25TH - 31ST AUGUST 2008

On the 25th, five Lesser Whitethroat and a Yellow Wagtail were at Lamby Lake. A Short-eared Owl was an early migrant at Mynydd Eglwysilian and thirty seven Mediterranean Gulls were at Blackpill on the 26th. On the 27th, three Bar-tailed Godwit were at Newton Point and seven Sanderling and 25 House Martin were at Kenfig NNR. On the 28th, seven Common Swift, a Lesser Whitethroat, three Common Redshank and two Sedge Warbler were at Kenfig Pool. Two Spotted Flycatcher were again at Llanilid. Aberavon Beach held 152 Ringed Plover, thirty Dunlin, 21 Sanderling and six Bar-tailed Godwit and sixty House Martin were at Cardiff Bay. The 29th produced a Whinchat at Kenfig Pool, along with seven Sedge Warbler, seventeen Common Chiffchaff, a Water Rail, twelve Common Swift and 75 Barn Swallow. A Merlin, five Northern Wheatear and three Common Snipe were at Mynydd Eglwysilian and fifty Sand Martin, eight Common Teal and a drake Gadwall were at Cosmeston Lakes. A Eurasian Hobby was over Bridgend and a Pied Flycatcher, a Tree Pipit, 600 Linnet and two Yellow Wagtail were at Monknash. Another 300 Linnet were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm and there were 36 Reed Warblers and five Cetti’s Warblers at Oxwich Marsh. On the 30th, a Wryneck was an excellent find inland at Blaengarw. A Black-tailed Godwit flew over Kenfig Pool, where a drake Eurasian Wigeon and four Common Snipe were also present. A Spotted Flycatcher and Tree Pipit were at Pant Norton and an adult Mediterranean Gull was at Ogmore Estuary, along with another Black-tailed Godwit. On the 31st, three Spotted Flycatcher were at Blaen-y-cwm and three Dark-bellied Brent Goose were at Blackpill. Two more Spotted Flycatcher and a Lesser Whitethroat were at Mewslade. A Black-necked Grebe was at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir, a Black-tailed Godwit , two Eurasian Wigeon and nine Blackcap were at Kenfig Pool. An Osprey and 26 Little Egret were at Wernffrwd. A Whinchat, Tree Pipit and Dartford Warbler were at Llanilid. Another Whinchat, twenty Northern Wheatear, five Red Knot and two Lesser Whitethroat were at Aberthaw Marsh.

18TH - 24TH AUGUST 2008

The 18th saw two European Storm Petrels off Porthcawl Sea Front and the 19th saw a Black Tern again at Ogmore Estuary. The Black Tern was still present at Ogmore on the 20th, along with a Common Swift and five European Storm Petrels were at Rhymney Estuary. Two Spotted Flycatchers were at Llanilid on 21st, a Whinchat, twenty Willow Warbler and ten Common Whitethroat were at Ogmore Estuary and 100+ Common Swift were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. A busy day for migrants at Kenfig Pool on the 22nd with 23 Black-tailed Godwits, fourteen Common Redshank, a Whinchat, three Northern Wheatear, fifteen Common Whitethroat, five Tree Pipit, a Common Crossbill and a Common Kingfisher all present. A Lesser Whitethroat and Yellow Wagtail were at Lavernock Point. On the 23rd, thirteen Dunlin, two Common Sandpiper, a Tree Pipit, seven Grey Wagtail and a Little Egret were at Ogmore Estuary. On the 24th, a Peregrine was at Kenfig Pool, fifty Common Swift were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir and a Red Kite was at Abernant.

ISLES OF SCILLY & CORNWALL 2008

Our ISLES OF SCILLY & CORNWALL tour from 15TH - 20TH AUGUST 2008 produced another exhilirating experience for seabird enthusiasts. There is simply no comparison of the views obtained of these enigmatic species and the enormously experienced crew and leaders play an important part in the success of the trip and are only too happy to impart their knowledge to all. Wilsons Storm Petrel is probably the most sort after species and one duly obliged - the first for over a fortnight in what has turned out to be a poor year for the species. An exceptional trip total of in excess of sixty Cory's Shearwaters was unprecedented after recording just one in the prevous two years, while eight Great Shearwaters was about average, but as always an exciting bird to see. Sixty seven Sooty Shearwaters included forty five seen off Pendeen Watch in Cornwall, while other total included 500 European Storm Petrel, 1500 Manx Shearwater, twelve Balearic Shearwaters, fifteen Great Skuas, twelve Arctic Skuas and we were particularly delighted to add our first two Pomarine Skuas, Grey Phalarope and full breeding plumaged adult Sabine's Gull to our overall list for this tour. In an unusually quiet year for land birds and migrants, we saw Marsh Harrier, Ruff, Mediterranean Gull, Peregrine and Black-tailed Godwits as highlights. We also saw Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Golden-ringed Dragonfly, Beautiful Demoiselle among a good list of Odonata and Lepidoptera. I'm afraid that we are already full for next years tour, but we are taking bookings for 13th - 18th 2010 [13th - 16th Scilly only] and we would advose immediate booking to avoid disappointment for what is one of our most popular tours.

11TH - 17TH AUGUST 2008

On the 11th, three Common Tern and 150 Common Swift were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir and a Black Tern and Little Ringed Plover were at Ogmore Estuary. The Black Tern and two Little Egret were at Ogmore Estuary again on the 12th and two Common Kingfisher were at Kenfig Pool. Poor weather on the 13th saw thirty Northern Fulmar, sixteen Manx Shearwater, two European Storm Petrel and a Common Tern off Porthcawl Seafront and a Little Gull was at Ogmore Rivermouth. An Arctic Skua was off Porthcawl on the 14th and on the 15th a Pied Flycatcher was in Barry, along with two Common Crossbill and two Red-billed Chough were at Ogmore-by-Sea. On the 17th, two Common Sandpipers were at Ogmore Estuary.

CORNWALL WINTER

This tour is full for 2009 and we are taking advance bookings for 2010, so please contact the office if you would like to register your interest.

MALLORCA

Our new tour to Mallorca in April next year is full and we already have five names down for 2010, so if you wish to join us then, please contact the office in the near future to avoid disappointment.

GOA

The dates for our new Goa tour have changed to 31st January - 15th February 2008 and there are still a couple of places left if you would like to book.

1ST - 10TH AUGUST 2008

The 1ST AUGUST produced an Osprey over Lisvane Reservoir, while Kenfig NNR had 65 Manx Shearwater, four Northern Gannet and a Little Egret. A Green Sandpiper was at Llanilid. Sea watching from Mumbles on 2nd produced twelve European Storm Petrel, 1027 Manx Shearwater, an Arctic Tern, four Common Tern, seven Sandwich Tern, 23 Northern Gannet and ten Northern Fulmar, while Port Eynon Beach had twenty Sandwich Terns. Two Little Egret were at Kenfig Pool, while an Osprey, 21 Black-tailed Godwit and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were at Llanrhidian Marsh. Three Common Redstart and a Green Sandpiper were at Llanilid. On the 3rd, 28 Great Crested Grebe,
31 Little Egret, 16 Dunlin, 2400 European Oystercatcher, 748 Eurasian Curlew, 9 Whimbrel, 465 Common Redshank, 17 Mediterranean Gull, 3240 Black-headed Gull and 633 Common Gull and three Spotted Flycatcher were at Llanrhidian and two Mediterranean Gulls were at Aberthaw Marsh. A busy morning at Kenfig Pool saw a juvenile Marsh Harrier, eleven Common Sandpiper, 39 Willow Warbler, four Lesser Whitethroat, twelve Sedge Warbler, a Common Crossbill, a flock of fourteen Common Raven and a Grey Wagtail present. Four Common Scoter and twenty Manx Shearwater were off Porthcawl. On the 4th, a Green Sandpiper and a European Golden Plover were at Kenfig Pool and the juvenile Marsh Harrier was at Kenfig river mouth. Torrential rain on the 5th produced four Green Sandpiper and a Northern Wheatear at Kenfig Pool and an Arctic Tern and an adult Mediterranean Gull were in Salt Lake Car park, Porthcawl. On the 6th the juvenile Marsh Harrier was again at Kenfig Pool, along with a Common Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Teal, Grasshopper Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat. The 7th produced five Black-tailed Godwit, two Common Greenshank and seven Common Redshank at Kenfig Pool, where there were also thirty Common Swift. A Barn Owl was near Bridgend and another was at Maesteg. A Garden Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, a Common Cuckoo, a Lesser Whitethroat and five Common Tern were at Lavernock Point. The 8th produced a very good count of 121 Ringed Plover at Kenfig Sands, as well as seven Northern Wheatear, a Little Owl, a European Shag and seventeen Stonechat. A Whinchat, four Red-billed Chough and two Dartford Warblers were on South Gower. Three European Nightjar were still present at Llanwonno on the 9th and 104 Sandwich Terns and twenty Common Terns were at Port Eynon. A Little Gull was in Cardiff Bay, a Little Egret at Kenfig Pool and a Common Greenshank and a Green Sandpiper were at Llanilid. On the 10th, a Marsh Harrier and Barn Owl were at Rhymney Estuary and a Common Tern, 32 Manx Shearwater and a Little Egret were at Kenfig Sands and a Eurasian Hobby and a Common Cuckoo were at Llanilid.

21ST - 31ST JULY 2008

On the 21st, two Spotted Flycatchers were at Bryngarw Country Park, a Marsh Tit was at Wenvoe, near Cardiff and ten Common Sandpiper, thirty Common Redshank and a juvenile Northern Wheatear were at Briton Ferry Docks. On the 22nd, an adult Mediterranean Gull was at Southerndown, while the 23rd produced twenty Manx Shearwater and eight Common Scoter off Porthcawl and a Little Egret at Cosmeston Lakes. A Common Crossbill was at Llanilid, two Common Terns were in Cardiff Bay and six Whimbrel, two Black-tailed Godwit and an adult Mediterranean Gull were at Rhymney Estuary. On the 24th, a Whinchat, Green Sandpiper, Whimbrel, a female Greater Scaup and four Common Crossbill made for a very interesting morning at Kenfig Pool. A Northern Goshawk was at Norton Woods and a European Nightjar was at Llanwonno Forest. On the 25th, Mediterranean Gulls were present in Cardiff Bay and Porthcawl and a Little Egret was at Roath Park, Cardiff. The Greater Scaup was still present at Kenfig Pool and two Northern Shoveler dropped in during torrential rain. The Greater Scaup was again at Kenfig Pool on the 26th, along with a Tree Pipit, a Common Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, an adult Mediterranean Gull, an adult Common Gull and two Grasshopper Warbler , while the beach had fifty Sanderling and 24 Ringed Plover. A Little Egret was at Cosmeston Lakes. On the 27th, a Eurasian Hobby was seen following a flock of 70 House Martins near Caerphilly, where there was also a Spotted Flycatcher. Four Little Egrets were at Llanrhidian Marsh and two Common Sandpiper were at Kenfig Pool. On the 29th, a Mediterranean Gull was at Lamby Lake and a Green Sandpiper was again at Ogmore Estuary, while the 30th produced a female Marsh Harrier, a Little Egret, Common Snipe and at least three Lesser Whitethroat at Kenfig Pool. A Green Sandpiper was at The Watermill Flood. A Common Tern, 200 Common Swift and 50 House Martin were in Cardiff Bay on 31st, while sea watching off Mumbles produced eleven European Storm Petrel, 550 Manx Shearwater, a Common Tern, 37 Mediterranean Gulls and five Common Scoter.

14TH - 20TH JULY 2008

The 14th produced three Grasshopper Warbler, three European Nightjar and a Tawny and Little Owl in Maesteg, while three Common Sandpiper and a Common Kingfisher were in Whitchurch, Cardiff. A Common Greenshank and a Green Sandpiper were present at the Ogmore Estuary on the 15th and more signs of movement were evident at Blackpill, where there were 46 Mediterranean Gulls and a Little Egret. On the 16th, four Common Sandpiper, nineteen Common Swift and six Common Pochard were at Kenfig Pool. Seven Red-billed Chough and four Dartford Warbler were on South Gower. On the 17th, adult Mediterranean Gulls were at Penarth and Rhymney Estuary. The 18th saw a Green Sandpiper again at Ogmore Estuary and the 19th saw good numbers of Common Crossbills in several places, six Common Sandpiper at Briton Ferry Docks, an adult Mediterranean Gull at Ogmore Estuary and a Dartford Warbler nearby. A Tree Sparrow was at a breeding site and two Little Egret were in Cardiff Bay. Signs of autumn migration at Kenfig Pool on 20th with a Green Woodpecker, two Lesser Whitethroat, ten Sedge Warbler and a female Common Teal present. Eight Common Sandpiper and a Little Egret were at Ogmore Estuary.

MADEIRA, DESRTAS AND THE ILHAS DESERTAS 1ST -11TH JULY 2008

OUR ground breaking North Atlantic Seabird Odyssey tour to Madeira, Desertas and The Ilhas Selvagens proved to be an outstanding success thanks to the combined efforts of tour leader Dr. Robert Flood and skipper Luis Diaz and colleagues at Ventura do Mar, both on land and at sea in ensuring that everything ran smoothly. We would also like to say a very big Thank You to Dr. Frank Zino and his wife Buffy, who made our group so very welcome at their home and for their invaluable help in getting some of the best views ever seen for visiting birders of Zino’s Petrels. This was the first commercial tour to venture to the Selvagens and those in our small group on board are never likely to forget the tremendous adventure of this inaugural voyage. Facilities on board are limited, but when you can sleep on the beach on Selvagen Pequena and Grande and have thousands of White-faced Storm Petrels and Cory’s Shearwaters come and join you, this has to be the stuff of dreams for seabird enthusiasts. Oh, and we mustn’t forget the Madeiran Storm Petrels, Bulwer’s Petrels and Little Shearwaters that were also present off these islands or the four Sooty Terns that were present among the Common Tern colony. Closer to land, good numbers of Fea’s [Desertas]Petrels could be seen offshore around the Ilhas Desertas and the endemic and critically endangered Zino’s Petrels were seen at the breeding ledges high in the mountains of Central Madeira, while a Wilson's Petrel, Sooty Shearwater and Roseate Tern were also seen close to the boat. The endemic Trocaz Pigeon was seen in good numbers and other interesting land birds included a single Spectacled Warbler, Canary, Berthelot’s Pipit, Plain and Pallid Swifts, Madeiran Firecrest, Spanish Sparrow, African Chaffinch and Hoopoe. Four species of cetacean were seen including what was probably the first record of Northern Bottle-nosed Whale in Madeiran waters, as well as Atlantic Spotted Dolphin, Bottle-nosed Dolphin and Rough-toothed Dolphin. Loggerhead Turtles and the endemic Selvagens Gecko were also seen. This tour will run again from 1st – 11th July 2009 and with a very limited number of spaces available, we would recommend booking very early to avoid disappointment for this fantastic ocean adventure of a lifetime.

7TH - 13TH JULY 2008

On the 7th, three European Storm Petrel, eight Common Scoter and 100 Manx Shearwater were off Porthcawl, a Eurasian Spoonbill and twelve Common Sandpiper were at Ogmore Estuary and two Black-tailed Godwit were at The Watermill Flood. A day of torrential rain on the 9th saw a Common Sandpiper in Cardiff Bay and a Common Cuckoo in a Bridgend garden. On the 11th, a female Northern Goshawk and a party of juvenile Whinchat were in Caerphilly and twelve Black-tailed Godwit and a Spotted Flycatcher were at The Watermill Flood. One hundred Common Swift were in Cardiff Bay and a female Gadwall was on Kenfig Pool. Nine Sandwich Tern and three European Storm Petrel were off Port Eynon. The 12th saw a pair of Ruddy Shelduck at Penclawdd and eight Common Sandpiper at Swansea Docks. Twenty Eurasian Siskin were present in Caerphilly on the 13th and six Common Sandpiper and 27 Common Redsank were in Britton Ferry Docks.

NORFOLK 3RD - 6TH JULY 2008

Our tour for Bird Watching magazine was a more spectacular success than we could have dreamed of given the early July dates. A total of 126 species were seen or heard and for the most part we managed to stay dry while the rest of the UK as suffering constant heavy rain. Raptors were much in evidence and we were treated to superb views of hunting Eurasian Hobby and many Marsh Harriers including one carrying a Water Rail off as prey, but the highlight was undoubtedly the male Montagu's Harrier that gave us prolonged and scope filling views as it quartered a cereal field at close range seemingly oblivious to our presence - awesome! At least two male and a female Golden Oriole showed exceptionally well as they gathered food for unseen fledglings; the colours vivid on a hot and sunny morning, and a couple of Stone Curlew were seen, but views of these weren't so great owing to severe heat haze and the birds being a bit distant. Two European Nightjar displayed right above our heads and these were seen interacting with at least two roding Eurasian Woodcock on a beautiful still and warm evening. We heard Common Quail, saw four Eurasian Spoonbill, along with very unseasonal drake Velvet Scoter, a Dark-bellied Brent Goose, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a full breeding plumaged Red-necked Grebe at close range, an Arctic Skua sat on the sea close inshore and several first summer Little Gulls. We were amazed to see how many shorebirds were already returning from breeding grounds further north and these included multiple breeding plumaged Spotted Redshank, Black and Bar-tailed Godwits, Common Greenshank, Ruff [in all sorts of colours],Whimbrel and Eurasian Curlew side by side, Green Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover and an immaculate Lesser Yellowlegs that gave us superb views as it fed alongside its commoner cousins - enabling us to see four species of "shank" on the same reserve! Bearded Tits, Barn Owl, Little Tern, Great Bittern and Pied Avocet were among the other highlights on this superb tour. We offer several weekend tours throughout the summer plus an extended tour in May to catch up with some of these most wanted species. Please see the main Norfolk page for further details [2009 dates coming very soon] or contact us if you would like advance dates as these trips are sure to sell out quickly.

1ST - 6TH JULY 2008

JULY 1st saw a Eurasian Nightjar, two Grasshopper Warbler, two Tawny Owls and a Little Owl in Maesteg, while the 2nd produced two adult Mediterranean Gulls at Ogmore Estuary and a further nineteen at Blackpill. The 3rd saw a Black-legged Kittiwake at Ogmore Estuary and the 4th saw a Peregrine at Cardiff Bay and a further adult Mediterranean Gull at Rhymney Estuary. Signs of movement on the 5th with fifteen Little Egret, ten Common Sandpiper, five Dunlin, 213 Eurasian Curlew, a Whimbrel, 66 Common Redshank, five Mediterranean Gull and ten Common Gull on North Gower and another ten Common Sandpiper at Ogmore Estuary. On the 6th, small numbers of Northern Gannet and Manx Shearwater were off Rhossilli, a Common Cuckoo and five Lesser Redpoll were at Llanilid and a Eurasian Hobby was at Lamby Way Lake.

23RD - 30TH JUNE 2008

The 23rd produced three calling Common Quail at Llanilid, while the 24th produced five Common Sandpiper and a very early Common Gull at Ogmore Estuary and a pair of Common Redstart with chicks at Trelewis and a pair of Red-billed Chough with chicks on South Gower. The 26th saw an incredible five Common Quail and a Eurasian Hobby at Llanilid and a Red Kite was at Pontardawe. Eleven Common Crossbill were in Caerphilly and an adult Mediterranean Gull was at Aberthaw Marsh. On the 27th ten European Storm Petrel, twelve Common Scoter and thirty Northern Gannet were off Port Eynon and another was at Nash Point, where there were also 245 Manx Shearwater. Another 93 Manx Shearwater were off Kenfig Sands, along with a Sandwich Tern and 35 Common Swift were over the pool. On the 29th, two European Storm Petrel, four Manx Shearwater, five Black-headed Gull, five Northern Gannet and a Black-legged Kittiwake were off Porthcawl. Two Egyptian Geese and two breeding plumaged Black-tailed Godwit were on the River Neath. The 30th produced 39 European Storm Petrel , a second winter Mediterranean Gull and a Great Skua at Mumbles Head. A juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake was at Ogmore Estuary.

16TH - 22ND JUNE 2008

The 16th saw several Wood Warblers still in song at Llanwonno, while the 17th produced an unseasonal Black Redstart was on Gower and a Eurasian Nightjar was at Pellena Forest. Two Eurasian Hobby were at Llanilid. Sea watching off Porthcawl on the 18th produced two European Storm Petrel, fifteen Black-legged Kittiwake, two Common Scoter, thirteen Northern Gannet, four Common Guillemot, two Razorbill and 1700+ Manx Shearwater. More sea watching on the 19th produced three European Storm Petrel, twenty five Manx Shearwaters and five Northern Gannet. On the 20th, four Common Crossbill and a Spotted Flycatcher were at Clydach, Neath and 42 Manx Shearwater were at Lavernock Point. A Red Kite was in Gorseinon and a first summer Mediterranean Gull was at Rhymney Estuary. A very windy day on the 22nd saw more sea watching with counts of six European Storm Petrel, 1000+ Manx Shearwaters, three Sandwich Terns and ten Northern Gannet from Porthcawl, four Sandwich Tern and a Basking Shark from Cardiff Heliport and fifty Manx Shearwater and a Common Guillemot were at Lavernock Point.

9TH - 15TH JUNE 2008

On the 9th, four Tree Sparrows were at The Monktons Farm, while the 10th produced a reeling Grasshopper Warbler in Swansea and five European Nightjars at Llanwonno Forest. A Red Kite was at Llancadle and Common Cuckoos were ins several places indicating an arrival of birds. A Lesser Whitethroat was still singing at Kenfig Pool on the 11th and four Black-headed Gulls and two Common Shelduck were unseasonal records there. Up to five Atlantic Puffins were off Worms Head on the 12th, along with fifty Northern Gannets and thirty Manx Shearwaters. Three Wood Warbler were in Maesteg. On the 13th, an Osprey was over Mynydd Eglwysilian and two Northern Gannets, five Black-headed Gull and two Manx Shearwaters were off Kenfig Sands.

On the 14th, at least three Atlantic Puffins were again at Worms Head, along with 100+ Manx Shearwaters, fifty Northern Gannet, 200+ Common Guillemot and 100+ Razorbill. Nine Red-billed Chough were at Ogmore-by-Sea and a pair of Spotted Flycatcher were in Maesteg.

NORTH EAST ENGLAND

OUR NORTH EAST ENGLAND tours again proved extremely popular with three filled, and once again, a fine selection of birds were seen. Top of the bill went to the Broad-billed Sandpiper that was at Kilnsea and the Lesser Grey Shrike at Creswell, but once again, we proved our ability to judge the best dates to go on tours with a supporting cast of migrants that included quality species such as Red-breasted Flycatcher, Golden Oriole, Icterine Warbler, three Red-backed Shrike, Greater Short-toed Lark, five Dotterel, Common Nightingale, Roseate Tern, drake Long-tailed Duck, male Ring Ouzels and Eurasian Woodcock. Resident species and breeding migrants included Black Grouse, Red Grouse, European Golden Plover, Dipper, Common Redstart, Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher and Tree Pipit, as well as the spectacular seabird colonies on The Farne Islands and Bempton Cliffs and Flamborough Head. We will run two tours next year from 29TH MAY – 4TH JUNE & 5TH – 11TH JUNE, so PLEASE BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT as these are extremely popular tours.

POLAND 1ST - 6TH JUNE 2008

I made my second visit to the forests and marshes of EASTERN POLAND after an absence of fourteen years at the beginning of June and we have now found some amazing new accommodation to go with the excellent birding in this beautiful part of Europe. We were a little late for a couple of species, which we knew in advance, but as this was to be a fact finding trip, it was not so important. The real highlight was probably the Greater Spotted Eagle that cruised overhead at not much over ten metres height as we stood in our hotel garden in the Biebrza Marshes! These birds have been found to winter at Lake Victoria, which is some migration from there. The hotel grounds also provided us with dancing Common Cranes, Hoopoes, Black Redstarts, Golden Orioles, European Serin, Icterine Warbler, Hawfinch, Spotted Flycatchers, Fieldfare, White Stork, Red-backed Shrikes and Thrush Nightingales, as well as a few others and the restaurant provided us with fantastic traditional Polish meals in an amazing setting. A singing Aquatic Warbler was in our telescopes for a good ten minutes, one of several Savi’s Warblers showed so close that we could almost touch it and we also enjoyed superb views of Pygmy Owl, male Red-breasted Flycatcher, Three-toed, White-backed, Black, Grey-headed and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, as well as the three species we get in the UK, River and Marsh Warblers, White-spotted Bluethroat, Crested Tit, Common Rosefinch, Penduline Tits nest building, several Honey Buzzards, Montagu’s and Marsh Harriers and Lesser Spotted Eagles, a second calendar year Caspian Gull, a Corncrake crossing a road, Great Grey Shrike, Barred Warbler, hordes of White-winged, Black and Whiskered Terns, Whinchat and Blue-headed Wagtails, a pair of Citrine Wagtail, Whooper Swans, European Bee-eaters, Short-toed Eagles and a very unseasonal Tundra Bean Goose!! Whilst we didn’t seen any European Bison in the wild, we did manage several sightings of Wild Boar, Red Squirrel and a few European Elk – on one occasion with calves. Our tour next year will run a week earlier from 21ST – 28TH MAY 2009, which should enable us to encounter the species not seen this time. For an unforgettable experience, we recommend early booking for what is sure to be a sell out tour. COST £1199.00 + £100.00 Single Room Supplement.

1ST - 8TH JUNE 2008

JUNE began with twelve Common Crossbill and singing Garden and Wood Warblers in the Neath Valley on the 1st when an Osprey was at Aberthaw Marsh and a Red Kite at Lisvane Reservoir. The 2nd saw a Red Kite in Swansea and Tree Sparrows at Norton Farm, Gower. A juvenile Common Cuckoo being fed in a garden in Clydach, Swansea was an unusual record on the 3rd and a Common Redstart and Garden Warbler were singing near Bridgend. Small numbers of Manx Shearwaters were off Porthcawl, along with a single European Storm Petrel. A singing Grasshopper Warbler was a late record at Kenfig Pool on the 4th and a European Storm Petrel was again off Porthcawl on the 6th.The 7th saw a Red Kite over Bridgend and a Northern Goshawk in Cardiff. On the 8th, a Eurasian Hobby and an Otter were in south Cardiff. A pair of Spotted Flycatcher were at Llanilid and another was in Caerphilly, while a Black Kite was reported but not confirmed at Llantwit Major.

CENTRAL & SOUTH EAST TURKEY 2008

OUR THIRD CENTRAL & SOUTH EAST TURKEY tour from 24TH MAY – 4TH JUNE 2008 again proved to be a winner with some truly fantastic birding on offer during our record breaking visit that recorded 209 species! No less than seven Steppe Eagles were noted, along with an Eastern Imperial Eagle, Egyptian and Griffon Vultures and a Lammergeier [all now very scarce in Turkey], as well as the much wanted Iraq Babblers, Caspian Snowcock, Striated Scops Owl, Finsch’s Wheatear, See See Partridge, Radde’s Accentor, Red-fronted Serin, White-throated Robin, Black Francolin, Dead Sea, Pale Rock and Yellow-throated Sparrows, Desert Finch, Graceful Prinia, Kruper’s and Eastern Rock Nuthatches, Olive-tree Warbler, Upcher’s Warbler, Moustached Warbler, Menetries Warbler, White-winged Snowfinch, Grey-headed Swamp-hen and White-throated Kingfisher The extensive supporting cast included Spur-winged Plover, Little Swift, Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Bimaculated Lark, White-headed Duck, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Whiskered Tern, Glossy Ibis, Blue Rock and Rufous-tailed Rock Thrushes, Short-toed, Golden and Booted Eagles, Black Kite, Crimson-winged Finch, Black-eared Wheatear, Masked and Lesser Grey Shrikes, Sombre Tit, Slender-billed Gull, Collared Pratincole, Asian Short-toed Lark, Tawny Pipit, Lesser Kestrel, European Roller, Marbled Duck, Cinereous, Cretzchmar’s, Ortolan, Rock and Black-headed Buntings, as well as the semi wild Bald Ibis colony; phew!! e also managed to see a whole host of butterflies, amphiobians, reptiles and dragonflies as well as Golden-fronted Jackal, Red Fox, Souslik and Ibex. If you would like to join us from 27TH MAY – 7TH JUNE 2009; please BOOK EARLY as we are strictly limited to a maximum of 8 participants on this amazing tour.

OUTER HEBRIDES

OUR new OUTER HEBRIDES tours enjoyed some fantastic birding and wildlife watching including the finding of a Killdeer. The weather wasn’t conducive to the hoped for Pomarine and Long-tailed Skua passage, but we could hardly complain with other exciting species including TWO White-billed Divers, TWO Snowy Owls, a European Bee-eater [first for the Outer Hebrides found by our group] Black-crowned Night Heron, Iceland Gull, Wood Sandpiper and a Ring-billed Gull. We also saw multiple sightings of White-tailed Eagle, Short-eared Owl, Merlin, Peregrine, Red Deer and Otter, as well as Golden Eagles, Corncrakes, Great and Arctic Skuas, Dotterel, large numbers of Long-tailed Duck and Great Northern Divers. Greater Scaup, Ruff, Black-throated and Red-throated Divers, Greater White-fronted and Pink-footed Geese, Common Cuckoo, Whinchat, Manx Shearwaters and Black Guillemot were also noted. We are returning for just one tour from 2ND – 9TH MAY 2009 , the cost of which now includes a flight from Glasgow to Benbecula for easier travel and this tour is sure to fill up quickly.

26TH - 31ST MAY 2008

More terrible weather on the 26th still managed to produce a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in North Cardiff and a few Manx Shearwaters and Northern Gannets off Porthcawl. A better day on the 27th produced four Honey Buzzards in the breeding area. Appalling weather on the 28th produced a Common Cuckoo near the M4. Blue skies and warm weather on the 29th saw two Honey Buzzard, a male Northern Goshawk and a Red Kite in the known breeding area, and on a very good day for raptors, a Eurasian Hobby was at Overton, Gower. On the 30th, a fully winter plumaged Red-throated Diver was off Porthcawl Sea Front and a Eurasian Hobby and Common Cuckoo were at Kenfig Pool. A Turtle Dove was at Blaen-y-Cwm. On the 31st, Eurasian Nightjars were present in Ogmore Forest and Maesteg, Common Cuckoos were at Kenfig Pool and Penarth and a Spotted Flycatcher was at Aberthaw Marsh.

19TH - 25TH MAY 2008

On the 19th, a Eurasian Hobby was at Kenfig Pool, five Wood Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher were at Glyncornel, Rhondda and a Wood Warbler and a Common Cuckoo were at Maesteg. Two Spotted Flycatchers were at Wenvoe near Cardiff. On the 20th, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was at Pontardawe and fifty Common Crossbills were at Resolven.The 21st produced a Eurasian Hobby again at Kenfig Pool and five Northern Gannet and four Sandwich Terns were at Sker. On the 22nd, six Manx Shearwaters were off Kenfig Sands and a Common Cuckoo was at Kenfig Pool. A pair of Tree Pipit, Common Redstart and a Spotted Flycatcher were at Coed-y-Bedw, Cardiff. Two Grey Partridge and a pair of Yellowhammer were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm. A warm day on the 23rd saw a Cattle Egret at Miskin, while thirteen Northern Gannet and nine Manx Shearwater were off Kenfig Sands and ten Sanderling, thirty Ringed Plover and nine Dunlin were on the beach. A Eurasian Hobby was again at Kenfig Pool and two Turtle Doves were at Kilenny Moor, Gower. On the 24th, two European Storm Petrel were off Port Eynon Point and 32 Manx Shearwater were off Kenfig Sands. Really poor weather on 25th saw an Arctic Skua, a European Storm Petrel, four hundred Manx Shearwater, three Arctic Terns and five Sandwich Terns were off Porthcawl Sea Front.

NORTHERN CYPRUS

OUR inaugural NORTHERN CYPRUS tour from 24TH APRIL – 4TH MAY 2008 produced 132 species during an excellent migration. The trip got off to a flying start as six Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters were found among a flock of 300 European Bee-eaters on the first day; fantastic and a record count of this species for the island!! Also present during that huge fall were fourteen Lesser Grey Shrikes, Bimaculated Lark, Black Francolin, Isabelline Shrike, Pallid Harrier, Wryneck and both Cyprus Pied Wheatear and Cyprus Warbler. We went on to see further Bimaculated Larks, as well as other interesting migrants such as European Scops Owl, Eleonora’s Falcons, 50+European Roller, Spectacled Warblers, Isabelline Wheatear, a male Citrine Wagtail, Glossy Ibis, Purple and Squacco Herons, Temminck’s and Little Stints, Spur-winged Plover, Wood Sandpipers, Stone Curlew, Greater Short-toed Larks, Water Pipit, Golden Oriole, Red-footed Falcon, Blue Rock Thrush, Booted Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Great Reed Warbler, Black-headed, Cretzschmar’s and Ortolan Buntings, Chukar and large numbers of commoner migrants such as Common Redstart, Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat, Red-backed Shrike, Spotted Flycatcher, Alpine Swift and Turtle Doves, as well as a large variety of butterflies and wild flowers. We will be visiting this marvellous destination again from 22ND APRIL – 2ND MAY 2009 and would advise early booking to avoid disappointment.

12TH - 18TH MAY 2008

On the 12th, the Whiskered Tern was again present at Kenfig Pool, along with a very late pair of Gadwall and a pair of Common Pochard. The Ring-billed Gull was again at Lamby Way Lake and the first two Eurasian Nightjars were in at Llanwonno. A Eurasian Hobby was again in Maesteg. On the 13th, a Eurasian Wigeon and a European Golden Plover were at Kenfig Pool, a Great Skua was at Blaen-y-Cwm, a Common Cuckoo was in the Neath Valley and a Spotted Flycatcher and Garden Warbler were at Miskin. The 14th produced a drake Garganey at Cosmeston Lakes and three Arctic and four Sandwich Terns were offshore at Kenfig Sands, where there were also two Grey Plover, 28 Sanderling, nineteen Dunlin and 26 Ringed Plover. A Common Cuckoo was at Kenfig Pool. The first rain for a few weeks on the 15th saw a Wood Warbler present in Coed-y-Bedw, Cardiff, 500 Common Swift and 300 House Martin in Cardiff Bay and seven Common Terns at Kenfig Pool. Counts of singing migrants at Kenfig Pool on the 16th included 54 Willow Warbler, 45 Common Whitethroat, fourteen Reed Warbler, ten Sedge Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat and nine Blackcaps. The only news on the 17th was of a Common Greenshank and six Common Sandpipers at Llanilid and a Sandwich Tern and two Northern Gannet at Port Talbot Harbour. The 18th produced a rather elusive Golden Oriole at Westmoor on North Gower and a Honey Buzzard was seen coming in off the sea at Cardiff Bay. Three Spotted Flycatchers were in Cwn Clydach.

5TH - 11TH MAY 2008

The 5th saw the Whiskered Tern again present at Kenfig Pool, along with a Black-tailed Godwit and a Eurasian Hobby. Eurasian Hobbies were also in Maesteg and Cardiff. Two Pied Flycatchers, a Wood Warbler and a Grasshopper Warbler were at Cwm Clydach. On the 6th, the Short-eared Owl was again at Kenfig Pool along with a male Whinchat and at least five Spotted Flycatchers. Two Turtle Doves were seen in flight at the Rhymney Estuary, Cardiff. A Eurasian Hobby was in Barry and a Yellow Wagtail and a Red Kite were at Lavernock Point. A first summer Little Gull and a similarly aged Mediterranean Gull were in Cardiff Bay and two Common Redstart and a Garden Warbler were at Lliw Reservoir, Swansea. On the 7th a single Dark-bellied Brent Goose remained at Woebly, North Gower, where there were also 293 Dunlin, a Common Greenshank, 24 Northern Wheatear and 24 Ringed Plover. Two very showy Little Terns were off Kenfig Sands, along with two Manx Shearwaters, four Common Scoter and eight Common Terns. A Common Cuckoo and three Grasshopper Warblers were in Maesteg. The 8th produced another new bird for the county when a Greater Short-toed Lark was found in the afternoon between Sker Point and Kenfig River mouth – superb! Eight Black Terns were also over Kenfig Pool on another red letter day for the reserve. A Common Cuckoo was in Pencoed, two Red-billed Chough at Ogmore-by-Sea and a Red Kite near Bridgend. On the 9th, the Greater Short-toed Lark and a Short-eared Owl were again at Kenfig Pool, along with a Eurasian Hobby and ten Dunlin. A Turtle Dove was in Crofty, Gower with another at Mewslade, Gower and a male Pied Flycatcher was in Cardiff. One Little, nineteen Common and six Arctic Terns were on the Loughor Estuary and another Eurasian Hobby was in North Cardiff. A Common Cuckoo, Lesser Whitethroat and Whinchat were at Dunraven Walled Garden and a Grey Plover was at Ogmore Estuary. A Sanderling was a good find inland at Llanilid. On the 10th, the Greater Short-toed Lark was again present at Sker and another Turtle Dove was on Gower; this time at Rhossilli. The first Honey Buzzards were in and a Eurasian Hobby was at the same site and nearby two Pied Flycatcher and two Spotted Flycatcher were in the Neath Valley. On the 11th, a Whiskered Tern was again at Kenfig Pool, along with a Yellow Wagtail.

EXTREMADURA 19TH - 25TH APRIL 2008

EXTREMADURA this year produced some exceptional birding despite some of the most mixed weather we have ever experienced in Spain in April! Fantastic views of Black-shouldered Kite, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Great and Little Bustards, Pin-tailed and Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Black Wheatear, Orphean and Spectacled Warblers were among the main highlights, while remarkable numbers of Golden, Short-toed and Booted Eagles, Montagu’s Harriers, Lesser Kestrels and Black Storks were noted, including several that drifted over the hotel while the group was enjoying an end of day drink in the courtyard; it doesn’t get much better than that! A fine supporting cast of Egyptian Vultures, European Bee-eaters, European Roller, Pallid and Alpine Swifts, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting, Collared Pratincole, Savi’s and Great Reed Warblers, Purple Heron, Red-rumped Swallow, European Serin, Little Bittern, Purple Swamp-hen and Gull-billed and Whiskered Terns in a total of 129 species. We also enjoyed a fine selection of flowers and butterflies including the Spanish Festoon photographed by our leader Paul Roberts during our stay. Our superb little hotel again pulled out all of the stops to ensure maximum enjoyment including plentiful supplies of free wine during superb home cooked dinners and excellent packed lunches and a selection of fine liqueurs. We will be returning from 25TH APRIL - 1ST MAY 2009 and can currently take advance bookings if you wish to secure your place in advance of our brochure being published.

1ST - 4TH MAY 2008

MAY 1ST saw the Black-winged Stilt again at Kenfig Pool, along with a fly over Curlew Sandpiper, three Black and a Little Tern were at Aberthaw Marsh and a Yellow Wagtail at Lisvane Reservoir, but there was no sign of the long staying Spotted Sandpiper. A Common Cuckoo and a Common Redstart were in Oxwich Marsh and ten Pale-bellied Brent Goose, six Bar-tailed Godwits, twenty Sandwich Terns, an Arctic Skua and three Red-throated Divers were offshore there. A Garden Warbler was in Central Cardiff . On the 2nd, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Garden Warbler were at Kenfig Pool, while a pair of Dotterel were at Mynydd Eglwysilian – a traditional spring site for the species. On the 3rd, the Black-winged Stilt returned to Kenfig Pool two Common Cuckoo, four Grasshopper Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher were at Pant-y-Sais Fen, Swansea, two Sandwich Terns were at Ogmore Estuary and a Yellow Wagtail was at Nash Point. Three Tree Pipit, a male Pied Flycatcher and a Common Cuckoo were in Maesteg and a Whinchat was in Cardiff. The two Dotterel were again at Mynydd Eglwysilian, along with a Whinchat and a Lesser Whitethroat was in Bridgend. A pair of Northern Goshawk were in full display near Llantrisant. On the 4th a Whiskered Tern was a major find at Kenfig Pool - the first for Glamogan for 34 years. The Black-winged Stilt remained there, a Short-eared Owl was in the southern dunes and a Eurasian Hobby flew east. A Black Tern, the Ring-billed Gull and a Grasshopper Warbler were at Lamby Lake and an Arctic Tern and the adult Little Gull were again in Cardiff Bay.

21ST - 30TH APRIL 2008

On the 21st, a Eurasian Hobby was at Kenfig Pool, along with a Lesser Whitethroat, eleven Common Whitethroat, a good count of 79 Willow Warblers and 100 Barn Swallow. The Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Lake and a Yellow Wagtail and two Grasshopper Warblers were in Maesteg. Eight Dunlin and six Common Sandpiper were at Ogmore Estuary and a further six Dunlin were at Aberthaw Marsh. The Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir and the Little Gull and two Common Terns were in Cardiff Bay. A much nicer day on the 22nd produced five Whimbrel at Kenfig Pool and a Lesser Whitethroat in Cardiff. A further two Lesser Whitethroat were at Aberthaw Marsh and a Grey Plover and ten Whimbrel were at Ogmore Estuary. Eleven Common Redstart and a male Ring Ouzel were in Maesteg. On the 23rd, a female Marsh Harrier was in Maesteg, while a female Merlin, Northern Gannet, Sandwich Tern and Northern Fulmar were at Sker and a Grasshopper Warbler was at Kenfig Pool. A Jack Snipe was at Oxwich Marsh and 23 Whimbrel were at Blackpill. The Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Lake and a Garden Warbler, Tree Pipit and Common Redstart were at Gwaelod-y-Garth, Cardiff. On the 24th, the adult Little Gull was again in Cardiff Bay, along with six Gadwall, an Arctic Skua and four Sandwich Terns, a Whinchat was in Maesteg and seven Sedge Warbler, 49 Whimbrel, six Common Sandpiper and fourteen Blackcap were at Kenfig Pool. The Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir and the Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Lake, while two Common Swift were in Central Cardiff. A Little Tern was at Aberthaw Marsh, another Whinchat was at Llanrhidian Marsh and a Green Sandpiper was at Ogmore Estuary. The 25th produced two Common Swift, a Gadwall and 44 Common Whitethroat at Kenfig Pool, while Sker had a Great Northern Diver, Common Guillemot, Sandwich Tern and four Common Scoter. Seven Grasshopper Warbler were in Maesteg and a Wood Warbler was in the Swansea Valley. Twenty one Purple Sandpiper were at Ogmore Estuary, another two Common Swift were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm, the Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir and a Common Cuckoo was near Caerphilly. A lovely day on the 26th saw a stunning male Whinchat at Kenfig Pool, along with a Grasshopper Warbler and a Northern Gannet was off Kenfig Sands. Two Common Cuckoo, a Tree Pipit, Common Redstart, a Garden Warbler and a pair of Common Crossbill were in the Caerphilly area. The Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Lake, along with a Eurasian Hobby and a Lesser Whitethroat was at Cardiff Bay. A Pied Flycatcher and a Common Cuckoo were at Felindre, Swansea. On the 27th, the first Black-winged Stilt for Glamorgan flew east over Kenfig Pool for three lucky observers, but sadly it could not be relocated despite extensive searching. Also present there were a forty Sedge Warblers; the highest spring count for many years, 150 Barn Swallow, a Grasshopper Warbler and ten Dunlin. A Little Tern, three Arctic Terns, a Short-eared Owl and two Yellow Wagtails were at Cardiff Bay and Common Swifts were widespread in small numbers. The Ring-billed Gull was again at Lamby Lake, where there was also a Ring Ouzel and a Wood Warbler was singing at Norton Woods, Ogmore Estuary.

A Curlew Sandpiper was at Oxwich Bay and a Whinchat and two Common Greenshank were new in at Llanilid. The 28th saw the Black-winged Stilt reappeared, along with fifty Common Swift at Kenfig Pool, seven Pale-bellied Brent Geese, a Little Tern and seven Sandwich Terns were at Blackpill, five Common Redstart and two Wood Warbler at Ogmore Forest and the Spotted Sandpiper is now in full breeding plumage at Lisvane Reservoir. An Osprey, Great Northern Diver, three Arctic Terns and a Common Cuckoo were at Cardiff Bay. A very cool day on the 29th produced a Lesser Whitethroat at Kenfig Pool in the morning and the Black-winged Stilt returned to the reserve in the afternoon, along with fifty Whimbrel and five hundred Barn Swallows. The month ended with the Black-winged Stilt showing superbly on the east pool shore and eight Sanderling and four Common Shelduck on the sands. Five Purple Sandpipers were still at Ogmore-by-Sea.

14TH - 20TH APRIL 2008

On the 14th, a Wood Lark was at Margam Moor, Port Talbot and a Reed Warbler was a new arrival at Kenfig Pool. The Spotted Sandpiper remained at Lisvane Reservoir, where there were also fifty Barn Swallows, while a Common Redstart and three Brambling were in Central Cardiff and a Common Sandpiper was at Tondu. Three Green Sandpipers, two Common Sandpipers and four Red-billed Chough were at Ogmore Estuary. Two House Martins and a Sedge Warbler were at Hendre Lake. On the 15th, a Common Sandpiper and two House Martin were at Kenfig Pool. Three Common Redstart and a Barn Owl were at Darren Woods, Maesteg, the Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir and an adult Little Gull was in Cardiff Bay. The 16th produced an Osprey at Aberdare, three Common Sandpipers and thirty Willow Warblers at Llwyn On Reservoir and two Tree Pipit at Tir Founder Fields. A Ruff, four Common Sandpipers and a Dunlin, as well as a reeling Grasshopper Warbler were at Kenfig Pool. The Spotted Sandpiper and Ring-billed Gull were still present at Lisvane Reservoir and Lamby Lake respectively and a Common Redstart was at Coed-y-Bedw, Cardiff. A Green Sandpiper, seven Common Sandpiper and five Little Ringed Plover were at Llanilid. A windy day on the 17th produced six Whimbrel, a Common Whitethroat and two Sedge Warbler were at Kenfig Pool and four Green Sandpiper were at Llanilid. The Spotted Sandpiper and two Common Sandpiper were at Lisvane Reservoir. A Common Tern and Little Gull were at Cardiff Bay. On the 18th, a Eurasian Hobby was at Lamby Lake and a male Pied Flycatcher was at Margam Park, while three Common Sandpipers were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir. A Common Swift was a very early arrival at Ogmore Estuary, the Glaucous Gull was in Port Talbot Harbour and fifty Barn Swallow were at Cosmeston Lakes. The Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir and a Black-tailed Godwit was at Aberthaw Marsh. Another very windy day on the 19th produced a Common Tern at Loughor Bridge. Two Common Terns were in Cardiff Bay, a Red Kite was at St Fagan’s, Cardiff and a Willow Tit was at Tair Onnen. A much better day on the 20th saw a Common Redstart, Tree Pipit, three Grasshopper Warbler, a Garden Warbler, two Sedge Warbler and two Eurasian Siskin at Kenfig Pool and a Merlin and two Whimbrel were at Sker. Another Grasshopper Warbler was at Lamby Lake, along with a Lesser Whitethroat, while Rhossilli held two Ring Ouzel, 42 Willow Warbler, 28 Common Chiffchaff, five Grasshopper Warbler, 24 Northern Wheatear and a Pied Flycatcher. Two Whinchat, a Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler and Common Redstart were at Margam Moor, a Grasshopper Warbler was at Hendre Lake and two Grey Plover were at Llanilid. A male Pied Flycatcher was at Llwyn On Reservoir and the adult Little Gull, a first summer Mediterranean Gull and two Common Terns were in Cardiff Bay.

7TH - 13TH APRIL 2008

More chilly weather on the 7th, but new migrants included three Little Ringed Plovers on the Loughor Estuary and a Tree Pipit at Rheola, Neath. A Sandwich Tern was at Oxwich Bay and a Great Grey Shrike was again at Perthcelyn. A massive count of nine thousand Sand Martins were in Cardiff Bay. On the 8th an adult Yellow-legged Gull and a Black-tailed Godwit were at Ogmore Estuary and the Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir. The Glaucous Gull remained in Port Talbot Harbour and a Black Redstart was at Ogmore-by-Sea. A male Common Redstart was in Tondu, while a Common Sandpiper and three Brambling were in Cardiff Bay. The 9th produced eight Purple Sandpipers at Ogmore-by-Sea, where there was also a Grey Plover. A further four Purple Sandpipers and another Grey Plover were at Sker and Kenfig Pool had a House Martin amongst 150 Sand Martins. A Little Gull was again at Cardiff Bay. The 10th produced a Little Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper at Ogmore Estuary and a Little Egret, Northern Goshawk, Sedge Warbler, five Blackcap and 51 Willow Warblers at Kenfig Pool. A Brambling was still in Bute Park, Cardiff and a female Greater Scaup was at Cardiff Bay. A wet day on the 11th saw another Great Grey Shrike at Maerdy, Rhondda, a pair of Grey Partridge at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm. A Ruff was briefly at Kenfig Pool and thirty Manx Shearwaters were at Worms Head. A Common Greenshank was at Rhymney Great Wharf and the Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir. On the 12th, the Spotted Sandpiper was still at Lisvane Reservoir and the Ring-billed Gull was again at Lamby Lake and a Common Redstart was at Maesteg. A much nicer day on the 13th saw the first Grasshopper Warbler of the spring at Kenfig Pool and a Sedge Warbler at Crymlyn Burrows, Swansea. Another Grasshopper Warbler was at Hendre Lake, Cardiff and a Reed Warbler was at Cosmeston Lakes. The Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir and the Great Grey Shrike at Maerdy.

1ST - 6TH APRIL 2008

APRIL began with a very blustery day and a Short-eared Owl still present at Llanilid, along with four Little Ringed Plovers. Nine Northern Wheatears and eighteen Sky Lark were at Sker Point and the Hen Harrier was at Kenfig Pool. On the 2nd, a House Martin was again in Swansea and the Ring-billed Gull remained at Lamby Lake. An Osprey was seen catching fish over Culverhouse Cross, Cardiff before circling off high and four Barn Swallows were at Cosmeston Lakes. A beautiful day on the 3rd produced the Great Grey Shrikes at Mynydd Margam and Perthcelyn, where there were also six Lesser Redpoll, while Kenfig Pool had a Barn Swallow, two Common Shelduck and 45 Sand Martin. A Red Kite was at Llanilid, the Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir and four House Martins were at Caerphilly Castle. A pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were at Parc Cwm Darren and four Little Ringed Plover were again at Llanilid. On the 4th, the adult Little Gull was again at Cardiff Bay, two Greylag Geese and two Eurasian Jay were unusual migrants at Kenfig Pool. A Peregrine was over Bridgend Town Centre and the Water Pipit, now in full breeding plumage, was refound again at Llwyn On Reservoir. Barn Swallows arrived en masse with the largest group being twenty in Maesteg. A cold day on the 5th saw fifteen House Martins arrive near Tondu, Bridgend and 24 Willow Warbler and two Blackcaps were at Kenfig Pool. Over 400 Sand Martins and four House Martins were at Cosmeston Lakes and a Ring-necked Parakeet was at Aberthaw Marsh. The Glaucous Gull and a Whimbrel were in Port Talbot Harbour and a Red Kite flew over Cardiff Airport. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir. A very cold day on the 6th saw 100 Barn Swallows at Llanilid and the Water Pipit was at Llwyn On Reservoir. A Red Knot and a Common Sandpiper were at Ogmore Estuary.

FLORIDA 13TH - 27TH MARCH 2008

I'm just back from a terrific two weeks in the warm sunshine of Florida - it really feels cold by comparison, as since we've been back,we haven't yet hit a single night time temperature over there during the day here! This was undoubtedly a family holiday, so my birding was for once restricted and we spent a lot of time at the Orlando Theme Parks. I freely admit to enjoying these far more than I expected too, especially the Epcott, the Superman ride at Universal and the Kennedy Space Centre! I was quite surprised to see plenty of birds in and around the parks, especially raptors, egrets and herons, whilst Merritt Island was home to large numbers of shorebirds and Least and Stilt Sandpipers and Lesser Yellowlegs in particular. The birding really took off though when I was fortunate enough to be taken out by Larry Albright, who I met in Morocco last year. Larry as well as being great company was a font of knowledge and helped me to find my target birds. Florida Scrub Jay, Snail Kite, Bachmann's Sparrow, Wood Stork and Limpkin were all exactly where he said they would be and he surpassed himself by stopping at the exact spot at Fort deSoto to allow me to find my own Magnificent Frigatebird circling above its roost site - the only one we saw before we encontered our only rain during the whole trip... The woods held a few early Northern Parulas, Black and White and Pine Warblers, hundreds of Yellow-rumped Warblers and uncountable numbers of Palm Warblers, as well as a few Common Yellowthroats, Hooded Warbler, Prairie Warbler and Worm-eating Warbler, but the majority of migrants had yet to arrive. Other highlights included several Pileated Woodpeckers, many more Bald Eagles than I could ever have imagined including eight together at one point, big flocks of Tree Swallows, Blue-grey Gnatcathcers, Royal Terns, Black Skimmers and a couple of Swallow-tailed Kites; the most elegnat of raptors in a total of 114 species, as well as a close up encounter with a Racoon and a few Alligators. Oh, and how could I forget the mound of Strawberry Shortcake that we ate to celebrate our good fortune! I am currently investigating the possibilities to do a tour that combines the best of Florida birding along with a few days on the Dry Tortugas timed for maximum migration in mid April 2010/2011 and will announce details as soon as the itinerary is complete. As an introduction to North American birding, it is a hard to beat destination with great weather too.

24TH - 31ST MARCH 2008

On the 24th, two Short-eared Owls and four Dartford Warblers were at Llanilid and an Iceland Gull was again with the Ring-billed Gull at Lamby Way Lake. A Firecrest was in Central Cardiff and another was at Dunraven Walled Garden. A pair of Common Crossbill were at Mynydd Bach, Maesteg and a female Merlin and 92 European Golden Plover were at Mynydd Eglwysilian. The 25th saw a new Great Grey Shrike present at Mynydd Margam and the Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Lake, the Spotted Sandpiper at Lisvane Reservoir and the two Little Gulls in Cardiff Bay. An Egyptian Goose was on the River Neath. With it still feeling like winter on the 26th, it was no surprise that two Redwing and a Brambling were in Central Cardiff, though a Willow Warbler was a migrant at Lisvane Reservoir, along with the Spotted Sandpiper. The Great Grey Shrike was again at Mynydd Margam. Two Little Ringed Plovers were another sign of spring at Ogmore Estuary, the Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Lake and a Merlin was at Candleston. On the 27th, two Northern Wheatear and nine European Golden Plover were in Maesteg. Another five Northern Wheatear and 143 European Golden Plover were at Sker Point and an adult Little Gull was in Cardiff Bay. The Ring-billed Gull was again at Lamby Lake. On the 28th, a Barn Swallow was in Birchgrove, Swansea, two Short-eared Owls and a Willow Warbler were at Llanilid and the Great Grey Shrike was again at Mynydd Margam. A House Martin at Lisvane Reservoir on the 29th was a very early arrival and a Little Ringed Plover was at Ogmore Estuary. Ten Northern Wheatears were back on territory at Cwm Parc, Rhondda, thirteen Brambling were in an Aberdare garden and an Osprey flew north over Lamby Lake. On the 30th, two more House Martins were in Central Swansea and two Red-billed Chough were at Ogmore-by-Sea. The Great Grey Shrike was at Mynydd Margam, the Ring-billed Gull at Lamby Lake, the Spotted Sandpiper at Lisvane Reservoir and the Glaucous Gull was again in Port Talbot Harbour. On the 31st, a Cattle Egret was briefly at Kenfig Pool, where eleven Willow Warbler, 23 Common Chiffchaff and a pair of Blackcap were good early spring counts and ten Common Goldeneye remained on the pool. A Short-eared Owl and Dartford Warbler were at Llanilid and a Barn Swallow was in Maesteg.

17TH - 23RD MARCH 2008

On the 17th, 25 Fieldfare and fifteen Redwing were at Cosmeston Lakes and six Northern Wheatear were new in at Southerndown. A Northern Wheatear and an adult Mediterranean Gull were at Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir and 120 European Golden Plover were at Kenfig Sands. The Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Lake and an adult Iceland Gull was also there today and a Firecrest was in Central Cardiff. Twenty Yellowhammers and six Tree Sparrows were at Newton Farm, Gower. The 18th produced five Northern Wheatears at Sker Point, two Firecrest in Central Cardiff, while five Common Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler were at Llanharan Marsh. The first Barn Swallow of the year was at Gileston, along with two Little Owls. On the 20th, 260 Sand Martins and a Barn Swallow were at Cardiff Bay and a Northern Wheatear and 150 European Golden Plover were at Mynydd Eglwysilian. On the 21st, a female Northern Wheatear was at Cardiff Bay and six Brambling were in Bute Park, Cardiff. Two Red-billed Chough were at Mumbles Head and three Hen Harriers, twenty Little Egret and a Water Pipit were at Llanrhidian Marsh. Three Short-eared Owls and a ring tailed Hen Harrier were at Llanilid. The 22nd produced two Little Gulls and a Black Redstart at Cardiff Bay, a Hen Harrier at Llanrhidian Marsh and a Barn Swallow at Brynsadler. A male Ring Ouzel was at Caerau, Maesteg and a Jack Snipe was at Lamby Lake. The long staying Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir on the 23rd and the Ring-billed Gull was again at Lamby Lake. The two Little Gulls at Cardiff Bay were joined by an adult Mediterranean Gull and ten Redwing were still in Singleton Park, Swansea.

10TH - 16TH MARCH 2008

On the 10th, a Ruff was present at Penclawdd Pill, the Cattle Egret was at Pennard and the Firecrest was in Central Cardiff. A Short-eared Owl was again at Llanilid. A very poor day weather wise on the 11th saw five Brambling and small numbers of Eurasian Siskin in a north Cardiff garden. Three Purple Sandpipers and two Red-billed Chough were at Ogmore Estuary. A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was in Maesteg, two Sand Martin were at Lisvane Reservoir, a Red Kite was near Barry, a Hen Harrier was at Llanrhidian Marsh and the Cattle Egret was at Pennard. The only news on a very windy day on 12th was of the Cattle Egret again in Pennard, a Black Redstart in Cardiff Bay and thirty Red Knot, seven Sanderling and eighteen European Golden Plover at Sker. On the 13th, the Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir, the Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Lake and two Firecrest were in Central Cardiff. Poor weather again on the 14th produced just the news of the Ring-billed Gull again at Lamby Lake and twenty Eurasian Siskin in a Maerdy garden. On the 15th, thirty Sand Martins were at Kenfig Pool, another twenty were at Cosmeston Lakes and 25 were at Ogmore Estuary, where there were also four Northern Wheatear and two Green Sandpipers. The Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir and a Red Kite was over Bridgend. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir on the 16th and four Northern Wheatear and two Little Gulls were in Cardiff Bay. Forty Sand Martins were at Cosmeston Lakes and a first winter Iceland Gull and the Ring-billed Gull were at Lamby Way Lake. A Little Ringed Plover and a Short-eared Owl were at Llanilid.

CZECH REPUBLIC

Our inaugural mini break to the Southern Moravia area of The Czech Republic from 7th - 11th March 2008 was a tremendous success. Tour Leader Gerard Gorman worked exceptionally hard for our group and turned up some exceptional birds. Pride of place ust go to a third calendar year Eastern Imperial Eagle, but other highlights included four Red-breasted Geese, at least 2000 Bean Geese and a similar number of Greater White-fronted Geese, six White-tailed Eagles, two drake Smew, large numbers of Hawfinches, Eurasian Eagle Owl at the nest on every day, Short-toed Treecreeper, six Long-eared Owls, a drake Garganey and good numbers of Red Kites, Common Buzzards and Great White Egrets! Oh and we musn't forget exceptional views of seven species of woodpecker! This trip looks set to become a regular [and very good value for money at £599.00 inclusive] and popular tour and we will be running again next year with dates very similar to the these, so if you would like advance notification or would like to reserve one of just seven places available, please contact us now.

1ST - 9TH MARCH 2008

1st MARCH saw two Firecrests and a Blackcap in Central Cardiff and a Great Northern Diver, sixteen Mediterranean Gulls , a Razorbill, a Northern Gannet and 185 Dunlin were at Mumbles Head. Two Mediterranean Gulls were at Lisvane Reservoir and a Firecrest was at Kenfig Pool. On the 2nd, the Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir, the Cattle Egret was again at Pennard and two Spotted Redshank were at Penclawdd Pill, along with a Common Sandpiper. Three Green Sandpipers were at Pendoylan, a Great Northern Diver was at Port Eynon and a Short-eared Owl and a Hen Harrier were at Llanilid. A Eurasian Woodcock was seen in west Cardiff, a Grey Partridge at Nash Point and a Green Sandpiper was at The Watermill Flood. The first winter Ring-billed Gull was present at Lamby Lake on the 3rd, three Short-eared Owls and a ringtail Hen Harrier were at Llanilid, while the Cattle Egret was again present at Pennard. A Barn Owl was at Llancadle. On the 4th, six early Sand Martins and the adult Little Gull were at Cardiff Bay, the Cattle Egret was again at Pennard and three Spotted Redshank, two Common Sandpipers and a Common Greenshank were at Penclawdd Pill. On the 5th, the Ring-billed Gull was again at Lamby Lake and two Sand Martins were at Kenfig Pool, where a pair of Eurasian Wigeon and six Common Goldeneye were present. Seven Sand Martins, two Water Rails and the adult Little Gull were at Cardiff Bay. Two new pairs of Dartford Warblers were present in the Vale of Glamorgan and a Firecrest was again in Pant Norton. The Cattle Egret was again at Pennard and two Great Northern Divers were offshore there. Two Grey Partridge and 26 Yellowhammer were at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm on the 6th, while a Green Sandpiper, twelve Gadwall, eight Goosander and 25 Common Shelduck were at Ogmore Estuary. Red Kites were seen in Bridgend and Llanharran, the Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Lake and the Great Grey Shrike was briefly at Perthcelyn, the Cattle Egret was at Pennard and the Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir. On the 7th, the Ring-billed Gull was again at Lamby Lake, the Water Pipit at Llwyn On Reservoir and the Great Grey Shrike at Perthcelyn. Three Willow Tits were at Tir Founder Fields and a Sand Martin was at Cosmeston Lakes. A Firecrest was at Kenfig Pool, along with a Ringed Plover and a small flock of Fieldfare and a Black Redstart was in Cardiff Bay. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir and two more Firecrest were in Central Cardiff. A female Greater Scaup, two Common Chiffchaff and ten Common Goldeneye were at Kenfig Pool on the 8th. The Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir and the Ring-billed Gull was at Lamby Lake. On the 9th the Spotted Sandpiper and three Sand Martins were at Lisvane Reservoir, two Yellow-legged Gulls and two Mediterranean Gulls were at Cardiff Heliport and a Black Redstart was at Cardiff Bay. Four hundred Brent Geese, two Spotted Redshank, three Greater Scaup, a Ruff, a Water Pipit, seven Red-breasted Merganser and a Slavonian Grebe were on the Loughor Estuary and the first winter Glaucous Gull was at Port Talbot Harbour. The Great Grey Shrike was again at Perthcelyn.