An odd record of a dipper at Lisvane Reservoir this morning -initially perched on the steel security fencing at the car park, then flew off high to the west! This was my first record at the reservoirs. Also (probably of interest only to Lisvane aficionados) 14 moorhens on Lisvane res was a personal best.

The Stolt Fulmar (a tanker) came into Cardiff Docks at 09:45 with quite a few Kittiwakes in tow, allowing nice views as some were only 300m off the barrage – shame the skuas weren’t that close!

There were 3 Great Northern Divers together off Dalton’s Point first thing. I watched them for just a couple of minutes before they took off and headed out towards the lighthouse. It was 2010 since I last saw one this far up the estuary, so 3 was a bonus.Lots of Rock Pipits seem to have arrived in the last week or so, with a dozen or more at Pwll-y-froga alone this morning, including some well marked, pale-looking ones. Also a very good count of Shovelers first thing with 398 just off Salthouse. Last Thursday there was a Dipper under the railway bridge at Island House (i.e. the east end of the estuary).

Some sea watching was done at Lavernock Pt this morning. Earlier arrivals than me had plenty of Kittiwake [still passing in small nos. the I arrived at 11:40] and a couple of Bonxies. Luckily for me a Pom Skua was sitting on the water when I arrived – thanks to the lads for putting me on to it. It drifted d/c then flew up again when I had nice views in the scope – it was a pale phase bird. Also around 20 Common Gull were sitting on the water and others flying by,. Apparently 3 Skua sp were seen from Cardiff Bay [presumably the barrage] – Bonxie, Arctic and Pom – by Peter Howlett.

Egyptian Goose on the boardwalk at the gull feeding area on the East Lake at Cosmeston this morning.

1-Great Spotted Woodpecker on my peanut feeder this afternoon.

Don’t forget there’s a GBC indoor meeting TONIGHT at 7:45 p.m. at KNNR. Club member Richard Smith, who many of you will know, will be giving an illustrated talk on the reserves of central India – Tadoba, Pench, Kahna and Satpura. Should be very interesting.

Seawatch from 0840 to 1150 was busy at first then calmed down after a major squall passed through mid-morning. Counts were: Auk sp. (5), Diver sp. (1) (prob. Red Throated based on observations by others), Kittiwake (71+), Peregrine Falcon (1), Kestrel (1), Oystercatcher (30), Cormorant (2), Shelduck (3), Curlew (5). All down channel except the oyks.

GN Diver 1 (photo), RT Diver 3 (in one group) and 20 Kittiwake (one group of 8 ad and 4 fw)

A fairly brief session in the shelter this morning [dog Poppy was very spooked by the huge iron door banging against the concrete], just produced a Diver sp going down channel – too far out in the murk to ID to species.

Firecrest appeared only briefly this morning. 2 Chiffchaff showed together, and a Water Rail.With PB,GS,SRH.

Kestrel and Sparrowhawk late this afternoon at Cosmeston along the Sully Brook. This morning Raven, Little Egret and Curlew at Barry Old Harbour, 13 Ringed Plover at Bendrick Rock and a hybrid Aythya duck with a group of Tufties on Knap lake.

Fruitless search for Willow Tit yesterday at Nelson Wern. Nuthatch, Coal Tit and a pair of Bullfinch seen, and a Water Rail heard the other side of the railway line. Up the road at Parc Taf Bargoed, Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Raven, Grey Heron, the usual squadron of Little Grebe and (first time for me at this site) 2 Mute Swans. Three Goosander on the Taff at the north end of Glan-y-llyn on the way home.

A Firecrest, in with a small mixed tit flock @ 11.45 & two Hawfinches seen flying out of the conifers behind the white cottage midday. Many goldfinches feeding in the ash trees – on the large seed clumps, around the area.

3 GNDivers, 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Slavs & 650 D-b Brents were at Whiteford today. Don’t forget it’s Gower birding highlights of 2015 tomorrow night following the short AGM at the Environment Centre, starting 7:30 prompt (£1 entry)

2 great northern divers close in this morning.. Great photograph opportunities…

Winter bird numbers picking up. Goldeneye 4, goosander 7, little grebe 9, turnstone 6 and a flock of about 20 linnet.

Can’t better Peter’s efforts with my equipment but here’s my contribution. Nice find by Peter t’other day 🙂 A cracking bird and probably my best ever views of Firecrest.

Firecrest was in bushes to the right of the start of the boardwalk and was extremely obliging this morning.

Grey wagtail feeding on the stream.

 

This one flew in quietly, rustled around in the seaweed for 10 minutes, then departed down channel with a 7 note farewell in the style of a Little Grebe. My Iphone did well to capture even these record shots in the dull drizzle.