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.