24TH - 31ST DECEMBER 2007

The Spotted Sandpiper was still at Lisvane Reservoir on the 24th, an adult Yellow-legged Gull was at Cosmeston Lakes and a pair of Willow Tits were at Llwyn On Reservoir. The first winter Little Gull and six Little Egrets were at Gileston. Christmas Day and the Spotted Sandpiper was again present at Lisvane Reservoir, while 100 Sanderling were on Aberavon Beach. A pair of Greater Scaup were at Cosmeston Lakes and a Short-eared Owl was again at Llanilid. On the 26th, two male Blackcaps were in a Cardiff garden, four Grey Plover and five Mediterranean Gulls were at Porthcawl. A Short-eared Owl was again at Llanilid, nineteen Northern Fulmar and seven Red-billed Chough were at Nash Point. The Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir and a Great Bittern was at Kenfig Pool. On the 27th an amazing count of 24 Purple Sandpiper were at Ogmore-by-Sea, a Mediterranean Gull and second winter Yellow-legged Gull were at Lisvane Reservoir and six Green Sandpiper and a Little Owl were at Pendoylan and a two Great Bittern, a Siberian Chiffchaff and a Jack Snipe were at Kenfig Pool. On the 28th a Firecrest was in Pant Norton, two Great Bittern and four adult Mediterranean Gulls were at Kenfig Pool and the Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir. A Dipper was in Bridgend town centre and an excellent count of 1094 Northern Lapwing were near Lan Farm. A Short-eared Owl and a Black-tailed Godwit were at Lamby Way. A further two hundred Northern Lapwing were at The Watermill Flood. Two Greater Scaup were at Cosmeston Lakes on 29th and a Green Sandpiper was near Caerphilly. Fifteen Common Crossbill, two Peregrine, a Northern Goshawk and Red Kite were all near Maesteg and 102 Sky Larks, 55 Stock Dove and ten Red-legged Partridge were at Laleston near Bridgend. Another Northern Goshawk was at Llantrisant Forest along with 100 Brambling and a male Hen Harrier was at Llanrhidian Marsh. On the 30th, the Spotted Sandpiper was again present at Lisvane Reservoir, while Kenfig Pool had a female Merlin and a first winter Black-legged Kittiwake and two Common Scoter, two Purple Sandpiper and seven Red Knot were offshore at Kenfig Sands. At least 1000 Brambling were again at Tair Onnen and a Great Grey Shrike and five Common Crossbill were at Perthcelyn. Two Short-eared Owls were at Llanilid and a Firecrest and Dartford Warbler were at Pant Norton. New Years Eve and the final day of the year brought some excellent birding with Whitford NNR producing 37 Common Eider, eight Slavonian Grebe, five Red-breasted Merganser and the usual thousands of Red Knot, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Common Redshank and Eurasian Curlew. Male Hen Harriers were at Cwm Ivy and Llanrhidian and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was in Bute Park, Cardiff. A Merlin and two Red Kite were at Merthyr Common and an amazing count of 200 Coal Tits were in Llantrisant Forest. Another Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was at Margam Park and two Greater Scaup were again at Cosmeston Lakes. Another five Common Eider were at Rhymney Estuary and two Willow Tit were at Tir Founder Fields.

Finally, I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who travelled with CELTIC BIRD TOURS in 2007 - we've seen some amazing birds and enjoyed some fabulus travel experiences and I look forward to many ore in 2008. Happy New Year and Good Birding to you all.

17TH - 23RD DECEMBER 2007

A hard frost on 17th saw a Common Greenshank at Penclawdd and a mini influx of wildfowl at Kenfig Pool included 34 Eurasian Wigeon, 53 Northern Shoveler, 36 Common Teal and a Siberian Chiffchaff. A Black Redstart was again at Swansea University and two Green Sandpipers and six Water Rail were at Hendre Lake. On the 18th a Great Bittern, Firecrest and female Goosander were at Kenfig Pool. Two Slavonian Grebe, 330 Common Shelduck, 1040 Northern Pintail, 80 Northern Shoveler, nine Greater Scaup were at Wernffrwd and a Common Sandpiper was at Penclawdd Pill. Freezing again on the 19th and a female Merlin, three European Sparrowhawk, a drake Goosander, six Gadwall, two Yellowhammer and a Great Bittern were at Kenfig Pool. A Black Redstart was at Cardiff University, a Jack Snipe at Rhymney Estuary and a Short-eared Owl was at nearby Newton Farm, while thirty two Common Goldeneye were at Ogmore Estuary. On the 20th, the Spotted Sandpiper was still at Lisvane Reservoir and several hundred Brambling were again at Tair Onnen. A Dark-bellied Brent Goose was at Kenfig Pool. On the 21st a Jack Snipe was at Kenfig Pool, along with a Peregrine, 44 Eurasian Wigeon, eleven Gadwall, a Siberian Chiffchaff and a Ruddy Turnstone. A hundred and thirty Common Teal were at The Watermill Flood. The 22nd produced a Great Bittern at Cosmeston Lakes, along with a drake Greater Scaup, 370 Common Pochard and 165 Tufted Duck. Eight Brambling were at Llantrisant Forest and six Tree Sparrows were at Newton Farm, Gower. A first winter Little Gull was at Gileston and three Dark-bellied Brent Geese were at Newton Beach, Porthcawl. On the 23rd, two Barn Owls were at St Athan and a Peregrine and two hundred Redwing were in Bridgend. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir and two Hawfinch were at Tair Onnen. Two Short-eared and a Barn Owl were at Llanilid at dusk.

10TH - 16TH DECEMBER 2007

A glorious day on the 10th produced a Great Bittern, Peregrine, 28 Fieldfare, forty Common Snipe, a Common Kingfisher, a Brown Hare and a Common Redshank at Kenfig Pool. An amazing count of 500 Brambling were at Tair Onnen near Cardiff, a Firecrest was at Pant Norton and a Dartford Warbler and Black Redstart, two drake Common Scoter, three Great Northern Diver and thirty Mediterranean Gull were at Mumbles. A Hen Harrier was at Mynydd Margam and two Greater Scaup were at Cosmeston Lakes. A cold and frosty day on the 11th produced two Barn Owls at Culverhouse Cross, Cardiff and a Eurasian Woodcock at Tondu, Bridgend. Another Eurasian Woodcock was at Candleston, where five Common Chiffchaff were also present. A Hawfinch and an amazing count of 1000 Brambling were at Tair Onnen and the Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir. Two Black Redstarts were at Swansea University. A Barn Swallow at Nash Point on the 12th was a very late record. Two Hen Harriers were at Llanrhidian Marsh, while Kenfig Pool was busy with four Great Bittern, three Peregrine, a female Merlin, a Eurasian Woodcock, eighteen Eurasian Wigeon and a Brown Hare. Another cold day on the 13th saw a Yellow-browed Warbler in the southern bushes at Kenfig Pool, alongside a Siberian Chiffchaff and a Great Bittern was in the west pool. A Northern Goshawk was near Bridgend and the Black Redstart was again in Swansea Marina. A Water Pipit was at Llwyn On Reservoir near Merthyr Tydfil. On the 14th, a Siberian Chiffchaff and Yellow-browed Warbler were again at Kenfig Pool, while Rhymney Estuary had a Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 400 Dunlin, 36 Grey Plover, 185 Northern Pintail, 360 Common Shelduck and 145 Eurasian Curlew of note. The Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir and a first winter male Black Redstart was at Gileston. Three Green Sandpipers were at Ogmore Estuary and 500 Brambling were again at Tair Onnen. On the 15th, the Black Redstart was again at Gileston and a Short-eared Owl was again at Kenfig Pool. Sadly, the Humpbacked Whale was found dead on the beach at Aberavon. A bitterly cold day on the 16th found the Black Redstart again at Gileston, the Spotted Sandpiper at Lisvane Reservoir, the drake Red Crested Pochard in St Bride’s Major and two Water Pipits at Llwyn On Reservoir. Two Eurasian Woodcock were at Norton Woods, Ogmore Estuary, another was at nearby Candleston and nine Tree Sparrow, a Green Sandpiper and four Grey Plover were at Newton Farm, Gower. Two Hawfinch were at Tair Onnen.

1ST - 9TH DECEMBER 2007

DECEMBER began with really poor weather. The two Siberian Chiffchaffs were again at Kenfig Pool, where three Ruddy Turnstone were an unusual record on the east pool shore and a Great Bittern was in the south pool. Forty Brambling were near Merthyr Tydfil and the Spotted Sandpiper remains at Lisvane Reservoir. The awful weather continued on the 2nd when a Jack Snipe was near Caerphilly and an adult Mediterranean Gull was in Cardiff Bay. Five Little Egret, 29 Common Teal and two Dark-bellied Brent Geese were at Ogmore Estuary. A Great Northern and two Red-throated Divers, as well as an Mediterranean Gull were at Porthcawl. Three Hen Harriers and 100+ Dark-bellied Brent Geese were at Llanrhidian Marsh. On the 3rd, a Water Pipit flew south at Kenfig Pool, but could not be relocated, and 357 European Oystercatchers were at Kenfig Sands. A Short-eared Owl was at Nash Point and the Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir. Excellent counts of 129 Mute Swan, 24 Little Grebe and 45 Great Cormorant were at Roath Park Lake in Cardiff, where there was also a drake Gadwall and fifty Redwing. On the 4th, a Black Redstart was again at Swansea Marina and a Great Bittern, drake Northern Pintail and a Ruddy Turnstone were at Kenfig Pool. More poor weather on the 5th, though a very impressive mixed flock of up to a thousand Chaffinches and 100 Brambling were at Margam Park. A Peregrine and ten Black-legged Kittiwake were off Kenfig Sands. After a washout on the previous day, a wild but dry day on the 7th produced two Great Bittern at Kenfig Pool, along with forty Common Snipe and two Red-throated Divers and 22 Red Knot were at Kenfig Sands. A Great Northern Diver was at Mumbles and a first winter Mediterranean Gull was at Ogmore Estuary. The Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir and eight Tree Sparrows were at Newton Farm, Gower. Another foul day on the 8th produced an amazing record of a Humpbacked Whale off Mumbles Head, Swansea – it has apparently been present since the 5th and has been seen very close inshore. A Great Northern Diver was also present there and a Firecrest was at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. The Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir along with the first Red-breasted Merganser for the site since 1988. More appalling weather on the 9th and the Humpbacked Whale was again at Mumbles in the morning along with two Great Northern Divers and a Peregrine. A female Greater Scaup was at Kenfig Pool and the Spotted Sandpiper and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were at Lisvane Reservoir. A male Hen Harrier was at Loughor Bridge.

26TH - 30TH NOVEMBER 2007

A ringtail Hen Harrier was again at Llanrhidian Marsh on 26th and two Siberian Chiffchaff and a Brown Hare were at Kenfig Pool. A Eurasian Woodcock was at Mynydd Eglwysilian. On the 27th, a Great Bittern was a surprise find in the small reed bed at Hensol Lake, 3000 Wood Pigeon and 24 Stock Dove, 100 Chaffinch and two Brambling were at Lavernock Point. On the 28th, two Firecrest were at Pant Norton and a Ring-necked Parakeet was at Cosmeston Lakes. A mixed flock of 200 Chaffinch and 150 Brambling were at a Beech Wood near Mountain Ash. On the 29th five Red-throated Divers, 270 European Golden Plover, a Purple Sandpiper, 33 Red Knot, six Common Guillemot and three Common Scoter were at Sker and a drake Northern Pintail and five Common Goldeneye were on Kenfig Pool. A female Merlin was in the southern dunes there, a Great Bittern was in the north pool and a Dartford Warbler was on the east pool shore. A Ring Ouzel was a very late migrant at Lavernock Point, where there was also a Brambling and a Ring-necked Parakeet. Seventeen Purple Sandpipers, a drake Red Crested Pochard, Green Sandpiper and two Firecrest were again in the vicinity of Ogmore Estuary. A wet and windy day on 30th saw a Whooper Swan; the only one of the autumn so far, flying west at Rhymney Great Wharf. Also present were 250 Common Shelduck, 350 Northern Pintail, 300 Dunlin, 65 Red Knot, 32 Grey Plover and 230 Eurasian Curlew. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir and eleven Dark-bellied Brent Geese and thirty Ruddy Turnstone were on Newton Beach, Porthcawl.

19TH - 25TH NOVEMBER 2007

A cold day on the 19th saw two Firecrest, a Brambling and a Dartford Warbler at Pant Norton and a Little Egret and seven Common Chiffchaff were at Kenfig Pool including the very pale Siberian race bird. A Common Sandpiper and Common Greenshank were at Penclawdd and a Greater Scaup was at Cosmeston Lakes. The Spotted Sandpiper remained at Lisvane Reservoir, six Velvet Scoter were in Swansea Bay and an astonishing count by local standards of 878 Common Guillemots went past Mumbles Head. A Eurasian Woodcock was at Kenfig Pool on 20th when ten Brambling, forty Common Crossbill and an Egyptian Goose were at Rheola, Neath and a Great Northern and three Red-throated Divers were off Worms Head, along with a Pomarine Skua, nine Purple Sandpipers, 65 Black-legged Kittiwake and 141 Common Scoter. A Firecrest was again at Bute Park. The 21st saw a Yellow-browed Warbler, two Green Sandpipers and a Dartford Warbler at Ogmore Estuary. The Snow Bunting was again at Nash Point, the Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir and a Firecrest was at Kenfig Pool. On the 22nd, the Siberian Chiffchaff was at Kenfig Pool and a drake Red Crested Pochard, two Mediterranean Gulls and two Dartford Warblers were at the Ogmore Estuary. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir. A Great Bittern showed very well from the south pool hide at Kenfig Pool on the 23rd, two Little Egrets and two Mediterranean Gulls were at Ogmore Estuary and two Red-billed Chough were at Porthcawl. Six Red-billed Chough were at Dunraven on 24th, a Great Bittern was again at Kenfig Pool and a drake Long-tailed Duck was at Penclawdd. The Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir, along with five Goosander and a Peregrine. The 25th saw the Spotted Sandpiper again at Lisvane Reservoir and a drake Red Crested Pochard at Kenfig Pool. A Brambling was in a Swansea garden, three Dartford Warblers and a Peregrine were at Ogmore Down and a female Blackcap was in a Cardiff garden.

12TH - 18TH NOVEMBER 2007

On the 12th, a Hen Harrier and 1000 European Golden Plover were at Llanrhidian and a Barn Owl was at Llancadle. The Long-tailed Duck was again at Parc Cwm Darren, a Great Grey Shrike was near Swansea Airport and a Green Sandpiper and nine Common Goldeneye were at Ogmore Estuary. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir, a Jack Snipe and 120 Reed Bunting were in Gorseinon and a Yellow-browed Warbler was in Maesteg. The Great Grey Shrike, Long-tailed Duck and Snow Bunting were at Swansea Airport Parc Cwm Darren and Nash Point respectively on the 13th and six Velvet Scoter and nineteen Common Scoter were in Oxwich Bay. A Bohemian Waxwing was briefly at Kenfig birch wood and three Little Auk were briefly on the sea off Port Talbot Docks, where there were also three Velvet Scoter. On the 14th, the Snow Bunting was again at Nash Point, along with eight Red-throated Diver, a Brambling and a Merlin. Fourteen Red-throated Diver, 160 Common Pochard, a female Red-breasted Merganser, two Peregrine and a female Merlin were at Kenfig National Nature Reserve. A Water Pipit was at Castell Ddu on Gower and another was at Rhymney Great Wharf along with 24 Grey Plover, seventy Northern Pintail, 35 Dunlin and five Little Egret. A cold, but gloriously sunny day on the 15th saw a mini influx of wildfowl to Kenfig Pool with 36 Common Teal, 31 Northern Shoveler and a drake Northern Pintail the most notable, while two Common Chiffchaff included a singing bird! The Long-tailed Duck was still at Parc Cwm Darren and a Grey Phalarope and thirteen Purple Sandpipers were at Ogmore-by-Sea, while the Snow Bunting was again at Nash Point along with a Peregrine and a Brambling. On the 16th, a Great Bittern showed superbly at Kenfig Pool, where there was also a female Dartford Warbler and a very unusual migrant in the form of Ruddy Turnstone on the east pool shore. A Black Redstart was in Swansea City Centre and a Firecrest was in Bute Park, Cardiff. The Snow Bunting was still present at Nash Point on 17th, the Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir and a very late Sandwich Tern was at Cardiff Bay. A first winter Little Gull and a Dartford Warbler were at Kenfig Pool and the Ruddy Turnstone was still present on the east pool shore. Two adult Mediterranean Gulls, five Little Egret and five Goosander were at Ogmore Estuary. Rhymney Great Wharf produced good counts of 1500 Dunlin, 500 Common Redshank, 232 Northern Pintail, 640 Common Shelduck, a Jack Snipe and two Green Sandpiper. A Long-tailed Duck was at Penclawdd. On the 18th, Newton Farm, Gower produced a male Hen Harrier, five Tree Sparrows and a Green Sandpiper. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir and a Great Bittern, Northern Pintail, Cetti’s Warbler and a male Brambling were at Kenfig Pool. The Snow Bunting was at Nash Point, a Slavonian Grebe, 450 Northern Pintail and 1300 Red Knot were at Wernffrwd and a Firecrest was nearby.

GOA

Our exciting new tour to Goa has been rescheduled from December 2008 to the new dates of 27th January - 10th February 2009. Several places have already been booked, so if you do wish to join this wonderful and great value tour, please book soon to avoid disappointment.

5TH - 11TH NOVEMBER 2007

A busy day on the 5th produced an initially brief, but then well seen Cattle Egret at Kenfig Pool [a county first found by Neil], where the White-rumped Sandpiper also remained and 56 Common Teal and four Water Rail were at the Kenfig River mouth. The pool also had an adult Mediterranean Gull, a female Northern Pintail, seven Common Chiffchaff and 24 Northern Lapwing. Sker had four Purple Sandpiper, 45 Ruddy Turnstone and 36 Red Knot. The Common Rosefinch was again at Mewslade and five Common Crossbill, twelve Lesser Redpoll and two Brambling were at Pant Norton, sixty Dark-bellied Brent Geese were on the sea near Nash Point. An amazing fall of thrushes at Lavernock Point included 12000 Redwing, 2000 Fieldfare, 100 Blackbirds and a Ring Ouzel as well as several Brambling and large numbers of Chaffinches. The Cattle Egret and White-rumped Sandpiper were both again at Kenfig Pool on the 6th and a female Ruddy Duck, a drake Goosander and an eastern race of Common Chiffchaff. On the 7th, the White-rumped Sandpiper remained at Kenfig Pool along with a Ruddy Duck and Common Shelduck, while 28 Common Scoter and an unprecedented number of at least 100 Common Guillemot were seen offshore. The Spotted Sandpiper remained at Lisvane Reservoir and a Long-tailed Duck was at the unlikely site of Parc Cwm Darren well inland at Caerphilly. A Black Redstart was at Nash Point. Another busy day on the 8th saw three Velvet Scoter at Kenfig Sands – the first since 1927 and another excellent find for Neil!! Also present were a record breaking 158 Common Guillemot, a Great Northern Diver and thirteen Common Scoter, while the White-rumped Sandpiper and nine Gadwall were at the pool. A Barn Owl was nearby at Mawdlam and another three were seen near Tondu. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir and a male Ring Ouzel was in a crab apple tree in Llanharran and the Long-tailed Duck was again at Parc Cwm Darren. A cold and very windy day on the 9th saw the White-rumped Sandpiper again present at Kenfig Pool, along with a Lapland Bunting, a Great Bittern, Little Egret and 320 Wood Pigeons, while Kenfig Sands had thirteen Black-legged Kittiwake, 26 Common Guillemot and 250 European Golden Plover. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir and a Black-tailed Godwit and two Little Egret were at Ogmore Estuary. The Long-tailed Duck was at Parc Cwm Darren, a Snow Bunting at Nash Point and a Hen Harrier and Jack Snipe were in Maesteg. The 10th produced excellent views of Great Bittern at Kenfig Pool and offshore at the sands there were two Razorbill, two Red-throated Diver, 82 Common Guillemot and a female Red-breasted Merganser. Eight Dark-bellied Brent Geese were at Ogmore Estuary, the Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir, along with a Little Gull and the Long-tailed Duck and a Ring Ouzel were at Parc Cwm Darren. The Snow Bunting was again at Nash Point and two Velvet Scoter, two Red-throated Diver and a Merlin were at Port Talbot Dock and a Common Sandpiper was on the River Afan in the town. Four Barn Swallow, a drake Goosander and two Common Snipe were at Cosmeston Lakes. Another windy day on the 11th saw another new record of 221 Common Guillemot off Kenfig Sands, along with three Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver and a Peregrine. A female Greater Scaup was new at the pool, where Gadwall numbers have risen to fifteen and three Short-eared Owls were in the southern dunes, while an astonishing 61 Water Rail were counted throughout the reserve. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir and the Snow Bunting at Nash Point and a Grey Phalarope, a Jack Snipe, 58 Eurasian Curlew, two Little Egret and eight Purple Sandpiper were at Ogmore Estuary.

1ST - 4TH NOVEMBER 2007

NOVEMBER began with the White-rumped Sandpiper present again at Kenfig Pool, where there were also two Mediterranean Gulls. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir. A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was in Bute Park, Cardiff, five Red-billed Chough were in Porthcawl and three Common Greenshank and a Green Sandpiper were at Gowerton. On the 2nd, the Common Rosefinch was again at Mewslade, the White-rumped Sandpiper at Kenfig Pool and the Spotted Sandpiper at Lisvane Reservoir. A Red-throated Diver was off Sker Point and a Brambling was at Kenfig Pool. A Yellow-browed Warbler and a Wood Lark were also at Mewslade. A sunny day on the 3rd saw the White-rumped and Spotted Sandpipers at Kenfig Pool and Lisvane Reservoir respectively. Also at Kenfig were 129 Redwing, 401 Fieldfare, 1946 Wood Pigeon, a Lesser Redpoll and three Common Snipe. Twenty six Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver were at Sker, two Brambling were in Mountain Ash and another Brambling, a Dartford Warbler and four Firecrest were in Pant Norton, Ogmore Estuary. On the 4th, five Red- billed Chough were at Ogmore-by-Sea and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and eight Eurasian Siskin were in Bute Park. The White-rumped Sandpiper was still at Kenfig Pool and the Spotted Sandpiper at Lisvane Reservoir. Two Brambling were also at Kenfig Pool, along with two Black-tailed Godwit. A Dartford Warbler was at Locks Common, Porthcawl and a Red-throated Diver and eight Dark-bellied Brent Geese were at Sker.

22ND - 31ST OCTOBER 2007

On the 22nd, a Common Rosefinch was trapped and ringed in Mewslade, where there was also a Firecrest and a Short-eared Owl. A Great Bittern was at Kenfig Pool, along with an adult Mediterranean Gull and Red Kites were in various lowland locations including five at Abernant Tip. Tyn-y-Caeau Farm had 250 Fieldfare and the first significant Wood Pigeon movement of the autumn with 750 noted. Four Tree Sparrows were also present there and the Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir. A Ring Ouzel, forty Fieldfare and two Common Snipe were at Werfa Mast. Three Green Sandpiper and a Little Egret were at The Watermill Flood. On the 23rd, the Spotted Sandpiper was still at Lisvane Reservoir and the Common Rosefinch was again at Mewslade, where there was also a Firecrest and two Yellow-browed Warblers. A Yellow-browed Warbler was again at Cwm Nash, along with 300 Chaffinch, 800 Wood Pigeon and a Brambling and Yellow-browed Warblers were also present at Kenfig Pool and in Swansea. A cold day on 24th brought four Bewick’s Swans to Kenfig Pool, where there was also a late Eurasian Hobby, Great Bittern, three Water Rail, six Common Chiffchaff and two Common Goldeneye. The Common Rosefinch and a Yellow-browed Warbler were again at Mewslade, a ringtail Hen Harrier was at Mynydd Eglwysilian and visible migration at Aberthaw Marsh produced 35 Lesser Redpoll and two Brambling. A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Maesteg Cemetery and the Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir. A Yellow-browed Warbler was again at Blaen-y-Cwm on 25th and a Dartford Warbler was at Maesteg. An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Kenfig Pool, along with a female Goosander. The Spotted Sandpiper remains at Lisvane Reservoir and 700 Chaffinch were at Lavernock Point. The Common Rosefinch was again at Mewslade, as was a Brambling, and a Black Redstart, 24 Eurasian Wigeon and an adult Mediterranean Gull were at Aberthaw Marsh. On the 26th, the Common Rosefinch was again at Mewslade and the Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir. A male Common Redstart was at St Donats, Vale of Glamorgan and six Tree Sparrows were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm. A Great Bittern and twenty Common Snipe were at Kenfig Pool. A breezy and very overcast day on 27th saw the Spotted Sandpiper again at Lisvane Reservoir and a drake Northern Pintail and an adult Mediterranean Gull at Kenfig Pool. The Common Rosefinch was again at Mewslade. Heavy rain on the 28th meant few birding opportunities, though three adult Mediterranean Gulls were at Kenfig Pool. A short sea watch at Porthcawl produced a Leach’s Petrel, three Red-billed Chough and a single Razorbill. The Spotted Sandpiper remained at Lisvane Reservoir and the Common Rosefinch was again at Mewslade. Glamorgan’s first White-rumped Sandpiper since 1970 was found by Neil at Kenfig Pool on the 29th and sparked a major local twitch which thankfully resulted in plenty of birders seeing this confiding bird at close range – terrific!! Also present were a Dartford Warbler and 65 Fieldfare of note. The Spotted Sandpiper at Lisvane Reservoir made it a transatlantic double for anyone visiting the county today. Elsewhere, the Common Rosefinch was again at Mewslade and a Brambling and two Red-billed Chough were in Porthcawl. Another cracking day at Kenfig on 30th saw the White-rumped Sandpiper still present, along with a Great Bittern and impressive overhead migration included 1910 Fieldfare, 700 Wood Pigeon, two Brambling and 197 Eurasian Jackdaws, while a Firecrest was in the west pool bushes. Elsewhere, the Spotted Sandpiper was still at Lisvane Reservoir and the Common Rosefinch was also again at Mewslade. The 31st saw the White-rumped Sandpiper again at Kenfig Pool and the Spotted Sandpiper again at Lisvane Reservoir – nice that both birds have stayed long enough to be well watched. A Peregrine and Merlin, along with four Grey Plover were at Sker

15TH - 21ST OCTOBER 2007

A much quieter day on the 15th produced just a female Greater Scaup and two Northern Pintail at Kenfig Pool and 26 Mediterranean Gulls were at Bracelet Bay. Two Common Goldeneye and a Water Rail were at Kenfig Pool on 16th and two Green Sandpipers were at Llanilid. On the 17th, a Brambling was at Dunraven, eleven Northern Wheatear were at Rhymney Great Wharf and six Red-billed Chough were at Locks Common, Porthcawl. The 18th produced two Dartford Warblers at Caswell Bay, Gower, thirty Eurasian Siskin at Summerhouse Point and a ringtail Hen Harrier and four Red Kites at Lliw Reservoir, Swansea. Four Grey Plover were in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan and a Common Tern was in Cardiff Bay. A Brambling, Merlin and Fieldfare, as well as a Clouded Yellow butterfly were at Kenfig Pool. On the 19th, a Eurasian Woodcock was at Mountain Ash and a Dartford Warbler was at Kenfig Pool. A male Merlin and eighty European Golden Plover were at Mynydd Eglwysilian. A juvenile Spotted Sandpiper was a cracking find at Lisvane Reservoir on 20th – the first in Glamorgan for 33 years! Elsewhere, the Dartford Warbler remained at Kenfig Pool, along with nineteen Fieldfare, eleven Redwing, three Common Chiffchaff, five Lesser Redpoll, seven Eurasian Wigeon and five Gadwall. Two Ring Ouzel were in Maesteg Cemetery. The 21st produced a Yellow-browed Warbler and three Firecrest at Mewslade, along with four Red-billed Chough and a Brambling. The Dartford Warbler was again at Kenfig Pool, where 112 Redwing, 36 Fieldfare, nine Lesser Redpoll, an adult Mediterranean Gull and a Common Goldeneye were also present. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir and a Merlin, 44 Red Knot, three Bar-tailed Godwit and Razorbill were at Sker Point. The Great Grey Shrike and a Common Crossbill were at Perthcelyn.

WEST CORNWALL 2007

Glorious weather, fantastic food and some great birds too!! If its October, it must be our West Cornwall tour - this year run in conjunction with Bird Watching magazine from 13th - 19th October 2007. A very showy Radde's Warbler was the real highlight of the week, but we also enjoyed excellent views of Yellow-browed and Dartford Warblers, a Dutch ringed Eurasian Spoonbill, Eurasian Woodcock, two Firecrest, two Little Stints and both Pied and Spotted Flycatchers. We also saw two Mediterranean Gulls, Ring Ouzel, four Red-billed Chough, Pomarine, Arctic and a couple of Great Skuas, five Balearic Shearwaters, Peregrine, Merlin, five breeding plumaged Black-tailed Godwits, Red-throated Diver and large numbers of Eurasian Siskin amongst a total of 105 species.

Spaces are already filling up for 11th - 17th October 2008, so if you would like to join us for what is always an enjoyable tour based at the Mount Haven Hotel, please book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

As a footnote, we'd like to congratulate our partners at The Mount Haven Hotel for inclusion in the Sunday Times Top Twenty Hotels for service list recently; we can certainly vouch for them deserving this prestigous accolade as we have been staying there for the past ten years.

8TH -14TH OCTOBER 2007

The 8th produced the returning Great Grey Shrike at Perthcelyn, a Little Egret and Jack Snipe at Kenfig Pool and a fly over White Stork at Aberthaw Marsh. The 9th saw a very late European Nightjar at Nant-y-Fyllon, a Little Egret at Blackpill and three Ring Ouzel and a Merlin were at Dare Country Park. The 10th produced a Yellow-browed Warbler at Kenfig Pool as well as six Lesser Redpoll, nine Eurasian Siskin, seven Mistle Thrush, twenty Barn Swallows and fifty Eurasian Jackdaws. A Hen Harrier and 72 European Golden Plover were at Mynydd Eglwysilian. A Red Kite, three Ring Ouzel, ten Yellowhammer, 21 Common Crossbill and a Northern Goshawk were at various places around Maesteg. A Firecrest was at Lavernock Point. A Yellow-browed Warbler was again at Kenfig Pool on the 11th, along with a Black-tailed Godwit, 25 Redwing and ten Song Thrush. Rhymney Great Wharf held 400 Dunlin, 21 Common Snipe, two Jack Snipe, a Black-tailed Godwit, 200 Meadow Pipit, 32 Sky Lark and two Northern Pintail and a Merlin was at Blaen-y-Cwm. The 12th produced a Common Greenshank and Green Sandpiper at Llanilid, 200 European Golden Plover at Sker and three Mediterranean Gulls in Porthcawl . A Yellow-browed Warbler was trapped and ringed at Kenfig Pool, along with two Reed Warblers, and two Merlin, eight Grey Partridge and four Tree Sparrows were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm, a Willow Warbler was in a Cardiff garden and a Hen Harrier, thirty Common Crossbills and a Ring Ouzel were in Maesteg. On the 13th, another two Yellow-browed Warblers were at Blaen-y-Cwm. A busy day on 14th saw a Richard’s Pipit and Black Redstart at Sker and 25 Red Knot and four Sanderling at Kenfig Sands. A Corncrake was an excellent find at Rhossilli, a Yellow-browed Warbler remained at Blaen-y-Cwm along with a Ring Ouzel and a Short-eared Owl. An amazing count of 85 Mediterranean Gulls were at Blackpill, along with two Little Stint, nine Grey Plover and ten Bar-tailed Godwits.

FAIR ISLE 2007

Our tour from 1st -8th October 2007 to Fair Isle was another huge success with some excellent birds and great company, as well as the best weather we've experienced on this magical island. Things began well with a Killdeer at Pool of Virkie on the mainland that we saw both at the start and end of the tour and a Ring-necked Duck was at Tingwall Loch. Once on the island, things just got better as we added Buff-bellied Pipit, Lanceolated Warbler, Greater Short-toed Lark, Buff-breasted Sandpiper and White-rumped Sandpiper the biggest attractions. A fine supporting cast included a Marsh Warbler, three Barred Warblers, two Bluethroats, a Richard's Pipit, fifteen Yellow-browed Warblers, six Lapland Buntings and at least three Common Rosefinches. Good numbers of Brambling, 50 Snow Buntings, seven Ring Ouzel, seventeen Whooper Swans, 200 Pink-footed, twenty Barnacle and two Greenland White-fronted Geese, Common Redstart, two Whinchat, Short-eared Owl, Eurasian Woodcock, European Storm Petrel, three Little Stints and a Greater Scaup were among the other notable species amongst a trip total of 108 species and we also saw a Minke Whale. Our tour next year runs from 13th - 20th September 2008 and places are now only available for a boat crossing as all flight places have been taken. If you would like to join us, please book immediately as the trip is guaranteed to run and is certain to fill up.

OCTOBER 1ST - 7TH 2007

OCTOBER 1st saw a Little Gull join what were now four Arctic Terns at Lisvane Reservoir, three Sandwich Terns and four Bar-tailed Godwits were at Blackpill and a Eurasian Hobby was at Blaen-y-Cwm. The 2nd produced just two Arctic Terns at Cardiff Bay, and on the 3rd, a Ring Ouzel was at Maesteg and a Hen Harrier and Merlin were at Mynydd-y-Glog. A busy day on the 4th produced three Arctic Terns, a Lesser Whitethroat, Tree Pipit, Garden Warbler and 330 Goldfinch at Lavernock Point, a Whinchat and a Common Sandpiper at Ogmore Estuary and two Sedge Warblers at Kenfig Pool. An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Cardiff Bay, a Ring Ouzel at Nant-y-Fyllon and a Eurasian Hobby at St Donats. A Jack Snipe and 22 Mistle Thrush were at Perthcelyn. On the 5th a Ring Ouzel and six Redwing were at Dare Country Park, a Northern Goshawk was in Maesteg and a Hen Harrier at Llanilid. The 6th was quiet with two Dunlin and three Bar-tailed Godwits were at Kenfig Sands and a late Willow Warbler was at Lisvane Reservoir. Four Green Sandpipers were at The Watermill Flood on the 7th and a Northern Goshawk and Black-tailed Godwit were at Ogmore Estuary. Seven Common Eider, a Red-breasted Merganser and two Bar-tailed Godwit were at Whitford NNR.

24TH - 30TH SEPTEMBER 2007

A very windy day on 24th, but unfortunately offshore in direction, produced four Arctic Terns at Ogmore Estuary and four Curlew Sandpipers at Blackpill among a flock of 37 Dunlin and 118 Ringed Plovers. A Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 32 Mediterranean Gulls were also present there. On the 25th, at least two Curlew Sandpipers were still present at Blackpill and a Garden Warbler, Whinchat, Lesser Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail, twenty Common Chiffchaff and 400 Barn Swallows were at Lavernock Point. The first two Redwings of the autumn flew south over Abertridwr near Caerphilly. On the 26th, visible migration finally got under way with 200 Meadow Pipits, two Yellow Wagtails, fifty Sky Larks, 35 Chaffinch, 27 Eurasian Siskin, three Lesser Redpoll, five Mistle Thrush and two Peregrines at Nash Point. Another 200 Meadow Pipits were at Dunraven along with a Northern Goshawk, a Peregrine and a Yellow Wagtail. A Spotted Flycatcher, 200 Goldfinch and a Northern Wheatear were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm. Two Whinchat, a Northern Wheatear, fifty Barn Swallow and a Dartford Warbler were at Ogmore Down and a Tree Sparrow was at The Monktons, amongst a flock of sixty House Sparrows. Twenty Common Crossbill and four Coal Tit were in Maesteg and twenty Common Chiffchaff and another Coal Tit were at Blaen-y-cwm. The 27th produced a Curlew Sandpiper at Kenfig Pool, which was later refound at Ogmore Estuary. A Honey Buzzard was at the Kenfig Rivermouth, where there were also six Common Snipe and the pool held eleven Eurasian Wigeon, five Northern Shoveler, four Gadwall and a female Northern Pintail. Back at Ogmore, two Mediterranean Gulls and a Bar-tailed Godwit were present. A Jack Snipe, Common Greenshank, 33 Northern Pintail, 87 Eurasian Wigeon, 200 Barn Swallow and 200 Common Shelduck were at Rhymney Great Wharf. On the 28th, the highlight was a Little Stint at Kenfig Sands, where there were also four Grey Plover, fifty Red Knot, four Bar-tailed Godwit, 300 European Oystercatcher, nine Dunlin, sixteen Ringed Plover, three Common Scoter, 100 European Golden Plover and three Northern Wheatear. Kenfig Pool produced six Eurasian Siskin, three Northern Lapwing, eight Northern Shoveler, 22 Common Teal, 250 House Martin, 200 Barn Swallow, a Sedge Warbler and a Common Snipe. At least 1000 Barn Swallows were at Summerhouse Point, along with a Sedge Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, 30 Common Chiffchaff and a Garden Warbler. An Osprey flew over the River Neath and three Arctic Terns were at Lisvane Reservoir, Cardiff. A Ring Ouzel at Mewslade on 29th was the highlight of the day, but visible migration was also in evidence with 15000 Barn Swallows at Aberthaw Marsh, along with a further 1200 at Port Talbot Docks. Also at Aberthaw were 500 Meadow Pipits, 250 Eurasian Siskin and 150 Sky Larks. A Merlin was at Rhossilli and ten Bar-tailed Godwits and 500 European Oystercatchers were at Kenfig Sands. A Common Redstart was at Blaen-y-Cwm. On the 30th, common species were involved in visible migration at Kenfig Pool, with 38 Eurasian Siskin, 350 Barn Swallows, five Lesser Redpoll, five Grey Wagtail, 245 Meadow Pipit, 29 Pied Wagtail, seven Sky Lark, one Sand Martin and seventeen Chaffinch. Also present were an adult Mediterranean Gull, nine Northern Shoveler, 14 Common Chiffchaff and a Common Kingfisher. Twelve Ring Ouzel, 100 Redwing and a female Hen Harrier were at Dare Valley Country Park, while a Eurasian Hobby and a Common Redstart were at Nash Point. Three Arctic Terns were again at Lisvane Reservoir and a Fieldfare was at Cardiff Bay.

NORFOLK 23RD - 29TH SEPTEMBER 2007

Our Norfolk Bush Bash will be remembered for the sheer quality of the birds on offer this year. Seabirds featured hiugly with 4 Sabine's Gulls, Grey Phalarope, Pomarine, Arctic and Great Skuas, Manx Shearwaters, 100+ Little Gulls, 2000+ Northern Gannets and a few Red-throated Divers and Commo Scoters aongst the usual array of auks. Pink-footed Geese were already back in their thousands and we also had a Lesser Snow Goose amongst them -fantastic! Not to be outdone, passerines featured Wryneck, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Great Grey Shrike, a Greenish Warbler briefly, Common Redstart, Brambling, Snow Buntings, Pied and Spotted Flycatchers and amajor fall of Goldcrests and Common Chiffchaffs, Great Bittern and Short-eared Owl were among the overhead igrants, while the pick of the shorebirds were Long-biiled Dowitcher and Buff-breasted Sandpiper, but we also saw plenty of Curlew Sandpiper, Pied Avocet, Ruff and Little Stint. Yellow-legged Gull, Bearded Tit, Marsh Harriers and Garganey rounded off a spelndid weeks birding. Join us again in September 2009 for more exciting autumn birding.

17TH - 23RD SEPTEMBER 2007

On the 17th, two Lesser Redpoll, four Reed Warblers and a Sedge Warbler were at Kenfig Pool. A glorious day on the 18th produced ten Siskin, a male Merlin, a Common Whitethroat and Reed Warbler were at Kenfig Pool. A Little Egret and 25 Yellow Wagtails were at Rhymney Great Wharf. With strong winds on the 19th sea watching was the only option and at Nash Point both Great and Arctic Skuas were recorded along with a breeding plumaged Great Northern Diver. Kenfig Sands produced forty Common Scoter, two Common Guillemot, four Manx Shearwaters and five Black-legged Kittiwakes. Seventy Sandwich Tern, six Common and an Arctic Tern were at Loughor Estuary. More gales on 20th meant sea watching was again the order of the day and the results were excellent. Port Eynon produced five Arctic, a Great and a Pomarine Skua, a Balearic Shearwater, 36 Northern Gannet, 51 Black-legged Kittiwakes, three Manx Shearwater and small numbers of Common Guillemot Sandwich Tern and Razorbill. A juvenile Sabine’s Gull was off Kenfig Sands among with four Arctic Terns and an Arctic Skua and a further three Arctic Terns were at Porthcawl. An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Kenfig Pool, while eight Bar-tailed Godwit, 165 Northern Pintail, 62 Sandwich Terns and a Common Tern were at Dalton’s Point, North Gower. The 21st produced two Sooty Shearwaters close in at Port Eynon, along with two Great and two Arctic Skuas, two European Storm Petrels, Red-throated Diver and an Arctic Tern. Another Arctic Skua, four Bar-tailed Godwits and seven Red Knot were at Kenfig Sands and two Bar-tailed Godwits and an Arctic Tern were at Ogmore Estuary. A Leach’s Petrel was the highlight at Porthcawl, where three Mediterranean Gulls, twelve Arctic Terns and eight Manx Shearwaters were also present. On a good day for raptors, a Honey Buzzard and a Eurasian Hobby went south over Swansea, a Hen Harrier was at Llanilid and a Peregrine was at Kenfig Pool. Overnight rain on 22nd finally produced a fall of warblers at Kenfig Pool with single Garden Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler present along with 31 Common Chiffchaff, 25 Blackcap and also an Arctic Tern was over the pool. At Loughor Bridge, there were 123 Sandwich, one Black, three Arctic and two Common Terns and the adult Yellow-legged Gull. The Arctic Tern remained at Kenfig Pool on 23rd, where there was also a female Northern Pintail. A Ring Ouzel was near Caerphilly and sixty Red Knot and 24 European Golden Plover were at Sker.

POLAND MAY 2007 HIGHLIGHTS

AFTER an absence of two years, we returned to Poland from 15th – 24th May 2007 and whilst there were undoubtedly one or two teething problems with a slightly over ambitious itinerary, the group did exceptionally well to record 169 species. The main problem came in the Tatra Mountains, where the walks had been designed to suit individual birders rather than a group, but despite this and the presence of many school parties, we still managed to see a good selection of birds. Back on more familiar territory in the north, the tour really began to gather momentum and we were fortunate enough to see almost all of the speciality species including Wallcreeper, Ural and Pygmy Owls, Spotted Nutcracker, Aquatic, River, Marsh, Icterine and Barred Warblers, Great Snipe, Collared and Red-breasted Flycatchers, Caspian Gull, Lesser Spotted and White-tailed Eagles, Scarlet Rosefinch, Hazel Grouse, European Roller, Citrine Wagtail, several species of woodpecker, all three marsh terns and a whole host of herons and shorebirds. For future tours, we have removed the Tatras from the itinerary and will instead be offering an eight day tour from 17th – 24th May 2008 covering the Biebrza Marshes, Bialowieza Forest and Narew Valley.

10TH - 16TH SEPTEMBER 2007

A stiff westerly on the 10th brought a Great Skua to Sker Point, along with eight Black-legged Kittiwakes, two adult Mediterranean Gulls, 21 Red Knot, three Northern Gannets and nine Common Scoter. On the 11th, two Lesser Whitethroats, nine Common Whitethroats, three Sedge Warblers, a Willow Warbler, seventeen Blackcaps, a Tree Pipit and a Lesser Redpoll were at Kenfig Pool. Two Green Sandpipers were at Ogmore Estuary. A Whinchat , four Mediterranean Gulls, eight Yellowhammers and three Northern wheatears were at Gileston and at Lavernock Point there were 750 Barn Swallows, eight Tree Pipits, two Yellow Wagtails and nine Common Chiffchaff. Neil was fortunate enough to find Wales first Audouin’s Gull at Sker Point on the 12th; a second winter bird that flew off towards Swansea, but much to everyone's disappointment, it has not yet been relocated. Also present there were 27 Red Knot and 62 Meadow Pipits of note. Two Spotted Flycatchers were in a Swansea garden on and another was in Bute Park, Cardiff, where there were also two Peregrines. A further 23 Red Knot were at Rhymney Great Wharf, along with three Black-tailed and two Bar-tailed Godwits, a Common Greenshank, nineteen Dunlin, two Reed Warblers and two Yellow Wagtails. A Ring-necked Parakeet was at Lavernock Point. The 13th produced 750 Linnets at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm, along with five Tree Pipits. Four Whinchat were at Llanilid, while overhead passage at Gileston included 400 Barn Swallow, 290 Meadow Pipits, thirty Sky Larks and a Yellow Wagtail. On the 14th, the adult Yellow-legged Gull was again at Kenfig Pool, along with a Sedge Warbler and an adult Mediterranean Gull, 24 Red Knot and two Common Scoter were at Kenfig Sands. Five Northern Gannet, a Grey Plover and Yellow Wagtail were at Lavernock Point. The 15th brought 25 Common Chiffchaff, five Tree Pipit and a Lesser Whitethroat were at Lavernock Point, a Spotted Flycatcher, Lesser Redpoll and European Siskin were at Pant Norton. Two Green Sandpipers, two Common Snipe and a Tree Pipit were at Kenfig Pool. Another three Green Sandpipers were at Pendoylan. On the 16th, a Merlin and Mediterranean Gull were at Dunraven, along with six Red-billed Chough. A Eurasian Hobby, Merlin, two Northern Pintail and four Yellow Wagtails were at Kenfig Pool and fifty Common Crossbills were at Llanwonno Forest. Two Common Redstarts and two Tree Pipits were at Llanilid, seven Common Buzzards were at Lavernock Point, as well as 500 Barn Swallow and a Peregrine. Two Manx Shearwaters were at Sker, along with five Northern Gannets and six Common Scoter and Red Knot numbers have risen to 36. A Curlew Sandpiper and two Common Greenshank were at Port Talbot Docks.

1ST - 9TH SEPTEMBER 2007

A fall of warblers at Kenfig Pool on 1st SEPTEMBER kicked off the month with great optimism with totals of 25 Common Chiffchaffs, three Sedge, two Reed, a single Willow and Garden Warbler, six Common Whitethroats and twelve Blackcaps recorded. Four Grey Wagtails and a Tree Pipit went over east and a Dunlin was on the east pool shore. The two Ospreys were still at Wernffrwd and a Garden Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher were in Bute Park, Cardiff. Two Common Redstarts were at Llanilid and another Was at Island Farm, Bridgend. On the 2nd, a Great White Egret and the Ospreys were at Wernffrwd, a Common Tern was in Cardiff Bay and two Common Kingfishers were at Cosmeston Lakes. A good selection of birds at Kenfig Pool included an adult Yellow-legged Gull and five Northern Shoveler at the pool, 23 Common Scoter and fifteen Sanderling at the sands and two Sedge and a Reed Warbler in the bushes. Three Common Redstarts, four Whinchat, a Dartford Warbler, a Little Ringed Plover, Common Greenshank and Green Sandpiper were at Llanilid. The 3rd was a rather quiet day with just three Sedge Warblers, a Garden Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat of note at Kenfig Pool. A juvenile Northern Goshawk was at Pant Norton, along with a Lesser Whitethroat, five Yellowhammers, thirteen Common Whitethroats and a European Golden Plover. On the 4th, a Little Egret flew north over Kenfig Pool and five Common Redshank dropped in briefly. The Lesser Whitethroat remained and four Reed Warblers were new in. Three Little Egrets, a Common Greenshank and an excellent count of 41 Yellow Wagtails were at Rhymney Great Wharf. Four Black-tailed and a Bar-tailed Godwit were at Kenfig Pool on 5th, where other migrants included a Whinchat, three Common Redshank, two Tree Pipits, three Common Whitethroat and excellent early autumn counts of 34 European Robins, 22 Common Blackbirds and nine Reed Buntings. Six Tree Pipits and a Yellow wagtail were at Lavernock Point and 25 Dunlin, a Red Knot, two Black-tailed Godwits and 130 Common Redshank were at Rhymney Great Wharf. A Eurasian Hobby was near Caerphilly, a Common Redstart was at Pant Norton and a Spotted Flycatcher was at Hendre Lake. On the 6th, a Grasshopper Warbler was at Kenfig Pool, along with the first Eurasian Siskin of the autumn and six Song Thrush. The male Common Redstart was again at Pant Norton. Three Eurasian Siskin were at Kenfig Pool on 7th and the first pair of Eurasian Wigeon arrived on the pool. Other migrants present included 200 Barn Swallows, two Common Sandpiper, a Lesser Whitethroat, five Grey Wagtails, a Tree Pipit and four Reed Warblers. Three Yellow Wagtails, three Northern Wheatear and a Garden Warbler were at Blaen-y-Cwm. Another hot day on the 8th produced two Northern Pintail and a late Willow Warbler at Kenfig Pool, while six Reed Warblers were at the river mouth and fourteen Dunlin, 43 Ringed Plover, 23 Sanderling, a Bar-tailed Godwit, three Sandwich and a Common Tern were at Kenfig Sands. Two Yellow Wagtails were at Ogmore Estuary and a Wryneck and Grasshopper Warbler were at Lavernock Point in the early evening. Two Red Kites were in Maesteg on 9th, while a very quiet day at Kenfig produced just a single Tree Pipit of note. Two Red Knot, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Common Greenshank and two Mediterranean Gulls were at Gileston and an adult Mediterranean Gull was at Ogmore Estuary.

NORTH EAST ENGLAND

Due to unprecedented demand, we have now added a third week from 2nd - 8th June 2008. All other details remain the same as the brochure, though please note that the number of single rooms available on this tour are extremely limited.

20TH - 31ST AUGUST 2007

Torrential rain again on 20th produced two Common Sandpipers, a Tree Pipit, Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat of note at Kenfig Pool and six Common Sandpipers and a Gadwall were at Ogmore Estuary. Sea watching produced three Little Gulls, an Arctic Skua, three Arctic, three Common and three Sandwich Terns in Swansea Bay, where there were also 49 Mediterranean Gulls, 1325 European Oystercatchers, 35 Dunlin, 33 Sanderling, twelve Red Knot, 212 Ringed Plover and 248 Black-legged Kittiwakes remained at the colony on Mumbles Pier. On a busy day of passage the 22nd saw a Wryneck at Aberthaw Marsh, though it was a skulking bird and showed only briefly. A Marsh Harrier was at Kenfig Pool along with four Tree Pipits, two Yellow Wagtails, sixteen Common Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat, seven Sedge Warblers and five Northern Wheatears. At Sker, five Red Knot were new in and a Whinchat posed beautifully amongst a family of Stonechats. Eight Common Redshanks flew in off the sea there and a Sandwich Tern roosted on the rocks. On the 23rd, a Common Greenshank and seven Northern Wheatears were at Aberthaw Marsh. A Pied Flycatcher was an excellent find at Kenfig Pool where there was also a Spotted Flycatcher. On the 24th, a Ring Ouzel was in a Cardiff garden and a Whinchat was at Lavernock Point. A Common Greenshank and five Common Sandpiper were at Kenfig Pool, where eleven Common teal and a Northern Shoveler were on the pool. Six Common Crossbills were in Maesteg and three site firsts were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm with two Yellow Wagtails and single Tree Pipit and Lesser Whitethroat recorded. On the 26th, a Common Greenshank, Whinchat, Common Redstart, three Little Ringed Plovers and five Spotted Flycatchers were at Llanilid and a Northern Goshawk was at Parc Slip. A Little Owl and Yellow Wagtail were at Sker Farm. Four Yellow Wagtails and three Common Sandpipers were at Ogmore Estuary and four Whinchat were at Nash Point. The 27th produced some good birds at Kenfig Pool, where single Spotted Redshank and Green Sandpiper were the pick of the shorebirds, a Black-necked Grebe was on the pool, along with 20 Common Teal, five Northern Shoveler and a drake Gadwall while a large female Peregrine, and unusually, a juvenile Northern Goshawk provided the raptor entertainment. A Whinchat and twelve Ringed Plover were at Sker and eleven Grey Partridges were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm. In the evening, a Eurasian Spoonbill, nine Eurasian Wigeon and two Ospreys at Wernffrwd rounded off an excellent day. The 28th was much quieter with two Yellow Wagtails and two Sandwich Terns at Cardiff Bay and two Grey Wagtails at Kenfig Pool. The two Ospreys remained at Wernffrwd and a female Ruddy Duck was at Lamby Lake, Cardiff. Two Spotted Flycatcher, 150 Linnet and 22 Red-billed Chough were on South Gower. The Ospreys were again present at Wernffrwd on 29th and two Yellow and four Grey Wagtails were at Kenfig Pool. On the 30th, twenty Red Knot, four Northern Lapwing, three Bar-tailed Godwit and a Common Tern were at Sker. Two Little Ringed Plovers and a Common Greenshank were at Llanilid. The 31st brought a Northern Gannet and adult Mediterranean Gull to Sker and a Common Tern to Cosmeston Lakes. The two Ospreys remained at Wernffrwd.

CELTIC DEEPS PELAGIC 26TH AUGUST 2007

Here is the update from our 26th August Celtic Deeps Pelagic led by Paul Roberts. The conditions were superb throughout, but we would have hoped for just that little extra something special to put the icing on th cake to what was still a very enjoyable day:

Birds:
Fulmar - a few dozen, especially after chumming.
Manx Shearwater - hundreds, mainly between Grassholm and The Smalls on the outward journey.
Sooty Shearwater - 1 seen very well on the outward leg between Grassholm and The Smalls.
Storm Petrel - at least 10, all attracted to chum.
Gannet - 67,873 counted on Grassholm (honestly!), stunning close up views of the colony.
Shag - double figures in total, especially near Grassholm.
Kittiwake - dozens seen, plenty of young indicating a good breeding season?
Common Tern - 2.
Guillemot - plenty seen (100s in total) in rafts.
Razorbill - small numbers among the above.
and................. Sand Martin - 3 in the middle of nowhere!

Cetaceans:
Common Dolphin - several small groups on the way out, a bigger pod all around the boat while chumming on the way back.

Fish:
Ocean Sunfish - 3.

ISLES OF SCILLY PELAGICS 2007

Celtic Bird Tours Scillies Pelagic 2007: Photos by kind permission of Ben Geldenhuis

Here are a summary of birds and other aquatic life seen on three pelagics aboard the MV Sapphire of St. Mary’s and the outward and return trips between the Scillies and the main land on the MV Scillonian 17th - 20th August 2007.

10 Wilson’s Petrel amongst 500+ Storm Petrel
15 Great Skuas
1 Arctic Skua
2 Long-tailed Skuas (a 2nd/3rd year bird and a full adult)
12 Sooty Shearwaters
100+ Manx Shearwaters
8 Great Shearwaters
1 Mediterranean Gull
1 juv Puffin
2 Arctic Terns
Many Sandwich Terns and Common Terns
Large numbers of Gannet and Fulmar
Large numbers of Great Black- backed, Lesser Black-backed & Herring Gulls with small numbers of Black-headed Gulls.

37+ Basking Shark
1 Blue Shark (tagged)
50+ Common Dolphins
2 Harbour Porpoise
3 Sun Fish
1 Ling

In addition excellent views were had of a Semi-Palmated Sandpiper on Porth Hellick Pool.

For next years tour, it is now possible to book the pelagic only element of thre trip from 15th - 18th August 2008. Cost £375.00 plus £50.00 single room supplement.Places are already very limited especially in single rooms, so PLEASE BOOK EARLY to avoid disappointment

13TH - 19TH AUGUST 2007

Five Common Greenshank were at Llanilid on 13th and a mini arrival of birds at Kenfig Pool included a Ringed Plover, two Eurasian Curlews, a single Common Swift, 22 Willow Warblers, a Lesser Whitethroat and six Reed and six Sedge Warblers. A drake Common Scoter, 22 Common Snipe, a Green Sandpiper and a Common Greenshank were at Rhymney Estuary. On the 14th, despite the torrential rain in the morning, an excellent count of 21 Red-billed Chough were at Overton South Gower and a further six along with five Northern Wheatears were at Ogmore-by-Sea. Another Northern Wheatear and an adult Mediterranean Gull were at Kenfig Pool. Sea watching off Porthcawl produced an excellent count of 58 European Storm Petrels, 45 Manx Shearwaters and a drake Common Scoter. More heavy rain on the 15th saw five Black-tailed Godwits and seven Reed Warblers at Kenfig Pool and the drake Common Scoter, two Mediterranean Gulls, two Whimbrel, two Northern Wheatears and a European Storm Petrel were at Porthcawl. Twenty Common Swifts and 150 House Martins and the drake Greater Scaup were at Ogmore Estuary. Eurasian Hobbies were seen on the 17th at Trowbridge, Cardiff and near Caerphilly and a Common Kingfisher was at Kenfig Pool. On the 18th, thirty Sand Martins were at Cosmeston Lake and forty Common Terns were in Cardiff bay – a good count for the site.

BRITISH BIRDWATCHING FAIR

I enjoyed my visit to the Birdfair enormously this year after being absent in 2006. It was wonderful to meet up with so many old friends and also to make quite a few new ones too. I hope that we will be able to establish new working relationships and look forward to announcing some exciting new tours over the next couple of years as a result of this.

6TH - 12TH AUGUST 2007

The 6th was a red letter day as Glamorgan’s first ever European Roller was found in the early afternoon at Bryn Farm, Llanmorlais, North Gower. The bird had apparently been present since last Thursday according to the local farmer. Five Lesser Whitethroats and a Garden Warbler remained at Kenfig Pool, where there were also a Coal Tit, six Sedge Warblers and five Reed Warblers and two Red Foxes. Two Hawfinches were the second very good find of the day at Lavernock Point, where there were also two Common Chiffchaff. A flock of eighty Stock Doves at St Athan, Vale of Glamorgan was an excellent count for Wales. The European Roller was again present at Bryn Farm on 7th, a Eurasian Hobby was in Cardiff and a Northern Wheatear was at Kenfig Pool on an otherwise quiet day for migrants. A glorious morning on the 8th produced the first Common Greenshank of the autumn at Kenfig Pool and Spotted Flycatchers were there and at Pant Norton, but there was no sign of the European Roller after clear skies overnight. A Eurasian Hobby was at Mynydd Eglwysilian and another was at Parc Slip, near Bridgend. More splendid weather on the 9th saw a small increase in migrant numbers at Kenfig Pool with three Common Redshanks, nine Sedge Warblers, six Reed Warblers, three Common Swifts and a Garden Warbler present. An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Dunraven. A quiet day at Kenfig on 10th with just a Common Snipe and Common Kingfisher of note and a moulting drake Greater Scaup and two Green Sandpipers were at Ogmore Estuary. A Pied Flycatcher and a Spotted Flycatcher were at Llanilid and three Lesser Whitethroats and a Tree Pipit were at Pant Norton. The 11th was again relatively quiet at Kenfig Pool, where five Lesser Whitethroats, a Tree Pipit and a Common Redshank were the highlights. Three Common Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, three Spotted Flycatcher and three Tree Pipits were at Llanilid. A Eurasian Hobby was at Broad Pool, Gower. On the 12th, the wader roost at Sker/Kenfig Sands included 118 European Oystercatchers, six Ruddy Turnstone, six Whimbrel, 34 Ringed Plover, four Dunlin, seven Sanderling, a Common Redshank and a Common Sandpiper, while Kenfig Pool had a Common Snipe on the east pool shore. The drake Greater Scaup was again at Ogmore Estuary and two Spotted Flycatchers were near Caerphilly .

ROLLER ON NORTH GOWER

This European Roller - the first for Glamorgan was found early afternoon on 6th August 2007 at Bryn Farm, Llanmorlais, North Gower and was still showing well at 19.15 this evening. Thanks to Barry Stewart for the pix!

1ST - 5TH AUGUST 2007

AUGUST began with a single European Storm Petrel and a Great Skua off Porthcawl on 1st and a Eurasian Hobby flew over the M4 at Pencoed. At Kenfig Pool, a female/juvenile aythya duck strongly resembling a Redhead was present, along with two Dunlins. Heavy rain on the 2nd produced four Lesser Whitethroats at Kenfig Pool, as well as the Redhead type, which has been identified as a juvenile. Two Little Owls were at Sker Farm. A Eurasian Hobby was at Parc Slip near Bridgend, while Wernffrwd had 1000 Eurasian Curlews, nine Whimbrel, 76 Little Egrets, thirty Mediterranean Gulls and four Yellow-legged Gulls. A Pied Flycatcher was at Pant Norton. On the 3rd, two Whinchat and a Pied Flycatcher were at Trethomas near Caerphilly. The bushes at Kenfig Pool were busier than of late with two Garden Warblers, 23 Common Whitethroat, 24 Willow Warblers, , seven Bullfinches, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Stock Dove. A female Common Teal was on the pool and the Redhead type juvenile remained, while Sker had 25 Ringed Plovers, 150 Sanderling, twelve Dunlin and nine Whimbrel. A Tree Pipit was at Pant Norton. More rain on the 4th produced eight Green Sandpipers and a Little Stint briefly at Llanilid, where there were also thirty Mistle Thrush, five Spotted Flycatchers and a very early European Golden Plover. Kenfig Pool had two Common Teal, a Grasshopper Warbler and three Lesser Whitethroat of note, but there was no sign of the Redhead type aythya duck despite sevreal people searching. On the 5th, Kenfig Pool had a fly over Little Egret, five Lesser Whitethroats, two Garden Warblers, a Kingfisher, seventy Barn Swallows and four Northern Shoveler were new in on the pool. Forty Ringed Plover, 38 Ruddy Turnstone and an adult Mediterranean Gull were at Gileston.

JULY 2007

JULY began with eight Common Sandpipers at Ogmore Estuary on 1st and sea watching at Porthcawl produced 153 Manx Shearwaters, six European Storm Petrels, fifteen Northern Gannets, a Sandwich Tern, three Black-legged Kittiwakes, seven Northern Fulmar and two Common Scoter. Sea watching was the only option again on 2nd as yet more wind and rain came in from the west. Totals today included a Porthcawl high of 59 European Storm Petrels off Porthcawl, along with 275 Manx Shearwaters, five Northern Gannets, nine Common Scoter, seven Northern Fulmar and a Black-legged Kittiwake. On the 3rd sea watching from Port Eynon produced 500 Manx Shearwaters, three Arctic Skuas, thirty Northern Gannets, thirty Black-legged Kittiwakes and a European Storm Petrel. A Lesser Whitethroat was at the point and fourteen Red-billed Choughs were at Mewslade. Six Mediterranean Gulls were at Wernffrwd, along with 54 Common Gulls and 930 Herring Gulls, 150 Eurasian Curlew, fifteen Little Egrets and sixty Common Shelduck. The 4th saw the first Yellow-legged Gull of the autumn at Crofty, where a Bar-tailed Godwit, two Common Sandpiper, three Whimbrel, nine Sandwich Terns and an excellent early autumn count of ten Mediterranean Gulls. Fourteen European Storm Petrels were off Porthcawl, along with sixteen Northern Gannets, five Northern Fulmars, twelve Common Scoter, 122 Manx Shearwaters and fourteen Eurasian Curlews, while a Common Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover were at Kenfig Pool. The Little Ringed Plover remained at Kenfig Pool on 5th, where there were also four Common Sandpipers. Yet more sea watching, in much lighter winds today at Porthcawl produced twenty European Storm Petrels, 17 Manx Shearwaters, six Common Scoter and a Northern Fulmar. Four Common Crossbills and two Spotted Flycatchers were in forestry near Bridgend. The 6th was again blessed with gale force winds and counts at Porthcawl of twelve Northern Fulmar, nine European Storm Petrels, five Eurasian Curlew, 175 Manx Shearwaters, nine Common Scoter, twenty Northern Gannets and a Black-legged Kittiwake. The moulting adult Little Ringed Plover remained at Kenfig Pool and a Eurasian Hobby was in the Vale of Glamorgan. On the 7th, 27 European Storm Petrels were at Porthcawl along with a Sandwich Tern and a Little Egret and seventeen Black-headed Gulls were typical seasonal migrants at Kenfig Pool. The 8th produced a Green Sandpiper at Tir Founder Fields and a Grasshopper Warbler at Lliw Reservoir, Swansea. Signs of autumn at Kenfig on 10th when eight Common Pochard were on the pool and 42 Common Swifts, 21 Sand Martins, ten Barn Swallows, three Sedge Warblers, a Little Egret and 130 Black-headed Gulls passed over going north west. Two Mediterranean Gulls were at Oxwich Bay on the 12th and a Green Sandpiper was an early migrant at Ogmore Estuary. Eighteen Tufted Ducks were back on Kenfig Pool on 13th while the 14th produced a summer plumaged Black Tern at Porthcawl, along with 307 Manx Shearwaters, four European Storm Petrels, ten Northern Gannets, five Northern Fulmars, to Black-legged Kittiwakes and eight Common Scoter. The 15th produced a Honey Buzzard near the usual breeding area. On the 16th, the sun shone and North Gower was the place to be with two newly arrived Ruddy Shelduck present at Wernffrwd. Also present were fifty Little Egrets, six Mediterranean Gull, twenty Dunlin, 735 Eurasian Curlew, 1050 European Oystercatcher, thirteen Whimbrel, three Bar-tailed Godwit and a Peregrine. A Black-tailed Godwit and two Dunlin were at Kenfig Pool. The 18th produced a Grasshopper Warbler and a Whinchat at Caerau, Maesteg and a Blackcap and tow Great Spotted Woodpeckers were early migrants at Kenfig Pool. On the 19th, a Common Cuckoo was at Colwinston near Bridgend, along with several Yellowhammers. A family party of Barn Owls were at Llanilid and a Yellow-legged Gull was at Crofty. Two Common Greenshank and 23 Common Sandpiper were at Penclawdd. A further eleven Common Sandpipers and ten Sand Martins were at Kenfig Pool. On the 20th, twelve Common Eider were back at Whitford NNR and a Green Sandpiper was at Llanilid. The 21st produced a Black Tern at Porthcawl, along with 107 Manx Shearwaters and the 22nd saw another Green Sandpiper at Ogmore Estuary and three Dunlin at Kenfig Pool, while three Little Egrets were in Cardiff Bay. On the 23rd, four European Nightjars were near Swansea and 33 Mediterranean Gulls were at Blackpill. Eleven Common Sandpipers and two Dunlin were at Ogmore Estuary. The 24th produced family parties of Red-billed Chough at Nash Point and nearby Southerndown and 56 Eurasian Curlews at Porthcawl. On the 25th, single Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin and Common Sandpiper were at Kenfig Pool, where Tufted Duck numbers had risen to 29 and Common Pochard to fourteen. Sea watching at Port Eynon produced forty European Storm Petrels in two hours on 26th. The 27th produced a Mediterranean Gull bonanza with 116 counted in Swansea Bay including 83 at Blackpill alone! Also there were seven Whimbrel and a Common Tern, while the adult Yellow-legged Gull was again at Loughor Bridge. Eleven European Storm Petrels and 61 Manx Shearwaters went past Porthcawl, a Honey Buzzard was at an unnamed location and 48 Common Ravens were at Mynydd Eglwysilian. On the 29th, a Eurasian Hobby and a fall of Spotted Flycatchers and Willow Warblers were at Llanilid and a Northern Wheatear was at Kenfig Pool. The 30th saw two Common Crossbills over Penylan, Cardiff and a Little Egret, Kingfisher and Sandwich Tern were in Cardiff Bay. A Coal Tit and Great Spotted Woodpecker at Kenfig Pool were early passerine migrants. On the 31st, a churring Eurasian Nightjar was an unusually late singer at Llanwonno Forest, while two Common Sandpipers were at Kenfig Pool, where passerines included two Lesser Whitethroats, Garden Warbler and four Sedge Warblers.

ICELAND

Our fact finding tour/family holiday to Iceland from 20th - 27th July 2007 was an awe inspiring trip for many reasons. Those who have been there will know what I mean, as the dramatic scenery that encompasses you wherever you go, cannot fail to bring out a sense of wonder at nature's beauty as well as a reminder that it can be cruel and harsh too. As for birding, I managed to see 53 species without really trying very hard with the undoubted highlights being up to 20 Harlequin Ducks, six Barrow's Goldeneye, a family party of hunting Merlin, Glaucous & Iceland Gulls, Brunnich's Guillemot, Arctic and Great Skuas, a pre -migratory flock of approximately 2500 Red-necked Phalaropes at Rif on a pool on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and countless flocks of Arctic Terns Common Eiders, Greater Scaup, Atlantic Puffins,Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwits and a Snow Bunting. We also saw Minke Whales and White-beaked Dophin from a boat in Faxafloi Bay off Reykjavik and were delighted to see that whale watching is rapidly becoming more economically important than whale hunting and will no doubt in the future be seen as the more important of the two. We couldn't go to Iceland and not go bathing in the Blue Lagoon, which was a surreal and very enjoyable experience. We were fortuntate to have good friend Andy Jones and his wife Gudrun with us for a couple of days and we had a great time with them visiting the black beach and seabird cliffs at Vik, stunning waterfalls at Gullfoss and Skagerfoss, the unmissable Strokkur Geysir and volcanoes Hellid and Hekla. Andy is great company and has an incredible knowledge of the geology and geography of Iceland that is second to none - he also speaks fluent Icelandic and showed incredible generosity to us during our stay. There is no doubt that Iceland is expensive, but in my opinion it is worth every penny and I do believe that an organised tour is probably the most economical way of seeing it, as car hire, accommodation and meals take up a large part of the budget. We are delighted to announce that we will be offering a ten day tour in June/July 2009 with Andy as principal guide based on our experiences, but with additional whale watching trips and longer visits to Snaefellsness for White-tailed Eagles and Lake Myvatn for larger numbers of wildfowl and Gyr Falcons. Why not pre-register now for this unmissable experience as places will be very limited and available on a first come first served basis.

THE BOSPHOROS

If you are looking for a bird-filled, short autumn break with a difference, why not join us for our first visit to the raptor highway that is The Bosphoros. Our mini tour runs from 13th - 17th September and as well as watching the migration of many species of raptor that are passing into Asia, we will spend time looking at some of the more interesting cultural sites in the exciting and stimulating city that is Istanbul. There are just three places remaining at an inclusive cost of £650.00 per person plus £100.00 single room supplement.

Book Now to avoid disappointment!

NORFOLK JULY 2007

Our 6th – 9th JULY 2007 tour was very successful with the highlight being a male Golden Oriole feeding a chick that we saw fledge – an amazing moment! Barn, Tawny and Little Owls, Eurasian Hobby, Eurasian Woodcock, five Stone Curlews, Spotted Flycatcher and superb views of Eurasian Nightjar completed day one… Day Two produced Spotted Redshank, Little and Arctic Terns, Little Gull, Dartford Warbler, Ruff, Little Ringed Plover, more Eurasian Hobbies, Green Sandpiper and Greenshank. The final day produced excellent views of Bearded Tits, Corn Buntings, Grey Partridge, Turtle Doves and Common Scoters as well as a calling Quail and more shorebirds.

APOLOGIES

I'm sorry if anyone has been trying to acess the site over the past few weeks. We suffered a major probem with the server and this was compounded by the fact that Chris was away in Italy at the time, so we were unable to load the back up copy. Hopefully now, normal service has been resumed and the next brochure will be loaded on schedule at soem point in August. The brochure is with the printers so of you require adavance itineraries for any of the 2008 tours, please drop me a line or give me a call.

Hapy Birding!

Neil

JUNE 2007

June started very quietly as Neil took a couple of days off from guiding to complete the 2008 brochure. A Common Cuckoo was at Kenfig Pool on 3rd and a pair of Tufted Ducks was a new arrival there the same day. On the 4th, eight Cetti’s Warblers ten Sanderling and fourteen Grey Herons were at Kenfig Rivermouth. The 5th saw a very elusive singing Golden Oriole arrive at Kenfig Pool and a Turtle Dove was at Cosmeston Lakes. Today also produced a very showy male Eurasian Nightjar at Ogmore Forest, where there were also seven Lesser Redpolls and seven Tree Pipits in display flights. On the 6th, the Golden Oriole was heard but not seen at Kenfig Pool, where a lesser Whitethroat was feeding young. Pairs of Grey Partridges were seen at both Lan and Tyn-y-Caeau Farms. On the 7th, Dartford Warblers were showing well at the usual site and a couple of male Yellowhammers were also present there. A Common Cuckoo and Common Redstart were at Gelligaer and a Dipper was in Bridgend Town Centre. On the 8th, glorious weather at Worms Head produced fantastic views of a pod of fifteen Common Dolphins, 100 Manx Shearwaters and large numbers of Northern Gannets, Common Guillemots and Razorbills, as well as a couple of Northern Fulmars, Black-legged Kittiwakes and Atlantic Grey Seals. Back on land, a pair of Red-billed Chough were at Pennard, while a woodland walk in Clydach produced fantastic views of a pair of Pied Flycatchers, a Wood Warbler gathering food, a male Common Redstart and a very active Spotted Flycatcher. A Honey Buzzard at the usual site on the 9th was the highlight, but three Red Kites were also there. A new Little Ringed Plover nest was found at Llanilid. An Osprey was a very late migrant at Kenfig Pool on 10th, but was soon chased off by a flock of gulls. The 11th saw pairs of Grey Partridges at Tyn-y-Caeau and Lan Farms, as well as good numbers of Yellowhammers and Linnets, while four Tree Sparrows and a Little Owl were at The Monktons Farm. Two Little Ringed Plovers were at Llanilid and a Red Kite was over Penarth. On the 12th, sea watching produced 100 Manx Shearwaters, two Razorbills, five Northern Gannets and two Black-headed Gulls off Porthcawl, while Kenfig Rivermouth held a Little, a Common and nine Sandwich Terns, a breeding plumaged Mediterranean Gull, a Common Cuckoo and nine Sanderling. A Northern Goshawk was at the usual raptor watch point. Two Eurasian Hobbies were at Bonvilston on 13th when 400 Manx Shearwaters were off Porthcawl. On the 15th, an Egyptian Goose was on the River Neath, while on the 17th, seven Red-billed Choughs near Bridgend included four newly fledged juveniles – terrific news! Over 500 Common Swifts were in Cardiff Bay on 18th and breeding pairs of Common Redstarts and Pied Flycatchers were at Parc Cwm Darren in Caerphilly. On the 19th, fifty Manx Shearwaters, five European Storm Petrels, two Northern Fulmars and three Northern Gannets were all seen close inshore off Porthcawl, despite the wind coming from the NE which is offshore there! An excellent count of 2500 Common Swifts were at Aberthaw Power Station on 20th, a Little Tern was again at Kenfig Sands, where three Northern Gannets, a Northern Fulmar, eleven European Storm Petrels and 130 Manx Shearwaters. A Eurasian Hobby was at Coychurch, Bridgend. Sea watching was again the main focus on 21st when 225 Manx Shearwaters and seven European Storm Petrels were the highlights of a short morning stint at the shelter. On the 22nd, a female Common Redstart at Lan Farm was most unexpected, while three Grey Partridges were at Tyn-y- Caeau Farm. On the 23rd 214 Black-legged Kittiwakes were at the colony on Swansea Pier including 103 chicks. Surprisingly, a Common Tern was also there. A Sandwich Tern was at Kenfig Sands, an unseasonal female Merlin was in the north of the county and good numbers of Whinchat were found during a breeding survey. A Common Cuckoo was at Llanilid on 24th during another day of heavy rain. Yet more rain on 25th produced 1000 Common Swifts and 100 House Martins in Cardiff Bay, as well a two returning Black-headed Gulls. Twenty four European Storm Petrels and 62 Manx Shearwaters were off Porthcawl and a European Storm Petrel and a Northern Fulmar were at Sker Point. More sea watching on 27th produced seven European Storm Petrels, forty Manx Shearwaters and four Northern Gannets off Porthcawl and a Common Redshank was on the east pool shore at Kenfig, where a Dartford Warbler was in the west pool. A Sandwich Tern was in Cardiff Bay and three Common Sandpipers were back at Ogmore Estuary. Bird of the day though was a Eurasian Hobby watched for fifteen minutes at a suspected breeding site in the Vale of Glamorgan. On the 28th, further signs of the coming autumn were noted with two Little Ringed Plovers at Ogmore Estuary and a Sandwich Tern was again in Cardiff Bay. Fifteen Manx Shearwaters were off Porthcawl. Sea watching on 29th produced six European Storm Petrels, four Common Scoter, a Common Guillemot, ten Northern Gannets and 350 Manx Shearwaters off Porthcawl. The 30th produced five Little Egrets at Ogmore Estuary and twelve Common Scoters off Porthcawl.

SOUTH WALES 28TH - 31ST MAY 2007

OUR mini tour from 28th – 31st May 2007 was almost totally dry, though not always warm, while the rest of the UK suffered torrential downpours! The birding was good with an excellent passage of Manx Shearwaters and European Storm Petrels along with lesser numbers of Sandwich Terns, Northern Gannets and Black-legged Kittiwakes. Raptors featured highly with the highlights being a splendid female Marsh Harrier – still a rare bird in Wales, a displaying male Northern Goshawk, two Red Kites, two Peregrines , two European Sparrowhawk and large numbers of Common Buzzards and Common Kestrels. Three Red-billed Chough showed well, Tree Sparrows , Linnets, Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers were on the breeding grounds and a good variety of breeding warblers were seen including at least five Wood Warblers. Common Redstarts were also present in very good numbers and we enjoyed superb views of a Dipper feeding a well grown chick, a heavy passage of Common Swifts and a nice range of shorebirds including eight Pied Avocets, breeding plumaged Black-tailed Godwits and Dunlin and several Little Egrets. A most enjoyable few days spent in very good company.

TURKEY 23RD MAY - 3RD JUNE 2007

OUR second tour to TURKEY was another major triumph following on from last year’s spectacular success. However, it was noticeable that several other tour operators have decided to follow our lead and offer this wonderful destination as part of their programme, and this gives huge cause for concern, as in one case the group size was almost treble that of ours That tour cost £600.00 more than our tour and followed a carbon copy of our itinerary. Our group sizes [in this case 7] are deliberately set low to ensure a personal touch, as well as causing as little environmental impact as possible when visiting the most vulnerable sites and habitats, and we fail to see how a group of that size can be deemed responsible eco-tourism. We recorded 181 species this time around, which was slightly less than last year, but a total of eleven Iraq Babblers beat that of any other group, as we were able to pinpoint them again following our finding of them last year. This year, we were able to find four breeding pairs of Greater Sand Plovers at a site where we were given some superb information, five Broad-billed Sandpipers and the more expected highlights such as Caspian Snowcocks, White-tailed Robins, Upcher’s and Menetries Warblers, See-see Partridge, Striated Scops Owl, Kruper’s Nuthatch, Pied Kingfisher, Armenian Gull, Asian Short-toed Lark, White-headed and Marbled Ducks, Red-necked Phalarope, Spur-winged Plover, Radde’s Accentor, Crimson-winged Finch, Red-fronted Serin, Black Francolin, Citrine Wagtail and a hole host of other exciting species. We will be returning again from 24th May – 4th June 2008 with the tour cost held again at £1375.00 with no single room supplement

CHINA 7TH - 20TH MAY 2007

OUR inaugural tour to the migration hotspots of Beidaihe and Happy Island was a huge success with a superb selection and great numbers of birds present. We missed a few species, as they like us were experiencing some strange weather patterns this year resulting in either early or late arrivals of expected species and with so many of the birds there being migratory, it was inevitable that some would be missing. However, a total of 198 species speaks for itself and included the first record of Fairy Pitta for twelve years that was found by Neil at The Reservoir during an exciting fall of birds. Two Brown Hawk Owls included a very showy bird on Happy Island. Huge numbers of Brown Shrikes, Yellow-browed, Dusky and Pallas’s Warblers were present with good numbers of Red-throated, Yellow-rumped and Asian Brown Flycatchers also present, but we also found a pair of Elisae’s and a few Dark-sided and Grey-streaked Flycatchers too. Other warblers included Manchurian Bush, Spotted Bush, Pallas’s Grasshopper, Lanceolated, White-browed Chinese, Blyth’s Leaf, Oriental and Black-browed Reed, Thick-billed, Asian Stubtail, Yellow-streaked, Hume’s Leaf, Pale-legged Leaf and Two-barred Greenish and a good selection of thrushes included Eye-browed, Siberian, Grey-backed, Dusky, White’s, White-throated and Blue Rock Thrushes and Chinese Song Thrush. Siberian Blue Robins were seen on an almost daily basis and in good numbers, while at least three stunning male Siberian Rubythroat were absolute gems and a wide variety of buntings included Godlewski’s, Japanese Reed, Pallas’s, Chestnut, Chestnut –eared, Little, Black-faced, Yellow-breasted, Yellow-browed, Tristram’s and Siberian Meadow Buntings. Richards, Red-throated and Blyth’s Pipits all showed well, while raptors included several Amur Falcons, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Upland Buzzard, Pied and Eastern Marsh Harriers and widespread European Hobbies. Thirty six species of shorebird included Grey-tailed Tattler, large numbers of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Great Knots, Far Eastern Curlews, Grey-headed Lapwings, Lesser and Greater Sand Plovers, Pacific Golden Plover, Broad-billed Sandpiper and beautifully marked Dunlin of the race sakhalina and Red-necked, Temminck’s and Long-toed Stints all alongside each other, but sadly no Asian Dowitchers due to the persistently low tides. Black-tailed, Relict, Vega and Heuglin’s Gulls loafed on the beaches, while other notable species included Yellow and Von Schrenck’s Bitterns, Baillon’s Crake, Daurian Redstart, Indian and Oriental Cuckoos, Vinous Parrotbill, Plain Laughing Thrush, Red-flanked Bluetail, Rufous-tailed Robin, Chinese Nuthatch and Pacific Swift. The whole tour was a great experience and offers a wonderful opportunity to get to grips with the identification challenges posed by the wide range of species on display. We won’t be travelling in 2008, but will be returning with a longer, improved itinerary for May 2009