We had a successful but tiring trip to W and E Aberthaw today with just 7 participants. Highlight at the western end as we walked along the coast path by The Leys, was a Merlin which shot through westwards along the edge of the fields. On the return we had a large female Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel hunting and there were 2 Buzzards by a distsant field. There were large flocks of Goldfinch and Linnet. During the day we got into double figures of Stonechat [c.12 I reckon] and at the E end of the power station an amazing 13 Jays flew up off the ground. A small group of Wigeon were offshore. Waders comprised Curlew, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Turnstone and 2 fly-by Dunlin. A single Teal flushed from the lagoon. Pathside scrub held a juv Whitethroat. At both E and W locations, flocks of [,mostly] Herring Gulls also had accompanying Med Gulls, all ad winter birds. Thanks to Alan Rosney for being ‘keeper of the list’. Full list can be seen here.