An unexpected late Christmas present this morning when Dean Bolt and Neil Donaghy found these Tundra Bean Geese near the flood at Sker House. Very grateful (as always) for the quick notification. #birds #birdingWales @eastglambto.bsky.social @rspbcymru.bsky.social @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social

It's always worth a visit to WWT Llanelli. A fairly uneventful day yesterday until photographing some snipe and an Otter showed just long enough to get a photo. #birds #birdingWales @wwtworldwide.bsky.social @rspbcymru.bsky.social @eastglambto.bsky.social @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social

Snipe are such beautifully marked birds with superb camouflage. These three were amongst a larger group of eight at WWT Llanelli. #birds #birdingWales #bto @rspbcymru.bsky.social #wwt

Always a thrill to see an Otter in the wild. This one appeared for a few seconds at WWT Llanelli this morning - seen from the Sir Peter Scott hide.

Fortunate to see a Red-throated Diver close up at Porthcawl Harbour this morning. Apparently it's been there for a few days so I hope it's okay health-wise. #birds #birdingWales @eastglambto.bsky.social @rspbcymru.bsky.social

A late afternoon visit to Kenfig Pool to catch up with the Great Northern Diver found by Owen Leyshon. The bird stayed over the far side of the pool so this is a huge crop. #birds #birdingWales @eastglambto.bsky.social @rspbcymru.bsky.social @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social

Lots of Firecrest and Goldcrest again today at Kenfig NNR. This one stayed still just about long enough to photograph (no such luck with the hyperactive Firecrests!). #birds #birdingWales @eastglambto.bsky.social @rspbcymru.bsky.social @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social

There have been quite a few Firecrests at Kenfig NNR this Autumn (the Ringers have ringed 7) but I haven't seen one until today when there were at least 2 behind the Reserve building. #birds #birdingWales @rspbcymru.bsky.social @eastglambto.bsky.social @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social

Redshank and Dunlin on the east shore at Kenfig Pool, late afternoon Monday. #birds #birdingWales @eastglambto.bsky.social @rspbcymru.bsky.social @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social

A very quiet Saturday afternoon at Kenfig Pool with few birds of note until this Arctic Tern flew in. #birds #birdingWales @eastglambto.bsky.social @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social @rspbcymru.bsky.social

A short trip this afternoon to the Ogmore estuary for this Red-breasted Merganser found by Paul Roberts. #birds #birdingWales @btocymru.bsky.social @rspbcymru.bsky.social @eastglambto.bsky.social @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social

One of two Wheatear present at Sker Point on Friday, probably the last I'll see until next spring. #birds #birdingWales @eastglambto.bsky.social @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social

A trip to the Somerset Levels on Thursday to try and see Bearded Reedlings but they didn't show. Plenty of other birds to see though, including quite a few Marsh Harrier - great to see them doing so well. #birds #rspb

I finally caught up with the Glossy Ibis that's been frequenting Kenfig Pool over the last week or so (thanks to Neil Donaghy for the notification). #birds #birdingWales @eastglambto.bsky.social @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social @rspbcymru.bsky.social

After posing well for photos showing back/side views this Hobby flew off and was then re-located giving excellent front views - a very obliging model! At Kenfig NNR this evening. #birds #birdingWales @eastglambto.bsky.social @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social

Really pleased to catch up with this Hobby at Kenfig Pool this evening, my first of the year. #birds #birdingWales @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social @eastglambto.bsky.social

I couldn't resist posting another of the photos of the Sabine's Gull, one of six at Jackstones Pier, Aberavon this morning - quite a sight to have them flying around the end of the breakwater. #birds #birdingwales @eastglambto.bsky.social @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social

Amazing to see 6 Sabine's Gulls at Jackstones Pier, Aberavon this morning. Two Grey Phalarope also present. #birds #birdingWales @eastglambto.bsky.social @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social

It was worth getting wet to get this lovely Black Tern this morning at Kenfig Pool. Many thanks to Neil Donaghy (once again!) for putting the news out promptly so others can see it. #birds #birdingWales @eastglambto.bsky.social @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social

Always nice to see a Spotted Flycatcher - this one was at Kenfig NNR this morning. #birds #birdingWales @eastglambto.bsky.social @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social

I was lucky to spend an hour or so with this beautifully marked Grey Phalarope at Sker Pool near Kenfig NNR this afternoon - found by Dean Bolt. #birdingWales #birds @eastglambto.bsky.social @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social #britishbirds

Pleased to have caught up with this Grey Phalarope on the river Ogmore this evening, found by John Lugg. #birds #birdingWales @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social @eastglambto.bsky.social

Fairly quiet at Kenfig Pool this afternoon with only a Black-tailed Godwit, Little Egret and this Great White Egret of note. #birds #birdingWales @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social

One more shot of the very confiding Black-tailed Godwit that's been present at Kenfig for over a week now. It seems healthy enough, eating well and fairly mobile so perhaps it just likes Kenfig! #birds #birdingWales @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social

Pleased to catch up with the Little Stint at Kenfig Pool this evening - a lovely little bird. #birds #birdingWales @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social

A couple of hours visit to Kenfig Pool today; highlights included - Great White Egret, Little Egret, Little Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, Redstart and Kingfisher. #birds #birdingWales @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social

A late evening visit to Sker on Friday resulted in good numbers of Oystercatchers, Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Herring and Black-headed Gulls, a few Turnstones, two Curlew and a solitary returning Wheatear. #birds #birdingWales

An enjoyable visit to Pembrey old harbour for the tern roost. The anticipated Sandwich and Common were joined by a bonus couple of Little Terns. Good numbers of Med and Common Gulls also present. #birds #birdingWales

I couldn't resist posting another photo of the breeding-plumaged Cattle Egret that dropped into Kenfig Pool this morning. #birds #birdingWales #birdsinWales

A quick walk up the east shore at Kenfig this morning with Neil Donaghy and Mike Cram when a beautiful breeding plumaged Cattle Egret flew in and stayed just long enough for a few photos. #birds #birdsinwales #birdingwales

These two Kestrel siblings were being given a lesson in hunting for prey by the female adult who was very active nearby. #birds #birdingWales #birdsinWales

Always a mood-lifter to see young birds - this juvenile Stonechat was enjoying itself at Sker, South Wales, today. #birds #birdingWales #birdsinWales

Birding highlights after a walk around the pool at Kenfig were two Kingfishers, a calling Cuckoo and this singing Sedge Warbler. #birds #birdingWales

A beautiful day at Kenfig today made all the better by the presence of two Kingfishers right in front of the South Hide. #birds #birdingWales

Great to see a juvenile Redstart at Margam today. #birds #birdingWales

The male Redstart is a fantastic bird. This one was photographed today at Margam. #birds #birdingWales

Really pleased to catch up with the four Dotterel at Cwm Cadlan near Penderyn today - a lifer for me. Well done to Mark Hipkin for finding them and getting the news out promptly. #birds #birdingWales

A walk around Kenfig Pool normally throws something up that enhances your day - like this Fox who I had a brief encounter with. #foxoftheday

A late afternoon walk to the haul road at Kenfig allowed me to catch up with the Little Ringed Plover found by Mike Cram this morning (apologies to Mike, I initially credited it to someone else). @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social @eastglambto.bsky.social #birdingWales

I was dissatisfied with the photos I took of the Yellow Wagtail at Sker yesterday so had another go today with better results. #birdingWales @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social @eastglambto.bsky.social

Whilst I was photographing the Little Ringed Plover at Kenfig today Tate Lloyd kindly texted that there was a Whinchat at Sker, just a few hundred yards away. A bit far away to get a really good image but a pleasing year tick. #birdingWales @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social @eastglambto.bsky.social

A very blustery day at Sker today but plenty of birds around and very active. Highlights included a Yellow Wagtail, at least 8 Wheatear and a few White Wagtail. @birdsinwales #birdingWales @eastglambto.bsky.social #glambirds

My first Whitethroat of the year seen today near Ogmore. @birdsinwales.bsky.social #birdingWales @eastglambto.bsky.social

A Ruff was a nice find by Mike Cram in the dune slacks at Kenfig yesterday. #glambirds @kenfig.bsky.social #kenfigwarden #btocymru

A walk around Kenfig today resulted in 41 species including American Wigeon, Great White Egret, Kingfisher, Water Rail, Snipe, Reed Bunting and my first Sand Martin of the year (photo from 2023). Kestrel and Red Kite also recorded as part of the BTO raptor survey. #glambirds @btocymru.bsky.social

The Bonaparte's Gull at Ogmore estuary showed well this morning, its second day there. Thanks to Tom Wright for finding and putting the news out. #glambirds

Delighted that the Bonaparte's Gull stayed another day at Ogmore estuary - many thanks to Tom Wright (who found the bird) for indicating its presence early this morning. #glambirds

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The long-standing female Black Redstart at Crofty was showing well when I visited yesterday.