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.