New birds this morning were 3 Teal [poss more in the reed edges] and 2 Med Gulls on W lake posts [per Graham Smith] one of which had a yellow leg ring. I saw one of these birds [an AdW] up by the dragonfly pond where it was pinching bread put down for the crows by my friend Lindsay.

A total of eight Little Egrets flew from the island roost at first light,This follows a total of eleven on nov.16.

Both numbers are well down on recent years.Perhaps numbers will increase as we go into winter.

Highlights of a GBC field trip today. Parc Cwm Darran – Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Siskin, Bullfinch, 1 drake Goosander, 4 Buzzards, 1 lrge fem Sprawk, male Crossbill sitting out in the open for ages, LTT, Great-, Blue, and Coal Tits. Rhaslas – 2 Fieldfare and a Stonechat by the ‘car park’, then on the pond, 6 Goosander, 3 Goldeneye, 30 Wigeon, 10 Tufted Duck, 4 GC Grebes and a Mute Swan, plus Red Kite over.

9-Snipe on the south side of the island,10h00-10h30

Bittern flew briefly from the reed island to the main reedbed 16:32. Also Snipe,4 Little Grebe,Kingfisher.Just 5 Starlings went down this evening.

There’s a report on Facebook SW Birding page of 2 Snow Bunts at W Aberthaw today  “Just after the seawall turns 90° to the right and you can see the car park at Seal Pit Rd? In the distance”.

2 of 3 Hawfinches seen over the last few weeks, this photo from last sunday (19th) ,

these were around the playing field at Gorseinon junior school

2 brambling in the riverside trees on the way into work today. A male hawfinch was showing very well in maple trees behind the office. 6 hawfinch flew over the offices yesterday

Goosander three drakes and one redhead. There was a large  mixed flock circa 50 birds mainly Siskin and also Goldfinch and Cole Tit feeding in the larches. The hope for Crossbills did not appear.

A black-tailed godwit was feeding along the river bank among all the redshanks and dunlins this afternoon. Also there were at least 50 pintails in the estuary with many more out on the open water.

25th Nov a good count of 11 Gadwall on W lake plus 3 Little Grebe, 2 Heron, 6 Pochard, 1 imm drake Shoveler, 3 Buzzards over W paddock and a male Bullfinch on W lake hedgerow.

26th Nov – 3 Gadwall that I could see, 3 Pochard, 2 Buzzard W paddock,  Kingfisher flew under main bridge E lake > W lake, 1 G Spt Woodpecker flew across far end of W paddock into Cogan Wood. A few Redwing over W paddock.

In addition to a singing Mistle Thrush, there is now a Song Thrush singing in the Collwyn, Pyle.

A Yellow-legged Gull here today and the long stay Shelduck is nearing adult plumage Black-headed Gull 93. 

……. is now in my hands. It’s here at last! Bear with us while we sort out the envelope stuffing, labelling, and postage, before it plops through your door. John W and the team.

A pair of Gadwall on W lake this morning were new arrivals for me. Also 5 Pochard.

The Redwing have arrived and settled in the Collwyn woods  in Pyle at long last. Flock of 60+ yesterday and again this morning.

Muted song of the Mistle Thrush in the Collwyn, Pyle, yesterday afternoon. Convinces me I also heard one singing at Kenfig NNR on Sunday 19th.

The last few days have seen up to four hawfinch at Forest Farm, ranging between the car park and reserve. They are predominantly feeding on maple seeds. A male showed particularly well in the gardens around the office at midday. Photo by Raj Chettri.

c.300 Black-headed Gulls sitting on W lake in the drizzle this morning was quite impressive. In amongst them were 5 Common Gulls – a good count for the park. Otherwise a pretty dire walk.