5TH - 11TH MARCH

On the 5th a pair of Smew at Port Talbot was a cracking find, while elsewhere three Red-billed Chough, four Little Egrets and Green Sandpiper were at various points on the Ogmore Estuary. The Iceland Gull was again at Pontsticill Reservoir and the Loughor Estuary held 565 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, while a Common Sandpiper was at Hendre Lake. A Brambling was in Maesteg on 6th and the adult Little Gull was again in Cardiff Bay. The first real spring like day of the year on the 7th saw the Great Grey Shrike reappear at Perthcelyn, along with a female Northern Goshawk. An Egyptian Goose was at Loughor Bridge and a Little Owl was at Sker Farm. Common Crossbills and Red Kites were seen in several locations. Another lovely day on the 8th produced a Barn Owl near Bridgend, a Black Redstart again in Cardiff Bay and four Tree Sparrows and a female Merlin at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm. The Great Grey Shrike was again at Perthcelyn and three Willow Tits included a pair at Tir Founder Fields, where a Kingfisher was also present. A first winter Iceland Gull was in Swansea Marina for the first time in a month or so. Two Sand Martins were in Cardiff Bay on 9th and a superb male Hawfinch and a Marsh Tit were at Tair Onnen, Cardiff. The Firecrest was again in Cardiff, three Purple Sandpipers, a Common Scoter and forty Sanderling were at Port Talbot Docks and a Red Kite was near Bridgend. Three Grey Partridge were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm and the Iceland Gull was again at Swansea Marina, the drake Red Crested Pochard was again at Ogmore Estuary, along with six Red-billed Choughs. On the 10th, nineteen Northern Fulmars were back on their breeding ledges at Cwm Nash and the Little Gull was still at Cardiff Bay. On the 11th a Great Northern Diver, 76 Common Scoter and an Egyptian Goose were at Loughor Bridge and two Hen Harriers went to roost at Llanrhidian. Seven Red-billed Chough were seen flying west over Kenfig Pool, the Iceland Gull was again in Swansea Marina and the Little Gull was again at Cardiff Bay. The first Northern Wheatear of the year was at Rhymney Estuary, where there was also a Common Sandpiper. Common Crossbills and Northern Goshawks were seen at several locations.