BTO NEWS survey in the heavy showers am today with Tim Adcock.  Total of 38 Fulmar was higher than expected. They were mostly resting on the cliffs between flights.  Other surprises were a flock of 12 Yellowhammer flying in and out of a hedge near the lighthouse including some cracking males plus shortly afterwards a group of 10 Grey Partridge at the edge of a field nearby.  We picked up the Partridge up as they flew in a group from one part of the field to another.

John Duffy and Tim Adcock – highlights 3 Brent Geese, flock of 40 Wigeon, 10 Lapwing, Grey Wagtail, 2 Jack Snipe, 16 Turnstone, Water Rail (heard), Sparrowhawk, one very tired Redwing giving close views, Snipe.

a pair of Blackcaps feeding together in garden hedge this morning

in the garden in Whitchurch Cardiff this afternoon feeding on berries in my natural hedge that I have planted was nice to see. JFD

No luck Snow Bunting hunting at Southerndown this morning – but called into Fforestganol on the way home and was lucky enough to catch a feeding flock of at least 6 hawfinches – with possibly up to 8 being present.  Difficult to count exact number as they were right at the top of the trees in which they were feeding and were moving about behind the branches – but 6 were in view at the same time at one point.

Raft of 45 Teal at the mouth of the Thaw, flocks of Ringed Plover and Turnstone amongst the Oycs, three Stonechat, one Barwit, two Wheatear one Snipe and three Clouded Yellow

highlights am today 3 drake Garganey plus first Swift of the year (JD & TA)

Goldcrest in the pines on the way out.  Good numbers of Sanderling, Dunlin and Ringed Plover with large flocks of Oystercatcher and Turnstone.  Skylarks singing. One dead Kiitiwake on beach unfortunately.  Very large numbers of Brent Geese from the hide with at least 20 Eider.  The Eider were in small groups and diving regularly making counting them tricky.  Stonechats on the way back.

Highlights :2 Kingfisher,2 Snipe,G S Woodpecker, 3 Wheatear, Ringed Plover and Turnstone on shore with a DB Brent and 38 Wigeon. (JD & TA)

Highlights yesterday Red Backed Shrike, Wryneck and Common Rosefinch
Also Arctic Skua, Common, Arctic and Sandwich Terns. Curlew Sandpiper, Wheatear, Whinchat, Wigeon, Shoveler, Barwit and one late Swift.
Today at Blacktoft Sands on way back : Little Stint, Hobby, Marsh Harrier, Greenshank, Spotshank, Ruff, Curlew Sand and Tree Sparrow.

JD and TA