The Redpoll was back today (camera ready this time).

WeBS count on Caerphilly Moat this morning. Good numbers of Sand Martins present. Black headed Gulls back on site.

Breeding plumaged Lesser Redpoll on the garden feeders this morning. Grabbed the camera for a quick shot and the battery was dead – doh

Apologies for non-sighting post. I’m starting to put together the summer newsletter and am in need of some photos. If you’ve got some shots (preferably taken in East Glam) please get in touch.

Cracking GBC field outing to Cwm Claisfer yesterday. Good views of both Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, Redstart and Tree Pipit. A couple of Cuckoos were heard but not seen.  Wood Warbler was seen by some of the group. There were plenty of Siskisn displaying over the conifers. The highlights were the Tawny Ow,l which gave great views. We finished off at Trefil where Wheatear, Whinchat and Common Sandpiper were seen.

Don’t forget that the next GBC indoor meeting is next Tuesday, 3rd March at Kenfig. Start 7.45 p.m. The topic is the Birds of Thailand presented by Hugh Lansdown.

Large roaming flock of Siskin (2-300) that contained a few Redpoll. Two Crossbills f/o. Dipper on stream by bridge. No sign of GGS or Willow Tit unfortunately.

We hope to hold a nest box making session on Saturday in the workshop at Kenfig (10.30 a.m.). If you are able to come along contact myself or John Wilson and we can provide further details.

Good turn out for our mid-week visit. Highlights were a very confiding Fieldfare in Cosmeston and In the same tree, a pair of Goldcrests was displaying. A male Pintail was on the West Lake. In Cogan Wood a Marsh Tit showed briefly. In Cardiff Bay the GND was viewed from the barrage and a male Black Redstart was in the marina.

4 Hawfinch this morning. Large Chaffinch flock was unfortunately flushed by walkers so couldn’t really check for Brambling.

Spent New Year with the family in North Yorks. A couple of nice garden visitors

The Great Northern Divers were still present this morning – fantastic views with the surface of the res being like a mirror. Best viewed from the dam end (Also spotted a pair of Nottages on the far side of the res). Nothing much else to report – no sign of Great Grey Shrike at Garwnant. I did see a Kingfisher from the bridge however.

Lesser Scaup still present this afternoon. Also Kestrel hunting over the reserve. At least 12 Little Grebes on the Ely at Hamadryad Park, plus another 5 or 6 in the wetland reserve.

Just a reminder that the next GBC indoor meeting is on Tuesday (4th Nov), when Cate Barrow will be giving a presentation on birding in Finland. Start 7.45 p.m. at Kenfig Reserve Centre.

32 Goldfinches on my garden feeder this morning

There are a couple of spaces available following a couple of drop outs. If you are interested in spending a couple of nights in the Portland Observatory (Fri 24th and Sat 25th Oct) please get in touch. 01443 841555 07906558489.

Sorry for non-sighting post. I posted the GBC October newsletter yesterday. (apologies for the errors that crept in. I was rushing to get it out before the Big Birding Day) The GBC winter programme begins on Tuesday at Kenfig (7.45 p.m.) Paul Bowden will be giving a talk on his visit to Nakhchivan Autonomous Region (I’ll be there, chiefly to find out where it is!) Next weekend it is the Big Birding Day at Kenfig – Sunday 12th October, starting at 10 a.m. (unless you’re going to watch the ringers at work – they start at 7.30 a.m.)

On Sunday 12th October GBC will be hosting a birding event at Kenfig. (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) Please come along. There will be ringing demonstrations, bird walks, book sales plus Mrs Wilson’s exceedingly good cakes.This year we’re targeting younger birders. There will however be plenty of activities to suit all ages.
P.S. The first ringing session will be down by the pool, starting at dawn. If you wish to see the team in action, please be there by 7.30 a.m. There will be another ringing session near the centre in the afternoon.

Loads of visible migration this morning, especially Swallows, Pipits and Larks. There were 3 Med Gulls in with the Black-headed flock (2 x adult, 1 x 2nd yr), 3 Yellow Wags flew over. Whinchat on fence line. Large mobile Linnet flock (50+) plus Stonechat and Whitethroat. On shoreline there were 18 Oystercatchers and a single Curlew.

Quite busy this morning (before the dog walkers arrived en masse) Highlights were single Whinchat and single juv Pied Fly. Also present Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Stonechat, Raven, Buzzard plus lots of Goldfinches feeding on the thistles. Also 6 species of butterflies seen.