Oriole Birding

This is my final posting on the Celtic Bird Tours website. From 1st December 2009, the site will be parked and you will be redirected to my new business http://www.oriolebirding.com/. I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that has travelled with Celtic Bird Tours over the twelve years we operated ur tours. The signs are that my new partnership with Ashley Saunders and Oriole Birding will be a succesful one. We both hope that we will continue to provide the high quality, small group holidays that our regulars have become used to and look forward to many days birding with friends old and new.

Best Wishes & Good Birding

Neil

21ST - 30TH NOVEMBER 2009

The 21st saw the Surf Scoter again at Mumbles, the Great Northern Diver and a Common Sandpiper in Barry Docks and a Brambling in Neath. A Black Redstart was at Rhossilli and a Barn Owl at nearby Pilton. Poor weather again on 22nd saw the Surf Scoter remaining at Mumbles Head, sixteen Purple Sandpiper and three hundred Redwing at Ogmore Estuary and five Mediterranean Gulls and three hundred and five Common Pochard at Kenfig Pool. Up to four Leach's Storm Petrel were off Porthcawl on 23rd, along with a Great Northern Diver, a Red-throated Diver, one hundred and twenty five Black-legged Kittiwake, eleven Common Scoter and seventeen European Golden Plover. The Surf Scoter was again off Mumbles Head. More storms on the 24th saw some excellent sea watching with a Pomarine Skua, Arctic Skua, Black-throated Diver, Leach's Storm Petrel off Lavernock Point, three Great Northern Diver, a Leach's Storm Petrel, six Great Skua and six hundred Black-legged Kittiwake at Porthcawl. The Surf Scoter was again at Mumbles Head and a Great Skua, two Red-throated and five Great Northern Divers were off Oxwich Bay. On the 25th, two Leach's Storm Petrels were off Porthcawl, along with a Grey Phalarope and five hundred Black-legged Kittiwake. Another Leach's Storm Petrel and a Great Skua were off Barry and further Great Skuas were off Lavernock Point and Mumbles Heas, where the Surf Scoter remained. The high winds continued on 26th and two Leach's Storm Petrel were again off Porthcawl, along with two Great Skua, while the Surf Scoter, two thousand one hundred and sixty Black-legged Kittiwake, a Great Northern Diver, Red-throated Diver and an Arctic Skua were at Mumbles Head. Calmer conditions on the 27th still saw plenty of seabird action as birds moved back towards the Irish Sea. A Black-throated Diver showed very well at Porthcawl and four Great and a Pomarine Skua, a Great Northern Diver and four hundred Black-legged Kittiwakes were at Lavernock Point. The 28th saw a Great Northern Diver at Swansea Docks and a Merlin at Lamby Lake. The only news on the 29th was of a Short-eared Owl, Water Pipit and two Merlin at Rhymney Estuary. The 30th produced a nice surprise in the form of a female type Velvet Scoter at Ogmore Estuary, as well as the first two Common Goldneye of the autumn.

11TH - 20TH NOVEMBER 2009

The Great Northern Diver was again at Cosmeston Lakes on the 11th and three Mediterranean Gulls were at Kenfig Pool. A Short-eared Owl was at Rhymney Estuary and twenty Common Scoter were at Worms Head. The 12th saw a Brambing in Maesteg before very bad weather set in for the next couple of days. The 14th produced a Eurasian Woodcock at Kenfig Pool, a Goosander was at Cosmseton Lakes and thirty Common Scoter, forty Common Gull and a Great Northern Diver were at Porthcawl. On the 15th, another Great Northern Diver was in Barry Docks and the 16th saw a Great Skua off Lavernock Point, the Great Northern Diver again in Barry Docks and one hundred and forty Black-legged Kittiwake off Porthcawl. On the 17th, nine Jack Snipe were at Oxwich Marsh and forty two Mediterranean Gull were at Mumbles Head. A female Greater Scaup was in Cardiff Bay and two Common Chiffchaff were at Kenfig Pool. The 18th saw three Leach's Storm Petrels at Porthcawl Sea Front, along with sixty two Black-legged Kittiwake, fifteen Common Guillemot and six Northern Fulmar. On the 19th, a female Surf Scoter was at Mumbles Head and the Great Northern Diver was again in Barry Docks. The 20th saw three Great Bittern and a Yellow-browed Warbler at Kenfig Pool, a Snow Bunting and four Red-billed Chough at Southerndown and a Grey Phalarope and four Great Northern Divers were at Oxwich Bay and Marsh. The Surf Scoter was again at Mumbles along with a Little Gull. Two Black Redstarts were at Penarth and another Grey Phalarope was at Neath Estuary.

1ST - 10TH NOVEMBER 2009

A wet and windy day on the 1st saw a Ring Ouzel near Bridgend, fifty Common Scoter at Monknash, a Ring-necked Parakeet in Swansea and twenty three Sanderling and thirty five Ringed Plover at Newton Beach, Porthcawl. On the 2nd, a Great Northern Diver was at Sker and a Red Kite was in Porth, Rhondda. A very windy day on the 3rd saw a Little Gull at Ogmore Estuary, while the 4th produced a Great Northern Diver and two hundred and forty two Common Pochard at Kenfig Pool. The Little Gull was again at Ogmore Estuary, along with a Water Pipit. A Black Redstart was in Cardiff and an eastern race Common Chiffchaffs was in the office gardens. A Little Gull and Water Pipit were at Penclawdd on the 5th and a Barn Owl was in Trebanog, Rhondda. On the 6th, a female Merlin, eleven Common Scoter and a Dark-bellied Brent Goose were at Sker and an adult Mediterranean Gull, ten Northern Shoveler, one hundred and sixty Fieldfare, four Lesser Redpoll and six hundred Wood Pigeon were at Kenfig Pool. The drake Lesser Scaup, a Merlin, two Ruddy Shelduck were in Cardiff Bay and four Green Sandpipers and a Water Pipit were at Ogmore Estuary. The 7th saw one thouand Fieldfare in a single flock near Swansea and five Red-billed Chough and a Peregrine at Ogmore-by-Sea. Forty one Common Snipe, seven Jack Snipe and fifteen Gadwall were at Oxwich Marsh. On the 8th two Merlin, two Barn Owl, a Jack Snipe and four Black Redstart were at Rhymney Estuary, the Water Pipit remained at Ogmore Estuary, along with ten Purple Sandpiper. On the 9th, a breeding plumaged Great Northern Diver was at Cosmeston Lakes, two Black Redstart and a female Greater Scaup were in Cardiff Bay, two hundred and sixty one Common Pochard were at Kenfig Pool and a Dartford Warbler was at Pant Norton, Ogmore. On the 10th, the Great Northern Diver was again at Cosmeston Lakes.

21ST - 31ST OCTOBER 2009

The 21st saw more poor weather and just a single Barn Swallow present at Cosmeston Lakes. On the 22nd, a Green Sandpiper and Mediterranean Gull were at Ogmore Estuary and thirty Redwing were at Cosmeston Lakes. The 23rd saw the drake Lesser Scaup again in Cardiff Bay, while the 24th saw two Greater Scaup at Egwlys Nunydd Reservoir. A Firecrest and fifteen Redwing were at Crymlyn Bog on the 25th and one thousand Common Redshank were at Rhymney Estuary. The 26th finally saw a bit of movement with four hundred and sixty five Redwing, five Fieldfare, fifty four Chaffinch, two hundred and eighty five Wood Pigeon, three Lesser Redpoll and a Brambling at Kenfig Pool. A Purple Sandpiper and Little Gull were at Ogmore Estuary and a Red-throated Diver, nineteen Razorbill and nineteen Black-legged Kittiwake were at Porthcawl. On the 27th, a Red Kite as in Penclawdd, while impressive movement over the Bristol Channel at Barry included three thousand eight hundred Wood Pigeon, two thousand five hundred Redwing, three hundred and fifty Chaffinch, a Brambling, ten Reed Bunting and two Barn Swallow. Another Brambling was at Lamby Lake, a Northern Pintail, fifty Common Teal, five Cetti's Warblers and twenty one Common Snipe were at Kenfig Rivermouth, a Lesser Redpoll and seventy five Sky Lark were at Nash Point and five Fieldfare and Small Copper, Clouded Yellow, Painted Lady and Red Admiral butterflies were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm as the temperature reached almost 20 Celsius. On the 28th, a male Black Redstart was at Gileston, a Purple Sandpiper was at Ogmroe Estuary, fourteen Common Crossbill were in Cardiff and an adult Mediterranean Gull, eighty Fieldfare and twenty Lesser Redpoll were at Kenfig Pool. The 29th saw a Great Bittern back at Kenfig Pool, while large numbers of Redwings were seen all over Glamorgan with the biggest flock in excess of a thousand was at Maesteg, where there were also large numbers of Fieldfares, a male Merlin and a Ring Ouzel. Another Ring Ouzel was at Lavernock Point. On the 30th, poor weather meant few birds with just forty two Common Crossbill in the Caerphilly area of note. The 31st saw a Hen Harrier at Llanrhidian Marsh, the drake Lesser Scaup and a Common Goldeneye at Cardiff Bay, an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Northern Pintail, six Common Chiffchaff and two hundred and twenty seven Common Pochard at Kenfig Pool and a Lesser Redpoll, four Blackcap, two Greater Scaup and one hundred and ninety six Tufted Duck at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir.

11TH - 20TH OCTOBER 2009

On the 11th, a Ruff was at Dalton's Point, Gower, where one hundred and ten Black-tailed Godwit and three Bar-tailed Godwit were also present. The Dark-bellied Brent Goose was again at Newton Beach Porthcawl and thirty seven Reed Bunting were at Oxwich Marsh. A glorious day on the 12th saw a Jack Snipe at Kenfig Pool, thirty seven Common Scoter, a Red-throated Diver, two Arctic Terns and three Mediterranean Gulls at Porthcawl and two male Ring Ouzel, a Northern Goshawk, eleven Lesser Redpoll and ten Eurasian Siskin were in Maesteg. The drake Lesser Scaup returned to Cardiff Bay and a late Black Tern was at Mumbles Head. On the 13th, twenty eight Eurasian Siskin, four Great Spotted Woodpecker, two hundred and nintey six Eurasian Jackdaw and nine Song Thrush passed overhead at Kenfig Pool. The 14th saw two Penduline Tits at Cardiff Bay - the second county record. A Firecrest was at Maesteg and forty five Mediterranean Gulls were at Mumbles. A Merlin, Hen Harrier and twenty five Common Crossbill were at Mynydd Eglwysilian. On the 15th, the drake Lesser Scaup was again in Cardiff Bay, two Mediterrnean Gulls were at Kenfig Pool and the Dark-bellied Brent Goose was at Newton Point. On the 16th, two Red-billed Chough and two Green Sandpiper were at Ogmore Estuary. The 17th saw the drake Lesser Scaup again at Cardiff Bay, along with a female Greater Scaup. Ninety Redwing and two Goosander were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. The 18th saw the drake Lesser Scaup again at Cardiff Bay and seventeen Common Crossbill in Maesteg. Two Barn Owl and a Merlin were at Lamby Lake. On the 19th, four Ring Ouzel and one hundred Redwing were in Aberdare, four Jack Snipe and seventeen Common Snipe were at Oxwich Marsh and a Red Kite was at Sarn, Bridgend. The 20th was a total washout with heavy rain and high winds - the first bad weather since August!!

1ST - 10TH OCTOBER 2009

The 1st saw the first Fieldfare of the autumn at Caerphilly and the 2nd was also quiet with just one hundred and twenty three European Golden Plover at Sker Point. More poor weather on 3rd saw two Red Knot at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. On the 4th a female Ring Ouzel was at Dare Country Park and two Whinchat were at Lavernock Point. A further three Ring Ouzel were in Maesteg. On the 5th, a Reed Warbler and two Marsh Tit were at Oxwich Marsh and a Green Sandpiper was at Ogmore Estuary. Four Common Crossbill were in Hensol Forest, a Merlin was in Swansea Bay and a Barn Owl and Yellow-legged Gull were at Lamby Lake. A very quiet day on the 6th saw just thirteen Barn Swallow and nine Eurasian Jay at Lavernock Point. On the 7th, the Yellow-legged Gull and Barn Owl were again at Rhymney Estuary and a Wood Lark was a good find at Cosmeston Lakes. The 8th saw a Whinchat and four Common Snipe at Oxwich Marsh, four House Martin at Cardiff Airport and a Red Kite at Tylorstown, Rhonnda. On the 10th, a Red Kite was at Cwm Nash and fifty Barn Swallow were at Pennard, Gower. A Dark-bellied Brent Goose and two hundred and fifty Sky Lark were at Newton Beach, Porthcawl.

Oriole Birding

Anyon reading this website and wondering why no 2010 tours are being advertised may like to know about my new partnership with Ashley Saunders at Oriole Adventures known as Oriole Birding. We have joined forces with a new website:www.oriolebirding.com Email:info@oriolebirding.com and brochure. The contact telephone numbers and addresses will remain the same as for CBT.

The CBT site will continue to operate alongside the new business until 31st December 2009 when this website will then close. All 2010 holidays are available to view on the new site, but many are already filling up and some are full. No CBT holidays have availability for the remainder of 2009, but bespoke South Wales tours van be arranged by contacting me at the usual addresses.

Its a very exciting, but rather busy time for both of us, but I look forward to welcoming you on your Oriole Birding holidays in the future.

Many Thanks to everyone who have shared the journey with me by travelling with CBT.

Happy Birding

Neil

21ST - 30TH SEPTEMBER

On the 21st, a Glossy Ibis was seen in flight over Swansea, a Black Tern, Garden Warbler, Whinchat and Eurasian Siskin were at Kenfig Pool and forty two European Golden Plover and eight Red Knot were at Sker. The first rain of the month on the 22nd saw the Black Tern again at Kenfig Pool and a Bar-tailed Godwit and three Common Scoter at Sker Point. A Razorbill was off Cardiff Heliport and a Whinchat was at Cosmeston Lakes. On the 23rd, a Firecrest was in Maesteg and the Black Tern, Whinchat, four Eurasian Siskin and eight Eurasian Jay were at Kenfig Pool. The 24th produced a Common Redstart at Kenfig Pool, along with the Black Tern, Whinchat, two Fieldfare and fourteen Song Thrush and a Jack Snipe was at Sker Pool. A Eurasian Hobby was at Broad Pool, Gower and three Bar-tailed Godwit, 180 Sanderling and 150 Ringed Plover were in Swansea Bay. A quieter day on the 25th though forty two Mediterranean Gull and six Harbour Porpoise at Mumbles was noteworthy. Otherwise, sixty six European Golden Plover and a Bar-tailed Godwit were at Sker and another Mediterranean Gull was at Lamby Lake. A Wryneck was at Lavernock Point on the 26th and a Eurasian Hobby was at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. A Coal Tit and thirty European Robin were at Kenfig Pool. The 27th saw an Osprey again in Neath, a Pied Flycatcher in Cardiff, a Little Egret and six Redwing at Lisvane Reservoir and a Common Redstart and Dartford Warbler at Cwm Nash. Twenty Lesser Redpoll, thirty Eurasian Siskin and thirty six Eurasian Jay were at Lavernock Point and seventy seven Common Pochard, thirty eight Tufted Duck, a Common Treecreeper and a Lesser Whitethroat were at Kenfig Pool. On the 28th, the only news was of a Firecrest on Flatholm, eleven Mistle Thrush at Kenfig Pool and a Grey Plover in Maesteg. On the 29th, Merlins were present at Maesteg and Mynydd Eglwysilian, where two Red Kites and fourteen Common Raven were also present. A Yellow Wagtail was at Nash Point, eighty three Tufted Duck and eleven Eurasian Jay were at Kenfig Pool, a Barn Owl was at Lamby lake and a Garden Warbler and four hundred Barn Swallow were at Mewslade. On the 30th, ten Red-billed Chough were at Rhossili and fifty Sky Lark, five Redwing and two European Golden Plover were in Maesteg.

14TH - 20TH SEPTEMBER 2009

On the 14th, a Little Stint was at Kenfig Rivermouth and thirty one Eurasian Wigeon and a Northern Pintail were at Kenfig Pool. Fifteen Yellow Wagtail, twelve Northern Wheatear and a Spotted Flycatcher were at Cwm Nash, an adult Yellow-legged Gull was at Rhymney Estuary, three Whimbrel were in Maesteg and a Whinchat, another Yellow Wagtail and eight Dunlin were at Ogmore Estuary. On the 15th, three Ruddy Shelduck were at Kenfig Pool, nine Common Snipe, forty eight Common Teal and a Bar-tailed Godwit were at Kenfig Rivermouth, a Red Kite was at Pant Norton again and a Common Redstart was at Lavernock Point. The 16th saw a Honey Buzzard at Parkmill, Gower, a Eurasian Hobby at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir and a Wood Warbler at Cosmeston Lakes. Four Red Kites and a Whinchat were at Maesteg and a heavy passage of Meadow Pipits were overhead at Nash Point. On the 17th two Honey Buzzard flew east over Neath, three Barn Owl were at lamby Lake and fifty five Northern Pintail were at Rhymney Estuary. A Whinchat was at Cwm Nash. The 18th saw an Osprey, Merlin, seven Common Eider, a Little Stint, four Bar-tailed Godwit and one hundred Eurasian Wigeon on the Loughor Estuary, a Common Redstart at Lamby Lake, three Whinchat were at Nash Point and a Great Spotted Woodpecker and two Mistle Thrush were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm. A quietish day on the 19th saw eleven Red Knot at Kenfig Sands and a female Common Redstart and Lesser Whitethroat at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir.The 20th saw an Osprey in Swansea Bay, a Lapland Bunting again briefly at Rhossilli, along with a Whinchat and a Spotted Flycatcher at Kenfig Pool.

7TH - 13TH SEPTEMBER 2009

On the 7th the Osprey was still at Wernffrwd, seven Goosander were at Ogmore Estuary, two Spotted Flycatchers at Lisvane Reservoir and a Tree Pipit and Whinchat were at Lavernock Point. A Wryneck was in Cardiff Bay on the 8th, three Lesser Whitethroat and twelve Blackcap were at Eglwys Nunydd Resrevoir and six Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Aberthaw Marsh, while on the 9th two Spotted Redshank, two Green Sandpiper and a Yellow Wagtail were at Rhymney Estuary. Glorious weather on the 10th and a Common Redstart and Whinchat were at Cosmeston Lakes, two more Whinchat were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm, four Eurasian Wigeon and three Northern Shoveler were at Kenfig Pool and two Spotted Flycatcher, two Tree Pipit and a Garden Warbler were at Pant Norton. More fantastic weather on the 11th and a Ruff was at Kenfig Pool, along with ten Common Teal. Four Spotted Flycatchers were at Parc Slip. On the 12th, a Honey Buzzard was at the Loughor Estuary, a Ring Ouzel was in the hills at Pontycymmer, five Red-billed Chough were at Porthcawl and another six were at Ogmore-by-Sea. A Whinchat and Spotted Flycatcher were at Leckwith, Cardiff, Spotted Flycatchers were also at Overton, Gower and Kenfig Pool, where seven Whimbrel, two Ruddy Duck, sixteen Blackcap and a Lesser Whitethroat were also present. More fantastic weather on the 13th saw a Hen Harrier in Aberdare, two Whinchat, two Spotted Flycatcher, a Red Kite, Tree Pipit and ten Northern Wheatear in Maesteg and another Whinchat was at Sker. A drake Eurasian Wigeon was at Kenfig Pool and 580 Black-legged Kittiwake, four Red Knot, a Merlin, two Red-billed Chough and a Whinchat were at Rhossilli.

1ST - 6TH SEPTEMBER 2009

Really wet conditions on the 1ST meant few birds, but a Spotted Flycatcher, Little Egret and two Lesser Whitethroat were at Kenfig Pool, a Tree Pipit was at Pant Norton and eighteen Pale-bellied Brent Geese were offshore at Ogmore-by-Sea. On the 2nd, the Osprey was again at Wernffrwd and 24 Red Knot, two Mediterranean Gulls, two hundred Sanderling and 150 Ringed Plover were in Swansea Bay. Another Mediterranean Gull was at Cardiff Heliport and two Spotted Flycatchers, three Common Teal and seven Willow Warblers were the highlights of another wet day at Kenfig Pool. On the 3rd, a Grey Phalarope was at Ogmore-by-Sea, 140 Black-tailed Godwit, two Yellow Wagtail and sixty five Red Knot were at Rhymney Estuary, a Red-throated Diver was off Porthcawl, a Eurasian Hobby was at Hendre Lake, two Common Swift were in Maesteg and a first winter Little Gull and a Ruddy Turnstone were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. Another very windy day on the 4th saw an interesting selection of migrants arrive. A female Ruddy Shelduck and a Common Tern were at Kenfig Pool, an Osprey, Red Kite and Spotted Flycatcher were around the Ogmore Estuary and 400 Barn Swallow, four Lesser Whitethroat and a Garden Warbler were at Lavernock Point. On the 5th, a Eurasian Hobby was at Cwm Ivy, Gower, six Tree Pipit and two Spotted Flycatcher were at Pant Norton and another Tree Pipit and Spotted Flycatcher, as well as a Lesser Whitethroat and twelve Common Chiffchaff were at Kenfig Pool. Another Eurasian Hobby was at Mynydd Eglwysilian, two Common Swift were at Llancadle, Vale of Glamorgan and another Common Swift and a first winter Little Gull were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. The 6th brought a Glossy Ibis briefly to Baglan, near Port Talbot, a Common Greenshank to Ogmore Estuary and a Green Sandpiper at Pontsarn.

24TH - 31ST AUGUST 2009

The 24th was a very busy day for migrants with a Common Redstart, seventy Yellow Wagtail, 800+ House Martin, a Common Greenshank and a Northern Goshawk at Blaen-y-Cwm, Vale of Glamorgan. A Pied Flycatcher, fifteen Common Chiffchaff, fifteen Blackcap and twenty Common Whitethroat were at Pant Norton, a Black Tern and nine Common Eider were at Salthouse Point, North Gower, a Eurasian Hobby was at Kenfig Pool and an Arctic Skua was at Pink Bay, Porthcawl. Three Grasshopper Warbler, twelve Willow Warbler and a Garden Warbler were at Oxwich Bay, along with seventeen Reed Warbler. On the 25th, the Osprey was again at Neath, a Yellow Wagtail and Common Greenshank were at Cardiff Heliport, five Common Swift were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir and 170 Ringed Plover, 130 Sanderling, forty Dunlin, five Red Knot and two Black-tailed Godwit were in Swansea Bay. The 26th saw just a Whinchat at Blaen-y-cwm and two Manx Shearwater and twenty Sandwich Terns at Port Eynon before heavy rain set in for the day. An Arctic Tern, Great Spotted Woodpecker, two Lesser Whitethroat, twelve Blackcap, nine Willow Warbler and ten Common Whitethroat were at Kenfig Pool on the 27th, while the 28th saw a Whinchat and eleven Common Crossbill at Abercregan. A Little Egret was at Lisvane Reservoir and an Osprey was again at Wernffrwd. On the 29th a Black Tern, Ruddy Turnstone and six Common Swift were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir, while three Red Knot, eighty three European Oysetrcatcher, fourteen Eurasian Curlew, four Lesser Whitethroat, a Garden Warbler and seven Sedge Warbler were at Kenfig National Nature Reserve. A Eurasian Hobby was at Margam and a Spotted Flycatcher was at Oxwich Marsh. After a day of heavy rain and no news on the 30th, the 31st saw three Great Skua, a Common Tern and twenty four Sandwich Terns at Oxwich Bay, a Little Egret again at Lisvane Reservoir, 200 Goldfinch at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm and thirteen Common Whitethtroat, three Willow Warbler, eleven Blackap, nineteen European Robin and five Reed Warblers at Kenfig Pool.

17TH - 23RD AUGUST 2009

A quieter day on the 17th with thirty Reed Warbler, nineteen Sedge Warbler, a Garden Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat at Oxwich Bay being the only news. The 18th saw two Little Egret, seven Blackcap, three Common Chiffchaff and a Lesser Whitethroat at Kenfig Pool and a Red-billed Chough at Sker. On the 19th, the Osprey was again at Neath and a Marsh Tit was in Bishop's Wood, Gower, while a windy day on the 20th produced three European Storm Petrel off Porthcawl, along with twenty Northern Gannet, five Manx Shearwater and seven Northern Fulmar. The 21st saw two Honey Buzzard in the Neath Valley and a Common Tern, two Sandwich Terns, a Mediterranean Gull and four Bar-tailed Godwit at Briton Ferry.On the 22nd, a Eurasian Hobby was at Llwyn On Reservoir and a Spotted Flycatcher, seventeen Reed Warbler, sixteen Sedge Warbler, five Common Teal and two Gadwall were at Oxwich Marsh. An Osprey and 34 Sandwich Terns were at Wernffrwd, North Gower, three Spotted Flycatcher were at St Donats, a Common Swift was at Kenfig Pool and a Little Owl at Sker Farm. The 23rd saw the Osprey again at Wernffrwd, a Eurasian Hobby, Barn Owl, two Green Sandpiper and a Yellow Wagtail were at Lamby Lake and eighty Ringed Plover, two Little Egret, three Tree Pipit and a Northern Goshawk were at Kenfig National Nature Reserve.

ISLES OF SCILLY & CORNWALL 2009

Our annual jaunt to the south west once again produced some fantastic birding. As ever sea watching and our now famous pelagic boat trips were the highlight and we picked up the full range of species yet again. DAY ONE and Wilson's Storm Petrel was in the bag as at least three birds were noted, while a Sooty Shearwater, two Great Skua, two Manx Shearwater, Balearic Shearwater, thirty European Storm Petrel, Harbour Porpoise and were also recorded. Land birding produced a superb Leser Yellowlegs, two Green and two Common Sandpipers, eight Common Greenshank, Water Rail and Common Kingfisher. DAY TWO is traditionally the full day pelagic and todays excursion produced a further six Wilson's Petrels, as well as two Great Shearwaters, one Sooty Shearwater and one Balearic Shearwaters as highlights. Other species seen were a Black and an Arctic Tern, one hundred European Storm Petrel and three Mediterranean Gulls, while other wildlife included a Trigger Fish, Ocean Sunfish and one hundred Common Dolphin. DAY THREE produced some superb birding with another Wilson's Petrel, Great Shearwater, an Arctic Skua, a very close Sabine's Gull and nine Cory's Shearwaters at sea and a super Buff-breasted Sandpiper was on St Mary's and a Melodious Warbler completed a fine day. DAY FOUR was a b it quieter with the return Scillonian crossing producing fifteen European Storm Petrels, two Great Skua and six Manx Shearwater, while the Melodious Warbler again showed briefly on St Mary's. Other landbirds of note today were a Wood Sandpiper and Marsh Harrier. Back in Cornwall for DAY FIVE and two Red-billed Chough and a selection of common migrants including Garden Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff as well as twenty Black-tailed Godwit. DAY SIX - the final day produced just a couple of nice trip birds in the form of Green Woodpecker and Common Whitethroat to round off another excellent trip.

10TH - 16TH AUGUST 2009

On the 10th the rain returned and a Grasshopper Warbler at Oxwich Bay and a Great Skua off Flatholm were both interesting records. A busy day on the 11th saw two Little Terns at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir, along with a Spotted Flycatcher and a Garden Warbler. Two Yellow Wagtail were at Lamby Lake, five Bar-tailed Godwit were at Blackpill, a European Nightjar and Egyptian Goose were at Rheola, a Lesser Whitethroat was in Sully and 39 Sanderling, 82 European Oystercatcher, six Dunlin and five Ringed Plover were at Sker and three Northern Shoveler, a Common Swift and four Sedge Warbler were at Kenfig Pool. The 12th saw three Pied Flycatcher, three Common Redstart and a Wood Warbler in Maesteg and another Pied Flycatcher near Port Talbot. Four Green Sandpiper were at Llanilid. A beautiful day on the 13th saw a Common Tern over Bridgend Town Centre and a Spotted Flycatcher and a Garden Warbler were at Kenfig Pool, along with a Common Chiffchaff, 25 Common Whitethroat and 21 Willow Warbler. Twenty two Reed Warbler and the same number of Sedge Warblers were at Oxwich Bay. A busy day on the 14th produced a Greater Scaup and two Green Sandpipers at Llanilid, four Lesser Whitethroat, a Common Snipe and a Northern Wheatear at Kenfig Pool and a Tree Pipit and Spotted Flycatcher at Pant Norton. Another Green Sandpiper was at Ogmore Estuary and a Grasshopper Warbler, four more Lesser Whitethroat and two Garden Warblers were at Lavernock Point. Two Yellow Wagtail and a Honey Buzzard were in Maesteg and two Red Knot, thirty Dunlin, seventy Ringed Plover and 130 Sanderling were in Swansea Bay. On the 15th a Pomarine Skua was a good record at Port Eynon, where two hundred and thirty Manx Shearwater, fifty Sandwich Terns, forty Northern Gannet, forty Northern Fulmar and two hundred Black-legged Kittiwake. A Spotted Flycatcher and a Whimbrel were in Penarth and a Lesser Whitethroat was at Lamby Lake. The 16th saw a Common Greenshank, Little Egret, Black-tailed Godwit and Spotted Flycatcher at Kenfig Pool, an Osprey over Neath Town Centre and a Common Tern in Cardiff Bay.

1ST - 9TH AUGUST 2009

A very wet start to the month as the miserable summer weather continued. On the 1ST, a Common Kingfisher was the highlight at Kenfig Pool and a Mediterannean Gull and a Spotted Flycatcher were at Lamby Lake. Better weather on the 2nd saw two Green Sandpipers, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 21 Willow Warblers and six Sedge Warblers at Kenfig Pool while the 3rd produced a Wood Sandpiper and two Green Sandpipers at Llanilid and six Common Redshank, a Common Kingfisher and a Whimbrel at Kenfig Pool. Nine Arctic Terns passed Flatholm Island and 45 Common Redshank, fourteen Common Sandpiper and six Common Greenshank were at Britton Ferry Docks. On the 5th, a juvenile Marsh Harrier was briefly at Kenfig Pool, where the first Common Snipe and two Lesser Whitethroat of the autumn were also present. A Green Sandpiper was at Llanilid and another was at Hendre Lake, where there was also a Eurasian Hobby. On the 6th, a Northern Shoveler, Water Rail, five Cetti's Warblers and a Peregrine were at Kenfig Pool and a Green Sandpiper, Tree Pipit and Northern Goshawk were at Oxwich Marsh. A Common Greenshank was a good find at Lavernock Point being only the fourth record for the site, two Common Redstart were at Parc Slip and a Pied Flycatcher was in Cardiff Bay. The 7th saw two adult Mediterranean Gulls at Aberthaw Marsh, two Garden Warblers, a Spotted Flyctacher, Tree Pipit, nine Lesser Whitethroat and seventeen Willow Warblers were at Lavernock Point and seven Sedge Warbler, four Reed Warbler, four Common Sandpiper and a Common Redshank were at Kenfig Pool. On the 8th, ten Green Sandpiper and a Wood Sandpiper were at Llanilid, two Common Kingfisher, a Tree Pipit and nine Reed Warbler were at Kenfig Pool, five Mediterranean Gulls were at Mumbles and a Yellow Wagtail was in Maesteg. The 9th saw two Marsh Harriers at Kenfig Pool, a Pied Avocet at Cosmeston Lakes, a Northern Goshawk over a Bridgend garden and a Garden Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher at Lamby Lake. Twenty Reed Warbler were at Oxwich Marsh and a Lesser Whitethroat and Mediterranean Gull were at Cardiff Bay.

27TH - 31ST JULY 2009

On the 27th, 2000+ Manx Shearwaters passed Worms Head, along with thirty Northern Gannet. Torrential rain until the 30th saw no news until seven Common Sandpiper and a Little Egret were at Ogmore Estuary. On the 31st, ten Whimbrel were at Whiteford NNR and a Red-billed Chough was at Rhossilli. Two European Nightjar were in Maesteg, a Tree Sparrow was at The Monktons and two hundred Linnet and two Yellowhammer were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm.

20TH - 26TH JULY 2009

The 20th saw the Common Quail still in Maesteg and a Lesser Whitehtroat, two Willow Warbler and four Common Chiffchaff were at Lavernock Point and four Common Redshank were at Ogmore Estuary, while a Grasshopper Warbler was at Kenfig Pool. On the 21st, nine Common Whitethroat, three Common Pochard, two Common Sandpiper and a Common Redshank were at Kenfig Pool. Two Tree Pipit were at LLanilid and five Sanderling were at Ogmore Estuary. On the 23rd, 850 Manx Shearwater and an adult Mediterranean Gull were at Rhymney Estuary and high tide at Loughor Estuary produced five Sandwich Terns, two Yellow-legged Gull, 27 Little Egret, 5000 Black-headed Gull, five Mediterranean Gull, 870 European Oystercatcher, 627 Eurasian Curlew, 24 Black-tailed Godwit, a Common Scoter and seventeen Great Crested Grebe. On the 24th, three Sandwich Terns, 250 Dunlin, 83 Eurasian Curlew, six Ringed Plover, nine Whimbrel and a Peregrine were at Penclawdd. On the 25th, a Dunlin, eighteen Willow Warbler, 21 Common Whitethroat, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, fifteen Reed Warbler, four Sedge Warbler and twelve Common Swift provided further evidence that the autumn migration is already well under way at Kenfig Pool and two European Nightjar were at Llanwonno Forest. On the 26th, a European Golden Plover was an early autumn migrant in Maesteg and twelve Common Crossbill were near Aberdare. Two Whimbrel and a Little Egret were at Rhymney Estuary and 53 Sanderling were at Sker.

LATE AVAILABILITY

Owing to a late cancellation, a place has become available for our Isles of Scilly and Cornwall tour 13th - 18th August 2009. It involves a room share on Scilly and a single room in Cornwall. If you are interested, please contact Neil on 07971 983227.

13TH - 19TH JULY 2009

The 13th was a washout while the 14th brought a Common Quail to Maesteg, five Mediterranean Gulls to Mumbles Head and another at Cardiff Heliport. Another Mediterranean Gull was at The Watermill Flood and three hundred Common Swift were at Ogmore Estuary. On the 15th, two Common Quail were in Maetseg and a Eurasian Hobby was at Llanilltid. Further Common Quail were in Cardiff and Llanilid and a Garden Wrabler was an early migrant at Lavernock Point. Two Common Quail were at Llanilid on the 16th while the 17th was another day of torrential rain. The 18th saw a Common Quail again in Maesteg and three Red-billed Chough were at Dunraven. On the 19th a Common Quail was again at Llanilid.

6TH - 12TH JULY 2009

The 6th saw eleven Common Eider, an unseasonal Dark-bellied Brent Goose, as well as 800 Black-headed, 100 Common and two Mediterranean Gull and 100 Common Swift at Wernffrwd, North Gower. Nine Northern Gannet and three hundred Manx Shearwater passed Ogmore-by-Sea and a Little Egret was on Ogmore Estuary. Four Little Egret flew north over Porthcawl on the 10th and a Eurasian Hobby was in Bridgend on the 11th. On the 12th, twelve Common Sandpiper, twenty six Common Shelduck and a Mediterranean Gull were at Ogmore Estuary. Fifty Manx Shearwater and two Mediterranean Gulls were at Aberthaw Marsh.

1ST - 5TH JULY 2009

As ever, high summer proved to be a rather quiet time as the 1ST JULY saw a singing Lesser Whitethroat at Kenfig Pool and two hundred Manx Shearwater off Aberthaw Marsh. Rain on the 2nd saw two Common Sandpiper were at Ogmore Estuary, while the 3rd produced just a few returning Black-headed Gulls at Cosmeston Lakes and Ogmore Estuary and a pair of Common Teal at Parc Slip. On the 4th an adult Mediterranean Gull was at Barry Island and a singing Lesser Whitethroat was in Roath Park, Cardiff. Signs of autumn on the 5th as two Black-tailed Godwit, a Common Sandpiper, five Black-headed Gull, fifteen Sand Martin and two Tufted Duck were at Kenfig Pool and a Common Redshank was at Cosmeston Lakes.

22ND - 30TH JUNE 2009

On the 22nd, two Green Sandpiper were at Hendre Lake and Honey Buzzards were seen on four occasions in the uplands of the county. On the 23rd, the Woodchat Shrike re-appeared briefly at Rhossilli Down and two Sandwich Terns were off Nash Point. Two Little Egret, a Red Knot, two Mediterranean Gulls, a Green Sandpiper and a Dunlin were at Rhymney Estuary. On the 24th a Honey Buzzard and Northern Goshawk were in the Neath Valley, a Eurasian Hobby was near Bridgend and a Common Redstart was at Llanilid. On the 25th, seven Red-billed Chough were at Rhossilli and fifty Manx Shearwater were off Flat Holm Island. The 27th produced a Honey Buzzard again in the usual site, a Yellowhammer and two Common Sandpiper at Ogmore Estuary and a Lesser Whitethroat at Aberthaw Marsh. On the 29th, three Wood Warbler were at Margam Forest, while two Honey Buzzard, a Red Kite and Northern Goshawk were in the usual site. Five Red-billed Chough were near Ogmore-by-Sea. On the 30th, a Peregrine and Common Sandpiper were at Rhymney Estuary and three Red-billed Chough were at Ogmore-by-Sea.

15TH - 21ST JUNE 2009

On the 15th, a Spotted Flycatcher was in Maesteg and a Common Cuckoo was on Sully Island. A Eurasian Hobby was at Crymlyn Bog, Swansea, along with two Red Kites. The 16th produced a surprise late migrant in the form of a Woodchat Shrike at Rhossilli Downs, Gower. On the 17th, two Whimbrel and a Little Egret remained at Rhymney Estuary, but heavy rain washed out any chance of checking on the shrike. The 18th saw a return to better weather and the Woodchat Shrike was again at Rhossilli and 35 Manx Shearwater were off Sully Island. On the 19th, the Woodchat Shrike was again present at Rhossilli as it was again on the 20th. On the 21st, an Atlantic Puffin was among large numbers of Common Guillemot and Razorbill, Manx Shearwater and Northern Gannet at Worms Head, Gower.

17TH - 20TH JUNE 2009

Our NORFOLK 17TH – 20TH JUNE 2009 got off to a flying start as DAY ONE provided a fifteen minute long view of a stunning pair of Golden Orioles near the nest, as well as a Eurasian Hobby, Stone Curlew, Firecrest, Tree Pipit, Common Cuckoo and Grey Wagtail. DAY TWO produced superb views of Honey Buzzards, four Eurasian Spoonbill, breeding plumaged Little Stint, three adult Mediterranean Gulls, two Little Ringed Plover and Little Tern, while the evening excursion produced four European Nightjar, seven Eurasian Woodcock and a Barn Owl. DAY THREE saw the tour finish on a high with close and prolonged views of a male Montagu’s Harrier, as well as Wood Lark, Bearded Tit, Corn Bunting, Little Owl and breeding plumaged Spotted Redshank, Red Knot and Bar and Black-tailed Godwit in an excellent total of 120 species.

8TH - 14TH JUNE 2009

On the 8th, 1000 Manx Shearwater, 100 Northern Gannet and fifty Black-legged Kittiwake were off Mewslade, South Gower and a Sandwich Tern was at Wernffrwd, North Gower. The 9th saw a Eurasian Hobby in Cardiff and a Little Egret and Whimbrel at Sker Point, whilst the 10th produced two Grasshopper Warbler and a Whinchat in Maesteg and two Tree Sparrows in Monknash. On the 11th, two Sandwich Terns were off Porthcawl and a first summer Mediterranean Gull at Lamby Lake. The 12th saw a Common Cuckoo at Kenfig Pool and two Cetti’s Warblers at Cadoxton Ponds, Barry – a new bird for the site. The 13th produced a very unseasonal Ruff and Common Teal at Kenfig Rivermouth, while a Common Crossbill, two Grasshopper Warbler and four Tree Pipit were in Maesteg. On the 14th two pairs of Whinchat and a Peregrine were in Maesteg.

1ST - 7TH JUNE 2009

The 1ST JUNE produced three European Nightjar in Maesteg and seven Grey Plover, four Bar-tailed Godwit and sixteen Sanderling were on Kenfig Sands. On the 2nd, twenty six Black-tailed Godwit and a drake Eurasian Wigeon were on Kenfig Pool. On the 3rd, a European Storm Petrel was off Tusker Rock, Ogmore, a second summer Mediterranean Gull was in Cardiff Bay. On the 4th, three Honey Buzzards were in the Neath Valley and three Sandwich Terns were at Kenfig Sands, while the 5th produced a Common Quail in the Vale of Glamorgan and two Pied Flycatcher in Maesteg. Torrential rain on the 6th meant no news, while the 7th saw a Wood Warbler, three Tree Pipit and three Common Crossbill in Maesteg.

POLAND 28TH MAY - 4TH JUNE 2009

Our POLAND tour 28th MAY – 4TH JUNE 2009 was another tremendous success with 135 species recorded. DAY ONE produced Black Woodpecker, two male Golden Oriole, several Red-backed Shrike, Icterine Warbler, Eurasian Hobby, Black Redstart, seven Montagu’s Harrier, three Marsh Harrier, large numbers of White Stork and a few Hawfinch en route to Bialowieza. An evening walk around the Czar’s Lake produced three Great Reed Warbler, five Common Rosefinch, Icterine Warblers, European Serin, Spotted Flycatcher and Sedge Warblers. DAY TWO produced an array of superb birds that included calling Corncrake, as well as lekking Great Snipe, Lesser Grey Shrike, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Collared Flycatcher, River, Barred, Wood and Marsh Warblers, Lesser and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, Wryneck, Common Crane and Grasshopper Warbler. On DAY THREE, we were hampered by some poor weather in the morning, but still managed to find several Collared Flycatchers, a Red-breasted Flycatcher and Pied Flycatcher, Tree Pipit, Wryneck, Red-backed Shrike and Hawfinch during the day and three Eurasian Woodcock, a showy Thrush Nightingale and a superb Pygmy Owl during our evening excursion. DAY FOUR and temperatures were a lot higher today, though the afternoon was interrupted by a whole series of thunderstorms and torrential rain. Our walk in the ancient remnant forest exceeded expectations as Three-toed, White-backed and several Middle Spotted Woodpeckers were noted, along with another first year male Red-breasted Flycatcher and Hawfinch. We also saw Red Squirrel and Red Fox. Grey-headed Woodpecker and another Thrush Nightingale were seen before the rain on the eastern side of the village and Wryneck and Red-backed Shrike were also noted. Once the rain had stopped, we went back out until dusk and added a splendid male Little Bittern at the Czar’s Lake, while displaying Green Sandpiper and Eurasian Woodcock and calling River Warblers and Corncrake rounded off another excellent day. DAY FIVE was transfer day, though a super stop at Siemianówka Reservoir added a large number of birds for the trip such as Whiskered, White-winged Black, Common and Black Terns, four White-tailed Eagles, Great White Egret, male Citrine Wagtail, Penduline Tit, Garganey, Common Hoopoe, an adult Caspian Gull, Great Grey Shrike and Turtle Dove, while more Lesser Spotted Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Great Reed Warbler, Red-breasted and Collared Flycatchers, Hawfinch and Black Woodpecker made for yet another superb day. DAY SIX was our first day in the marshes and despite heavy rain in the morning, we were rewarded with a very showy Aquatic Warbler, as well as several Common Snipe and Black-tailed Godwit and Marsh Harriers. Our first Savi’s Warbler was also a very showy bird, as were four European Bee-eaters and a male Syrian Woodpecker, but a Spotted Nutcracker was only seen briefly in flight. Northern Shoveler, Little Ringed Plover and Whooper Swan were also new for the tour. Other interesting species included a further three White-tailed Eagles as well as Montagu’s Harriers, Common Crane, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Green Sandpiper, Great Reed, Icterine and Marsh Warblers, Common, Whiskered and White-winged Black Terns. We also had excellent views of Elk and a Stoat carrying a Water Vole in its jaws. DAY SEVEN was our last full day and it started well with a Black Stork near the hotel, along with another Black Woodpecker and four Wood Lark However, the weather deteriorated fast and most of the day resembled early winter with menacing black clouds scudding across the sky as a freezing wind whipped torrential showers over the marshes. Incredibly, we had excellent views of White-spotted Bluethroat, male Ortolan Bunting, Penduline Tit, White-tailed Eagle, Black Terns, Great Grey Shrike and Green Sandpiper, as well as many more White Stork and Common Cranes. DAY EIGHT produced new trip birds in the form of Bullfinch and Common Treecreeper as well as another White-tailed Eagle, a pair of Great Grey Shrikes, a very showy Thrush Nightingale and another Black Stork, which rounded off a hugely enjoyable trip despite some difficult weather conditions. We return from 1st – 8th June 2010 and this tour is sure to be popular again, so please BOOK EARLY if you are interested in joining us.

NORTH EAST ENGLAND MAY 2009

The first of our two tours this year ran from 29th May - 5th June and while it was a little quiet for scarcer migrants, the weather was fantastic with hot temperatures and clear blue skies throughout. That said, a singing Marsh Warbler was still evry good bird to see and the full array of species included Roseate Tern, Barn Owl, Tree Sparrow, Yellow Wagtail, Black and Red Grouse, Ring Ouzel, Common Redstart, Grasshopper Warbler, Atlantic Puffin, Red Kite, Whinchat, Tree Pipit and the amazing seabird colonies made for a memeorable tour for all concerened.

HUNGARY 16TH - 23RD MAY 2009

This was a custom tour organized for birding and agricultural interests and both proved to be very successful for the small group of participants. For the most part glorious blue skies and hot sunshine was prevelant - and to my eyes these are the right conditions to visit the vast putsza or steppe in. Great Bustard was as ever a prime target and the birds showed very well, while Lesser Grey Shrike, Red-footed Falcon, Ferruginous Duck, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Saker, Aquatic Warbler, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Caspian Gull, Grey-headed and Black Woodpeckers, Caspian and Black Terns, Barred Warbler, European Bee-eater, Wryneck, Pygmy Cormorant, Great Reed, Icterine and River Warblers, Collared Flycatcher, Long-eared Owl, Purple Heron, Great White Egret, Black-crowned Night Heorn, Bluethroat, Marsh Warbler and Golden Oriole ensured that a pretty decent bird list was enjoyed too. We will return to this excellent all round destination in May 2010 when we will run the full birding tour again.

25TH - 31ST MAY 2009

The 25th saw five European Nightjar, Common Cuckoo and six Tree Pipit at Ogmore Forest, another five European Nightjar were at Llanwonno Forest and another two in Maesteg. Three more Common Cuckoo and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker were at Llanilid. Both Eurasian Hobby and Honey Buzzard were seen in the Neath Valley. On the 26th, two Common Cuckoo were at Kenfig Pool and a Spotted Flycatcher was at Lower Monkton Farm. The 27th saw four European Storm Petrel, 2550 Manx Shearwater, sixteen Common Scoter, two Sandwich Tern and fifty five Northern Fulmar off Porthcawl, while the 28th produced two Garganey in Cardiff Bay. On the 29th, a Red Kite was over Porthcawl. The 30th produced a Turtle Dove at Cosmeston Lakes and a Common Greenshank at Llanilid, a Pied Flycatcher again at Coed-y-Bedw and five European Nightjar, four Tree Pipit, two Garden Warbler and two Wood Warbler at Llanwonno Forest. Four Common Cuckoo were in Maesteg on the 31st and eight Whimbrel were at Kenfig Pool.

18TH - 24TH MAY 2009

On the 18th, the Eurasian Spoonbill was again at Kenfig NNR, while sea watching at Porthcawl produced three European Storm Petrel, two Arctic Skuas, 300 Manx Shearwaters, four Great Northern Divers, seventeen Northern Fulmar, seven Common Scoter, fourteen Northern Gannet, eleven Black-legged Kittiwake, twelve Whimbrel, eleven Dunlin and three Sanderling. Another Arctic Skua was off Port Talbot, 400 Manx Shearwaters, four European Storm Petrel and a Common Tern were at Port Eynon and a Great Skua was off Lavernock Point, while two Lesser Whitethroat and a Spotted Flycatcher were on land there. The 19th saw a return to calmer, but still cool and wet conditions and three European Storm Petrel, thirty five Northern Gannet, a Sandwich Tern and sixty Manx Shearwater were again off Porthcawl. Two European Nightjar were at Llanwonno Forest. A pair of Eurasian Wigeon at Kenfig Rivermouth was an unusual record fro the time of year, while fifty three Dunlin and a breeding plumaged Curlew Sandpiper were at Rhymney Estuary. On the 20th, a European Storm Petrel was off Sully Island, while the 21st produced a Sandwich Tern at Lavernock Point. The 22nd saw the pair of Eurasian Wigeon again at Kenfig Rivermouth and two Common Cuckoo at Llanilid. Pied and Spotted Flycatchers were at Coed-y-Bedw. On the 23rd, Common Redstart, Common Cuckoo, Tree Pipit and Wood Warbler were near Maesteg and a pair of Spotted Flycatcher were in Pencoed, near Bridgend. On the 24th, a Whinchat and a Common Cuckoo were again in Maesteg.

ESTONIA & LATVIA

Our Estonia & Latvia tour 16th - 23rd May 2009 produced 180 species, though the migration was a littler slower than on previous tours. That said, you can't argue with seeing continuous streams of Barnacle Geese, Greater White-fronted Geese, Long-tailed Duck and Common Scoter, as well as smaller numbers of Greater Scaup, Velvet Scoter and Black and Red-throated Divers. Several Eurasian Hobby, White-tailed and Lessser Spotted Eagles, Common Cranes, Red-necked Grebe, Garganey, Smew, Great White Egret, Black Storks, Whiskered, White-winged Black and Black Terns were noted along with a few Bean Goose, Montagu's Harriers, Rough-legged Buzzard, Arctic Skua, Honey Buzzard, Red-necked Phalarope, Osprey, Golden Oriole and Hawfinch. Warblers were late arriving, but we still managed Great Reed, Savi's, Icterine, Grasshopper and Marsh while Citrine Wagtail, Penduline and Bearded Tits, Red-breasted Flycatcher, European Nightjar, European Serin, Thrush Nightingale, Red-backed Shrike and Common Rosefinch provided the other passerine highlights. Great Snipe is always a much wanted species and they were seen on the lek, Grey-headed, Black and White-backed Woodpeckers, Temminck's Stint, Spotted Redshank, Capercaillie, Black and Hazel Grouse, Racoon Dog, European Beaver and Pine Marten rounded off a very enjoyable holiday. we will be returning from 15TH - 22ND MAY 2010.

NORFOLK - THE COMPLETE TOUR 17TH - 23RD MAY 2009

Our NORFOLK COMPLETE TOUR 17th – 23rd May 2009 was once again a classic with a whole host of excellent birds present. DAY ONE saw the group meet in the evening while DAY TWO provided some splendid birding with highlights being a Collared Pratincole, Temminck’s Stint, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Turtle Dove, Eurasian Hobby and Bearded Tit. DAY THREE and the Collared Pratincole and more Temminck’s Stints were seen, along with a cracking Woodchat Shrike. Corn Bunting, Little Gull, Eurasian Spoonbill, Turtle Dove, Yellow Wagtail, Common Eider, Common Cuckoo, Red Crested Pochard with ten chicks and breeding plumaged Grey Plovers made for another cracking day. On DAY FOUR another superb selection of birds included three Golden Oriole, twenty Eurasian Hobby, a drake Garganey, a booming Great Bittern, Firecrest, Marsh Tit, Stone Curlew, Tree Pipit and Spotted Flycatcher during the day and four Eurasian Nightjar, ten Eurasian Woodcock and a Tawny Owl on a night visit. DAY FIVE was hampered by very poor weather and the only birds of note were trip ticks in the form of Pink-footed Goose, Stonechat and Goldcrest. DAY SIX saw us back on track with a really close view of a displaying male Honey Buzzard, three Montagu’s Harriers, four Red Kites, Common Cuckoo, Eurasian Hobby, Barn Owl and Mediterranean Gull. DAY SEVEN and the tour finished with more Eurasian Hobby, Red Kite, Tree Pipit and four Wood Lark in an amazing total of 137 species for the week.

11TH - 17TH MAY 2009

On the 11th four Sandwich Terns were at Blackpill and a Garden Warbler was at Sker. Fourteen Black-tailed Godwit and two Little Egret were at Kenfig Pool and five Arctic Terns, two Sandwich Terns, a Common Tern and 95 Manx Shearwater were at Lavernock Point. On the 12th, a Tree Sparrow was again present in the Monknash area, seventeen Manx Shearwater and seven Sandwich Terns were off Porthcawl. A Black-tailed Godwit was at Cosmeston Lakes. The 13th saw a female Marsh Harrier arrive at Kenfig Pool and the 14th saw a Spotted Flycatcher there. Another Spotted Flycatcher and two Garden Warbler were at Pant Norton, Ogmore. Two Cattle Egrets were briefly on Gower and a first summer Iceland Gull was in Cardiff. Torrential rain on the 15th produced a Lesser Whitethroat at Kenfig Pool and three Black-tailed Godwit off Porthcawl. More rain on the 16th and a Eurasian Spoonbill was at Kenfig Pool, along with a Common Cuckoo and Spotted Flycatcher, a Pomarine Skua was off Mumbles Head and three Arctic Skuas were at Rhymney Estuary. Four hundred House Martin were in Maesteg and a Garganey was at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. More torrential rain on the 17th and the Eurasian Spoonbill was again at Kenfig Rivermouth, while a late pair of Northern Shoveler were on the pool. An Arctic Tern was at Rhymney Estuary and a breeding plumaged Great Northern Diver and a European Storm Petrel were off Porthcawl.

NORFOLK 12TH - 14TH MAY 2009

Our mini Norfolk tour 12th - 14th May 2009 produced some excellent birding as ever. DAY ONE saw Common Nightingale, Little Tern, Montagu’s Harrier, Little Gull and Common Redstart as highlights. DAY TWO produced a splendid Citrine Wagtail at Cley, while twenty Black Terns, male Ring Ouzel, two Temminck’s Stint, three Wood Sandpiper and two Little Owl provided a fine supporting cast. DAY THREE produced a female Kentish Plover, two Dotterel, forty Black Terns, a Little Stint, a few more Temminck’s Stint, a second summer Mediterranean Gull, thirteen Common Sandpiper, Grey Plover, Black Redstart and a Peregrine to round off a brilliant couple of days.

NORTH WALES

Our NORTH WALES tour from 5th - 10th May 2009 produced some excellent birding depsite the often very difficult conditions that often resembled December rather than May. We were delighted to welcome back Alan Davies who led the tour for the first time in a few years following other committments and as ever, he did us proud. The weather throughout was dominated by howling gales, but was mainly dry, but did this stop us from finding the target birds - not a bit of it as we recorded 128 species! Nineteen Pomarine Skua were a superb find at Criccieth, while other interesting seabirds included Manx Shearwater, Northern Gannet, Black Guillemot, Atlantic Puffin and Little Gull, while Whooper Swan, Red-breasted Merganserand Common Eider were also noted at coastal locations. Amazingly eight Black Grouse braved the elements to lek and Red Grouse, Hen Harrier, Red Kite, Twite, Pied Flycatcher, Red-billed Chough, Northern Goshawk, Ring Ouzel, Osprey, Dipper, Wood Warbler and Common Redstart were among the many breeding highlights. As expected in those conditions few migrants were noted, but Tree Pipit, Whinchat, Whimbrel, Black and Bar-tailed Godwits and Lesser Whitethroat were among those that were noted to round off a superb effort by all concerned. We will of course be running this very popular tour again from 3rd - 8th May 2010.

1ST - 10TH MAY 2009

MAY began quietly with just Common Cuckoos and Whimbrel reported from a few places, along with fifty Common Swift at Cardiff Bay on the 1st. The 2nd produced a the Lesser Scaup in Cardiff Bay, a Hawfinch at north Cardiff, a Whinchat in Maesteg and a Barn Owl at Kenfig Pool. On the 3rd, a Hen Harrier was at Kenfig Pool and a Wood Warbler and Common Cuckoo were in Maesteg. A Eurasian Hobby was at Aberthaw Marsh. A cold day on the 4th saw four Common Scoter off Kenfig Sands and more poor weather on the 5th kept things quiet, but the first Spotted Flycatcher was at Lavernock Point and a Manx Shearwater was off Rhymney Estuary. Two hundred Common Swift were over Cardiff Bay. On the 6th, the Iceland Gull was again at Ogmore Estuary and an Osprey was in Miskin. Two Wood Warbler were in Aberdare. A brighter day on the 7th produced two Little Terns over Kenfig Pool, along with seventeen Dunlin and fifty Common Swift. Eighty Dunlin and 100 Common Swift were at Rhymney Estuary. Four hundred Common Swift and the Lesser Scaup were in Cardiff Bay and a Grey Plover was in Sully Island. On the 8th, a Manx Shearwater and a Northern Fulmar were off Kenfig Sands and forty Sanderling were on the beach. Five Bar-tailed Godwit were at Pennard, Gower and two Wood Warbler were again in Aberdare. The Iceland Gull was again at Ogmore Estuary and a Whinchat was at Kenfig Pool. On the 9th, 48 Manx Shearwater were off Sker and an excellent count of 62 Common Whitethroat were around Kenfig Pool and 400 Manx Shearwater and a Great Northern Diver were off Mumbles Head. Common Redstart, Pied and Spotted Flycatchers were at Coed-y-Bedw, Cardiff and a Whinchat was at Llanilid. A Eurasian Hobby was on North Gower. The 10th produced Common Cuckoo, Whinchat, Tree Pipit and Wood Warbler in Margam Forest and a Whinchat and Common Cuckoo were in Maesteg. The Iceland Gull was again at Ogmore Estuary.

MALLORCA

Our inaugural Mallorca tour 25TH April – 2ND May was another huge success. The house party style that we chose for this tour gave us the freedom to really explore at a pace to suit ourselves and had the advantage of having many wanted species within the grounds of our amazing villa. DAYS ONE & TWO saw species such as Sardinian Warbler, Eurasian Serin, Cirl Bunting, Balearic Warbler, Booted Eagle, Osprey, Woodchat Shrike, Stone Curlew, Firecrest, Wood Warbler, Black Redstart, European Bee-eater, European Scops Owl and Yellow Wagtail get our trip off to a flying start. DAY THREE saw us at the amazing S’Albufera Marshes where a stunning array of birds were seen. Moustached, Cetti’s and Great Reed Warblers gave superb views as they sand from reed tops, Marsh Harriers, Red Crested Pochard and Purple Heron were seen in good numbers, while Black-crowned Night Heron, Common Nightingale , Kentish Plover, Common Greenshank, Black-winged Stilts and Little Ringed Plovers were also well represented. However, it was the scarcer species that really made the day as we notched up four adult Audouin’s Gulls, Squacco Heron, a Temminck’s and four stunningly marked breeding plumaged Little Stints, breeding plumaged Curlew Sandpipers, two Wood Sandpiper, a couple of Stone Curlew, a Northern Goshawk and a dark phase Eleonora’s Falcon that were both mobbing a Golden Eagle low overhead, two Purple Swamp Hens, four Red-knobbed Coot and most unexpectedly a Short-eared Owl that gave scope filling views as on rested on a marshy bank – superb! On DAY FOUR we ventured into the mountains and were rewarded with good numbers of both Griffon and Black Vultures soaring overhead along with a Peregrine and large numbers of Yellow-legged Gulls. A pair of Woodchat Shrikes put on a fine display as did a couple of Tawny Pipit, but a pair of Greater Short-toed Lark and a male Subalpine Warbler were far more elusive. Migrants were in a short supply, but quality made up for the lack of quantity as a Wryneck gave superb views a it called form the branch of a pine tree and a couple of male Common Redstart also showed exceptionally well. A pair of Firecrest were also noted along with Booted Eagles. DAY FIVE saw us get superb views of displaying male and a pair of Balearic Warbler, as well as Spectacled Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Common Nightingale, Eleonora’s Falcon and migrants such as Pied Flycatcher, Common Redstart and Willow Warblers. DAY SIX produced more superb birds on the hottest day of the trip. Waders were much in evidence as we made our way to the south of the island and the Salt Pans. Grey Plover, Dunlin and Spotted Redshank were noted in breeding dress, while five Collared Pratincole hawked insects and rested at very close range. Five Greater Flamingo, Pied Avocet and Water Rail were also noted, along with our first Crested Lark and Gull-billed and Little Terns. Turtle Doves and Common Hoopoe were noted in several places, while a sea watch off Cap dos Selines produced some superb views of Cory’s and Balearic Shearwaters and large numbers of European Shag and a few Audouin’s Gull. We rounded off the day at the very picturesque site of Porto Colom, where we enjoyed excellent views of Pallid and Common Swift side by side as they fed over the clear blue seas. On DAY SEVEN heavy rain persisted throughout the morning and meant a trip into the mountains near Arta was abandoned. Instead, we had a quick look at Boquer Valley, where two Western Bonelli’s Warblers were new for the tour and where another cracking male Pied Flycatcher was present. We drove to Albufera Pools and Sewage Works and were rewarded with a pair of Marbled Teal resting on a bank and two Red-rumped Swallows and a Pallid Swift among a huge cloud of hirundines and Common Swifts. Other notable species here were Spotted Redshank, six European Bee-eater, Red Crested Pochard, Little Ringed Plover, Purple Heron and our first Common Pochard of the tour. Thankfully, the rain stopped mid afternoon and a walk around the grounds of the villa produced more Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, Stone Curlew, Woodchat Shrikes and Common Redstart. DAY EIGHT was our final morning and a walk around the grounds saw a couple of Booted Eagles and an Osprey over and a Tree Pipit to round off an excellent tour. We will be returning next year 24TH APRIL – 1ST MAY 2010 and if you would like to join us, please register your interest early as places are already limited.