Here’s a couple of shots of the Egyptian Goose on E lake this morning. Another addition to the various duck exotica seen in the park over the years (such as Red-crested Pochard, Black Swan, Chiloe Wigeon, Ringed Teal, Bar-headed Goose, Mandarin, and Ruddy Duck).

Egyptian Goose [per Ceri Jones & Lol Middleton] still present 10:30 – 12:00, also Swallow [my first] and Sand Martin, and Willow Warbler singing by golf course and another [per Lol] near W lake.

The hybrid Aythya duck still present on E lake, Cetti’s Warbler singing at far end of the boardwalk, Mistle Thrush singing E paddock, 3 prsof GC Grebes, Green ‘Pecker calling. Also the leucistic Herring Gull still on E lake and getting v v pale – almost all white now except for primaries.

Two Bonaparte’s Gulls were seen at Cardiff Bay this morning, and the Little Gull, I believe at the road bridge end of the Bay. I and several others watched one of the Bonaparte’s at the Barrage end late morning,and the footless 2nd yr Med Gull was there too.

The fact the the very large church in Porthcawl this afternoon was completely full, and that at least 25 of Steve’s birding acquaintances were present says it all. You will be sorely missed but not forgotten Steve.

I’ll leave this link to the  touching tribute by Madeleine in Walesonline: http://tinyurl.com/pwymqrh

Went back with my camera this morning to get some trophy shots of ‘my’ bird, lol. Finally caught up with it when it flew up the R. Ely and landed amongst the yachts moored by the white water centre. It then came back allowing a few flight shots and landed off Plas St Andresse.

A 1stW going into 2nd yr plumage Iceland Gull was a nice surprise at the barrage this morning. First seen sitting on the inner jetty then on the water just inside the barrage. Sods law I hadn’t taken my camera but here’s a phone shot FWIW. There shd be some decent pix forthcoming, from Lol Middleton and A N Other. After a while it flew off and landed somewhere in the Wetland Reserve. Also after I left I had a call to say that the Bonaparte’s was there, sitting on the buoys where the Common Gulls often hang out. A fem Black Redstart was at Penarth Marina in the small square that overlooks the outer harbour of the marina.

Field trip on Weds to Forest of Dean for Gos, Hawfinch, Mandarin, MarshTit etc. Aiming to get to New Fancy View at 9 a.m. altho’ that may be a bit optimistic given morning traffic. I am aiming to leave St Margaret’s Rd, Whitchurch at 07:45 depending on how long it takes me to get there from Penarth! New Fancy View is N of Parkend here http://tinyurl.com/lt2jlrv [see the orange arrow]. Whatever, we will all eventually be there at NFView and hope the Gosses perform.

Drake Lesser Scaup still on W lake with about 6 Tufties. Flock of 50 winter thrushes in W paddock, c25/25 Redwing/Fieldfare. Six Chiffies fly-catching from the trees adj W lake by the central path. 1 Jay by the central path. No Sand Martins. 2 Mistle Thrush singing in woods behind the play park.

I have received a report [yesterday] of a Great Grey Shrike at Bwlch-y-Lladron http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=293912&Y=203142&A=Y&Z=120 which is at the back of Hirwaun Common. To access walk thro’ the forestry from near the lay-by parking on the A4061 the walk starting from where it says  Mynydd Beili-glas on the map. Thanks to Colin Richards for the heads up. Cd only post today due to internet access problems.

The drake Lesser Scaup was on W lake Cosmeston this morning with a small group of Tufties. Pretty confident it was the bird and not the hybrid Lol & I saw a couple of weeks ago. This had a tiny black bill ‘nail’ and very flat nape, and a plummy tone to the head rather than the coppery tone and extensive black nail of the hybrid. Also 4 prs of GC Grebes 2 pairs on each lake. A Mistle Thrush was singing by the central path near W paddock.

Short walk late a.m. Drake Wigeon on W lake tog with 4 Gadwall, 6 Pochard, 30 Tufted Duck, 3 Cormorant. Pr GCG displaying on E lake. 30 each of Redwing and Fieldfare flew out of trees on N side to E lake, and 2 Green Peckers by the playground.

Highlights of today’s GBC trip to Goldcliff and Newport Wetlands.

Goldcliff – 40+ Avocet, 5 Grey Plover, 2 Spotshank, 3 Ruff, 1 Knot, 20+ Blackwit, 2 Greenshank, plus Dunlin, Redshank [incuding a pair mating], and Lapwing, and all dabbling ducks except Pintail.

Wetlands – fab views of fem Marsh Harrier over the reeds up by the Alder copse, from the hide there. Also another Harrier sp east of there poss a ringtail but too distant and v brief view.

What I’m sure was a 2nd cal yr Glauc Gull flew up from Green Pt during my WeBS count this morning. It eventually landed amongst a large flock of gulls on the top of lamby tip.

The Little Gull was on the Taff about halfway between the rowing club launch site and the main Cardiff Bay bridge, viewed from the W side of the river, at 3:30 this arvo. Also a pair of Goosander there, and a Cetti’s Warbler sang briefly in the shrubbery by the river [first time I’ve heard one on the opp side to Hamadryad]. A Chiffchaff was in the same bushes as the Cetti’s. Have just added these two shots of the ‘redhead’.

Firecrest seen this morning by the gate to the path to the new hide – per Margaret Samuel. Thanks for letting me know.

Interesting Aythya hybrid on W lake Cosmeston this morning. Looked superficially like Lesser Scaup, but had bronzy tinge to head and was slightly bulkier than Tufted. When Lawrence arrived with his scope, the balck bill nail could be seen the too extensive. Nape was flat-ish but not flat enough IMO although it did have the small bump at the join of nape & crown. Back was nicely vermiculated grey. You have to wonder whether the regular Lesser Scaup is cross-breeding.

Also present of interest, 1 drake Wigeon and 3 Gadwall

Still down at mum-in-laws. Did some birding today: Sandsfoot Castle (Portland Hbr) – 4 Slav Grebe, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 GN Diver, 1 fem Eider, c50 R-b Merganser, Shag; Portland Castle (Portland Hbr) – Black Guillemot and another 50+ R-b Merg. Portland Bill – 3 Purple Sand, 6+ Rock Pipit, 2 ad Gannets > E. Ferry Bridge – 50-100 Brent. v v cold & windy so didn’t stay to try & sort out Pale-bellieds.

The only things of interest in a shortish walk this morning were two very smart Greylags on E lake. Also there was the unusual sight of the drake Pintail wandering around on the footpath near the bird table by E lake. W lake had the usual Tufties and Pochard and some Teal hiding in the reed edges, and there were 2 Little Grebe and a total of 5 GC Grebe.

Not a sighting but significant news.The web-based East Glamorgan Bird Atlas is now live! Wayne Morris, one of the project sub-committee has just passed on the following message: