Still some terns about with 32+ Sandwich and a couple of Commics noted on this afternoon’s high tide. Also a Curlew Sandpiper & 400+ Black-tailed Godwit along with the usual suspects.

Lisvane today: 9 pochard, 29 tufties, 8 mallards, 47 Canadas, 18 little grebes, 6 GC grebes, 49 coots, 2 mute swans etc.

Llanishen Reservoir yesterday evening: 1 water rail, 3 shovellers, 3 pochards, 27 tufties, 6 moorhens, 8 coots, 4 little grebes and 1 GC grebe. No teal or snipe visible from the perimeter fence, despite the scores counted here on last week’s walk-through for WeBS count. c50 redwings came in to roost. A South Wales Echo article about the proposed re-flooding of Llanishen Reservoir (and an aerial photo of the superb wetland habitat!) is here: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/blueprint-long-lasting-solution-protect-llanishen-7954618

Belated sightings: Male Hen Harrier mobbing Buzzard and Kestrel over trig point ridge on 17th, Red Kite also present. 26 Golden Plover on 13th. A Ringtail Hen Harrier near the 3 masts on Sept 22nd.

There were 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls at Porthcawl seafront early this afternoon at 1300h. They lingered around the shelter normally used by seawatchers before going to rest on the rocks just south of Lock’s Common. Also offshore a Skua species was harassing gulls as they made their way up channel.

1st winter black-throated diver swimming very close inshore from the pier to Knab Rock, where started to move further offshore (last seen 10:20).

A seawatch from Tutt Head (1 hour 08:45-09:45) was very slow, with only a few gannets, a single auk, a few kitts, Meds and larger gulls.

A couple of French-ringed Meds amongst the flock at Bracelet at the moment.

Mark Hipkin called to say he’s just found a Kentish Plover at Crymlyn Burrows (SS7092) on the beach at the west end. Access is best by the campus entrance off Fabian Way – well done Mark on yet another great find!

Highlights of visit this morning were Merlin (male), Sparrowhawk (female), Lapwing and Stonechat (singles of each). Also probable Reed Bunting (c.5) and possible Yellowhammer alongside the sizable Linnet and Goldfinch flocks.

There were a few terns feeding between Salthouse Point and Dalton’s Point late afternoon. There were at least 29 Sandwich, 2 Arctics, 3 Commons and 2 or 3 Commics. Surprised to see this number so late! Lots of waders and waterfowl on the mudflats there too including 200+ Wigeon.

Lovely weather today to watch the birds fly past. Lots to see today. Yellowhammer again present (unusual for Lavernock). At least one Siskin. The usual Linnets (1000’s), goldfinches, greenfinches, skylarks, jays, long tailed tits (20+), stonechats (3). Plenty of swallows (20+) still flying through. Couple of Curlew on the beach. Brief appearance from a sparrowhawk, the kestrel and 3 buzzards plus ……a Merlin. I managed a shot off on the Merlin as it made a very rapid flypast out of the sun across the cornfield.

http://andyburnsphotography.zenfolio.com/raptors/h24215614#h24215614

A merlin was hunting over the point today and two drake common scoters were swimming in the surf off the beach. 14 Mediterranean gulls were at Ffynnon Wen and 16 swallows flew over the golf course but otherwise very quiet.

Immature peregrine at Sker Point yesterday.

No YBW, in fact the bushes were very quiet, but a nice morning of visible migration with 77 Wood Pigeons, 350+ Jackdaws, 32 Redwings, 7 Mistle Thrushes, 5 Song Thrushes, 2 Peregrines, 11 Lesser Redpolls, 27 Pied Wagtails, 52 Meadow Pipits, 230+ Golden Plover, 6 Swallows and Great Spotted Woodpecker and female Pintail, 3 Wigeon, drake Gadwall, female Tufted Duck and Little Grebe on the pool plus 2 Water Rails and Kingfisher outside the South Pool Hide. Late news for 15th of fem/imm Merlin and 72 Sky Larks over and 22 Med Gulls in the East Pool Fields/Posts.

Several redwing heard calling in flight last night. Worth leaving a window open to hear!

Single juvenile flew SE over Canton am.

There are a couple of spaces available following a couple of drop outs. If you are interested in spending a couple of nights in the Portland Observatory (Fri 24th and Sat 25th Oct) please get in touch. 01443 841555 07906558489.

A Yellow-browed Warbler was with a roving flock in scrub and trees between the walled garden and the viewpoint, SS 8897 7272, late morning.

7 dark bellied Brent geese opposite Norton House

per Graham Tierney: flocks of Redwing over today. Flocks counted so far :- 60+ , 8, 7, 5, 32.

A dozen or so Redwing flew over about 3.30pm.

The Roath Park shoveller flock has grown to the dizzying heights of 5, with 3 teal also present today.

Sighting posted on GOS from Mark Hebden:

“Great White Egret seen briefly on our lake. Fuzzy but definitive record shot as it flew off towards Hensol Lake . Out of county sighting but tried to post on Glamorgan site but beaten off by complexity!”