The undoubted rarity highlight of an otherwise quiet December produced an adult drake AMERICAN BLACK DUCK at Llanrhidian Marsh, Gower, on 20-21st, although it was unfortunately at a site with no general access – see https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/785239438 for some film footage. Otherwise, a trio of drake SURF SCOTER starred off Llanddulas, Conwy, until mid-month at least and a drake GREEN-WINGED TEAL visited Inland Sea, Anglesey. Caldicot Pill, Gwent, hosted an Egyptian Goose on 14th. Another above-average RING-NECKED DUCK showing saw eight birds split between five sites – duos at Lisvane Reservoir, Glamorgan, and both Talley Lakes and Llyn Pencarreg, Carmarthen, with singles at Ynys y Fro Reservoirs, Gwent, and Bala Lake, Gwynedd.

In Gwynedd, the ISABELLINE WHEATEAR Wheatear lingered at Uwchmynydd until 1st, the same day a RICHARD’S PIPIT overflew Rhoscolyn, Anglesey. Two Snow Buntings were deep in landlocked Powys, with a Lapland Bunting at Dinas Dinlle, Gwynedd. Disappointingly, a Great Grey Shrike at Dyfnant Forest, Powys, on 8th wasn’t seen again. Four Yellow-browed Warblers look set to winter, with Pembrokeshire and Glamorgan hosting two apiece (singles at Broad Haven and Skokholm, Pembrokeshire, and Crymlyn Burrows and Kenfig NNR, Glamorgan). The latter was joined by a Siberian Chiffchaff, with others at Rhyl, Clwyd, and Trefin, Pembrokeshire. Elsewhere, a Siberian Lesser Whitethroat was trapped and ringed at Llechryd, Ceredigion, during the Christmas break.

A young Glaucous Gull roosted at Llys-y-Fran Reservoir, Pembrokeshire on 3rd, alongside the returning Ring-billed × Lesser Black-backed Gull. On the shorebird front, an unseasonal Curlew Sandpiper was at Cors Ddyga RSPB, Anglesey, until 3rd and a brief Grey Phalarope was off Little Orme, Conwy, on 21st.

    Egyptian Goose

   Surf Scoter

  Green-winged Teal

  Ring-necked Ducks