Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Water Rail, Snipe, Dipper and Goosander were the highlights of 35 species on this week’s GBC field trip to a wet Forest Farm. Thanks to John Wilson for leading and to all who came along.

Full species list: Mallard, Goosander, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Peregrine, Water Rail, Moorhen, Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Kingfisher, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Dipper, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin and Bullfinch.

It was just me [John W] who dropped in briefly to Cardiff Bay Wetlands as I went home. The only ‘extras’ I saw were Coot, Gt Crested Grebe Lesser B-b Gull and Tufted Duck.

There’s a report and photos this morning of a male Ring Ouzel “in the Caerphilly area” yesterday! Have asked for more details of location.

Not much birding done at Cossie walk this a.m. with Anne trying out her moon boots newly issued by the Heath. However 4 Shoveler were new for me, and there were apparently 20 Teal. Sadly the v cold night resulted in the demise of 1 Mute Swan and a friend of mine found a dead Chaffinch on his walk.

Popped to a cold wetland reserve this evening. No sign of the bittern up to 1645. 3 yellow legged gulls came in early (adult, 2nd winter and sub adult). The tufted duck flock were tucked in out the wind but eventually pushed out. There were approx. 240 birds with this interesting ring necked look-alike. Sadly it appeared around dusk so apologies for poor photos. Head shape and bill lookeded interesting but was not really sold on the rest. Hybrid? Pochard x tufted duck perhaps? May be worth a 2nd look.

This Little Stint was the unexpected highlight of today’s WeBS count. It was commuting between some muddy puddles just up from the confluence and Portobello.

In sleet today-

Blackbird 6, Chaffinch 3, Coot 12, Little Grebe 6, Mallard 8,  Mute Swan 6,                              Redwing 1 ,Song Thrush 3, Woodpigeon 1, Blue Tit 7+, Coal Tit 4, Great Tit 6, Magpie 2, Moorhen 6, Nuthatch 3, Robin 4, Teal 4.

Apologies for non-sighting post. It’s my quarterly request for photos for the GBC newsletter. If you’ve got anything suitable, preferably taken in East Glamorgan, then send them in.

Rather quiet WeBS count this morning. Highlights were Yellow-legged Gull, Shelduck and the highest Swan count for some time (9).

Brief visit this morning. A Chiffchaff was in the hedgerow by the Medieval Village field. W lake had 5 Gadwall tucked in by the reeds, at least 6 Pochard and the usual Tufties, 1 Little Grebe [2 frequently showing recently], 1 Grey Heron, a Rook flew over the central path [aka Mile Road], 2 Jays and a male Bullfinch near Old Cogan Hall Farm.

A Fulmar showing well at Cwm Nash this morning.

Female Shoveler

Richard Smith is giving a presentation on a trip to Chile and its reserves. Pumas birds etc. It wil be good! 7.45 p.m. KNR reserve centre.

4 goosander, heron, dipper and a grey wagtail on the Taff (all on the water at the same time)

Flock of 8 to 10 Hawfinches this afternoon at forrest ganol. One stopped and I got a good view of it in the tree tops.

Apart from Ian’s nice find of 3 Hawfinch, [which didn’t show for me 😦 ] there were 15 Pochard and 4 Gadwall, 3 Little Grebe and the usual Tufties on W lake, 1 Common Gull on W lake posts, 4 Fieldfare in trees at back of W lake, Redwings scattered around. A gentleman I usually meet had an obliging Kingfisher in a tree adjacent the middle viewpoint.

Big numbers of Tufted Duck 70 Mute Swan 80 Coot 120 also three colour ringed gulls. A tree next to the road had Fieldfare 2 Redwing 10 Song Thrush 2 and Blackbird 2 feeding on the berries. A Black-headed Gull had an almost complete hood.

Happy to see my first ever hawfinch at Cosmeston this morning with 3 on the fringes of Cogan wood along from the dragonfly pond. Also kingfisher on the dragonfly pond and peregrine hunting nearby.

A minimum of 19-Snipe on south side of the island,also 2-Water Rails.10h15-11h30

I met a woman called Carol today who showed me a photo of a female goshawk she saw towards Sluice Farm this afternoon.  It was quite obliging, sitting on a fence post.  There have been reports of an escaped falconer’s bird in the area recently but this bird didn’t appear to have jesses.