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.