Oriole Birding

This is my final posting on the Celtic Bird Tours website. From 1st December 2009, the site will be parked and you will be redirected to my new business http://www.oriolebirding.com/. I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that has travelled with Celtic Bird Tours over the twelve years we operated ur tours. The signs are that my new partnership with Ashley Saunders and Oriole Birding will be a succesful one. We both hope that we will continue to provide the high quality, small group holidays that our regulars have become used to and look forward to many days birding with friends old and new.

Best Wishes & Good Birding

Neil

21ST - 30TH NOVEMBER 2009

The 21st saw the Surf Scoter again at Mumbles, the Great Northern Diver and a Common Sandpiper in Barry Docks and a Brambling in Neath. A Black Redstart was at Rhossilli and a Barn Owl at nearby Pilton. Poor weather again on 22nd saw the Surf Scoter remaining at Mumbles Head, sixteen Purple Sandpiper and three hundred Redwing at Ogmore Estuary and five Mediterranean Gulls and three hundred and five Common Pochard at Kenfig Pool. Up to four Leach's Storm Petrel were off Porthcawl on 23rd, along with a Great Northern Diver, a Red-throated Diver, one hundred and twenty five Black-legged Kittiwake, eleven Common Scoter and seventeen European Golden Plover. The Surf Scoter was again off Mumbles Head. More storms on the 24th saw some excellent sea watching with a Pomarine Skua, Arctic Skua, Black-throated Diver, Leach's Storm Petrel off Lavernock Point, three Great Northern Diver, a Leach's Storm Petrel, six Great Skua and six hundred Black-legged Kittiwake at Porthcawl. The Surf Scoter was again at Mumbles Head and a Great Skua, two Red-throated and five Great Northern Divers were off Oxwich Bay. On the 25th, two Leach's Storm Petrels were off Porthcawl, along with a Grey Phalarope and five hundred Black-legged Kittiwake. Another Leach's Storm Petrel and a Great Skua were off Barry and further Great Skuas were off Lavernock Point and Mumbles Heas, where the Surf Scoter remained. The high winds continued on 26th and two Leach's Storm Petrel were again off Porthcawl, along with two Great Skua, while the Surf Scoter, two thousand one hundred and sixty Black-legged Kittiwake, a Great Northern Diver, Red-throated Diver and an Arctic Skua were at Mumbles Head. Calmer conditions on the 27th still saw plenty of seabird action as birds moved back towards the Irish Sea. A Black-throated Diver showed very well at Porthcawl and four Great and a Pomarine Skua, a Great Northern Diver and four hundred Black-legged Kittiwakes were at Lavernock Point. The 28th saw a Great Northern Diver at Swansea Docks and a Merlin at Lamby Lake. The only news on the 29th was of a Short-eared Owl, Water Pipit and two Merlin at Rhymney Estuary. The 30th produced a nice surprise in the form of a female type Velvet Scoter at Ogmore Estuary, as well as the first two Common Goldneye of the autumn.

11TH - 20TH NOVEMBER 2009

The Great Northern Diver was again at Cosmeston Lakes on the 11th and three Mediterranean Gulls were at Kenfig Pool. A Short-eared Owl was at Rhymney Estuary and twenty Common Scoter were at Worms Head. The 12th saw a Brambing in Maesteg before very bad weather set in for the next couple of days. The 14th produced a Eurasian Woodcock at Kenfig Pool, a Goosander was at Cosmseton Lakes and thirty Common Scoter, forty Common Gull and a Great Northern Diver were at Porthcawl. On the 15th, another Great Northern Diver was in Barry Docks and the 16th saw a Great Skua off Lavernock Point, the Great Northern Diver again in Barry Docks and one hundred and forty Black-legged Kittiwake off Porthcawl. On the 17th, nine Jack Snipe were at Oxwich Marsh and forty two Mediterranean Gull were at Mumbles Head. A female Greater Scaup was in Cardiff Bay and two Common Chiffchaff were at Kenfig Pool. The 18th saw three Leach's Storm Petrels at Porthcawl Sea Front, along with sixty two Black-legged Kittiwake, fifteen Common Guillemot and six Northern Fulmar. On the 19th, a female Surf Scoter was at Mumbles Head and the Great Northern Diver was again in Barry Docks. The 20th saw three Great Bittern and a Yellow-browed Warbler at Kenfig Pool, a Snow Bunting and four Red-billed Chough at Southerndown and a Grey Phalarope and four Great Northern Divers were at Oxwich Bay and Marsh. The Surf Scoter was again at Mumbles along with a Little Gull. Two Black Redstarts were at Penarth and another Grey Phalarope was at Neath Estuary.

1ST - 10TH NOVEMBER 2009

A wet and windy day on the 1st saw a Ring Ouzel near Bridgend, fifty Common Scoter at Monknash, a Ring-necked Parakeet in Swansea and twenty three Sanderling and thirty five Ringed Plover at Newton Beach, Porthcawl. On the 2nd, a Great Northern Diver was at Sker and a Red Kite was in Porth, Rhondda. A very windy day on the 3rd saw a Little Gull at Ogmore Estuary, while the 4th produced a Great Northern Diver and two hundred and forty two Common Pochard at Kenfig Pool. The Little Gull was again at Ogmore Estuary, along with a Water Pipit. A Black Redstart was in Cardiff and an eastern race Common Chiffchaffs was in the office gardens. A Little Gull and Water Pipit were at Penclawdd on the 5th and a Barn Owl was in Trebanog, Rhondda. On the 6th, a female Merlin, eleven Common Scoter and a Dark-bellied Brent Goose were at Sker and an adult Mediterranean Gull, ten Northern Shoveler, one hundred and sixty Fieldfare, four Lesser Redpoll and six hundred Wood Pigeon were at Kenfig Pool. The drake Lesser Scaup, a Merlin, two Ruddy Shelduck were in Cardiff Bay and four Green Sandpipers and a Water Pipit were at Ogmore Estuary. The 7th saw one thouand Fieldfare in a single flock near Swansea and five Red-billed Chough and a Peregrine at Ogmore-by-Sea. Forty one Common Snipe, seven Jack Snipe and fifteen Gadwall were at Oxwich Marsh. On the 8th two Merlin, two Barn Owl, a Jack Snipe and four Black Redstart were at Rhymney Estuary, the Water Pipit remained at Ogmore Estuary, along with ten Purple Sandpiper. On the 9th, a breeding plumaged Great Northern Diver was at Cosmeston Lakes, two Black Redstart and a female Greater Scaup were in Cardiff Bay, two hundred and sixty one Common Pochard were at Kenfig Pool and a Dartford Warbler was at Pant Norton, Ogmore. On the 10th, the Great Northern Diver was again at Cosmeston Lakes.

21ST - 31ST OCTOBER 2009

The 21st saw more poor weather and just a single Barn Swallow present at Cosmeston Lakes. On the 22nd, a Green Sandpiper and Mediterranean Gull were at Ogmore Estuary and thirty Redwing were at Cosmeston Lakes. The 23rd saw the drake Lesser Scaup again in Cardiff Bay, while the 24th saw two Greater Scaup at Egwlys Nunydd Reservoir. A Firecrest and fifteen Redwing were at Crymlyn Bog on the 25th and one thousand Common Redshank were at Rhymney Estuary. The 26th finally saw a bit of movement with four hundred and sixty five Redwing, five Fieldfare, fifty four Chaffinch, two hundred and eighty five Wood Pigeon, three Lesser Redpoll and a Brambling at Kenfig Pool. A Purple Sandpiper and Little Gull were at Ogmore Estuary and a Red-throated Diver, nineteen Razorbill and nineteen Black-legged Kittiwake were at Porthcawl. On the 27th, a Red Kite as in Penclawdd, while impressive movement over the Bristol Channel at Barry included three thousand eight hundred Wood Pigeon, two thousand five hundred Redwing, three hundred and fifty Chaffinch, a Brambling, ten Reed Bunting and two Barn Swallow. Another Brambling was at Lamby Lake, a Northern Pintail, fifty Common Teal, five Cetti's Warblers and twenty one Common Snipe were at Kenfig Rivermouth, a Lesser Redpoll and seventy five Sky Lark were at Nash Point and five Fieldfare and Small Copper, Clouded Yellow, Painted Lady and Red Admiral butterflies were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm as the temperature reached almost 20 Celsius. On the 28th, a male Black Redstart was at Gileston, a Purple Sandpiper was at Ogmroe Estuary, fourteen Common Crossbill were in Cardiff and an adult Mediterranean Gull, eighty Fieldfare and twenty Lesser Redpoll were at Kenfig Pool. The 29th saw a Great Bittern back at Kenfig Pool, while large numbers of Redwings were seen all over Glamorgan with the biggest flock in excess of a thousand was at Maesteg, where there were also large numbers of Fieldfares, a male Merlin and a Ring Ouzel. Another Ring Ouzel was at Lavernock Point. On the 30th, poor weather meant few birds with just forty two Common Crossbill in the Caerphilly area of note. The 31st saw a Hen Harrier at Llanrhidian Marsh, the drake Lesser Scaup and a Common Goldeneye at Cardiff Bay, an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Northern Pintail, six Common Chiffchaff and two hundred and twenty seven Common Pochard at Kenfig Pool and a Lesser Redpoll, four Blackcap, two Greater Scaup and one hundred and ninety six Tufted Duck at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir.

11TH - 20TH OCTOBER 2009

On the 11th, a Ruff was at Dalton's Point, Gower, where one hundred and ten Black-tailed Godwit and three Bar-tailed Godwit were also present. The Dark-bellied Brent Goose was again at Newton Beach Porthcawl and thirty seven Reed Bunting were at Oxwich Marsh. A glorious day on the 12th saw a Jack Snipe at Kenfig Pool, thirty seven Common Scoter, a Red-throated Diver, two Arctic Terns and three Mediterranean Gulls at Porthcawl and two male Ring Ouzel, a Northern Goshawk, eleven Lesser Redpoll and ten Eurasian Siskin were in Maesteg. The drake Lesser Scaup returned to Cardiff Bay and a late Black Tern was at Mumbles Head. On the 13th, twenty eight Eurasian Siskin, four Great Spotted Woodpecker, two hundred and nintey six Eurasian Jackdaw and nine Song Thrush passed overhead at Kenfig Pool. The 14th saw two Penduline Tits at Cardiff Bay - the second county record. A Firecrest was at Maesteg and forty five Mediterranean Gulls were at Mumbles. A Merlin, Hen Harrier and twenty five Common Crossbill were at Mynydd Eglwysilian. On the 15th, the drake Lesser Scaup was again in Cardiff Bay, two Mediterrnean Gulls were at Kenfig Pool and the Dark-bellied Brent Goose was at Newton Point. On the 16th, two Red-billed Chough and two Green Sandpiper were at Ogmore Estuary. The 17th saw the drake Lesser Scaup again at Cardiff Bay, along with a female Greater Scaup. Ninety Redwing and two Goosander were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. The 18th saw the drake Lesser Scaup again at Cardiff Bay and seventeen Common Crossbill in Maesteg. Two Barn Owl and a Merlin were at Lamby Lake. On the 19th, four Ring Ouzel and one hundred Redwing were in Aberdare, four Jack Snipe and seventeen Common Snipe were at Oxwich Marsh and a Red Kite was at Sarn, Bridgend. The 20th was a total washout with heavy rain and high winds - the first bad weather since August!!

1ST - 10TH OCTOBER 2009

The 1st saw the first Fieldfare of the autumn at Caerphilly and the 2nd was also quiet with just one hundred and twenty three European Golden Plover at Sker Point. More poor weather on 3rd saw two Red Knot at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. On the 4th a female Ring Ouzel was at Dare Country Park and two Whinchat were at Lavernock Point. A further three Ring Ouzel were in Maesteg. On the 5th, a Reed Warbler and two Marsh Tit were at Oxwich Marsh and a Green Sandpiper was at Ogmore Estuary. Four Common Crossbill were in Hensol Forest, a Merlin was in Swansea Bay and a Barn Owl and Yellow-legged Gull were at Lamby Lake. A very quiet day on the 6th saw just thirteen Barn Swallow and nine Eurasian Jay at Lavernock Point. On the 7th, the Yellow-legged Gull and Barn Owl were again at Rhymney Estuary and a Wood Lark was a good find at Cosmeston Lakes. The 8th saw a Whinchat and four Common Snipe at Oxwich Marsh, four House Martin at Cardiff Airport and a Red Kite at Tylorstown, Rhonnda. On the 10th, a Red Kite was at Cwm Nash and fifty Barn Swallow were at Pennard, Gower. A Dark-bellied Brent Goose and two hundred and fifty Sky Lark were at Newton Beach, Porthcawl.

Oriole Birding

Anyon reading this website and wondering why no 2010 tours are being advertised may like to know about my new partnership with Ashley Saunders at Oriole Adventures known as Oriole Birding. We have joined forces with a new website:www.oriolebirding.com Email:info@oriolebirding.com and brochure. The contact telephone numbers and addresses will remain the same as for CBT.

The CBT site will continue to operate alongside the new business until 31st December 2009 when this website will then close. All 2010 holidays are available to view on the new site, but many are already filling up and some are full. No CBT holidays have availability for the remainder of 2009, but bespoke South Wales tours van be arranged by contacting me at the usual addresses.

Its a very exciting, but rather busy time for both of us, but I look forward to welcoming you on your Oriole Birding holidays in the future.

Many Thanks to everyone who have shared the journey with me by travelling with CBT.

Happy Birding

Neil

21ST - 30TH SEPTEMBER

On the 21st, a Glossy Ibis was seen in flight over Swansea, a Black Tern, Garden Warbler, Whinchat and Eurasian Siskin were at Kenfig Pool and forty two European Golden Plover and eight Red Knot were at Sker. The first rain of the month on the 22nd saw the Black Tern again at Kenfig Pool and a Bar-tailed Godwit and three Common Scoter at Sker Point. A Razorbill was off Cardiff Heliport and a Whinchat was at Cosmeston Lakes. On the 23rd, a Firecrest was in Maesteg and the Black Tern, Whinchat, four Eurasian Siskin and eight Eurasian Jay were at Kenfig Pool. The 24th produced a Common Redstart at Kenfig Pool, along with the Black Tern, Whinchat, two Fieldfare and fourteen Song Thrush and a Jack Snipe was at Sker Pool. A Eurasian Hobby was at Broad Pool, Gower and three Bar-tailed Godwit, 180 Sanderling and 150 Ringed Plover were in Swansea Bay. A quieter day on the 25th though forty two Mediterranean Gull and six Harbour Porpoise at Mumbles was noteworthy. Otherwise, sixty six European Golden Plover and a Bar-tailed Godwit were at Sker and another Mediterranean Gull was at Lamby Lake. A Wryneck was at Lavernock Point on the 26th and a Eurasian Hobby was at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. A Coal Tit and thirty European Robin were at Kenfig Pool. The 27th saw an Osprey again in Neath, a Pied Flycatcher in Cardiff, a Little Egret and six Redwing at Lisvane Reservoir and a Common Redstart and Dartford Warbler at Cwm Nash. Twenty Lesser Redpoll, thirty Eurasian Siskin and thirty six Eurasian Jay were at Lavernock Point and seventy seven Common Pochard, thirty eight Tufted Duck, a Common Treecreeper and a Lesser Whitethroat were at Kenfig Pool. On the 28th, the only news was of a Firecrest on Flatholm, eleven Mistle Thrush at Kenfig Pool and a Grey Plover in Maesteg. On the 29th, Merlins were present at Maesteg and Mynydd Eglwysilian, where two Red Kites and fourteen Common Raven were also present. A Yellow Wagtail was at Nash Point, eighty three Tufted Duck and eleven Eurasian Jay were at Kenfig Pool, a Barn Owl was at Lamby lake and a Garden Warbler and four hundred Barn Swallow were at Mewslade. On the 30th, ten Red-billed Chough were at Rhossili and fifty Sky Lark, five Redwing and two European Golden Plover were in Maesteg.

14TH - 20TH SEPTEMBER 2009

On the 14th, a Little Stint was at Kenfig Rivermouth and thirty one Eurasian Wigeon and a Northern Pintail were at Kenfig Pool. Fifteen Yellow Wagtail, twelve Northern Wheatear and a Spotted Flycatcher were at Cwm Nash, an adult Yellow-legged Gull was at Rhymney Estuary, three Whimbrel were in Maesteg and a Whinchat, another Yellow Wagtail and eight Dunlin were at Ogmore Estuary. On the 15th, three Ruddy Shelduck were at Kenfig Pool, nine Common Snipe, forty eight Common Teal and a Bar-tailed Godwit were at Kenfig Rivermouth, a Red Kite was at Pant Norton again and a Common Redstart was at Lavernock Point. The 16th saw a Honey Buzzard at Parkmill, Gower, a Eurasian Hobby at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir and a Wood Warbler at Cosmeston Lakes. Four Red Kites and a Whinchat were at Maesteg and a heavy passage of Meadow Pipits were overhead at Nash Point. On the 17th two Honey Buzzard flew east over Neath, three Barn Owl were at lamby Lake and fifty five Northern Pintail were at Rhymney Estuary. A Whinchat was at Cwm Nash. The 18th saw an Osprey, Merlin, seven Common Eider, a Little Stint, four Bar-tailed Godwit and one hundred Eurasian Wigeon on the Loughor Estuary, a Common Redstart at Lamby Lake, three Whinchat were at Nash Point and a Great Spotted Woodpecker and two Mistle Thrush were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm. A quietish day on the 19th saw eleven Red Knot at Kenfig Sands and a female Common Redstart and Lesser Whitethroat at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir.The 20th saw an Osprey in Swansea Bay, a Lapland Bunting again briefly at Rhossilli, along with a Whinchat and a Spotted Flycatcher at Kenfig Pool.

7TH - 13TH SEPTEMBER 2009

On the 7th the Osprey was still at Wernffrwd, seven Goosander were at Ogmore Estuary, two Spotted Flycatchers at Lisvane Reservoir and a Tree Pipit and Whinchat were at Lavernock Point. A Wryneck was in Cardiff Bay on the 8th, three Lesser Whitethroat and twelve Blackcap were at Eglwys Nunydd Resrevoir and six Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Aberthaw Marsh, while on the 9th two Spotted Redshank, two Green Sandpiper and a Yellow Wagtail were at Rhymney Estuary. Glorious weather on the 10th and a Common Redstart and Whinchat were at Cosmeston Lakes, two more Whinchat were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm, four Eurasian Wigeon and three Northern Shoveler were at Kenfig Pool and two Spotted Flycatcher, two Tree Pipit and a Garden Warbler were at Pant Norton. More fantastic weather on the 11th and a Ruff was at Kenfig Pool, along with ten Common Teal. Four Spotted Flycatchers were at Parc Slip. On the 12th, a Honey Buzzard was at the Loughor Estuary, a Ring Ouzel was in the hills at Pontycymmer, five Red-billed Chough were at Porthcawl and another six were at Ogmore-by-Sea. A Whinchat and Spotted Flycatcher were at Leckwith, Cardiff, Spotted Flycatchers were also at Overton, Gower and Kenfig Pool, where seven Whimbrel, two Ruddy Duck, sixteen Blackcap and a Lesser Whitethroat were also present. More fantastic weather on the 13th saw a Hen Harrier in Aberdare, two Whinchat, two Spotted Flycatcher, a Red Kite, Tree Pipit and ten Northern Wheatear in Maesteg and another Whinchat was at Sker. A drake Eurasian Wigeon was at Kenfig Pool and 580 Black-legged Kittiwake, four Red Knot, a Merlin, two Red-billed Chough and a Whinchat were at Rhossilli.

1ST - 6TH SEPTEMBER 2009

Really wet conditions on the 1ST meant few birds, but a Spotted Flycatcher, Little Egret and two Lesser Whitethroat were at Kenfig Pool, a Tree Pipit was at Pant Norton and eighteen Pale-bellied Brent Geese were offshore at Ogmore-by-Sea. On the 2nd, the Osprey was again at Wernffrwd and 24 Red Knot, two Mediterranean Gulls, two hundred Sanderling and 150 Ringed Plover were in Swansea Bay. Another Mediterranean Gull was at Cardiff Heliport and two Spotted Flycatchers, three Common Teal and seven Willow Warblers were the highlights of another wet day at Kenfig Pool. On the 3rd, a Grey Phalarope was at Ogmore-by-Sea, 140 Black-tailed Godwit, two Yellow Wagtail and sixty five Red Knot were at Rhymney Estuary, a Red-throated Diver was off Porthcawl, a Eurasian Hobby was at Hendre Lake, two Common Swift were in Maesteg and a first winter Little Gull and a Ruddy Turnstone were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. Another very windy day on the 4th saw an interesting selection of migrants arrive. A female Ruddy Shelduck and a Common Tern were at Kenfig Pool, an Osprey, Red Kite and Spotted Flycatcher were around the Ogmore Estuary and 400 Barn Swallow, four Lesser Whitethroat and a Garden Warbler were at Lavernock Point. On the 5th, a Eurasian Hobby was at Cwm Ivy, Gower, six Tree Pipit and two Spotted Flycatcher were at Pant Norton and another Tree Pipit and Spotted Flycatcher, as well as a Lesser Whitethroat and twelve Common Chiffchaff were at Kenfig Pool. Another Eurasian Hobby was at Mynydd Eglwysilian, two Common Swift were at Llancadle, Vale of Glamorgan and another Common Swift and a first winter Little Gull were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. The 6th brought a Glossy Ibis briefly to Baglan, near Port Talbot, a Common Greenshank to Ogmore Estuary and a Green Sandpiper at Pontsarn.

24TH - 31ST AUGUST 2009

The 24th was a very busy day for migrants with a Common Redstart, seventy Yellow Wagtail, 800+ House Martin, a Common Greenshank and a Northern Goshawk at Blaen-y-Cwm, Vale of Glamorgan. A Pied Flycatcher, fifteen Common Chiffchaff, fifteen Blackcap and twenty Common Whitethroat were at Pant Norton, a Black Tern and nine Common Eider were at Salthouse Point, North Gower, a Eurasian Hobby was at Kenfig Pool and an Arctic Skua was at Pink Bay, Porthcawl. Three Grasshopper Warbler, twelve Willow Warbler and a Garden Warbler were at Oxwich Bay, along with seventeen Reed Warbler. On the 25th, the Osprey was again at Neath, a Yellow Wagtail and Common Greenshank were at Cardiff Heliport, five Common Swift were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir and 170 Ringed Plover, 130 Sanderling, forty Dunlin, five Red Knot and two Black-tailed Godwit were in Swansea Bay. The 26th saw just a Whinchat at Blaen-y-cwm and two Manx Shearwater and twenty Sandwich Terns at Port Eynon before heavy rain set in for the day. An Arctic Tern, Great Spotted Woodpecker, two Lesser Whitethroat, twelve Blackcap, nine Willow Warbler and ten Common Whitethroat were at Kenfig Pool on the 27th, while the 28th saw a Whinchat and eleven Common Crossbill at Abercregan. A Little Egret was at Lisvane Reservoir and an Osprey was again at Wernffrwd. On the 29th a Black Tern, Ruddy Turnstone and six Common Swift were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir, while three Red Knot, eighty three European Oysetrcatcher, fourteen Eurasian Curlew, four Lesser Whitethroat, a Garden Warbler and seven Sedge Warbler were at Kenfig National Nature Reserve. A Eurasian Hobby was at Margam and a Spotted Flycatcher was at Oxwich Marsh. After a day of heavy rain and no news on the 30th, the 31st saw three Great Skua, a Common Tern and twenty four Sandwich Terns at Oxwich Bay, a Little Egret again at Lisvane Reservoir, 200 Goldfinch at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm and thirteen Common Whitethtroat, three Willow Warbler, eleven Blackap, nineteen European Robin and five Reed Warblers at Kenfig Pool.

17TH - 23RD AUGUST 2009

A quieter day on the 17th with thirty Reed Warbler, nineteen Sedge Warbler, a Garden Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat at Oxwich Bay being the only news. The 18th saw two Little Egret, seven Blackcap, three Common Chiffchaff and a Lesser Whitethroat at Kenfig Pool and a Red-billed Chough at Sker. On the 19th, the Osprey was again at Neath and a Marsh Tit was in Bishop's Wood, Gower, while a windy day on the 20th produced three European Storm Petrel off Porthcawl, along with twenty Northern Gannet, five Manx Shearwater and seven Northern Fulmar. The 21st saw two Honey Buzzard in the Neath Valley and a Common Tern, two Sandwich Terns, a Mediterranean Gull and four Bar-tailed Godwit at Briton Ferry.On the 22nd, a Eurasian Hobby was at Llwyn On Reservoir and a Spotted Flycatcher, seventeen Reed Warbler, sixteen Sedge Warbler, five Common Teal and two Gadwall were at Oxwich Marsh. An Osprey and 34 Sandwich Terns were at Wernffrwd, North Gower, three Spotted Flycatcher were at St Donats, a Common Swift was at Kenfig Pool and a Little Owl at Sker Farm. The 23rd saw the Osprey again at Wernffrwd, a Eurasian Hobby, Barn Owl, two Green Sandpiper and a Yellow Wagtail were at Lamby Lake and eighty Ringed Plover, two Little Egret, three Tree Pipit and a Northern Goshawk were at Kenfig National Nature Reserve.

ISLES OF SCILLY & CORNWALL 2009

Our annual jaunt to the south west once again produced some fantastic birding. As ever sea watching and our now famous pelagic boat trips were the highlight and we picked up the full range of species yet again. DAY ONE and Wilson's Storm Petrel was in the bag as at least three birds were noted, while a Sooty Shearwater, two Great Skua, two Manx Shearwater, Balearic Shearwater, thirty European Storm Petrel, Harbour Porpoise and were also recorded. Land birding produced a superb Leser Yellowlegs, two Green and two Common Sandpipers, eight Common Greenshank, Water Rail and Common Kingfisher. DAY TWO is traditionally the full day pelagic and todays excursion produced a further six Wilson's Petrels, as well as two Great Shearwaters, one Sooty Shearwater and one Balearic Shearwaters as highlights. Other species seen were a Black and an Arctic Tern, one hundred European Storm Petrel and three Mediterranean Gulls, while other wildlife included a Trigger Fish, Ocean Sunfish and one hundred Common Dolphin. DAY THREE produced some superb birding with another Wilson's Petrel, Great Shearwater, an Arctic Skua, a very close Sabine's Gull and nine Cory's Shearwaters at sea and a super Buff-breasted Sandpiper was on St Mary's and a Melodious Warbler completed a fine day. DAY FOUR was a b it quieter with the return Scillonian crossing producing fifteen European Storm Petrels, two Great Skua and six Manx Shearwater, while the Melodious Warbler again showed briefly on St Mary's. Other landbirds of note today were a Wood Sandpiper and Marsh Harrier. Back in Cornwall for DAY FIVE and two Red-billed Chough and a selection of common migrants including Garden Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff as well as twenty Black-tailed Godwit. DAY SIX - the final day produced just a couple of nice trip birds in the form of Green Woodpecker and Common Whitethroat to round off another excellent trip.

10TH - 16TH AUGUST 2009

On the 10th the rain returned and a Grasshopper Warbler at Oxwich Bay and a Great Skua off Flatholm were both interesting records. A busy day on the 11th saw two Little Terns at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir, along with a Spotted Flycatcher and a Garden Warbler. Two Yellow Wagtail were at Lamby Lake, five Bar-tailed Godwit were at Blackpill, a European Nightjar and Egyptian Goose were at Rheola, a Lesser Whitethroat was in Sully and 39 Sanderling, 82 European Oystercatcher, six Dunlin and five Ringed Plover were at Sker and three Northern Shoveler, a Common Swift and four Sedge Warbler were at Kenfig Pool. The 12th saw three Pied Flycatcher, three Common Redstart and a Wood Warbler in Maesteg and another Pied Flycatcher near Port Talbot. Four Green Sandpiper were at Llanilid. A beautiful day on the 13th saw a Common Tern over Bridgend Town Centre and a Spotted Flycatcher and a Garden Warbler were at Kenfig Pool, along with a Common Chiffchaff, 25 Common Whitethroat and 21 Willow Warbler. Twenty two Reed Warbler and the same number of Sedge Warblers were at Oxwich Bay. A busy day on the 14th produced a Greater Scaup and two Green Sandpipers at Llanilid, four Lesser Whitethroat, a Common Snipe and a Northern Wheatear at Kenfig Pool and a Tree Pipit and Spotted Flycatcher at Pant Norton. Another Green Sandpiper was at Ogmore Estuary and a Grasshopper Warbler, four more Lesser Whitethroat and two Garden Warblers were at Lavernock Point. Two Yellow Wagtail and a Honey Buzzard were in Maesteg and two Red Knot, thirty Dunlin, seventy Ringed Plover and 130 Sanderling were in Swansea Bay. On the 15th a Pomarine Skua was a good record at Port Eynon, where two hundred and thirty Manx Shearwater, fifty Sandwich Terns, forty Northern Gannet, forty Northern Fulmar and two hundred Black-legged Kittiwake. A Spotted Flycatcher and a Whimbrel were in Penarth and a Lesser Whitethroat was at Lamby Lake. The 16th saw a Common Greenshank, Little Egret, Black-tailed Godwit and Spotted Flycatcher at Kenfig Pool, an Osprey over Neath Town Centre and a Common Tern in Cardiff Bay.

1ST - 9TH AUGUST 2009

A very wet start to the month as the miserable summer weather continued. On the 1ST, a Common Kingfisher was the highlight at Kenfig Pool and a Mediterannean Gull and a Spotted Flycatcher were at Lamby Lake. Better weather on the 2nd saw two Green Sandpipers, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 21 Willow Warblers and six Sedge Warblers at Kenfig Pool while the 3rd produced a Wood Sandpiper and two Green Sandpipers at Llanilid and six Common Redshank, a Common Kingfisher and a Whimbrel at Kenfig Pool. Nine Arctic Terns passed Flatholm Island and 45 Common Redshank, fourteen Common Sandpiper and six Common Greenshank were at Britton Ferry Docks. On the 5th, a juvenile Marsh Harrier was briefly at Kenfig Pool, where the first Common Snipe and two Lesser Whitethroat of the autumn were also present. A Green Sandpiper was at Llanilid and another was at Hendre Lake, where there was also a Eurasian Hobby. On the 6th, a Northern Shoveler, Water Rail, five Cetti's Warblers and a Peregrine were at Kenfig Pool and a Green Sandpiper, Tree Pipit and Northern Goshawk were at Oxwich Marsh. A Common Greenshank was a good find at Lavernock Point being only the fourth record for the site, two Common Redstart were at Parc Slip and a Pied Flycatcher was in Cardiff Bay. The 7th saw two adult Mediterranean Gulls at Aberthaw Marsh, two Garden Warblers, a Spotted Flyctacher, Tree Pipit, nine Lesser Whitethroat and seventeen Willow Warblers were at Lavernock Point and seven Sedge Warbler, four Reed Warbler, four Common Sandpiper and a Common Redshank were at Kenfig Pool. On the 8th, ten Green Sandpiper and a Wood Sandpiper were at Llanilid, two Common Kingfisher, a Tree Pipit and nine Reed Warbler were at Kenfig Pool, five Mediterranean Gulls were at Mumbles and a Yellow Wagtail was in Maesteg. The 9th saw two Marsh Harriers at Kenfig Pool, a Pied Avocet at Cosmeston Lakes, a Northern Goshawk over a Bridgend garden and a Garden Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher at Lamby Lake. Twenty Reed Warbler were at Oxwich Marsh and a Lesser Whitethroat and Mediterranean Gull were at Cardiff Bay.

27TH - 31ST JULY 2009

On the 27th, 2000+ Manx Shearwaters passed Worms Head, along with thirty Northern Gannet. Torrential rain until the 30th saw no news until seven Common Sandpiper and a Little Egret were at Ogmore Estuary. On the 31st, ten Whimbrel were at Whiteford NNR and a Red-billed Chough was at Rhossilli. Two European Nightjar were in Maesteg, a Tree Sparrow was at The Monktons and two hundred Linnet and two Yellowhammer were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm.

20TH - 26TH JULY 2009

The 20th saw the Common Quail still in Maesteg and a Lesser Whitehtroat, two Willow Warbler and four Common Chiffchaff were at Lavernock Point and four Common Redshank were at Ogmore Estuary, while a Grasshopper Warbler was at Kenfig Pool. On the 21st, nine Common Whitethroat, three Common Pochard, two Common Sandpiper and a Common Redshank were at Kenfig Pool. Two Tree Pipit were at LLanilid and five Sanderling were at Ogmore Estuary. On the 23rd, 850 Manx Shearwater and an adult Mediterranean Gull were at Rhymney Estuary and high tide at Loughor Estuary produced five Sandwich Terns, two Yellow-legged Gull, 27 Little Egret, 5000 Black-headed Gull, five Mediterranean Gull, 870 European Oystercatcher, 627 Eurasian Curlew, 24 Black-tailed Godwit, a Common Scoter and seventeen Great Crested Grebe. On the 24th, three Sandwich Terns, 250 Dunlin, 83 Eurasian Curlew, six Ringed Plover, nine Whimbrel and a Peregrine were at Penclawdd. On the 25th, a Dunlin, eighteen Willow Warbler, 21 Common Whitethroat, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, fifteen Reed Warbler, four Sedge Warbler and twelve Common Swift provided further evidence that the autumn migration is already well under way at Kenfig Pool and two European Nightjar were at Llanwonno Forest. On the 26th, a European Golden Plover was an early autumn migrant in Maesteg and twelve Common Crossbill were near Aberdare. Two Whimbrel and a Little Egret were at Rhymney Estuary and 53 Sanderling were at Sker.

LATE AVAILABILITY

Owing to a late cancellation, a place has become available for our Isles of Scilly and Cornwall tour 13th - 18th August 2009. It involves a room share on Scilly and a single room in Cornwall. If you are interested, please contact Neil on 07971 983227.