18TH - 24TH FEBRUARY 2008

On the 18th, three Green Sandpipers and a Jack Snipe were at Pendoylan. Two Great Bittern and a Northern Pintail were at Kenfig river mouth. A first winter Ring-billed Gull was an excellent find at Lamby Way Lake in Cardiff; the first in the county for a couple of years. On the 19th, the Ring-billed Gull was again present at Lamby Lake, along with a Water Rail, the Water Pipit was at Llwyn On Reservoir and the adult Yellow-legged Gull was at Ogmore Estuary. The Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir on 20th and the Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Lake, while two Black Redstarts were in Cardiff Bay. The Ring-billed Gull and Spotted Sandpiper were again present on the 21st and a Firecrest was again in Central Cardiff along with a Blackcap. A Green Sandpiper and Common Kingfisher were at Ogmore Estuary and the first winter Glaucous Gull was again in Port Talbot Harbour. Poor weather on 22nd and 23rd meant little birding, but the Firecrest was again in Central Cardiff, nine Pied Avocets were at Rhymney Estuary and the Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Lake. A female Greater Scaup was in Cardiff Bay. Six Purple and a Green Sandpiper were at Ogmore Estuary. On the 24th, the Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir, the Greater Scaup and an adult Little Gull were in Cardiff Bay and the nine Pied Avocets were at Rhymney Estuary. The Ring-billed Gull put in an appearance late afternoon at Lamby Way Lake.

CORNWALL IN WINTER 2009

Please note that we have already sold out the first dates for this new tour, additional dates will follow soon.

CORNWALL WINTER

Neil and Ashley spent an amazing couple of days in Cornwall from 18th – 20th February 2008 on a fact finding trip for our new joint Cornwall Winter tour. We enjoyed some absolutely superb birding and great weather and the views were exceptional of just about everything we saw, but pride of place must surely go to the extraordinary Great Bittern that spent ten minutes filling our scopes outside the hide at Stithians Reservoir – fantastic! Other highlights of Day One were three Iceland Gulls including a full adult bird that gave prolonged views in Newlyn Harbour, where a Black-necked Grebe was also present, a second winter Glaucous Gull at Drift Reservoir, eleven Cattle Egrets also seen in the Drift/Sancreed area, a single Pied Avocet at Hayle Estuary, a Hume’s Leaf Warbler at Tehidy Country Park and a Water Pipit advancing rapidly into breeding plumage at Gwithian Sands; phew! Day Two saw us exploring the extensive network of channels, creeks and vast bays of the Fal Estuary complex at sites such as Loe Beach, Pendower and Rosevine. Once again, we found an excellent selection of birds with eight Great Northern Diver, three Black-throated Diver, a breeding plumaged Red-necked Grebe, approximately fifty Red-breasted Mergansers, a single flock of nineteen Black-necked Grebes that included several breeding plumaged birds and small numbers of Northern Gannets, a Black-legged Kittiwake, Razorbills, Northern Fulmar and Common Guillemots. We also encountered a Common Nuthatch and a Firecrest, as well as good numbers of Little Egrets, Common Raven, Common Kestrel and Stonechat. Day Three saw us finish our trip with a displaying Firecrest, at least ten Common and one Siberian Chiffchaff and a Yellow-browed Warbler at Loe Pool, while a return visit to Stithians Reservoir produced a cracking first winter Ring-billed Gull which rounded off a superb few days birding. We also stopped on the way back at Bowling Green Marsh, where a Long-billed Dowitcher was the highlight, but where we also added Grey Plover, Common Greenshank, Spotted Redshank and both Bar and Black-tailed Godwits to the trip list which totalled 104 species. If you would like to join us from 23rd – 26th February 2009, we are taking bookings now and with spaces limited to just seven, we expect the tour to fill very quickly. Tour Cost is £425.00. We are based at the excellent Green Lawns Hotel in sunny Falmouth.

11TH - 17TH FEBRUARY 2008

On the 11th, a Short-eared Owl and Jack Snipe were at Llanilid, a Water Pipit was again at Llwyn On Reservoir, a male Hen Harrier at Llanrhidian and the Common Greenshank and Common Sandpipers were again at Penclawdd Pill. Four hundred Redwings were at Pencoed, a pair of Barn Owls and a Tawny Owl were displaying in Maesteg, where there was also a Red Kite and a female Northern Goshawk and a Marsh Tit was in the Swansea Valley. Seven Mediterranean Gulls and a Purple Sandpiper were at Porthcawl. Two Green Sandpipers were at Ogmore Estuary , a Dartford Warbler was at Ogmore Down and six Yellowhammers at Norton Farm. Fifty Grey Plover, a Red-throated Diver and three Purple Sandpipers were in Port Talbot Harbour, two Water Pipits and two Jack Snipe were at Rhymney Estuary and the two Black Redstarts were again in Cardiff Bay. Another glorious day on the 12th and the first winter Glaucous Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull were again in Port Talbot Harbour. At Hafod Farm, a male Northern Goshawk, three Red Kites and a pair of Common Crossbill were present, while Ogmore Estuary and environs produced an adult Yellow-legged Gull, three Little Egrets, five Purple Sandpipers, two European Shag, three Red-billed Chough, a Little Owl, a drake Goosander and 26 Common Goldeneye. Three Pied Avocet were again at Rhymney Estuary and the Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir. The 13th saw the Great Grey Shrike relocated at Perthcelyn and a Dartford Warbler and the ringtail Hen Harrier at Kenfig river mouth. A male Hen Harrier and 1000 European Golden Plover were at Llanrhidian Marsh, while Whiteford NNR produced vast flocks of Red Knot, Eurasian Curlew, Common Shelduck and European Oystercatcher, along with a supporting cast of five Red-breasted Merganser, thirty Common Eider, ten Slavonian Grebes, two hundred Dark-bellied Brent Geese and good numbers of Northern Pintail, Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit and Dunlin. Another Dartford Warbler and a Firecrest were in Port Talbot, the Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir, six Grey Plover and three Mediterranean Gulls were at Porthcawl, a Blackcap was in Swansea and a pair of Marsh Tit were on the outskirts of Cardiff. On the 14th, four Hawfinches were at Tair Onnen and showing well, fifteen Brambling were at Castell Coch and another seven were in Bute Park, where there was also a very showy Firecrest. The Spotted Sandpiper showed very well at Lisvane Reservoir, the first winter Glaucous Gull was again in Port Talbot and six Purple Sandpipers were at Ogmore-by-Sea. On the 15th, the Water Pipit was again at Llwyn On Reservoir, the Glaucous Gull at Port Talbot and two Jack Snipe were at Llanilid. Twelve Mediterranean Gulls were in Porthcawl, the Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir, the Black Redstart in Cardiff Bay, three Pied Avocets at Rhymney Estuary and the Firecrest again in Bute Park. Fantastic weather on the 16th and the first winter Glaucous Gull was still in Port Talbot and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was in Maesteg. A cold and frosty day on the 17th produced 400 Dunlin and fifty Ringed Plovers at Blackpill, nineteen Mediterranean Gulls at Mumbles and a Hawfinch and Marsh Tit at Tair Onnen. Three Black Redstarts were still in Cardiff Bay, two Hen Harriers were at Llanrhidian and three Jack Snipe, as well as the usual Slavonian Grebes, Common Eider, Red-breasted Merganser and Dark-bellied Brent Geese. A male Dartford Warbler was at Locks Common, Porthcawl and a female Northern Goshawk was at Kenfig Pool, along with a Common Kingfisher and 24 Northern Shoveler. A Short-eared Owl was at Rhymney Estuary, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Maesteg, the Glaucous Gull was again in Port Talbot and a Great Northern Diver was in Swansea Bay. The Water Pipit was at Llwyn On Reservoir and a Willow Tit was at Hirwaun.

SOUTH WALES 11TH - 15TH FEBRUARY 2008

OUR final SOUTH WALES WINTER tour of the winter from 11th – 15th February 2008 was blessed with some exceptional weather that made it feel more like April than February! With limited time on Day One, we opted to get Dartford Warbler on the list, and we succeeded with a brief, but showy, male. Six Yellowhammers were also noted at Norton Farm, while other highlights today included a few displaying Common Ravens, a European Sparrowhawk and Common Kestrel. Day Two brought weather and temperatures more reminiscent of May than February, so perhaps it was no surprise to see three Red Kites, a male Northern Goshawk and ten Common Buzzards displaying at Hafod Farm, where there was also a pair of Common Crossbill and a male Bullfinch. A Red Deer hind and a Red Admiral butterfly were also seen there. Ogmore Estuary and environs produced three Little Egrets, five Purple Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, two European Shag, three Red-billed Chough, a drake Goosander, a Little Owl and 26 Common Goldeneye and Kenfig Pool added Fieldfare, Northern Shoveler, Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck and Common Pochard to the trip list. A first winter Glaucous Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull were in Port Talbot Harbour to round off a fantastic days birding. Day Three brought more exceptional birding, and if possible, even better weather for our day on North Gower! Penclawdd Pill produced wintering Common Greenshank and Common Sandpiper, as well as good numbers of Little Egrets and Common Teal. As ever Whiteford NNR was the place to be with vast flocks of Red Knot, Eurasian Curlew, Common Shelduck and European Oystercatcher, along with a supporting cast of five Red-breasted Merganser, thirty Common Eider, ten Slavonian Grebes, two hundred Dark-bellied Brent Geese and good numbers of Northern Pintail, Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit and Dunlin. A pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a Red Fox were other highlights here. Our final stop of the day at Llanrhidian Marsh produced the much hoped for hunting male Hen Harrier at close range, as well as approximately 1000 European Golden Plover, 500 Northern Lapwings and more views of the huge flocks of Red Knot to end another exhilarating day. A return to winter on Day Four, but some more exceptionally good birds were seen at various sites around Cardiff. Four Hawfinch showed superbly at Tair Onnen, a Firecrest was in Bute Park, small numbers of Brambling were at a couple of locations and the Spotted Sandpiper showed down to five metres at Lisvane Reservoir. Cardiff Heliport provided us with the opportunity to catch up with more Northern Pintail and Common Nuthatch, Redwing and Eurasian Jay were also added to the tour list today. Day Five was quiet by comparison as we were unable to locate any Great Bitterns at Kenfig Pool in the hour we had available. There was a mini influx of wildfowl on a cold morning with four Eurasian Wigeon, seventeen Northern Shoveler and seven Common Teal new in, along with four Northern Lapwing. We finished on a very respectable 104 species in three and a half days birding. We hope that you will consider joining us in under watched South Wales for some exceptional winter birding later in the year or 2009.

4TH - 10TH FEBRUARY 2008

A sunny day on the 4th and the Spotted Sandpiper showed very well at Lisvane Reservoir. At least 100 Brambling were at Castell Coch, two pairs of Dippers were at Miskin, along with a Green Sandpiper and a Marsh Tit was at Tair Onnen. On the 5th, a ringtail Hen Harrier was at Llanilid, a Firecrest again in Cardiff city centre, three Red-billed Chough and a Little Owl at Ogmore-by-Sea, but the big news was of three Pied Avocets and a Glaucous Gull at the heliport near Cardiff Bay. At Rhymney Estuary, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, 4000 Red Knot, 4000 Dunlin, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 400 Common Shelduck, 110 Northern Pintail and 650 Common Redshank were present. Another Hen Harrier was at Llanharan and a Red-throated Diver, 200 European Golden Plover and a Black-legged Kittiwake were at Sker. On the 6th, 31 Fieldfare, 16 Redwing and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were at Kenfig alder wood. A male Blackcap, the Firecrest and three Lesser Redpoll were in Central Cardiff and a Green Sandpiper and 29 Common Goldeneye were on the Ogmore Estuary. A Common Crossbill and one Hawfinch were at Tair Onnen. The 7th saw two Short-eared Owls again at Llanilid, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Port Talbot and a Red Kite and a Northern Goshawk were in Maesteg. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir. On the 8th, four Pied Avocets, the first winter Glaucous Gull and an adult Iceland Gull were at the Cardiff Heliport. On the 9th, the four Pied Avocets and Iceland Gull were again at Cardiff Heliport and a first winter Glaucous Gull and two Common Sandpipers were at Port Talbot Harbour. The Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir, a Barn Owl was near Bridgend, and a Peregrine, Merlin and 54 European Golden Plover were at Mynydd Eglwysilian. On the 10th, the first winter Glaucous Gull was again in Port Talbot Harbour and a Common Chiffchaff and ringtail Hen Harrier were at Kenfig Pool. Small numbers of Brambling were in Central Cardiff, along with a Firecrest, two Blackcaps and 100 Redwing. Two Black Redstarts were in Cardiff Bay and the Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir. A Black-throated Diver was again at Swansea Docks, along with two Great Northern Divers and two Red-breasted Mergansers.

THE SOLWAY FIRTH 31ST JANUARY - 3RD FEBRUARY 2008

THE SOLWAY FIRTH tour from 31st January – 3rd February 2008 almost didn’t go ahead due to an appalling weather forecast, but thankfully, our plucky group went for it and enjoyed some fantastic birding as well as shall we say some interesting weather… Sea fowl included 500 Greater Scaup, 200 Common Goldeneye, 50 Red-breasted Merganser, 200 Common Eider, 15 Great Crested Grebe, 15 Slavonian Grebe, 15 Common Scoter, five Red-throated Diver, two Great Northern Diver, 10 Black Guillemot, four Goosander, 50 European Shag and 500 Eurasian Wigeon. As ever geese featured highly with 75 Greenland White-fronted Geese the highlight, though a fine supporting cast of Barnacle Geese, “wild” Greylag Geese and Pink-footed Geese, as well as large numbers of Whooper Swans were also present. Raptors also featured with several Red Kites, Hen Harrier, Common Kestrel, European Sparrowhawk, Peregrine and Common Buzzard. Our group also found a first winter Iceland Gull, two very showy Willow Tits and Yellowhammer, Tree Sparrow, Brambling, Twite and Fieldfares and Redwings among a very respectable total of 98 species.

SOUTH WALES 1ST - 5TH FEBRUARY 2008

OUR South Wales tour from 1st -5th February 2008 began quietly on a windy, but cold and clear afternoon with a visit to Hafod Farm. The wind meant that raptors were staying low, but we did get excellent views of a pair of displaying Common Raven and a pair of Common Crossbill that at one point were seen to copulate, while another five flew overhead. Day Two and the weather stayed dry as we added a couple of adult Mediterranean Gulls at Porthcawl and three Red Kites, an unusually showy Eurasian Jay as well as more displaying Common Ravens and a few Greenfinches at Abernant Tip. The rest of the day was spent on North Gower, where we enjoyed a fine selection of birds including a Common Greenshank, Little Egrets, a Green Sandpiper, two Common Sandpipers and a stunning male Hen Harrier. The walk to Whiteford NNR produced four Slavonian Grebes, eleven Common Eider, nine Red-breasted Merganser, a female Merlin and flocks of Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Northern Pintail, Red Knot, Common Redshank, Common Teal, Common Shelduck, Eurasian Curlew and two Grey Plover. Day Three was very breezy and still cool and overcast, though we managed to stay dry all day despite the forecast of heavy rain which arrived after dark! A Great Bittern gave reasonable flight views at Kenfig Pool, where we also saw Tufted Ducks, Common Pochard, six Common Goldeneye and six Northern Shoveler for the trip. Small flocks of Redwings and Fieldfares were at Tythegston and three Red-throated Divers and a Common Guillemot were at Porthcawl, but only Neil saw these in very rough seas. Ogmore Estuary and environs proved to be a good move as we saw at least seven Purple Sandpipers at close range, good numbers of Gadwall, Common Teal, Eurasian Curlew and Northern Lapwing, a Little Egret, two pairs of Goosander and a Northern Goshawk that caused pandemonium amongst the corvids, Wood Pigeons and Stock Doves at The Watermill Flood, while as we drove back in the gloom Neil caught view of a Peregrine briefly over the car. Day Four began much calmer and brighter and we spent much of the day birding around Cardiff. The Spotted Sandpiper showed very well at Lisvane Reservoir, where we also added the first of six Grey Wagtails seen today, as well as good numbers of Little Grebes and Tufted Ducks. At least 100 Brambling were at Castell Coch, two pairs of Dippers were at Miskin, along with a Green Sandpiper and a male Eurasian Siskin and a Marsh Tit and Great Spotted Woodpecker were at Tair Onnen. Our first Linnets and an adult Black-legged Kittiwake were in Cardiff Bay. Other commitments meant that Day Five was our final day on this tour and once again we beat the weather. Two Northern Fulmars were the first new birds of the tour at Nash Point and these were soon joined by a small group of Reed Buntings at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm. A very showy Little Owl was at Ogmore-by-Sea and this was soon followed by three Red-billed Chough that allowed a very close approach. We remained in the Ogmore area for the rest of the day and got excellent views of an adult Mediterranean Gull at the river mouth, amongst huge flocks of Black-headed Gulls, six very showy Yellowhammers at Norton Farm, five Little Egrets near The Watermill and rounded things off with a Grey Heron eating a frog at the flood. It had been an excellent way to finish the tour and as we approached Porthcawl, the sun came back out – perfect timing again!!

1ST - 3RD FEBRURY 2008

FEBRUARY began quietly with a Hen Harrier in Maesteg and 45 Eurasian Siskin at Tonypandy the only records of note on the 1st. Hafod Farm had seven Common Crossbills and a pair of Northern Ravens as well as good numbers of Coal Tits. Two Yellowhammers and two Lesser Redpoll were good records for northern Cardiff and a Brambling was again in the city centre. On the 2nd Whiteford NNR produced four Slavonian Grebes, eleven Common Eider, nine Red-breasted Merganser, a female Merlin and flocks of Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Northern Pintail, Red Knot, Common Redshank, Common Teal, Common Shelduck, Eurasian Curlew and two Grey Plover. Three Short –eared and a Tawny Owl were at Llanilid, while a stunning male Hen Harrier and a Green Sandpiper were at Llanrhidian Marsh and at least 500 European Golden Plover and the same number of Northern Lapwing were at Oldwalls, North Gower. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir, three Red Kites were at Abernant Tip, three Green Sandpipers were at St Mellons, Cardiff, a Firecrest and four Brambling were in the city centre and four Hawfinches were again at Tair Onnen. Six Goosander were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. A very windy day on the 3rd saw a Black-throated and three Red-throated Divers off Porthcawl Sea Front, along with a Common Guillemot, while seven Purple Sandpipers, a Peregrine and a European Shag were at Ogmore-by-Sea. A Little Egret and a Northern Goshawk were at The Watermill Flood, two pairs of Goosander and fifteen Gadwall were on the river and a Great Bittern and six Common Goldeneye were at Kenfig Pool. A male Blackcap, 150 Redwing and five Brambling were in Bute Park, Cardiff and the Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir.

23RD - 31ST JANUARY 2008

On the 23rd, 76 Northern Pintail, four Greater Scaup, two Stock Dove and 120 Common Shelduck were at Cardiff Bay. Two Jack Snipe and twenty Common Crossbills were in the Maesteg area. The sun came out on the 24th and a male Black Redstart was a new arrival in Cardiff city centre. The Spotted Sandpiper and the first Dipper for 78 years were at Lisvane Reservoir, five Hawfinch were at Tair Onnen and 100+ Brambling at Castell Coch. Two first winter Little Gulls were at Gileston, six Mediterranean Gulls were at Porthcawl and a Jack Snipe, Water Pipit, 16 Gadwall, five Common Scoter and two Little Egrets were at Rhymney Estuary. Twelve Purple Sandpipers were at Rhossilli. On the 25th, a different Black Redstart was in Cardiff Bay, three Eurasian Woodcock were in Maesteg, along with two Tawny Owls. A Great Bittern and Common Chiffchaff were at Kenfig Pool, two Great Northern Divers were at Swansea Docks and fifteen Common Crossbill were at Hafod Woods. On the 26th the Ogmore Estuary and environs produced seventeen Purple Sandpiper, nine Red-billed Chough, 85 Eurasian Curlew, 58 European Oystercatcher, 46 Northern Lapwing, two adult Mediterranean Gulls, a Green Sandpiper and fifteen Gadwall, while a pair of Dartford Warblers were nearby at Ogmore Down. Four Red Kite were at Abernant Tip and the Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir. On the 27th a Red Kite and Northern Goshawk were at Parc Cwm Darren, Caerphilly and a male Merlin was at Kenfig Pool. Whitford NNR produced some fantastic birding with two Peregrine, 300 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, a female Merlin, four Red-breasted Merganser, thirty Common Scoter, five Slavonian Grebe, 5000 Red Knot, thirty Common Eider, fifty Bar-tailed Godwit, a Jack Snipe and vast numbers of Northern Pintail, Common Teal, Common Shelduck, Northern Lapwing and Eurasian Curlew. Penclawdd Pill produced another Merlin as well as Common Greenshank and Common Sandpiper and Llanrhidian Marsh had two Common Kingfisher, Green Sandpiper, approximately 1000 European Golden Plover and a stunningly close male Hen Harrier. Two Barn, a Tawny and a Short-eared Owl and a Dartford Warbler were at Llanilid, a Jack Snipe and a Common Chiffchaff at Oxwich Marsh and Common Crossbill and Northern Goshawk were at Mynydd Bach, Maesteg. A Merlin was at Mynydd Eglwysilian, a Black Redstart at Cardiff Bay, four Hawfinches were at Tair Onnen and fifty Brambling were at Castell Coch. A Firecrest, Black Redstart and a male Blackcap were in Cardiff city centre on the 28th and a drake Northern Pintail was on Kenfig Pool. Another Firecrest was in Pant Norton and a Little Owl at Ogmore-by-Sea. A Short-eared, a Barn and two Tawny Owls were at Llanilid. On the 29th, a Great Bittern, twelve Common Goldeneye, four Gadwall and fourteen Northern Shoveler were at Kenfig Pool. Fifteen Eurasian Siskin, a Common Treecreeper, 26 Fieldfare and thirteen Redwing were in the Kenfig alder wood. The Firecrest was again in Cardiff, three Hawfinches were at Tair Onnen and six Mediterranean Gulls were at Porthcawl. Blackpill produced 1785 European Oystercatcher, 590 Dunlin, 371 Sanderling, 68 Eurasian Curlew and three Bar-tailed Godwit. Eight Common Crossbill and a male Merlin were at Hafod Farm and two Peregrines were at Southerndown. Two Dartford Warblers and a Firecrest were in Pant Norton and two adult Mediterranean Gulls were on Portobello Island, Ogmore Estuary. On the 30th, Kenfig Pool held 108 Common Pochard, 56 Tufted Duck and 16 Common Teal, while Kenfig Sands produced nineteen Common Gull, a drake Common Scoter, a Common Guillemot and 39 Sanderling. Seven Grey Plover, three Purple Sandpiper and five Mediterranean Gulls were at Porthcawl Sea Front. Twelve Lesser Redpoll, a Red Kite and eight Common Crossbill were at Caerau Forest, Maesteg and two Jack Snipe were at Lamby Lake, Cardiff. A Black Redstart was at Cardiff Bay and a Firecrest and Common Chiffchaff were at Lavernock Point, where there were also eleven Brambling, 160 Chaffinch and eighty Linnet. Another Black Restart was again at Swansea University and a male Merlin was again at Mynydd Eglwysilian. The two Little Gulls were again at Gileston and a Merlin and three Little Egrets were at nearby Llancadle. Very poor weather on the 31st produced small numbers of Brambling in Cardiff and Penarth and a Siberian Chiffchaff at Kenfig Pool.

SOUTH WALES 24TH - 27TH JANUARY 2008

Our combined tour in South Wales with Oriole Adventures from 24th - 27th January 2008 had far better conditions than previous tours this year, and we were able to capitalise fully. We began the first afternoon by enjoying at least 100 Brambling at Castell Coch, many of which were adult males approaching full breeding plumage. A Eurasian Jay and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were also present there. At nearby Tair Onnen, we just caught five Hawfinch as they flew out of the wood, but not everyone was able to see them as they flew really quickly away from us and we had to make do with Common Nuthatches and Common Treecreeper. At Lisvane Reservoir, the Spotted Sandpiper showed superbly in the afternoon sun and an amazing record in the form of a Dipper arrived as we watched before flying off high west – this was the first record at the site for 78 years and only the second ever!! On avery cold and dull Day Two, Kenfig Pool produced small numbers of common wildfowl, as well as five Common Snipe, a Northern Lapwing, a Common Chiffchaff and a Fieldfare, Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir provided excellent views of Goosander, Common Goldeneye and displaying Great Crested Grebes. Swansea Docks had two Great Northern Divers and several European Shag, while Hafod Woods produced fifteen Common Crossbill, three Mistle Thrush, a few Eurasian Siskin and good numbers of Common Buzzards and displaying Common Raven. Day Three was spent in the environs of the Ogmore Estuary. The sea front provided us with cracking views of seventeen Purple Sandpipers and nine Red-billed Chough while the estuary produced two adult Mediterranean Gulls, fifteen Gadwall, a Green Sandpiper and good numbers of Common Goldeneye, Common Teal, Eurasian Curlew and Northern Lapwing as well as a stunning drake Goosander. Nearby, a pair of Dartford Warblers showed well despite the breezy conditions and a couple of Green Woodpeckers and a small flock of Bullfinches rounded off an excellent day. The Final Day was spent on North Gower and as ever this produced a stunning array of birds for us. At Whitford NNR the wonderful spectacle of vast numbers of Northern Pintail, Common Shelduck, Northern Lapwing, Common Teal, Eurasian Wigeon, Eurasian Curlew and European Oystercatchers kept everyone spellbound, but with a supporting cast of five Slavonian Grebes, four Red-breasted Mergansers, fifty Bar-tailed Godwit, five thousand or so Red Knot, thirty Common Eider, a few hundred Dark-bellied Brent Geese, a Jack Snipe, two very showy Peregrines and a scope filling female Merlin its easy to see why it is so popular. Grey and Ringed Plovers, Great Crested Grebes and a few Reed Buntings, Little Egrets and a large mixed tit flock were also noted. Lunch at Penclawdd Pill produced another superb Merlin, as well as wintering Common Sandpiper and Common Greenshank, as well as more Little Egrets and Common Teal, while the finale at Llanrhidian Marsh consisted of a Green Sandpiper, two Common Kingfishers seen hovering over the creeks, a flock of Goldfinch and vast numbers of European Golden Plover and other shorebirds that were put up by a majestic male Hen Harrier that quartered the marsh at close range – superb! We finished with a very respectable total of 106 species.

14TH - 22ND JANUARY 2008

On the 14th, a first winter Little Gull, five Red-billed Chough, twelve Purple Sandpipers and sixteen Ruddy Turnstone were at Ogmore-by-Sea, a Green Sandpiper and adult Mediterranean Gull were on the river and five Little Egret, 31 Northern Lapwing and 89 Common Teal were at The Watermill Flood. Four Red-legged Partridge were at Wigfach, near Porthcawl and three Peregrines were at Nash Point. The 15th produced a stunning adult Bonaparte’s Gull found by CBT leader Paul Roberts at the Ogmore Estuary – fantastic! Two Great Northern Divers and a Common Scoter were on Swansea Docks and a Little Owl was at Southerndown Farm. Heavy rain on the 16th, but the Bonaparte’s Gull was again at Ogmore, along with a first winter Little Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull. A Great Bittern showed well at Kenfig Pool, where at least two pairs of Great Crested Grebes were displaying. An adult Little Gull was at Swansea Marina. A Great Bittern and Common Kingfisher were at Kenfig Pool on the 17th and 100 Eurasian Siskin were in Bute Park, Cardiff. Poor weather again on the 18th and a Firecrest was again in Central Cardiff, a first winter Little and four Mediterranean Gulls and two Little Egrets were at Ogmore Estuary and a Hen Harrier was at Kenfig Pool. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was at Cardiff Bay. Heavy rain and high winds on 19th produced a Great Northern Diver on Kenfig Pool and a Little Gull was again at The Watermill Flood. On the 20th, the Little Gull and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were at Ogmore Estuary, while a pair of Goosander and five Fieldfare were at Kenfig Pool. Twenty Brambling were at Llantrisant Forest. The 21st saw a Short-eared Owl at Bishopston on Gower, but otherwise the day was hampered by more rain… The sun made a brief appearance on 22nd and the Spotted Sandpiper showed at Lisvane Reservoir. Five Hawfinches were at Tair Onnen, 100 Brambling at Castell Coch and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Forest Farm.

SOUTH WALES 11TH - 16TH JANUARY 2008

OUR first South Wales tour of the year from 11th -16th January 2008 produced some excellent birding despite what can only at times be described as horrible weather. We began quietly with fourteen Goosander and a Mandarin Duck the highlight of the first afternoon in some atrocious conditions. Day Two was sunny and cold and we enjoyed some of the best birding of the trip as we had great views of a male Hawfinch, 150 Brambling, Spotted Sandpiper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, two pairs of Dipper, Common Kingfisher, several Eurasian Jays and a good flock of Eurasian Siskin. Day Three was very tough with gale force winds, though we did well to add Ringed Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 41 Eurasian Curlew and three European Shag at Sker and Common Chiffchaff, as well as Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, Common Teal, Common Goldeneye, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Snipe and Common Redshank at Kenfig Pool. Day Four as well as having some truly wild weather produced some great birds in the form of a first winter Little Gull, five Red-billed Chough, twelve Purple Sandpipers and sixteen Ruddy Turnstone at Ogmore-by-Sea, a Green Sandpiper and adult Mediterranean Gull were on the river and five Little Egret, thirty one Northern Lapwing and eighty nine Common Teal were at The Watermill Flood. Four Red-legged Partridge were at Wigfach, near Porthcawl and three Peregrines were at Nash Point. Day Five and with slightly better weather for a time, we headed west, where we soon added Common Scoter and two Great Northern Divers to the trip list at Swansea Docks. A phone call from CBT leader and friend Paul Roberts had us travelling back east for an adult Bonaparte’s Gull at the Ogmore Rivermouth and after a frustrating initial attempt, we enjoyed great views of the bird, while we were enjoying lunch. A Peregrine was also present, but little else due to the heavy flooding and high water levels. A pair of Bullfinch and a Little Owl were also seen today – not large numbers of birds, but good quality and a genuine rarity to boot. Day Six and more rain! However, we were safely in the hide at Kenfig Pool and enjoyed spectacular views of a Great Bittern being mobbed by a female European Sparrowhawk, before it perched up in full view in the reeds – wonderful! We also saw two pairs of displaying Great Crested Grebes and small numbers of common wildfowl to end the tour on a high note. Despite some very taxing conditions and constant changes to the planned itinerary to accommodate the weather, we noted 94 species which was a good effort.

NORFOLK 13TH - 18TH JANUARY 2008

Our first Norfolk tour of the year from 13th – 18th January 2008 again turned up some fantastic birds despite some difficult weather. The main highlight was undoubtedly a White-crowned Sparrow seen at Cley – only the fifth for Britain and a bird that was well watched by birders form all over the country. Other highlights included a white morph Lesser Snow Goose, a Ross’s Goose of unknown origin, Bohemian Waxwing, Lapland and Snow Buntings, Goosander, Smew, Siberian Chiffchaff, Common Crane, Great Grey Shrike and Taiga Bean Goose. We also saw Great Northern Diver, several Barn Owls, Marsh and Hen Harriers, Merlin, Hawfinch, Firecrest and the more expected thousands of Pink-footed Geese, Twite, Brent Geese and Pied Avocet in a total of approximately 120 species.

7TH - 13TH JANUARY 2008

In poor weather on the 7th, a Little Owl was at Southerndown Farm, a Grey Phalarope was an excellent find on Kenfig Pool, where a Great Bittern and Siberian Chiffchaff were also present and a Red Kite was over Maesteg. The Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir. A Short-eared Owl was present again at Llanilid on the 8th and a Black Redstart was at Cardiff University. The Grey Phalarope and two Great Bittern and a Hen Harrier were again at Kenfig Pool, four Purple Sandpipers, five Little Egret, five Red-billed Chough and two Brent Geese were at Ogmore Estuary. Two Pomarine Skuas and a Red-throated Diver were off Mumbles Head, along with 358 Common Guillemot, 121 Black-legged Kittiwake and 35 Mediterranean Gulls, while 850 Brambling came in to roost at Tair Onnen. Three Greater Scaup were at Cosmeston Lakes on 9th, while a cracking morning at Kenfig Pool produced Great Bittern, Hen Harrier, Great Northern Diver, Siberian Chiffchaff and seven Black-legged Kittiwake. Another Great Northern Diver and a Pomarine Skua were off Mumbles Head. An adult Mediterranean Gull and a Green Sandpiper were at Ogmore Estuary. On the 10th, a Great Northern and a Black-throated Diver were in Swansea Docks, a first winter Glaucous Gull at Kenfig Pool was the first at that site for many years and a Northern Pintail, Mediterranean Gull and four Great Bittern were present, a Little Gull was at Loughor Bridge and an excellent count of seventeen Goosander was at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. Both Great and Pomarine Skuas were seen off Rhymney Estuary, where there were also 7500 Red Knot. On the 11th a Purple Sandpiper and a Peregrine were at Sker and a Barn Owl was near Bridgend. A Short-eared Owl was at Llanilid again. A very busy day on the 12th produced a cracking male Hawfinch at Tair Onnen, 150 Brambling at Castell Coch, the Spotted Sandpiper at Lisvane Reservoir and eight Mediterranean Gull, seven Grey Plover and four Purple Sandpipers in Porthcawl. Two pairs of Dipper, twenty Eurasian Siskin and a Common Kingfisher were at Miskin, while seventeen Purple Sandpiper and a Green Sandpiper were at Ogmore Estuary. A Bar-tailed Godwit and a Red-throated Diver were off Kenfig Sands, sixteen Greylag Geese were on Kenfig Pool and four Dartford Warbler were at Llanilid. A male Blackcap, male Merlin, 4000 Herring Gull, 600 Common Gull, 36 Black-legged Kittiwake and a Common Sandpiper were in Port Talbot Harbour. A male Hen Harrier was in the Swansea Valley, along with two Common Crossbill and a Eurasian Woodcock, three Greater Scaup were at Cosmeston Lakes and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Jack Snipe were in Maesteg. In very difficult conditions on the 13th, four Red-throated Divers were at Mumbles Head, an adult Yellow-legged Gull was at Kenfig Pool, along with a Great Bittern and four Mediterranean Gulls were at Porthcawl and another at Sker. A Little Gull was at Port Eynon and a Firecrest was in Cardiff city centre.

Availability Update

Please note the following tours are all now full:

Norfolk - January

Exremadura - April

Outer Hebrides - May

North East England - May

Central Turkey - May/June

Mull & Iona - June

Isles of Scilly Pelagics - August

Fair Isle - September

There is very limited availability with guaranteed departures on:

Norfolk - February

Czech Republic - March

Northern Cyprus - April/May

Madeira - July

Norfolk - July [Bird Watching magazine special Readers Break 3rd - 6th]

West Cornwall - October

Hungary - October

South Arica - October/November

All other tours do still have availability except Austria which is cancelled. If you require further information on any of these holidays,please visit the relevant pages on this website or contact Neil o 07971 983227 or Email: Birds@celtictours.org.uk

Happy Birding

Neil

1ST - 6TH JANUARY 2008

1st January 2008 and the new year got off to an excellent start with the Great Grey Shrike present again at Perthcelyn, while at nearby Llanwonno, two Eurasian Woodcock were present. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir and a Hen Harrier, Little Owl and two Purple Sandpipers were the highlights at Kenfig Pool. Fifty five Northern Shoveler, 21 Little Grebes and 35 Eurasian Wigeon were at Aberthaw Marsh and a Jack Snipe was at Lamby Lake. A Common Greenshank and two Common Sandpipers were at Penclawdd. Two Short-eared Owls and three Eurasian Woodcock were at Llanilid. On the 2nd, two Greater Scaup were again at Cosmeston Lakes and seven Little Egrets were at Aberthaw Marsh. A Jack Snipe, Eurasian Woodcock, Great Bittern, female Northern Pintail and a drake Greater Scaup were at Kenfig Pool. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir and a Merlin and 150 Northern Lapwing were at Llanilid. Ten Goosander were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir and a Firecrest and eighty Redwing were at Pant Norton. On the 3rd, the Great Grey Shrike was at Perthcelyn and a single Hawfinch was at Tair Onnen. A Great Bittern was again at Kenfig Pool and a Jack Snipe and two Eurasian Woodcock were in Maesteg. An adult Little Gull was at Swansea Marina along with an adult Mediterranean Gull. A Short-eared Owl was briefly at Llanilid and a Firecrest was at Candleston. A good day at Kenfig Pool on the 4th produced a showy ringtail Hen Harrier, a Jack Snipe seen in full view at the north hide, a Siberian Chiffchaff and two Common Chiffchaff. A Firecrest was in Cardiff. The Spotted Sandpiper was again present at Lisvane Reservoir on the 5th and two Brambling were at Cosmeston Lakes. The Great Grey Shrike was at Perthcelyn and a Firecrest was again at Pant Norton. A Great Bittern, Jack Snipe, Water Rail and Grey Wagtail were at Kenfig Pool and a Northern Goshawk was at Mynydd Eglwysilian. Two Slavonian and a Red-necked Grebe and a Green Sandpiper were at Whitford NNR. On the 6th, the Siberian Chiffchaff was again at Kenfig Pool, along with a Great Bittern, three Goosander, a Common Eider, an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Grey Plover and 100 European Golden Plover. Nine Tree Sparrow and a Peregrine were at Newton Farm and the Great Grey Shrike was again present at Perthcelyn. A Great Northern and three Red-throated Divers were at Nash Point, twelve Brambling were at Tair Onnen and a Water Pipit was again at Llwyn On Reservoir.

24TH - 31ST DECEMBER 2007

The Spotted Sandpiper was still at Lisvane Reservoir on the 24th, an adult Yellow-legged Gull was at Cosmeston Lakes and a pair of Willow Tits were at Llwyn On Reservoir. The first winter Little Gull and six Little Egrets were at Gileston. Christmas Day and the Spotted Sandpiper was again present at Lisvane Reservoir, while 100 Sanderling were on Aberavon Beach. A pair of Greater Scaup were at Cosmeston Lakes and a Short-eared Owl was again at Llanilid. On the 26th, two male Blackcaps were in a Cardiff garden, four Grey Plover and five Mediterranean Gulls were at Porthcawl. A Short-eared Owl was again at Llanilid, nineteen Northern Fulmar and seven Red-billed Chough were at Nash Point. The Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir and a Great Bittern was at Kenfig Pool. On the 27th an amazing count of 24 Purple Sandpiper were at Ogmore-by-Sea, a Mediterranean Gull and second winter Yellow-legged Gull were at Lisvane Reservoir and six Green Sandpiper and a Little Owl were at Pendoylan and a two Great Bittern, a Siberian Chiffchaff and a Jack Snipe were at Kenfig Pool. On the 28th a Firecrest was in Pant Norton, two Great Bittern and four adult Mediterranean Gulls were at Kenfig Pool and the Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir. A Dipper was in Bridgend town centre and an excellent count of 1094 Northern Lapwing were near Lan Farm. A Short-eared Owl and a Black-tailed Godwit were at Lamby Way. A further two hundred Northern Lapwing were at The Watermill Flood. Two Greater Scaup were at Cosmeston Lakes on 29th and a Green Sandpiper was near Caerphilly. Fifteen Common Crossbill, two Peregrine, a Northern Goshawk and Red Kite were all near Maesteg and 102 Sky Larks, 55 Stock Dove and ten Red-legged Partridge were at Laleston near Bridgend. Another Northern Goshawk was at Llantrisant Forest along with 100 Brambling and a male Hen Harrier was at Llanrhidian Marsh. On the 30th, the Spotted Sandpiper was again present at Lisvane Reservoir, while Kenfig Pool had a female Merlin and a first winter Black-legged Kittiwake and two Common Scoter, two Purple Sandpiper and seven Red Knot were offshore at Kenfig Sands. At least 1000 Brambling were again at Tair Onnen and a Great Grey Shrike and five Common Crossbill were at Perthcelyn. Two Short-eared Owls were at Llanilid and a Firecrest and Dartford Warbler were at Pant Norton. New Years Eve and the final day of the year brought some excellent birding with Whitford NNR producing 37 Common Eider, eight Slavonian Grebe, five Red-breasted Merganser and the usual thousands of Red Knot, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Common Redshank and Eurasian Curlew. Male Hen Harriers were at Cwm Ivy and Llanrhidian and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was in Bute Park, Cardiff. A Merlin and two Red Kite were at Merthyr Common and an amazing count of 200 Coal Tits were in Llantrisant Forest. Another Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was at Margam Park and two Greater Scaup were again at Cosmeston Lakes. Another five Common Eider were at Rhymney Estuary and two Willow Tit were at Tir Founder Fields.

Finally, I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who travelled with CELTIC BIRD TOURS in 2007 - we've seen some amazing birds and enjoyed some fabulus travel experiences and I look forward to many ore in 2008. Happy New Year and Good Birding to you all.

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.

10TH - 16TH DECEMBER 2007

A glorious day on the 10th produced a Great Bittern, Peregrine, 28 Fieldfare, forty Common Snipe, a Common Kingfisher, a Brown Hare and a Common Redshank at Kenfig Pool. An amazing count of 500 Brambling were at Tair Onnen near Cardiff, a Firecrest was at Pant Norton and a Dartford Warbler and Black Redstart, two drake Common Scoter, three Great Northern Diver and thirty Mediterranean Gull were at Mumbles. A Hen Harrier was at Mynydd Margam and two Greater Scaup were at Cosmeston Lakes. A cold and frosty day on the 11th produced two Barn Owls at Culverhouse Cross, Cardiff and a Eurasian Woodcock at Tondu, Bridgend. Another Eurasian Woodcock was at Candleston, where five Common Chiffchaff were also present. A Hawfinch and an amazing count of 1000 Brambling were at Tair Onnen and the Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir. Two Black Redstarts were at Swansea University. A Barn Swallow at Nash Point on the 12th was a very late record. Two Hen Harriers were at Llanrhidian Marsh, while Kenfig Pool was busy with four Great Bittern, three Peregrine, a female Merlin, a Eurasian Woodcock, eighteen Eurasian Wigeon and a Brown Hare. Another cold day on the 13th saw a Yellow-browed Warbler in the southern bushes at Kenfig Pool, alongside a Siberian Chiffchaff and a Great Bittern was in the west pool. A Northern Goshawk was near Bridgend and the Black Redstart was again in Swansea Marina. A Water Pipit was at Llwyn On Reservoir near Merthyr Tydfil. On the 14th, a Siberian Chiffchaff and Yellow-browed Warbler were again at Kenfig Pool, while Rhymney Estuary had a Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 400 Dunlin, 36 Grey Plover, 185 Northern Pintail, 360 Common Shelduck and 145 Eurasian Curlew of note. The Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir and a first winter male Black Redstart was at Gileston. Three Green Sandpipers were at Ogmore Estuary and 500 Brambling were again at Tair Onnen. On the 15th, the Black Redstart was again at Gileston and a Short-eared Owl was again at Kenfig Pool. Sadly, the Humpbacked Whale was found dead on the beach at Aberavon. A bitterly cold day on the 16th found the Black Redstart again at Gileston, the Spotted Sandpiper at Lisvane Reservoir, the drake Red Crested Pochard in St Bride’s Major and two Water Pipits at Llwyn On Reservoir. Two Eurasian Woodcock were at Norton Woods, Ogmore Estuary, another was at nearby Candleston and nine Tree Sparrow, a Green Sandpiper and four Grey Plover were at Newton Farm, Gower. Two Hawfinch were at Tair Onnen.

1ST - 9TH DECEMBER 2007

DECEMBER began with really poor weather. The two Siberian Chiffchaffs were again at Kenfig Pool, where three Ruddy Turnstone were an unusual record on the east pool shore and a Great Bittern was in the south pool. Forty Brambling were near Merthyr Tydfil and the Spotted Sandpiper remains at Lisvane Reservoir. The awful weather continued on the 2nd when a Jack Snipe was near Caerphilly and an adult Mediterranean Gull was in Cardiff Bay. Five Little Egret, 29 Common Teal and two Dark-bellied Brent Geese were at Ogmore Estuary. A Great Northern and two Red-throated Divers, as well as an Mediterranean Gull were at Porthcawl. Three Hen Harriers and 100+ Dark-bellied Brent Geese were at Llanrhidian Marsh. On the 3rd, a Water Pipit flew south at Kenfig Pool, but could not be relocated, and 357 European Oystercatchers were at Kenfig Sands. A Short-eared Owl was at Nash Point and the Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir. Excellent counts of 129 Mute Swan, 24 Little Grebe and 45 Great Cormorant were at Roath Park Lake in Cardiff, where there was also a drake Gadwall and fifty Redwing. On the 4th, a Black Redstart was again at Swansea Marina and a Great Bittern, drake Northern Pintail and a Ruddy Turnstone were at Kenfig Pool. More poor weather on the 5th, though a very impressive mixed flock of up to a thousand Chaffinches and 100 Brambling were at Margam Park. A Peregrine and ten Black-legged Kittiwake were off Kenfig Sands. After a washout on the previous day, a wild but dry day on the 7th produced two Great Bittern at Kenfig Pool, along with forty Common Snipe and two Red-throated Divers and 22 Red Knot were at Kenfig Sands. A Great Northern Diver was at Mumbles and a first winter Mediterranean Gull was at Ogmore Estuary. The Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir and eight Tree Sparrows were at Newton Farm, Gower. Another foul day on the 8th produced an amazing record of a Humpbacked Whale off Mumbles Head, Swansea – it has apparently been present since the 5th and has been seen very close inshore. A Great Northern Diver was also present there and a Firecrest was at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. The Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir along with the first Red-breasted Merganser for the site since 1988. More appalling weather on the 9th and the Humpbacked Whale was again at Mumbles in the morning along with two Great Northern Divers and a Peregrine. A female Greater Scaup was at Kenfig Pool and the Spotted Sandpiper and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were at Lisvane Reservoir. A male Hen Harrier was at Loughor Bridge.

26TH - 30TH NOVEMBER 2007

A ringtail Hen Harrier was again at Llanrhidian Marsh on 26th and two Siberian Chiffchaff and a Brown Hare were at Kenfig Pool. A Eurasian Woodcock was at Mynydd Eglwysilian. On the 27th, a Great Bittern was a surprise find in the small reed bed at Hensol Lake, 3000 Wood Pigeon and 24 Stock Dove, 100 Chaffinch and two Brambling were at Lavernock Point. On the 28th, two Firecrest were at Pant Norton and a Ring-necked Parakeet was at Cosmeston Lakes. A mixed flock of 200 Chaffinch and 150 Brambling were at a Beech Wood near Mountain Ash. On the 29th five Red-throated Divers, 270 European Golden Plover, a Purple Sandpiper, 33 Red Knot, six Common Guillemot and three Common Scoter were at Sker and a drake Northern Pintail and five Common Goldeneye were on Kenfig Pool. A female Merlin was in the southern dunes there, a Great Bittern was in the north pool and a Dartford Warbler was on the east pool shore. A Ring Ouzel was a very late migrant at Lavernock Point, where there was also a Brambling and a Ring-necked Parakeet. Seventeen Purple Sandpipers, a drake Red Crested Pochard, Green Sandpiper and two Firecrest were again in the vicinity of Ogmore Estuary. A wet and windy day on 30th saw a Whooper Swan; the only one of the autumn so far, flying west at Rhymney Great Wharf. Also present were 250 Common Shelduck, 350 Northern Pintail, 300 Dunlin, 65 Red Knot, 32 Grey Plover and 230 Eurasian Curlew. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir and eleven Dark-bellied Brent Geese and thirty Ruddy Turnstone were on Newton Beach, Porthcawl.

19TH - 25TH NOVEMBER 2007

A cold day on the 19th saw two Firecrest, a Brambling and a Dartford Warbler at Pant Norton and a Little Egret and seven Common Chiffchaff were at Kenfig Pool including the very pale Siberian race bird. A Common Sandpiper and Common Greenshank were at Penclawdd and a Greater Scaup was at Cosmeston Lakes. The Spotted Sandpiper remained at Lisvane Reservoir, six Velvet Scoter were in Swansea Bay and an astonishing count by local standards of 878 Common Guillemots went past Mumbles Head. A Eurasian Woodcock was at Kenfig Pool on 20th when ten Brambling, forty Common Crossbill and an Egyptian Goose were at Rheola, Neath and a Great Northern and three Red-throated Divers were off Worms Head, along with a Pomarine Skua, nine Purple Sandpipers, 65 Black-legged Kittiwake and 141 Common Scoter. A Firecrest was again at Bute Park. The 21st saw a Yellow-browed Warbler, two Green Sandpipers and a Dartford Warbler at Ogmore Estuary. The Snow Bunting was again at Nash Point, the Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir and a Firecrest was at Kenfig Pool. On the 22nd, the Siberian Chiffchaff was at Kenfig Pool and a drake Red Crested Pochard, two Mediterranean Gulls and two Dartford Warblers were at the Ogmore Estuary. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir. A Great Bittern showed very well from the south pool hide at Kenfig Pool on the 23rd, two Little Egrets and two Mediterranean Gulls were at Ogmore Estuary and two Red-billed Chough were at Porthcawl. Six Red-billed Chough were at Dunraven on 24th, a Great Bittern was again at Kenfig Pool and a drake Long-tailed Duck was at Penclawdd. The Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir, along with five Goosander and a Peregrine. The 25th saw the Spotted Sandpiper again at Lisvane Reservoir and a drake Red Crested Pochard at Kenfig Pool. A Brambling was in a Swansea garden, three Dartford Warblers and a Peregrine were at Ogmore Down and a female Blackcap was in a Cardiff garden.

12TH - 18TH NOVEMBER 2007

On the 12th, a Hen Harrier and 1000 European Golden Plover were at Llanrhidian and a Barn Owl was at Llancadle. The Long-tailed Duck was again at Parc Cwm Darren, a Great Grey Shrike was near Swansea Airport and a Green Sandpiper and nine Common Goldeneye were at Ogmore Estuary. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir, a Jack Snipe and 120 Reed Bunting were in Gorseinon and a Yellow-browed Warbler was in Maesteg. The Great Grey Shrike, Long-tailed Duck and Snow Bunting were at Swansea Airport Parc Cwm Darren and Nash Point respectively on the 13th and six Velvet Scoter and nineteen Common Scoter were in Oxwich Bay. A Bohemian Waxwing was briefly at Kenfig birch wood and three Little Auk were briefly on the sea off Port Talbot Docks, where there were also three Velvet Scoter. On the 14th, the Snow Bunting was again at Nash Point, along with eight Red-throated Diver, a Brambling and a Merlin. Fourteen Red-throated Diver, 160 Common Pochard, a female Red-breasted Merganser, two Peregrine and a female Merlin were at Kenfig National Nature Reserve. A Water Pipit was at Castell Ddu on Gower and another was at Rhymney Great Wharf along with 24 Grey Plover, seventy Northern Pintail, 35 Dunlin and five Little Egret. A cold, but gloriously sunny day on the 15th saw a mini influx of wildfowl to Kenfig Pool with 36 Common Teal, 31 Northern Shoveler and a drake Northern Pintail the most notable, while two Common Chiffchaff included a singing bird! The Long-tailed Duck was still at Parc Cwm Darren and a Grey Phalarope and thirteen Purple Sandpipers were at Ogmore-by-Sea, while the Snow Bunting was again at Nash Point along with a Peregrine and a Brambling. On the 16th, a Great Bittern showed superbly at Kenfig Pool, where there was also a female Dartford Warbler and a very unusual migrant in the form of Ruddy Turnstone on the east pool shore. A Black Redstart was in Swansea City Centre and a Firecrest was in Bute Park, Cardiff. The Snow Bunting was still present at Nash Point on 17th, the Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir and a very late Sandwich Tern was at Cardiff Bay. A first winter Little Gull and a Dartford Warbler were at Kenfig Pool and the Ruddy Turnstone was still present on the east pool shore. Two adult Mediterranean Gulls, five Little Egret and five Goosander were at Ogmore Estuary. Rhymney Great Wharf produced good counts of 1500 Dunlin, 500 Common Redshank, 232 Northern Pintail, 640 Common Shelduck, a Jack Snipe and two Green Sandpiper. A Long-tailed Duck was at Penclawdd. On the 18th, Newton Farm, Gower produced a male Hen Harrier, five Tree Sparrows and a Green Sandpiper. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir and a Great Bittern, Northern Pintail, Cetti’s Warbler and a male Brambling were at Kenfig Pool. The Snow Bunting was at Nash Point, a Slavonian Grebe, 450 Northern Pintail and 1300 Red Knot were at Wernffrwd and a Firecrest was nearby.

GOA

Our exciting new tour to Goa has been rescheduled from December 2008 to the new dates of 27th January - 10th February 2009. Several places have already been booked, so if you do wish to join this wonderful and great value tour, please book soon to avoid disappointment.

5TH - 11TH NOVEMBER 2007

A busy day on the 5th produced an initially brief, but then well seen Cattle Egret at Kenfig Pool [a county first found by Neil], where the White-rumped Sandpiper also remained and 56 Common Teal and four Water Rail were at the Kenfig River mouth. The pool also had an adult Mediterranean Gull, a female Northern Pintail, seven Common Chiffchaff and 24 Northern Lapwing. Sker had four Purple Sandpiper, 45 Ruddy Turnstone and 36 Red Knot. The Common Rosefinch was again at Mewslade and five Common Crossbill, twelve Lesser Redpoll and two Brambling were at Pant Norton, sixty Dark-bellied Brent Geese were on the sea near Nash Point. An amazing fall of thrushes at Lavernock Point included 12000 Redwing, 2000 Fieldfare, 100 Blackbirds and a Ring Ouzel as well as several Brambling and large numbers of Chaffinches. The Cattle Egret and White-rumped Sandpiper were both again at Kenfig Pool on the 6th and a female Ruddy Duck, a drake Goosander and an eastern race of Common Chiffchaff. On the 7th, the White-rumped Sandpiper remained at Kenfig Pool along with a Ruddy Duck and Common Shelduck, while 28 Common Scoter and an unprecedented number of at least 100 Common Guillemot were seen offshore. The Spotted Sandpiper remained at Lisvane Reservoir and a Long-tailed Duck was at the unlikely site of Parc Cwm Darren well inland at Caerphilly. A Black Redstart was at Nash Point. Another busy day on the 8th saw three Velvet Scoter at Kenfig Sands – the first since 1927 and another excellent find for Neil!! Also present were a record breaking 158 Common Guillemot, a Great Northern Diver and thirteen Common Scoter, while the White-rumped Sandpiper and nine Gadwall were at the pool. A Barn Owl was nearby at Mawdlam and another three were seen near Tondu. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir and a male Ring Ouzel was in a crab apple tree in Llanharran and the Long-tailed Duck was again at Parc Cwm Darren. A cold and very windy day on the 9th saw the White-rumped Sandpiper again present at Kenfig Pool, along with a Lapland Bunting, a Great Bittern, Little Egret and 320 Wood Pigeons, while Kenfig Sands had thirteen Black-legged Kittiwake, 26 Common Guillemot and 250 European Golden Plover. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir and a Black-tailed Godwit and two Little Egret were at Ogmore Estuary. The Long-tailed Duck was at Parc Cwm Darren, a Snow Bunting at Nash Point and a Hen Harrier and Jack Snipe were in Maesteg. The 10th produced excellent views of Great Bittern at Kenfig Pool and offshore at the sands there were two Razorbill, two Red-throated Diver, 82 Common Guillemot and a female Red-breasted Merganser. Eight Dark-bellied Brent Geese were at Ogmore Estuary, the Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir, along with a Little Gull and the Long-tailed Duck and a Ring Ouzel were at Parc Cwm Darren. The Snow Bunting was again at Nash Point and two Velvet Scoter, two Red-throated Diver and a Merlin were at Port Talbot Dock and a Common Sandpiper was on the River Afan in the town. Four Barn Swallow, a drake Goosander and two Common Snipe were at Cosmeston Lakes. Another windy day on the 11th saw another new record of 221 Common Guillemot off Kenfig Sands, along with three Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver and a Peregrine. A female Greater Scaup was new at the pool, where Gadwall numbers have risen to fifteen and three Short-eared Owls were in the southern dunes, while an astonishing 61 Water Rail were counted throughout the reserve. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir and the Snow Bunting at Nash Point and a Grey Phalarope, a Jack Snipe, 58 Eurasian Curlew, two Little Egret and eight Purple Sandpiper were at Ogmore Estuary.

1ST - 4TH NOVEMBER 2007

NOVEMBER began with the White-rumped Sandpiper present again at Kenfig Pool, where there were also two Mediterranean Gulls. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir. A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was in Bute Park, Cardiff, five Red-billed Chough were in Porthcawl and three Common Greenshank and a Green Sandpiper were at Gowerton. On the 2nd, the Common Rosefinch was again at Mewslade, the White-rumped Sandpiper at Kenfig Pool and the Spotted Sandpiper at Lisvane Reservoir. A Red-throated Diver was off Sker Point and a Brambling was at Kenfig Pool. A Yellow-browed Warbler and a Wood Lark were also at Mewslade. A sunny day on the 3rd saw the White-rumped and Spotted Sandpipers at Kenfig Pool and Lisvane Reservoir respectively. Also at Kenfig were 129 Redwing, 401 Fieldfare, 1946 Wood Pigeon, a Lesser Redpoll and three Common Snipe. Twenty six Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver were at Sker, two Brambling were in Mountain Ash and another Brambling, a Dartford Warbler and four Firecrest were in Pant Norton, Ogmore Estuary. On the 4th, five Red- billed Chough were at Ogmore-by-Sea and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and eight Eurasian Siskin were in Bute Park. The White-rumped Sandpiper was still at Kenfig Pool and the Spotted Sandpiper at Lisvane Reservoir. Two Brambling were also at Kenfig Pool, along with two Black-tailed Godwit. A Dartford Warbler was at Locks Common, Porthcawl and a Red-throated Diver and eight Dark-bellied Brent Geese were at Sker.

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

15TH - 21ST OCTOBER 2007

A much quieter day on the 15th produced just a female Greater Scaup and two Northern Pintail at Kenfig Pool and 26 Mediterranean Gulls were at Bracelet Bay. Two Common Goldeneye and a Water Rail were at Kenfig Pool on 16th and two Green Sandpipers were at Llanilid. On the 17th, a Brambling was at Dunraven, eleven Northern Wheatear were at Rhymney Great Wharf and six Red-billed Chough were at Locks Common, Porthcawl. The 18th produced two Dartford Warblers at Caswell Bay, Gower, thirty Eurasian Siskin at Summerhouse Point and a ringtail Hen Harrier and four Red Kites at Lliw Reservoir, Swansea. Four Grey Plover were in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan and a Common Tern was in Cardiff Bay. A Brambling, Merlin and Fieldfare, as well as a Clouded Yellow butterfly were at Kenfig Pool. On the 19th, a Eurasian Woodcock was at Mountain Ash and a Dartford Warbler was at Kenfig Pool. A male Merlin and eighty European Golden Plover were at Mynydd Eglwysilian. A juvenile Spotted Sandpiper was a cracking find at Lisvane Reservoir on 20th – the first in Glamorgan for 33 years! Elsewhere, the Dartford Warbler remained at Kenfig Pool, along with nineteen Fieldfare, eleven Redwing, three Common Chiffchaff, five Lesser Redpoll, seven Eurasian Wigeon and five Gadwall. Two Ring Ouzel were in Maesteg Cemetery. The 21st produced a Yellow-browed Warbler and three Firecrest at Mewslade, along with four Red-billed Chough and a Brambling. The Dartford Warbler was again at Kenfig Pool, where 112 Redwing, 36 Fieldfare, nine Lesser Redpoll, an adult Mediterranean Gull and a Common Goldeneye were also present. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir and a Merlin, 44 Red Knot, three Bar-tailed Godwit and Razorbill were at Sker Point. The Great Grey Shrike and a Common Crossbill were at Perthcelyn.

WEST CORNWALL 2007

Glorious weather, fantastic food and some great birds too!! If its October, it must be our West Cornwall tour - this year run in conjunction with Bird Watching magazine from 13th - 19th October 2007. A very showy Radde's Warbler was the real highlight of the week, but we also enjoyed excellent views of Yellow-browed and Dartford Warblers, a Dutch ringed Eurasian Spoonbill, Eurasian Woodcock, two Firecrest, two Little Stints and both Pied and Spotted Flycatchers. We also saw two Mediterranean Gulls, Ring Ouzel, four Red-billed Chough, Pomarine, Arctic and a couple of Great Skuas, five Balearic Shearwaters, Peregrine, Merlin, five breeding plumaged Black-tailed Godwits, Red-throated Diver and large numbers of Eurasian Siskin amongst a total of 105 species.

Spaces are already filling up for 11th - 17th October 2008, so if you would like to join us for what is always an enjoyable tour based at the Mount Haven Hotel, please book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

As a footnote, we'd like to congratulate our partners at The Mount Haven Hotel for inclusion in the Sunday Times Top Twenty Hotels for service list recently; we can certainly vouch for them deserving this prestigous accolade as we have been staying there for the past ten years.