Day Trip to the coast

Mr Bell, Phil and myself decided on Saturday night the conditions for a sea watch could be
ok on Sunday, the wind was not really right for Porthcawl being a west south west and
not south west which is the best plus the high tide was in the afternoon. But what the hell its always nice to get out and just have a go. We got there nice and early, set up and straight away we got a couple of hundred Black Headed Gulls going though and about a dozen Med Gulls. Common Gulls as well but apart from two Common Scoters going down channel it was dead and the main highlight was a massive flock of Starlings going over, there must have been two thousand birds in the flock and a brilliant sight to see. But we did last longer than normal well over 5 minutes in fact which is our record.

Right Plan B was Kenfig Pool and Sker. We had a quick check for Little Owl at Sker Farm but had no joy and then headed down to the sea and on passing Sker pool there was a single Redshank on the shore but it took one look at us and was gone. As I still need Jack Snipe for the year I had a walk around the back of the pool, it did look good for snipe but sadly not today. As I stood there I looked down and saw what I thought was a dog toy first but was a pinky coloured fish and on looking closer could see it was real. I called the boys over to have a look, it's eyes looked clear and it was still in good condition and looked fresh. We thought it could be a John Dory and had most likely been dropped by a gull has we are not that close to the sea for it to get here under its own steam. So the boys decided we should, meaning me should take it to the centre for Dave Carrington the warden to have a look at it. We met Tate Lloyd there and his family and Tate said its a Boarfish. I had never heard of one and fair play he was spot on. It's a deep water fish and they get blown in with stormy weather. On checking it is found in welsh waters and in the south west. We also did Kenfig pool and got the Slavonian Grebe within minutes also at the pool was another Redshank and a very smart drake Goldeneye and for a change quite a number of ducks, they were mostly Tufted, Pochard, Gadwall and a nice flock of Teal. Also there was reasonable numbers of Common Gull.

I found this Frog around the back or is it a Toad mmm of the pool and it looks like a Heron or egret as had it . When we go sea watching this is how I like it and blowing a gale and yes old photo.