firecrest Blaengarw. 2 Spoonbills Neath Saltmarsh.
8th - 2 Brent Geese Margam Sands. Probable Richard's Pipit & 2 Curlew Sandpipers Petersone Gout.
9th - Red-necked Grebe Rhosilli (till 10th).
10th -Hobby, 2 Wood Sandpiper & 6 Brent Geese Rumney Great Wharf. Lapland Bunting Cwm Ivy. Osprey Baglan (until 16th - 2 reported 14th). Lapland Bunting Boat Lane.
11th - Ruff Kenfig Pool.
12th - 3 Short-eared Owls Kenfig Pool. Little Gull Eglwys Nunydd. Richard's Pipit Rumney Great Wharf (till 16th). Arctic Skua Rhosilli. 2 Snow Buntings Llantwit Major. White-fronted Goose Saltmarsh Lane.
13th - Hen Harrier Mynydd Eglwysilan. Firecrest Cwn Nash.
16th - Short-eared Owl Rumney Great Wharf. Bittern Cosmeston. Woodlark Lavernock Point.
Snow Bunting Dunraven (till 19th).
17th - 2 Bearded Tits & Goshawk Kenfig Saltmarsh. Goshawk Margam Moors. Bearded Tit Peterstone Gout.
18th - Yellow-browed Warbler Norton Wood. Hen Harrier The Garth.
19th - Curlew Sandpiper Peterstone Gout.
20th - Firecrest Upper Killay.
22nd - 5 Spotted Redshank & Manx Shearwater Goldcliff.
23rd - Red-throated Diver & Snow Bunting Aberavon. Short-eared Owl Peterstone Wentlooge.
24th - 5 Whooper Swans Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. 2 Hen Harriers Llanillid.
27th - Hen Harrier Llanillid. Yellow-legged Gull Cardiff Bay.
28th - Storm Petrel Aberavon Beach. Sabine's Gul Ogmore Estuary. Firecrest Nantyfyllon. 2 Water Pipits Peterstone Wentlooge. Grey Phalarope Goldcliff.
29th - Snow Bunting Ogmore-by-Sea.
30th - Woodlark Scurlage. 2 Great Skuas Port Eynon.
31st - Bittern Kenfig Pool. Little Gull Whiteford Point. 2 Hawfinches Forest Ganol.

September Highlights

2010-10-08T12:35:00.000-07:00

Spoilt for choice on the photo front this month with some excellent shots on the Blog of Grey Phalarope, Black Tern, Lapland Bunting, Arctic Tern & Whiskered Tern. Anyway, lets forget them in favour of a crap shot of a Bobolink. After Marmora's Warbler and Iberian Chiff Chaff in the spring surely it couldn't get any better. Thanks to Paul 'Sid' Parsons and Kelly 'Bobolink' Thomas the best year in South Wales for many a moon continued to rumble on and on. Few would have expected Glamorgan's first American Passerine to have popped up at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir, but late in the afternoon of 20th September, Sid & Kelly struck gold. Somewhat elusive in the long grass, the Bobolink was long gone the next morning. A few days later it was back to Eglwys again, when Jeff Slocombe managed to photograph a Juv Whiskered Tern, presumably the bird that has been in the UK for a little while. The Lesser Yellowlegs found by Nathan Casburn at Goldcliff on 28th failed to linger although it was seen briefly the following morning.

Otherwise, the month will be remembered for the 2 different Lapland Buntings at Sker, Grey Phalaropes at Kenfig, Eglwys & Ogmore, 2 showy Turtle Doves in Swansea and large numbers of Curlew Sandpipers at various sites.

1st - Ruff Kenfig Pool. Little Ringed Plover (to 16th) & 4 Curlew Sandpipers Rhymney Estuary.
2nd - Little Stint Rumney Great Wharf.
3rd - 2 Black Terns Llandegfedd Reservoir.
4th - Osprey Llanrhidian (to 19th ). Garganey Kenfig Salt Marsh. Ruff Llanishen Reservoir (to 12th). 5 Curlew Sandpipers Rumney Great Wharf.
5th - 17 Curlew Sandpipers Goldcliff. Arctic Skua, Little Stint & 25 Curlew Sandpipers Salthouse Point.
6th - Ruff Peterstone Gout.
7th - Little Stint Llanishen Reservoir (t0 9th) . 6 Curlew Sandpipers Salthouse Point. 2 Black Terns Kenfig Pool. 2 Little Gulls (several birds seen up until 26th) & 4 Black Terns (various birds until 19th) Eglwys Nunydd. Curlew Sandpiper Crymlyn Burrows.
8th - Firecrest Kenfig Pool (to 9th ). Little Ringed Plover, Curlew Sandpiper, Black Tern & Little Tern Wernfrwdd. Honey Buzzard Nitten Field, Gower. Goshawk Pant Norton. 5 Ruff & 5 Black Terns Rumney Great Wharf. 2 Black Terns Llandegfedd Reservoir.
9th - Wryneck Llanishen. Curlew Sandpiper Petersone Gout.
10th - Wood Sandpiper Llanrhidian.
11th - Black Tern Lisvane Reservoir (to 15th ) . Black Tern Cardiff Heliport. Ruff Sluice Farm. 14 Curlew Sandpipers Goldcliff.
12th - Arctic Skua Mumbles Head.
13th - Grey Pharalope (to 20th joined by another on 15th ) Eglwys Nunydd. Avocet Peterstone Gout.
14th - Large Sheartwater sp Lavernock Point. 3 Black Terns Llandegfedd Reservoir.
15th - Grey Pharalope & Black Tern Sker. 3 Arctic Skuas Porthcawl. 2 Black Terns Crofty.
16th - Sabines Gull Cardiff Heliport. Grey Phalarope Ogmore Rivermouth (to 17th) . 3 Curlew Sandpipers Rumney Great Wharf.
17th - Ruff & Curlew Sandpiper Penclawdd. Little Gulls Peterstone Gout (to 19th ) & Cardiff Heliport.
18th - Lapland Bunting Sker.

19th - Manx Shearwater Nantyffyllon. Balearic Shearwater & 3 Arctic Skua Port Eynon. 2 Arctic Skuas Cardiff Heliport. Arctic Skua & 2 Curlew Sandpipers Goldcliff.
20th - Bobolink Eglwys Nunydd. 2 Curlew Sandpipers & Little Stint Goldcliff. 2 Curlew Sandpipers Peterstone Gout.
21st - Osprey Abercynon. Wood Sandpiper Lavernock Point. Marsh Harrier Goldcliff.
23rd - Turtle Dove West Cross (to 27th ) . Curlew Sandpiper & Little Stint Goldcliff.
24th - Lapland Bunting Sker (to 29th ).
25th - Turtle Dove Blackpill (to 28th ). Juv Whiskered Tern Eglwys Nunydd (to 29th ). Tree Sparrow Nell's Point, Barry.
26th - Curlew Sandpiper Goldcliff.
27th - Ruff Rumney Great Wharf.
28th - Lesser Yellowlegs Goldcliff (to 29th ).
29th - 2 Little Gulls Port Talbot Docks.
30th - 2 Curlew Sandpipers Peterstone Gout. Little Stint & Hen Harrier Goldcliff.

August Highlights

2010-08-18T12:49:00.000-07:00

The month started quietly although a Roseate Tern on the Carms side of the Burry Estuary would have been more than welcome on a few Glamorgan lists. Seabirds seemed to be the theme of the month with Port Eynon producing a few decent seawatches. Pick of the birds were Long-tailed Skua and Sooty Shearwater, along with a few sightings of Balearic Shearwater. Towards the month end waders started to move through with a couple of records of Ruff and the first autumn Little Stints and Curlew Sandpipers. The Lapland Bunting at Whiteford on 28th could be the first of many with large numbers nationally at the moment. More typical of August was an Aquatic Warbler trapped at Uskmouth on 30th.

1st - Med Gulls Barry & Rumney Great Wharf. Little Gull Cardiff Bay.
2nd - Little Tern Whiteford. Med Gull Barry. 4 Quail Marcross.
3rd - Crossbil Kenfig Pool.
9th - Med Gull Kenfig Pool.
10th - 2 Red-leged Partridge Lamby Tip. Med Gull Lamby Lake. Roseate Tern Burry Inlet.
13th - Spotted Redshank Goldcliff.
14th - Bonxie Lavernock Point. Spotted Redshank Goldcliff. Common Scoter Llandegfedd Res.
15th - Hobby Kenfig Pool. Marsh Harrier Petersone Wentlooge. 7 Grey Partridge Gileston. Spotted Redshank Rumney Great Wharf.
16th - Marsh Harrier St Mellons. Med Gull Heliport Bay.
17th - Med Gull Neath.
18th - Little Stint Llanillid. Dartford Warbler Cwn Nash. 3 Med Gulls Crymlyn Burrows
19th - Sooty Shearwater, 6 Balearic Shearwater & 2 Great Skuas Port Eynon. Wood Warbler Lavernock Point.
20th - Balearic Shearwater Port Eynon.
21st - Balearic Shearwater & Black Tern Port Eynon. Yellow-legged Gull Salthouse Point. Wood Warbler Lamby Lake.
22nd - Wood Sandpiper Watermill Flood. Ad Long-tailed Skua & 2 Balearic Shearwaters Port Eynon. Hobby Lisvane Reservoir. 2 prob Great White Egrets Aberthaw. Wood Sandpiper Nell's Point, Barry. Black Tern Llandegfedd Res to 28th. 2 Ruff Rumney Great Wharf.
23rd - 13 Black Terns Port Eynon. Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper & 8 Med Gulls Blackpill. Osprey Wernffrwd till month end. Spotted Redhsnak Goldcliff. Ruff Rumney Great Wharf.
24th - Great Skua Lavernock Point. 2 Little Stints, Arctic Skua & Black Tern Port Eynon. 4 Med Gulls Crymlyn Burrows.
25th - 3 Balearic Shearwaters & 2 Arctic Skuas Port Eynon.
26th - Little Gull, Black Tern & 2 Great Skuas Cardiff Heliport.
27th - Arctic Skua Sker Point. Little Tern Cardiff Heliport. 2 Hobby Ynysyfro Res.
28th - Lapland Bunting, Wood Sandpiper, Black Tern & Curlew Sandpiper Whiteford Point.
29th - 3 Curlew Sandpiper & 2 Spotted Redshank Goldcliff.
30th - 5 Curlew Sandpipers Goldcliff. Curlew Sandpipier Peterstone Gout. Med Gull Caerloen. Aquatic Warbler Uskmouth.
31st - Little Ringed Plover & 3 Ruff Kenfig Pool. Yellow-legged Gull Cardiff Heliport. Little Gull Nell's Point, Barry.

July Highlights

2010-08-03T14:47:00.000-07:00

After the excitement of Iberian Chiff Chaff & Marmora's Warbler in May & June, it was odds on that July would be a damp squib of a month. So it proved and the only excitement on offer seemed to be for those who delight in counting Med Gulls. A few days of south westerly winds mid month flattered to deceive with small numbers of Manx Shearwaters pushed up the channel. Let's hope for better in August.

1st - Little Ringed Plover Kenfig Pool.

2nd - Med Gull Cardiff Heliport. Med Gull Peterstone Gout.

5th - Med Gull Goldcliff.

6th - Med Gull Ogmore Est. Green Sandpiper Kenfig Pool.

7th - Med Gull Cold Knap Pool.

8th - 2 Med Gulls Porthcawl. Little Ringed Plover & Med Gull Ogmore Estuary. Med Gull & Common Tern Cardiff Heliport.

9th - 11 Med Gulls Cardiff Heliport. 2 Med Gulls Barry.

10th - Green Sandpiper Ogmore Estuary. Med Gull & Common Tern Llandegfedd.

11th - 2 Med Gulls Ogmore Estuary.

12th - Marsh Harrier Kenfig Pool.

13th - Med Gull Cardiff Heliport. Common Tern Eglwys Nunydd. Med Gull Peterstone Gout.

14th - 2 Med Gulls Cardiff Heliport. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Llandaff. 39 Manx Shearwater Cardiff Heliport. 2 Common Tern Llandegfedd.

15th - 12 Black-tailed Godwit Ogmore Estuary. 34 Manx Shearwater & 6 Common Scoter Lavernock. 100 Manx Shearwater Cardiff Heliport. 2 Common Tern Llandegfedd.

16th - 2 Little Ringed Plovers Egwlys Nunydd. 24 Med Gulls Bracelet Bay. 12 Storm Petrels & 623 Manx Shearwaters Tutt Head.

18th - 40 Manx Shearwater Porthcawl. Med Gull Goldcliff.

19th - 4 Green Sandpipers Miskin.

20th - Med Gull Eglwys Nunydd.

21st - Med Gull Ogmore Estuary. Little Gull Margam Sands. 5 Med Gulls Port Talbot. Common Tern Llandegfedd.

23rd - 2 Green Sandpipers Kenfig Pool & 6 Rumney Great Wharf.

25th - 2 Green Sandpipers & 2 Med Gulls Rumney Great Wharf.

26th - 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Green Sandpiper & 1 Med Gull Rumney Great Wharf. Marsh Harrier Goldcliff.

27th - 39 Manx Shearwater & 8 Common Scoter off Aberavon. 25 Med Gulls Bracelet Bay. 7 Med Gulls Penclawdd. Common Tern Llandegfedd.

28th - Green Sandpiper, Med Gull & Yellow-legged Gull Rumney Great Wharf. Med Gull Sluice Farm.

29th - Goshawk Kenfig Pool.

31st - Osprey Cwmtillery.

June highlights.

2010-07-13T06:18:00.000-07:00

Gwent stole the show,firstly the Iberian Chiffchaff,then a much desired mega, a singing male Marmora's Warbler ,which consequently proved to be very obliging for those who twitched it.Meanwhile Cardiff bay turned up a female Marsh Warbler,despite some determined searching it was seen only once at the time of ringing.The rare parade continued with a Gull-Billed tern off the heliport.The good birds continued with Red kite,Whinchat,Garden Warbler, and Green Sandpiper also putting in an appearance locally.

2nd- Red Kite-flying over North Cardiff.
3rd-MARMORA'S WARBLER (until 16th) & IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF (until 22nd at least) both in Gwent.
5th -Marsh Warbler trapped and rung at CBWR,Common Sandpiper-Trefil.
6th-Report of Osprey at Creigiau.
8th-Gull Billed Tern-Heliport
10th-Gannet,Manx Shearwater and Med Gull off the Heliport.
11th Peregrines fledged at Cardiff City Hall.
12th-Red Kite again over North Cardiff,Red Legged Partridge at Craig llwyd,Garden Warbler at Cefn Mably,Med Gull and Guillemot at RGW
13th-Whimbrel at RGW.
17th-Hawfinch,Wood Warbler and Marsh tit at Draethen.
19th-Wood Warbler,Redstart,Spotted flycatcher and Tree pipit at Ogmore Forrest,Med Gull at RGW and the Heliport.
22nd-Hobby over Lakeside.
23rd-Med Gulls at the Heliport.
26th-Red Kite again over Cardiff and another over Blaengwynlais,Green Sandpiper at Llanhilid.
27th-Red Legged Partridge at RGW
29th-Common sandpiper at Peterstone Gout,Little Egret at Sophia Gdns and Cuckoo at Parc Penallta.
30th -Chough (7) at Ogmore and an impressive 53 Med Gulls at Blackpill.

May Highlights

2010-06-14T12:45:00.000-07:00

Star billing went to the Iberian Chiff Chaff, a first for Wales, that sang it's little heart out from 10th onwards in Wentwood Forest. Elsewhere, 2 Dotterel at Cefn Cadlan provided great photo opportunities and unlike Garreg Llwyd, there was no need to walk too far from the car! Talking of walking, Highlander was rewarded for the long walk out to Whiteford Point with a cracking male Kentish Plover. Unfortunately (or should that be fortunately) it was a one tide bird, so most of us were saved the dreaded hike out there!

1st - 17 Wheatears Rumney Great Wharf. 30+ Whimbrel Rumney Great Wharf. Common Tern Cardiff Bay.
2nd - 2 Dotterel Cefn Cadlan. Spotted Redshank Goldcliff. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Llandegfedd.
3rd -2 Dotterel Cefn Cadlan. Osprey Uskmouth. Curlew Sandpiper & 2 Spotted Redshank Goldcliff.
4th - Kentish Plover Whiteford Point.
5th - 2 Dotterel Cefn Cadlan.
6th - Great Northern Diver Llandegfedd.
7th -2 Dotterel Cefn Cadlan.
8th - Temminck's Stint & Little Stint Goldcliff. 2 Gargeney Caerleon.
9th - Curlew Sandpiper Whiteford. 2 Garganey, Curlew Sanpiper & Spotted Redshank Goldcliff.
10th - Iberian Chiff Chaff Wentwood. 2 Garganey Caerleon.
11th - Osprey Crymlyn Burrows.Iberian Chiff Chaff Wentwood
12th - Iberian Chiff Chaff Wentwood. Osprey Redbarn.
13th - Iberian Chiff Chaff Wentwood. Osprey Penywaun. 2 Garganey Caerleon.
14th - Iberian Chiff Chaff Wentwood. Med Gull Heliport Bay.
15th - Iberian Chiff Chaff Wentwood.
16th - Quail Pyle.
18th - Spoonbill Goldcliff.
20th - Iberian Chiff Chaff Wentwood.Spoonbill Goldcliff.
21st - 2 Wood Sandpipers & Spoonbill Goldcliff.
22nd - Osprey Neath Abbey.Iberian Chiff Chaff Wentwood
23rd - Spoonbill Goldcliff.
24th - Marsh Harrier & Spoonbill Goldcliff.
25th - Iberian Chiff Chaff Wentwood.Spoonbill & Curlew Sandpiper Goldcliff.
26th - Iberian Chiff Chaff Wentwood
27th - Turtle Dove Caldicot.

April Highlights

2010-05-11T21:58:00.000-07:00

The month started with the Kenfig Ring-necked Duck joining the female Lesser Scaup at Eglwys Nunydd. Now what do Ring-necked Duck x Lesser Scaups look like ? Elsewhere, in Cardiff, the Lesser Scaup, Bonaparte's Gull and Great White Egret were all still present during the early part of the month.

Anyone who dared to look up had a good chance of spotting an Osprey whilst for year listers, April is always a great month as the steady trickle of new arrivals starts to push the total onwards and upwards! Keep plugging away Martyn, if the rares keep coming the record is there for the taking, although stop doing Whitford as I cannot face that bloody walk!

1st - 2 Ring Ouzel Caerau. 24 Purple Sandpiper Ogmore-by Sea. Ring-necked Duck & Lesser Scaup Eglwys Nunydd. Water Pipit Ploran Mawr.
2nd - Ring-necked Duck Eglwys Nunydd. Water Pipit Rumney Great Wharf.
3rd - Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay.
4th - Great White Egret Hendre Lake. Bonaparte's Gull & Yellow-legged Gull Cardiff Bay.
5th - Great White Egret Hendre Lake & also seen at Peterstone Gout. Marsh Tit Forest Ganol. Ring Ouzel Cardiff Heliport. Ring-necked Duck & Lesser Scaup Eglwys Nunydd. Lesser Scaup & Bonaparte's Gull Cardiff Bay.
6th - Great White Egret Cosmeston & Hendre Lake. Bonaparte's Gull seen in Cardiff Bay & then Heliport Bay. Med Gull Cardiff Bay.
7th - Ring-necked Duck Eglwys Nunydd. 15 Water Pipits Peterstone Wentlooge.
8th - Great White Egret Saltmarsh Lane.
9th -Osprey Caerau. Bonaparte's Gull & Red Kite Cardiff Bay.
10th - 6 Water Pipits Neath Salt Marsh. Med Gul Cardiff Bay. 2 Water Pipit Ogmore Estuary. Lesser Spoted Woodpecker Rhiwderin. Osprey Bassaleg.

11th - Osprey Whitchurch. 5 Slavonian Grebe Salthouse Point.
12th - Bonaparte's Gull Cardiff Bay. 2 Water Pipit Rumney Great Wharf. Osprey Nantyffyllon & Llangeinor Moor. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay.
13th - Ospreys Cardiff & Beddau. 2 Little Ringed Plovers Ogmore Estuary. Med Gull Cardiff Bay.

14th- Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Taffs Well. 2 Garganey Goldcliff.

15th - Med Gull Porthcawl. Yellow-legged Gull Rumney Great Wharf.

16th - Great White Egret Lamby Way.

17th - Garganey Kenfig Pool. 8 Red-throated Diver Baglan Bay.

18th - Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. Great White Egret St Mellons.

19th - Ruff Ogmore Estuary.

20th - Osprey Abercynon.

25th - Hobby Lamby Tip. Great Skua, Red-throated Diver, & 14 Sandwhich Tern Port Eynon. 23 Common Tern Penclawdd.

26th - Arctic Skua Sker Point. 61 Brent Geese Blackpill. Med Gull Cardiff Bay. Spotted Redshank Rumney Great Wharf.

29th - Quail Peterstone Wentlooge.

March Highlights

2010-04-07T12:20:00.000-07:00

The Lesser Scaups lingered at Cosmeston and Eglwys Nunydd whilst a male Ring-necked Duck turned up at Kenfig Pool at the end of the month. Last year's Bonaparte's Gull reappeared at Channel View/Hamadyrad Park/Cardiff Bay and the Great White Egret continued to roost at Hendre Lake. Further west Cefn Sidan sands produced a probable American Herring Gull along with an all too brief Pallid Swift. Photo of the month goes to Chris Brewer with his superb shot of a juv white Gyr Falcon at Rhossili Down. Unfortunately, it failed to reappear so hopes of a quick grip back by those who dipped in December were soon dashed.

So with 2 Lesser Scaups, Ring-necked Duck, Great White Egret, Gyr Falcon, Bonaparte's Gull, Pallid Swift & probable American Herring Gull and reports of Laughing Gull at Porthcawl Harbour and Great Spotted Cuckoo at Kenfig Pool - it's official - March was crap!

1st - Great White Egret St Mellons. 3 Firecrest Merthyr Mawr. Med Gull Ogmore. Lesser Scaup Cosmeston. 2 Short-eared Owls & 2 Water Pipit Sluice Farm. Smew Goldcliff.
2nd - Great White Egret St Mellons. 2 Firecrest Merthyr Mawr. Bittern Forest Farm.
4th - Lesser Scaup Cosmeston. Water Pipit Llwyn-onn. Great White Egret St Mellons. 3 Slavonian Grebes & 362 Brent Geese Wernffrwd. Bittern Forest Farm. Smew Goldcliff.
5th - 3 Red-throated Diver Crymlyn Burrows. Bittern Forest Farm. Lesser Scaup Eglwys Nunydd. Lesser Scaup & Bittern Cosmeston. 2 Short-eared Owl & 2 Water Pipit Rumney Great Wharf
6th - Dartord Warbler Pwll-du. Great Whte Egret Hendre Lake.
7th - Bonaparte's Gull Hamadryad Park. 2 Slavonian Grebe & 213 Brent Geese Whitford. Water Pipit Llwyn-onn.
8th - Lesser Scaup Cosmeston. Bonaparte's Gull Hamadryad Park.
9th March - Black-necked Grebe & 3 Bittern Kenfig Pool. Bonaparte's Gull & Med Gull Hamadryad Park. Lesser Scaup Eglwys Nunydd. Med Gull Cardiff Bay. 4 Water Pipit Peterstone Wentlooge.
10th - Bonaparte's Gull Hamadryad Park. Great White Egret St Mellons. 18 Purple Sandpiper Ogmore-by Sea. Water Pipit Llwyn-onn. Lesser Scaups Eglwys Nunydd & Cosmeston.
11th - Yellow-legged Gull Lamby Lake. Bonaparte's Gull Hamadryad Park. 14 Red-throated Diver Rhossili. Great Northern Diver Port Eynon. Black-necked Grebe Kenfig Pool. Lesser Scaup Cosmeston. Med Gull Barry. Great White Egret Marshfield.
12th - Bittern Forest Farm. Bonaparte's Gull & Med Gull Hamadryad Park. Med Gull Lamby Lake. Black-necked Grebe & Bittern Kenfig Pool.
13th - 2 Short-eared Owl Rumney Great Wharf. Black-necked Grebe Kenfig Pool. Lesser Scaup Cosmeston. Report of Laughing Gull Porthcawl Harbour.
14th - Black-necked Grebe & Water Pipit Kenfig Pool.
15th - Black-necked Grebe Kenfig Pool. Bittern Lamby Lake. 3 Med Gulls Porthcawl.
16th - Bonaparte's Gull & Med Gull Cardiff Bay. Red Kite St Mellons. Ring-necked Parakeet Canton. Short-eared Owl Rumney Great Wharf.
17th - Med Gull Heliport Bay. Lesser Scaup Eglwys Nunydd. Water Pipit Kenfig Pool. Med Gull Hamadryad Park. Short-eared Owl Sluice Farm.
18th - Great Grey Shrike Perthcelyn. Bonaparte's Gull Hamadryad Park. Black-necked Grebe Kenfig Pool. 9 Med Gull Porthcawl.
19th - Lesser Scaup Cosmeston. 2 Med Gull Porthcawl.
20th - Black-necked Grebe & Bittern Kenfig Pool. Short-eared Owl Caldicot Pill.
21st - Pallid Swift Cefn Sidan Sands. Black-necked Grebe & Little Gull Kenfig Pool. 13 Purple Sandpiper Ogmore-by-Sea. Great Grey Shrike Perthcelyn. Lesser Scaup Cosmeston. Bonaparte's Gull Cardiff Bay.
22nd - 3 Red-throated Diver Baglan Bay. 4 Water Pipit Neath Salt Marsh. Little Gull Kenfig Pool. Bonaparte's Gull & Yellow-legged Gull Cardiff Bay.
23rd - Black-necked Grebe & Little Gull Kenfig Pool. Black-throated & Red-throated Divers Aberavon. Great Grey Shrike Perthcelyn. 4 Water Pipit Rumney Great Wharf.
24th - Back-necked Grebe & Marsh Harrier Kenfig Pool. Black-throated Diver & 3 Red-throated Diver Aberavon.
25th - 1o Med Gull Porthcawl. Black-throated Diver Aberavon. Marsh Harrier Kenfig Pool. Report of Great Spotted Cuckoo Kenfig Pool.
26th - Water Pipit Ogmore Estuary. Black-necked Grebe & Marsh Harrier Kenfig Pool. Lesser Scaup Eglwys Nunydd. Bonaparte's Gull Cardiff Bay. Firecrest Taffs Well.
27th - Gyr Falcon Rhosilli Down. Marsh Harrier Kenfig Pool. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Taffs Well.
28th - 3 Med Gulls Heliport Bay. Bonaparte's Gull Cardiff Bay.
29th - Ring-necked Duck Kenfig Pool. 3 Slavonian Grebe Wernfrwdd. Short-eared Owl Rumney Great Wharf.
30th - 2 Med Gulls Heliport Bay. Marsh Harrier Cardiff Airport. Bonaparte's Gull Cardiff Bay.
31st - Sandwich Tern Peterstone Gout. 2 Sandwich Terns Llandegfedd Reservoir.

February Highlights

2010-03-09T10:52:00.000-08:00

The only new rarity was the female Lesser Scaup found at Eglwys Nunydd mid month. The drake Lesser Scaup continued to move between Cardiff Bay and Cosmeston (will it move to Eglwys ?), whilst the Great White Egret teased, tormented, and tantalised Gwent birders until it finally spent a bit of time across the border towards the end of the month. Bitterns continued to perform throughout with Kenfig hosting a magnificent 7. Not long until spring now so let's hope for one or two surprises to keep what has been an excellent year going.

1st - 3 Med Gulls Porthcawl. Great White Egret & Bittern Hendre Lake. Tree Sparrow & Hen Harrier Newton Farm. 4 Hen Harriers Llanrhidian. 2 Marsh Tits Forest Ganol.

2nd - Bittern Forest Farm. Bittern & Great White Egret Hendre Lake.

3rd - Bittern Lamby Lake. 4 Med Gulls Porthcawl. Bittern & Great White Egret Hendre Lake. 3 Bitterns Kenfig Pool.

4th - Red-throated Diver & 121 Great Crested Grebes Aberavon Beach. Bittern & Great White Egret Hendre Lake. 3 Hen Harriers Llanrhidian Marsh.

5th - Bittern Lamby Lake & Forest Farm. Bittern & Great White Egret Hendre Lake. Lesser Scaup Cosmeston. 3 Bitterns Kenfig Pool.

6th - Barnacle Goose Rhymney Estuary. Great White Egret Hendre Lake. Lesser Scaup Cosmeston. Marsh Harrier & 2 Hen Harriers Llanrhidian. Bittern Forest Farm. 9 Purple Sandpiper & Med Gull Ogmore-by Sea. Smew Goldcliff. Willow Tit Wentwoood.

7th - Bittern & Great White Egret Hendre Lake. 3 Med Gulls Porthcawl. 2 Med Gulls Ogmore. 2 Slavonian Grebes Whitford. 3 Hen Harriers Llanrhidian. Hen Harrier Mewslade. Marsh Tit Cwm Nofydd. Bittern Lamby Lake. Great White Egret Capital Business Park. Short-eared Owl Waunafon Bog.

8th - Great White Egret Hendre Lake. Red Kite Penarth. Hydrid Green-winged Teal Penclawdd.Bittern Forest Farm. Smew Goldcliff.

9th - Great White Egret Hendre Lake. Bittern Rhoose Point. Bittern Forest Farm. Little Gull Llandegfedd Reservoir.

10th - Bittern Forest Farm. Hen Harrier Llanrhidian. Med Gull Barry.

11th - Bitterns Lamby Lake, Forest Farm & Kenfig Pool. 2 Velvet Scoter & Red-throated Diver Crymlyn Burrows. Great White Egret Hendre Lake. Spotted Redshank Peterstone Gout.

12th - Short-eared Owl & 3 Hen Harriers Llanrhidian. Lesser Scaup Cosmeston.

13th - Med Gull & Lesser Scaup Cosmeston. Female Lesser Scaup Eglwys Nunydd. Bittern Hendre Lake. 2 Bitterns Lamby Lake. Marsh Harrier Uskmouth.

14th - Lesser Scaup & Med Gull Cosmeston. Great White Egret Hendre Lake. 4 Red-throated Diver & 3 Common Scoter Baglan Bay. Med Gull Cardiff Bay. 3 Hen Harrier & 1 Short-eared Owl Llanrhidian. 4 Bittern Kenfig Pool. 5 Bearded Tit Uskmouth. Smew Goldcliff.

15th - Bittern Kenfig Pool. 2 Bitterns Lamby Lake.

16th - Great White Egret & Bittern Hendre Lake.

17th - 3 Med Gulls Ogmore Estuary. Great White Egret Hendre Lake. 4 Med Gulls Porthcawl.

18th - 2 Jack Snipe Rhymney Estuary. Med Gull Porthcawl.

19th - Bittern Lamby Lake. 2 Water Pipits & 2 Med Gulls Ogmore Estaury. Bittern Forest Farm.

Bittern Kenfig Pool. Lesser Scaup Eglwys Nunydd. Great White Egret Hendre Lake & Goldcliff. Med Gull Millennium Stadium. 2 Hawfinches & 2 Marsh Tits Lower Minnett Wood.

20th - Great White Egret Hendre Lake. 3 Water Pipits Rumney Great Wharf. 14 Red-throated Divers, 266 Great Crested Grebe & Hen Harrier Aberavon Beach. 2 Firecrest Merthyr Mawr.

Marsh Harrier & Hen Harrier Crymlyn Bog. 7 Bitterns Kenfig Pool. 12+ Med Gulls Bracelet Bay.

21st - Marsh Harrier & 5 Bitterns Kenfig Pool. Lesser Scaup Cosmeston. Great White Egret Hendre Lake. Med Gull Cosmeston. Med Gull Porthcawl. 2 Slavonian Grebes Whitford.

22nd - Great White Egret Hendre Lake. Hen Harrier Crymlyn Bog. Med Gull Hamadryad Park. Firecrest Merthyr Mawr. 2 Med Gulls Porthcawl.

23rd - 2 Hen Harriers Llanrhidian. Great White Egret Hendre Lake. 7 Med Gulls Porthcawl.

25th - Bittern Forest Farm. Red-throated Diver & 2 Velvet Scoters Crymlyn Burrows. Med Gull Ogmore Estuary. 7 Purple Sandpipers Ogmore-by-Sea. Med Gull Bridgend. Marsh Tit The Warren.

26th - Lesser Scaup Cosmeston. 15 Med Gulls Bracelet Bay. Hen Harrier Kenfig Pool. Bittern Forest Farm. Hen Harrier Llangynwyd. Great White Egret Peterstone Wentlooge.

27th - Slavonian Grebe Eglwys Nunnydd. 2 Bitterns Kenfig Pool. 12 Purple Sandpiper Ogmore-by-Sea. Med Gull Cardiff Bay Barrage.

28th - Firecrest Merthyr Mawr. Bittern Lamby Lake. Lesser Scaup Egwlys Nunydd. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. Great White Egret Hendre Lake.

January Highlights

2010-02-10T13:28:00.000-08:00

January will long be remembered for the several bouts of heavy snow that fell across South Wales. Whilst the birds suffered, with some very tame thrushes, the birding throughout the month was excellent. The severe weather prompted a large influx of Woodcocks to coastal areas whilst Bitterns appeared to be pretty much anywhere there was a reed bed, with the Forest Farm bird proving particularly popular.

In terms of rarities, 8 Woodlarks in a stubble field at Southerndown gave great views whilst the Lesser Scaup continued to move between Cardiff Bay and Cosmeston. A French ringed Great White Egret at St Mellons Business Park proved somewhat elusive initially before finally settling into roosting each night at Hendre Lake, much to the joy of Cardiff birders, although this was somewhat frustrating for our Gwent friends.

Elsewhere, the juv Black Kite at Gigrin Farm, saw a steady trickle of birders heading up the A470, when the weather would allow.

1st - Water Pipit Rumney Great Wharf, Llwyn-onn & Ogmore Estuary. Lesser Scaup & 2 Bittern Cosmeston. Snow Bunting & Black Redstart Southerndown. 3 Red-throated Diver Rhosilli. Bittern Kenfig Pool. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Coed Ruperra.
2nd - Snow Bunting Peterstone Wentlooge. Turtle Dove Gorseinon.Snow Bunting Southerdown. Bittern Forest Farm. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. 2 Bittern Cosmeston. Bittern Kenfig Pool. Black Redstart Southerndown. Woodcock Wentloog Levels.
3rd - Snow Bunting & 5 Water Pipits Peterstone Wentlooge Snow Bunting Mynydd Eglwysilan. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. Water Pipit & Short-eared Owl Rumney Great Wharf. Bittern Forest Farm. Water Pipit Penclawdd.Turtle Dove Gorseinon. Snow Bunting Southerndown. Hen Harrier Goldcliff.
4th - Water Pipit Ogmore Est. Bitterns Forest Farm, Cardiff Bay & Kenfig Pool. Water Pipit Llwyn-onn. 3 Black Redstart & Snow Bunting Southerndown. Med Gull Lamby Lake.
5th - Med Gull Cosmeston. 2 Bittern & Woodcock Kenfig Pool. 2 Black Redstart Southerndown. Water Pipit Ogmore Estuary.Snow Bunting Peterstone Wentlooge.
6th - 2 Woodcock Cors Crychydd Reen. 1st winter Glaucous Gull Rumney Great Wharf. Bittern Hendre Lake.
7th - Woodcocks Kenfig Pool, Barry & Llandaff Weir. Water Pipit Ogmore Estuary. Bitterns Cadoxton, Forest Farm & Cosmeston. Short-eared Owl Maerdy Farm.
8th - Velvet Scoter & 3 Red-throated Divers Aberavon. Woodcock Lamby Tip, Kenfig Pool & Southerndown. Water Pipit Ogmore Estuary. Med Gull Rumney Great Wharf. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. Hen Harrier Cefn Bryn. Jack Snipe Hendre Lake.
9th - Red-throated & Great Northern Diver Sker, 4 Woodcock & Bittern Kenfig Pool. Woodcock & Red-legged Partridge Lamby Tip. Pink-footed Goose Cosmeston. Hybrid Teal x Green-winged Teal Dalton's Point. Bittern Forest Farm. 6 Woodlark Southerndown. Woodcocks Marcross, Mewslade, Southerndown, Cathays & Hendre Lake. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. Water Pipit Ogmore Estuary. Yellow-legged Gull Bute Dock & Lisvane Reservoir. Hen Harrier Penclawdd. 4 Bewick's Swans Neddern Flood.
10th - Woodcock & Bittern Kenfig Pool. 8 Woodlark, 7 Woodcock & Snow Bunting Southerndown. Bittern & Woodcock Hendre Lake. Woodcock & Med Gull Kenfig Pool. Pink-footed Goose Cosmeston. Med Gull Porthcawl. Woodcock Cathays. Black Redstart Aberthaw. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. Bittern Lamby Lake.Great Northern Diver Llandegfedd.
11th - Med Gull, Woodcock, Hen Harrier, Bittern & Red Kite Kenfig Pool. 2 Bitterns, Med Gull & Pink-footed Goose Cosmeston. 2 Bitterns Lamby Lake. Woodlarks, Snow Bunting & Woodcock Southerndown. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay.Great Northern Diver Llandegfedd.
12th - Red-crested Pochard & Bittern Cosmeston. Bittern & Med Gull Lamby Lake. Woodlark, Snow Bunting & Hen Harrier Southerndown. Med Gull Llandaff. Woodcock Maesteg.Great Northern Diver Llandegfedd.
13th - Red-crested Pochard & Bittern Cosmeston. 2 Bittern Kenfig Pool. Woodlarks Southerndown. 2 Bittern Lamby Lake. 4 Woodcock Cwmdu. Bittern Forest Farm. Bittern
Wernffrwd. Red-crested Pochard Cwmbran.
14th - 2 Bittern Kenfig Pool. Bittern & 2 Med Gull Lamby Lake. Red-crested Pochard Cosmeston. Woodcock Nottage.Red-crested Pochard Cwmbran.
15th - 6 Woodlarks Southerndown. Red-crested Pochard & Pintail Cosmeston. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay.Black Redstart Barrage. Bittern Forest Farm. Bittern Lamby Lake. 27 Med Gull Bracelet Bay.Great Northern Diver Llandegfedd.
16th - Woodcock Senghenydd. Woodlarks Rumney Great Wharf & Lisvane Reservoir. Lesser Scaup, Bittern & Red-crested Pochard Cosmeston. Bittern Forest Farm. 4 Woodcock Oxwich. Woodcock & Med Gull Kenfig Pool. Bittern & Med Gull Lamby Lake. Bittern Forest Farm. Bittern & Med Gull Lamby Lake.Great Northern Diver Llandegfedd.
17th - Bittern Forest Farm. Great Northern Diver & Bittern Kenfig Pool. Red-crested Pochard, Pink-footed Goose & Bittern Cosmeston. 2 Woodlark & Snow Bunting Southerndown. Bittern Lamby Lake. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. Velvet Scoter & 6 Red-throated Diver Aberavon. Black Redstart Barrage.Great Northern Diver Llandegfedd. Smew Goldcliff. 4 Bewick's Swans Neddern Flood.
18th - Bittern Kenfig Pool. Woodlark & Snow Bunting Southerndown. Bittern Forest Farm. Bittern Howardian NR. Smew Goldcliff.
19th - Med Gull Lamby Lake. 21 Brent Geese Ogmore-by-Sea. Bittern Forest Farm. Red-crested Pochard & Bittern Cosmeston. Snow Bunting Southerndown. Bittern Kenfig Pool. Great White Egret St Mellons Business Park. Hawfinch Forest Ganol.
20th - Yellow-legged Gull Lamby Lake.
21st - Marsh Harrier Kenfig Pool. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay.
22nd - Bittern Lamby Lake. Great White Egret St Mellons Business Park. Med Gull Hendre Lake.Smew & Hen Harrier Goldcliff.
23rd - Bittern Kenfig Pool. Red-crested Pochard Cosmeston. Velvet Scoter & 12 Red-throated Divers Aberavon. Great White Egret St Mellons Business Park. Bittern Lamby Lake. Smew Goldcliff.
24th - Hen Harrier Parc Slip NR. Bittern, Pink-footed Goose & Red-crested Pochard Cosmeston. 25th - Black Redstart Barrage. Bittern Forest Farm. Lesser Scaup, Red-crested Pochard & Pink-footed Goose Cosmeston.4 Bewick's Swans Neddern Flood.
26th - 2 Water Pipit Rumney Great Wharf. Water Pipit Llwyn-onn. Bittern Lamby Lake. Lesser Scaup Cosmeston.
27th - Great White Egret Hendre Lake. Jack Snipe Lamby Tip. Hen Harrier Marcross. Pink-footed Goose Cosmeston.
28th - Hen Harrier Marcross. Great White Egret & Bittern Hendre Lake.4 Water Pipits Neath Saltmarsh. Bittern Forest Farm.7 Bewick's Swans Llangybi.
29th - Great White Egret Hendre Lake.
30th - Great White Egret, Bittern & Woodcock Hendre Lake.22 Purple Sandpiper Ogmore-by-Sea. Red-crested Pochard. Bittern Forest Farm.
31st - Great White Egret & Bittern Hendre Lake. Woodcock Coed-y-bedw.Water Pipit Ogmore Estuary. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. Med Gull Porthcawl.4 Bitterns Kenfig Pool.

December Highlights

2010-01-11T12:42:00.000-08:00

The month was all about the magnificent white phase Gyr Falcon (juv female) found by Andrew Lucas at Scurlage on the Gower. It was twitchable for just 2 days in total. Either you saw it or you didn't. There's no point wittering on about other birds.

1st - Water Pipit Ogmore Estuary.Yellow-browed Warbler Llangynwyd Sewage Works.
2nd - Yellow-browed Warbler Llangynwyd Sewage Works.2 Water Pipit Ogmore Estuary.
3rd - Jack Snipe Parc Slip NR.Yellow-browed Warbler Llangynwyd Sewage Works.2 Black Redstart Barry.
4th - Firecrest Newton Burrows.Yellow-browed Warbler Llangynwyd Sewage Works.
5th - Lesser Scaup & Med Gull Cosmeston.Yellow-browed Warbler Llangynwyd Sewage Works. Water Pipit Ogmore Estuary.Black Redstart Rhossilli. Hen Harrier Nitten Field.2 Great Northern Diver Oxwich Bay. 35 Crossbill Cwmavon.Snow Bunting & 6 Water Pipits Peterstone.
6th - 3 Common Scoter Llanishen Reservoir.Water Pipit Penclawdd.Yellow-browed Warbler Llangynwyd Sewage Works. 19 Purple Sandpiper Ogmore-by-Sea.4 Med Gulls Porthcawl.Black-throated Diver Gileston.
7th - Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. Great Grey Shrike Llanwonno. Snow Bunting & Great Skua Peterstone.
8th - Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay.Yellow-browed Warbler Llangynwyd Sewage Works.
9th - 8 Med Gulls Porthcawl.Yellow-browed Warbler Llangynwyd Sewage Works.
10th - Yellow-browed Warbler Llangynwyd Sewage Works.Twite Werfa. Marsh Tit Upper Boat.
12th - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Llangynwyd Sewage Works. Hen Harrier Llanwonno.
13th - 3 Black Redstart Gileston.Black Redstart Mewslade.
14th - Whooper Swan Watermill Flood.Great Grey Shrike Perthcelyn. Bewick's Swan Peterstone.
16th - Black Redstart Cathays.
17th - Lesser Scaup Cosmeston. Black Redstart Penarth.Water Pipit Llwyn-onn. Gyr Scurlage.Snow Bunting Southerndown.
18th - Med Gull Lamby Lake. Gyr Scurlage. 2 Chough Nash Point.
19th - Black Redstart Grangetown.Gyr Scurlage.Bittern Cosmeston.
20th - Richard's Pipit Southerndown. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay.
21st - Med Gull Kenfig Pool. Red-throated Diver Sker. Richard's Pipit, Snow Bunting & Black Redstart Southerndown. 17 Purple Sandpiper Ogmore-by-Sea. 2 Hen Harrier & 4 Med Gulls Scurlage.White-fronted Goose Peterstone.
22nd - Black Redstart Grangetown.
23rd - Richard's Pipit, Snow Bunting & 3 Black Redstart Southerndown.22 Crossbill Blaencanaid. 24th - Richard's Pipit, Snow Bunting & 2 Black Redstart Southerndown.
25th - Black Redstart Southerndown. Water Pipit Llwyn-onn.
26th - Med Gull Lisvane Reservoir. Black Redstart Cardiff Bay Barrage.2 Black Redstart & Snow Bunting Southerndown. Water Pipit Ogmore Estuary. Bittern Kenfig Pool.
27th - 2 Med Gulls Porthcawl. Hen Harrier Cefn Bryn.2 Water Pipit Ogmore Estuary.Richard's Pipit & 2 Black Redstart Southerndown. Black Redstart Rhossilli.
28th - Eider Sker Point.Hen Harrier Cefn Bryn. Snow Bunting Southerndown. Iceland Gull Llandegfedd Reservoir. 6 Crossbill Waun Wen.
29th - Bittern Kenfig Pool. Hen Harrier Rhossilli.Black Redstart Southerndown.
30th - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Coity.
31st - 2 Marsh Tit Michaelstone-le-Pit. Black Redstart Southerndown. Med Gull Newton Beach.

November Highlights

2009-12-05T11:17:00.000-08:00

Bird wise November was dominated by a series of W/SW depressions towards the end of the month which produced some of the best seawatching for a number of years, with the persistent gales eventually driving a whole host of birds up the channel. Those watching at Porthcawl and Lavernock Point were treated to goodies such as Leach's & European Storm Petrel, Grey Pharalope, Red-throated, Great Northern & Black-throated Divers, Great, Arctic & Pommarine Skuas, Little Auk and large numbers of Gulliemots and Kittiwakes, along with the odd Gannet. Cardiff Foreshore produced Sabine's Gull although I am sure everyone would have swapped all of the above for a glimpse of the Black-bellied or White-bellied Storm Petrel seen close in shore off Severn Beach, proof once more that however dire seawatching may be on ocassions in the Severn Estuary, it's always worth a look ! Other highlights during the month included Great Northern Divers at Cosmeston, Barry Docks & Swansea Docks. Elsewhere the fem/imm Surf Scoter off Mumbles Head/Bracelet Bay proved to be a popular bird, whilst the Lesser Scaup remained with the Tufted Ducks at Cardiff Bay Wetland Reserve.

1st - Porthcawl, Red-breasted Merganser 1, Common Scoter 15, Gannet 3, Kittiwake 10+, Auk sp 1.
4th - Water Pipit & Little Gull Ogmore Estuary. Great Northern Diver, Merlin & Med Gull Kenfig Pool. 3 Whooper Swans Sluice Farm.
5th - Water Pipit & Little Gull Penclawdd. 100 Fieldfare Cors Crychydd Reen.
6th - Water Pipit Ogmore Estuary. 4 Green Sandpipers Ploran Mawr. Lesser Scaup & Merlin Cardiff Bay. Med Gull Porthcawl.
7th - 1000 Fieldfare Felindre. 5 Chough Southerndown. 41 Snipe & 7 Jack Snipe Oxwich. Med Gull Cardiff Bay.
8th - Black Redstart Porthcawl. 4 Black Redstart, Med Gull & Merlin Rumney Great Wharf.10 Purple Sandpiper Ogmore by Sea. Lesser Scaup, Med Gull & Black Redstart Cardiff Bay.
9th - Scaup Cardiff Bay. Great Northern Diver Cosmeston. 2 Black Redstart Cardiff Bay.
10th - Great Northern Diver Cosmeston. 2 Short-eared Owl, Black Redstart & Water Pipit Rumney Great Wharf.
11th - Great Northern Diver Cosmeston. Short-eared Owl Rumney Great Wharf. Med Gull Lamby Lake. Brambling Llangynwyd. 2 Black Redstart Gileston.
13th - 6 Purple Sandpiper Ogmore by Sea.
14th - Med Gulls Eglwys Nunydd & Ogmore Estuary. Great Northern Diver Porthcawl. 2 Yellow-legged Gulls Cardiff Bay.
15th - Lesser Scaup & 2 Scaup Cardiff Bay. Great Northern Diver Barry Docks.
16th - 140 Kittiwake & Gannet Porthcawl. Great Skua & 21 Kittiwake Lavernock Point. Great Northern Diver Barry Docks.
17th - Scaup & Yellow-legged Gull Cardiff Bay. 42 Med Gull Bracelet Bay. 9 Jack Snipe Oxwich.
18th - 3 Leach's Petrel, 62 Kittiwake, 15 Gulliemots, 6 Fulmar, 1 Shag, Porthcawl. Great Northern Diver Barry Docks. Black Redstart Barry.
19th - Fem/Imm Surf Scoter Mumbles Head. 13 Kittiwake Cardiff Foreshore.
20th - Snow Bunting & 4 Chough Southerndown. 2 Black Redstart Cardiff Bay Barrage. Grey Pharalope & 4 Great Northern Diver Oxwich. Surf Scoter & Little Gull Mumbles Head. Grey Pharalope Crymlyn Burrows. Great Northern Diver Barry Docks. 2 Black Redstart & Merlin Rumney Great Wharf.
21st - Surf Scoter Mumbles Head. 12 Med Gull Bracelet Bay.Black Redstart Rhosilli. Water Pipit Rumney Great Wharf.
22nd - 15 Purple Sandpiper Ogmore by Sea. Surf Scoter Mumbles Head. Porthcawl,Storm Petrel 1, Red-throated Diver 1, Black-throated Diver 1, Kittiwake 100+, Gulliemot 20, Fulmar 2, Common Scoter 8.
23rd - Porthcawl, 6 Leach's Petrel, 125 Kittiwake, Great Northern Diver, Red-throated Diver, 20 Common Scoter, 1 Razorbill & 3 Fulmar. Shag Eglwys Nunydd. Surf Scoter Mumbles Head. Leach's Petrel Newton Beach.
24th - Porthcawl, 1 Pom Skua, 5 Great Skua, 1 Leach's Petrel, 2 Great Northern Diver, 10 Common Scoter, 3 Shag, 6 Fulmar, 600+ Kittiwake. Port Eynon,2 Red-throated Divers, 4 Fulmars, 1 Gannet, 2 Common Scoter, 5 Purple Sandpipers, 176 Kittiwakes, 1 Great Skua, 298 Guillemots & 3 Razorbills. 5 Great Northern Diver Oxwich Bay. Lavernock Point, 1 Black-throated Diver, 6 Common Scoter, poss Long-tailed Skua, 4 Great Skua, 1 Pom Skua, 1 Arctic Skua, 2 Leach's Petrel,3 Purple Sandpiper, 185 Kittiwake. Cardiff Heliport, juv Sabine's Gull, Great Northern Diver, Yellow-legged Gull. Great Skua Ogmore by Sea.
25th - Porthcawl, 3+ Leach's Petrel, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Skua sp, 1 Grey Pharalope. Mumbles Head, 1 Great Skua, 3 Med Gulls, 463 Kittiwakes,12 Med Gull, 7 Guillemots & 2 Auk sp. Surf Scoter still Bracelet Bay.Cold Knap Point 1 Leach's Petrel,1 Great Skua,1 Great Northern Diver, 4 Common Scoter. Lavernock Point, 1 Great Skua, 100+ Kittiwake,1 Common Scoter 1 Leach's Petrel & 1 Auk sp
26th - Porthcawl, 2 Leach's Petrel, 350+ Kittiwake, 3 Guillemot, 5 Common Scoter & 2 Great Skua. Cardiff Bay Barrage, 3 Great Skuas, 1 Arctic Skua & 1 Gannet. Surf Scoter & 19 Med Gulls Bracelet Bay. Med Gull Mountain Ash.Lavernock Point, Little Auk 1, Black-throated Diver 1, Great Skua 3, Arctic Skua 5, Guillemot 1 & Kittiwake 136.
27th - Porthcawl, 1 Black-throated Diver. Lavernock Point, 1 Pom Skua, 4 Great Skua, 1 Great Northern Diver & 400 Kittiwakes. Cardiff Bay Barrage, 3 Great Skuas. Great Northern Diver Swansea Docks. 1 Red-throated Diver & 5 Great Northern Diver Oxwich Bay.Lavernock, Great Skua 4, Pom Skua 1, Great Northern Diver 1, Kittiwake 400.
28th - Rumney Great Wharf, Short-eared Owl, Merlin & Water Pipit.Lavernock Point, Pom Skua 1 & Little Gull 1.
30th - Velvet Scoter Ogmore by Sea.

October Highlights

2009-10-31T13:47:00.000-07:00

Find of the month went to Richard Smith with 2 Penduline Tits at Cardiff Bay Wetland Reserve on 14th October. The first since the long staying birds at Kenfig Pool during the winter of 96/97. Unfortunately for Glamorgan's newer listers they didn't hang around although they may well have been heard over subsequent days. The drake Lesser Scaup returned on 11th October and with Bonaparte's Gull and Wryneck it really has been a great year for Cardiff Bay. Elsewhere it was fairly quiet, with a scattering of Firecrests, an obliging Woodlark at Cosmeston and a Leach's Petrel off Porthcawl.

1st - Fieldfare Nant Garw. 123 Golden Plover Sker Point. 3oo Swallow & 300 House Martin, 12 Chiff Chaff, 1 Whitethroat & 4 Jay Lavernock Point.
3rd - Single Gulliemot, Razorbill & Leach's Petrel Porthcawl. Med Gull River Ogmore.
4th - Ring Ouzel Dare Country Park & 3 Ring Ouzel Mynydd Bwllfa. Green Sandpiper Ogmore Estuary.
6th - 9 Jay Lavernock Point.
7th - Ad Yellow-legged Gull Rhymney Estuary. Woodlark & Firecrest Cosmeston. Merlin & Red Kite Waun-y-Gilfach.
8th - Goshawk, Red Kite & Peregrine Mynydd Egwlysilan.
9th - Red Kite Monknash. Little Stint & 2 Whimbrel Rumney Great Wharf.
10th - Dark-bellied Brent Goose & 250+ Skylark Newton Beach. Ad Med Gull Cardiff Bay.
11th - Dark-bellied Brent Goose Newton Beach. Porthcawl, Common Scoter 37, Red-breasted Merganser 1, Red-throated Diver 1, Shag 1, Arctic Tern 2. Lesser Scaup & Ad Med Gull Cardiff Bay.
12th - 2 Ring Ouzel Maesteg. Ad Med Gull Ogmore Estuary. 25 Crosbbil Mynydd Egwlysian.
13th - 4 Med Gulls Bracelet Bay. Hen Harrier Mynydd Egwlysian. Tree Pipit Pontcanna.
14th - Penduline Tit 2, Cardiff Bay. Firecrest Cwndu Maesteg.
15th - Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. 2 Med Gulls Kenfig Pool. Dark-bellied Brent Goose Newton Point.
16th - Med Gull Ogmore Estuary. 2 Gadwall & Wigeon Cardiff Bay.
17th - 4 Redpoll, Med Gull, Scaup & Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay.
18th - 17 Crossbill & Goshawk Margam Mountain. 4 Jack Snipe Oxwich. 4 Ring Ouzels Dare Country Park. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay.
19th - Red Kite Sarn.
21st - Green Sandpiper & Med Gull Ogmore Estuary. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay.
23rd - 3 Med Gulls Porthcawl.
24th - Ad Little Gull Ogmore Estuary.
25th - Firecrest Crymlin Burrows. Porthcawl Sea Watch, Kittiwake 19, Common Gull 9, Common Scoter 8, Razorbill 19, Gulliemot 4 & Red-Throated Diver 1. Lesser Scaup & 350 Wood Pigeon Cardiff Bay.
26th - Brambling Lamby Tip. Purple Sandpiper Ogmore-by-Sea. 3000 Wood Pigeon & 2500 Redwing Barry.
27th - Scaup & Redpoll Watermark, Cardiff Bay.
28th - Black Redstart Gileston. 14 Crossbill Coed-y-wenallt. Med Gull Kenfig Pool. Purple Sandpiper Ogmore-by-Sea. Lavernock Point, Ring Ouzel 1, Redwing 220, Fieldfare 48, Blackbird 40, Mistle Thursh 2, Siskin 4 & Brambling 1.
29th - 400+ Redwing Cosmeston.
30th - Goldeneye Cardiff Bay. Ad Med Gull Hamadryad Park. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay.
31st - 6 Goldeneye Eglwys Nunydd. 5000+ Wood Pigeon Leckwith. 12 Med Gulls Bracelet Bay. 2 Med Gulls Kenfig Pool. 50 Common Scoter, 4000+ Wood Pigeon & 9 Grey Partridge, Monknash. Ring Ouzel Ffordd-y-Gyfraith.

September Highlights

2009-10-09T13:02:00.000-07:00

The beginning of the month was dominated by the search for a Glamorgan Glossy Ibis after up to 25 birds appeared across the county border in Burry Port, Carms. However, apart from several reports of birds in flight, County listers were to be left disappointed. Two Wrynecks, one trapped in Cardiff Bay and one at Lavernock Point were more typical September rarities. Elsewhere a satellite tracked juv Honey Buzzard roosted overnight on the Gower en route to Africa and several days saw large movement of Swallows, presumably Irish birds.

1st - 2 Med Gulls Crymlyn Burrows.

2nd - 1st w Med Gull Cardiff Heliport. 2 Osprey Wernffrwd. Little Gull Eglwys Nunydd. Hobby Hendre Lake.

3rd - Ad Med Gull Cardiff Heliport. Porthcawl, Red-throated Diver 1, Manx Shearwater 1 & 10 Kittiwake. Rhymney Estuary, 140 Black-tailed Godwit, 65 Knot, 2 Yellow Wagtail . Grey Pharalope, Ogmore-by-Sea.

4th - Rhymney Estuary, 135 Black-tailed Godwit, 55 Knot, 33 Ringed Plover. Ogmore Estuary Osprey & Red Kite. Lavernock Point Swallow 400+, Sand Martin 21, Common Whitethroat 6, Lesser Whitethroat 4, Chiff Chaff 3, Willow Warbler 1, Blackcap 2, Garden Warbler 1 & Tree Pipit 1. Gannet & 7 Wheatear Aberthaw.
5th - Hobby Mynydd Eglwysilan. Med Gull Cardiff Bay. Litte Gull Eglwys Nunydd.

6th - Sker Point, 12 Brent Geese & 8 Wheatear. Glossy Ibis reported near Baglan. Greenshank Nash Point. Green Sandpiper Miskin. Port Eynon , 70+ Sandwich Terns, 2 Arctic Skua, 2 Arctic Tern, 20 Common Scoter, & 2 Med Gulls. Osprey Wernffrwd. 5 Brent Geese & ad Med Gull Aberthaw.

8th - Wryneck trapped Cardiff Bay. Hen Harrier near Rhymney.

9th - Rhymney Estuary, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 50 Knot, 1 Black-tailed Godwit & Green Sandpiper.

10th - Ad Med Gull Cardiff Foreshore. 5000+ Swallow Summerhouse Point.

11th - 4 Chough Cwm Nash.

12th - 6 Whimbrel & 9 Little Stint Sker Beach. Hen Harrier, Dare Valley Country Park. 5000 Swallow Rhossilli. Rinz Ouzel near Pontycymmer.

14th - Ad Yellow-legged Gull Cardiff Heliport.

15th - Satellite tracked Honey Buzzard, Parkmill, Gower.

16th - Hobby Eglwys Nunydd.

18th - Lapland Bunting Rhossilli.

20th - 19 Jay Mynydd Ty Talwyn. Osprey Crymlyn Burrows .

21st - Glossy Ibis reported Swansea Enterprise Park. Black Tern Kenfig Pool. 4 Wheatear Nash Point.

22nd - Razorbill Cardiff Heliport. Black Tern Kenfig Pool.

23rd - Firecrest Nantyffyllon. Black Tern Kenfig Pool. Lavernock Point, Swallow 3000, Sky Lark 65, Goldfinch 300, Wheatear 2, Chiffchaff 12, Jay 4, Linnet 80, Meadow Pipit 100 & Reed Bunting 12.

24th - Hobby Broad Pool, Gower.

25th - Ad Med Gull Lamby Lake. 42 Med Gull, Bracelet Bay, Mumbles. Pied Flycatcher Pontcanna Fields.

26th - Wryneck & 36 Jay Lavernock Point. Hobby Eglwys Nunydd.

27th - Dartford Warbler & Redstart Cwm Nash. Osprey Crymlyn Burrows. Firecrest Flatholm.Lavernock Point, Redpoll 20, Siskin 30, Chiff Chaff 10.

29th - Merlin Mynydd Eglwysilan.

August Highlights

2009-08-02T14:25:00.000-07:00

August is often the month when County listers start thinking about trying to add a scarce seabird to their tally. A Cory's Shearwater picked up in Swansea yet again proved that things do head up the Bristol Channel from time to time, although not in the league of Yellow-nosed Albatross or Frigatebird sp, this will be one seabird record the relevant commitee will not have too much trouble with!

Otherwise, migrants such as Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, Pied & Spotted Flycatcher, Yellow Wagtail & Tree Pipit started to be seen at costal locations. A Shag in Cardiff Bay was a much desired Cardiff tick for some - a bird that is surprisingly rare this far up the channel. An equally odd sighting was an Avocet heading west over Cosmeston Lakes, proof that ocassionally is does pay to look skywards! I would say roll on September but as I will be out of county for most of the month, let's hope for a nice quiet month :-)

1st - Cory's Shearwater picked up Swansea.
2nd - Aberthaw - Whimbrel 1 & Wheatear 1. Med Gull & Spotted Flycatcher Lamby Lake.
3rd - 1 Wood & 2 Green Sandpipers Llanilid. 9 Arctic Tern pass Flat Holm. Briton Ferry Docks - 14 Common Sandpiper, 6 Greenshank & Whimbrel.
4th - 2 Whimbrel, 1 Green & 5 Common Sandpipers Llanilid.
5th - Hobby & Green Sandpiper Hendre Lake. Greenshank Lavernock Point. 2 ad Med Gulls, 18 Ringed Plover & 4 Dunlin Aberthaw
6th - Pied Flycatcher Schooner Way, Cardiff.
7th - 1 Wood & 10 Green Sandpipers Llanilid. Shag Cardiff Bay. Lavernock Point - Willow Warbler 17, Garden Warbler 2, Common Whitethroat 4, Blackcap 2, Tree Pipit 1, Spotted Flycatcher 1, Leser Whitethroat 9, Swallow 49, Sedge Warbler 1, Chiff Chaff 1.
8th - St Mellons Business Park Spotted & Pied Flycatcher.
9th - Avocet Cosmeston. Ad Med Gull Ogmore Estuary. Goshawk Bridgend. Juv Med Gull Cardiff Heliport.
10th - Great Skua off Flat Holm. Egyptian Goose Rheola Pond.
11th - 4 Green & 2 Common Sandpipers Llanilid. Green Sandpiper Weentloog Business Park. 12 Willow Warbler & Wheatear Cardiff Heliport.
12th - Common Tern Bridgend. Spotted Flycatcher Cosmeston.
13th - Ad Med Gull & Kingfisher Cardiff Bay. Scaup, 2 Dunlin, 2 Common & 2 Green Sandpipers Llanilid. 6 Common Sandpiper & Wimbrel Cardiff Heliport.
14th - Lavernock Point - Willow Warbler 8, Chiff Chaff 1, Garden Warbler 2, Grasshopper Warbler 1 , Blackcap 4, Whitethroat 4, Lesser Whitethroat 4 , Swallow 45. Spotted Flycatcher Cosmeston.
15th - Osprey Neath. Lavernock 2 Garden Warbler. Port Eynon, Pomarine Skua 1, 230+ Manx Shearwater, 40+ Fulmar, 50+ Sandwich Tern, 200+ Kittiwake, 2 Common Scoter & 40+ Gannet.
16th - juv Common Tern Hamadryad Park. Med Gull Porthcawl.
17th - Lavernock Point, Chiff Chaff 5, Willow Warbler 1, Whitethorat 3, Lesser Whitethroat 2. Flat Holm 11 & 2 Wheatear.
18th - Osprey Neath. 2 Med Gull Britton Ferry.
20th Porthcawl - Storm Petrel 2, Manx Shearwater 3, Fulmar 6, Gannet 17.
22nd - 2 Med Gulls Hamadryad Park. Osprey Wernffrwd. Hobby Llwyn-onn Reservoir.
23rd - Med Gull Cardiff Bay. Osprey Wernffrwd. Lamby Lake, 8 Common Sandpiper & 2 Green Sandpiper.
24th - Osprey River Neath. Pant Norton, Pied Flycatcher, 20 Whitethroat, 15 Blackcap & 15 Chiff Chaff. 70+ Yellow Wagtail Cwm Bach.
25th - Greenshank & Yellow Wagtail Cardiff Heliport.
27th - Little Egret Lisvane Reservoir.
28th - Black Tern Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. Osprey Wernffrwd. Black Tern Salthouse Point.
31st - 18 Brent Geese Ogmore-by-Sea. Little Egret Lisvane Reservoir. Port Eynon, 3 Great Skuas, 1 Common Tern & 24 Sandwich Terns.

July Highlights

2009-08-02T13:08:00.000-07:00

Pretty much a rarity free July. The closest we got to any excitement were 2 singing Quail near Maesteg at Mynydd Baeden which showed now and again for those prepared to sweat it out. Elsewhere an eclipse drake Goldeneye at Lisvane Reservoir was somewhat unseasonal to say the least. Otherwise, it was eyes to the floor and time to dust down those Odanata and Butterfly guides.

4th - Cold Knapp Barry - Med Gull 1.

5th - Aberthaw - 5 Gannet, good number of Manx Shearwater, Fulmar & Little Egret. 2 Black-tailed Godwit Kenfig Pool. Wernffrwd Brent Goose 1 & 11 Eider.

7th - Whimbrel & 2 Common Sandpipers Cors Crychydd Reen. Ad Med Gull 3 Common Sandpipers Ogmore Estuary.

8th - Rumney Great Wharf /Rhymney Estuary - Yellow-legged Gull ad, Little Egret 1 & Peregrine. Wernffrwd 1 Brent Goose & 11 Eider.

9th - Gannet & Goosander Cardiff Bay. 1st summer Med Gull Cardiff Heliport. Drake Goldeneye Lisvane Reservoir.

10th - 2 Med Gulls Aberthaw.

11th - Hobby Bridgend.

12th - Med Gull & 12 Common Sandpipers Ogmore Estuary. Aberthaw 50 Manx Shearwater,1 Whimbrel & 2 Gannets. Black-tailed Godwit Rumney Great Wharf.

14th - 1st summer Med Gull Cardiff Heliport. 2 Quail Mynydd Baeden.

15th - 2 Quail Mynydd Baeden. Garden Warbler Lavernock Point. 2 Green Sandpiper & Hobby Rumney Levels.

18th - 2 Quail Mynydd Baeden.

20th - 2 Quail Mynydd Baeden.

22nd - Rumney Great Wharf - 52 Manx Shearwater, 1 ad Med gull, 1 Common Sandpiper & 3 Whimbrel. Cardiff Heliport - 850+ Manx Shearwater, 1 Gannet & Common Scoter.

23rd - Lavernock Point - Whitethroat 6, Garden Warbler 1 & Willow Warbler 1. Little Egret Lisvane Reservoir. Yellow Wagtail Mynydd Baeden 1.

24th - Lavernock Point - 7 Common Sandpiper.

25th - 1st summer Med Gull Kenfig Pool. 12 Crossbill Abercwmboi.

26th - Cardiff Heliport - 2 Whimbrel, Little Egret & Common Scoter. Worms Head 2000+ Manx Shearwater & 30 Gannet. Wernffrwd - 11 Med Gulls, 264 Common Gull & 11 Common Sandpiper.

29th - Ad Med Gull Penarth Road Bridge.

30th Garnwen - 2 Nightjar.

June Highlights

2009-07-03T14:29:00.001-07:00

The summer doldrums finally arrived in June with the only notable rarity being Woodchat Shrike on the Gower at Rhossili Down. A near miss was a Black Stork reported flying over Penclacwydd towards Glamorgan but unfortunately not relocated. Elsewhere Honey Buzzards, Hobbies and Goshawks were seen at well known sites. Can hardly wait for all the excitement July will bring - Caspian Tern please ???

1st - Red Kite Hendre Lake. Black Stork reported flying south over Penclacwydd, into Glamorgan. Quail Llanbethery area. Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Dunlin & 3 Gannet Aberthaw. 7 Grey Plover, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit & 16 Sanderling Sker.
2nd - Quail calling Llanbethery area. 26 Black-tailed Godwit Kenfig Pool.
3rd - Storm Petrel Tusker Rock. 2nd Sum Med Gull Cardiff Foreshore.
4th - 2 Gannet & 2 Whimbrel Aberthaw. 3 Sandwich Terns Sker.
6th - 5 Stock Dove near St Athan.
9th - Hobby Coryton.
10th - 2 Tree Sparrow Lower Monkton Farm.
11th - 1st Sum Med Gull Lamby Lake.
12th - 2 Cettis Warbler Cadoxton.
13th - Cuckoo Rumney Great Wharf. 1 Ruff Kenfig Saltmarsh.
14th - Cuckoo Sully Island.
15th - 2 Cuckoo Garw Forest.
16th - Woodchat Shrike Rhossili Down, Gower.
17th - Ad Med Gull Cardiff Bay. Little Egret & 2 Whimbrel Cardiff Foreshore.
18th - 35 Manx Shearwater, Sully Island. Woodchat Shrike Rhossili Down Gower.
19th - Woodchat Shrike Rhossili Down, Gower.
20th - Woodchat Shrike Rhossili Down, Gower.
22nd - 2 Green Sandpiers Cefn Mably. Woodchat Shrike Rhossili Down, Gower.
23rd - Cuckoo Trowbridge. Rumney Great Wharf Whimbrel 27, Knot 1, Dunlin 1, Green Sandpiper 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Common Gull (1st sum) & Med Gull (2, 1 ad. sum. & 1st sum).
24th - Hobby Parc Slip NR.
25th - 50 Manx Shearwater off Flat Holm.
27th - 5 Whimbrel Nash Point
28th - Peregrine & Common Sandpiper Cardiff Foreshore.
30th June - 3 Chough Southerndown.

May Highlights

2009-06-03T15:06:00.000-07:00

After a magic May in 2008, this year it was more of a muted May. The Lesser Scaup lingered into the first week whilst the only real excitement was the Spoonbill for those who could stomach the long trek out to Kenfig River Mouth. Nightjars performed at traditional sites such as Llanwonno and some mid month gales produced a few seabirds off Porthcawl. Finally, a Turtle Dove at Cosmeston on the 30th was a good sighting of an increasingly difficult bird to see in VC41. Fingers crossed for a better autumn.

1st - Whimbrel Cardiff Bay Barrage.

2nd - 6 Swift Kenfig Pool.

3rd - Hobby Aberthaw. Hen Harrier Kenfig Pool. Red-legged Partridge St Donats.

5th - Garden Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher Lavernock Point.

6th - Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. Osprey Hensol. 12 Wheatear & Whimbrel Cardiff Heliport. 7 Whimbrel Kenfig Pool.

7th - 4 Wheatear & 6 Whimbrel Rhymney Estuary.

9th - Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher & Redstart Coed-y-Bedw.

10th - Tree Pipit Garth Mountain. 1st summer Iceland Gull Ogmore Estuary. Spotted Flycatcher Landsdown Gardens. 18 Wheatear Llangynwyd. Spoonbill Goldcliff.

11th - Black-tailed Godwit 1, Cosmeston. Lavernock Point Manx Shearwater 95, Fulmar 2, Common Scoter 3, Sandwich Tern 2, Arctic Tern 5, Common Tern 1 & Grey Plover 1. 14 Black-tailed Godwit Kenfig Pool.

12th - Yellowhammer Lisvane.

13th - Cattle Egret , Pyle Gower.

14th - 1st summer Iceland Gull Roath Park Lake.

16th - Spoonbill 1 ad Kenfig River Mouth. Arctic Skua 3 Cardiff Heliport, Gannet 4 & Kittiwake 1. Pommarine Skua 1 Tutt Head.

17th - Spoonbill 1 ad Kenfig River Mouth. Arctic Tern Cardiff Heliport. Porthcawl , Great Northern Diver 1, Storm Petrel 1, Manx Shearwater 6 & Gannet 2. Port Talbot Arctic Skua 1 & Manx Shearwater 15. Porthcawl , Great Northern Diver 1, 2 Storm Petrel, 100+ Manx Shearwater, 18 Gannets & 4 Fulmar.

18th - Spoonbill 1 ad Kenfig River Mouth. Lavernock Point ,Great Skua 1, Gannet 15, Manx Shearwater 5, Kittiwake 1 & Whimbrel 1.

19th - Porthcawl Great Northern Diver 4, Storm Petrel 3, Arctic Skua 2, Manx Shearwater 300 & Common Scoter 7. Lavernock, Great Skua 1. Llanwonno, Nightjar 2. Cardiff Foreshore, Dunlin 53 & Curlew Sandpiper 1.

20th - Hobby Llangynwyd. Storm Petrel Sully Island.

21st - Sandwich Tern Lavernock Point.

23rd - Spotted Flycatcher Pencoed & Llangynwyd.

24th - 2 Spotted Flycatcher Llandough.

27th - Porthcawl, 2251 Manx shearwater, 4 Storm Petrel, 55 Fulmar, 6 Gannet, 3 Razorbill, 3 Kittiwake, 2 Sandwich Tern, 16 Common Scoter. 5 Spoonbill Goldcliff.

29th - Red Kite Porthcawl. 4 Spoonbill Goldcliff.

30th - Turtle Dove Cosmeston.

31st - Goldcliff 2 Spoonbill.

April Highlights

2009-04-12T14:14:00.000-07:00

After a trickle of migrants in March migration soon got into full swing during April. A couple of early Swifts set the scene along with expected birds such as Cuckoo, Reed & Sedge Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Wood Warbler and a few Grasshopper Warblers. On the rarity front, the drake Lesser Scaup made it into April, whilst the Bonaparte's Gull was last seen at the end of March. Highlight of the month was out of County at Uskmouth, a cracking male Subalpine Warbler a diffuclt to see Welsh rarity particularly away from places like Skomer and Bardsey. Gwent also scored with a White Stork which drifted over Goldcliff towards the end of the month. Let's hope in May it swings back to VC41!

1st - Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. Slav Grebe Egwlys Nunnydd
2nd - Green Sandpiper & 4 Little Egret Rumney Great Wharf. Ad Little Gull Cardiff Bay. 3 Whimbrel Cardiff Heliport.
4th - 2cy Iceland Gull Rhymney Estuary. Lesser Scaup, 2cy Med Gull & ad Little Gull Cardiff Bay.
5th - Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. Water Pipit Llwyn Onn.
6th - Common Sandpiper Hendre Lake. Iceland Gull Ogmore.
7th - Sedge Warbler Kenfig Pool Cors Crycydd Reen. Grasshopper Warbler Kenfig Pool. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Gwaelod-y-Garth.Ring-billed Gull (2nd S) Lamby Lake.
8th - Osprey & Ring Ouzel Llynfi Valley. Ring-billed Gull (1st S) Cardiff Heliport. Common Whitethroat Hendre Lake.
9th - Swift Pontypridd. Iceland Gull 2cy Ogmore. Common Sandpiper Ogmore Estuary.
10th - Lesser Scaup, 3 Scaup, Med Gull & Little Gull Cardiff Bay. Short-eared Owl Lamby Reen. Swift Leckwith.
11th - Little Ringed Plover & Water Pipit Ogmore Estuary. Grasshoppere Warbler CBWR.3 Scaup Ice Rink. Iceland Gull Ogmore.
12th - Lesser Scaup & 3 Scaup. Osprey Cosmeston. 2 Grasshopper Warbler CBWR.
13th - Lesser Scaup and Grasshopper Warbler CBWR.
14th - Grasshopper Warbler Taff Embankment. Iceland Gull, 3 Med Gulla & Red Kite Ogmore. Lesser Scaup and Med Gull Cardiff Bay. Grasshopper Warbler CBWR.
15th - Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. Med Gull Ogmore.
16th - Lesser Scaup & 3 Scaup Cardiff Bay. Osprey Treforest. Grasshopper Warbler Lamby Lake.
17th -Lesser Scaup & Grasshopper Warbler CBWR. Med Gull Ogmore.
18th - Lesser Scaup & 2 Little Gulls Cardiff Bay. Little Ringed Plover and Med Gull Ogmore. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Llangynwyd.
19th -Grasshopper Warbler CBWR. 16 Whimbrel Sluice Farm.
20th - Ring-billed Gull Lamby Lake. Osprey Baglan.
23rd - 6 Whimbrel Rumney Great Wharf. Gargeny Ewglys Nunydd Reservoir. Grasshopper Warbler and Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. Male GargeneyKenfig.
25th - Grasshopper Warbler and Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay.
26th - Male Subalpine Warbler, Uskmouth. Iceland Gull Ogmore. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay.
27th - White Stork Goldcliff. Subalpine Warbler, Uskmouth.
28th - Wood Warbler Bute Park. 1st summer Ring-billed Gull and 13 Whimbrel, Rumney Great Wharf. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Pontcanna. Subalpine Warbler, Uskmouth.
29th - Willow Tit Gilfach Mountain.

March Highlights

2009-03-01T15:46:00.000-08:00

Bird of the Month was yet another Graham Smith find, a Bonaparte's Gull along the River Taff viewed from either Channel View or Hamadryad Park. Something of a Cardiff speciality, this was the fifth city record since 1986, 4 of which have made it into the bay! A nice ad Little Gull performed well along side the Bonaparte's whilst the Lesser Scaup continued to show distantly from the boardwalk at CBWR. Other long stayers included several Iceland & Glaucous Gulls and the Hendre Lake Bittern. A Sand Martin at Hendre Lake on St David's Day was the earliest ever East Glam record whilst a second Bittern, found dead here turned out to have been ringed in Finland.

1st - Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. Juv Iceland Gull & 2nd w Glaucous Gull Port Talbot. 28 Purple Sandpipers Ogmore. Bittern & Sand Martin Hendre Lake. Iceland Gull Cosmeston.
2nd - 2w Ring-billed Gull Lamby Lake. Bittern Hendre Lake. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay.
5th - Sand Martin Cardiff Bay.
6th - Lesser Scaup & Slavonian Grebe Cardiff Bay. Med Gull Cosmeston. 2w Ring-billed Gull Lamby Lake. Iceland Gull Portobello Island.
7th - Juv Glaucous Gull Aberthaw.
8th - Juv Glaucous Gull Aberthaw. Bonaparte's Gull & Little Gull off Hamadryad Park.
9th - Bonaparte's Gull & Little Gull, 2 Med Gull Hamadryad Park. Bittern Hendre Lake.
10th - Bonaparte's Gull & Little Gull Hamadryad Park. Slavonian Grebe Cardiff Bay.
11th - Short-eared Owl & Bittern (picked up dead) Hendre Lake. Bonaparte's Gull & Little Gull Hamadyad Park.
12th - Bittern Hendre Lake.
13th - Bonaparte's Gull Hamadryad Park.Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. Bittern Hendre Lake. Iceland Gull Portobello Island.
14th - Bittern Hendre Lake. Bonaparte's Gull Hamadryad Park and Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay.
15th - Bonaparte's Gull, Little Gull & 3 Med Gull Hamadryad Park and Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. Bittern Hendre Lake. Iceland Gull Portobello Island.
16th - Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. Bonaparte's Gull Hamadryad Park. Iceland Gull Cosmeston.
17th - Bonaparte's Gull Hamadryad Park. Iceland Gull Cosmeston. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay.
18th - Iceland Gull Portobello Island.
19th - Bonaparte's Gull Hamadryad Park. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. Iceland Gull Cosmeston. 2 male & 1 female Garganey Cors Crychydd Reen. Little Ringed Plover Portobello Island.
20th - Iceland Gull Kenfig Pool. Water Pipit Llwyn Onn. Bonaparte's Gull Hamadryad Park.
21st - Black Redstart Flat Holm & Aberthaw. 2nd w Glaucous Gull & 2 Med Gulls Rhymney Estuary. Bonaparte's Gull & Med Gull Hamadryad Park. Iceland Gull Ogmore by Sea. Water Pipit Portobello Island.
22nd - Glaucous Gull Lamby Tip. Bonaparte's Gull Hamadryad Park. Osprey Masteg Golf Course. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Forest Farm.
24th - Glaucous Gull Lamby Tip.
25th - Iceland Gull & Little Ringed Plover Ogmore Estaury.
26th - Cardiff Bay Bonaparte's & Little Gull, 3 Scaup.
27th - Swallow River Ely. Water Pipit Ogmore Estuary.
29th - Iceland Gull & 29 Purple Sandpipers Ogmore by Sea. Glaucous Gull Lamby Tip.
30th - 2 Brent Gesse Barry Dock. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay.
31st - Whimbrel Rumney Great Wharf. Lesser Scaup and Little Gull Cardiff Bay.

Highlights for February

2009-03-01T12:53:00.000-08:00

February will be remembered for some very cold weather and several heavy bouts of snow. No new big rares and for most people efforts were targetted at catching up with the Hendre Lake Bittern or one of the number of Iceland or Glaucous Gulls that lingered along the coast. The Bittern seemed to alternate between stunning views and no views depending on which day you visited but most people who perserved eventually got some sort of view. Some excellent flight shots can be found on weekendbirder.blogspot.com/

Oh, and the drake Lesser Scaup reappeared back at Cardiff Bay mid month, having gone missing for a period.

1st - 2nd w Ring-billed Gull Lamby Lake. Snow Bunting, Mynydd Eglwysilan.
2nd - Iceland Gulls , Swansea Marina and Ogmore Estuary.
3rd - Juv Iceland Gull, Rhymney Estuary. Ring-billed Gull, Lamby Lake.
4th - Iceland Gull & Dark-bellied Brent Goose Rhymney Estuary. Woodlark Rumney Great Wharf.
5th - Bittern, Hendre Lake. Iceland Gull & Water Pipit, Ogmore Estuary.
6th - Bittern, Hendre Lake.
7th - Bittern, Hendre Lake. Ring-billed Gull Lamby Lake. Ring-necked Parakeet, Insole Gardens. Water Pipit, Lwyn Onn.
8th - 3 Waxwings, Bridgend. 15 Redpoll Grangemoor Park. Slav Grebe, Cardiff Bay.
9th - 3 Waxwings, Bridgend. Juv Iceland Gull, Cardiff Heliport.
10th - Lesser Scaup, Cardiff Bay. Bittern, Hendre Lake. Juv Iceland Gull, Rhymney Estuary. Juv Iceland Gull, Penarth Seafront. Waxwings, Bridgend.
11th - Bittern, Hendre Lake.
12th - Ad Iceland Gull, Rhymney Estuary. Glaucous Gull, Port Talbot Docks. Bittern, Hendre Lake.
13th - Juv Iceland Gull, Llanishen/Lisvane Reservoir. Ad Iceland Gull, Rhymney Estuary.Ring-billed Gull, Lamby Lake. Lesser Scaup, Cardiff Bay. Barn Owl, 3 Short-eared Owl and 6 Woodcock Llanillid. Hen Harrier, Mynydd Eglwysilan.
14th - Bittern, Hendre Lake. Hen Harrier, Llangynwyd, Maesteg. 2 Hen Harriers, Mynydd Eglwysilan. Ring-billed Gull, Lamby Lake.
15th - Bittern, Hendre Lake. Hen Harrier, Mynydd Eglwysilan.
16th - Bittern, Hendre Lake. Ring-billedGull, Lamby Lake.
17th - Bittern, Hendre Lake. Hen Harrier, Mynydd Eglwysilan. Iceland Gull, Ogmore Estuary
18th - Bittern, Hendre Lake. Hen Harrier, Mynydd Eglwysilan. Iceland Gull, Ogmore Estuary.
19th - Iceland Gull, Ogmore Estuary.
20th - Bittern, Hendre Lake.
21th - Bittern, Hendre Lake. Lesser Scaup, Cardiff Bay.
22nd - Juv Iceland Gull, Cosmeston.
23rd - Lesser Scaup, Cardiff Bay. Juv Iceland Gull Port Talbot Docks. Yellow-legged Gull, Rhymney Estuary.
24th - Juv Iceland Gull, Cosmeston. Hen Harrier Llangynwyd,Maesteg. juv Iceland Gull and 2nd win Glaucous Gull, Port Talbot Docks.
26th - 5 Jack Snipe Rumney Great Wharf and Wentloog area. Juv Iceland Gull and 2nd w Glaucous Gull, Port Talbot Docks.
27th Bittern Hendre Lake.
28th Lesser Scaup and ad Little Gull Cardiff Bay . 2nd w Glaucous Gull & juv Iceland Gull Port Talbot. 3 Purple Sandpipers Nell's Point.

Highlights for January

2009-02-01T06:59:00.000-08:00

No major surprises this month although a number of lingering rarities got the year list off to a good start. The 2nd winter Ring-billed Gull at Lamby Lake was joined on a few occasions by a first winter bird, whilst the Slav Grebe (Cardiff Bay) and Bearded Tit (Cosmeston) continued to show well. The Lesser Scaup found the lure of the capital and it's bright lights too much and moved from Cosmeston to Cardiff Bay. Some showy Waxwings in Weston Ave, Sully proved very popular, whilst Waxwings were also seen at Culverhouse Cross, Barry and Sarn.

The latter half of the month gave rise to a few White-winged Gulls with both Iceland (ad) and Glaucous Gull (juv) seen at the Ogmore River Mouth, Possibly the same Glaucous Gull had earlier been seen at Margam Breakwater, whilst other Iceland Gulls were seen off Cardiff Foreshore and in Swansea Marina. Snow Buntings were seen at both Werfa and Mynydd Eglwysilian and Bitterns were seen at Lamby Lake, Cosmeston and Parc Slip NR.

With Gyr Falcon and Green-winged Teal in nearby Welsh Counties there is still plenty of scope for some more good birds this winter. Fingers crossed it's the big white one !

1st - Lesser Scaup and Bearded Tit, Cosmeston, Ring-billed Gull Lamby Lake. 5 Scaup Cardiff Bay.
2nd - Waxwings, Sully. Merlin Rumney Great Wharf. Lesser Scaup and Bearded Tit, Cosmeston.
3rd - Waxwings Sully and Culverhouse Cross. Goshawk, Red Kite, Woodcock and Firecrest Llangynwyd. Lesser Scaup relocated in Cardiff Bay. Bearded Tit Cosmeston. Firecrest and Water Pipit Merthyr Mawr.
4th - 2 Waxwings Sully, Bearded Tit Cosmeston and Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. Firecrests Llangynwyd and Merthyr Mawr. Water Pipit Merthyr Mawr.
5th - Lesser Scaup, Cardiff Bay. 2 Waxwings Sully and 10+ Barry. Bearded Tit Cosmeston. Water Pipit Llwyn-onn Reservoir. 2 Ring-billed Gulls Lamby Lake (1st w & 2nd w). Black Redstart Cardiff Bay.
6th - 2 Ring-billed Gulls Lamby Lake. Lesser Scaup and Jack Snipe Cardiff Bay. White-fronted Goose Lavernock Point. Slav Grebe Hamadryad Park. 3 Waxwings Sully,
7th - 1 Brent Goose Gileston.
8th - 2 Ring-billed Gulls Lamby Lake. Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay.
9th - Lesser Scaup, Slav Grebe and Yellow-legged Gull Cardiff Bay. 2 Ring-billed Gulls and Bittern Lamby Lake. Bittern Parc Slip NR. Water Pipits Portobello and Llwyn-onn Reservoir.
10th -2 Ring-billed Gulls and Bittern Lamby Lake. Firecrest Cilfynydd. 10 Waxwings Sully. Lesser Scaup and Slav Grebe Cardiff Bay. Water Pipit Ogmore. Bearded Tit Cosmeston.
11th - 10 Waxwings Sully.Ring-necked Parakeet Insole Gardens. Lesser Scaup and Slav Grebe Cardiff Bay. 2nd W Ring-billed Gull Lamby Lake.
12th - Waxwing Sarn. Black Redstart Penarth Head. Bearded Tit Cosmeston.

13th - Lesser Scaup Cardiff Bay. Bittern Cors Crychydd Reen.
16th - 3 Brent Geese Gileston.
17th - Slav Grebe Cardiff Bay. 2nd w Ring-billed Gull Lamby Lake. Bearded Tit Cosmeston.
18th - Slav Grebe Cardiff Bay. Little Gull Ogmore. 3 Brent Geese and Little Gull Gileston.
19th - Ad Iceland Gull Ogmore River Mouth. Lesser Scaup Cosmeston.
20th - Lesser Scaup Cosmeston. Water Pipit Portobello Island. Snow Bunting Tutt Head
21st - Juv Glaucous Gull Margam Break Water.
22nd - Bittern Cosmeston.
23rd - Glaucous Gull Ogmore River Mouth. Juv Iceland Gull Swansea Marina
24th - Glaucous Gull Ogmore River Mouth. Iceland Gull Swansea Marina
25th - Snow Bunting Tutt Head. Iceland Gull Swansea Marina. Glaucous Gull Ogmore River Mouth.
26th - Snow Buntings Werfa and Tutt Head. Water Pipit Portobello Island. Glaucous Gull Ogmore River Mouth.
27th - 2 Brambling Cefn Mabley. Iceland Gull Cardiff Foreshore. Little Gull Gileston
28th - Bittern Cosmeston.
31st - Snow Bunting Mynydd Eglwysilian. Juv Glaucous Gull Sker.

Highlights for December

2009-01-08T13:35:00.001-08:00

Highlight of the month was a long awaited county first - 1st winter drake Lesser Scaup. Yet another excellent find by Graham Smith, it gave great views at Cosmeston commuting between East and West Lakes. Following hot on the heels of Ferruginous Duck and the still present Bearded Tit, Cosmeston Lakes is certainly producing the goods this winter. Waxwings finally reached Glamorgan with birds in both Brackla and Briton Ferry. The long standing Slavonian Grebe continued to perform well in Cardiff Bay, whilst a Snow Bunting at Rumney Great Wharf for a few days gave a few of us a nice Cardiff tick.

1st - Yellow browed Warbler Llangynwyd sewage works nr Maesteg. Water Pipit Merthyr Mawr

2nd - Bearded Tit Cosmeston
3rd - Cardiff Bay, Watermark: 2 lesser redpolls, Goldeneye, Chiff Chaff. Bearded Tit Cosmeston
4th - 2nd winter Ring-billed Gull Lamby Lake
5th - Bearded Tit Cosmeston
6th - Marsh Tit Barry , 2nd winter Ring-billed Gull Lamby Lake. Slavonian Grebe Cardiff Bay, Black Redstart (2) on barrage
7th - Cosmeston Bearded Tit and Ferruginous Duck still.
8th - Ferruginous Duck Cosmeston, Snow Bunting Werfa. Hen Harrier Mynydd Eglwysilan
9th - Lamby Lake - Ring-billed Gull, Cetti's Wbr(2), Water Rail (3) & Reed Bunting (1)
10th - Jack Snipe Lavernock Point
11th - 3 Green Sandpiper Faendre Reen, St Mellons. Snow Bunting Mynydd Eglwysilan
12th - Water Pipit Llwyn Onn
13th - Cardiff Bay – Chiff Chaff, 7 Redpolls, 2 Water Rail, Goldeneye,2 Scaup
14th - Cardiff Bay Chiff Chaff 2, Dipper 1, Slavonian Grebe. Lamby Lake - Ring-billed Gull and Cetti’s Warbler. Short-eared Owl and Water Pipit, Sluice Farm
17th - Waxwing, Brackla. Snow Bunting Rumney Great Wharf
18th - Snow Bunting, Short-eared Owl and Water Pipit Rumney Great Wharf
19th - Snow Bunting and Water Pipit Rumney Great Wharf, Ring-billed Gull Lamby Lake
20th - Slavonian Grebe and Black Redstart Cardiff Bay
21st - Peregrine and Med Gull Cosmeston
22nd - 1st winter Ring-billed Gull Swansea
24nd - Slavonian Grebe, Goosander and Black Redstart Cardiff Bay. Brent Goose (3) Penarth Head
25th - Water Pipit Llwyn Onn
26th - 1st winter drake Lesser Scaup and Bearded Tit Cosmeston. Ring-billed Gull Lamby Lake
27th - Lesser Scaup and Bearded Tit Cosmeston. 6 Waxwings Briton Ferry. Yellow-legged Gull (2) Cardiff Bay. Brent Goose Ogmore Estuary
28th - Lesser Scaup and Bearded Tit Cosmeston. Waxwings still Briton Ferry
30th - Lesser Scaup and Bearded Tit Cosmeston. Slavonian Grebe Cardiff Bay. 23 Redpolls Grangemoor Hill. Male hen Harrier Llangynwyd Massif, Maesteg. Jack Snipe Hendre Lake. Water Pipit Ogmore
31st - Dartford Warbler Kenfig Pool. Lesser Scaup and Bearded Tit Cosmeston

Highlights for November

2009-01-08T11:59:00.000-08:00

Ring-billed Gull (now 2nd winter) returned to Lamby Lake at the beginning of the month, often coming to bread. Elsewhere, the Whooper Swan lingered on the Ogmore Estuary and was eventually joined by a second bird. Nantyffyllon produced a Yellow-browed Warbler whilst Cardiff Bay hosted a very showy Slavonian Grebe. A scattering of Black Redstarts were seen in the Bay and along the coast. However, mid month Wayne Strong struck gold at Cosmeston turning up both Ferruginous Duck and Bearded Tit in the same morning. The duck proved somewhat elusive often disappearing into the reeds. In stark contrast the Bearded Tit showed exceptionally well, providing photographers with some great photo opportunities often down to a few feet. Other good birds in month included Snow Buntings at Werfa, Nash Point and Ogmore-by-Sea, Richard’s Pipit near Cwn Nash, Firecrest and Woodlark at Lavernock Point, and several Water Pipits on the lower Ogmore River.

1st - Ring-billed Gull, Lamby Lake - all month. Whooper Swan and Med Gull Watermill

3rd - Merlin at Foel-y-Dyffryn, Maesteg

5th - Redpoll Bute Park. Brent Goose Aberthaw. Firecrest and Brambling Lavernock Point

6th - Yellow-browed Warbler Nantyffyllon

7th - Yellow-browed Warbler Nantyffyllon, Short-eared Owl Rumney Great Wharf

8th - Yellow-browed Warbler Nantyffyllon, Whooper Swan (2) Watermill

9th - Slavonian Grebe Cardiff Bay - all month

10th - Snow Bunting Ogmore-by-Sea

11th - Snow Bunting Ogmore-by-Sea, Yellow-browed Warbler Nantyffyllon

13th - Whooper Swan Watermill

14th - Woodlark, Lavernock Point, Water Pipit(2) Ogmore Estuary

15th - Ferruginous Duck and Bearded Tit (until month end) Cosmeston Lakes

16th - Short-eared Owl (3) Sluice Farm/Rumney Great Wharf

17th - Ferruginous Duck Cosmeston Lakes

18th - Ferruginous Duck Cosmeston Lakes, Black Redstart and Goldeneye Cardiff Bay, Eider Penarth Head, Snow Bunting Werfa

19th - Black Redstart Cardiff Bay Ice Rink, Whooper Swan still present Watermill, Chough (2) Southerndown

20th - Ferruginous Duck and Bearded Tit Cosmeston

21st - Whooper Swan & Green Sandpiper Watermill, Purple Sandpiper Ogmore-by-Sea

23rd - Ferruginous Duck and Bearded Tit Cosmeston

26th - Richard's Pipit Cwn Nash, Black Redstart Barrage, Redpoll Hendre Lake

28th - 8 Redpolls Watermark, Cardiff Bay

29th - Bearded Tit Cosmeston

30th - Black Redstart and Redpoll Watermark, Cardiff Bay

Highlights for October

2008-11-03T06:10:00.000-08:00

The yank passerine never arrived in Glamorgan,but you never know maybe November will see it turn up? with a host of 'megas' eyes were elsewhere,Alder flycatcher in Cornwall,little blue heron and scarlet tanager in Galloway,Red Flanked blue tail and green heron in Kent, all were twitched by CBC members.Migrant numbers were starting to diminish with only a handful of birds across the area.
A cast of Yellow Browed Warblers at a number of sites,whooper swan, fire crest,Black Necked Grebe,Hen Harriers and grey Phals to name a few.A Hoopoe was in Newport.

1st-Yellow Browed Warbler at Lavernock.Golden plover at Mt.TyTalwyn
2nd-Yellow wag at RGW and Brent goose at Aberthaw.
3rd-40+ house martins and common sand at Cardiff Bay,Brent geese,wigeon,guillemot,med gull at Aberthaw.Hawfich,Yellow wagtail,whinchat,chiffchaff and blackcap at Lavernock.Yellow browed warbler at St.Mellons.
4th-Watermill-green sand,Hoopoe in Newport.
5th-4 med gulls at Porthcawl,Redstart and Goshawk at Kenfig.
6th-Whooper swan at Ogmore,3 med gulls at Porthcawl.
7th-Little gull,Kingfisher and Cetti's warbler at Neath River.
9th-Grey plover,wheatear and little egret at RGW,1500+ swallows and 1000+ house martins over Lavernock.Whooper swan and firecrest at Ogmore.
11th-Black necked grebe at Kenfig.
12th-2 Hen Harriers at Maesteg.
14th-Yellow browed warbler at Kenfig
15th-Red necked phalarope at the Watermill.Caspian gull Cardiff foreshore.
17th-crossbill at Pontcanna,hen harrier,red kite and merlin at Ty Talwyn.
18th- 2 yellow browed warblers at Kenfig,firecrest at Llanhilid.Whooper swan still at Ogmore,2 med gulls at Porthcawl.
19th-Fieldfares and redwings at Pontcanna,50+ siskins at Aberthaw.
21st-Shag at Aberthaw.
22nd-firecrest,blackcap and sparrowhawk at Aberthaw.
23rd-little gull at Cosmeston.
24th-blackcap at Lavernock.
31st-short eared owl at RGW.

Highlights for September

2008-09-30T04:27:00.000-07:00

The weather for September was a damned sight drier than it was in August,county rares turned up with Wrynecks putting a show at a number of sites early in the month,redwings heard and a lingering swift mid-month and a Bee Eater towards the end.Migration got well under way for many species with huge numbers of hirundines from many coastal sites,all heading SE.In neighbouring Gwent a Great White Egret was seen at Goldcliffe.

1st-Willow warblers at Nash,swift, spotted fly and green sandpiper at Lavernock.
3rd-Gannet at Cardiff bay along with common and green sandpipers.
4th-Green sandpiper was again at Lavernock along with tree pipit,chiffchaff and whitethroat.
5th-Little gull,c300 house martin and common sandpiper at Cardiff bay.
6th-Ogmore produced common sandpiper,chiffchaffs,whitethroat and 6 common gulls,whilst at Locks Common a Wryneck.
7th-Wryneck again at Locks Common,Heliport saw wheatears,chiffchaffs and a whimbrel.
8th-Lavernock-rose ringed parakeet,18 chiffchaffs,1600 swallows in 2hrs,whitethroat,yellow wagtail,redpoll,garden warbler,spotted flycatcher,tree pipit,blackcap and hobby.Cardiff bay saw kingfisher ,common sandpiper and wheatears.
9th-Porthcawl-6 black terns,15 sandwich terns,2 common terns and 2 choughs,Heliport saw chiffchaffs,whimbrel and a common tern.A wryneck was reported at Kenfig.
10th-Cosmeston-Wryneck and a hummingbird hawk moth,Lavernock-yellow wagtail,whitethroat,blackcap and nuthatch.Spotted fly and lesser whitethroat at cors Crycydd and a hobby over eastern Cardiff.
11th-Cardiff-redstart at dogfield street.Nash saw Whinchat,wheatear and chiffchaff whilst at Portobello there were med and common gulls
12th- Cardiff -redwings over Ryder street and spotted flycatcher at the Heliport.Lavernock produced garden warblers,sedge warbler,chiffchaffs house martins and swallows.
13th-Lavernock-an estimated 8000 swallows past in 2hrs along with a late swift,3 yellow wagtails,chiffchaffs,blackcaps and 2 crossbills.At the black pipe on the Rhymney estuary there were 40 Black tailed godwitts and a little stint.Kingfisher and dipper were seen at Pontcanna on the Taff.
14th-Cosmeston -Wryneck,whinchat and sedge warbler.Hobby at Lavernock and Whinchat at Aberthaw.Garden warbler,blackcap and siskins at Nash,tree pipit,lesser whitethroat and 500 swallows at Rhoose point,greenshank at Bendrick rocks.Hobby at Maesteg washeries.
15th-Lavernock-60+ siskins,peregrine and guillemot.Lesser whitethroat and spotted flycatcher at Heliport.Goshawk at Nantyfyllon.
16th-Kenfig-chiffchaff,siskin,pochard,blackcap,garden warbler & 4 water rail.Aberthaw saw greenshank,little egret and yellow wagtail,summerhouse point produced an impressive count of 27 red legged partridge and at Llantwit major there was a marsh tit.
17th-Cardiff bay barrage-ringed plover,turnstone,wheatear and chiffchaffs.
18th-Cors Crycydd-report of a Hippolais warbler,possibly an olivaceous warbler,unfortunately the bird was not refound,however there was reed warbler,blackcap,whinchat,yellow wagtail,little egret,curlew sandpiper and grasshopper warbler.At summerhouse point there was 7 red legged partridges and at Gileston little egret,wheatear and whitethroat.
19th-Llanbletherry and Gileston there was a barn owl,tawny owl and little owl.At Cors Crycydd there was a juv.scaup,common sandpiper and wheatear.
20th-East Aberthaw produced a Brent goose,sanderling,golden plover,grey plover,med gull and a whinchat
21st-East Aberthaw-grey plover and sanderling.At Cwm Nash there were 2 chough, garden warbler,blackcap and numerous swallows flying SE.Whilst at Cardiff Bay there was a black necked grebe and at Lavernock there was a Goshawk,at Summerhouse point there was 10 red legged partridge,Peregrine and crossbill .
23rd-Kenfig-Marsh harrier,wigeon,sedge warbler and wheatear.
24th-Rhymney great wharf-Honey buzzard,common scoter,wigeon,pintail,whimbel,little egret and wheatear.A little gull was at the outfall at Cardiff bay.
25th-Graig y Llyn-Ring ouzel,peregrine and tree pipit.Pant norton saw a Yellow browed warbler.
26th-Lavernock-Rose ringed parakeet,blackcap,tree pipit,whinchat and peregrine.
27th-Lavernock-produced a Bee Eater flying North along the hedgerows,at Cwm Nash there was 2 choughs,2 peregrine,spotted flycatcher and wheatear.A Yellow browed warbler was reported from Lamby tip.
28th-Lavernock-crossbill and siskins.Redwing over Lamby.There were 2 Ruddy ducks at Cosmeston.At the Watermill there was a green sandpiper and a little egret,with a kingfisher at Portobello.Rhossili there was a Yellow browed warbler,firecrest,pied and spotted flycatcher.
29th-At Sluice farm there was a merlin.
30th-Lavernock-Yellow browed warbler and merlin.

Highlights for August

2008-09-04T08:46:00.000-07:00

I suppose the easy way to sum up august would be,wet,very wet,needless to say nothing of any major significance turned up locally,with a wryneck being the best bird.With the exception of the CBC paelagic across the Bay of Biscay the birding has been dire,the weather outlook looks promising with deep lows promised off the Atlantic for September.

2nd-2 med gulls,9 sanderling at Aberthaw
3rd-green sandpiper and juv marsh harrier at Kenfig.
5th-3 green sandpiper at Kenfig,3 common sands at Cardiff Bay,barn owl at Maesteg.
7th-Pontcanna-10 chiffchaff,5 willow warbler and 3 blackcap,5 black tailed godwit and 2 greenshank at Kenfig.Out of county at Goldcliffe 1 wood sand ,7 black tailed godwit, 7 green sands,marsh harrier and a spoonbill.
8th-med gull,little gull and whimbrel at Cardiff bay.
9th-marsh harrier at Trowbridge.
10th-manx shearwater and 'commic' tern at Lavernock
13th-arctic skua and manx shearwater at Porthcawl.
15th-crossbill(2) over Nell's point
17th-med gull at Aberthaw and 6 common sands,4 wheatear,whimbrel and gooseander at Ogmore.
18th-25 black tailed godwit at Sluice farm.Kingfisher at Ogmore to add to yesterdays birds.
19th-5 storm petrels from Cors Crycydd,black tern at Ogmore.
20th to 23rd CBC paelagic to Biscay
25th-whimbrel at Cardiff heliport.
26th-37 med gulls at the Mumbles.
29th-gadwall at Cosmeston
30th-3 choughs at Dunraven, med gull,little egret and common sands at Aberthaw.
31st-bird of the month Wryneck at Blaengarw.Aberthaw saw 20 wheatear,whinchat,whitethroat and lesser whitethroat,whilst at Llanhillid,hobby,cuckoo,yellow wag and peregrine.

Highlights for July

2008-08-03T09:28:00.000-07:00

July was a quiet month,the exception being a spoonbill at Portobello island found and photographed by the Llancadle wader.

1st-gropper,nightjar and tawny owl at Cwmdu.
2nd-common sand and black swan at Cardiff bay.
3rd-Med gull and a gannet at Cardiff bay,lesser whitethroat at Lavernock.Kittiwake at Portobello.
4th-Channel 5 enter the 21st century and a photograph is uploaded to the sightings page.
5th-Common sandpiper (12) at the Ogmore estuary.
6th-Storm petrel (3),common scoter (8),manx sheerwater (100+) and gannet(3) at Porthcawl front.Common sand on the river by Lamby lake.Cuckoo and redpoll at Llanhilid.
7th-Spoonbill at Portobello Island nr Ogmore,Gannet and Kittiwake from Cors Crycydd.
8th-A second black swan and a kingfisher at Cardiff bay.
11th-Marsh tit,blackcap and chifchaf at Roath park botanical gdns.
14th-Nightjar (3),little and tawny owl and Gropper in the Llynfi valley.Sedge warbler at Cardiff heliport.
16th-common sand at Lisvane reservoir and Cardiff bay along with a grey seal off shore.
17th-Med gull at Rumney Great Wharf.
19th-Little egret (2) at Cardiff bay
23rd-Med gull and golden plover at RGW.Kite sp. over Barry docks.
24th-Little egret over Lakeside,Cardiff,med gull on the barrage at Cardiff bay.
30th-Common tern and swift (200+) at Cardiff bay.

highlights for June.

2008-07-03T23:46:00.000-07:00

After a manic May it was down to earth with a bump in June with normal service resumed. No county rares this month but plenty of recently fledged birds knocking about. Weather wise, some unseasonal S/SW winds during the later part of the month pushed seabirds up into the Bristol Channel, with Manx Shearwater, Storm Petrel, Gannet, Kittiwake, Sandwich Tern, Guillemot, Razorbill and Common Scoter all being seen. Also of interest was a Basking Shark seen off Cardiff Heliport, potentially a first Cardiff record.

Out of county and just over the border at Cantref & Beacon Reservoirs, the Great White Egret lingered into early June. However a Citrine Wagtail in Brecon during the afternoon of 5th was gone the next day, and surely would have prompted a mass exodus up the A470 had it hung around,whilst at Ramsey sound in Pembrokeshire on the 25th a real Welsh mega in the form of an Albatross sp.(probably black-browed) amoungst the gannets . The best Goldcliff could manage was a Spoonbill for several days. Oh and judging from the number of hits, the Blog seems to have gone global during June. We are certainly attracting a lot of interest and we will endeavour to get all breaking bird news onto the site ASAP, so watch this space!

1st Aberthaw - Osprey, Whimbrel, Lisvane Reservoir - Red Kite

4th Aberthaw - Whimbrel (2), Raven (2)

6th McArthur Glen- Bridgend - Red Kite

8th Coed-y-Werin -Caerphilly - Siskin, Garden Warbler, Wood Warbler
10th Llancadle - Red kite

18th Barry - Manx Shearwater (1100), Gannet (9), Fulmar, Porthcawl - Manx Shearwater (1700), Guillemot, Razorbill, Fulmar, Gannet, Kittiwake, Common Scoter (2)

20th Rumney Great Wharf - Med Gull

22nd Lavernock Point - Manx Shearwater (50), Fulmar (2), Guillemot (1) , Cardiff Heliport - Manx Shearwater (15), Sandwich Tern (4ad), Basking Shark (1) Porthcawl - Manx Shearwater (1000+), Sandwich Tern (3), Kittiwake (2), Gannet (10+), Fulmar (10+) 23rd Cardiff-red kite
26th Nash Point - Manx Shearwater 245, Storm Petrel (1), Gannet, Kittiwake, Fulmar , Gileston - Med Gull

29th Peterstone Gout - Manx Shearwater (5), Storm Petrel (3), Kittiwake (2), Med Gull (2)

30th - Breeding Pied and Spotted Flycatcher confirmed Llynfi Valley.

quick round up of the highlights for May.

2008-05-31T02:57:00.000-07:00

Weather wise May proved to be unpredictable,hot in the early part of the month,cold & blustery mid-month and warm but showery toward the end of the month.

May proved to be a fantastic month for Cardiff,what with the CBC site set up and running,proving very popular with readers from all over the county and indeed further a field,on the birding front Kenfig & Sker areas went through a purple patch,with the highlights being a Black winged stilt,short-toed lark and Whiskered tern/s putting in a show and a white stork near Welsh St Donats,the highlight must however go to the Arizona 3,Meriwether,secret squirell & portly leader, who,whilst in Arizona managed to stumble upon a tufted flycatcher(shown above),only the 3rd record for the USA.

Round up for Cardiff and surrounding area for May 2008.

1st-Bute park-garden warbler.East Aberthaw-black & little tern.
3rd-Maesteg-wood warbler & pied flycatcher.Green point,-Ring billed & Med.gull.Cardiff Bay-Arctic tern,Med gull & Little gull.
4th-Cosmeston-Cetti's,sedge & Reed warblers,lesser whitethroat.Kenfig-Whiskered tern & Black winged stilt.Maesteg-Hobby.Lamby-Ring billed gull.
6th-Rhymney great wharf-Turtle dove (2).
8th-Kenfig-Short toed lark.
11th-Kenfig,-Whiskered tern.
12th-Maesteg-hobby.
13th-Cardiff-red legged partridge
14th-Cosmeston-Garganey
18th-Dunraven-'transivita' swallow
19th-Cantref-Great white egret.(until 31st atleast)
22nd-Welsh St. Donats-White stork
23rd-Miskin-Cattle egret.