A wander round this morning produced 31 species. Highlights were 1 Green Woodpecker in E paddock, on W lake around 80 Teal, 150 Tufted Duck [both lakes], 6 Pochard, 2 Gadwall, a Chiffchaff flycatching in Sully Brook by the main entrance near Lavernock Road, plenty of common passerines in Cogan Wood but no show by Marsh Tit although one was seen earlier [Great, Blue & Coal Tits & Nuthatch]. I spent about 30 mins nar the Hawfinch spot but no show today.
Twenty Club members enjoyed the nice sunny day for the first GBC outing of 2023. We spent 3 hours at Cosmeston, slightly irritated by the loud gunfire due to a local clay pigeon or pheasant shoot, which seemed to have kept some birds away or at least hidden in cover. West lake had the usual Tufties plus 8 Pochard and 6 Gadwall, 4 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Little Grebes and a brief Kingfisher was seen by a few. A small flock of Teal few around [possibly disturbed by the gunfire from a pool hidden in Cogan Wood, but they didn’t drop in]. In Cogan Wood after some patient watching most had views of a Marsh Tit as it dashed in and out to snatch up sunflower hearts deposited in a favourite place. The same location produced Blue, Great and Coal Tits, plus Long-tailed Tit and Nuthatch. West paddock gave us Green Woodpecker but no Hawfinch showed in what has become a regular winter location.
Some of us went over to Cardiff Bay by the Ice Rink where we saw the female Scaup and 2 female Goldeneye and a fly-by drake Goosander. After that, round the other side at Porth Teigr, by Roath Basin, we had nice views of the male Black Redstart.
In all we logged 47 species – the full list is here.
11.30 ish. this morning at Cosmeston. 2 Hawfinch flew out of large tree opp the small copse on left past dragonfly pond. 1t landed briefly in tree by the snipe enclosure, then disappeared. Not relocated. There were C.90 Teal W lake and 1 Common Gull on the posts [1st one fr a while]. Finally caught up with the HF after several tries since the beginning of the year. Couple of shots below of a smart Mistle Thrush in the Medieval Village field.
Very very cold this morning. At the fatball feeder in the garden we had our first Blackcap for quite some time, a smart male, plus a few other vistors such as the Robin, a Blackbird, Great and Blue Tits and some Long-tailed Tits. I managed to grab some photos through the kitchen window so the quality not so good.
At Cosmeston some of the paths were treacherous, even those laid to gravel. West lake had 7 Pochard, about 12 Teal, the usual Tufties [about 100 in total on both lakes] and a couple of Gadwall although I suspect more of each of these skulking in the reed edges, especially the Teal.
Slightly irritating to see that a load of money is being spent on resurfacing part of the car park and re-laying kerb stones and a gravel path, yet still the so-called conservation area has obvious open access locations along the west perimeter where people go in to walk dogs, picnic etc etc, despite persistent protestations by myself and others.
This was a Club trip to a favourite location, and an amazing 21 members attended. A total of 65 species were logged. Highlights at Whiteford after a muddy squelchy slog out there, were c.40 Eider, innumerable Brent Geese, plus Pintail and Wigeon and also 3 Common Scoter which came out of the water and settled on a sandy spit with the Eider to preen and rest. I for one had never seen Scoter out of the water before, One was a smart adult male and some folk who’d never seen one before were able to see the yellow ‘saddle’ on the bill through the scopes. Other wildfowl were huge numbers of Shelduck and a single drake Red-breasted Merganser. Out in the water we found 3 Great Northern Divers and 2 Red-throarted Divers and a very distant Slavonian Grebe. Waders comprised Redshank, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Knot, Grey Plover, Turnstone and around 100 Ringed Plover on the beach and large numbers of Dunlin.
Some folk had to leave when we retured to the car park and the rest went to the marsh road at Llanrhidian to look for Hen Harrier. We had to split up as parking is limited and we were a large group. A small handful of folk saw a female Hen Harrier and one lucky observer caught brief views of a Barn Owl. A Kingfisher hovered over the saltmarsh and many Little Egrets were coming in to roost, plus a single Great White Egret. All in all a great trip. And we were lucky with the weather!
Click here for the full trip list [not all species were seen by everyone – almost inevitable with such a large group].
West lake had c.80 Tudted Duck, 5 Pochard and a good count of 9 Gadwall. There were 2 pairs of Great Crested Grebe, one individual of which was in almost full breeding plumage.
Shortish morning visit produced 10 Redwing and 12 Fieldfare feedig on worms on W paddock, plus 4 Mistle Thrush and 6 Greenfinch feeding with them. W lake had just 2 Pochard in a quick check as I rushed to avoid the rain.
Hi all
Advanced notice that there’s an all day field trip to Whiteford Point on the Gower, followed by a dusk watch for harriers at Llanridian Marsh, on Sunday 15th Jan – i.e. next Sunday.
High tide is at approx 11 a.m. so I’d suggest getting to the Whiteford Beach car park at Cwm Ivy at 09:30 as it’s a long walk. The map below shows the location of the car park [field] which many will be familiar with. Points to note:
1. It could be v muddy, esp the section after the conifer plantation to the point itself, so wear suitable waterproof footwear. The walk is approx 4 km each way:
2. There’s a steep [tarmac] hill immed after the car parking field which is fine at the start, but has to be walked up at the end of the return from Whiteford Point. And I mean steep!:
3. Because this is a westerly location for me, I can’t pick up anyone from St Margaret’s Rd as it’s in the wrong direction:
4. I haven’t been for a couple of years but theI assume parking field is still a sloping grass field which can be slippery so be judicious as to where and how you park [as long as it’s neatly].
Please let me know if you intend coming. John Wilson
There’s an ‘in person’ indoor meeting on Tues 10th Jan next week, which is an illusfrarted review of 2022 with images of many birds that were seen during the year and no doubt other highlights of the year. It will start at 7:30 p.m. and will be at Pencoed Rugby Club which is at 31 Felindre Road, Pencoed, CF35 5PB. Come off M4 at J.35, go north on A473 and take 1st exit at the first rbt and the Rugby Club is almost immediately on the left.
I’m currently in Norfolk and will still be on the night so please direct any queries to one of the committee:
Highlights: Two female Ring-necked Ducks remained at Lisvane Reservoir. An adult Caspian Gull was identified at Cardiff Bay (8th), where the long-staying Whooper Swan was still present. A Cattle Egret was briefly at Porthcawl (15th). Scarcities from Kenfig comprised Whooper Swan (8th only), Yellow-browed Warbler and two Siberian Chiffchaffs at the pool, plus a Snow Bunting at Sker.
Other Sites: The Brent Goose flock at Aberthaw peaked at 15 (10 of which were Pale-bellied), while a single juvenile Dark-bellied lingered at Ogmore Estuary. The only Scaup was at Cardiff Bay. Two Eiders and a Red-breasted Merganser were noted at Sker. Great Northern Divers were sighted on various dates at Kenfig and Sker, although it is not known how many individuals this relates to. Bitterns were found at both Kenfig and Cardiff Bay, where three Great White Egrets were seen flying over (15th). Both Marsh Harrier and Short-eared Owl were observed flying in off the sea at Sker (4th). A male Merlin was hunting at Portobello, Ogmore Estuary. A Whimbrel appeared to be attempting to winter at Sker. Common Sandpipers were frequenting Ogmore Esuary, Cardiff Bay and Lisvane Reservoir. A Little Gull stopped off at Kenfig Pool (24th). Water Pipits were made up of two at Ogmore Estuary and two at Aberthaw. Black Redstarts had a good showing, with records from Cardiff Bay (maximum three), Cardiff City Hall, Barry, Aberthaw (two), Nash Point, Southerndown (two), Bridgend (two locations) and Lock’s Common, Porthcawl. Firecrests were logged at Cathays Cemetery, Aberthaw (two) and Pant Norton. Up to four Hawfinches were at Cosmeston.
Summary by Paul Roberts
20 folk enjoyed the nice sunny day for the first GBC outing of 2023. We spent 3 hours at Cosmeston, slightly irritated by the loud gunfire due to a local clay pigeon or pheasant shoot, which seemed to have kept some birds away or at least hidden in cover. West lake had the usual Tufties plus 8 Pochard and 6 Gadwall, 4 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Little Grebes and a brief Kingfisher was seen by a few. A small flock of Teal few around [possibly disturbed from a pool hidden in Cogan Wood by the gunfire, but they didn’t drop in]. In Cogan Wood after some patient watching most had views of a Marsh Tit as it dashed in and out to snatch up sunflower hearts deposited in a favourite place. The same location produced Blue, Great and Coal Tits, plus Long-tailed Tit and Nuthatch. West paddock gave us Green Woodpecker but no Hawfinch showed.
Some of us went over to Cardiff Bay by the Ice Rink where we saw the female Scaup and 2 female Goldeneye and a fly-by drake Goosander. After that, round the other side at Porth Teigr, by Roath Basin, we had nice views of the male Black Redstart.
In all we logged 47 species – the full list is here.
Cardiff Bay Barrage – Penarth > Porth Teigr & Adventurer’s Quay & back. A Grey Wag was by R. Ely mouth at Penarth Marina, 3 Pied Wags on Barrage, 1 Common Gull on the buoy ‘chain’ and 64 Cormorant on the inner ‘jetty’. 2 prs of Goosander in the Bay nr the feeder dock [and 1 fem offshore in the channel]. Male Black Redstart showed well in the usual place opp Adventurer’s Quay apartments. Also noted were Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen, Crow, Jackdaw, House Sparrow, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull. Feral Pigeon.
Back at ‘Cossie’ over the last couple of days, there have been up to 7 Pochard on W lake plus around 30 Teal, ususally skulking around the edges, also 5 Gadwall and the usual Tufted Ducks, 2 Great Crested and 2 Little Grebes and small numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare. Also since boxing day, Hawfinch have been seen again in the same area that they have appeared for the last 2 winters, in trees on the N edge of Cogan Wood, about 50m beyond the Dragonfly Pond. I haven’t seen them myself although I did check this morning but it was very windy so not ideal.
The first outing of the new year will be a simple local trip covering Cosmeston Lakes CP and if time permits, Cardiff Bay, on Mon 2nd January.
I think the easiest option is for all to meet in the car park at Cosmeston at say 9:30 a.m. [to avoid rush hour as the traffic can be a problem].
There is a charge for parking at Cosmeston now, £1 for up to 2 hours or £2 for up to 4 hours and the machines can take contactless payment. I’d think 2 hours shd be adequate but be aware that although it’s free up to 10 a.m. you still need to cover being there after 10 if you arrve at 09:30. It’s only £1.
Current birds around at the moment are a few Pochard, Tufties, around 30 Teal, Redwing Fieldfare and Hawfinch have started to appear again in the last couple of days.
For Cardiff Bay it depends what is around as to where to park. Certainly not in the barrage car park at Penarth [it’s expensive]. Recently there have been Goldeneye and a Scaup off the Ice Rink area, Common Sandpiper & Turnstone by Penarth Marina and of course there’s Bleck Redstarts over by Porth Teigr. There’s fee free parrking for all these localities.
As always, let me know if you intend coming. John Wilson
Minus 2 deg when I got to Cosmeston this morning. FIrst seen on west lake was a flock of c.60 Teal and two female Shovelers, the first I’ve seen here this winter. Part of the small bay around the posts was frozen over with a bunch of Black-headed Gulls sitting on the ice. In east paddock three Song Thrushes were feeding, one allowing a few photos.
Finally got to do my delayed WeBS count at Green Point this morning [delayed from Sunday 11th when I had a prior engagement]. Monday was a no go as Rover Way was closed and traffic was chaotic. First off were c.800 Redshank wiht about 20 Dunlin with them. As I’ve seen before they kept flying around and alighting on the water & swimming around befofre settling on the shore again. There was just 1 Curlew. Teal were present in good numbers with c.110, and other widlfowl comprised 50 Shelduck, 40 Shoveler, 24 Mallard, and 30 Pintail. It was v v cold with a stiff NE breeze.
We had a successful Club trip to Slimbridge WWT today despite the cold and much of the wet areas there being frozen over. 14 participants logged a total of 65 species, highlights being a good number of the Russian race of White-fronted Geese, Barnacle Geese, Cranes, a 1stW drake Scaup, Peregrine, Kingfisher, Water Rail, a very obliging Snipe, and many others. A few pix of birds that were close enough, are below. Here’s a link to the trip list: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NsWPXxVBs1SzsfAdCnqhcziHCdGlOLCb/view?usp=share_link
Had a walk round the reserve this morning for a change. First bird was a very busy Goldcrest although the only photo I got made it look like a Ruby-crowned Kinglet [USA!]. Also noted were 2 Bullfinch, a Green Woodpecker, Great and Blue Tits, and lots of Blackbirds, of which one was very confiding as it fed on Ivy berries.
A quick walk round with Poppy the pooch this morning. Couldn’t relocate the Jack Snipes of yesterday. There were a lot of Blackbirds about including the very confiding pictured one by the Mile Road [those pix are as taken and not cropped]. The cold snap had brought in 57 Tufted Ducks on E lake – all drakes excepot for 7 females. I saw just a single Fieldfare in W paddock.
Great excitement yesterday at Cosmeston when local birder Graham Smith found a Jack Snipe roosting on the ground using a thermal imager. I went down to try & see it but typically it was so well concealed and camouflaged I couldn’t find it. Remarkably today he found there were 2 there! Another visit and another local Penarth birder Annie Irving was at the spot and eventually got me on to the more visible one and then finally the well hidden one. My 2 best cropped images below plus the uncropped versions for comparison. Both the uncropped ones were taken at equiv of 600mm . In the one with the arrow the birds head is just belwo left of the arrow head, in the gap in the blades of juncus. Having seen the more visible one today I realised that I had seen it yesterday, but only the two parallel straw coloured stripes which I thought were dead vegetation! As I walked through teh open aprt of W paddock there were a few Redwing and Fieldfare feeding but they soon cleared off, but I did manage a couple of shots of a Fieldfare – such smart birds. Click each image for a bigger one.
Glamorgan Bird Club 
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