Today, late morning, there was an active feeding flock of Goldfinch and Siskin in tree tops at the north end of Cogan Wood. Also in the wood, a male Bullfinch, Coal, Blue and Great Tits, a single Redwing and 3 Jays.
On 11th Jan I had a brief view of a Hawfinch in tree tops 50m past the dragonfly pond. There were c.250 Tufted Ducks on W lake plus 8 Pochard, 2 each of Little and Great Crested Grebes and a pair of Bullfinch was in the west paddock hedge.
On 12th Jan there were 8 Gadwall on W lake and a single Common Gull on the W lake posts.
Author: John Wilson
Birder and traveller
December 2024
Kenfig NNR: A first-winter drake American Wigeon, discovered at the Pool in late November, reappeared there after a short absence, subsequently staying the rest of the month. A White-fronted Goose circled the Pool but chose not to land (10th). A Cattle Egret was briefly present (9th). Sightings from Sker included Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver and Little Gull. A Bittern was seen at the Pool. A Hen Harrier frequented the southern dunes. A Merlin was logged. Both Siberian Chiffchaff and Firecrest were trapped for ringing.
Cardiff: A female Ring-necked Duck was present all month at Lisvane Reservoir, bar for one brief sortie to Cardiff Bay. A Grey Phalarope was a fleeting visitor to Lisvane Reservoir (2nd). At Llanishen Reservoir a Black-throated Diver took up residence (9th onward), but three Black-necked Grebes there were only transient (5th). Several Caspian Gulls were identified in the Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve roost. A Red-breasted Merganser arrived at Cardiff Bay (22nd), having previously been at Cosmeston, while a Scaup lingered too.
Other Sites: Five Velvet Scoters flew down channel at Lavernock (30th), with another seen drifting north off Penarth Pier the same day. A Black-throated Diver arrived at Barry Waterfront (25th). Common Sandpipers were at Ogmore Estuary and Penarth Marina. A Little Gull was off the promenade at Porthcawl. Black Redstarts were at Nash Point and Porthcawl. Wandering Dartford Warblers were located at Rest Bay and near Pyle & Kenfig Golf Clubhouse. One or two Hawfinches were seen sporadically at Cosmeston. A Snow Bunting was heard over Mynydd Pwll-yr-lwrch.
Summary by Paul Roberts
Cardiff Bay barrage & Barry Docks
Walked across the barrage this morning and was lucky to see a female Goosander close in to the inner shore, so got a couple of nice shots. As the Barry Docks Black-throated Diver had been reported whilst we were having coffee at the far end, I nipped over there too. It turned up whilst we were away at Christmas so was pleased to see that it was still present. It was pretty obliging and gave the best views I’ve ever had of any species of diver.
Rhymney Est.
V v cold WeBS count (Wetland Bird Survey) this morning, on the Rhymney Estuary at Green Point. High tide was way too early last w/e, when it was scheduled – it would have still been dark!. Bit of an obstacle course there at the mo – see photos. Plenty of birds tho’: 100 Pintail, 80 Shelduck, 50 Teal, 40 Mallard, 11 Wigeon, 30 Shoveler, 40 Canada Geese, 800 Redshank, 400 Dunlin, 70 Oystercatcher, 22 Ringed Plover, 7 Cormorant.
Special offer membership!
Looking for a last minute Christmas gift? How about membership of Glamorgan Bird Club? We’ve got a special offer on at the moment. Join now and you’ll get extended membership until March 2026. In other words, 15 months instead of the usual 12. To join, go to www.glamorganbirds.org.uk , click the “join” button and fill in our on-line form.
Portland Obs weekend – 4-6 Oct 2024
Posted a little late!
Thirteen Club members met up at the first location, Maiden Castle just outside Dorchester at around 10:15. The fields below this huge iron age fort are a reliable site for Corn Bunting and other farmland birds. There were huge numbers of Goldfinch and Linnet feeding in an old sunflower crop and we eventually managed to ‘scope up a number of stocky Corn Buntings resting on a tree top.
From here we drove to Lodmoor RSPB reserve, E. of Weymouth. At the start of a circular walk, sharp-eyed Tim Adcock spotted a couple of Bearded Tits. After some patient viewing we all got glimpses of these reedbed residents. Other species here were Cetti’s Warblers heard, Black-tailed Godwits, Great White Egret, a good number of Snipe, a few Swallow and all the common dabbling ducks and a few Med Gulls. The resident Marsh Harriers didn’t show, which is very unusual.
Next stop was the Ferrybridge car park, overlooking Chesil Fleet. The tide was low but we had decent scope views of Dunlin, Turnstone, Ringed Plover, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit and a few Sanderling, 2 Sandwich Terns and, for this site, the inevitable Mediterranean Gulls. A couple of Wheatear were also present. Time was marching on so we headed on to Portland Bill itself and down to the Observatory, which comprises the old Portland lighthouse. Once we had our rooms sorted and had ‘moved in’ it was time for a cuppa. A short walk to the ‘Obs quarry’, a vegetated hollow with a back wall of huge Portland stone boulders, failed to reveal the resident Little Owl. We did see this resident at some point during the weekend but I can’t now recall exactly when! Late afternoon and evening were spent chilling and Alan & Tim organised fish & chips.
Saturday is usually early breakfast then out on the terrace with ‘scopes, seawatching for a couple of hours. Most numerous were Gannets of all ages, then large-ish groups of auks comprising Guillemots and Razorbills although ID at distance is never easy. The best birds were small numbers of Balearic Shearwaters – regular passage birds here, best described as Manx Shearwaters with dirty underwings! The occasional Kittiwake passed by and a couple of Great Skuas and a few Common Scoter were seen. After tea/coffee to rest our eyes, we walked down to the tip of the bill. A Wheatear was on the large field. Sea passage had quietened so we headed up to the ‘top fields’. On the way Tim Adcock had brief views of a large pipit but it vanished from view – could have been a Richard’s! Also just as we set off a Hobby suddenly appeared and chased around for a short while, no doubt after the few migrating Swallows. The top fields provided a couple of Whinchat and a few Stonechats, and there were 5 Stock Doves in one field. News then came through of a Red-breasted Flycatcher at the Culverwell ringing area, which was on our way so we hurried off downhill. It looked like a needle in a haystack job in the dense scrub, so 2 or 3 of us [including me], who were wilting a bit, set off back to the Obs. The stalwarts who stayed ‘got’ the bird, so after our picnic lunches on the terrace, the others of us went back and eventually got views of this little gem. Another highlight was a Firecrest which had been trapped in the obs garden, so we had close views of this gorgeous bird when the warden Martin Cade, brought it up to the terrace to show us.
The afternoon was spent in a couple of wooded areas looking for Yellow-browed Warblers, which had been reported. It was quite windy which made finding small birds in tall Sycamores, quite difficult! We managed to find a few Chiffchaffs but not much else. Gareth Jenkins who joined us from his B&B accommodation, managed to see the local Barn Owl in the headlights of his car as he arrived. Dinner this evening was taken at the Eight Kings pub in Southwell, which Alan had booked during the fish & chip run. A couple of hiccups in the food orders, but we did descend on them with 16 orders! All in all it had been a good day.
Sunday and seawatching again early doors – passage seemed to be a bit quieter this morning, but similar species were seen. Alan was lucky enough to see a passing Merlin, spotted by the resident seawtcher. We had to clear our rooms by 10 a.m. so as the weather forecast wasn’t too good we decided to head off to Ferrybridge again as the tide was about right. Our departure was delayed when news came that Martin had trapped a Yellow-browed Warbler, so we all trooped out to the terrace to get fab close up views of this nicely marked relative of Chiffchaff. Then, just as we were about to depart, a Red-breasted Flycatcher had suddenly arrived in a large Holm Oak near the Obs entrance. Sharp-eyed Tim A. spotted it in the dark under the tree and it was a different bird to the Culverwell one. It went into cover and we decided we had to leave. Tim Collier managed to get a great shot later, as he was due to stay another day, having travelled down in his campervan.
At Ferrybridge, the tide was so high there was no exposed mud and no waders! We spent some time studying the Med Gulls, of which there were about 80, so we managed to give some of the assembled spotters, a lesson in Med Gull ageing! Coffees were consumed, and some nice snacks from the cafe, and then the tide began to fall and the same species of wader returned, giving closer views this time. Also as a finale, 16 Brent Geese flew in, these being the dark-bellied race Branta bernicla bernicla, which breed in Siberia. Portland Bill had more or less disappeared in the increasing drizzle, so we all set off for home, except for those who had further plans. For some the journey back was pretty dire with torrential rain and standing water on the motorways, but we all got back safely after a great weekend.
The full list is here.
John Wilson
Cosmeston
The long-staying [since 19th Nov] female Red-breasted Merganser was quite active at Cosmeston this morning, as opposed to yesterday when it was fast asleep [see one of the photos]. This morning it was fishing on E. lake, in the company of a Little Grebe at one point. Also, on W. lake there were 4 drake and 1 fem Pochard, and a lone Wigeon.
Rest Bay > Sker Point
An enjoyable walk was had today by a pleasing 18 participants [thanks folks!], on a Club trip, from Rest Bay to Sker Point and back. An unexpected treat was a Dartford Warbler, first spotted by Jean Carlson as we were watching a pair of Stonechats on gorse, across the road from the car park! An interesting bit of info which not everyone knows is that vagrant ‘Dartfords’ often associate with Stonechats. Highlights at Sker Point were c.150 Golden Plover, a few Purple Sandpipers, lots of Turnstone and Oystercatcher and a Ringed Plover and a Knot. A Mediterranean Gull I got flight shots of by the car park had a yellow leg ring but none of my shots show the code clearly enough. See the bottom LH image.
Diligent scanning by Alan Rosney got him on to a Diver going up channel but it was too distant to ID to species.
Edit: I’ve added in a couple of photos by Cindy Howells, one of 2 adult Great Black-backed Gulls, and another of a Curlew at Sker Point. I’ve taken the liberty of cropping both images [with permission].
The full list if 36 species is via this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qrMzJZ8vGeBHIu1OXJKZjpPlR-maoDzk/view?usp=sharing
Cosmeston late a.m.
Very cold this morning. Not much action up by dragonfly pond. There were c.12 Redwing on the deck in W paddock near the S. kissing gate plus a couple of Song Thrush and a Mistle Thrush. W lake had 3 drake Pochard. In the willow by the boardwalk opposite the cafe, I was chuffed to see a female Reed Bunting feeding on phragmites heads. Only the second Reed Bunt I’ve recorded at Cossie this year [the 1st was a singing male in May]. They’ve become a bit of a rarity, sadly.
Cosmeston
Late morning as usual. The Mile Road fallen tree had been cleared. There were 2 drake Pochard and a pair of Gadwall with the Tufties on W lake. The recent Red-breasted Merganser seems to have departed. A Sparrowhawk flew over the Medieval Village field and a Buzzard was mewing from a tree nearby although I couldn’t locate it.
Cosmeston
Late morning circuit. The usual route up the Mile Road via the Medieval Village path, was blocked by a fallen tree. Hence we went through the lower dovecote field and joined the W lake back path. Over the lower dovecote there were 2 Buzzards circling, and a Peregrine suddenly appeared and had a go at one of them, then flew off. A few Redwing flew into the conservation area as we passed. In addition to the usual Tufties there were 2 Wigeon and a drake Pochard on W lake.
November 2024
Highlights: A first-winter drake American Wigeon was present at Kenfig Pool (28th-29th). A female Ring-neck Duck arrived at Lisvane Reservoir (25th). A flock of 12 Whooper Swans seen flying up channel off Sker was subsequently noted off Aberthaw (11th). A further five Whooper Swans turned up at Flemingston Moor (15th). A Velvet Scoter (with two Common Scoters) lingered on the sea off Sully (from 18th). A Black-throated Diver flew down channel past Sker (20th). Kenfig Pool hosted a Slavonian Grebe (21st-25th). A first-winter Caspian Gull was identified in the roost off Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve on at least two dates. A Yellow-browed Warbler was found at Hailey Park, Cardiff (3rd).
Other Sites: Less common wildfowl included a Scaup at Cardiff Bay, four Eiders off Sker and a Red-breasted Merganser at Cosmeston. Both Bittern and Great White Egret occurred at Kenfig Pool. Mynydd Pwll-yr-Lwrch and Kenfig both had single sightings of Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl. Llanilid chipped in with an additional Hen Harrier. A Purple Sandpiper was found dead under electricity wires at Cilfynydd Common, well inland. Two Little Gulls were feeding off Sker in stormy weather. A highly unseasonal Common Swift ranged between Cosmeston and the adjacent coast (30th). The only Ring Ouzel sighting came from Kenfig. Black Redstarts were observed at Southerndown, Aberthaw and Cardiff City Hall. Wandering Dartford Warblers continued to feature, with records from Dunraven, Dyffryn Farm (Caerau), Nottage and at a weedy field at Lavernock. At least three Firecrests were at Bute Park. Lavernock enjoyed a good passage of Hawfinches, with over 20 logged, while further reports of the species came from Heath Park, Forest Farm and Cosmeston.
Summary by Paul Roberts
Cosmeston & Lavernock
On Saturday at the w/e a lucky birder found a Dartford Warbler at Lavernock. It proved to be a little elusive but I visited today after my usual Cosmeston circuit to try my luck. There was no action in the scrubby field where it had been seen, but I eventually noticed 2 Stonechats on the adjacent hedgerow. Some folk may not know that wayward Dartfords often associate with Stonechats, and so it proved to be. I only got a brief view but the little devil popped its head out from the dense cover to give me a satisfactory glimpse then back in it went. The Stonechat pair relocated to an adjacent field and I watched them there for a while in case they’d taken the Dartford with them, but got no further action. No pic of the Dartford Warbler but I did take some pix of the Stonechats, although they’re big crops. I also noted a Meadow Pipit, and a male Kestrel was hunting over the field. Also below a drake Shoveler at Cossie and a Woodpigeon head shot [it was resting by the main bridge].
Cosmeston
The long staying [4 days] Red-breasted Merganser was asleep near the SW corner of W lake this morning. I took some shots from the Mile Road viewpoint but it was too distant and the photos were ***. A drake Shoveler was with 2 females at the north end of W lake near the reedbed. No sign of yesterday’s Mandarin. Nothing too much else on the lakes bar the 100 or so Canada Geese. There were 4 Gt Crested Grebes and at least 4 Little Grebes. No interesting gulls as yet. I didn’t venture into the muddy quagmire paddocks.
Cosmeston
A drake Mandarin was on E lake this morning along the NW shore opp the cafe. It was elusive as ity kept hiding under the overhanging trees, Whilst I was on the cafe, al the gulls suddenly flushed and I grabbed my bins & got on to what was poss a Goshawk flying high over E lake going N. Whilst scanning for the Mandarin, I saw a Kingfisher fly across in front of the trees on the NW shore and land in a tree near the sluice in the corner.
Also present this morning but not seen by me, Hawfinch at the usual spot past the dragonfly pond, and the Red-breasted Merganser, and a juv Gos by Cogan Wood.
Spot the Mandarin in the 1st pic! The Tufty was rather more obliging!
Cosmeston
Nothing too exciting today. Although I didn’t see it, the Red-breasted Merganser was still present on E lake first thing then moved over to W. lake. A Redwing shot across Mile Road and settled and I managed to grab a shot. It’s the first one I’ve seen at rest this winter. Also on the thrush front, there were 2 Mistle Thrushes in E paddock. A Chiffchaff was calling from a Birch outside the rangers ‘garage’.
Away from the park, the 3 Scoters were apparently still offshore at Sully.
Sully & Cosmeston
A few unusual birds locally in the last 2 days, which I’ve managed to catch up with.
Offshore at Sully bay there were 2 Common Scoter together with a fem type Velvet Scoter. Pretty unusual to get Scoters this far up the channel except after storms. They were rather too distant for photos.
Then at Cosmeston there was a female Red-breasted Merganser, found late afternoon yesterday. It was on east lake and very active, diving frequently. I also noted around 6 Little Grebes, and on W lake there were 2 fem Shoveler and a male, and a pair of Gadwall.
Sully & Flemingston
Nothing too exciting during a walk along the coast at Sully on Sat 16th, but the Kestrel posed nicely on top of a mast in the sailing club, and there were 3 Rock Pipits & 2 Pied Wags on the cricket field. This afternoon, Sun 17 I drove over to Flemingston, near St Athan to see the 5 Whooper Swans that turned up a couple of days ago. They were pretty distant but nice to see – a pretty uncommon visitor to the Vale.
Bryngarw CP – 12 Nov 2024
We had an enjoyable 3 hours at Bryngarw CP this morning with 13 booked participants and we were delighted to see our ex Chairperson, Adrian Murch with Howard Driver, who we chatted with whist admiring the drake Mandarin at the pool. We did a circuit up throiugh the woods, then down around the boardwalks and along by the river. 32 species were logged, highlights being the Mandarin, Dipper, and a circling Red Kite plus a good selection of wooddland species. Also some of us had a nice chat over coffee at the cafe afterwards. Thanks to all who attended. A few pix by yours truly, below. John Wilson. Full list click here:
Cosmeston
The sullen grey skies for the last few days have been rather depressing, and the resulting poor light not good for photography. Even so, it was a delight yesterday to find a group of c.6 Redpolls feeding in tall birches near the dipping pond. Redpolls used to be regularly seen at Cosmeston [say about 15 yrs ago and earlier] but they are very scarce these days. Today a few Fieldfare flew over W paddock, calling, the first I’ve seen this winter. Also yesterday and today, there were 3 drake Pochard on W lake – another species that used to be very numerous in the winter. Of non-avian interest – the fungi were in good condition, but my phone app was not able to ID them with any certainty.
Glamorgan Bird Club 
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