December started with a Diver

 A Great Northern Diver was on the river in front of Curlew hide on the 9th December.

Great Northern Diver 

Presumably a result of Storm Darragh. 

Aberporth recorded wind gusts of 80mph or more for 9 consecutive hours - 

" a remarkable weather event for the UK""

Apart from trees down and power cuts, not sure that our wildlife was too affected.

Goosanders (male and 2+ female) and Goldeneye (2 male and 2 female) are the current diving ducks on the river. Sixty Teal and 120 Wigeon are passed their peak winter counts, and returning Shelduck are now in double figures - 14 on the 30th

A flock of 250 Lapwing drops in on the falling tide from surrounding farmland and 40 Curlew and 40 Redshank in the estuary. Two Black-tailed Godwits are wintering on the reserve .

Black-tailed Godwit with a Curlew - Tommy Evans

At least 100 Snipe are often rather showy at lower tides. 

Snipe from Curlew hide - Diane Williams

1 Greenshank appears to be the only wader of note in the estuary, rarely do we see a Dunlin or a Ringed Plover this winter. 7 Dunlin and 4 Turnstone on Patch for the monthly BTO WeBS count on the 15th.

An adult Iceland Gull on the 24th of December (Joshua Brown) was the highlight in the gulls. Only 1 Mediterranean Gull currently amongst the 200 Common Gulls - a total rising daily. Little Egrets haven't started to return - a current winter population of just 2-3.

A few Redwings are on the reserve, hugely out-numbered by Blackbirds this winter, an easy 20+ each reserve visit. At least 5 Chiffchaffs are wintering, 1 Blackcap and vocal Cetti's Warblers. An excellent year for Cetti's with ringing showing at least 45 different individuals.

Nightime surveys...We haven't been on the farmland that we survey in our defined Teifi area - we hope to in the coming nights. But as an indicator, a Boncath site survey produced a high count of 18 Woodcock. 

Grey Seals - Greg Ellis

Away from the estuary and Marshes reserve some spectacular views can be had of Grey Seals on Godir - the rocky beach below Cemaes Head.  A fine walk up from Poppit to see the spectacular hauled out gathering. Greg Ellis (WTSWW) voluntary warden for the Cemaes reserve) counted 250 on the 14th December.

Ronald Lockley, founder of Skokholm Bird Observatory and  founder of the West Wales Field Society (now the WTSWW) drew a great deal of his Grey Seal knowledge for his books from his regular visits to " Godir" in 1944.

A cold start to January may bring some more waders, wildfowl and ducks...