November Highlights

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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