Seawatch from 0840 to 1150 was busy at first then calmed down after a major squall passed through mid-morning. Counts were: Auk sp. (5), Diver sp. (1) (prob. Red Throated based on observations by others), Kittiwake (71+), Peregrine Falcon (1), Kestrel (1), Oystercatcher (30), Cormorant (2), Shelduck (3), Curlew (5). All down channel except the oyks.

GN Diver 1 (photo), RT Diver 3 (in one group) and 20 Kittiwake (one group of 8 ad and 4 fw)

A fairly brief session in the shelter this morning [dog Poppy was very spooked by the huge iron door banging against the concrete], just produced a Diver sp going down channel – too far out in the murk to ID to species.

Firecrest appeared only briefly this morning. 2 Chiffchaff showed together, and a Water Rail.With PB,GS,SRH.

Kestrel and Sparrowhawk late this afternoon at Cosmeston along the Sully Brook. This morning Raven, Little Egret and Curlew at Barry Old Harbour, 13 Ringed Plover at Bendrick Rock and a hybrid Aythya duck with a group of Tufties on Knap lake.

Fruitless search for Willow Tit yesterday at Nelson Wern. Nuthatch, Coal Tit and a pair of Bullfinch seen, and a Water Rail heard the other side of the railway line. Up the road at Parc Taf Bargoed, Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Raven, Grey Heron, the usual squadron of Little Grebe and (first time for me at this site) 2 Mute Swans. Three Goosander on the Taff at the north end of Glan-y-llyn on the way home.

A Firecrest, in with a small mixed tit flock @ 11.45 & two Hawfinches seen flying out of the conifers behind the white cottage midday. Many goldfinches feeding in the ash trees – on the large seed clumps, around the area.

3 GNDivers, 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Slavs & 650 D-b Brents were at Whiteford today. Don’t forget it’s Gower birding highlights of 2015 tomorrow night following the short AGM at the Environment Centre, starting 7:30 prompt (£1 entry)

2 great northern divers close in this morning.. Great photograph opportunities…

Winter bird numbers picking up. Goldeneye 4, goosander 7, little grebe 9, turnstone 6 and a flock of about 20 linnet.

Can’t better Peter’s efforts with my equipment but here’s my contribution. Nice find by Peter t’other day 🙂 A cracking bird and probably my best ever views of Firecrest.

Firecrest was in bushes to the right of the start of the boardwalk and was extremely obliging this morning.

Grey wagtail feeding on the stream.

 

This one flew in quietly, rustled around in the seaweed for 10 minutes, then departed down channel with a 7 note farewell in the style of a Little Grebe. My Iphone did well to capture even these record shots in the dull drizzle.

Firecrest showed well several times between 07:50 to 09:30, once down to 6 feet, from the beginning of the boardwalk. With Dave Smith from Porthcawl. Black Redstart male in Penarth Marina.

A Black Redstart was seen briefly in the Butterfly Conservation office yard at Calvert Terrace, Swansea yesterday afternoon.

1 Common Gull on the football field in Hamadryad Park the morning. At CBWR 14 Tufties, 3 GC Grebes and a fem Goldeneye. No sign of Firecrest of y’day. Also what appeared to be a very confiding fem Goosander right by the boardwalk, but then I got a better look. She seems to have a damaged R wing  which is drooping down – see poor phone photo below. Hope she survives but it might hamper diving for food.

2 great northern diver in close to the shore this morning

Bittern flew into reeds near South Hide 10.45 this morning

on sat nov 14th my friend and i went to the wirral wader festival at thurstaston country park . we recently joined wader quest and helped on the stall . there were other stalls there too in the old station visitor centre which also has an indoor bird hide and i spent a bit of time in there watching chaffinches , coal tits , great and blue tits on the feeders and some greenfinches came too . there were 2 moorhens on the ground and 2 squirrels on the feeders then 2 of them went on the birdtable and had a fight sending seed everywhere!, the weather wasnt great but we didnt get the chance to go to the dee estuary to spot waders but heard a lot where there. there were talks and an artist at work and on the whole we had a great day doing our bit to help waders . we did see a couple of buzzards on the way to the festival

Interesting walk this afternoon along the River Ely on Peterston Moors starting at Peterston village. 40 species in total, including a Buzzard flipping over and putting its talons up to successfully defend itself against a Peregrine (which gave up and flew off). Also 5 Green Sandpiper, 1 Kestrel, 1 singing Dipper, 6 Snipe, 2 Water Rail, 2 Moorhen, 2 Jay, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Cormorant, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Nuthatch and a male Bullfinch.