Felt like spring. A few Great Tit “see sawing” and a bat was feeding above the Tawe where the bridge crosses by Faerdre RFC. On the canal usual suspects, Kingfisher(1), Moorhen(5),Mallard(9). Only Redwing(6) remained in the field where a large flock fed last week. With them were Blackbird(7) and Song Thrush(4). Amongst the birch and alders Goldfinch(12) and Lesser Redpoll(10). Dipper(2) singing males on the Tawe and Buzzard(1) kept watch as the mist rolled in.

Generally quiet with a stiff northerly breeze. On the canal Kingfisher(1),Moorhen(5),Mallard(7).On the fast flowing Tawe Cormorant(1) and singing Dipper(3).Otherwise Buzzard(2),Goldcrest(1),Redwing(250+),Starling(4),Song Thrush(1) and Blackbird(6)

Very quiet in the valley with a brisk breeze. Blackbird(7),Song Thrush(2),Red Kite (3),Buzzard(2),Bullfinch(2).A surprising first for me here was a Water Rail flushed from a very small ditch by Brynllefrith plantation. Highlight was a single Golden Plover being chased by two Merlin. The plover was calling constantly and the speed and maneuvers of the chase were quite spectacular. I don’t know what the final result was as they disappeared out of sight over Mynydd Garn Fach. There was no sign of the Long Tailed Duck on the Upper Reservoir

Exceptionally mild and hardly a breeze.-: Jay(9),Nuthatch(2),Grey Heron(2), Common Snipe(4 all flushed from Mynydd Garn Fach),Meadow Pipit(2), Stonechat(1) Bullfinch(15 counts this autumn are the highest that I can remember for this valley),Chaffinch(7),Lesser Redpoll(7),Green Woodpecker(2),Great Spotted Woodpecker(1),Crossbill(1), Redwing(52), Mistle Thrush(4),Song Thrush(6),Blackbird(12),Raven(2)

Quieter than previous weeks. Cormorant(1), Mallard(7),Treecreeper(1),Buzzard(2),Red Kite(1),Coal Tit(4),Goldcrest(4),Great Tit(8),Blue tit(8),Bullfinch(22), Jay(6).On the slopes below Bwllfa Isaf-Redwing (120+),Mistle Thrush(4),Ring Ouzel(1),Song Thrush(6),Blackbird(10).Good to meet Mr Tallack on the way down.

Just before the downpour. Common Snipe(4),Kingfisher(1),Grey Heron(1),Water Rail(1),Siskin(2),Goldfinch(2),Wren(4),Dunnock(2),Chiffchaff(3),Great Tit(5),Blue Tit(8),Goldcrest(4)

Woodcock(1)flushed just after the lower reservoir,Mallard(7),Grey Heron(1),Dipper(1),RingOuzel(2),Redwing (67+),Mistle Thrush(6), Song Thrush(6),Blackbird (19),Blackcap(1), Kestrel (1), Sparrowhawk(1),  Red Kite(3),Bullfinch(12),Chaffinch(15).Also Great,Blue,Coal and Long Tailed Tit,Goldcrest,Robin,Dunnock,Wren and Meadow Pipit.

Most of the warblers seemed to have cleared out with only Chiffchaff(2) noted. However, there was a good gathering of thrushes in the hawthorns just below the ruin of Bwllfa Isaf.They were Ring Ouzel(2),Redwing(2)(first of the autumn for me),Blackbird(15),Song Thrush(4) and Mistle Thrush(1).Other counts were Goldcrest(9),Great Tit(2),Blue Tit(6).Coal Tit(4),Long Tailed Tit(6),Nuthatch(2),Stonechat(6),Meadow Pipit(14),Wren(6),Dunnock(1), Bullfinch(3), Chaffinch(1), Red Kite(4),Buzzard(6),Jay(4) and Robin in almost every bush !

Three flocks of Goldfinch 57,37 and 42 all being harassed by Sparrowhawk, Chiffchaff (4),Nuthatch(20,Red Kite(2),Stonechat (6),Mistle Thrush(4),Buzzard (2),Kestrel(1)and Jay(2)

Chichaff(6),Goldfinch(24),Bullfinch(6),Nuthatch(2),Goldcrest(4),Peregrine(2),Buzzard(1),Song Thrush(1),Blackbird(3),Wren(3),Great Tit(16),Blue Tit(22),Coal Tit(4), Stonechat(5),Meadow Pipit(4), Mallard(7), Jay(1), Chaffinch(9), Great Spotter Woodpecker(1), Blackcap(3), Red Kite(6),Robin(21)

Early morning walk produced a nice variety as follows. House Martin (120),Green Woodpecker(2),Great Spotted Woodpecker(1), Red Kite(5),Buzzard(2),Chiffchaff(9),Blackcap(1),Raven(4),Grey Wagtail(1), Bullfinch(3),Blue Tit(16), Coal Tit(5),Great Tit(15), Long Tail Tit(6),Goldcrest(6),Song Thrush(2),Blackbird(6), Robin(17),Dunnock(12), Mistle Thrush(2), Goldfinch(7),Jay(1), Stonechat(1)

Good numbers of Skylark,Meadow Pipits and Linnet. Reed Bunting(2males),Stonechat(1 pair),Buzzard(2),Kestrel(2),Red Kite(2),Cuckoo(2 calling males),mixed flock of Swallow,House Martin and Swift hawking above the ridge.In Cwm Clic at least 7 singing Wood Warblers and on the Tawe Goosander(2 males)

Walked over these two upland ridges on saturday April 30th.Species seen. Chiffchaff,Willow Warbler,Blackcap,Greenfinch,Goldfinch,Jackdaw,Reed Bunting,Meadow Pipit,Wheatear,Skylark,Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker,Swallow,House Martin,Sand Martin,Swift(first of the year for me),Cuckoo(calling at three locations,Rhydyfro,Lygos and Cwm Clydach),Red Kite,Raven,Buzzard,Pied Wagtail,Dipper,Woodpigeon,Magpie.

A very ‘seasonal’ Redwing feeding at Coed Gwilym Park this evening.

Took a long walk in the hills above Swansea.Nice mix of residents and migrants.Red Kite(4),Raven(2),Buzzard(6),Skylark(25),Meadow Pipit(43),Stonechat(2),Wheatear(2),Linnet(46),Goldfinch(16),Willow Warbler(8),Chiffchaff(6),Blackcap(2),Reed Bunting(2),Cuckoo(2 calling) and a nice surprise of Lapwing(2 pairs)

Single Swallow-heading West at 17.30 hrs

Grey Heron(4),Black Headed Gull(54),Goosander(8, 4 males 4 redheads),Dabchick(3),Coot(4),Moorhen(4),Mallard (35),Canada Goose(6),Stonechat(1 pair),Bullfinch(3 males),Buzzard(1 overhead),Red Kite(1 overhead),Blackbird (15),Song Thrush(3),Dunnock(6)

Canada Goose(28),Mute Swan(3),Coot(5),Moorhen(3),Bullfinch(3, 1 male),Grey Heron(1),Common Snipe(4),Goosander(2, 1male), Little Grebe(1),Mallard(7),Black-Headed Gull(15),Blackbird(12),Song Thrush(5),Mistle Thrush(2),Redwing(4),Greenwoodpecker(1)

Quiet on the canal with Moorhen(2) and an immature Cormorant perched in a tree. One Dipper by the Tawe whilst a single Goosander(male) braved the fast flow. Towards Glais two Bullfinch(males),two Jay and a scattering of Mistle Thrush(3),Song Thrush(2) and Blackbird(9) and a couple of calling Great Tit.On the field next to the Mond works were two Green Woodpecker feasting on the anthills and a Great Spotted Woodpecker in the boundary trees. There was a large flock of Pied Wagtails here again with at least 70 birds but only two Starling.

Very quiet on the canal with 4 Moorhen a pair of Mallard and a single Kingfisher. On the walk up towards Glais a small mixed flock of tits,Blue, Great and Long Tailed. In the field next to the Mond works a mixed flock of Starling(22) and Redwing(55) along with circa 60 Pied Wagtail in a pre roost gathering. A couple of Mistle and Song Thrush in song-spring can’t be far off !