Apologies for non-sighting post, but I thought some may be interested in attending the free Gwent-Glamorgan Recorders’ Forum in Cardiff on Saturday 21st Nov. The programme includes Dr Rob Thomas speaking on long-term monitoring projects in the world of birdwatching.

More details, including full programme & booking info, is available on the SEWBReC website here: http://www.sewbrec.org.uk/event/events-calendar/gwent-glamorgan-recorders-forum.page.

PS. Heard redwing over Canton earlier in the week 🙂

Peregrine pair flying around City Hall etc in central Cardiff.

Black redstart – adult male calling and feeding on outer harbour wall and first groyne on beach at Penarth side of barrage yesterday. Thanks to Gareth for advice about tracking one of these down.

This morning (pre rain) little bunting still at Forest Farm. Also a drumming pecker which sadly turned out to be a greater, rather than the mythical lesser spotteds.

Firecrest still showing well at Ogmore this afternoon, feeding actively near horse pass. Also kingfisher, curlew, grey & pied wagtails, teal, shelduck and long tailed tits.

Unexpected garden visitor this morning, presumably flushed out by the snow (!). First one I have seen in my close. Sorry for dodgy record shot.

Several redwing heard calling in flight last night. Worth leaving a window open to hear!

For any gull connoisseurs out there, this dark gull was in the fountain outside Cardiff City Hall this morning. Dave Slade & I concluded that it was just a particularly dark lesser black backed (probably 3rd year summer plumage), but I would be interested to hear any alternative theories or comments on how common this is.

I don’t “do” gulls, but noticed this one because it was so much darker than a nearby herring gull, as you can see in the first two photos.

40+ shelduck in Heliport Bay at high tide on Sunday, and 10 roosting oyster catchers. Couple of large mixed flocks of long tailed tits and gold crests in surrounding area, plus lots of blackbirds for my winter thrush survey!

Delayed sighting from yesterday (as I can’t work out how to post from my mobile).

Visited Dunraven yesterday evening, no sign of Firecrest. Two chough were a slight consolation, especially as they were attempting to mob a peregrine perched on the cliff. The peregrine seemed oblivious to their attentions! Also lots of hirundines, meadow pipits and chiffchaffs – some calling – filling their bellies before the journey south.

On Wednesday evening, flock of around 20 Ringed Plover, with at least one dunlin and one sanderling. Waders are not my strong point, so could be more interesting stuff there, if anyone cares to look!