Graham went up to see if the Short-eared Owl was still around. No sign of the owl but he did see a ringtail Hen Harrier come in to roost at 4.15pm.

A Firecrest was in the bushes along the boardwalk for about 10-15 minutes this morning from 8:30. Last seen looking as though it was going to work its way up the hedge from the boardwalk to the yacht club gates.

Successful trip today with 23 participants on a nice clear crisp day. Nothing very unusual but a good selection of what would be expected plus Little Stint, and Ruff among the waders. Full list can be seen here – click here.

1 black throated diver flew across the bay landing further out. Great northern diver in close by the causeway for a short while. Approx 300 plus comm scoter at distance. 40 to 50 skylark plus smaller nos of mead pipit, reed bunting and several song thrush ( one singing)

3-Choughs at Ogmore,13h00,despite hoards of people and dogs.

A fem Black Redstart with an ad.m. present this am.(Richard Smith and Jeff Slocombe saw 2 fem earlier).

Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal and Pochard at a sunny Cosmeston this morning.

2 bullfinch, a goldcrest and a raven of note on a pleasant walk. However the main reason for the post was a new fence and gate at the corner of Pant Quarry and the removal and chipping of well over an acre of gorse. Preparations for another quarry extension?

1 short eared owl over Llangenith moors and 1 red throated diver off Burry Holmes. smallish no.s of scoter at distance in

Rhosilli bay.

A Little Egret was on the beach between Blackpill and West Cross at 1 p.m.

Highlight [sadly for only 3 participants] of this mornings GBC monthly walk was a Bittern seen from south hide, having flown in from the east. The pool had 8 Gadwall and 4 Mallard as the only ducks. Gulls included 2 Common and 1 ad and 1 1stW Great Black-backed. Overall total was 42 species. If you click this link http://tinyurl.com/osex5zw you will see the full list.

Walk along the beach this morning and came across these characters.

Lots of flooding on Sully Moors currently. Friday afternoon 3 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 4 Mute Swan, 43 Mallard (which may explain why the Cosmeston count was lower), several hundred gulls (HG, LBBG, BHG), 2 Buzzard and 30 Pied Wagtail.

On Sully Beach 15 Ringed Plover.

Red Kite seen over Dowlais at 2 and 2.15 p.m. (or 2 different ones). C. 50 Canada Geese on Cyfarthfa Park Lake.

1300-1800 starlings,maybe more at this afternoon’s murmuration.

A Short-eared Owl well seen by Graham  from  4.00 – 4.30pm.

An interesting 90 minutes – Three Pomarine Skuas within 20 minutes of arriving, followed by two bruising Bonxies – and it hardly stopped raining for a minute – hence the poor (but interesting) record shot. Shame the rain meant Andy Burns had to leave his camera in it’s case.

Not bird news but pleased [and relieved!] to announce that the 2014 East Glam Bird Report is now with the printer. Just awaiting a costing before giving the go ahead to print but I took away a proof copy which he prepared while I watched him in action. Impressive.

19-Little Egrets flew from the island roost at first light

I was astonished to see a black redstart hovering around my bird feeder yesterday morning… it flitted onto roof tops and then lost it… hopefully it will be back. A first for the garden….