A Green Sandpiper was on the Ewenny just downstream of the castle and a Common Sandpiper was on the Ogmore upstream of the confluence, this morning. There were plenty of birds around Norton Farm, including a Mediterranean Gull with Black-heads, 100+ Lapwings, 15+ Ravens and a few Yellowhammers.

A 1st-winter Yellow-legged Gull was at the rivermouth briefly this morning. I grabbed a quick record shot before it flew off up the river.

Also, I have heard that the Firecrest was still present today by the sewage works. The aerial below shows its location. Recently it has been favouring area 1, just upstream of the horse crossing, but I have also seen it at area 2. The location can be accessed from Merthyr Mawr or Candleston, unfortunately there is no access over the sewage works bridge.

A Common Sandpiper during this morning’s WeBS was my first winter record for the site. Other stuff from the count included Little Grebe [7], Little Egret [3], Teal [55], Gadwall [11], Goldeneye [32], Goosander [6], Purple Sandpiper [7], Redshank [14], Curlew [44] and Mediterranean Gull.

Goshawk, Firecrest and Water Pipit also present of note.

A male Hen Harrier was over the lower slopes of the eastern side of the down and a flock of eight Choughs was just south of Llangennith.

The Firecrest showed beautifully in brambles at the perimeter of the sewage works, just upstream of the bridge at SS87667669. Further additions for the patch year list this morning were Water Pipit (took quite a few visits to refind this for the year), Blackcap, Green Woodpecker, Feral Pigeon (yes, I know), Grey Wagtail and Sparrowhawk. There are now around 50 Fieldfares at Candleston, after being very thin on the ground so far this winter.

News from David Ripley – my fellow Ogmore Patchwork Challenge participant – of a Firecrest, adjacent to the sewage treatment plant.

Hundreds of gulls at Portobello this morning. A quick scan as the rain set in produced nothing unusual in terms of species, although a leucistic Herring Gull was present. Earlier 12 Purple Sandpipers were at Ogmore-by-Sea.

Five Red-throated Divers on the sea south east of Tusker Rock, Ogmore-by-Sea, this morning.

A Dark-bellied Brent Goose flying off towards Pothcawl from the rivermouth was one of 56 species recorded in the locale today.

The Water Pipit still present on the lower estuary today.

Mass panic among the gulls, corvids and pigeons alerted me to a male Goshawk that flew from the direction of Norton Wood over Portobello and towards Merthyr Mawr. Six Purple Sandpipers were in the usual place and the first Shelducks of the winter were on the estuary.

A Snow Bunting remains at Southerndown, both on the cliff top and around the sheep field. A Water Pipit was on Portobello Island, Ogmore, with four Brents in the Canada Goose flock on the lower estuary.

A male Snow Bunting was present this afternoon, favouring the broken ground on the brow of the cliff top at SS87707379. The bird was associating with a large group of Rock Pipits, but was rather flighty.

A nice bit of variety this morning on the Dogmore, with 2 Water Pipits (Portobello), 7 Goldeneye, 9 Goosander, 4 Gadwall, 9 Little Grebes, Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Turnstones (on Portobello; often up the river from November to January), 3 Little Egrets, adult Mediterranean Gull and 2 Kingfishers.

At least one Ring Ouzel remains in Pant Norton, also a Woodcock flushed from bracken at point blank range.

A Water Pipit was on the lower estuary this morning. WeBS count totals included Little Egret [3], Little Grebe [6], Gadwall [1], Goosander [3], Purple Sandpiper [2], Redshank [13] and Kingfisher [3].

A Ring Ouzel was in Pant Norton, feeding on Black Bryony berries.

Six thrush species this morning with Ring Ouzel, Blackbirds, Redwings, Song Thrushes and a couple of Mistle Thrushes in the valley, plus a flock of about 70 Fieldfares over Norton Wood.

This morning Dark-bellied Brent Goose and Black-tailed Godwit on the lower estuary, nine Grey Herons at the Watermill, plus 110 Redwings in Pant Norton.

Dean’s Yellow-browed Warbler was present again this afternoon. The circled area in the image below shows its favoured beat, for anyone wishing to look tomorrow.

A Yellow-browed Warbler was with a roving flock in scrub and trees between the walled garden and the viewpoint, SS 8897 7272, late morning.