On Saturday evening a small bird appeared briefly on the balcony of our flat, which was notable in itself as it’s the first time in four years something other than a Pied Wagtail, Magpie, or Pigeon, has paid us a visit.  It was already dark and the bird only stayed for a few seconds, but it was the size/shape of a Robin.  With the current numbers of Black Redstart nearby at Penarth Marina, I did wonder about that as a possibility, but I only caught the silhouette and then it was gone.

There was no sign of it yesterday, but I’ve just noticed it on the balcony again, and to my delight, it is indeed a Black Redstart – a female/immature type.  So my balcony list is now up to 4.

A quick stroll around the reserve this lunchtime yielded not very much on the ground (a few chiffchaffs was pretty much it), but plenty of hirundines over.  Mainly House Martins, but a few Swallows amongst them too.  Also a buzzard calling overhead.

05:30 – 07:30 this morning:  Several Gardens Warblers showing well – the best views I’ve ever had of this species.  Also a Cuckoo, Wheatear, Kestrel, lots of Tree Pipit, Skylark, and Willow Warbler, and several Stonechat, Blackcap and Whitethroat.

Pretty quiet this morning between 05:45 and 07:30.  A summer plumage Great Northern Diver heading d/c was the highlight, and seven Whimbrel on the rocks below the lookout.  Otherwise little else of note.  Good to meet Neil Donaghy before I had to leave – hopefully he had more luck than I did!

The highlight from a walk along John Bachelor Way this lunchtime was a beautiful summer plumage Dunlin.  Not a bird I see often in this location.  Also present were the usual Turnstones (in varying degrees of plumage, including one in full breeding colours), and lots of very active House Martins.

No sign of the Woodchat Shrike when I checked before work this morning (6:30 – 7:30).

Plenty of Willow Warblers around now and in good voice.  Also singing Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs seemingly everywhere this lunchtime, and a Cetti’s Warbler heard briefly from the boardwalk.

Elsewhere, excellent views of a female Sparrowhawk over the Dragonfly Pond, and a Nuthatch busy checking out nest holes in Cogan Wood.

The Kumlien’s Gull still present at Fendrod Lake this morning.

The Black-throated Diver was still present on West Lake.  Also a Cetti’s Warbler singing near the boardwalk, a Mistle Thrush near the Dragonfly Pond, and four Jays which were very active and vocal over Cogan Wood.

The Black-throated Diver was on West Lake this lunchtime, preening and sleeping all the time I was there.

A few chiffchaffs singing, but otherwise pretty quiet.

At lunchtime today the female Black Redstart was showing well on the outer harbour wall, catching flies in the sunshine.

The Little Gull was still present in the bay, fairly close to the shore, viewed from approx. 100m south of the sails.

 

Looks like I should have gone to Cosmeston instead though!

The female Long-tailed Duck was still present this lunchtime, and giving close views.

First thing this morning, as many as three good candidates for Yellow-legged Gulls on East Lake.  Unfortunately they were fairly static on the water and never showed the colour of their legs to clinch it.  I checked again a few hours later but all three had gone.

No sign of the Lesser Scaup with the Tufties, but two drake Pochard in amongst them.  Other sightings included a Kingfisher on East Lake, Green Woodpecker near the Dragonfly Pond, and Marsh Tit and Nuthatch in Cogan Wood.  Lots of Redwing still around, but didn’t see any Fieldfare.

A Marsh Tit was again in Cogan Wood, approx. 100m before the Dragon Tree.  Little else of note on a lunchtime walk.

Approx. 15 Hawfinch this morning at Forest Ganol.  They were high up in the trees on the left hand side of the track leading from opposite the carpark, 100m from the road.

The Lesser Scaup was still amongst Tufted Ducks this lunchtime, viewable from the boardwalk.  Also viewable from the end of the boardwalk, amongst the boats in the direction of the Barrage Sails, was an adult Yellow-legged Gull.

Three Goosander from the ice rink first thing this morning, but distant.  Couldn’t find either the BN Grebe or Lesser Scaup.

In addition to Paul’s post below, 10 Goosander (3m, 7f) on a very high river at Portobello first thing this morning.  On the wave-battered rocks, along with the seven Purple sandpiper there was a Shag which flew off as I drove up to park.

Showing very well in Cardiff Bay, just off the ice rink.

Bearded Tit (male) again on the boardwalk this morning, and four Bullfinch around West Lake.