I was spending the New Year with my sister and family in Aberystwyth so did some birding on my way up from Pontypridd.
30 Dec 22. Cors Caron. My target birds were Hen Harrier and Willow Tit. One ringtail Hen Harrier was seen from the Bog Hide, quartering the bog from right to left straight out from the hide, 1.45 to 2.15 p.m. I then walked along the track towards Pontrhydfendigaid. Just before the farm on the right hand side of the track I heard Willow Tit calling and one flew across the track into the hedge on the right hand side just past the bench, foraged and called in the hedge for c.10 minutes.
31 Dec 22. Aberystwyth sea front. 5 Purple Sandpiper on their usual high tide roosting spot on the sea wall opposite the castle, 20 Turnstone and 8 Ringed Plover on the beach. And one Black Redstart on the college building roof, seen from St Michaels church car park. 2 pm to 3 pm.
A good end to the year for me !
Gareth Jenkins.