A few shots of the female Dotterel on Garreg Lwyd this morning – one of a pair, along with a male.  The birds were quite flighty so I had to make do with ‘habitat’ shots, but it was nice to find them – a first for me.

Lots of Reed and Sedge Warblers, Whitethroats, and Stonechats evident, plus a reeling Grasshopper Warbler.  On the beach, a group of five Whimbrel late afternoon/evening.

One more from my visit to the Bay on Monday.  This bird is not shy!  It would be great if it stuck around for a while longer while the plumage develops.

Happy New Year everyone.  Here’s a few shots of the Cardiff Bay Scaups, taken on Monday…

Somebody’s Harris Hawk has been spotted several times today in Wenvoe, in the general area of the garden centre.  Last seen causing mass panic amongst the birds in my back garden!  As hard as I tried, I couldn’t turn it into a Lammergier 🙂

From a couple of hours this morning – two Cuckoos very vocal and active, usually with several pipits in attendance.  Many Meadow Pipits, plus several Tree Pipits in song and displaying.  2 family groups of Stonechat, a pair of Redpoll (presumably Lesser Redpoll, although they did appear to be rather pale), and 2 singing male Whinchat.  Didn’t see any Ring Ouzel, but may not have been looking in the right areas.

A Siskin (male) visiting the garden today was the first I’ve seen since moving in back in Feb.

A beautiful couple of hours at dawn today, constantly serenaded by Willow Warblers, Chiff Chaffs, and displaying Tree Pipits. No sign of any Cuckoo or Garden Warblers, but a pair of Siskin near the carpark, displaying Skylarks at the top, a single male Stonechat, and a male Sparrowhawk hunting the common.  Also flyovers by a calling Curlew, and a Peregrine with pigeon prey with a female Sparrowhawk in hot pursuit.

The Glaucous Gull, still present on the beach at The Knap this morning.

First thing this morning, before the rain.  The Lesser Scaup at the far end of East Lake, near the central path, and at least one Marsh Tit in Cogan Wood.  Cetti’s Warbler calling near the boardwalk.

The Lesser Scaup was back on the reserve today, viewed distantly from the boardwalk.

Any thoughts on the ID of this gull, seen at Cosmeston this morning?  Unfortunately I was late for work and on my way back to the car so couldn’t stick around.  I didn’t get to see the legs.

Many thanks for any help.

At Cosmeston this morning, an adult winter Med Gull was on East Lake.  Some large flocks of other species around – several hundred Tufted Duck spread across both lakes, approx. 60 Magpies on the western side of West Lake, and approx. 1,000 Starlings leaving the reedbed at first light.  Approx. 30 Pochard on West Lake and 8 Gadwall.

Three Redwing and a female Bullfinch were in hedges along the northern paddocks, and a Nuthatch was amongst large numbers of tits in Cogan Wood (no sign of the Marsh Tit though).

 

The highlight of a seawatch (08:00-10.15) this morning was excellent scope views of a Balearic Shearwater heading down channel, picked up initially by Alun Hughes (Thanks Alun! Nice to meet you earlier). Otherwise, surprisingly quiet given the recent conditions, with nothing else of note.

The purple heron was present first thing, and was fairly active.  Seen in flight three times from the hide between 6:00 and 6:30, at one point dropping into the reeds.  A very nice bird!

5:45 – 7:30 this morning. 1 Gannet, 2 Common Scoter, c30 Brent Geese, 1 Shelduck, 5 Whimbrel, 2 Oystercatcher, c50 Turnstone past.  All but the Whimbrel were heading down channel.  A little disappointing really, I was hoping for a little better after the winds of the last few days.

A Common Sandpiper along John Bachelor Way this evening, also 5 Turnstone.

A group of four Goosander (2m, 2f) were in the Bay, viewed from St David’s Hotel at first light this morning. I still haven’t caught up with the Great Northern Diver, and no sign of it again this morning, nor the Lesser Scaup (although I didn’t have time to check the reserve for the latter).

A belated Happy New Year to everyone.  Haven’t been out much lately, but managed to get out to a few sites today and had a good day’s birding.

At Cardiff Bay first thing, the Lesser Scaup was showing well just outside the reserve, viewed from St David’s Hotel.  Also a male Pintail on the reserve, and a Snipe.  At least three Black Redstart (1m, 2f) still at Penarth Marina, but I failed to see the GN Diver, despite trying from several vantage points around the Bay.

At Cosmeston, no unusual Gulls to speak of, other than the pale Herring Gull.  Shoveller, Gadwall, and Pochard all on West Lake.

At Sker this afternoon, the Glaucous Gull was still present and showing well at the Point, along with several Purple Sandpiper and a decent flock of Golden Plover (which I didn’t count).

Apologies for the non-sighting.

Is anyone able to tell me where the ‘usual spot’ is for these please?  I tried for them this morning on the rocks between the wooden gate, and approx. 60m East where there is a little bay, but no luck.  I know they will not always be present, or in sight, but it would be good to know I’m at least looking in the right place.

Many thanks,

Chris