12TH - 18TH MARCH

A busy day on the 12th saw a Short-eared and Barn Owl, as well as four Hen Harriers and 750 European Golden Plovers at Llanrhidian Marsh, ten Purple Sandpipers at Port Eynon and four Little Gulls in Cardiff Bay. The Great Grey Shrike was again at Perthcelyn and three Red-billed Chough were at Ogmore-by-Sea. A Northern Wheatear was at Kenfig Sands and the Iceland Gull was again in Swansea Marina. Three Green Sandpipers were at The Watermill Flood on 13th, along with a very early juvenile Grey Heron and the Iceland Gull was again at Pontsticill Reservoir. The first winter Iceland Gull was also in Swansea Marina and a Sand Martin was over Fendrod lake also in Swansea. On the 14th the Barn and Short-eared Owls were again at Llanrhidian, along with three Hen Harriers. Four Red Kites were over Swansea in the afternoon and Common Chiffchaffs were singing from many places. A very early Willow Warbler was singing in Cardiff, where a Whimbrel at the Rhymney Estuary was also an early arrival. Also there was a Common Greenshank and a Merlin, while at Penclawdd, the six Pink-footed Geese were again present, along with 43 Fieldfare and five Common Snipe. Eight Sand Martins were at Kenfig Pool on 15th and the first winter Iceland Gull was again at Swansea Marina. Two Barn Owls were again at Llanilid, the Greater Scaup and Water Pipit were both at Llwyn Onn Reservoir and the Great Grey Shrike was again at Perthcelyn. A glorious day on the 16th produced the four Little Gulls again in Cardiff Bay, along with a Northern Wheatear and 35 Sand Martins. Three Sand Martins were at Kenfig Pool and a Grey Partridge was at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm. The 17th produced sixty Sand Martins at Cosmeston Lakes, seven Red-billed Chough and a Northern Wheatear at Ogmore-by-Sea and two Jack Snipe at Kenfig Pool. The Great Grey Shrike was again at Perthcelyn. A windy and cold day on the 18th saw 100 Sand Martins at Cosmeston Lakes and three Little Gulls again in Cardiff Bay.