from 8.45 to 10.10, a good movement of divers heading west. 2 GN diver, 7 RT diver and 7 diver sp. 2 skua sp. at distance loitering/ westerly.

approx. 35 plus auk of which several guillemot and razorbills close in.

18 common scoter off the point

At Cosmeston a Chiffchaff feeding at the edge of the narrow field adjacent to the golf course (on east side of car park). Also 55 Siskin feeding in an alder by the boardwalk in the pond-dipping area near the cafe.

Little Egret and Great Black-backed Gull in Barry Old Harbour, the Lesser Scaup lookalike (hybrid) with 29 Tufted on the Knap lake, and 14 Pheasant on a track off the Dyffryn – St Lythans road.

An update – apparently our printer encountered a technical problem with the machine which was part way through doing our print run this morning. A technician was called. Now probably looking to mid next week before it’s ready. As to when it is posted we will be deciding on action at a committee meeting on Tues.

Neil Donaghy had a Sandwich Tern this morning over the pool, and a Sibe Chiffchaff with 2 Common Chiffchaff by the south pool hide. Nice ones Neil!

Delayed low tide WeBS count. At Green Point there were a couple of Gadwall in with the Teal and Mallard. Redshank – 310, Dunlin – 70, Curlew – 10, and nice flock of 180+ Lapwing on the foreshore. Other birds very distant. At the Heliport could see c.36 Shoveler and about 20 Pintail on the distant tideline, 15 Curlew and 27 Oycs on the mud.

Nice to see two Brambling drop into the sallow at the start of the boardwalk this morning, although they were there for less than a minute before continuing on their way.

Firecrest was also showing off and on all morning – nice to see it in sunshine.

Up to 10 med gulls in the carpark with probably another 20 down on the rocks..

Long staying Belgium bird E825 been visiting Swansea since 2006

And a very nice “almost summer plumage ” bird in the flock

31-Little Egrets flew from the island roost at first light.This figure equals my highest count during last winter.

Water Rail on the big pond; first for this site

Late afternoon, among 50 or so Black-headed Gulls feeding on the outfall from the sluices, was this 1stW Med Gull:

The highlight of a seawatch (08:00-10.15) this morning was excellent scope views of a Balearic Shearwater heading down channel, picked up initially by Alun Hughes (Thanks Alun! Nice to meet you earlier). Otherwise, surprisingly quiet given the recent conditions, with nothing else of note.

8.15 to 9.15,

little auk went west around 8.30. Noticeably smaller than the guillemot/ razorbills that were also passing , and relatively close in.aprrox. 60 auk on total of which  most appeared to be guillemots.

Dark skua so. prob Pom based on broad, shortish arm, powerful, full like flight, but always heading away (SW) .

GN and RT divers flew by, plus 40+ comm. scoter on the sea just off the point

 

Mediterranean Gull (adult, winter plumage) with about 50 Black-headed Gulls on the Waterfront (down from Morrisons roundabout) in Barry Dock again this afternoon.

7 Redshank and a Curlew in Barry Old Harbour, 18 Ringed Plover, 5 Turnstone and a Rock Pipit at Bendrick Rock and at high tide 50+ Oystercatcher at Swanbridge/Sully Island.

In addition to Ceri’s birds, there was 1 drake Gadwall and 3 Wigeon [1m 2f] on W lake mid-late morning.

Seawatch this morning was better than expected. Highlights were; Little Gull, Pale phase Arctic Skua, Great Skua (2) – one of which took a Kittiwake out of the air while I was watching it! Also: Kittiwake (80+), Guillemot (1), Auk sp. (1), Curlew (4), Oystercatcher (15), Common Gull (2), Cormorant (7)

1 Marsh Tit, 3 Coal Tit and 2 Nuthatch feeding at the carved dragon tree in Cogan Wood this morning. Great Spotted Woodpecker by the bridge, still only 2 Pochard on the West Lake, 2 Treecreeper along the path around the West Lake, Redwing, Mistle Thrush and Fieldfare in the West Paddock, Raven over Cogan Wood and a Siskin feeding in a tree adjacent to the pumphouse building in the corner of the car park.

This a.m. – ringtail Hen Harrier still around.

Thursday morning/early afternoon:

Tirfounder – 2 Dipper on the River Cynon, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Lesser Redpoll, flock of 15 Siskin feeding in an alder, 5 Teal and 2 Water Rail

Abercwmboi Lake – 3 Mute Swan, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Bullfinch, 3 Cormorant

Pwll Waun Cynon – 5 Teal, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Water Rail, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker

Dare Valley CP – 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Tufted, 1 Cormorant

3 Great Northern Divers, 1 swimming from Swansea direction towards pier then not seen again, 2 closer in swimming other way, came close in by yacht club then spent an hour further out opposite The Mumbles Carlton. 14 Turnstones, 9 Redshank, 2 Cormorants on lifeboat station slipway. 9.30-11a.m

Southerndown; 1-Merlin over the fields to the east of Dunraven Gardens.12h00-13h00

Barry Dock; 1-Common Sandpiper. 14h00