12TH -19TH JANUARY 2009

The 12th saw milder but very wet weather and a Common Sandpiper in Central Cardiff and the Bearded Tit at Cosmeston Lakes was the only news today. On the 13th, the drake Lesser Scaup was again in Cardiff Bay and a Black Redstart was in Penarth Marina. The Great Bittern and a Barn Owl were at Lamby Lake, a Black-throated and Great Northern Diver were in Oxwich Bay and six Greater Scaup were on Kenfig Pool. A Bohemian Waxwing was nearby in Kenfig Hill. The 14th saw a first winter Ring-billed Gull, a displaying male Northern Goshawk and a Jack Snipe at Kenfig Pool and a Bohemian Waxwing was in Bridgend. The Lesser Scaup and Slavonian Grebe were in Cardiff Bay. Another very wet day on the 15th saw the second winter Ring-billed Gull at Lamby Lake, six Common Goldeneye at Kenfig Pool and three hundred Fieldfare in Maesteg, while 2000 Dunlin, 1750 Red Knot and two Black-tailed Godwits were at Rhymney Estuary. On the 16th, two Brambling were in north Cardiff and a female Northern Goshawk was at Mynydd Eglwysilian. Three Pale-bellied Brent Goose were at Aberthaw Marsh, along with seventy Eurasian Wigeon. On the 17th, a Black-throated Diver was a good find at Aberavon Beach, eight Little Egrets were at Aberthaw Marsh and the Slavonian Grebe, two Greater Scaup and eight Lesser Redpoll were in Cardiff Bay. A Jack Snipe was at Kenfig Pool and an Egyptian Goose was at Neath. The Bearded Tit was again at Cosmeston Lakes. The 18th produced a Great Bittern, eight Goosander and a huge female Peregrine at Kenfig Pool, a pair of Greater Scaup at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir and a Northern Goshawk at Hafod Farm. Seven Purple Sandpiper were at Ogmore-by-Sea and Oxwich Bay had a Great Northern and two Red-throated Diver, as well as forty Gadwall and a Eurasian Woodcock. A Northern Goshawk was in Maesteg, two Greater Scaup were in Cardiff Bay, along with a Slavonian Grebe. Fifteen Common Crossbill were in Garw Fechan Forest.