1 Red Kite

2 Red Kites. Also Kestrel – the latest of several sightings locally in the last 3 or 4 weeks, following probably 3 or 4 years of no sightings by us, summer or winter in this 10km square ST08.

1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Dippers nest building, 4 Goosander

Trip led by Ed Hunter … Highlight was red rumped swallow (what a bird!..) still being reported there at roost first thing this morning.

LATEST NEWS WAS BIRD STILL SHOWING WELL LATE ON SUNDAY 17TH…

A summary of today’s excitement. In addition to the Firecrest at Kenfig NNR [in trees behind the small pool below the RH corner of the car park], an unseaonal Red-rumped Swallow was discovered on the Gower OS trip to Whiteford Pt, first seen at around 1 p.m and still present near the ‘blockhouse’ [by where the path from Cwm Ivy turns right into the conifer plantation] at around 17:30. Then finally a Red-necked Grebe was videoed at Llangorse Lake GBC are off to Dryslwyn and then Kidwelly and poss Burry Port. Maybe we can find something too!

A memorable GBC public birdwalk this morning,  23 folk saw a total of 50 species.               The highlights were, Firecrest, Great White Egret and Slavonian Grebe, whilst we were treated to a close flyby of 2 Sparrowhawk, and watched displaying Great Crested Grebe on the pool. There was a ‘maybe’ Scaup,  waiting for confirmation Dave!

15/2/19  Early WeBS count on a sunny day.

Two ringed gulls this morning.. E825 has been returning for years… The other one 330A I have reported to the ringing scheme and await details.. I cant find a record that Ive seen this before…

Shelducks, Shoveler and Pintail showing well in the gloom at the little bay by the Helipad this morning. I couldn’t find anything different in amongst the black-headed gulls and  the only waders were Curlew and Turnstone.

2 Dippers fighting and chasing each other furiously on lower part of River Clyne today. Rival males, or male pursuing a female?

Spent a few hours this morning searching in vain for the elusive Lesser Peckers . Although there was no sight or sound of them there were plenty of other birds about , green and gsw , treecreeper , nuthatch , goldcrest , lots of thrushes ( no fieldfare ) and finches including 2 siskin . Kingfisher and goosander were on the river and probably the most unusual thing were 3 greylags flying downstream .

30+ Redwing and a Mistle Thrush in W paddock this a.m. and a Med Gull on W lake.

10 med gulls of various ages, 1 gcg, 8 ravens on the lighthouse island

A 3 1/2 hour walk this morning produced a total of 59 species . The highlights at Gileston were yellowhammer and stonechat , both single males only , kestrel and great views of a peregrine hunting over the fields. 16 brent geese , 6 shelduck and 97 wigeon were near the rivermouth with redshank , rock and meadow pipits on the saltmarsh . A pair of ravens were flying around the ash tip and the highlights around the lagoon were a kingfisher , water rail calling , a chiffchaff , a pair of stonechats and a single male siskin feeding with a flock of goldfinches …… oh yes and lots of dog walkers .

Just a quick check this morning .. several birds already on the nesting ledges.. seems very early.

Little Egret in field next to the horse stables at The Green,Trebannws

21-Little Egrets in the fields across the road from the business park.14h30

Couldn’t find the otter, late morning, but  14 goldeneye were a treat. Lots of goosander too.

Met Graham Powell who put us on to Willow Tit many thanks and good luck with the LSWP Graham. The Great Grey Shrike was seen off the Cwm Cadlan road, nice views also good numbers of Crossbills and a bonus bird a Woodcock flew over. On the downside the area was covered in litter, much less of it now since Jackie scooped a load of it up.

A drake Goosander was on W lake Cosmeston when I arrived this morning but was gone by the time I returned to the cafe. A Grey Wag flew along Sully Brook by the Medieval Village. Both birds I haven’t seen at Cossie for a while. Around 20 Redwing were in W paddock.