25TH - 31ST DECEMBER

On Christmas Day a Short-eared Owl and Hen Harrier were at Llanrhidian Marsh, a Purple Sandpiper was at Locks Common and seventy Northern Lapwings, two Little Egrets and 21 Common Teal were at The Watermill Flood. A drake Northern Pintail was new at Kenfig Pool on Boxing Day, where there were also two Jack Snipe, 68 Northern Shoveler, eight Bullfinches and the Dartford Warbler. Five Black Redstarts were at Gileston on 27th and a drake Red Crested Pochard was in St Brides Major, Vale of Glamorgan. On the 28th, three Black Redstarts and a Common Chiffchaff were in Cardiff Bay, at least fifty Reed Buntings, fifty Yellowhammers and 100 Sky Larks were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm and the Red Crested Pochard was again in St Brides Major. A drake Greater Scaup was again at Cosmeston Lakes and four Little Egrets were at The Watermill Flood, while five Red-throated Divers and a Guillemot were at Sker. Up to eight Hen Harriers were at Llanrhidian Marsh – the best count by far in recent years, along with a Barn Owl and a Merlin. A wet and windy day on 29th saw three Blackcaps in a Port Talbot garden and another in Bridgend. Four Purple Sandpipers and 104 Northern Lapwings were at Ogmore Estuary and the Red Crested Pochard at St Brides was joined by 24 Eurasian Wigeon. On the 30th, three adult Little Gulls were at Gileston, the Yellow-browed Warbler was again at Kenfig Pool, the Red Crested Pochard in St Brides and fourteen Northern Fulmars were back on the breeding ledges at Cwm Nash. New Years Eve saw a Black Redstart again at Cardiff Bay, while Kenfig Pool held 28 Eurasian Wigeon and a female Northern Pintail. Three Little and four Mediterranean Gulls were at Ogmore Rivermouth, four Red-billed Choughs were on the seafront there and 78 Great Crested Grebe and 289 Common Pochard were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. Finally; Happy New Year and Good Birding to all.

MULL 22ND - 28TH JUNE 2007

Our inaugural MULL tour will now be based at The Pennyghael Hotel and not The Glenforsa as advertised. Please note that there are no single rooms left for this tour.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Its now coming up to 20.00 GMT on Christmas Eve 24th December 2006. Before going off for some festive cheer and to wrap the kids presents, I'd like to say a very big Thank You to all of you who have travelled with Celtic Bird Tours in 2006 and have helped to make it the most successful year ever. I very much hope that you will decide to join us again in 2007 for more amazing birding adventures!

In the meantime, Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Bird-filled New Year to everyone

Neil

17TH -24TH DECEMBER

On the 17th, we finally saw some frost and light winds and a flock of 64 Fieldfare were at Kenfig Pool, along with the Yellow-browed Warbler briefly, fourteen Water Rails, a Merlin at the river mouth, 32 Northern Shoveler and two Siskin. A Dartford Warbler was at Locks Common, Porthcawl, the Great Northern Diver was again at Barry Docks and a Hen Harrier and a Barn Owl were at Llanrhidian Marsh. Two Red-throated Divers were at Sker on 18th and the Great Northern Diver was again present at Barry Docks. Four Purple Sandpipers were at Newton Point, Porthcawl on the 20th, a Merlin was at Llanrhidian Marsh and eight Common Goldeneye, two Red-billed Chough and an adult Ring-billed Gull were at Ogmore Estuary. A Water Pipit, two male Hen Harriers and 55 Common Snipe were at Llwyn Onn Reservoir, Merthyr Tydfil. On the 21st four Black Redstarts and two Red-breasted Mergansers were at Gileston, a Eurasian Woodcock was at Cosmeston Lakes and thirteen Common Goldeneye, three Mediterranean Gulls and a Little Gull were at Ogmore Estuary. Two Green Sandpipers were at Hendre Lake, Cardiff. A Short-eared Owl was at Lamby Way, Cardiff on 22nd, while a Barnacle Goose of unknown origin, three Common Goldeneye, 48 Northern Shoveler, ten Eurasian Wigeon and a second winter Mediterranean Gull were at Kenfig Pool. On 23rd a Dark-bellied Brent Goose was at Ogmore Estuary, along with two Little Egrets, nineteen Common Teal and 54 Eurasian Curlew and two Dartford Warblers were at Maesteg. The adult Ring-billed Gull returned to Cosmeston Lakes today and a drake Greater Scaup was also there. Christmas Eve produced a Dartford Warbler on the east shore at Kenfig Pool and a Little Egret, 338 Eurasian Golden Plover, thirteen Eurasian Wigeon and four Red-throated Divers were at Kenfig Sands. A male Blackcap was at Sker, two Black Redstarts were at Gileston and a Brambling was at Mynydd Eglwysilian.

9TH - 16TH DECEMBER

On the 9th, two Little Gulls and a Black Redstart were at Gileston, A Great Bittern was at Kenfig Pool and five Dark-bellied Brent Geese were off Porthcawl. Another two Dark-bellied Brent Geese were at Ogmore Estuary along with five Common Goldeneye, while some excellent counts from Rhymney Estuary included 1200 Common Redshank, 1000 Dunlin and 220 Northern Lapwing. Great Skuas were seen there and also at Lavernock Point and a Black Redstart was at Cardiff Bay. Sea watching form Porthcawl on 10th produced 27 Black-legged Kittiwakes,35 Common Gulls, seven Northern Fulmar, one Great Skua, fourteen Common Scoter, three Dark-bellied Brent Geese, four Great Northern Divers, one Red-throated Diver, two Guillemot, thirteen Dunlin and five Sanderling. A wet and windy day on 11th saw a first winter Sabine’s Gull at Porthcawl, two adult Mediterranean Gulls at The Watermill Flood and one of the county’s latest ever Barn Swallows in Penarth. The Yellow-browed Warbler was again at Kenfig Pool on 12th and a Merlin was a good record in Bute Park, Cardiff. Three adult Mediterranean Gulls were at Ogmore Estuary. The 13th produced 112 Black-legged Kittiwakes off Mumbles Head, along with three Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver and 34 Guillemots. A male Hen Harrier was at Llanrhidian Marsh and an adult Mediterranean Gull was at Kenfig Sands. An Arctic Skua was off Porthcawl on 15th and a Great Northern Diver was on Barry Docks, Vale of Glamorgan. On the 16th three Red-throated Divers were at Sker.

1ST - 8TH DECEMBER - LEACH'S STORM PETREL WRECK

December 1st began with the Yellow-browed Warbler, Great Bitterns and Short-eared Owls again at Kenfig Pool, along with a Merlin and three different Song Thrushes singing on an incredibly mild start to the month. Three Green Sandpipers, three Dunlin, three Kingfishers and two Little Egrets were at Ogmore Estuary. A female Merlin was at Kenfig Rivermouth on 2nd, along with two Red-throated Divers and the Yellow-browed Warbler and a Kingfisher were at the pool. A Dartford Warbler and 100+ Redwing were in Pant Norton. A very big storm overnight on 3rd saw sea watching at Porthcawl produce fifteen Leach’s Storm Petrels, three European Storm Petrels, a very late Manx Shearwater, sixteen Common Scoter, twelve, Northern Fulmars, 25 Black-legged Kittiwakes, a dark phase Arctic Skua, two Red-throated Divers, four Red-billed Chough and an adult Mediterranean Gull. Three Leach’s Storm Petrels were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir and a Little Gull was at Ogmore Estuary. Another four Leach’s Petrels, a juvenile Long-tailed Skua and a Great Northern Diver were at Salthouse Point, North Gower. The Yellow-browed Warbler showed briefly at Kenfig Pool where there were at least five Chiffchaffs of three different races, two Little Gulls and a Northern Gannet. A first winter Iceland Gull was at Fendrod Lake, Swansea, a Great Bittern was at Cosmeston Lakes and a Merlin at Mynydd Eglwysilian. The 4th produced a wreck of Leach’s Storm Petrels all along the coast with an incredible 93 off Porthcawl, 27 off Kenfig Sands, nine off Port Eynon and three off Ogmore-by-Sea. Other seabird totals included two Little Gulls, thirty Razorbills and eighteen Common Guillemots at Port Eynon, a Great Skua, 95 Black-legged Kittiwakes and a Great Northern Diver at Porthcawl and three Razorbill and nine Black-legged Kittiwakes were also off Kenfig. Leach’s Storm Petrels continued to dominate the news on 5th with 56 off Porthcawl, a further 22 were off Kenfig Sands, another twelve off Mumbles, six off Newton Point, six at Loughor Bridge, two off Lavernock Point and one at Rhymney Estuary, Ogmore-by-Sea and Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir with another an amazing 40 miles inland at Tir Founder Fields, Aberdare. An adult and first winter Little Gull were at Ogmore Rivermouth, Great Skuas were at Lavernock Point and Porthcawl, eight European Storm Petrels were off Porthcawl, along with a Great Northern Diver, six Mediterranean Gulls were at Mumbles and a Great Bittern was at Kenfig Pool. Leach’s Storm Petrels continued to dominate on 6th with 30 at Loughor Bridge, 25 at Gileston, 32 at Porthcawl, ten at Kenfig Sands, five at Ogmore-by-Sea and singles at Kenfig Pool and Cardiff Bay. A Great Bittern as also at Kenfig Pool, a first winter Little Gull was again at Ogmore with another at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir, a Barn Swallow was a very late migrant at Cardiff Bay and two Black Redstarts and a Razorbill were at Gileston. The 7th was a very distressing and violently windy day as the wreck of Leach’s Storm Petrels continued unabated with many emaciated birds found on inland waters as the weather worsened. Totals included eighty plus over Kenfig Pool, 42 at Porthcawl, eleven at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir, nine at Loughor Bridge, eight at Lavernock Point, four at Ogmore-by-Sea, and singles at The Watermill Flood and Cardiff Bay. Inland birds included six in Bridgend, four in Maesteg, three in Ewenny, singles at Bryncethin, Briton Ferry and Trebanos [those who have been birding here will know this as the tip we visit for Red Kites] and a bird flying around a chip shop at North Cornelly near Kenfig. Many others were picked up dead. Other birds seen included a first winter Little Gull again at Ogmore Rivermouth, an Arctic Skua at Lavernock Point, a Great Skua, fifteen Northern Fulmars, eleven Black-legged Kittiwakes, a drake Red-breasted Merganser and a Red Knot at Porthcawl and two more Red Knot at Kenfig Pool.
With the wind finally abating on the 8th, the Leach’s Strom Petrel numbers were way down on previous days, though four were off Penarth, a single off Lavernock Point and two at Llanishen Reservoir, Cardiff. Four Great Skuas were off Lavernock Point, as were 250 Red Knot and an adult Little Gull and an Arctic Skua at Loughor Bridge, while two Great Northern Divers were off Kenfig Sands. A female Hen Harrier and Green Sandpiper were at Llanrhidian and 2000 Northern Pintail and 600 Dark-belled Brent Geese were on the Loughor Estuary. Two Common Sandpipers were at Rhymney Estuary and another was at Port Talbot and a Dartford Warbler was at Ogmore Estuary.

22ND - 30TH NOVEMBER

Rain all day again on 22nd meant little news other than a Ruddy Duck at Cosmeston Lake and three Brambling at Mountain Ash. A windy 23rd produced a Ruddy Duck at Lisvane Reservoir, five Black-legged Kittiwakes and an adult Mediterranean Gull at Kenfig Sands, while two Great Bitterns were at the pool and a Peregrine and two Blackcaps in Cardiff. Two Little Egrets and a Green Sandpiper were at The Watermill Flood on 24th when yet more heavy rain spoiled proceedings. A Great Bittern and three Mediterranean Gulls were seen briefly at Kenfig Pool. A calm day on 25th saw a newly arrived Short-eared Owl showing well at Kenfig Pool, where two Peregrines, a Water Rail and a Fieldfare were also present. Two Snow Buntings, a Northern Goshawk, Eurasian Woodcock and four Common Crossbills were in or over Afan Forest and a male Hen Harrier was at Mynydd Eglwysilian. The Short-eared Owl was again present at Kenfig Pool on 26th and two Great Bitterns were seen briefly again there as well as a Little Egret and two Peregrines. Four Short-eared Owls were at Rhymney Estuary, .Cardiff, along with two Green Sandpipers and two Black Redstarts and two Little Egrets were at Gileston. The 27th produced a Pale-bellied Brent Goose and four Red-billed Chough at Porthcawl and four European Shag at Kenfig Sands. At Whitford NNR, North Gower, counts included a Slavonian Grebe, Dark-bellied 300+ Brent Geese, 200+ Northern Pintail, 1000+ Eurasian Wigeon, 20 Common Eider, 100 Common Shelduck, two Red-breasted Mergansers, ten Little Egrets, 25 Bar-tailed Godwits, a fem/imm Merlin, a male Hen Harrier and two Common Chiffchaff. On the 28th, two Short-eared Owls were at Kenfig Pool and 100 Fieldfares were at Laleston, Bridgend. A further 100 Fieldfares were at Cosmeston Lake and a Green Sandpiper was still at The Watermill Flood. An astonishing record of an Alpine Swift came from Kenfig Pool on 29th and another very late migrant involved a Northern Wheatear at Cardiff Bay. The male Hen Harrier was again at Mynydd Eglwysilian, while sixteen Purple Sandpipers, 100 Eurasian Curlews and three Common Goldeneye were at Ogmore Estuary. The 30th produced a Yellow-browed Warbler at Kenfig Pool along with two Great Bitterns, 243 Common Pochard two Short-eared Owls, four Common Chiffchaffs and fourteen Fieldfare. Seven drake Velvet Scoters flying down channel at Ogmore-by-Sea was a Glamorgan record count of this uncommon migrant and was a terrific way to round off what had ultimately proved to be a difficult birding month.

SPECIAL OFFER CHINA

Owing to very favourable exchange rates, and flights at sensible prices, we are able to drop the cost of our China tour 8th – 20th May 2007 from £2450.00 to £1999.00 plus any single room supplement that applies. The tour offers amazing possibilities to watch those much wanted “sibes” in large numbers as they migrate through to the breeding grounds in Siberia and Japan. Full itinerary available on the Asia pages.There are now just TWO places remaining and includes accommodation, meals, flights and services of leaders and ground transport in China.
In order to be able to do this, we need people to book very quickly to secure the flights before they start to increase in cost too. If you are interested, please contact me ASAP - first come, first served.

Happy Birding
Neil

15TH -21ST NOVEMBER

The 15th produced more rain and just a Guillemot of note off Kenfig Sands. The 16th was slightly less wet, but windier, but eleven Purple Sandpipers at Ogmore-by-Sea was a good early winter count. A Green Sandpiper was also at The Watermill. More terrible weather on 17th saw a Dartford Warbler and 60 Fieldfare in Maesteg. The 18th produced a Merlin at Glynneath and two Red-billed Chough at Dunraven in between torrential showers – we really are paying for the dry summer and early autumn at present. Nine Bramblings were in the Cynon Valley at Mountain Ash. Yet another poor day on 19th saw two Bramblings in Porthcawl, 415 Oystercatchers at Kenfig Sands and a Kingfisher at the pool. The 20th produced a Bittern at Oxwich Marsh, South Gower, a Red-throated Diver at Kenfig Sands and a Brambling again in Porthcawl. Two Barn Owls were seen near Gelligaer early morning on 21st and another was at Tir Founder Fields. Seven Common Crossbills at Ogmore Estuary was a good record and a Little Egret was also there.

8TH - 14TH NOVEMBER

The 8th produced a late Osprey along the River Taff at Treforest, while the Long-tailed Duck and a Snow Bunting were at Cardiff Bay. The 9th was a gloriously sunny, windless day and with a flat calm sea, four Red-throated Divers, two Como Scoters and a Guillemot were showing well off Kenfig Sands. The Long-tailed Duck and Snow Bunting remained at Cardiff Bay. On the 10th, five Mediterranean Gulls included a new first winter bird at Kenfig Pool, where a Bittern was also present. A Siberian Chiffchaff was also there and six Red-billed Chough were at Locks Common, Porthcawl. A pair of Dartford Warblers was again in Maesteg, a Barn Owl was at Talbot Green and an interesting record involved a Ring Ouzel pecking insect from the back end of a cow at a garden centre in Cardiff! Five Red-billed Chough were again at Locks Common on 11th, a female Ring-necked Duck was a good find at Kenfig Pool and two Great Bitterns were also new in there. The Long-tailed Duck remained at Cardiff Bay, where a male Black Redstart was also present. The 12th saw two Great Bitterns again at Kenfig Pool, where there was no sign of yesterday’s Ring-necked Duck. At Pitton, South Gower a male Hen Harrier, seventeen Common Snipe, twelve Yellowhammer, 34 Stock Dove, three Blackcap and 55 Golden Plover were on some farmland. The 13th was a washed out start to the new week, but better weather on 14th saw three Black-legged Kittiwakes at Porthcawl, while Kenfig Pool held three adult Mediterranean Gulls and four Red-throated Divers were again offshore. Three Red-billed Choughs were still at Locks Common, Porthcawl and a Barn Owl was at Junction 37 of the M4.

1ST - 7TH NOVEMBER

November 1st was bright and chilly, in marked contrast to the rest of the autumn so far. An astonishing count of 25,000 Wood Pigeons were moving down channel from Nash Point in large flocks, making for an amazing spectacle over the channel. A Whooper Swan was at The Watermill, a ringtail Hen Harrier at Mynydd Eglwsyillian and two Dark-bellied Brent Geese at Sker. Three Ring Ouzels were still present at Dare Valley Country Park, while a Merlin and at least 150 Sky Larks were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm. The Snow Bunting was again at Dunraven. Another cold day on 2nd produced a Hen Harrier at Llanrhidian, a Red Kite at Ogmore Estuary and a Barn Owl at Llanharry. A Whooper Swan and the first three Common Goldeneye of the winter were at Kenfig Pool and a Long-tailed Duck showed very well at Cardiff Bay. Twenty Fieldfares were in Porthcawl, a Green Sandpiper and two Purple Sandpipers were at Ogmore Estuary, fifty Lesser Redpolls were at Mynydd Eglwysillian and a Dartford Warbler was again at Pant Norton, while three Ring Ouzels remained at Dare Country Park. On the 3rd, two Common Scoters, six Common Goldeneye, 309 European Oystercatchers, a Fieldfare, five Blackcaps and a Kingfisher were at Kenfig Pool and six Tree Sparrows were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm. Another cold day on the 4th produced three Ruddy Ducks at Kenfig Pool, a pair of Hen Harriers, a Green Sandpiper, a Greenshank, thirty Dark-bellied Brent Geese and at least 150 European Golden Plover at Llanrhidian Marsh. Five Red Kites were at Trebanos Tip, a Wood Lark was at Mewslade and two Jack Snipe and three Willow Tits were at Tir Founder Fields, Cynon Valley. On the 5th, the Long-tailed Duck was again at Cardiff Bay, where there were also two Greater Scaup, while Tyn-y-Caeau Farm produced two Merlins, four Tree Sparrows and good numbers of Yellowhammers and Sky Larks. Three Red-billed Chough were at Ogmore-by-Sea, two Mediterranean Gulls and a Little Egret were on the estuary and a Ring Ouzel was at nearby Pant Norton. A ringtail Hen Harrier was at Llanilid, along with 35 Common Snipe. A Black Redstart was at Aberthaw Power Station and 49 Eurasian Wigeon were on the sea there, along with a Dark-bellied Brent Goose and two Common Scoter. Three Red-billed Chough were in Porthcawl on 6th, a further nine were at Ogmore-by-Sea, where a Black Redstart was also present. An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Kenfig Pool, 420 Common Scoter were at Oxwich Bay and two Water Pipits and two Common Sandpipers were at Penclawdd. On the 7th, a Ring Ouzel was at Candleston and a Wood Lark and two Dartford Warblers were at Nant-y-Fyllon, Maesteg, while seven adult Mediterranean Gulls were at Kenfig Pool.

21ST -31ST OCTOBER

A Pallas’s Warbler was an excellent find at Middleton on Gower, along with a Black Redstart on 21st, a Turtle Dove was in Cardiff and a Black-tailed Godwit was at Ogmore Estuary. A Black Redstart was also in Cardiff Bay. The Pallas’s Warbler was still present at Middleton on 22nd and a Barn Owl was at Culverhouse Cross, Cardiff. Two Dartford Warblers were at Pant Norton, Ogmore and a Black-tailed Godwit remained at The Watermill Flood, while seven Ring Ouzels were near Aberdare. A Firecrest was at Mewslade on 24th and a Great Northern Diver flew over Kenfig Pool. A Black Redstart was at Bracelet Bay, Swansea and the Snow Bunting was again at Dunraven along with a Sandwich Tern. A Merlin and Brambling were the highlights at Nash Point. Three Ring Ouzels and a male Hen Harrier were at Craig Walter. The 25th was a total wash out with stair rods of rain and little news other than fifteen Grey Partridges at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm. A better day on 26th produced four Red-billed Choughs and a Northern Wheatear at Ogmore-by-Sea and an adult Mediterranean Gull and two Red Knot at Porthcawl. A Brambling was at Dunraven and a female Hen Harrier was a site first at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm. Two Peregrines were at Kenfig Pool on 27th and were watched pursuing a large flock of migrating Wood Pigeons, while hunting in tandem. An excellent count of 171 Common Pochard were on the pool and small numbers of overhead migrants included 275 Wood Pigeons, forty Chaffinches, four Siskins, five Redwings and 68 Eurasian Jackdaws. A Ring Ouzel and Brambling were at Nash Point and up to eight Tree Sparrows at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm. The 28th was another wash out with no news at all, but thankfully the 29th dawned bright and clear and visible migration at Kenfig Pool included 670 Wood Pigeons, 375 Redwings, fourteen Siskin, twenty Sky Larks and the first five Lesser Redpolls of the autumn. A Long-tailed Duck was at Cardiff Bay and a further 5500 Wood Pigeons were at Lisvane Reservoir, Cardiff. Another very wet day on the 30th produced an adult Yellow-legged Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull at Kenfig Pool. The 31st saw Common Pochard numbers at Kenfig Pool up to 219 and three Gadwall were new in on a very windy day. The Snow Bunting remained at Dunraven, but on the whole October has been rather disappointing this year.

15TH - 21ST OCTOBER

A female Marsh Harrier and a House Martin were at Kenfig Pool on 15th, a male Ring Ouzel was at Caerphilly and two Wood Larks were at Mewslade. Two Ring Ouzels were again at Lliw Reservoir on 16th and another was at Nash Point, where there was also heavy passage of Chaffinches. A Water Rail was in Cardiff Bay and small numbers of Redwings were seen at several sites. On the 17th, a Short-eared Owl was at Cwm Nash and a Snow Bunting and twelve Red-billed Chough were at nearby Dunraven. Two Northern Wheatears and 72 Ringed Plover were at Porthcawl, while overhead migration at Lavernock Point saw 230 Chaffinches, 5o Goldfinches, 55 Linnets, five Siskin, 185 Meadow Pipits and twelve Redwings passing. A Wood Lark at Nash Point on 18th was an excellent record and a Grey Plover was at Ogmore Estuary. Four Ring Ouzels were at Nant-y-Fyllon, Maesteg on 19th, another eight were at Craig Walter and the single remained at Nash Point, where there was also a Woodcock and a Firecrest. The 20th produced a Green Sandpiper, Back-tailed Godwit and sixteen Eurasian Wigeon at The Watermill Flood, the Snow Bunting remained at Dunraven and a ringtail Hen Harrier was at Mynydd Eglwysillian.

WEST CORNWALL

As ever our CORNWALL tour from 14th – 20th October produced some excellent autumn birding, scenery and superb food and service from our base at The Mount Haven Hotel. DAY ONE saw everyone arrive on time and we were soon on our way to the Hayle Estuary complex on an overcast, but mild afternoon. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the Spotted Sandpiper that showed very well at Hayle Estuary that was much appreciated by all. The remainder of the afternoon produced a few Little Egrets, Bar-tailed Godwits, large numbers of Eurasian Wigeon, but sadly no sign of the hoped for Least Sandpiper. DAY TWO dawned windy and overcast, but it soon warmed up as the sun burnt off the gloom and we enjoyed some excellent birding. Our first stop was at the famous valley at Porthgwarra and after a bit of anxious wait, we were able to get some good scope views of a Melodious Warbler in a garden. The wind meant that few passerines were showing, but we did get a few Common Chiffchaffs and Goldcrest and a small group of Barn Swallows flew over. A couple of European Sparrowhawk showed very well and a Peregrine and Common Kestrel hunted over the cliffs. A flock of 23 European Golden Plovers were on the moor and good numbers of Northern Gannets were passing offshore. We moved on to Copperhouse Creek and after a brief glimpse on arrival, and a wait while it roosted, our patience was rewarded with stunning views of the Least Sandpiper as it fed alongside a group of Dunlin, then flew close to us and was just thirty metres away as we scoped it. A brief stop at Hayle Estuary brought a few trip ticks with Ringed Plover, Common Teal and a lone Sandwich Tern, as well as more Mediterranean Gulls, Bar-tailed Godwits and Northern Lapwing. Our final stop was at Marazion Marsh, where species such as Moorhen and Little Grebe were added to the trip list. DAY THREE began with a brisk east wind again as we made our way to Lands End. A couple of Reed Buntings and a Northern Wheatear were new, but otherwise it was small groups of European Starlings, Sky Larks and Meadow Pipits passing overhead that grabbed our attention, along with a couple of hunting European Sparrowhawks and Common Kestrels and Northern Gannets offshore. Following being caught in a ferocious hailstorm, we found a cracking Yellow-browed Warbler, which lifted everyone’s spirits as it showed beautifully after we endured a right soaking! Lunch at Sennen Cove produced a flock of Ruddy Turnstone and a large bull Atlantic Grey Seal and a walk at the beautiful Nanquidno Valley saw us add two very showy Red-billed Chough and another Northern Wheatear. The warm afternoon sunshine produced a plethora of Red Admirals, as well as a Small Copper and a Clouded Yellow butterfly, which rounded off another excellent day. DAY FOUR began with torrential downpours and we wisely waited until this weather had passed before venturing out. We added Song Thrush and Redwing to the tour list at Kenidjack before the heavens opened again and we had to spend the next hour or so sheltering. Finally, we were able to walk down the valley, where plenty of common migrants such as Common Chiffchaffs, Goldcrest, Blackbirds, Stonechats, Blackcaps and Chaffinches could be seen. We heard another Yellow-browed Warbler and eventually managed fleeting views as it disappeared into a garden and out of sight. The afternoon was spent in warm sunshine in Cot Valley, but despite our best efforts, we seemed to be in the wrong place every time the newly arrived Barred Warbler showed. We had to make do with more of the common migrants seen earlier, as well as several sightings of Common Buzzards, Kestrels and European Sparrowhawks. Butterflies were much in evidence again with more Clouded Yellows, Painted Ladies and Red Admirals noted and a walk to the bottom of the valley produced a first winter Mediterranean Gull on the sea and a few passing Northern Gannets. Small numbers of Rock Pipits and a single Northern Wheatear completed the picture here. Our final stop was again at Marazion Marsh, this time at the seaward end where a Little Egret showed well and a distant Cetti’s Warbler was heard singing from a sallow. DAY FIVE was again pretty windy and proved a real challenge to find any birds. The valleys were again quiet with just a few common migrants encountered A second winter Mediterranean Gull was on the airfield and a walk at Nanquidno again produced two Red-billed Chough, as well as new trip birds in the form of a Bullfinch and a flock of Long-tailed Tits. Earlier in the day we had seen a brief Hummingbird Hawk Moth and an amazing Death Head’s Hawk Moth that was trapped overnight. News of an immature female Surf Scoter in Penzance reached us and we enjoyed excellent views of this bird close inshore. Also here were three Greater Scaup, two Sandwich Terns, a Razorbill and good numbers of Northern Gannets. Our final stop at Marazion produced more Little Egrets as well as a flock of Ruddy Turnstones and our first Sanderling of the tour. DAY SIX was much better day weather wise despite a very poor forecast and torrential overnight rain. Our first stop was at Drift Reservoir where we soon added the long staying Pink-footed Goose to the trip list, as well as Greylag and Tufted Duck. News of a Bluethroat saw us head to the next intended destination of Porthgwarra a little earlier than anticipated. No sign of that bird, but we did get excellent views of a female type Marsh Harrier and a late Sedge Warbler while we looked, as well as a few Common Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests while we sheltered from a heavy shower. More common migrants were in Kenidjack Valley, but the highlight was a Siberian Chiffchaff found in the lower sallows. Once again, we saw several Red Admirals, and Clouded Yellow butterflies and a Hummingbird Hawk Moth. DAY SEVEN dawned cloudy, but calm, so it was perhaps surprising that we chose to go sea watching! We initially drove to the bottom of Cot Valley with the intention of searching for any missing passerines, but as we noticed streams of passing Northern Gannets and distant auks, we drove instead to Pendeen. Thousands ore Gannets went past along with large numbers of Razorbills, Guillemots and Black-legged Kittiwakes. Careful observation produced eight Common Scoters a Great Skua and five Balearic Shearwaters; all seen well and all new for the trip. By mid morning passage had died off and we were just wondering where to make our last stop when news of a Long-eared Owl at Lands End came through. We drove straight there and had scope views of what was as usual a very skulking bird – a great end to a tour that had produced some superb birds in often testing conditions. As we were driving past, we called in briefly at Drift Reservoir for lunch and a quick view of the Pink-footed Goose, which was sound asleep! Next Year’s tour is run in conjunction with Bird Watching magazine from 13th – 19th October and already has limited availability.

8TH - 14TH OCTOBER

On the 8th two Grey Plover and ten Ringed Plover were new at Kenfig Sands and an adult Mediterranean Gull and Common Sandpiper were at the pool. The first winter Little Gull was again at Ogmore Estuary, the Snow Bunting again on North Gower and four Ring Ouzels and a Merlin were at Cwmparc. Two Common Terns were at Cardiff Bay and two Black Terns remained at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. A quiet day on the 9th produced a late Sedge Warbler at Ogmore Estuary as well as a Dartford Warbler and Kenfig Pool had two adult Mediterranean Gulls, a Common Sandpiper, a Common Redshank and a Northern Wheatear. Two Common Terns were still at Cardiff Bay and a Hobby was again at Nash Point. Four adult Mediterranean Gulls were at Port Talbot Harbour on 10th, a Black Tern was at Lamby Lake, Cardiff and three Ring Ouzels were at Hirwaun. The first two Firecrests of the autumn were at Kenfig Pool and finally some overhead migration was noticeable with a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 38 Pied Wagtails, 50 Greenfinches, five Northern Lapwings, three Siskin and six Barn Swallows passing and the bushes held six Blackcaps and eight Goldcrests. A Ring Ouzel was again at Cwmparc and a Ruff was at The Watermill, Ogmore Estuary.Another very wet day on 11th saw one Firecrest still at Kenfig Pool, along with thirteen Northern Lapwings, twenty Barn Swallows, two Water Rails and eight Blackcaps. The 12th produced eleven Eurasian Wigeon and three Northern Pintail at Kenfig Pool and Lavernock Point produced two late Tree Pipits, nine Common Scoter and 370 Barn Swallows. A male Ring Ouzel was at Dare Country Park Aberdare and a Merlin was at Lavernock Point. A Merlin, Marsh Tit and a Ring Ouzel were at Lliw Reservoir on 13th and another Merlin, twenty Tree Sparrows, 100 Linnets and forty Goldfinches were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm feeding station. The 14th produced a Ring Ouzel and 35 Redwings at Dare Country Park and a Merlin at Sker.

SOUTH AFRICA 2008

OUR South Africa tour planned for 2008 has almost filled prior to publication of the dates. There is just one place remaining on this fantastic 11 day trip from 30th October – 10th November 2008; please see TOUR section on the website for further details.

1ST - 7TH OCTOBER

1st October dawned wet and windy but still offered some interesting bird activity. Seven showy male Ring Ouzels and a Black Redstart were at Cwmparc, Rhondda. Three Black-tailed Godwits were at Ogmore Estuary and a Whinchat was still at Kenfig Pool, while Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir had two Common and a Little Tern. More rain on the 2nd produced two Sandwich Terns and two Common Scoter off Ogmore-by-Sea and two Mediterranean Gulls were on the estuary there. Five Black Terns were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir and the Little Tern remained from yesterday, as did the two Common Terns in Cardiff Bay. The 3rd produced a Wryneck at Nash Point, Vale of Glamorgan which was seen well on a couple of occasions during the day. A fly through Honey Buzzard was at Kenfig Pool and a flock of 42 European Golden Plovers on the beach at Kenfig Sands. Passerine migrants were still in very short supply, but the first Coal Tit of the autumn arrived and a Common Sandpiper was on the east pool shore. A Little Stint was a Loughor Bridge and the five Black Terns remained at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. A Little Tern was at Rhymney Estuary, Cardiff. There was no sign of the Wryneck at Nash Point on the 4th, but a splendid juvenile Hobby and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were both unexpected there. Nine Grey Partridges were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm along with up to ten Tree Sparrows. Two Black Terns remained at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir and a Bittern was at Kenfig Pool. A very wet day on the 5th produced two Mediterranean Gulls and eight Common Scoters off Porthcawl and just a Common Sandpiper and a Northern Wheatear at Kenfig Pool. Sea watching at Porthcawl on 6th brought a Black Tern, Little Tern, eight Manx Shearwaters and six Common Scoters. A further three Black Terns were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir, along with an Arctic Tern. An adult Yellow-legged Gull and a Common Tern were in Cardiff Bay and a Little Gull and five Mediterranean Gulls were was at Ogmore Estuary. The first Redwings of the autumn were a flock of 35 at Lliw Reservoir, Swansea on 7th and the three Black Terns were still at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir, along with three Common Sandpipers. The Little Gull was again at Ogmore Estuary and a Merlin, ninety Golden Plover and 32o European Oystercatchers were at Kenfig Sands. A Snow Bunting and fifteen Brent Geese were at Salthouse Point, North Gower.

Our NORFOLK “BUSH BASH” took place from 24th – 30th September and was led for the first time by Ashley Saunders. Despite some difficult weather, the group managed to see some exciting birds, though few passerines were in evidence this year. The highlight was undoubtedly the juvenile Pallid Harrier at Winterton, which showed exceptionally well on our second attempt and we also saw two adult Common Cranes there for good measure. Several Red-throated Divers, Northern Gannets and Arctic Skuas were seen offshore and a couple of adult Mediterranean Gulls and Little Terns were also noted. Shorebirds as ever were spectacular at this time of year with large numbers of Little Stints and Curlew Sandpiper present along with four Spotted Redshanks and big arrivals of Eurasian Golden Plovers, Black-tailed Godwits and Red Knot. Marsh Harriers provided the main raptor interest, but we also had splendid views of a couple of Eurasian Hobbies and Peregrines. The first Pink-footed Geese were beginning to arrive and other wildfowl included Common Scoters, Common Eider, Northern Pintail and Brent Geese, and, as ever, Bearded Tits were very showy and very popular. Other highlights included good numbers of Grey Partridges, Garden Warbler and several Kingfishers.

22ND - 30TH SEPTEMBER

On the 22nd a Wryneck was in Cardiff Bay, where there were also a Green Sandpiper and Yellow Wagtail. Three Black Terns were at Hendre Lake, Cardiff and another two were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. Two Little Stints, a Ruff, a Hobby, 100 Black-tailed Godwits and 50 Red Knot were at Goldcliff Pill. The 23rd produced three Curlew Sandpipers and two Little Stints at Loughor Bridge, Gower. Five Black Terns were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir, while another two were at Lisvane Reservoir along with a Common Tern and another Black Tern and two Little Stints were at Kenfig Pool. A Common Tern was at Salthouse Point and shorebird counts there included 5000 Oystercatchers and 1000 Curlew and a Hobby and a Willow Tit were at Tir Founder Fields, Aberdare. The 24th produced a cracking Hobby at Kenfig Pool, where the Black Tern and one Little Stint remained, along with a Whinchat, two Yellow Wagtails, a Sedge Warbler, two Whitethroat, nine Blackcaps and two Common Snipe. Three Common Terns were at Cardiff Bay and a further three Black Terns and a Little Ringed Plover were at Lisvane Reservoir. A Dartford Warbler was at Sker Farm on 25th, while the unfortunate Black Tern at Kenfig Pool was taken by a pair of hunting Peregrines. Also present there were a 1000 Barn Swallows, a Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat, two Wheatears, four Reed Warblers and a Sedge Warbler. Three Black Terns were still at Lisvane Reservoir and a Firecrest was at Lavernock Point. Six Mediterranean Gulls were in Porthcawl and a Red Kite was over Pant Norton, Ogmore Estuary. Three Little Stints were at Loughor Bridge. The 26th produced an Arctic Tern and two late Common Swifts at Kenfig Pool, along with a Whinchat, Sedge Warbler and 38 European Robins. Five Black Terns and a Common Sandpiper were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir and an Osprey flew north over Cosmeston Lakes, Vale of Glamorgan. A Hobby and a Firecrest were at Lavernock Point. Three Black and an Arctic Tern were again at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir on 27th, while Sker had a Red Knot, a Bar-tailed Godwit, four European Golden Plover, a Whinchat and a European Shag of note. Three Green Sandpipers and two Mediterranean Gulls were at Ogmore Estuary. The 28th brought an Osprey to Talygarn Lake, Vale of Glamorgan and another to Lliw Reservoir, Swansea, while four Green Sandpipers were at The Watermill Flood, Ogmore Estuary. Tyn-y-Caeau Farm feeding station held 100 Sky Larks, fifty Linnets, thirty Yellowhammers and 200 European Starlings and a Black Tern was at Cosmeston Lakes. Heavy rain on 29th meant birding opportunities were limited, but seven Common Snipe and a Dunlin at Kenfig Pool were new in, and forty Barn Swallows and a Sedge Warbler were present. Two Common Terns were at Cardiff Bay. Two Red-billed Chough at Sker House was an unprecedented record on 30th, though unfortunately they soon moved east. A Quail was also flushed from the tiny Sker Pool. At Kenfig Pool, some visible migration was finally noted with 110 Meadow Pipits thirteen Sky Larks, nine Siskins and twenty Chaffinches.

15TH - 22ND SEPTMBER

The 16th produced a Black-tailed Godwit and Black Tern at Lisvane Reservoir, Cardiff and a Little Ringed Plover was there on 17th. The same day also saw an adult Yellow-legged Gull, 735 Common Shelduck, 300 Common Redshank and 24 Northern Pintail at Rhymney Estuary, Cardiff. A Common Redstart, Whinchat, 413 Eurasian Oystercatcher, three Red Knot and 52 Sky Larks were at Sker. The Little Ringed Plover was still at Lisvane Reservoir on 19th, where there were also 24 Little Grebes. On the 20th, ten Curlew Sandpipers and four Mediterranean Gulls arrived at Blackpill at the same time as our group! Other species seen today included five Chough and 24 Sandwich Terns at Rhossilli, ten Northern Gannets, a drake Common Scoter, 100 Barn Swallows and a Willow Warbler at Mewslade and a Whinchat at Llanilid. A South East gale on 21st brought a Black Tern, Black-tailed Godwit and Whinchat to Kenfig Pool, a Marsh Harrier to Llangennith, Gower and nine Choughs to Ogmore-by-Sea. On the 22nd a Wryneck was in Cardiff Bay, where there were also a Green Sandpiper and Yellow Wagtail. Three Black Terns were at Hendre Lake, Cardiff and another two were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. Two Little Stints, a Ruff, a Hobby, 100 Black-tailed Godwits and 50 Red Knot were at Goldcliff Pill.

DEVON

Our inaugural DEVON tour with myself and Paul Roberts as leaders went extremely well with generally superb weather and an interesting array of birds. DAY ONE was a gentle hour or so introduction at Slapton Ley where a Peregrine plucking a kill, large numbers of migrating Swallows and House Martins, a couple of Cetti’s Warblers, Ruddy Ducks and Clouded Yellow butterflies were the highlights on a fabulously sunny afternoon. DAY TWO was again blessed with glorious weather as birded various sites on the Exe Estuary. A very brief Spotted Crake was the highlight at Dawlish Warren, where a few Wheatears, Whitethroats and a Whinchat were the only passerines of note, though a Great Spotted Woodpecker was a good fly over record. Offshore just a Bar-tailed Godwit and some Sandwich Terns were of note. Bowling Green Marsh produced some excellent wader watching with four Avocets, five Curlew Sandpipers, a Little Stint, six Greenshanks, two Spotted Redshanks, eight Knot and a Grey Plover as well as large flocks of Dunlin and Redshank as well as an early Brent Goose. Finally an adult Mediterranean Gull was at Powderham. DAY THREE was again quiet for migrants with just a Spotted Flycatcher and a few Blackcaps and Common Chiffchaffs of note at Prawle Point. However, we did get exceptionally good views of Cirl Bunting here, as well as an unexpected Whimbrel. Sea watching in rather difficult, misty conditions produced plenty of Northern Gannets, a few Black-legged Kittiwakes, Common Terns, Guillemots and a European Shag. The FINAL DAY saw some good sea watching at Berry Head, where large numbers of Black-legged Kittiwakes and Northern Gannets were offshore and we also enjoyed excellent views of two Arctic Skuas and a lingering Balearic Shearwater. We saw seven more Cirl Buntings, but once again passerine migrants were almost non-existent. We ended the tour with a respectable count of 97 species along with interesting Lepidoptera such as Convulvus Hawk Moth and Pale Clouded Yellow butterfly.

7TH - 14TH SEPTEMBER

The Semi-palmated Sandpiper was again present at Goldcliff on the 8th and a wildfowl influx took place at Kenfig Pool with nine Shelduck, thirteen Common Teal, seven Northern Shoveler, five Ruddy Ducks, 56 Tufted Duck, 54 Common Pochard and a pair of Eurasian Wigeon. Two Dunlin, two Kingfishers and a Common Snipe were also present. The Black-necked Grebe was again at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. The 9th at Landimore, North Gower produced a Wood Sandpiper that was pushed up out of a ditch at high tide in the evening. Other species seen of interest included 27 Pintail, 3000 Oystercatchers, 65 Ringed Plover, 400 Dunlin, 380 Curlew, Greenshank, two Green Sandpipers, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 59 Great Black-backed Gulls & three Wheatears. A female Northern Pintail was new in at Kenfig Pool and the Semi-palmated Sandpiper remained at Goldcliff. On the 10th an Osprey was over Pant Norton, Ogmore, while a record count of 357 Sanderling were at Kenfig Sands along with 34 Ringed Plover. At the pool, a Bar-tailed Godwit, six Curlews and two Dunlin were on the east pool shore and a Common Redstart, Sedge Warbler, six Common Whitethroats, eighteen Blackcaps, two Jays and a Little Egret were present. A Great White Egret was present very briefly a Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. The 11th brought the first Icterine Warbler for the county for almost fifteen years when a bird was trapped and ringed in Mewslade on South Gower. On the 12th, the only news was of an adult Mediterranean Gull, nine Eurasian Wigeon and a Yellow Wagtail at Kenfig Pool. The 13th was also quiet with two female Pintail at Kenfig Pool, along with an increase of Shoveler to 23 and a Sedge Warbler of note. On the 14th a Grasshopper Warbler was at Blaen-y-cwm, Nash Point and a Green Sandpiper was at Ogmore Estuary. Four Common Snipe, two Wheatears and two Reed Warblers were at Kenfig Pool on a very wet morning.

MOROCCO

Our tour to Morocco 7th - 17th February 2007 is now full, but we can take bookings for 2008 though dates are yet to be announced. With a whole host of interesting birds and cultural aspects to enjoy, this tour is sure to be popular. If you would like further details,or wish to reserve a place, please conatct Neil on 07971 983227.

New Website

Tour Leader Gerard Gorman has a new website, dedicated solely to THE WOODPECKERS OF EUROPE www.woodpeckersofeurope.info and contains a wealth of information on these fascinating birds, along with some great pictures. All of the species included [though not necessarily all at the same time] can be seen on our tours led by Gerard to Hungary, Czech Republic and Romania.

1st - 7th September 2006

September 1st began with another Arctic Skua, sixteen Manx Shearwaters, a Sandwich Tern and two Harbour Porpoise off Porthcawl, along with three Wheatears. The 2nd produced a Black-necked Grebe at Kenfig Pool and a Sandwich and a Black Tern at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. The Black and Sandwich Terns were still at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir on 3rd when a Swift, three Shelduck and a Black-necked Grebe were also present. The 4th produced a Spotted Flycatcher at Kenfig and the Black-necked Grebe and Black Tern were again at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. Two Sandwich Terns were in Cardiff Bay and two Yellow Wagtails and 200 Swallows were at Lavernock Point. An Osprey, male Hen Harrier, Barn Owl and Green Sandpiper were at Llanrhidian Marsh in the evening. On the 5th two Ring Ouzels were at Cwmparc in the Rhondda Valley. The 6th produced a couple of Sedge Warblers, four Chiffchaffs and a Little Egret at Kenfig Pool, two Mediterranean Gulls in Porthcawl and a small fall of migrants at Blaen-y-cwm where three Yellow Wagtails, a Whinchat, Common Redstart and three Choughs were present. Two Tree Sparrows and fifteen Yellowhammers were at the feeding station at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm and the Black-necked Grebe and a Little Egret were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. The 7th brought late news of a juvenile Semi-palmated Sandpiper at Goldcliff Pools yesterday evening, but there was no sign of the bird today. Also present there were a Little Stint, two Spotted Redshank and two Ruff. Signs of passerine migration at Kenfig despite another north westerly wind included two Grey Wagtails, a Tree Pipit, sixteen Blackcaps, a Wheatear, a Whinchat and two Sedge Warblers. Also present were a record count of 257 Canada Geese, a Peregrine, 71 Sanderling, a Clouded Yellow and a showy Red Fox. At Single Common Redstarts and Yellow Wagtail were at Lavernock Point and Dunraven Walled Gardens and a Whinchat was also present at the latter, while at the former, a Lesser Whitethroat and 1500 Barn Swallows were also noted. A Hummingbird Hawk Moth on a Buddleia in the office garden was a very pleasant distraction to the weeding that I was carrying out at the time!

South Wales Weekly Bird News

This new feature allows you to keep up with what's being seen by Neil or other Celtic Bird Tours leaders on our daily birding excursons in South Wales. Beginning in September 2006, we hope that you enjoy seeing what migrants we are finding and that you will join us for a tour here in the underwatched county of Glamorgan.

FAIR ISLE

Our Fair Isle tour for 2007 is starting to fill up nicely. The revised dates are now 1st - 8th October and it is the intention to travel up from Stansted on the first day in the morning and last day back there in the late afternoon - subject to availability of flights. If you would like to reserve a place, please note that we have a strict January deadline for final balances for this tour. Cost £799.00 per person. £50.00 Single Room Supplement. Deposit £350.00. Maximum group size of six plus leader. For more details visit the web page and see our previous tour reports from this magical island.

UPDATE as of 22/12/2006 - Flight now from Edinburgh to Shetland owing to the cancelling of operations from Stansted by Atlantic Airways. TWO PLACES REMAINING.

South Wales August/September 2006 Tour

Our SOUTH WALES tour from 29th August – 3rd September produced some excellent birding and enjoyable experiences for all concerned. Our first afternoon was spent in the valley at Pant Norton where a good selection of migrant passerines included Spotted Flycatcher, Lesser and Common Whitethroats, Willow Warblers and Blackcaps, as well as a juvenile Yellowhammer begging for food from a male. Three Sparrowhawks and a Stoat rounded off a nice introduction to the tour in warm sunshine. Day Two was spent on North Gower where we excelled ourselves with two Ospreys perched on posts at Wernffrwd, at least two Peregrines, twenty Greenshank, three Spotted Redshanks, 150 Black-tailed Godwits in a wide array of plumages, a couple of Pintail, 35 Common Eider, 2000 Oystercatchers, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, Kingfisher and large numbers of Little Egrets, Eurasian Curlews and Common Shelducks, which all made for a great spectacle. Day Three produced great views of more Little Egrets, Spotted Redshanks, Greenshanks and other waders including Green Sandpiper, Ruff, Common Snipe, Little Ringed and Ringed Plovers, Northern Lapwings, Knot and Dunlin as well as large numbers of Common Teal, Common Shelducks and Northern Shovelers at Goldcliff Reserve on the Gwent Levels. We also found a late Common Swift and a Grey Wagtail and Dipper at Candleston near Bridgend on a windy but humid day. Day Four was windy and sea watching was the most productive aspect of the tour with an Arctic Skua, sixteen Manx Shearwaters, five Common Scoters, a Sandwich Tern and two Harbour Porpoises offshore, along with three Northern Wheatears on the seafront. New waders for the tour at Sker Point were 150 Sanderling and a small count of Ruddy Turnstone, but we also enjoyed excellent views of a hunting Peregrine and a large display of Autumn Ladies Tresses that were pointed out to us by Carole. The highlight of a very windy day five was a Black-necked Grebe at Kenfig Pool, but otherwise, we noted just a Common Sandpiper, a couple of Northern Fulmars, our first Rock Pipits and a few Speckled Wood butterflies – ultimately rewarding after a very difficult day, where the wind was not really conducive to any type of birding at all as it was also from the wrong direction for sea watching! Our final morning began at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir, where we soon picked up the Sandwich Tern and quickly after a Common Swift was found. News of a Black-necked Grebe near the entrance reached us and we were rapidly in place to enjoy excellent views of what was almost certainly the same bird as at Kenfig yesterday. After much searching, we picked up the Black Tern that was first found yesterday and we watched this bird for some time as it flew back and forth along the reservoir – a very nice bird indeed. We stopped briefly at the northern end of Kenfig National Nature Reserve where a large flock of Barn Swallows were feeding, but principally we looked at flowers enjoying more Autumn Ladies Tresses, as well as Vipers Bugloss, Common Toadflax and Evening Primrose and butterflies that included Grayling, Small Heath and Meadow Brown. We concluded the tour at Bridgend station where we said our farewells after what had been a very successful and enjoyable few days birding.

Isles of Scilly [18th - 21st August 2006]

THE inaugural Isles of Scilly Pelagic Weekend was fully subscribed and was a superb birding experience for all of those who came. The group gelled extremely well and really worked as a team, and along with the considerable expertise of principal guide Bob Flood and skipper Joe Pender plus assorted helpers, we achieved everything the trip was set up for, as well as having a great time on these magical islands. As ever, we are at the forefront of exploring innovative and ground breaking new tours and we managed to get the timing of this one spot on. one thing is for certain, you don’t EVER get views of birds like you do from a smaller boat from the super ferries and that’s where this sort of trip has it’s greatest appeal. From the moment we met on the quay at Penzance in glorious sunshine and virtually no wind, we knew we were on to a winner. On the whole the weather stayed kind to us throughout our four day tour with the return cruise to Penzance feeling more like a Mediterranean cruise than UK waters such was the calmness of the sea and the intensity of the sun! The final totals of eleven Wilson’s Storm Petrels, 230+ European Storm Petrels, 26 Great Shearwaters, two Cory’s Shearwaters, fourteen Sooty Shearwaters, two Balearic Shearwaters, 25 Great Skua, one Long-tailed Skua, one Black Tern, two Little Terns, plus Arctic Terns, Common Terns, Puffin, Kittiwakes, Manx Shearwaters and are impressive enough, but when you consider that the vast majority of these birds were seen right off the back of the boat then the true sense of experiencing something special becomes apparent. Land birding also produced some exciting moments with Aquatic Warbler, Bluethroat, Spoonbill and Peregrine among the highlights as well as an unidentified Hippolais warbler that was seen briefly by some and thought to have been a Melodious Warbler. We also noted Harbour Porpoises, Atlantic Grey Seals, Common Dolphins and a lone Minke Whale. Watching the tagging and releasing of four Blue Sharks was another exciting and important aspect of the trip that does so much to try and help with the conservation and understanding of these often misunderstood creatures. For anyone with an interest in seabird identification, I can’t recommend this tour highly enough. We return next year from 17th – 20th August. STOP PRESS - Just one place remaining as of 22/12/2006