Male Bullfinch flying over, calling; fledgling Robin in shrubs and then a Hummingbird Hawkmoth paid us a brief visit.

As we were cycling through Frampton (near Llantwit Major) this afternoon we disturbed a Song Thrush “dealing” with a snail on the road. I commented that the last time we had seen this happen was during the “Beast from the East” and my wife said “and that was in Frampton too” (the Lincolnshire one)

3 female Blackcaps (just fledged), Willow Warbler singing behind Ysgol y Ddraig, 2 Grey Wagtails under bridge at Llantwit. (Yesterday at high tide a seal swimming up the channel about a quarter of a mile offshore.)

c.30 Swifts heard (first) and then seen high overhead half mile east of St. Donats,1530. Red Kite half mile south east of Wick 1545. On relaxing with a cup of tea on the patio back at Boverton watched a Peregrine circling high above at about 1700. A minute or two later he circled again carrying some small prey before heading North and a minute or two later we watched him again, circling high over us for about five minutes – this time sans prey and with about a dozen Swifts above him.

We did 3 consecutive early morning bike rides (Tuesday to Thurs.) via Llantwit,St.Donats,Marcross Broughton to the junction with the B4265 plus a couple of diversions to Nash Point (Fulmar,Stonechat,Meadow Pipit). A total of 39 species seen and/or heard. Notably only 1 raptor (Buzzard), 5 singing Yellowhammers, only 2 Swifts (Llantwit Church), no Long Tailed Tits and the only House Martins were over our estate in Boverton.

5 Swifts heard and seen high above Llantwit Church tower. Nice to see our first Glamorganshire hare about 3 miles west of Llantwit.

Red Kite over the estate Saturday 1120 and also this morning (Monday)1000. Also on cycle ride to and from Aston Martin Sat. afternoon :- 1 Yellowhammer heard, 1 Willow Warbler heard, 1 Whitethroat seen and heard. Sorry about late posting computer down but fixed now.

Hurray! first Swifts of the year. 3 over just as the 4 o’clock train went by.

A friend reported to me she had been watching a male Bullfinch taking a bath in her birdbath yesterday: also a G.S Woodpecker ascending a Maple tree.

Tawny Owl calling 4am

Popped out onto the patio this afternoon and there were 2 Kestrels soaring together above. Not sure if they were a pair as they were roughly the same size and colour. Earlier a Willow warbler singing nearby.

Afternoon sightings – Kestrel soaring high, Blackcaps 2, Chiffchaff, and 10 House Martins and 2 Swallows high over, for about 2 minutes.

Singing Willow Warbler this Morning, also, after an absence of more than a month, a Song Thrush singing lustily.

Whilst trying unsuccessfully to locate a singing Blackcap this afternoon, 2 House Martins fluttered silently over in a northerly direction – a first for me ( a first Housemartin sighting of Spring prior to a Swallow sighting that is). Later I saw the male Blackcap and as it flew off another joined it.

2 Kestrels sky-dancing / fighting(?) and calling above one of the hangars near the Aston Martin factory midday today

Barn Owl flying to and fro in same vicinity as March 15th. 2030Hrs.

Chiffchaff heard and then seen adjacent to railway line – one’s spirits are lifted!

Barn Owl circled me within 10 yards as I walked near the new roundabout to St Athan on B4265.

Barn Owl flying across 2100 Monday 24th Feb.

Seen flying east over new Aston Martin/ St Athan road 2000 hrs.