Fem / imm blackcap was an unusual visitor to the garden feeders this morning.

No sign of bluetail between 09:30 and 13:30

This morning: The 8 Scaup [4m 4f] were by the inner shore at the Penarth end and the Long-tailed Duck was about 1/2 way along. 27 Cormorant were sitting on the fish pass fencing. When we returned, a sluice was open and as per the other day, they were all diving and catching Lampreys. At least 4 Rock Pipits along the barrage, 2 Grey Wags seen [1 on the barrage and 1 on the old Penarth port authority building next to the Custom House].

Many thanks to John Wilson for leading Sunday’s GBC field trip to WWT Slimbridge. Eight participants saw or heard over 65 species despite wet weather for much of the visit. Highlights included White-fronted Geese, Marsh Harrier, Bewick’s Swans, an overwintering Little Stint, Ruff, 10 Cranes on the Tack Piece and fine views of a Bittern from the Zeiss hide. See John’s pictures of the Bittern and Cranes on the GBC facebook page.

Full species list: Mute Swan, Bewick’s Swan, White-fronted Goose, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Bittern, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Cormorant, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Peregrine, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Crane, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Little Stint, Dunlin, Ruff, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Cetti’s Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Robin, Stonechat, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch and Reed Bunting.

2 purple sandpipers dozing on the usual rocks this morning.

The RF Bluetail showed for a few seconds around lunchtime, nice and close view to a few feet next to the path but very mobile. Last sighted at the top end of the forestry section it has been generally seen in, right next to the round brick Shaft 1.(up to 1pm)

At least 60 common snipe and 3 jack snipe present this morning. Seven little egrets leaving the North Pond roost at dawn.

A ringing summary for Oxwich in January 2017 can be found be clicking HERE

The Long-tailed Duck was still present, plus 5 of the 8 Scaup by the inner shore, and Cormorants were catching eels at the barrage outflow.

2x water rail seen on 23rd Jan. Two separate birds several hundred yards apart, a quiet day so wandering away from the river a few yards. Just sorted my WordPress account..minor achievement.

Managed to catch up with the Red-flanked Bluetail and get some poor record shots. See

http://andyburnsphotography.zenfolio.com/new/h824eb0e9#h824eb0e9

It was exactly where Alan gave directions to yesterday but perhaps the 200 yards is more like 400! It was then on the bridlepath between 200 and 400 yards from the junction where the map board is. Alan’s map ref was not quite right so use the one above. The bird was picked up coming down to the road to feed and then hopping back in the bushes again. Always low down. A good bet is to just keep a good eye on the road, but lots of people out there today.

25 waxwings by budget carpets at 3-10 2 birders present had seen 34 earlier the 25 flew off at 3 31 circling the buildings then I lost sight of them

Adult Yellow-legged Gull on the pontoons in front of the Pierhead building 16:30 this afternoon.

Yellow-legged back left with Herring Gull in foreground and Lesser to the right

Thx Alan for the news, and great find!. For those who don’t use Facebook and therefore haven’t registered for it and cannot see the SWB FB page, here’s the details of what Alan posted [hope you don’t mind Alan]:

Red-flanked bluetail at Wern Ddu Caerphilly. Park in coed Parc-y-van car park on the Caerphilly to rudry rd. Walk back 50 yds towards Caerphilly and you will see a lane on the left. Follow this lane over the railway bridge and then right to the Warren. Turn left here and follow the lane towards Cardiff for about 200 yds. There is a notice board on the right and a bridle path on the left. Take the bridle path and the bird was either side of this path but highly mobile.

There is a red-flanked bluetail at Wern Ddu Caerphilly. More details will be on South Wales birding Facebook page.

Goosander(1 male on the Tawe),Chiffcaff(1),Jay(2),Bullfinch(3), Kingfisher(1), Blackbird(15), Mistle Thrush(4), Song Thrush(6), Redwing(25), Red Kite(1 overhead), Nuthatch(1) ,Goldcrest(2), Mallard(19).

Good view of the Glaucous Gull from in front of St David’s Hotel as it flew around over the reserve and around the hotel at midday.

The Hybrid Tuftie/Pochard/Other/etc was back on the West Lake this morning but hiding a bit in the reeds.

I got some good shots and these can be compared to the hybrid seen in March 2015 and March 2016 at Cosmeston at

http://andyburnsphotography.zenfolio.com/waterfowl/h40cc0cbf#h40cc0cbf

There are 5 shots covering the 3 years. It looks very similar to the bird in the last 2 years.

41 mallard,37 black h gulls,70+feral pigeons,a goldcrest,a female shoveller was amongst the mallards 15 wood pigeons and blue tits, robins,dunocks carrion crows magpies and collard doves were all in singleton park.