Black Redstart (fem/imm) catching flies on the roof tops at the beginning of Llwyn Passat/John Batchelor Way 11.00am-11.30am.

Lsr Scaup, 5 Shovelers (3 m including 1 coming out of eclipse, 2 f), and a Cetti’s showed very well close off the boardwalk, calling not singing. A Kingfisher was in Hamadryad ‘pond’ and 2 Cetti’s off the Taff Embankment, 1 singing. Yesterday there were 3 Common Gulls on the orange buoys on the barrage.

In Hamadryad ‘pond’, a Cetti’s and Water Rail both showed briefly but well at 10.30am and a pair of Kestrels over. In the reserve, a Lsr Scaup, 3 Shoveler (2m,1f), 1 Pochard, 1 Teal, and 2 Stonechat (m,f).

STARLING SPECTACULAR!

Yesterday evening, the sky was blackened by a large murmuration of starlings, more than last year, perhaps as many as 5,000-6,000 birds, came down at 6.25pm, most of them on the island of reeds in the reserve, the remainder somewhere under Grangetown fly-over and  a few around the Port of Cardiff in the distance. Don’t miss it. Entry free. Performance begins 5.30pm.

Yesterday: Lsr Scaup from the boardwalk; c.150 Tufted Duck; 3 Shoveler ;1 Teal; no Wigeon; 1 ad Med Gull. 2 Stonechat (m+f); 1 fox again.

In CBWR 3 Stonechat together in the small reedbed and a fox. Another male Stonechat in the large reedbed. Peregrine over. Clouded yellow. On the barrage 2 or 3 Wheatear on the grass bank with a Stonechat, Rock Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Linnet and Robin. 2 Clouded yellow, 2 Small tortoiseshell and the Med Gull John W pointed out to me.

Lsr Scaup present again among c.80 Tufted Duck; also 1 Reed Warbler; 1 Sedge Warbler; 1 Stonechat; still lots of Chiffchaff and Blackcap; pair of Kingfisher. Redstart not seen today.

In CBWR close off the boardwalk and showing well: 1 Sedge warbler, 4 Blackcap at least, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Cetti’s briefly, lots of Chiffchaff, 1 Water Rail squealing and calling. On the gravel path: a party of 4 Stonechats. On the grass bank in front of St.David’s Hotel: the fem/imm Redstart is still present (thanks to Gareth S for showing me).On the barrage rocks: 3 Wheatear, another 2 Stonechats and a Robin. On the reserve again (3pm): 16 Wigeon, 1 Shoveler, 1 Teal, 1 Pochard, 16 Little Grebe, 89 Tufted Duck, 134 Canada Geese. Lsr Scaup not seen today.

This am, 1  Lsr Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Common Whitethroat, lots of Blackcap and Chiffchaff, 1 Kingfisher, Water Rail calling, Lsr Scaup, 11 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler asleep as usual, 1 Teal, 1 Pochard, 1 RC Pochard fem hybrid.

On the barrage 2 Wheatear. In the reserve Lsr Scaup, 8 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 2 Teal, 76 Tufted Duck, 24 GC Grebe, c.80+ Canada Goose. Clouded yellow, Small tortoiseshell, Red admiral.

Another fem. Wheatear next to the fish pass.

2 fem. Wheatear on the barrage grass bank. In CBWR 5 Grey Heron over, Kingfisher, Whitethroat, Blackcap(2), c.10+ Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, Sprawk over..

A fem type Wheatear on the barrage grass bank mid-day. A light passage of Swallows over. Now 7 Wigeon in CBWR.

Lsr Scaup, 5 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 2 Shoveler, RC Pochard, 67 Tufted Duck, 14 Little Grebe, Kingfisher.

At least 2 Water Rail starting to call this morning.

2 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler close off the boardwalk.

At last a Spotted Flycatcher off the boardwalk, also Kingfisher, several Chiffchaff and 2 Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Cetti’s and a Sprawk low over the reserve. A Clouded yellow on the barrage coast path.

Kingfisher, 2 Teal (poss m in eclipse), RC Pochard still present off the boardwalk, Cetti’s showed well.

2 fem type Wheatear on the barrage rocks and grass slope. In Hamadryad ‘ pond’, a GC Grebe with 3 very small chicks and 7 Little Grebes.

A flock of 5 Common Sandpipers, 2 Kingfishers including 1 m, and an ad Med Gull all close off the end of the boardwalk this morning 9.30-11.30am.