2 Dartford Warblers were intially by the small parking area for Pant Norton this afternoon. One was refound in the large area of Bracken by Portobello Island and one moved through the Bracken on the hillside below Norton Wood.

The 2 Gt Northern Divers were still present at the southern end of the reservoir this morning. Initially both together on the far side of the Res, then lost them for a while, then re-found not far north of the dam, one on one side and one north far north of the spillway.

Three Red Kites over Mynydd Meio this morning.

On Saturday evening a small bird appeared briefly on the balcony of our flat, which was notable in itself as it’s the first time in four years something other than a Pied Wagtail, Magpie, or Pigeon, has paid us a visit.  It was already dark and the bird only stayed for a few seconds, but it was the size/shape of a Robin.  With the current numbers of Black Redstart nearby at Penarth Marina, I did wonder about that as a possibility, but I only caught the silhouette and then it was gone.

There was no sign of it yesterday, but I’ve just noticed it on the balcony again, and to my delight, it is indeed a Black Redstart – a female/immature type.  So my balcony list is now up to 4.

Early p.m. managed to find 2 ad male Black Redstarts by Plas Pamir, one on a roof top and the other flew right past me having appeared from nowhere, flew round a corner and disappeared. Couldn’t re-find them despite a couple of circuits – suspect they were keeping low due to the stiff cold breeze. 3 Were reported later in the afternoon.

A male Snow Bunting was present this afternoon, favouring the broken ground on the brow of the cliff top at SS87707379. The bird was associating with a large group of Rock Pipits, but was rather flighty.

Lesser Scaup 1 drake with 148 Tufted Ducks Kingfisher 1 Kestrel Water Rail heard Turnstone 4 Linnet 40 Rock Pipit 1 Gulls Greater B/B 4 Lesser B/B Herring and Black-headed.

A nice bit of variety this morning on the Dogmore, with 2 Water Pipits (Portobello), 7 Goldeneye, 9 Goosander, 4 Gadwall, 9 Little Grebes, Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Turnstones (on Portobello; often up the river from November to January), 3 Little Egrets, adult Mediterranean Gull and 2 Kingfishers.

35 species plus 2 heard on the monthly Saturday morning bird walk- including Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Great-spotted Woodpecker, female tufty, and a female pintale. Many thanks to our leader, Strinda Davies.

07h00-07h30 26-Little Egrets flew from the island roost at first light.Also an estimated 800-1000 Redwings in a loose flock flew over in a westerly direction.

A nice single flock of c.70 Fieldfare plus around 45 Redwing .A few siskin and reedbunting flying around too this morning.

4 Black Redstarts seen today at Penarth Marina 3 Male and 1 possible Female ?

By the beach area, several Rock Pipit,  Redwing in the hedgerows, and a fem Black Redstart briefly on the lifeguard’s building and then on the cliff on the east side of the beach. Buzzard & Raven over.

An incredible 4 Black Redstarts seen together in Plas St.Andresse this lunchtime (2 ad m. and 2 1st.w.m.).With Gavin Moore.

A bird showing the characteristics of Siberian (tristis) chiffchaff was caught and ringed this morning, along with a more familiar looking collybita.  Photos and further information here: http://gowerbirdringinggroup.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/oxwich-marsh-15-november-2014.html

Also two blackcaps and a few goldcrests.  Lots of redwing moving around early morning.

A Woodlark flew over calling at 0845 heading towards Porthcawl. Also 50 Fieldfare and a few Reed Buntings over.

Just a quick reminder of the GOS field trip on Sunday (16th). The plan is to meet at Rhossili carpark at around 08:00, where we’ll have a relaxed sea watch until about 09:00. This will also allow for anybody not able to get there for 08.00. We will then walk to Mewslade Valley checking the fields and patches of coastal scrub as we go.
Full details along with a map showing the meeting point can be found by following the link to GOS events form the Glamorgan Birds home page.

There were 3 Red Kites over Llanharen this afternoon

I saw a Robin like bird from a distance from my kitchen window but I reached for the binoculars where I was able to see orange tail feathers which made me think it was a female Redstart. The angle of the sun did not make identification easy though and the sunlight may have given the impression that the plumage was lighter than it actually was.  Seeing as Black Redstarts are often spotted locally (around Penarth Barrage), it could have been a female Black Redstart.  Sorry for not being 100% on this but I’ll keep my eyes peeled over the coming days.  Any thoughts welcome.