Decided on a solo trip to Goldcliff yesterday afternoon. Tide was out but first lagoon was productive with c.50 Avocets, including a pair mating at one point. Also present c.20 Redshank and a single Spotted Redshank, c.20 Lapwing with some apparently incubating, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew. There were many Shoveler and Teal and I noted a single drake Wigeon and a Gadwall and 20 Shelduck. Other spp worthy of mention comprised a pair of Stonechat, singing Cetti’s Wblr & LInnets.
On Sunday I noted a Treecreeper in Alexandra Park in Penarth, and a couple of Turnstones along the R. Ely embankment.

Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs are now singing. Two Green Woodpeckers were calling this morning near the dipping pond and a couple of Redwings were noted. Quite a few Greenfinch wheezing. At the dipping pond the resident pair of Moorhens there have 2 very small chicks, which were off the nest and swiming today. Pics below are from a couple of days ago. Also there a Blue Tit was feeding on old reedmace heads.

While walk along RSPB Ham wall looking and hoping for a Bittern but saw some i never seen

18 hardy souls explored the Forest of Dean sites today, despite the developing drizzly conditions. We only had brief views of Goshawk, and Hawfinch by some, but we nevertheless built up a good list of 44 species [updated]. There were impressive numbers of Mandarin at Cannop Ponds, and of Chaffinches at the feeding table, plus a Marsh Tit and 1 Brambling seen by some. Other highlights were Kingfisher, Red Kite, Goosander ….
Full list here [updated].

There were at least six Sand Martins this morning.

It was awful to witness a dog kill a Mallard. A member of the public dashed to the scene and forced the jaws of the dog open. However, the bird died a few minutes later. In meantime the owner of the dog made a quick getaway. Several people there were upset by what they saw which included children.

Around 20-30 Sand Martins over W Lake this morning, and a slight return of Tufties with 16 drakes and 1 duck. A feeding flock round the back of W lake contained about 5 Chiffchaffs and 1 was singing nearby, and there was a single Goldcrest.

Blackcap singing, Canton, Cardiff on 4th March. Chiffchaffs in several places Canton/Leckwith since 3rd.

Yesterday I was surprised to find 2 drake Red-crested Pochards near the main bridge. Not seen one in the park since a single male in March 2022.
They were not present this morning sadly. Two Chiffchaffs were feeding in a tree by the west lake viewpoint along the Mile Road and two pairs of Great Crested Grebes were displaying on west lake, at one point quite close together. Two Buzzards circled together over Cogan Wood and in the wood, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming [and another called near the main bridge]. I also managed to snap a Goldcrest in Cogan Wood.

Great Northern Diver 4th March am

One singing , Leckwith Hill this morning.