Arrived at Cardiff Bay Wetland Reserve this morning just in time to see several thousand Starlings leaving the reedbed. An impressive sight and noise! Other highlights here: hunting Kestrel, calling Kingfisher, a Common Snipe launching from one of the wildflower beds and multiple squealing Water Rail.

Elsewhere in Cardiff Bay the Lesser Scaup was on the west side 100m down from the road bridge just after 10am. There were 12 Common Gulls at the orange buoys near the barrage, and at least 1 Black Redstart (quite possibly up to 3 more but only got fleeting view of these) at Plas Taliesin/Llwyn Passat in Penarth Marina. A pair of Raven flew into the Bay from Penarth Head, and there were 3 Great Black-backed Gulls on the mud outside the Barrage.

At Cosmeston this afternoon a very showy Water Rail right at the start of the reedbed boardwalk. A Gadwall pair and 20 Pochard were on the West Lake, and a Common Gull was on the posts.