Lesser Scaup still on West Lake this afternoon in with the tufties.

Long-tailed Duck f/imm on Knap Lake at midday with 32 Tufted Duck, 32 Mute Swans, 16 Mallard. At nearby Barry Harbour: 16 Oystercatchers, 6 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 1 Little Egret.

7-Snipe,2-Kingfishers and 1-Bittern,all from door-less hide.10h45-12h15

Just a reminder that there is a GBC meeting at Kenfig this evening (7.45 p.m.) John Wilson is giving a presentation of his trip to Burma.

Adult Mediterranean Gull this evening in the Black-headed Gull roost in Barry Docks. Earlier today, 2 Willow Tit at Nelson Wern.

Lesser Scaup back on the west lake this morning. It was  showing very well in with the tufty flock. Very near the Yellow warning sign at the ‘muddy’ south bit of the lake. Managed a few better shots today as it swam quite near to the shore.

http://andyburnsphotography.zenfolio.com/waterfowl/h1926f951#h1926f951

A few other ducks around in with the tufties – pochards (3), shovelers (1 male), Gadwall (9) and a male widgeon. No sign of the pintails today.

A short-eared owl was reported this afternoon seen in the southern dunes from the yellow trail near where the blue permissive bridleway crosses.

A Kumlien’s Gull flew into the pill in front of the Lido at 1650hrs where it bathed for 10 mins or so. Good numbers of other gulls too, though most very distant. I’d only seen a dozen Meds before the Kum’s flew in which was surprising, though birds were flying in all the time. I’ll put some pics of the gull on the GRC later…

single female daily this last few days feeding on fat ball in Canton garden.

Great Northern Diver close inshore on the north side of Mumbles Pier (Owain Gabb) and a Jack Snipe bobbing straight out from the hide at Oxwich (BS, SJS).

First thing this morning, as many as three good candidates for Yellow-legged Gulls on East Lake.  Unfortunately they were fairly static on the water and never showed the colour of their legs to clinch it.  I checked again a few hours later but all three had gone.

No sign of the Lesser Scaup with the Tufties, but two drake Pochard in amongst them.  Other sightings included a Kingfisher on East Lake, Green Woodpecker near the Dragonfly Pond, and Marsh Tit and Nuthatch in Cogan Wood.  Lots of Redwing still around, but didn’t see any Fieldfare.

The weather for Sunday seems to be in the balance. It looks like the day will be dry, or certainly drier than today and tomorrow. However, it does look like it will still be fairly windy, and from experience I can say that Whiteford can feel very exposed in stormy conditions. Therefore at this point I will suggest the following

The full day is going to be cancelled – there will be no Llanrhidian roost watch

A half day will be run – going to the Whiteford Hide and back

I will be there to lead those who still want to give it a go on Sunday for a half day, which will go out to the lighthouse and back via the hide. Windy conditions will make long distance viewing of birds difficult and the swell will also contribute in making things tough.

I doubt that I would normally choose to visit a place like Whiteford during these conditions but the birds will still be there! Seeing them well might be difficult.

I will run a full Whiteford and Llanrhidian field trip on Sunday 2nd March 2014 and reschedule the field trip programmed for that day by moving it back 2 weeks.

Therefore to summarise – The field trip on Sunday (2/2/14) will be run as a reduced event. Those who want to brave the elements should turn up as planned and we will aim to leave the Cwm Ivy car park at 09:30. We will be back at the car park by 13:00. There will be no Llanrhidian Roost watch.

If coming then make sure you are prepared to face the elements. It will be very wet underfoot and obviously good waterproofs and warm clothing will be essential. I would suggest wellington boots are also essential.

If uncertain please contact me 07875431917 or markhipkin1@gmail.com

Pair of Pintails, on the west lake this morning. In with the Tufties. There’s a record shot at

http://andyburnsphotography.zenfolio.com/p544547808/h308f03a7#h308f03a7

(it was a long way off and very poor light)

First Pintails I have seen at Cozzy this year. Few Pochards and Shovelers also in with the Tufties. No sign of the Lesser Scaup on the west lake but I didnt get a chance to look at the flock of Tufties on the east lake before the rain came.

At least 31 Goldeneyes,18f and 13m. 3-Goosanders 2f 1m.  2-Choughs east of the second walled field.11h00-13h30

A pair of Choughs at Ogmore-by-Sea today neatly brings my Foot It (bird species seen in January walking from home and back) score to 100, the target I had set myself at the beginning of the month. That’s probably going to be that for the challenge this year.

I decided to limit my walks to a four mile radius from home:

This I kept to with the exception of a foray to Newton Point/Porthcawl, brought on as a result of desperation when things seemed to be drying up (it worked – seven additions were made).

The majority of my effort was not surprisingly made in the Ogmore/Merthyr Mawr/Southerndown area, although Parc Slip also played its part. This map shows where the productive effort was put in:

I would say that compared to 2013 – when I first had a go at this and recorded 103 species – birds were generally harder to come by, probably largely as a result of this year’s unrelenting wet and mild conditions, unlike in 2013 when a cold snowy spell mixed things up. However, I’m pleased to have reached my target and appreciate how lucky I am to live in such a relatively bird rich location.

Some noteworthy birds seen in both years: Little Egret, Red Kite, Goshawk, Peregrine, Water Rail, Purple Sandpiper, Mediterranean Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Kingfisher, Water Pipit, Chiffchaff and Chough.

Birds seen in 2014, but not 2013: Brent Goose, Pochard, Great Crested Grebe, Shag, Bittern, Grey Plover, Barn Owl and Cetti’s Warbler.

Birds seen in 2013, but not 2014: Wigeon, Pintail, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Jack Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Bonaparte’s Gull, Little Owl, Black Redstart, Blackcap and Brambling.

On the minus side it was especially frustrating to not see any Lapwing or Golden Plover, both of which can be present in their hundreds with a bit of a cold blast. Gulls were a tad disappointing overall – no Bonaparte’s like last year, none of the hoped for white-wingers, no Little Gull or Kittiwake despite all the gales, although a pristine adult Yellow-legged Gull was some compensation. I searched in vain for Little Owls at three known sites – two were apparently abandoned and the other had been taken over by Barn Owls.

I would certainly recommend a go at a walking list in January. It’s a great way to gain a greater appreciation of your local area and its birds, while any pounds lost in weight or saved in fuel can’t be a bad thing! Will I be doing it again in 2015? Hmm, let me get back to you on that…..

 

11am
Goldeneyes at least 21 female and 17 males, some head throwing. Female Sparrowhawk flew through. Goosanders 2 male 1 female. Cormorants 7, Redshanks 2, Curlew 1. 2 Grey Wagtails, at least a dozen Pied Wagtails and similar numbers of meadow pipits. Pair Stonechats.

A good count of about 90 Canada geese on the marsh 20 flew in while I was counting from the roundabout no sign of any of the pipits

mark hipkin found yesterday they could be anywhere on the marsh usual gulls and a little egret there