Over the last several days Annie and I have noticed good numbers of winter thrushes, notably blackbirds and redwings. Counts of thrushes in one hour long visits to 10 random tetrads are well up on counts made in late December last year (in different locations). Redwings seem to be well distributed - no really massive flocks but 50-300 in most places counted. Chaffinch numbers and finch numbers in general seem lower though in comparison.
A kestrel hunting nr Yerbeston, a Merlin and blackcap at Clarbeston Road on Christmas day reasonably notable. Today in SN11 Carms/Pembs border at Llanfallteg, excellent numbers of winter thrushes, siskins, willow and marsh tits, jack snipe in river flood-plain mire/meadow and willow-woodland.
Later today we noted black-necked grebe at Llys-y-fran reservoir with other usual waterfowl.
Goosander numbers have reached 30 now at Bosherston, a female scaup there before Christmas seems to have gone. Firecrests are still about nr the lakes - at least 2 seen with a chiffchaff or two.
