13th – Last evening’s high tide:

Whimbrel (124), Dunlin (41), Ringed Plover (22), Oystercatcher (5), Grey Plover (2) & Curlew (1).

Swallow (c50), House Martin (c10), Shelduck (35), B-h Gull (11), Little Egret (2), Peregrine (1) & Cetti’s Wbr. (H).

Good passage of Whimbrel from the wharf last night evening, best total I have had there and most in that area since 6/09/1987 [RM]. Seawatching was poor despite the excellent visibility, just Herring/LBB gulls and one Grey Heron crossing the channel.

Pretty quiet, few Whitethroat [6], Blackcap [2], Lesser Whitethroat [1], Chiffchaff [1], Curlew [1] & 1st S. Med Gull off the point.

Not very much on the high tide this am. Teal (41), Shelduck (29), Mallard (6), Redshank (115), Curlew (10), Whimbrel (5 all flying E), Little Egret (4), Wheatear (2 males) & Cetti’s Wbr singing from hedgerow. Few large gulls, no B-h Gulls.

Bittern at Kenfig Pool. At Sker Point: Little Gull [ad W], Med Gull [ad] & Kittiwake [1st W]. [ND]

OOC A Green-winged Teal reported from Peterstone Wentloog foreshore (Gwent) this am. This could possibly move over the border into Cardiff (RGW). 

A BTD at Barry Dock (see GRC). Also there a ad W Med Gull and a Common Sandpiper. [DRWG & JPH].

No sign of the LTD at the Knap Pool this am.

Male Goosander still on Lamby Lake. Also pair of GCG in display.

RGW: Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Shelduck, Curlew, Redshank, Knot & Dunlin on high tide.

Putative Thayer’s Gull still present & Black Brant on north Gower – see GRC for details.

BNG still Cardiff Bay – see GRC for details.

Bearded Tit still present although elusive. Calling from reeds near cafe. Also 197 Tufted Duck present.

Chiffchaff at Lavernock Pt. otherwise very quiet.

Two Slavonian Grebes & Siberian Chiffchaff at Kenfig.

A F/o Snow Bunting at Sker Point

News of Great Grey Shrikes at Garwnant & nr. Llanbradach today – please see GRC for details. (Thanks to M. Hogan & T. Williams for info)

This is what now greets walkers trying to get to the RGW from the coast road. It seems to have been placed there by the farmer, who doesn’t want walkers, especially with dogs on his land. I can go along with that to a degree, but this is a public footpath and part of the All Wales Coastal Path system. If any CCC employees are looking, please look into it, as to its removal.

Some ducks off the wharf at high tide: Wigeon (82), Pintail (15) & Shoveler (13). A small movement of Meadow Pipits along with 2 Sky Larks.

At the Heliport, there was a winter male White Wagtail in the WTW compound, also there a Clouded Yellow and a Common Darter along the coastal path.

Dowitcher sp (prob. Long-billed) at Rhaslas Pond found by MH. 

A report of a Wryneck this am at the WTW/motor-park. The bird was not relocated despite searching by observers – MCP pers comm.

The Tern which was present at Lisvane Res (19th – 21st at least) and reported as ‘Common’ is in fact a juvenile Arctic Tern [PB, MCP, DRWG]

The pale white primaries & secondaries are consistent with juvenile Arctic, as is the smallish black bill and the faint carpal bar. In juvenile Common, these features are much darker and more pronounced. Also the bill (when seen well) does shows a reddish base, not present on Arctic. [Apologies for poor cropped shot, but it does show the details mentioned.]

The Wryneck found yesterday by Karen & Alan Thomas is still present this morning at Ogmore @ SS 8696 7421 [NPR per VC41 text service].

A Nightingale in Cardiff – see GRC for details.

Both imm Garganey still at CBWR, on show from boardwalk [MCP] & a Wood Sandpiper at Kenfig saltmarsh [MHi] this morning.