This morning a Dark-bellied Brent Goose flew down channel and landed on the rocks off The Deeps, grazing on the seaweed. Offshore a Red-throated Diver was seen distantly. Stubble fields between Southerndown and St Brides Major held hundreds of birds – mostly Skylarks (200+), Jackdaws and Starlings – but only viewable from the road. Also a flock of 50 Lapwings over there.

A Black Redstart was on the broken drystone walls above the cliffs at Southerndown, where five Choughs (including the ringed pair) were also present. Earlier a Water Rail was at the pond at Dunraven, with the unusual sight of a Great Crested Grebe circling overhead several times, before heading off towards Ogmore at cliff top height. What was presumably the same grebe was pootling around Ogmore rivermouth shortly after. The numbers of Great Crested Grebes in the Ogmore area recently has been unprecedented; I’ve no idea of the explanation for this.

Two Pale-bellied Brent Geese were on the lower estuary today, relocating to the rivermouth when flushed by dog walkers.

This Baird’s Sandpiper on Kenfig east pool shore was an excellent find by Neil Donaghy this morning.

A Dotterel was found this afternoon by Richard Smith in a ploughed coastal field south-east of Cwm Nash at approximately SS 9101 6967.

A ringtail Hen Harrier flew in off the sea at Dunraven Bay and continued heading inland.

Marcross: a Yellow-browed Warbler was in osiers by the brook, south-west of the church, SS919690. This will be a different bird than that seen yesterday north-east of the village, about a kilometre away.

News of Short-eared Owl and Hobby this afternoon (Dave Ripley).

A Yellow-browed Warbler (on its own, calling) was near the viewpoint this morning, with the juvenile Hobby still present around the cliffs at Temple Bay.

A juvenile Hobby was at Temple Bay, feeding along the cliffs and over the sea on some of the numerous Red Admirals in the area, ignoring the passing birds. It was still present late morning.

Visible migration was impressive, with well over 2,000 birds through up to 09:00, although passage appeared to still be underway an hour after this. Species noted in numerical order were: Linnet (400+), Goldfinch, Swallow, Siskin, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Pied (‘alba’) Wagtail, Crossbill (32), Skylark, Starling, Song Thrush, House Martin, Redpoll and Grey Wagtail.

A Yellow-browed Warbler was in scrub with a roving flock near the viewpoint, SS 8901 7272, just after sunrise. There was also a notable visible migration of hundreds of coasting birds: finches (including a couple of Crossbills), Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, alba wagtails and hirundines (nearly all Swallows).

This Manx Shearwater was picked up alive in the road at Coychurch last night, but sadly died soon after. It had a large horizontal wound in the chest, presumably as a result of flying into an overhead wire.

A Pied Flycatcher was in elder scrub along the front, below the big block of flats, with a Whinchat in gorse nearby.

The Wryneck was stil present today, favouring the same area as yesterday. Also a Yellow Wagtail and five Grey Wagtails over, plus two Wheatears on the fence along the approach road.

 

A Wryneck was found this afternoon at Dunraven by Dave Ripley. It favoured the area either side of the car park approach road, from the toilet block up and up the hill for 150m, approximately SS 8854 7317. It fed along the stony area bordering the road and perched up on fence posts and scrub, even on the cliff at one point. It showed well at times and I was able to digiscope record shots.

A Hobby was up over Merthyr Mawr (viewed from the Watermill), being mobbed by hirundines. Otherwise rather samey, with long-staying Garganey and Greenshank still around.

A Wryneck is in Pant y Cwteri, SS 8772 7609. Seen several times this morning, but rather elusive.

Earlier a Garganey was at the Watermill flood, where also several Teal and three Green Sandpipers.

Whilst at the junction of Pant Mari Flanders and Pant Norton I noticed an adult Osprey approaching from the direction of the river (09:35). It flew directly overhead, before slowly circling SSE towards Southerndown, being in view for around 10 minutes.

Up to 18 Buzzards were seen up at one time scanning from Norton Wood over the area from Merthyr Mawr village to the Warren, including a group of 12 towards Wig-Fach. A Peregrine was again hunting along the estuary. Pant Norton held four Spotted Flycatchers, three Lesser Whitethroats and a Tree Pipit.

A Little Stint was in a mixed flock – of Sanderling, Ringed Plover and Dunlin – on the beach between Ogmore and Newton. Sightings along the estuary included Whinchat, Dipper (juvenile on Portobello), three Kingfishers, Greenshank and four Black-tailed Godwits.

Busy in the Pants this morning, with birds including Pied Flycatcher, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Tree Pipits, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Bunting and 15 Yellowhammers. A Swift over may well be my last of the year.

A bit of a wader fest – by Ogmore standards – today. I called in this evening and noted Curlew Sandpiper, nine Black-tailed Godwits, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper and eight Common Sandpipers. AH also saw a Little Stint. Nine Teal were on the Watermill.