Seawatch 1030-1210

Highlight was Red Throated Diver d/c. Also surprisingly high numbers of Swallow (30) heading in the same direction.

Otherwise, c.150 BH gulls u/c, 4 Curlew d/c, 1 GBB gull d/c. Other species; Oyk, Carrion Crow, Herring gull, LBB gull, Goldfinch, Mipit, Pied Wagtail, Linnet 

Just a heads up that the 2016 bird report files are with the printer. I have seen a proof and it looks good. I’m away now for 2 weeks so not sure when we’ll get it posted but bear with us. John W

V v wet this morning but there was a Med Gull on the W lake posts. Haven’t seen one in the park fo quite a while. Difficult to see detail but could have been AdW or poss late 2ndS [thought I could make out 2 v small black spots in the primaries]. Graham Smith had a Med/B-h Gull hybrid on Penarth beach recently but I don’t think this was it. Bill looked fully Med Gull weight and size was full Med Gull.

Yellow-browed Warbler  in Pyle, Sunday, still there yesterday. Picked up by call, showing well  in trees along mineral rail line near Llanmihangel Fram/Dunraven stud. Park at St James church on A48, near Old Wine House, take narrow farm track downhill between woods/houses. Over stile at river bridge, turn right and go uphill ’til levels out. Past red gate on left, to first gap in hedge on right and start to listen and look at trees other side of  rail track. Carry on until end of lane, level crossing.

A short seawatch between 0900-1015 saw Emma and myself strike lucky with 10 Leach’s Petrel down-channel, getting closer as the wind pushed them in towards Hutchwns Point. Also noted 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Guillemot, 1Common Gull and 4 Skylark. We believe NPR also managed to see 1 between Ogmore and Southerndown.

Seawatch first thing (0715-0830) was relatively quiet. Apart from large numbers of BH gulls, birds of note were; 1 juv. Gannet, 3 Curlew and single Kestrel, all down channel. 7 Oyks up channel.

Also 3 Rock Pipits on the beach and numerous flocks of Goldfinch, Linnet & Meadow Pipit, with quite a few Wagtail in the mix.

6 Swallows were over Singleton Park, Swansea, in Hurricane Ophelia yesterday. Some Redwings heard flying over the previous evening were my first of the year.

Great to experience part of the UK wide hawfinch influx locally today. Whilst looking skywards at the bizarre yellow skies this morning, one then another and then a flock of three flew over the office at Forest Farm. 5 birds in total all heading north.

Single Red Kite over garden this afternoon. Also buzzard, single raven, carrion crow, jackdaw, magpie and jay. Mistle thrush. Usual garden birds at feeders – great, blue, coal and long-tailed tits joined by nuthatch and chaffinch. Robin, wren, dunnock, blackbird. Striking grey wagtail. Pied wagtail.

Red Kite flying South East over Pyle this afternoon, mobbed by 2 Jackdaws.

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Little Egret flying over/away from Kenifg Pool early yesterday evening, towards Sker rocks. Very relaxed Water Rail feeding in shallows of  2nd cut outside South Hide for lengthy periods, over half an hour, not even bothered by a Moorhen. Grey Heron flew over and  several Mallard were in the company of pair of Gadwall, 2 Great Crested Grebe and approx 100 Coot on calm water, in good light. Cetti’s Warbler heard on west and east side of pool.

News just in via Twitter – a Rock Thrush has been found at Pwll-du Quarry just E of The Blorenge. Instructions are to park on the road at SO244119 just NW of the Lamb & Fox pub, then walk north then NE along public footpath for 1/2 mile.

Approx 6 Hirundines low over Pyle this morning, with a similar number over South Corneli within the hour. I was driving both times and am not certain if they were Swallows or Martins.

 

Merlin was seen by the wartime emplacements at approx 16.30 by Matt Binding. Poss a juv

9 Lapwing on Flemingston Moor late afternoon yesterday.

Arctic skua (dark phase) down channel this afternoon.

100+ Shelduck, Wheatear, Stonechat, Lapwing, Grey Plover, small flock of Knot  and a pair of Kestrel at the weekend

Have just rec’d a report from Sat 7th of Redwing feeding on yew berries at St. Peter’s Church by Old Cogan Hall Farm – thanks Christine Dunn our contact for Trinity Church – Penarth, where we are measuring up for the installation of Swift boxes.

From the campus side 20 goldfinch 6 Greenfinch 4 stonechat single skylark 3 meadow pipits robin  wren,4 blue tits a male sparrow hawk flew over my head to attack the goldfinch I later seen a female .on the beach were est 1000  oyster catcher 50+ ringed plover 1 curlew 1 heron and the usual gulls at least 200 black h gulls