1ST - 18TH FEBRUARY 2007

FEBRUARY began with a pair of Goshawks displaying over some forestry near Pontardawe and Dippers in song at several locations. The 2nd produced three Black Redstarts in Cardiff Bay and the Firecrest again nearby, while elsewhere in the Cardiff area, two Marsh Tits were at Forest Fawr. A glorious, sunny day on 3rd produced a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and a Dartford Warbler in Maesteg, the Great Northern Diver again in Barry Docks and the Firecrest and three Black Redstarts were in Cardiff Bay, while the birch wood at Kenfig had a Eurasian Woodcock. Twelve Purple Sandpipers and two Red-billed Chough were at Rhossilli Bay and a female Merlin was at Mewslade Valley. A Little Egret was again at Sker on 4th and three Red-billed Chough were at Ogmore-by-Sea. The Firecrest remained in Cardiff and a Cetti’s Warbler showed well at Kenfig Pool. A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was at Bryngarw Country Park on 5th while the 6th brought Goshawk activity from many places, the Great Northern Diver again in Barry Docks and a Spotted Redshank at the Rhymney Estuary, Cardiff. The 7th produced a Great Grey Shrike at Porthcelyn near Merthyr Tydfil and a Purple Sandpiper and 200 Sanderling at Sker. The Great Grey Shrike was again present on the 8th and three Brambling were at Mountain Ash, while the 10th saw an exceptional count of 568 Northern Lapwings at The Watermill, as well as a Black Redstart, 33 Common Goldeneye and 24 Rock Pipits at Ogmore Estuary. The Firecrest remained at Cardiff Bay. A busy day on the 11th saw a male Merlin and three Goosander at Kenfig Pool, a Little Gull was at Cardiff Bay and a female Greater Scaup at Cosmeston Lake. The Ogmore Estuary also had a Little Gull, a Green Sandpiper and a female Hen Harrier and a Red Kite was at Maesteg. On the 13th, the Rhymney Estuary had counts of 1200 Red Knot, 2000 Dunlin, 105 Northern Pintail, 650 Common Redshank and an adult Yellow-legged Gull while Cardiff Bay again had the Firecrest and two Black Redstarts. On the 14th, a Eurasian Woodcock was an unusual find in the centre of Swansea, a Northern Goshawk was displaying at Margam and three Back Redstarts were in Cardiff Bay. The Great Grey Shrike was seen again on the 16th, the Little Gull was still present at The Watermill and two Willow Tits were in Caerphilly. The Great Grey Shrike was again present on the 17th and an Iceland Gull and a Hen Harrier were at nearby Pontyscill Reservoir. The drake Red Crested Pochard returned to the Ogmore Estuary, where a Black Redstart, three Red-billed Choughs and a Dartford Warbler were present. A Black Redstart was also at Southerndown, along with fourteen Purple Sandpiper. A Bittern and Jack Snipe were at Kenfig Pool. On the 18th a Long-tailed Duck was amongst 240 Common Scoter at Rhossilli and two Green Sandpipers and the Little Gull were again at The Watermill. The Great Grey Shrike was again present at Porthcelyn and a Common Crossbill was also present there.