Red kite spotted twice in neath not far off by the gnoll grounds and cemetry being mobbed by jackdaws

Short walk late a.m. Drake Wigeon on W lake tog with 4 Gadwall, 6 Pochard, 30 Tufted Duck, 3 Cormorant. Pr GCG displaying on E lake. 30 each of Redwing and Fieldfare flew out of trees on N side to E lake, and 2 Green Peckers by the playground.

Highlights of today’s GBC trip to Goldcliff and Newport Wetlands.

Goldcliff – 40+ Avocet, 5 Grey Plover, 2 Spotshank, 3 Ruff, 1 Knot, 20+ Blackwit, 2 Greenshank, plus Dunlin, Redshank [incuding a pair mating], and Lapwing, and all dabbling ducks except Pintail.

Wetlands – fab views of fem Marsh Harrier over the reeds up by the Alder copse, from the hide there. Also another Harrier sp east of there poss a ringtail but too distant and v brief view.

Two fieldfare this morning were first since late Dec, Reed buntings back on the Common and a flock of 35 mipits,but highlight was an Osprey over this evening at 16:45 flew in SE direction towards the  Bristol channel.

Single Sand Martin flying through Swansea Vale this afternoon, the earliest arrival date at this site for me.

5 pale bellied Brent geese were present this afternoon. Best of the gulls were 4 1st winter Med gulls

What I’m sure was a 2nd cal yr Glauc Gull flew up from Green Pt during my WeBS count this morning. It eventually landed amongst a large flock of gulls on the top of lamby tip.

Flock of Little Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Rock Pipit and Oystercatcher

Little Gull in same place as in couple of recent pevious posts. Very easy to see with not many BHG’s around. (Even I spotted it very quickly). Quite active flying and feeding.

Pics at
http://andyburnsphotography.zenfolio.com/littlegull/h114a124f#h114a124f

Very vocal Cettis and a chiff chaff in the bushes on the west side of the river as John posted a couple of days ago.

Little Gull showing well today in same area as yesterday’s report.Also 3-Goosanders there,1m and 2f.River Taff up river from road bridge.10h30-12h30

Drake and “red-head”, River Ely at Leckwith/Canton.

The Little Gull was on the Taff about halfway between the rowing club launch site and the main Cardiff Bay bridge, viewed from the W side of the river, at 3:30 this arvo. Also a pair of Goosander there, and a Cetti’s Warbler sang briefly in the shrubbery by the river [first time I’ve heard one on the opp side to Hamadryad]. A Chiffchaff was in the same bushes as the Cetti’s. Have just added these two shots of the ‘redhead’.

Little Bunting still showing well today at 1605.

Firecrest seen this morning by the gate to the path to the new hide – per Margaret Samuel. Thanks for letting me know.

Drake Gadwall still on the reserve at 16:15, no sign of the Little Gull.

Chiffchaff seen around Hamadryad  ‘pond’. Song Thrush near Clarence Embankment entrance singing a great variety of songs including a good imitation of Willow Tit call. 2 Stonechat (m+f) on the reserve yesterday and Lsr Scaup, Cetti’s and Water Rail showing well today close off the boardwalk. 4 Black Redstart (2m,2f) still present in the harbour and Plas Taliesin.

Big raft on the sea this afternoon

Anyone have any suggestions?

Interesting Aythya hybrid on W lake Cosmeston this morning. Looked superficially like Lesser Scaup, but had bronzy tinge to head and was slightly bulkier than Tufted. When Lawrence arrived with his scope, the balck bill nail could be seen the too extensive. Nape was flat-ish but not flat enough IMO although it did have the small bump at the join of nape & crown. Back was nicely vermiculated grey. You have to wonder whether the regular Lesser Scaup is cross-breeding.

Also present of interest, 1 drake Wigeon and 3 Gadwall

Good numbers of kittiwakes already back on what’s left of the wooden platforms on the old lifeboat house… I think many will struggle to find places to nest this year even using the new ironwork under the new building…..