A rare visit in to the field with my better half, we explored Porthcawl including the seafront and both inland pools. The highlight was a fine adult winter-plumaged Mediterranean Gull in the salt lake car park with 65 Black-headed, 1 Common Gull, 1 Meadow Pipit and 2 Pied Wagtails. There were 18 Sanderling scampering on the low-tideline at Coney beach. A short seawatch from the shelter in southerlies produced 5 Guillemot, 2 Kittiwake and 2 Curlew. There were about a dozen Oystercatcher scattered along the coast between the town and Lock’s Common. The Wilderness Pool held 5 Shoveler and a Tufted Duck along with the commoner waterfowl and the woodland was busy with feeding Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Treecreeper and Goldfinch. The smaller pool near Newton was quiet with about 45 Black-headed Gulls which were commuting to Manor farm and back.

Mike & Emma Cram