23RD - 28TH FEBRUARY 2009

On the 23rd, an Iceland Gull was at Cosmeston Lakes, the Water Pipit was at Ogmore Estuary and a Northern Goshawk was at Margam. The Lesser Scaup was again at Cardiff Bay. On the 24th, an Iceland Gull and a Glaucous Gull were at Port Talbot Docks and a Glaucous Gull was at Swansea Marina, while another Iceland Gull was again at Cosmeston Lakes. Red Kites were in several locations and four Red-billed Chough were at Ogmore-by-Sea. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was at Rhymney Estuary and a Northern Goshawk, Peregrine and Tawny Owl were at Mynydd Eglwysilian. The drake Lesser Scaup was again in Cardiff Bay. The 25th saw both Iceland and Glaucous Gulls again in Port Talbot, along with a Common Sandpiper and twenty three Goosander were on Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. A male Hen Harrier was in Maesteg, a Merlin at Mynydd Eglwysilian and two Grey Partridge at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm. The 26th saw ten Red-billed Chough at Ogmore-by-Sea, two Yellow-legged Gulls at Penclawdd and a Dartford Warbler in Fall Bay, Gower. A pair of Garganey were very early migrants at Parc Slip NR, near Bridgend on 27th, the Iceland and Glaucous Gulls were at Port Talbot and a Brambling was in Neath. The Great Bittern remained at Hendre Lake. On the 28th, a pair of Greater Scaup were at Kenfig Pool, along with nineteen Common Goldeneye and the Glaucous and Iceland Gulls were again in Port Talbot. Three Green Sandpipers were at The Watermill Flood. A Short-eared Owl was at Pyle and Kenfig Golf Club and the Lesser Scaup was in Cardiff Bay.

CORNWALL WINTER 23RD - 26TH FEBRUARY 2009

OUR inaugural CORNWALL WINTER tour from 23rd – 26th February 2009 was a resounding success. Any trip that starts with a Snowy Owl is unlikely to go far wrong and that was the case as we viewed this exceptional bird on its moorland home near Zennor. After an anxious wait the bird showed very well to the group. Also seen on DAY ONE were Red Knot, Goosander, five Mediterranean Gull, 100+ Dunlin, six Little Egret, ten Bar-tailed Godwit, fifteen Grey Plover and large numbers of Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal, Eurasian Curlew and Common Redshank, as well as a few Common Raven and Common Buzzard. DAY TWO provided us with an awesome day of winter birding as we spent time at Gerrans Bay watching the sea. No fewer than twenty Black-throated Divers, but probably quite a few more gave superb views on a flat calm sea, where ten Great Northern Diver, an amazing thirty Slavonian Grebe and four Red-necked Grebe, as well as a drake Long-tailed Duck were also seen at close range – superb! A few Northern Fulmar, Northern Gannet, European Shag, Common Scoter and Common Guillemot were also present as well as a male Yellowhammer at a nearby farm. The afternoon as spent enjoying our boat trip up the Carrick Roads, which also delivered some superb birding. Twelve Great Northern Divers and a multitude of European Shag gave close up view, while thirty Red-breasted Merganser included several superb drakes. A flock of seven Black-necked Grebe included a splendid breeding plumaged bird and a Slavonian Grebe for fantastic comparative views, while the highlight for many were the up close and personal views of two first year drake Velvet Scoter that allowed us to get within a few metres before flying off down river. The river banks also provided us with some excellent sightings including four Common Kingfisher, thirty Little Egrets and at least that many Grey Herons, many of which were in their rookery. A Black-tailed Godwit was found among a flock of Eurasian Curlew and several European Oystercatcher and Common Shelduck were also noted. We still weren’t finished as a stop at Swanpool produced a Water Rail feeding a couple of metres away right in the open and our first Tufted Duck, Goldcrest and Long-tailed Tits of the tour were also present. How can we follow that tomorrow?! DAY THREE was spent in the district of Penwith, where another tremendous days birding was had. First year Iceland and Glaucous Gulls were present at Newlyn Harbour, two Cattle Egrets showed superbly in Sancreed and three Greater Scaup and a drake Northern Pintail rounded off an excellent morning. In the afternoon, several Great Northern and a superb breeding plumaged Red-throated Diver were in Mounts Bay, along with fourteen Common Scoter, two Black Redstarts and a first winter Mediterranean Gull were on the beach and a cracking Water Pipit, several Common Snipe, a Common Chiffchaff and two very showy Firecrest were in the marsh. Finally, a Purple Sandpiper was at Jubilee Pool. DAY FOUR produced two Siberian Chiffchaff, several Common Chiffchaff and a Firecrest in Helston, a few Common Goldeneye, European Sparrowhawk and Great Crested Grebes at Stithians Reservoir and we finished a superb tour with a female Surf Scoter, Common Greenshank and twenty Dark-bellied Brent Goose at Dawlish Warren on the way home. If you would like to join us in 2010, please hurry as we already have just two places remaining. Dates 22ND – 25TH FEBRUARY 2010. Cost £450.00.

16TH -22ND FEBRUARY 2009

On the 16th the Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Lake, the Great Bittern was at Hendre Lake and the drake Lesser Scaup was at Cardiff Bay. The 17th saw the Iceland Gull again at Ogmore Estuary, a pair of Hen Harrier at Llanrhidian Marsh and another along with a Merlin at Mynydd Eglwysilian. The Great Bittern was again at Hendre Lake. On the 18th three Red-billed Chough were at Pennard, a Hen Harrier was again at Mynydd Eglwysilian and the first winter Iceland Gull was at Ogmore Estuary. On the 19th the Great Bittern was at Hendre Lake, two Black-legged Kittiwake were at Porthcawl and the Iceland Gull was at Ogmore Estuary. The 20th produced five Brambling in Neath, five Greater Scaup at Rhymney Estuary, a Red Kite at Port Talbot and the Great Bittern at Hendre Lake. On the 21st, a Barn Owl was at Llancadle, a Great Northern Diver was at Swansea Docks and an Iceland Gull at Port Talbot. A male Hen Harrier and a Eurasian Woodcock were in Maesteg. On the 22nd, the drake Lesser Scaup was again in Cardiff Bay and a drake Greater Scaup and three hundred European Golden Plover were at Kenfig NNR. Two Common Greenshank and four Cetti’s Warbler were at Lamby Lake. Ten Greater Scaup were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir.

9TH - 15TH FEBRUARY 2009

The 9th produced a drake Greater Scaup at Kenfig Pool and a female on Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir, along with fifteen Common Goldeneye. A first summer Glaucous Gull was at Margam Breakwater and fifty Fieldfare were at Hafod Farm. The three Bohemian Waxwing were again in Bridgend. On the 10th, the three Bohemian Waxwing were again in Bridgend, the first winter Iceland Gull, nineteen Purple Sandpiper, five Common Raven and four Mediterranean Gull were at Ogmore Estuary. Twelve Common Crossbill, a pair of Northern Goshawk, a Peregrine, a Jack Snipe and six Eurasian Woodcock were in the Garw Valley. The Great Bittern was at Hendre Lake, another Iceland Gull was in Cardiff Bay and then Penarth and a Willow Tit was in Swansea. On the 11th, three Red-throated Divers, two Common Guillemot, a pair of Red-billed Chough and two Northern Fulmar were at Worms Head and a Black-throated Diver was in Oxwich Bay. The Great Bittern was again at Hendre Lake and the Iceland and Ring-billed Gulls were at Lamby Lake. A male Black Redstart was in Swansea. Six Grey Plover and 300 European Golden Plover were at Sker on the 12th and a Red-throated Diver and Common Scoter were at Margam Breakwater. The drake Greater Scaup and eleven Goosander were on Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. The 13th produced a first winter Glaucous Gull in Port Talbot, while an adult was at Rhymney Estuary, Cardiff. The Great Bittern as again at Hendre Lake and seven Grey Partridge were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm. A Hen Harrier was at Mynydd Eglwysilian, the adult Glaucous Gull was at Rhymney Estuary and the Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Lake. The drake Lesser Scaup was refound in Cardiff Bay and a first winter Iceland Gull was at Lisvane Reservoir. Three Short-eared and a Barn Owl were at Llanilid. On the 14th two Great Northern Divers were in Oxwich Bay and two Otters were in the marsh. The Great Bittern was at Hendre Lake, the Ring-billed Gull at Lamby Lake and two Hen Harriers were at Mynydd Eglwysilian. Another Hen Harrier was in Maesteg, along with a Tawny Owl, a Jack Snipe and a Eurasian Woodcock. On the 15th, a Lesser Whitethroat was in Caerphilly and a Hen Harrier and Peregrine were at Mynydd Eglwysilian.

SOUTH WALES 7TH - 12TH FEBRUARY 2009

OUR SOUTH WALES SECRETS OF THE SALTMARSH TOUR 7TH – 12TH FEBRUARY 2009 once again provided our group with some excellent winter birding. DAY ONE was spent on North Gower where highlights included a superb male Hen Harrier, hunting Barn Owl and good numbers of Slavonian Grebe, Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Northern Pintail, Common Eider and Red Knot as well as a few Red-breasted Merganser and Little Egret. DAY TWO was spent in and around Cardiff and produced some real quality birds in the form of Marsh Tit, Ring-billed, Iceland and Glaucous Gulls, Barn Owl, Slavonian Grebe and Water Rail. Heading back west, three Bohemian Waxwing in Bridgend rounded off another excellent day despite it being really cold and sometimes wet. On DAY THREE torrential rain all day hampered our progress, but we still managed to see another Glaucous Gull, a Common Scoter and Harbour Porpoise at Margam Breakwater, a drake Greater Scaup and fourteen Common Snipe at Kenfig Pool and a female Greater Scaup, fifteen Common Goldeneye and three Goosander at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir and a drake Mandarin Duck at Margam Abbey Pond. DAY FOUR was spent in the Vale of Glamorgan in much better weather. We enjoyed excellent views of Little Owl, nineteen Purple Sandpiper, another Iceland Gull, a drake Goosander and four Mediterranean Gull in the Ogmore area and fifty Reed Bunting, twenty five Yellowhammer and two Grey Partridge at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm. Four Stock Dove and a pair of Dipper rounded off another enjoyable day. DAY FIVE was quieter, but was spent in glorious sunshine on South Gower. Several Red-throated Divers, Common Guillemot, European Shag, Northern Fulmar and a pair of Red-billed Chough were the highlights. Twenty Mediterranean Gulls were also noted, along with Harbour Porpoise. DAY SIX produced six Grey Plover, three hundred European Golden Plover and a European Shag at Sker and nine Yellowhammer and three Bullfinch in the southern dunes at Kenfig NNR to round off a very enjoyable tour.

1ST - 8TH FEBRUARY 2009

On the 1ST FEBRUARY, the Snow Bunting was again at Mynydd Eglwysilian and a Northern Goshawk was at Margam. The second winter Ring-billed Gull was again at Lamby Lake and six Mediterranean Gulls and a drake Northern Pintail were at Ogmore Estuary. On the 2nd, a Greater Scaup was at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir, a first winter Iceland Gull and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were at Rhymney Estuary and the Barn Owl and Ring-billed Gull were again at Lamby Lake. Another first winter Iceland Gull was again at Swansea Marina and a first winter Iceland Gull was also at Ogmore Estuary. A Water Pipit was at Llwyn On Reservoir. On the 3rd, 200 Redwing and a male Merlin were at Kenfig Pool during a blizzard. The Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Lake and a Brambling was in Gorseinon. The first winter Iceland Gull was again at Rhymney Estuary along with 300 Fieldfare and 300 Redwing and the Iceland Gull was again at Ogmore Estuary. The 4th produced a Eurasian Woodcock in Pontypridd and a Eurasian Eagle Owl was in Neath Town Centre. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was at Kenfig Pool, along with three Yellowhammer and a Little Gull was again at Swansea Marina. The Iceland Gull was again at Rhymney Estuary along with a Dark-bellied Brent Goose. During more heavy snow on the 5th a Wood Lark was at Rhymney Estuary and a Northern Goshawk was at Ogmore Estuary. A Great Bittern was at Hendre Lake and the Iceland Gull and a Water Pipit were at Ogmore Estuary. On the 6th, a Short-eared Owl was near Tondu and 450 Redwing and 52 Northern Shoveler were at Cosmeston Lakes. The Great Bittern was again at Hendre Lake and the Iceland Gull was at Ogmore Estuary. The Great Bittern was again at Hendre Lake on the 7th and a male Hen Harrier and a Barn Owl were at Llanrhidian Marsh. Whitford NNR produced 150 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, six Slavonian Grebe, three Red-breasted Merganser, fifty Common Eider, five Common Scoter, two hundred Northern Pintail and 5000 Red Knot. A Northern Goshawk and a Water Pipit were at Ogmore Estuary, Blackcaps were in several locations and the Bearded Tit and 160 Common Teal were at Cosmeston Lakes. On the 8th, the Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Lake, along with a first summer Iceland Gull and a first winter Glaucous Gull was at Gileston. Three Bohemian Waxwing were in Bridgend, a Slavonian Grebe and two Common Chiffchaff were in Cardiff Bay and a Marsh Tit was at Forest Ganol. The Water Pipit was at Ogmore Estuary, the Common Greenshank was at Penclawdd, along with a Spotted Redshank and Common Sandpiper and three Hen Harrier were at Llanrhidian Marsh.

26TH - 31ST JANUARY 2009

On the 26th the first winter Glaucous Gull was again at Ogmore Estuary, along with a Water Pipit and a Tawny Owl showed well at Ewenny Priory. On the 27th, the Snow Bunting was again at Mumbles Head and two Great Bittern and eight Goosander were at Kenfig Pool. Another Snow Bunting was at Werfa Mast, a first winter Iceland Gull and five Greater Scaup were at Rhymney Estuary and a Northern Goshawk, a male Merlin and a Eurasian Woodcock were at Mynydd Eglwysilian. On the 28th, eleven Common Goldeneye were at Kenfig Pool, two Mediterranean Gulls were at Sker, a Great Bittern was at Cosmeston Lakes and a Barn Owl was near Lamby Lake. The first winter Little Gull was again at Gileston. On the 29th, the Ring-billed Gull and Barn Owl were at Lamby Lake and the Great Bittern was still at Cosmeston Lakes. A Green Sandpiper was at The Watermill Flood. On the 30th the Ring-billed Gull was again at Lamby Lake, a thousand Dunlin, 34 Northern Pintail, 250 Red Knot, eighty Common Teal and 54 Grey Plover were at Rhymney Estuary. On the 31st a first winter Glaucous Gull was off Kenfig Sands and a Merlin was in the dunes. A Snow Bunting and Hen Harrier were at Mynydd Eglwysilian and a Black Redstart was at Worms Head.