No sign of any Scaup amongst the 100 or so Tufties present this morning, but a single drake Pochard on W lake. Graham Smith apparently had a couple of Teal. 1 Green Woodpecker in E paddock and 30 Fieldfare and a few Redwing in trees adj W paddock, and small flock of Goldfinch there. Common Gull still present on E lake. Song Thrush in full song by the mile road at top end of E paddock.
Author: John Wilson
Birder and traveller
Bird Records
It’s that time of year again! At the end of this month I will be tackling the dreaded BirdTrack download for East Glam for all the records from 2019. So this is a request to make sure that if you use BirdTrack, you are all up to date for 2019.
Also if you record in any other way, the the same applies. If you send records direct to me, then please do so, or if you use SEWBReC or any other method of recording, plus make sure your records are up to date.
Many thanks, John Wilson East Glam Report editor
Cosmeston
There were c.50 each of Redwing and Fieldfare in W paddock yesterday, and a fw Redwing dotted around other parts of the park. Today during a very quick visit there were 2 Green Woodpeckers feeding on the ground in E. paddock, together with 3 Mistle Thrush. The only wildfowl of interest both yesterday and today, were Tufted Ducks, although there was a pair of Teal on Tuesday.
Field trip Weds 22nd Jan
Late notice but I’ve been away on a birding trip to Thailand.
I’m at our hotel prior to our return fight from Thailand tomorrow, so whilst I have WiFi just to say that there’s a local field trip to Cosmeston and Cardiff Bay on Weds 22nd Jan. I propose to meet people at the Cosmeston car park at 09:30 or as near as poss depending on morning traffic. We will do a walk around there and then probably go to the Penarth side of the barrage so look for the Black Redstart and anything else that might be around. I can’t promise to be fully alert after the travel, plus I’ve had a persistent cough since 24th Dec which has lasted all this holiday and has still not cleared up, but we’ll see how it goes.
December 2019
Highlights: Two Whooper Swans turned up at Flemingston Moor (31st). Up to 18 Brent Geese (all but one being Pale-bellied) were at Gileston. Long-tailed Ducks remained early in the month at both Lisvane Reservoir and Sker. Greater Scaup were at Cosmeston and Cardiff Bay. A Red-crested Pochard spent a day at Parc Slip. Notable counts of Goosanders came from Caerphilly Castle Moat (51) and Pwll-y-Waun, Porthcawl (20). A Great Northern Diver stopped off briefly at Kenfig Pool, where a Bittern was also seen. The highest Little Egret count was eight by the River Thaw, near Aberthaw. Birds of prey included Marsh Harrier at Kenfig, Hen Harrier at Llanilid and Merlin at Ogmore Estuary. Eight Green Sandpipers were on the River Ely near Pendoylan, while a Common Sandpiper looked set to winter at Ogmore Estuary. A Jack Snipe was at Rhymney Estuary. The only Short-eared Owl sightings came from Llanilid, where two were noted. A remarkably late Swallow was at Merthyr Mawr Warren (18th). Three Water Pipits were at Ogmore Estuary, with another at Rumney Great Wharf. Black Redstarts were observed at Sker, Gileston and Penarth Marina. Siberian Chiffchaffs were identified at Cardiff Bay Wetland Reserve and Kenfig. A Firecrest was still at Kenfig, with one unearthed at The Wilderness, Porthcawl. Summary by Paul Roberts
Cosmeston
There as an aythya drake on W lake this morning which could have been and ad Scaup or the Scaup type hybrid that’ been around for a while on and off. It was on far side of W lake and in the glare of the sun, difficult to be sure.
Penarth Marina & Bay Barrage
At the Marina intially had a distant view of the Black Redstart that has been around on and off, then got better view just before dusk at the square by Plas Taliesin. Seems to be a fem or 1st yr bird – see poor cropped pix. Also had a Rock Pipit and a Grey Wag on the roofs there and 3 Turnstone were along the R. Ely edge. In the Bay there were 3 drake Goosander and 5 females and c.8 Gt Crested Grebe. Click each image for a bigger one.
Cosmeston
In pretty dense mist this morning, a 1st yr drake Scaup was on W lake, plus a pair of Teal and 2 pairs of Gadwall, with the usual Tufties. Whilst I was at the central viewpoint a Sparrowhawk shot through, down the length of the mile road [the central path] weaving in and out of the path-side trees – v impressive.
Field trip on Sun 5th Jan
The first field trip of 2020 is the annual jaunt to Whiteford Point on Gower on 5th January. I will be away so Alan Rosney has kindly agreed to lead this one. I am posting now before the Christmas break as I will be preparing for a long haul trip afterwards. Due to the high tide time, the meet time will be 9 a.m. in the Cwm Ivy car park.Here’s a link to a map of its location:https://streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=244155&Y=193559&A=Y&Z=120
In view of recent weather, wellies or sturdy waterproof boots are the order of the day [it’s a wettish walk in any case]. If you’ve not been before be aware that it’s a longish walk out to the point [roughly 3 km each way]. Also be aware that on the walk back the last bit is a steep uphill stretch back to the car park. The main part out to Whiteford Point and back is level but uneven in places. Please contact Alan Rosney in case of any queries [alanrosney@gmail.com] and also to let him know if you are coming. Thanks, John Wilson.
Cosmeston
An adult winter Mediterranean Gull was on west lake at around midday, so a different bird to the second year that was seen by Wayne Strong earlier in the morning. A quick scan of the Tufties revealed no Scaup from yesterday [per Graham Smith and Annie Irving].
Kenfig Pool & surrounds
Highlights of the GBC monthly walk at Kenfig this morning in surprisingly OK weather considering the conditions driving down there along the M4, were a Marsh Harrier quartering the western dunes and lake edge, where it flushed 3 Snipe, and an Otter swimming and diving on the western side of the pool, viewed from south pool hide whilst we had our mince pies and mulled cranberry juice concoction which was delicious – thanks Jean Haslam! All in all 41 species seen including in addition to the Harrier & Snipe, just two each of Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Teal, the latter and a Wigeon in a flood in the dunes, 3 Gt Crested Grebes, Cetti’s warbler seen well from the hide, a Common Gull, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 male Bullfiunch and other common species. 16 folk attended.
2018 East Glam Bird Report
Finally …. The 2018 Bird Reports were taken to our post office in Penarth when they opened this morning, where they will be postage labelled and sent on their way. Apologies to all for the lateness this year, and thanks to everyone who had a hand in its production.
Capel Gwladys – W of Bargoed
Seven Red Kites were seen together by the cross at Capel Gwladys today, which is on Gelligaer Common – this news per Geri Thomas. Thanks for calling it in Geri.
More rarity acceptance news
The following records have now been accepted by the Glamorgan Rarities Committee.
- 2cy Caspian Gull, Cardiff Bay, 16th Jan 2019
- Yellow-Browed Warbler, KNNR, 8th October 2019 onwards
- Siberian Chiffchaff, Oxwichm 17th November 2019
- Citrine Wagtail, Llwyn-on Res., 27th April 2019
- Wryneck – Ogmore-by-Sea, 25th Aug – 1st Sep 2019
- Snow Bunting, Pink Bay – Porthcawl, 2nd – 4th November 2019
- Siberian Chiffchaff, Cardiff Bay Barrage, 7th December 2019
- Serin, Nash Pt, 24th November 2019 [2nd county record].
Penarth Marina
A Black Redstart was seen on roofs in Penarth Marina this morning [per Annie Irving]. Not sure of exact location but building was three storeys.
Ogmore
Successful shortish GBC trip out to Ogmore today with an amazing 21 participants to start with. Highlights in the Estuary by Portobello were a number of Goldeneye, about half a dozen Goosander, and in amongst the 100’s of gulls, a couple of Mediterranean Gulls [an adult and a 2nd year bird], and just a single Redshank representing the waders. Amongst around 20 Meadow Pipits on the grassy floodplain downstream of Portobello we eventually latched on to a Water Pipit, a new bird for some. We also had a juv Peregrine shoot through. Some folk left after we had done that area and the rest of us went in search of Purple Sandpiper on the rocky foreshore at Ogmore-by-Sea. After some time we were getting cold in the strengthening wind and were about to give up when sharp-eyed new member Lee Dutton spotted one on the rocks near to our parked cars which allowed good telescope views. Nice one Lee! Also there was a smart adult winter Med Gull and a couple of Turnstones. Thanks to all who attended.
Saturday monthly walk
The monthly walk will take place this coming Saturday, 21st but due to the closure of the KNNR building tomorrow {Thurs} be warned that there will be no access to the toilets.
Cosmeston
c.120 Tufted Duck, 5 Pochard, 4 Gadwall, 2 Little Grebe, and 12 Redwing were the slim pickings from a brief walk this morning.
2018 Bird Report
At long last the 2018 East Glam Bird Report being collected by the printer from the binders’ in Bristol tomorrow afternoon. I hope to collect later tomorrow or poss he will deliver them to me. So … shd be able to get them to my local PO Thurs or Fri. Really sorry for the lateness.
Advanced info – first two events of 2020
The first event of 2020 is the more or less regular trip at this time of year, to Whiteford Point on Gower with a dusk stop at Llanridian marsh for roosting egrets and raptors. This will take place on Sunday 5th January. John Wilson will be away for this trip so keep a watch out on here or the GBC Facebook page or Twitter, for who will be leading, and the arrangements.
The second event is an indoor meeting comprising a review of the year 2019. Due to the closure of the Kenfig Reserve Centre, this meeting will take place at the Pencoed Miner’s Welfare Hall and will make a prompt start at 7:30 p.m. so please aim to be there at 7:15. This is because there is a finish time limit on the hall. It’s very close to J.35 of the M4. Here’s the details: Pencoed Miner’s Welfare Hall, 51-53 Heol-Y-Groes. CF35 5PE
M4 Junction 35
Take A473 North to Pencoed.
First left at the next roundabout, onto Felindre Road. Go past the Rugby Club and swimming pool on the left.
Turn right at the T junction onto Coychurch Road.
Turn right at the crossroads by the monument, just past a garage on the right.
The Miner’s Welfare Hall is on the left, access to the car park is just past the building. A map is below.
Glamorgan Bird Club 
You must be logged in to post a comment.