Todays Goldeneye, also a Swallow and c 25 Sand Martin

At Cosmeston there were several singing Chiffchaff and 4 Sand Martins. Black Redstart showing well at Sully and was singing also.

A fall of Chiffchaff accompanied by Goldcrests and two Firecrest provided the interest today as reported by John. Firecrests were particularly difficult to photograph. Also, two Sand Martin.

Mediterranean Gull was on the East Lake this afternoon and 3 Lesser Redpoll in the East Paddock found by Ceri Jones. Lesser Scaup on the West Lake today.

 

In afternoon, in addition to John’s post, 280 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Fieldfare and 2 Marsh Tits in Cogan Wood, haven’t seen them since 10 January.

Lesser Scaup still on East Lake. A Merlin near the dragon fly pond was a nice surprise.

Gadwall now numbering 14 this morning

Magpie: 73 noted gathering late afternoon during post lunch stroll.

Another photo…

This gull was at Cosmeston on Sunday. Any help with ID would be appreciated. I have some thoughts but not sure.

 

A brief visit this morning yielded an Egyptian Goose (tick). Must be the same bird as a week or so ago but now looked at with new appreciation, what a difference a week makes!

Also, Common Sandpiper on the shores of the West Lake and a Wheatear on the West Paddock.

These two showed well this afternoon at Forest Farm.

The hybrid Lesser Scaup was at Cosmeston in the morning and one of the Bonapartes Gulls and two Med Gulls (2cy and 3cy)were at Cardiff Bay in the morning. Yesterday three Swallows were at Cosmeston West Lake in the evening.

I hadn’t seen the very pale immature gull (Herring Gull)  at Cosmeston for a while but it was there again on Sunday, it seems to have become more pale as time progresses.

I took the Iceland Gull photo just before lunch and returned late afternoon hoping to see the Bonaparte’s but could only find this 3rd cy Med Gull. Interestingly it doesn’t seem to have feet!

I

Lesser Scaup at Cosmeston approached very close to the board walk late afternoon with Tufted Ducks.

The male Pintail was still present this afternoon and also a Little Egret which was perched in a tree on the island at the West Lake with 4 Grey Herons. The adult Yellow-legged Gull was on the East Lake this morning.

In addition to the growing numbers of Pochard and Tufted Duck noted below, today: 2m & 2f Teal, m & f Gadwall and 3m & 3f Widgeon. Marsh Tit at the feeding bench at the beginning of Cogan Wood ie East Lake end.

Good movement this morning from sunrise; Pied/white wagtail 350+, Chaffinch 600+, Meadow Pipit 250+, Mistle Thrush 4, Jay 2, Blackcap 1m, Chiffchaff 2, Reed Bunting 2, Swallow 200+, Golden Plover 3, Sparrowhawk 1, Buzzard 1, Raven 2, Goldfinch flock c 200, Linnet flock c300, Greenfinch 2, Grey Wagtail 1, Starling 30 and Skylark 35. GNS heard Woodlark which he and AB re-found in large coastal stubble field. This remained in general area until late afternoon.

This evening: Canada Geese 80 on east lake, Swallow 300 over west lake feeding. Yesterday there was a Teal (f) on the west lake.