Peregrine circling overhead early this evening

Finally the house martins have returned, counted 7 today. Also 1 pair of swift, with another pair further down valley in Merthyr Vale. Talking of swifts, did my first survey yesterday evening around Victoria Park, Cardiff – alas no swifts in my two squares, but I did find a nest in an adjacent square, so not a total blank.

The house martins seem not to have returned. I was surveying them last year for BTO, there were at least half a dozen nests and a dozen or so adults. I didn’t see if any fledged, but for seemingly none at all to have returned would be very worrying. Anyone else reported a lack of house martins so far this summer? Could they still be on their way?

Mallard with 20 (!) ducklings. Most I’ve ever seen in a brood by some distance. Anyone beat 20?

Singing blackcap moving through Fairwater Cons Club in Cardiff this morning. Singing chiffchaff on Ely trail by Penarth Road, and a Kingfisher.

Wood Warbler singing, Tree Pipit, stonechat, linnet, skylark, whitethroat, blackcap, willow warbler, chiffchaff, bullfinch, swallow, buzzard.

At least 3 swifts in the usual spot just past UHOVI building

Late afternoon from Pentrebach to Merthyr Vale (until I got a puncture) there were an impressive 18 singing willow warblers, 12 chiffchaff and 8 blackcap.

18 singing chiffchaff and 3 blackcap on the ride between Pentrebach and Forest Farm along Trevithick and Taff Trails.

Tawny Owl sat on one of the signs on the roundabout

Probable Hobby over the Taff at 7pm. Fairly certain, only seen from car. Only that or a skinny kestrel.  Just back from Portugal where I saw a definite Hobby and more besides, so I’ve got my eye in.

5 Redpoll in alder, first I’ve seen here

Just showed again in flight for 20 seconds or so,  came up from reeds as you look left from hide, circled and came down in same spot.

0800-0930 Willow warbler (3 at least), blackcap singing (6), chiffchaff  (10+), cetti’s (3 calling), single swallow, pair of sand Martin, male sparrowhawk and lots and lots of greenfinch which is encouraging.

Female wigeon with all the mallards , first one I’ve seen here. Grey wagtail also.

Green woodpecker low over the car. Nice new tick for the drive to work list.

Cetti’s, reed, sedge warbler and whitethroat all heard and seen. Few sand martins over the reed beds and 100+ swifts over the bay

Single swift over, my first of the year. Impressive count of GC grebes, approx 25 birds, including many displaying pairs. Whitethroat in display song flight, plenty of cetti’s and reed warblers heard, none seen, everything keeping its head down as it was blowing a gale.

On path between lakes heard unfamiliar overhead call, looked up to see two or possibly three thrush sp. flying purposefully north, got one in the binos and thought possible ring ouzel. Have since listened to ring ouzel flight call on the web and think that’s most likely. Also one willow warbler and one blackcap in song, plenty of singing chiffchaff, cetti’s singing from boardwalk.