january round-up

I haven't managed to post since new years day so this is a combination of this weekends sightings and additional records not previously logged.
Yesterday morning started with an interesting looking gull as I walked towards newbridge. The bird was only in view for a couple of seconds before going behind the shops and not reappearing. It was large and seemed pale and without any black wingtips. The view was much too fleeting for me to even raise binoculars but enough for me to change my route and arrive at the barleyfield via the school access road. Three adult herring gulls were on the wulfrun campus field with the black-headed but that was it.
A circuit of the field and back along the canal generated lots of activity but nothing unusual; most notable was the number of long-tailed tits 25plus.
Back home and something to eat before hearing for west park to check the gulls there.  No joy but did note 14 mute swans of which 8 were sub-adult. There have been at least four different swnas on the canal during the month, a regular bird with a colourless bill but otherwise adult, 2 females hanging out together towards the southern end and a juvenile.  Also several flyovers of 2 birds.
Still on the gull hunt early afternoon and back to the wulfrun field which tends to get better as the day goes on.  Sure enough about 90 birds and quite a mixture.  No white winger (glaucous or Iceland) but a common gull and about 12 large gulls including a strikingly white headed bird with a small beady eye and sloping forehead. It showed pale colourless legs but did not give views of  its primaries.  However its feel was very much Caspian pity it was just outside the valley.
Its about time we added to the valley total but, especially with gareth doing the racecourse, it cant be long before this species is officially added. Other candidates include cetti's warbler and firecrest.
I tried again today but arrived at 3 just in time to see a large mixed flock take to the air.
Yesterday had male goosander flying over the canal and have had many similar sightings over the month-the best of which was 5 birds fishing in the canal on the 2nd until disturbed by a dog walker.
Finches have been in short supply for the latter part of the month with the siskin seemingly moving on but have had 3 redpoll and 2 redpoll near castlecroft bridge. 2 kingfisher sightings ;at the wetland on the second and by meccano mid-month.