It appears a Cattle Egret was seen along the Wentloog road today, with Little Egrets [per Paul Bowden on Facebook].

Hi all birders. Having received 2017 bird records already from Alan Rosney, Graham Powell and Neil Donaghy, and also John & Margaret Samuel who submit theirs on a monthly basis [to whom thanks all], it is timely for me to put out a request to all of you who provide us with records each year which are used, inter alia, to write up summaries for the annual Bird Report. If you supply me direct with records can you let me have them as soon as poss [we aim for the end of Jan]. Alternatively if you submit to SEWBReC or use MapMate or BirdTrack then make sure they are up to date with all your records for 2017 so that I get them all when I do a download. Many thanks and happy new year for later.

5 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, 2 Little Grebe and the usual tufties and pochard W lake, pair of Wigeon E lake and a lot more Tufties, 50+ Canadas 2 G C Grebe. Buzzard in tree nr dipping pond, party of 10+ Long t Tit and what may become a bit of a pain – 2 drones.

A Hawfinch was showing in a Field Maple by the farm buildings at Forest Farm today [and y’day] per Twitter. Also at least 1 at St James’ Churchyard – Rudry in the yew, also per Twitter.

A few shots from a brief circuit with the pooch this morning. A couple of the friendly Robins and a Treecreeper in the band of trees by the high path at the back of W lake. Others worth noting were a couple of fem Bullfinches, a party of 12 Long-t-Tits near the central path, 4 Gadwall, 2 Little Grebes and a few flighty Redwings.

2 days ago a male Ring Ouzel was seen [and photographed] on Mynydd Meio nr Caerphilly at approx ST110884 on a stone wall. It appears from discussions on Facebook there as also one in a garden in Abergavenny in the snow the other day. Well done to Claire Strod Strodz for reporting it.

There were 7 Wigeon on E lake this morning, 16 Pochard on W lake and 2 visible Gadwall. 2 Little Grebe near the main bridge. Fem Bullfinch by the central path, 2 GCG, 7 Fieldfare at edge of Cogan Wood and plenty of flighty Redwing. Party of 12 Long-t Tits by path at back of W lake.

There’s a report and photos this morning of a male Ring Ouzel “in the Caerphilly area” yesterday! Have asked for more details of location.

Not much birding done at Cossie walk this a.m. with Anne trying out her moon boots newly issued by the Heath. However 4 Shoveler were new for me, and there were apparently 20 Teal. Sadly the v cold night resulted in the demise of 1 Mute Swan and a friend of mine found a dead Chaffinch on his walk.

Brief visit this morning. A Chiffchaff was in the hedgerow by the Medieval Village field. W lake had 5 Gadwall tucked in by the reeds, at least 6 Pochard and the usual Tufties, 1 Little Grebe [2 frequently showing recently], 1 Grey Heron, a Rook flew over the central path [aka Mile Road], 2 Jays and a male Bullfinch near Old Cogan Hall Farm.

Richard Smith is giving a presentation on a trip to Chile and its reserves. Pumas birds etc. It wil be good! 7.45 p.m. KNR reserve centre.

Apart from Ian’s nice find of 3 Hawfinch, [which didn’t show for me 😦 ] there were 15 Pochard and 4 Gadwall, 3 Little Grebe and the usual Tufties on W lake, 1 Common Gull on W lake posts, 4 Fieldfare in trees at back of W lake, Redwings scattered around. A gentleman I usually meet had an obliging Kingfisher in a tree adjacent the middle viewpoint.

Notice: Don’t forget there’s an indoor meeting on Tuesday [5th Dec] at KNNR reserve centre. Club member Richard Smith who many of you will know, is giving an illustrated presentation on a trip to Chile – exotic birds, Pumas etc. It will be good so come along. 7:45 p.m. start.

Just 2 Common Gulls on W lake posts this morning in a short walk/wheelchair push.

New birds this morning were 3 Teal [poss more in the reed edges] and 2 Med Gulls on W lake posts [per Graham Smith] one of which had a yellow leg ring. I saw one of these birds [an AdW] up by the dragonfly pond where it was pinching bread put down for the crows by my friend Lindsay.

Highlights of a GBC field trip today. Parc Cwm Darran – Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Siskin, Bullfinch, 1 drake Goosander, 4 Buzzards, 1 lrge fem Sprawk, male Crossbill sitting out in the open for ages, LTT, Great-, Blue, and Coal Tits. Rhaslas – 2 Fieldfare and a Stonechat by the ‘car park’, then on the pond, 6 Goosander, 3 Goldeneye, 30 Wigeon, 10 Tufted Duck, 4 GC Grebes and a Mute Swan, plus Red Kite over.

There’s a report on Facebook SW Birding page of 2 Snow Bunts at W Aberthaw today  “Just after the seawall turns 90° to the right and you can see the car park at Seal Pit Rd? In the distance”.

25th Nov a good count of 11 Gadwall on W lake plus 3 Little Grebe, 2 Heron, 6 Pochard, 1 imm drake Shoveler, 3 Buzzards over W paddock and a male Bullfinch on W lake hedgerow.

26th Nov – 3 Gadwall that I could see, 3 Pochard, 2 Buzzard W paddock,  Kingfisher flew under main bridge E lake > W lake, 1 G Spt Woodpecker flew across far end of W paddock into Cogan Wood. A few Redwing over W paddock.

……. is now in my hands. It’s here at last! Bear with us while we sort out the envelope stuffing, labelling, and postage, before it plops through your door. John W and the team.

A pair of Gadwall on W lake this morning were new arrivals for me. Also 5 Pochard.