Griswold’s UK Birding List 2022 (2 Viewers)

[ClarkWGriswold]

Thanks to Ollie for setting this thread up again

So Jan 1st arrived and Max and I left the house at 06:00. Had thought about going to Slimbridge but with the recent rise in Covid cases I decided against it. Might have gone if I’d been on my own. I’ve put a (+) next to species that were not on last year’s list and lifers (if any) will be put in bold.

Arrived at Parkend before sun up so I sprinkled some seed down and waited. A couple of common species arrived but not our target species. A short walk around and we quickly got onto a couple of Hawfinch. Next it was up to Cannop Ponds. Couldn’t locate any Marsh Tits but there were plenty of Mandarin around. Also had outstanding views of a pair of Ravens.

Next it was off to Weston Airfield. After approx an hour waiting we had great views of all 3 Penduline Tits. Back at the car it was lucky that I had a load of wipes so I was able to clean Max’s Christmas daps. Should have saved a lot of grief with my OH but the boy later confessed.

Had planned on going to Kenfig but the boy was getting tired. So we headed straight to Elglwys Nunydd and parked by the The Grand Sultan. Initially thought it would be a waste of time as the car park was surrounded by trees and you could not see the reservoir. Standing next to the curry house though gave a partial view. Luckily the Pacific Diver was in our very limited view. A nice start to the year list.

1. Wren
2. Rook
3. Magpie
4. Robin
5. Blackbird
6. Great Tit
7. Common Buzzard
8. Chaffinch
9. Carrion Crow
10. Wood Pigeon
11. Song Thrush
12. Mistle Thrush
13. Hawfinch (+)
14. Blue Tit
15. Mute Swan
16. Raven
17. Nuthatch
18. Moorhen
19. Coot
20. Dabchick
21. Wigeon
22. Tufted Duck
23. Mandarin
24. Mallard
25. Coal Tit
26. Herring Gull
27. Jackdaw
28. Lapwing
29. Feral Pigeon
30. Stonechat
31. ChiffChaff
32. Teal
33. Cettis Warbler
34. Water Rail (+)
35. Black Headed Gull
36. Starling
37. Collared Dove
38. House Sparrow
39. Dunnock
40. Redwing
41. Penduline Tit (+)
42. Grey Heron
43. Canada Goose
44. Pacific Diver

Met some really decent birders whilst out and about as well. A very enjoyable day.

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Max enjoyed taking some photos of the Penduline Tits with my SX60

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Around the garden and local area we managed:
45. Bullfinch
46. Jay
47. Pied Wagtail
48. Great Spotted Woodpecker
49. Stock Dove

Down to Llanellishire for the following:

50. Cormorant
51. Reed Bunting
52. Little Egret
53. Long tailed Tit
54. Goldcrest
55. Great Black Backed Gull
56. Lesser Black Backed Gull
57. Skylark
58. Curlew
59. Snow Bunting (+)
60. Meadow Pipit
61. Common Redshank
62. Dunlin
63. Linnet
64. Golden Plover
65. Great crested Grebe

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Around work today:

66. Kestrel
67. Grey Wagtail
68. Goosander

Really looking forward to a trip to Whiteford on Sunday with some local birders - Owen, Rob and Kev. One of my favourite places to go birding.

 

[Owene]

Nice shots of the penduline tits. Hopefully going for them Friday. Only seen one once before and they're great looking birds. Really looking forward to Sunday, weather looks good and it's a great place at this time of year.

 

[Scridifer]

Way ahead of me for the year Rich! Nice going!

Chris

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Way ahead of me for the year Rich! Nice going!

Chris

Not for long Chris

We didn’t see too many species but we were really happy with what we saw if that makes sense? The pair of Ravens landed in the tree next to us.

Rich

 

[Scridifer]

Not for long Chris

We didn’t see too many species but we were really happy with what we saw if that makes sense? The pair of Ravens landed in the tree next to us.

Rich

Funnily enough a pair of Ravens was my highlight of yesterday Rich! When one of them tucked in its wings and did a couple of barrel rolls just for the sheer 'joie de vivre' - priceless!

Chris

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Siskins in the garden yesterday and a Tawny Owl calling last night.

69. Siskin
70. Tawny Owl

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Had an hour or so down at Kenfig Pool. Always good to catch up with Paul from the Swansea valley. RND was much easier to pick out today. Only downside was I got absolutely drenched making the short walk back to the car. They appear to be putting up some new feeder stations as well which could be interesting.

71. Common Gull
72. Pochard
73. Ring-necked Duck
74. Gadwall
75. Goldeneye
76. Common Snipe
77. Sparrowhawk
78. Marsh Harriet ( a stunning male)
79. Greater Scaup

 

[Jon Turner]

Had an hour or so down at Kenfig Pool. Always good to catch up with Paul from the Swansea valley. RND was much easier to pick out today. Only downside was I got absolutely drenched making the short walk back to the car. They appear to be putting up some new feeder stations as well which could be interesting.

71. Common Gull
72. Pochard
73. Ring-necked Duck
74. Gadwall
75. Goldeneye
76. Common Snipe
77. Sparrowhawk
78. Marsh Harriet ( a stunning male)

Surely a female?

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Surely a female?

Predictive text!!!! I’ll stick to Harsh Marrier from now on Jon

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Lovely day out today with a group of birders from South Wales including BF’s own Owene. Birding was slightly hard work but good company. We started at Whiteford Point before finishing at Llanrhidian. I think between us, Owen and I found every GCG in the Burry estuary

80. Treecreeper
81. Red-breasted Merganser
82. Knot
83. Grey Plover
84. Red Kite
85. Goldfinch
86. Brent Goose
87. Eider
88. Great Northern Diver
89. Great Egret
90. Hen Harrier
91. Turnstone
92. Barwit
93. Shelduck
94. Oystercatcher

Rich

 

[Owene]

I had completely given up on the idea of any grebes apart from great crested even existing by the end of it. The ability of GCG to dive just as you catch them out of the corner of your eye and leave you sitting there waiting for them to resurface and disappoint you is amazing.

I like them a lot when they aren’t on the sea but they were a pain today

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Went for a wander around Garwnant today. Quite a few Common Crossbills around. Also had a handful of Fieldfares by Neath golf course. Still haven’t seen a Greylag

95. Common Crossbill
96. Fieldfare

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Been away for a couple of nights over the dry side of the bridge.

97. Cirl Bunting (+)
98. Pheasant
99. Blackwit
100. Avocet
101. Black-necked Grebe (+)
102. Common Scoter
103. Shag
104. Cattle Egret
105. Greylag Goose (at last!)
106. Tundra Bean Goose (+)
107. Mediterranean Gull
108. Northern Shoveler
Rich

 

[JWN Andrewes]

Will you be trying for the Cirl at Marcross? Be a tidy Wales tick, unless you've already got one.

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Will you be trying for the Cirl at Marcross? Be a tidy Wales tick, unless you've already got one.

Hi James. If it stays around I might give it a go. I’ve got next week off so will be looking for some places to go.

Rich

 

[JWN Andrewes]

Going to be in Cardiff at half term, so may have a go myself, although a certain Diver will be the priority.

 

[Owene]

Going to be in Cardiff at half term, so may have a go myself, although a certain Diver will be the priority.

They’re very close together, was a 25 minute drive from one to the other the other day. It’s not being very showy though and I dipped. I think it’s largely a hedge or field away and occasionally coming to the feeders

Some nice birds there Rich glad you got greylag, you’re pheasant up on me now as well