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].

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. 

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.

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.

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.

c.120 Tufted Duck, 5 Pochard, 4 Gadwall, 2 Little Grebe, and 12 Redwing were the slim pickings from a brief walk this morning.

At my Rhmney Estuary count there were 800 very flighty Redshank, the flock containing just a single Dunlin. They spent several interludes swimming about in the centre of the river. Also 25 Lapwing there, 30 Pintail, 20 Shoveler, 40 Teal by Lamby Way and 32 Mallard. At the Heliport section, 30 Shelduck, another 20 Shoveler, 5 Pintail and just 2 Turnstone.

In a count at R. Ely floodplain, a Woodcock flushed by the river, and there were 8 Green Sandpiper, 32 Snipe, 23 Teal, 2 Dipper, many winter thrushes, Red Kite and Peregrine of note.

The drake Smew reported still at N end of Llandegfedd reservoir this morning and 4 Whoopers E of Magor Marsh. Also Merlin at Steel hide WWT Llanelli.

A Little Egret was sitting on the posts on W lake at 12.13. Flock of 20 Goldfinch back of W lake plus male Bullfinch and many Blackbirds. Checked the Cogan Wood stump again but no seed there. About 20 each of Great and Blue Tits surrounded me when did some soft pishing and a Jay was foraging on the path.

No sign of Marsh Tit in Cogan Wood this morning [seen in the last couple of days by Annie Irving and Tate Lloyd], but plenty of Great and Blue Tits coming to the tree stump on the right as you go down the path from the southern entrance to the wood. Also Coal Tit there too. By the dragon tree there were 2 Jays and a Nuthatch, and near the aforesaid stump a Treecreeper. I must have seen at least 10 squirrels along the woodland path and around 20 in total in my walk. Also 2 rats at the dragon tree.

On E lake in the SW corner there were 50 Tufted Duck of which just 5 were fems, plus 1 Pochard and 2 pairs of Gadwall. 2 Little Grebe near the cafe.

A Long-tailed Duck reported as still present at Lisvane Res this morning and 2 Scaup and 2 aythya hybrids at Cosmeston E lake. Firecrest, Bittern, 2 Little Egret, at Kenfig Pool.

4 Turnstone and 1 Redshank along the Ely embankment by Penarth Marina. 2 Pied Wags, 5 Common Gull and a Rock Pipit barrage south end. 4 drake and 1 redhead Goosander by barrage north end beyond the swift tower.

Also reported there early morning, a possible Siberian Chiffchaff [on #glambirds Twitter feed] by the path by Roath Dock.