Darren Coombs and I took lead of the GOS outdoor meeting to Dinefwr, yesterday. Eight of us enjoyed a full day and covered much of the park in search primarily for Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. Unfortunately we were unable to turn up any. Conditions were good early morning and a few Great spotted could be heard along with the occasion Green Woodpecker. Between us as a group we saw about 60 species over the course of the day including a good mix of woodland species and wildfowl. The Great White Egret was showing on the pools along with Gadwall, Teal and Wigeon. Looking distantly towards Cilsan bridge found at least 2 ad Whooper Swans in fields with some Mute Swans. In the wood about 5 Marsh Tits were seen and also here some Redwings and Stock Doves. The biggest surprise was a male Merlin that passed through quickly, no doubt attracted to the grounds around the Castle by the decent flock of Meadow Pipits (c45).

Around lunchtime we waited out the heavy rain at Dryslwyn Car Park where a further 7 ad Whooper Swans were on view amongst the flock of geese there – mainly Canada Geese with a few Greylag Geese mixed in. A good flock of Wigeon here too along with a few Little Grebes, Mallard and Teal. A short walk to Dryslwyn village was rewarded with 4 Tree Sparrows among an impressive number of garden birds attracted to feeders in a private garden.

Latest ringing news: http://gowerbirdringinggroup.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/oxwich-marsh-28-february-2015.html

Don’t forget that the next GBC indoor meeting is next Tuesday, 3rd March at Kenfig. Start 7.45 p.m. The topic is the Birds of Thailand presented by Hugh Lansdown.

A nice record from Jez Smith, of a drake pintail showing well on Tredegar House lake this morning.

Two female/first year and one adult male Black Redstart still present around Plas Taliesin, no sign of the bird on the rocks on the seaward side of the outer harbour. One of the female/first year birds came down from the rooftops briefly.

This Friday’s (27/2/15) Gower Ornithological Society indoor meeting will be an illustrated talk on Honey Buzzards by expert Steve Roberts.

Anyone who knows Steve is well aware of his tremendous knowledge about the lifecycle of Honey Buzzards, and the tireless work he does in order to help preserve both local and national breeding populations. Steve will show some footage of birds as well as discuss points from his recent article on Honey Buzzards which was published in British Birds. It is a meeting that will be well worth attending!

19:15 start

Environment Centre, Pier St., Swansea, SA1 1RY

http://www.glamorganbirds.org.uk/gos-events.html

Dunnock 18 mostly singing males Carrion Crow 70 loose flock in ploughed  field Rook 3 Buzzard 1 Greenfinch 6 Chiffchaff 2

Large roaming flock of Siskin (2-300) that contained a few Redpoll. Two Crossbills f/o. Dipper on stream by bridge. No sign of GGS or Willow Tit unfortunately.

Still down at mum-in-laws. Did some birding today: Sandsfoot Castle (Portland Hbr) – 4 Slav Grebe, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 GN Diver, 1 fem Eider, c50 R-b Merganser, Shag; Portland Castle (Portland Hbr) – Black Guillemot and another 50+ R-b Merg. Portland Bill – 3 Purple Sand, 6+ Rock Pipit, 2 ad Gannets > E. Ferry Bridge – 50-100 Brent. v v cold & windy so didn’t stay to try & sort out Pale-bellieds.

The Lesser Scaup was sheltering close in by the ice rink this morning and showing well.

Black redstart – adult male calling and feeding on outer harbour wall and first groyne on beach at Penarth side of barrage yesterday. Thanks to Gareth for advice about tracking one of these down.

This morning (pre rain) little bunting still at Forest Farm. Also a drumming pecker which sadly turned out to be a greater, rather than the mythical lesser spotteds.

4 Slavonian grebe, 2 great white egret, ring tail hen harrier, peregrine and lots of waterfowl moving around on the flood tide this morning

3 Goosanders (2male, 1 female) on the river about 150 metres upstream from the A4232 road bridge. Also good views of a pair of Cetti’s Warblers in the reeds fringing the river.

2-Goosanders m+f above Blackweir,also 50+Redwings and Fieldfares,mostly Redwings,in fields next to the riding school. 15h00-16h30

Group of 9 chough displaying over the course for long periods this morning.. enjoying the gusty wind

1 little egret

4 Black Redstart: one ad.male around the outer harbour sea-wall again (also present yesterday and Thurs), and another ad.male in the marina, together with 2 fem.types . Lsr Scaup back on the reserve 2pm.

Four different Mediterranean Gulls were noted late morning / low tide. A first winter and adult winter plumaged bird were scrounging for chip at SS807773 along the main path just south of Lock’s Common. A superb adult summer-plumaged bird together with another adult winter were roosting with about 40 Black-headed and 2 Common Gulls in the Salt Lake car park near the fun fair at SS821768.

First visit to Rhymney Great Wharf and my first sighting of Short Eared Owls, two of them.

The ‘Looking for Great Grey Shrikes’ field trip scheduled for Sunday 22nd February is now cancelled due to the weather forecast for that day.

I will be contacting all those who had given me notice of their intention to join this field trip. Please do not turn up at the meeting point at Neath Abbey Tesco if the weather improves between now and Sunday. The field trip will now remain cancelled.

Thank you.

Lesser Scaup close in by the ice rink this morning.