In addition to the activities mentioned below, Amy Schwarz will be in attendance, show- casing some of her skulls, skeletons and taxidermy.

Don’t forget that it’s the Big Birding Day at Kenfig this Sunday. (starting 10 a.m.) The forecast is good. There’ll be guided bird walks. a ringing demonstration, moth trap, children’s activities, and cake, plant and book stalls.

Early start today. I led a dawn chorus walk (15 participants). 32 species logged, the highlights being Kestrel, two Green Woodpeckers and three Great Spotted Woodpeckers (one drumming). A pleasing note was that Greenfinch numbers appear to be well up on previous years.

Nice walk around the reserve this morning. There had been a minor fall of Chiffchaffs. One bush had 7, all actively feeding.  39 species seen.

It’s official – Spring has sprung. Had a recently fledged Collared Dove in the garden this afternoon, plus a Red Admiral.

I’m compiling the spring edition of the GBC newsletter and need a couple of photos (preferably taken in East Glamorgan. If you’ve got something you’d like to submit, please get in touch.

I had a very strange bird on my garden feeders this afternoon. (typically, it flew off as I went to get my camera). It came in with a group of Siskins and Greenfinches. It was larger than the Siskins and slightly smaller than the Greenfinches. The head was black, albeit very scruffy. My only thought was an escapee – Black-headed Greenfinch perhaps? Does any one know if they are kept as cage birds?

Two red-headed Goosanders on the moat this morning

Glamorgan Bird club will be holding a nest box making session on Saturday morning. If you can help out, please meet at 9.30 a.m. at Kenfig Reserve Centre.

The monthly club walk around Kenfig will still be going ahead.

Goshawk over Parc Slip this morning

Just a reminder that there is an indoor meeting tomorrow (Feb 2nd) beginning at 7.45 p.m. in the Kenfig Reserve Centre. Dave Rich will be talking on Alaska.

Undertook the RSPB BGBW this morning. Unusually the birds played ball this year. Recorded 18 species, the max count being a flock of 44 Siskins. They tend to take over the feeders, not letting other species get a look in – until a Wood Pigeon crashes in. Siskins seem to come in, in numbers when it’s raining. I believe that their usual food, the Alder catkins swell up in wet weather, forcing them to search elsewhere.

Had a Red Admiral flying around the garden (in Nantgarw) today.

Sorry for the non-sighting post. I’m putting together the January newsletter. If you’ve got any photos that might fit the bill (no pun intended), please send them to me.

 

Don’t forget that there is an indoor meeting at Kenfig this evening. Paul Bowden will be giving a talk on birding in tropical Queensland. Hope to see you there.

Just had a male Brambling on my bird feeder. Winter draws on

Don’t forget it is our first indoor meeting of the season tonight, Kenfig Reserve Centre 7.45 p.m.. John Wilson will be giving a presentation on Sri Lanka – endemic birds & culture.

20 participants. Lovely walk down to Sker point. Blackcaps and Whitethroats were showing well. A Great Spotted Woodpecker f/o. At Sker there were 5 or 6 Knot, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Curlew, 12 Golden Plover, 12 Sanderling, plus plenty of Oystercatchers and Turnstones. Offshore a drake Common Scoter was seen. On Sker House Barn the Little Owl showed briefly. The species tally was 52 with three butterfly sp. and an Emperor dragonfly.

Hi all,

It’s that time again. I’m putting the next GBC newsletter together and am in need of some photographs. Please get in touch if you’ve got anything suitable (ideally taken in East Glamorgan).

I have Robins feeding recently fledged youngsters in my garden at present. I believe that this is their third brood. Is this unusual?

Also of note in my garden today a White letter Hairstreak (garden first). I was astonished as the nearest Elms are a couple of miles away. Do they have other food plants?