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