Quite pleased to eventually catch up with the Yellow-browed Warbler that Graham Smith found in the Sycamores in wooded area behind the playpark a couple of days ago. It was moving around with a small flock comprising Blue and Great Tits, one Coal Tit and a couple of Goldcrests. High in the trees {edit} so very surprised that an optimistic click of the camera produced a shot of sorts.

A pretty chilly walk around this morning – up the Mile Road around W paddock and back for a coffee and pasty! Only highlights for me were 5 Pochard [4m 1f] and 3 Wigeon on W lake and a Sparrowhawk that flew rapidly over Cogan Wood. Met local birder Graham Smith on the way and and commented that there were no small birds due to the wind. Inevitably Whatsapp pinged when I got home – Yellow-browed Warbler per Graham Smith! 🙂

Quick visit in breezy conditions over afternoon high tide produced 19 Oystercatcher, 2 Cormorant and a Herring Gull on Sully Island, a Rock Pipit at the Captain’s Wife car park and a few Black-headed Gulls and a Little Egret on the beach near Hayes Point.

Cadoxton rivermouth had a little more variety with a Curlew, 5 Turnstone, 9 Oystercatcher, 2 Little Egret, 32 Herring Gull, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 2 Rock Pipit. Highlight was a Kingfisher at one of the tidal pools.

There was a successful club field trip to RGW today, from noon until mid afternoon. 12 participants led by Ceri Jones [thanks Ceri] saw 43 species, the highlight of which was a Long-tailed Duck, well-spotted by John Aggleton.

Edit – Ceri has now sent me the full list, so click here to see it.

Of intrerest there were 3 drake Pochard on W lake and 3 eclipse Wigeon although the views were not good due to the glare.

Late yesterday a local birder found an imm female Scaup on W lake which I nipped down to see. There was also a mini murmuration of Starlings [v approx 1000] but they didn’t appear to stay and drop in to roost.
Today the Scaup was still presnt, and there were 5 Pochard [4m and 1f] and 2 Gadwall. A surprise was a late Clouded Yellow by the main Mile Rd path.

Imm Little Gull reported this morning.

5th October. There was a total of 261 Coot and good numbers of Little Grebe and Tufted Duck and 4 Shoveler along with a few Meadow Pipits.

Canada geese heading for the north bank.

We had a reasonably successful trip to WWT Steart Marshes in N Somerset today, with 15 participants. Sadly, waders were in short supply but we did manage to log 52 species. Almost the 1st bird seen on the start of the walk was a fly-by Spoonbill. The only waders we managed were distant Lapwing, 2 Greenshank,a few Curlew and a Redshank. The scrapes main occupants were large numbers of eclipse Wigeon and Teal. Amongst many Little Egrets were some Cattle Egrets. Common raptors were a few Kestrel and 2 Buzzards. All too brief and not seen by all were a Marsh Harrier, and a very speedy Merlin which shot into John Wilson’s ‘scope view, chasing un-ID’d prey. Here’s a link to the list – click here.
Spot the Kestrel in the pylon pic. Otherwise, Wheatear, Kestrel and Heron in the middle of a large field.
Late update: One of our party saw a couple of Egyptian Geese – thx for the photo Rob.

I had a slow middle of the day amble around the reserve this morning. Small birds were in short supply and the highlight was 3 Peregrines circling quite high, one of which flew high over me and headed towards St Marys Well Bay. A Sparrowhawk had a pretty entertaining chase with a Crow with each swapping chaser and chased mode until they gave up. Also noted, a single Raven and a Jay.
It was blowing a hoolie over the channel but there was nothing of interest.
Below, a much adjusted pic of the Pere that flew over me. The original is a small silhouette!

Kenfig Pond

We had a field trip out west to Carmarthenshire today, with 21 participants. The weather was great but the awaited high tide wasn’t very high at all, hence birds were a bit distant at Pembrey & Kidwelly. Highlights of the 47 [edit] species were the large numbers of Black-tailed Godwits and Knot at WWT Llanelli, plus a good number of Greenshanks. Sadly we couldn’t clinch any Spotted Redshanks as the waders were mostly asleep although yours truly did see two on a short re-visit on the way home. Pembrey Old Harbour only gave us 2-4 Sandwich Terns, but 100’s of Oystercatchers. Kidwelly produced more Greenshanks, a few Dunlin and huge numbers of Curlew. There’s a link to the list below. I’ve complied it from memory so if anyone who came sees there’s anything missing do msg me. No stunning photos at the mo.
Click here for the updated list.

Grey Phalarope 1 Spotted Flycatcher 1 (poss 2) Chiffchaff 10 seen harassing the Spot fly Swift 3 Swallow 6 House Martin 1 Coot 235 at least most we have seen here. Also Clouded Yellow 1 and Migrant Hawker 1

Highlights of Saturdays monthly walk at KNNR included Grassopper Warbler, Tree Pipits and Treecreeper in the hand, Bittern (seen by three people), juvenile Cettis and a Red Kite that circled low over the car park. Thanks tgo Dave Carrington for leading.
Here’s the full list on eBird: click here

ebird.org

eBird Checklist – 15 Aug 2026 – Kenfig Pool and NNR – 43 species

Submitted by David Carrington.

Saw 8 different birds – 3 with fish – 2 catching fish – 5 circle above together + 2 Adults calling

There were good numbers of Small red-eyed Damselflies this morning ovipositing.

I know not found in Wales/Locally but only third time seen in UK, plus Eastleach only 2 + bit hours away basically my back yard GL73NW that the Sat to village, locals very friendly and proud of the bird and there a field to park car less mile away

A young squirrel yesterday. and Common Blue Damselfly and Small Red-eyed Damselfly.