24TH - 30TH NOVEMBER 2008

On the 24th, a Common Scoter was on Lisvane Reservoir, eight Common Goldeneye were at Kenfig Pool and an adult Yellow-legged Gull was on Ogmore Estuary. The Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Lake and seven Grey Partridge were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm. The Bearded Tit was again at Cosmeston Lakes on the 25th, along with a first winter drake Greater Scaup. A Jack Snipe, five Common Chiffchaff, two Water Rail and two Lesser Redpoll were at Candleston, while two Velvet Scoter, a Great Northern Diver, a Brambling and nine Eurasian Wigeon were at Oxwich NNR. The Ring-billed Gull was again at Lamby Lake. On the 26th, a Richard’s Pipit was an excellent find in the Vale of Glamorgan at Glan-y-Mor near Southerndown. The bird frequented set aside fields on the cliff top, where fifty Sky Lark and a Common Snipe were also present and seven Red-billed Chough were also on the cliff tops there. Elsewhere, a Spotted Redshank, Common Sandpiper and Common Greenshank were at Penclawdd Pill and another Common Sandpiper was in Swansea Marina, along with a Black Redstart. Two Tree Sparrows were at the very unusual location of Blackpill, yet another Common Sandpiper was at Rhymney Estuary, along with 1800 Dunlin and 1000 Red Knot and another Black Redstart was in Cardiff Bay. Two Mediterranean Gulls, 114 Great Crested Grebe and ten Common Scoter were off Aberavon Beach. A first winter Mediterranean Gull was at Kenfig Pool on 28th along with a Common Chiffchaff and seven Eurasian Wigeon and a male Merlin was at Glan-y-Mor, but there was no sign of the Richard’s Pipit. Ten Little Egret were at Hendre Lake, thirty five Dark-bellied Brent Geese and a Barn Owl were at Rhymney Estuary. Seven Lesser and a Common Redpoll, as well as a Black Redstart were in Cardiff Bay. The male Bearded Tit was again at Cosmeston Lakes. On the 29th, the Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Lake, along with a Barn Owl, Black Redstarts were at Cardiff Bay and St Donats and a Merlin and Common Crossbill were on Maesteg. The Bearded Tit was at Cosmeston Lakes and the Slavonian Grebe again at Penarth Marina. On the 30th, two Barn Owls were at Lamby Tip and eleven Fieldfare, thirty Greenfinch, twenty Reed Bunting, fifteen Yellowhammer and one hundred and fifty Wood Pigeon were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm. A Black Redstart was in Cardiff Bay and the Bearded Tit was again at Cosmeston Lakes.

NORTH EAST ENGLAND 2009

Please note that both tours for 2009 are now full. We will only run one tour in June 2010, so if you are interested, please contact us and we can take an advance registration.

17TH - 23RD NOVEMBER 2008

On the 17th, the Whooper Swan, a Water Pipit and two Red-billed Chough were at Ogmore Estuary, three Great Northern Diver, a Green Sandpiper, 160 Common Snipe and two Jack Snipe were at Oxwich NNR and thirteen Mediterranean Gulls were at Port Eynon. The Ferruginous Duck and Bearded Tit were again at Cosmeston Lakes and thirteen Eurasian Wigeon were also there. A Black Redstart was in Cardiff Bay, the Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Lake and the Slavonian Grebe was again in Penarth Marina. The 18th produced the Ferruginous Duck and Bearded Tit at Cosmeston Lakes. Two Black Redstart were in Cardiff Bay and a Common Eider was again at Lavernock Point. A Little Gull was in Swansea Marina. On the 19th a thrush movement at Kenfig Pool saw 430 Redwing and 155 Fieldfare go north west and a Goosander was on the pool. Twelve Lesser Redpoll, fourteen European Golden Plover and thirty two Reed Bunting were in Maesteg, the Whooper Swan remained at The Watermill Flood and two Red-billed Chough were at Southerndown. The Ferruginous Duck and Bearded Tit were again at Cosmeston Lakes. A Black Redstart was at Cardiff Bay and the Slavonian Grebe was again in Penarth Marina.
Seven Common Crossbill and eight Lesser Redpoll were at Caerphilly and the Ring-billed Gull was again at Lamby Lake. An amazing count of 176 Great Crested Grebe were off Blackpill, where seven Dark-bellied Brent Geese were also present. A Green Sandpiper was at Ogmore Estuary on 20th, the Whooper Swan was again at The Watermill Flood and nineteen Purple Sandpipers were at Ogmore-by-Sea. The Bearded Tit and Ferruginous Duck were again at Cosmeston Lakes, the Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Lake and 185 Northern Pintail, 1250 Dunlin, a Grey Plover and 500 Common Redshank were at Rhymney Estuary. A Ring-tailed Hen Harrier was at Llanrhidian Marsh and a female Marsh Harrier was a late migrant at nearby Penclawdd Pill. On the 21st, two Eurasian Woodcock were at Tondu, the Bearded Tit and Ferruginous Duck were again at Cosmeston Lakes and a Ruddy Duck and three Yellowhammer were at Kenfig Pool. The Slavonian Grebe was still present at Penarth Marina. On the 22nd a Eurasian Woodcock was at Candleston, the Common Eider was again at Lavernock Point, a Brambling was at Forest Farm and eight Eurasian Wigeon and a Siberian Chiffchaff were at Kenfig Pool. The Bearded Tit and Ferruginous Duck were again at Cosmeston Lakes, the Slavonian Grebe was in Penarth Marina, three Red-throated and a Black-throated Diver were at Rhossilli and two Black Redstarts were at Southerndown. On the 23rd, the three Great Northern Divers were again at Oxwich NNR, the Ferruginous Duck and Bearded Tit were at Cosmeston Lakes and the Common Eider was off Lavernock Point.

SOUTH AFRICA 30TH OCTOBER - 10TH NOVEMBER 2008

Our recent ten day exploration of South Africa’s Western Cape was a tremendous success, with the group recording a total of 258 species including many of the areas endemics and speciailities. Our arrival in Cape Town on 31st October was followed immediately by an afternoon at the Strandfontein sewage works where we connected with a variety of herons, egrets, waders, ducks, gulls and terns including the rare Hottentot Teal, huge flocks of breeding plumaged Black-necked Grebes and many of the endemic Cormorants. Our first full day was spent at sea on a pelagic to the trawling grounds approximately 25 miles off the cape, and as well as numerous sightings of Southern Right and Bryde’s Whales we recorded thousands of seabirds. Four species of Albatross, Pintado, Soft-plumaged, White-chinned, Wilson’s and Northern Giant Petrels, flocks of Sabine’s Gulls and hundreds of Great Shearwaters being the highlights. Our second day on the peninsula saw us visit Kirsetnbosch botanical gardens for many of the endemic canaries, Orange-breasted, Malachite and Double-collared Sunbirds, Cape Sugarbird and nesting Spotted Eagle Owls. In the Hottnetots Holland range, such specialities as Cape Rock Thrush and Cape Rockjumper were added amid spectacular scenery followed by some excellent dining on the Cape Town waterfront in the evenings. Heading north into the Strandveld a whole new host of species became available and soon we were ticking off Secretary Bird, Black Harrier and the national bird, Blue Crane. Our spacious hotel on the banks of the Berg River was right by the estuary where Chestnut-banded Plover and Lesser Flamingo could be found, and surrounding plains held endemic Cape Long-billed Lark. In the West Coast national park, throngs of wintering shorebirds were seen at close quarters and the endemic Southern Black Korhaan seen by the roadside – perhaps the African Fish Eagle mobbed by a passing Osprey stole the show here, however! Our fourth base at the entrance to the Tanqua Karoo was in the town of Ceres, and a drinking pool in the nearby hills here added Streaky-headed and Protea Canaries to our burgeoning list with Horus Swift over the hotel. In the Tanqua, such sought-after birds as Fairy Flycatcher, Karoo Eremomela and Rufous-eared Warbler were seen and raptors included the superb Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk and subtle Greater Kestrel. Continuing our giant loop we headed south-east to the Grootvadersbosch forest, and on our early morning venture into the woodland struck gold with elusive Narina Trogon and Knysna Warbler, Blue-mantled and Paradise Flycatchers and both Knysna and Olive Woodpeckers. African Wood Owl were seen by our accommodation after dusk and the spectacular sunset and great South African cooking added to the experience. Our final stop on the Agulhas plains allowed us to add the localised Agulhas Long-billed and Clapper Larks, and along the coast here Cape Vulture, Martial Eagle, Karoo Korhaan, Denham’s Bustard and the diminutive Damara Tern rounded off our stay in this beautiful and bird-rich country. We returned to Cape Town on 9th November with a full notebook, and some outstanding and memorable birding experiences from this stunning region.We return from 31st October - 11th November 2009.

POLAND

Please note that our Poland 28th May - 4th June 2009 tour is now full. We will of course be returning to this beautiful part of the world in June 2010 and we are taking registrations in advance.

MULL

Please note our Mull 22nd - 28th June tour is now full. If you are interested in a holiday to this wonderful destination, please contact us as we are considering running a second week from 28th June - 4th July 2009.

10TH - 16TH NOVEMBER 2008

On the 10th, a Slavonian Grebe was in Cardiff Bay, along with a pair of Greater Scaup and the Common Eider was again at Lavernock Point on a very wet day. A Snow Bunting was at Ogmore-by-Sea. The 11th produced a Firecrest in a Cardiff garden and a Green Sandpiper and a Whooper Swan again at The Watermill Flood. The Snow Bunting, three Red-billed Chough and two Peregrine were at Ogmore-by-Sea. On the 12th, the first Great Bittern of the autumn was at Kenfig Pool, where a Siberian Chiffchaff was still present and eighty nine Fieldfare and twenty six Redwing moved west. An adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Black Redstart and two Greater Scaup were again in Cardiff Bay. The Yellow-browed Warbler was refound in Nant-y-fyllon. Three Mediterranean Gull and sixty Ringed Plover were at Newton Point. A Grey Phalarope was off Salthouse Point and a Short-eared Owl, Spotted Redshank and Common Sandpiper were at Penclawdd Pill. A Black Redstart was at Nash Point, nine Common Crossbill were in Tondu and the Slavonian Grebe was relocated at Penarth. A very wet day on the 13th saw four Black Redstart at Gileston, a Whooper Swan and two Mediterranean Gulls at Ogmore Estuary and two Brambling at Kenfig Pool. The 14th saw the Slavonian Grebe again in Cardiff Bay and a Brambling, 250 Fieldfare, eighty Redwing and 1500 Dunlin were at Rhymney Estuary. Two Water Pipits were at Ogmore Estuary, the Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Way Lake, along with a Lesser Redpoll and a Wood Lark and three Brambling were at Lavernock Point. Yet another wet day on the 15th and the Whooper Swan was still at Ogmore Estuary, along with the two Water Pipits, two Red-billed Chough were at Ogmore-by-Sea and a Jack Snipe was at St Fagans, near Cardiff. The Slavonian Grebe was again in Cardiff Bay and a Merlin was near Cowbridge. A Red-breasted Merganser and four Greater Scaup were on Kenfig Pool and a drake Ferruginous Duck and a Bearded Tit were at Cosmeston Lakes. On the 16th, the drake Ferruginous Duck was again present at Cosmeston Lakes and a Red-throated Diver, 1000 Redwing and a Firecrest were at Kenfig NNR. Two Green Sandpiper, the Ring-billed Gull, a Barn Owl and four Cetti’s Warblers were at Lamby Way Lake and the Slavonian Grebe was off Penarth Marina. Twenty Purple Sandpipers were at Ogmore Estuary, a Snow Bunting, Slavonian Grebe and six Red-breasted Merganser were at Whiteford NNR and two Grey
Partridge and five Brambling were in St Donats and two Red-billed Chough were in Porthcawl.

PYRENEES, EBRO DELTA, STEPPES

Please note the new dates for this fabulous tour are 7th - 16th June 2009. Led by David Gosney, it is one of the very best all round Spain tours available with many birding and other highlights. PSaces are limited, so if you wish to book, please do so in the near future to avoid disappointment. Cost £1275.00 - full itinerary available on the Tours by Location page on the wesbsite.

1ST - 9TH NOVEMBER 2008

The 1ST NOVEMBER saw a female Red-breasted Merganser and two Purple Sandpipers at Ogmore-by-Sea and the Whooper Swan and two Common Goldeneye were at The Watermill Flood. The second winter Ring-billed Gull was again at Lamby Way Lake. Kenfig Pool had a drake Gadwall, two Common Kingfisher, sixteen Common Teal, eleven Eurasian Wigeon, twelve Northern Shoveler, twelve Eurasian Siskin, two Common Chiffchaff and two male Blackcap. A Black Redstart and Eurasian Spoonbill were at Penclawdd, along with 700 Northern Pintail, 300 Eurasian Wigeon and 100+ Dark-bellied Brent Goose. An amazing movement of 22,000 Wood Pigeon took place over Western Cardiff and a Brambling was at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm. On the 2nd, the Ring-billed Gull was again at Lamby Way Lake, a female Merlin was at Llanrhidian Marsh, a Eurasian Spoonbill was seen from Dalton’s Point where there were also two hundred Black-tailed Godwit and two Spotted Redshank and a Common Greenshank were at Penclawdd Pill. Two Peregrine were at Ogmore-by-Sea, the Whooper Swan was at the Watermill Flood and large numbers of European Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Red Knot, Black-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover and Dark-bellied Brent Goose were at Salthouse Point, where three Red-breasted Merganser and three Northern Pintail were also present. On the 3rd the Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Way Lake and an adult Yellow-legged Gull was at Rhymney Estuary. A Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl were at Llanrhidian Marsh, a Little Egret and three Common Scoter at Sker and a male Merlin was at Porth, Rhondda. A male Black Redstart was in Swansea, two Greater Scaup, a Slavonian Grebe and 263 Northern Shoveler were at Crofty, North Gower. The 4th produced a Snow Bunting at Nash Point and a pair of Goosander, four Common Goldeneye and an unseasonal Dunlin at Kenfig Pool and a Hen Harrier and a Merlin were at the river mouth. Two Yellow-legged Gulls , twelve Barn Swallow and four hundred Red Knot were at Rhymney Estuary. The Ring-billed Gull was again at Lamby Way Lake and a Barn Owl and a Dartford Warbler were in Port Talbot. On the 5th a Black-tailed Godwit, Common Redshank and twenty five Northern Lapwing were at Kenfig Pool and two Whooper Swans were at The Watermill Flood. Five Brambling were in Maesteg, a Dark-bellied Brent Goose and thirty five Eurasian Wigeon were at Aberthaw Marsh and a Firecrest was at Cardiff Bay. The 6th saw a Firecrest and Brambling at Lavernock Point and twenty seven Redwing, an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Jack Snipe and the big female Northern Goshawk were again at Kenfig Pool. The two Whooper Swans remained at The Watermill Flood and a Green Sandpiper and four Little Egret were at Ogmore Estuary. A Brambling was in Cardiff Bay, the Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Way Lake, a Yellow-browed Warbler was in Maesteg and two Merlin at Mynydd Eglwysilian. The 7th saw the two Whooper Swans and a Green Sandpiper at the Ogmore Estuary and a ringtail Hen Harrier was at Mynydd Eglwysilian. The Yellow-browed Warbler was again at Nant-y-fyllon, a Short-eared Owl and eight hundred Red Knot were at Rhymney Estuary and a Common Eider was at Lavernock Point. On the 8th, the Yellow-browed Warbler remained at Nant-y-fyllon and the two Whooper Swan were again at Ogmore Estuary, where there were also twenty five Fieldfare, two Little Egret, eighty one Eurasian Curlew, a drake Common Goldeneye and six drake Goosander. A Red-throated Diver was at Lavernock Point and a Short-eared Owl and a Hen Harrier were at Llanrhidian Marsh. Eleven Water Rail were at Aberthaw Marsh, along with thirty five Eurasian Wigeon, two Coal Tit and two Redwing. The 9th produced a Siberian Chiffchaff at Kenfig Pool, where there was also a female Greater Scaup, seventy six Common Pochard and a pair of Gadwall. The Yellow-browed Warbler was again at Nant-y-fyllon and the Common Eider was again at Lavernock Point. The Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Lake and the two Whooper Swans were again at Ogmore Estuary. Seventy Common Scoter and thirty Black-legged Kittiwake were at Oxwich Bay.

SOUTH WALES LATE MIGRANTS & WINTER WILDFOWL 28TH OCTOBER - 2ND NOVEMBER 2008

OUR SOUTH WALES LATE MIGRANTS & WINTER WILDFOWL TOUR from 28th OCTOBER – 2nd NOVEMBER 2008 produced some glorious if pretty unseasonably cold weather. DAY ONE saw a low key introduction with the highlights being a couple of female Goosander at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir and a pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Common Nuthatch and good numbers of Coal Tit at Hafod farm. DAY TWO was sunny, cold and very rewarding. The undoubted highlight was a very showy Short-eared Owl at Sker, where there were also a Little Owl, two Red-breasted Merganser, an adult Mediterranean Gull and a close in Red-throated Diver. Also very high on the list was a superb Dipper at Candleston that gave prolonged, scope filing views and other species of note today were a late Barn Swallow, a couple of hundred European Golden Plover and a pair of displaying European Sparrowhawk. On DAY THREE a bitterly cold north east wind was blowing, but we still managed some excellent birding. Three Red-billed Chough, two Goosander, a Whooper Swan, Green Woodpecker, Mediterranean Gull and Common Kingfisher were at Ogmore Estuary and Nash Point had a Peregrine and a female Merlin. Tyn-y-Caeau Farm gave us excellent view of a flock of twenty five Redwing, as well as several Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting and a Tree Sparrow was at nearby Broughton. On DAY FOUR, we headed west to South Gower on a gloriously sunny day, but birds were quite hard to come by in a stiff north east wind. Pick of the bunch was a male Dartford Warbler and other trip ticks today included Linnet, Greenfinch, Blackcap and Common Guillemot, but otherwise, it was mostly Goldcrests, Long-tailed Tits and a Common Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker of note. DAY FIVE was spent at Kenfig Pool on another fantastic sunny day. New birds for the tour were twelve Northern Shoveler, sixteen Common Teal, eleven Eurasian Wigeon, a drake Gadwall, four Bullfinch, two Common Chiffchaff and twelve Eurasian Siskin, while other notable species included six Barn Swallow, five Grey Heron, two Common Kingfisher, three Redwing and two male Blackcap. DAY SIX and our final day. An early start saw us head west again to the wilderness of the North Gower coastline on another glorious morning and the high tide wader roost produced quite a spectacle as large numbers of European Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Red Knot, Black-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover and Dark-bellied Brent Goose were seen, while small numbers of Bar-tailed Godwit, Red-breasted Merganser and Northern Pintail were present. A Eurasian Spoonbill was seen from Dalton’s Point, a Common Greenshank and two Spotted Redshank were at Penclawdd and three Peregrine, two Red Kite and a female Merlin provided the principal raptor interest to round off a very enjoyable tour that produced a total of 107 species.