The pair of Garganey was still present at Roath Park Lake this am.

Ducks were close in to the shore SE Corner near outlet. Taken using a 600 with a 1.4 converter

4 ad winter Med Gull still present but no Common Gulls, LBB nor GBB

6 Med Gulls (4 ad Winter, one 2nd Winter, one 1st Winter), large number of Common Gulls, B-h and Herring Gulls, a few LBB. 7 Wigeon + the regulars.

2 adult Med Gulls – one ad winter and the second one having a delicate black shading of the hood. Other regulars present

Portobello Island, Ogmore am Jan 12 2022

1st winter and Ad winter Med Gulls with the Gull flock. 9 Goosanders, 15 Goldeneye, 2 Little Egrets, 11 Little Grebes, Common Sandpiper, Kestrel (I have not seen one anywhere for some time), Raven + the other regular birds

Portobello Island, Ogmore am Jan 9 2022

Adult winter Med Gull in Gull flock, Merlin flew down river, 9 Goosanders, 14 Goldeneye, Little Egret + the regulars.

Portobello, Ogmore Est pm 21 Dec 2021

Decided to visit Ogmore Est this pm- only my 2nd visit since the pandemic started – thought the cold wind would keep people in.

Nice surprise was a Black-tailed Godwit with Redshanks and Common Sandpiper on the island.

In 2020 report, last report of B-t Godwit in 2020 was on Sep 2 and the first was on Jan16 2020. Both RGW.

Regulars were there – L. Egret, Goldeneye, Goosander (3 Fem), Little Grebe (9), Raven, Grey Wagtail and a large flock of Gulls (H, LBB, GBB (3), Com, B-h)

Received pictures of a dead female Northern Wheatear. Apparently the bird flew into somebodies window on the Brackla Estate, Bridgend

Marsh Tit calling around the Pool at the bridge over Nant-y-Gedd. Whitethroat, Sedge and Reed Warbler also present.

Very early breeding record. 3 juv Song Thrush along canal path

Sedge Warbler returned to pool near the bridge over Nant-y-Gedd

Goshawk circling over the bottom track.

No Whitethroat yet

5 Crossbills (1 male} in trees behind Miners Memorial about 3 pm

David Rich

The only birding that I can do is also in the garden. Over the 40+ years I have lived in this house in Coity, Bridgend we have had some good birds – Black Redstart, Whitethroat on several occasions, Mistle Thrush, Sparrowhawk plucking a Sparrow on the patio, Barn & Little Owl over the farmland that used to be at the back (now gone to houses), the two Woodpeckers – Green & Great Spotted and Red Kite overhead on 3 occasions. Today we had a new bird – a Stock Dove feeding with the Woodpigeons & Collared Doves. Not a bird that I thought would frequent a garden. I was digging the veg plot at the time, so no chance to get a photo.

An excellent pm birdwatching. Without moving from Portobello House, saw Water Pipit, Ad winter Med Gull, adult Yellow-legged Gull and 2 Common Gull in the Gull flock.

Then onto Ewenny Priory to see Hawfinch.

Am Sat between 9.45 – 11.45

Location: Take the track alongside the feeder north from the Music College to the buildings at Blackweir. Some 150 yards from Blackweir, there is a large Rhododendron bush on the bank of the feeder on the right of the track. The firecrest was in the bushes over the feeder opposite this large bush. Patience is needed. Saw it twice in the 2 hours I was there!

I have not seen L. f. fuscus for a very very long time (30+ years). According to Olsen & Larsson ‘ Gulls of Europe, Asia and N. America’ , adult winter L. f. fuscus has the upperwing black with NO contrasting wing-tip (the photo shows a distinct contrast).

2nd Winter L. f. fuscus should have strong head markings around the eyes and on the back of the head, bill should have black subterminal markings and coverts brownish tinged.

It is a pity there was no photograph of the bird flying away.

Red Kite circling for about an hour over my back garden in Coity.

Male & female Goosanders