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.