Normal weather service (i.e. wind and rain) has resumed here today but yesterday, Christmas Day, was glorious – blue skies, cold but no wind, so I took myself on a 6-hour 8½-mile walk right around Cardiff Bay. I saw 44 species of bird (and dished out some Christmas seed to a few), and had some nice chats to random strangers. The birding highlights included …

Grey wagtails and my favourite little Turnstones on the Ely embankment

Seven Linnets in a tree

A Moorhen and a Little grebe at Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve

The day’s surprise, a Great spotted woodpecker in trees, also at the wetlands reserve

Two Cetti’s warblers seen (and more heard), plus a lovely male Stonechat

A Common gull puddling for worms with the Black-headed gulls in Hamadryad Park