Highlights: A Red-eyed Vireo trapped for ringing at Kenfig (20^th) was most unexpected and constituted the second historical occurrence for both the Kenfig and East Glamorgan recording areas. A Nightingale ringed at the same site (9^th) was highly noteworthy in a local context. A Wilson’s Petrel was watched off Lavernock for twenty minutes (19^th); a remarkable record this far up the Bristol Channel. A White-winged Black Tern at Cardiff Bay (8^th-9^th) was the first in East Glamorgan since 1992. A Red-necked Phalarope was a brief visitor to Ogmore Estuary (16^th). A Pectoral Sandpiper was at Kenfig Pool intermittently over the course of three days (28^th-30^th), but where else it was also frequenting remains unresolved. Two popular Ortolan Buntings were still at brownfield along the Bogey Road, Merthyr Tydfil, early in the month. Several Caspian Gulls were identified at Dowlais Top, continuing the very significant run of sightings there. 

Garganey were noted at Lisvane Reservoir (17^th) and Kenfig Pool (28^th). Cattle Egrets were at at Kenfig (four on the 24^th) and Roath Park Lake (one on the 27^th and two on the 29^th). Grey Phalaropes comprised two at Lisvane Reservoir (one from the 4^th, then joined by a second bird from 10^th-25^th) and Kenfig rivermouth (20^th). A Pomarine Skua moved down channel off Lavernock (17^th).

Other Sites: A Mandarin Duck lingered at Forest Farm. A Red-crested Pochard called in at Kenfig Pool. Two Storm Petrels were observed off Lavernock. A site maximum of 14 Great White Egrets turned up at Kenfig Pool (23^rd), with singles elsewhere at Roath Park Lake, Llwyn-onn Reservoir and over Lisvane Reservoir. Ospreys were observed at Kenfig and Cwm Nash. A Marsh Harrier coasted down channel off Dunraven (24^th), with singles on several occasions at Kenfig. Hen Harriers were at Mynydd Pwll-yr-lwrch (Maesteg) and Laleston. Kenfig hosted a Hobby, while Merlins were registered at Ogmore Estuary and Dunraven. Passage Little Ringed Plovers stopped off at Kenfig and Ogmore Estuary. Two Little Stints were at Ogmore Estuary, with possibly one of the same at Newton (2^nd), plus another at Kenfig Pool (7^th). A Spotted Redshank dropped in at Kenfig Pool (2^nd). A smattering of Greenshanks and Green Sandpipers arrived at the usual locations. A juvenile Little Gull was at Ogmore Estuary. Up to 15 Yellow-legged Gulls were counted at Dowlais Top. An Arctic Tern lingered at Kenfig Pool. A Short-eared Owl was seen over Lamby landfill site (8^th). A late Swift was at Cardiff Bay (8^th). A Pied Flycatcher broke its southward journey at Gwaelod-y-garth. A maximum of six Firecrests was logged around Lavernock, with a total of three documented at Dunraven.

Summary by Paul Roberts

Highlights: Four Ortolan Buntings were found this month, the first being at Lavernock (16th), a site which holds the lion’s share of historical records in our area. Another was heard over Pant Mari Flanders, Ogmore (26th). Finally, one was discovered in brownfield along the Bogey Road, Merthyr Tydfil (27th), remarkably being joined by a second bird the next day, with both staying until the month’s end. At least four Caspian Gulls were identified at Jepson’s Pond, Dowlais Top, with another noted at Cardiff Bay. Both Wryneck and Quail were brief visitors to Lavernock (25th). A juvenile Garganey called in at Llanishen Reservoir (22nd). Kenfig NNR hosted a Sooty Shearwater down channel off Sker (30th), two Spotted Redshanks at the Pool (23rd) and a maximum of six Cattle Egrets (23rd). A Wood Sandpiper was at Llanilid (10th). 

Other Sites: A Mandarin Duck frequented Forest Farm. A flock of 12 Little Egrets flew up channel at Dunraven Bay. Great White Egrets were at Kenfig and Merthyr Tydfil. Several Marsh Harriers were observed in the Kenfig vicinity. Hobbies occurred at Kenfig and Tythegston. A survey of the River Ely revealed a total of between 22 and 26 Green Sandpipers. Single Ruff and Green Sandpiper were seen at Jepson’s Pond. There was a good run of Little Ringed Plover records at Kenfig, where up to 14 Black-tailed Godwits, several Greenshanks and a Green Sandpiper were also logged. Ogmore Estuary also claimed multiples of Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank and Green Sandpiper. A Greenshank was on a pond at the Bogey Road, Merthyr Tydfil. Two Green Sandpipers stopped off at Llanilid. An Arctic Skua visited Kenfig Pool. Up to four Yellow-legged Gulls were at Jepson’s Pond, with another at Porthcawl. Black Terns comprised 29 down channel off Lavernock, two off Sker, one at Lisvane Reservoir and one at Cardiff Bay. 

Summary by Paul Roberts

Highlights: A juvenile Caspian Gull was found at Jepson’s Pond, Dowlais Top (25^th), where up to 18 Yellow-legged Gulls were also present. A Black-necked Grebe was briefly at Llanishen Reservoir (10^th). A total of four Cattle Egrets was recorded at Kenfig. A White Stork of unknown origin was in a field at Pencoed (10^th).

The only Storm Petrel was seen off Lavernock. An immature Shag was at Ogmore-by-Sea. Four Great White Egrets, a Bittern and a Marsh Harrier were frequenting Kenfig. The pick of the waders at Kenfig Pool was a Little Stint (16^th), with multiple Little Ringed Plovers, Black-tailed Godwits and Green Sandpipers also located there. Further Green Sandpipers were at Ogmore Estuary and Castell Nos. A flock of 11 Black Terns flew down channel at Lavernock (31^st). A maximum of 400 Sand Martins was logged at Kenfig. 
Summary by Paul Roberts

Highlights: Seabirds featured, most notably a Great Shearwater down channel off Lavernock (12^th), a Black Guillemot on the sea at Porthcawl (5^th) and a Sabine’s Gull from Gileston (4^th). A female Ring-necked Duck was briefly on Kenfig Pool (3^rd). Calling Quail were at Sker and Ogmore Down. 

Other sites: Five Great Northern Divers passed Porthcawl in under an hour (4^th). Storm Petrels were well represented early in the month with records from Sker, Porthcawl (maximum 17 on the 4^th), Sully (maximum 6 on the 13^th), Lavernock (maximum 10 on the 12^th) and from Cardiff Barrage (maximum 8 on the 12^th). Both Osprey and Hobby were noted at Llanilid, with another Hobby seen at St Athan. A pair of Oystercatchers nested at Ogmore Estuary, but without success. The first returning Green Sandpiper called in at Sker Pool (16^th). Yellow-legged Gulls were at Porthcawl and Ogmore rivermouth. A flock of 13 Sandwich Terns was a good count from Sker. Single Arctic Skua, Sandwich Tern and Arctic Tern were recorded off Porthcawl. A Yellow Wagtail was at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club.
Summary by Paul Roberts

Highlights: Four Bee-eaters were located perching on phone wires just inland of Lavernock on the evening of the 25^th, subsequently roosting overnight and departing at sunrise the next day. A Glossy Ibis was seen in flight over Fairwater, Cardiff (27^th). A Quail remained at Norton Farm, Ogmore at the beginning of the month. A Honey Buzzard was noted in flight over Llanilid (26^th). A Blue-headed Wagtail was at Cardiff Bay (1^st).  

Other sites: An Egyptian Goose appeared at Cardff Bay (11^th). A Red-breasted Merganser was off Sker (6^th). A Great Northern Diver passed Porthcawl (20^th). Single Storm Petrels were observed from Lavernock on two dates. Ospreys were noted over Caerphilly Mountain, Llanharry and Ogmore-by-Sea. Hobbies were seen at Kenfig, Caerau, Nottage and Cosmeston. A Little Gull was at Kenfig Pool, while elsewhere on the reserve a Little Tern was recorded at Sker. Two Black Terns were logged off Lavernock. Waders at Kenfig included Little Ringed Plover, two Ruff and a Greenshank. 

Summary by Paul Roberts