GNDiver present again this morning swimming close inshore from the ‘sails’ down to the CHA rubbish clearing depot and sailing centre 10.30-11.00am.It was nice to bump into Gareth Jenkins from Pontypridd for the first time in over seven years-unfortunately he left just before the diver appeared. Police divers at work by Clarence Bridge.

Lsr Scaup and hybrid still present around 3-3.30pm. Hybrid not only has a darker back but also has a large black nail.

Some nice photos by Peter  of the hybrid I found this morning but in my scope the only difference  is the noticeably darker mantle; this presumably is the hybrid seen by Alex in Cosmeston.  Also 1 Pochard, 2 Kingfishers, 2 Kestrels and a Stonechat. In Hamadryad Park, a Water Rail and  a Goldcrest  showed in the ‘pond’ and a pair of Cetti’s showed well seen from the viewing circle by the fly-over. 3 Gooseander (2m,1f) were off the Taff Embankment. In Penarth Marina yesterday, there were still 5 Black Redstart (2m,3f) including 1 fem seen in Pierhead  View.

Yesterday morning, a probable Jack Snipe in the reeds in Hamadryad  ‘pond’.

In Penarth Marina, 5 Black Redstart still present (2 ad.m and 3 fem/imm) including 1 fem who seems to favour the area around the junction of Marconi Avenue/Llwyn Passat/Penarth Portway; on Xmas Day it was in Chandlers Way. This morning the Lsr Scaup was in CBWR.

In CBWR this morning, the Lsr Scaup, 2 m. Kingfishers perched 25m apart, fem. Stonechat, poss Chiffchaff calling briefly off the boardwalk, crows repairing nest in children’s play area. In Penarth Marina, 3 Black redstart (1m 2 f/imm ), 1 Blackcap (m).

Yesterday morning a single Lapwing flew over and landed amongst the gulls at the far end of the reserve from the boardwalk behind the island of reeds.

6 Black Redstarts still showing well this lunchtime (2m 4 f) along the length of Penarth Marina. In CBWR 2 Kingfishers and 2 Water Rail showing well, 3 Teal, 1 Stonechat. The Lsr Scaup still not seen.

At CBWR no sign of Lsr Scaup this am or at lunchtime; Water Rail and Kingfisher showed briefly; fem. Stonechat. Yesterday 2 Kestrels hunting together. In Penarth Marina, 4 Black Redstart ( ad.male; 1st yr male? ; 2 fem/imm types ). In Hamadryad Park, lots of protesters against proposed building development showed well around entrance.

No sign of BN Grebe this morning around Grangetown fly-over (Butetown Link Road A4232).

BN Grebe found by Paul Denning in Ely river-mouth, and flushed by boat, last seen off Cardiff Bay Yacht Club heading NW towards Grangetown fly-over.

5 Black Redstart (1 ad.m. and 4 fem/imm.types) all seen together at the same time. With Cliff Woodhead and Phil Humphries. That makes at least 9 BR seen in Penarth Marina and Roath Lock in just over 3 weeks!

Yet another Black Redstart (1st.yr.male?) at the entrance to Roath Lock on the quay-side by the swing-bridge. In Penarth Marina, 4 or 5 Black Redstart (2or 3 males and 2 definite female/imm. types seen together in Plas Pamir). Yesterday, 2 Blackcaps (m+f)  here in the trees seen from Llwyn Passat car-park ( with Jeff Lack).

3 Black Redstarts still present this am (2m,1f). Stonechat on the north end of the barrage and a Water Rail calling at Prospect Place.

An incredible 4 Black Redstarts seen together in Plas St.Andresse this lunchtime (2 ad m. and 2 1st.w.m.).With Gavin Moore.

2 Black Redstarts (ad,m.and 1st.sum.m) seen together on the roof tops of Plas Pamir ( by the obelisk). Another BR (1st.sum.male?) seen on the east side of Roath Lock entrance among the piles of rocks and boulders about 60m south of the Seafarers Center along the new pathway.

1 1st. yr. male Black Redstart, different from the others, on the rocks, railings and roof tops around Lock Cottage; no sign of any others. On the orange buoys, 12 Common Gulls. In Hamadryad ‘pond’, 2 Water Rails showed well for 4-5 minutes by the drain outlet. In CBWR, another WRail showed briefly, also  Kingfisher and Bullfinch. Otherwise, the reserve was almost bereft of water birds. In Prospect Place, 66 Tufted Duck.

2 Black Redstarts (1 ad.m. and 1 1st.yr./ad.m  [?] with much fainter white wing bars) on the roof tops around Plas Pamir 12.05-12.40pm.

At least 1 ad.male Black Redstart with pronounced white wing-bars showed quite well, but still elusive and mobile, on the roof tops from Lock Cottage along Plas Taliesin as far as Plas St. Andresse from both the front and rear sides of the road. 5 Common Gulls.

The fem. Black Redstart of Monday has been replaced  on Tuesday by an ad. male, as  happened exactly last year. It  showed well yesterday mainly from Llwyn Passat but today was much more elusive, showing briefly  on the roof tops in Plas St. Andresse and from around both the north and south sides of  Plas Taliesin at about 12.45-1.10pm.