28 Club members gathered at Llanwonno on the evening of 1st June, in the hope of seeing and hearing Nightjars. It proved a difficult night however. A stiff north-easterly breeze seemed to have kept the birds down. We did hear some churring and many of the group had brief views. We did get good views of Tree Pipit, Kestrel, Buzzard and Swift however. Summary by Alan Rosney who led the trip.
Author: John Wilson
Birder and traveller
Castell Nos 21st May 2023
21 GBC members enjoyed a visit to the Castell Nos upland area near Maerdy this morning. Ceri Jones led us round this new location for a field trip and Mike Shewring of the Lost Peatlands project gave us an overview of this important project which GBC have donated money to from our ‘green offset’ collections made on field trips. Being upland the number of species is not huge, but we logged 36. Highlights were 2 Cuckoos seen from the parking laybay, and 1 or poss 2 later on. Several Whinchats were seen and 2 Stonechats. Tree Pipits and Willow Warblers were singing and 2 Crossbills came down to a puddle to drink. We eventually overlooked the Tarren Y Bwllfa cwm cliff at the top end of Parc Cwm Dare and managed to ‘scope up a Peregrine sitting on a ledge. List on the trip lists page.
Cwm Claisfer – 11 May 2023
10 Club members enjoyed a trip to Cwm Claisfer near Llangynidr, and an afternoon visit to Llangorse Lake. The walk back up the long drag from the lower part of Cwm Claisfer was marred by persistent rain but we soon dried off. The Cwm is not as good as it used to be but we had nice views of a male Common Redstart and brief views of a female. Tree Pipits were active in the open areas but sadly no Pied Flys or Wood Warblers were seen. A couple of lucky folk saw 2 Cuckoos on the open moor and whilst having our snacks up by the moor, an unexpected visitor was a Little Ringed Plover that dropped in to feed on the grass in front of us, plus a male Wheatear. At Llangorse the resident Barnacle Geese were very vocal. A Common Sandpiper was seen and a Reed Warbler collecting nest material gave good photo opportunities [see sightings post 15th May]. A cuppa and a cake at the cafe were most welcome! 48 species were seen – full list on the trip lists page.
Goldcliff – 25th Apr 2023
The weather was good for our trip to Goldcliff today. It was quiet birdwise but there were some highlights. The long-staying Spotted Redshank showed well, now in breeding plumage. Just one Little Ringed Plover was seen. The Avocets were great to watch and the evocative sound of displaying Lapwings was a treat. Some of the group also saw a Great White Egret.
On the foreshore were Wheatear, Whimbrel, Curlew and Oystercatcher. Passerines weren’t great in number but Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Blackcap were all added to the trip list. Thanks to John Wilson for leading today and for all the club members that came along. Alan Rosney
KNNR monthly walk 15th Apr 2023
Pleasant stroll around Kenfig National Nature Reserve this morning on our monthly public walk. There were plenty of Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps there, plus a single Whitethroat. Sand Martins were plentiful over the pool with a scattering of Swallows and House Martins amongst them. A pair of Sparrowhawks put on a great display. The trip total was 49 species.
Forest of Dean – 5th Mar 2023
Successful [mostly] but chilly trip to the Forest of Dean today with another big group [22 participants]. It was too cold & still, apparently, for raptor soaring so just a few Buzzards seen from the viewpoint despite patient waiting and scanning. Highlights were Crossbills at the viewpoint, Hawfinch up in tall trees by the sportsfield in Parkend, Marsh Tit, Goosander [9 redheads] and Mandarins at Cannop ponds. 45 species in all. Full list on trip lists page.
Ogmore Estuary 26th Feb 2023
An amazing 25 GBC members enjoyed a trip to Ogmore, Sun 26 Feb, on a sunny but cold day. Despite ‘dipping’ on Purple Sandpipers along the foreshore rocks [which were fully occupied by anglers] we totted up 43 species, during an outing which included a walk up the estuary as far as just short of the water treatment works bridge. Highlights included a group of 9 Brent Geese offshore of the rivermouth, 3 Goldeneye, 4 Goosander, Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall, a Common Sandpiper and others to make up a total of 42 species – full list on the trip lists page.
Chew Valley Lake – 5th Feb 2023
It was a lovely day today for our trip to Somerset to visit Chew Reservoir. Six members scanned the vast expanse of water from Herriot’s Bridge and Heron’s Green Bay. Nearly all common wildfowl were seen and sharp-eyed Alan Rosney picked out the much wanted ‘redhead’ Smew at Heron’s Green Bay – this tiny ‘sawbill’ was pretty distant, with a group of Coot and a Black-headed Gull, but scope views were OK. We dipped on the reported Scaup. It was good to see many Goldeneye, the males often displaying. Several Great White Egrets were seen including one dwarfing a Little Egret. Blagdon Reservoir was also visited for a reported Ring-necked Duck but we didn’t find that although there was plenty to see. Finally we dropped in at Barrow Gurney ‘tanks’ by the A38 and eventually found the reported male Long-tailed Duck [well spotted David Rich!]. A good day out with by my reckoning, 56 species. Full list on the trip lists page. John Wilson
Parc Cwm Dare
Despite the rather wet start to the day, 10 participants attended the field trip to Parc Cwm Dare. We were rained on for about 45 minutes but we were soon observing breeding activity with juvs of Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Bullfinch being fed by adult birds. Other highlights were 2 immature Peregrines chasing each other around the face of the Tarren Y Bwllfa cliff, several Green Woodpeckers including some juvs, and lots of Siskins. Two adults and an immature Little Grebe were on the lower lake and a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over. House Martins and Swallows were around the lower parts of the park. The absence of any Swifts over the distant houses was worrying and we’ve never previously failed to see any there. Fine ‘scope views were had from the top viewpoint of one imm Peregrine sitting up on the cliff [well done Alan for carrying your ‘scope all the way]. Thanks to all who came despite the weather. Sorry no photos – weather wasn’t conducive for taking the camera! John Wilson
Click here for the full list.
Lavernock WT Reserve 28th Jun
On a quick walk round, down to the old searchlight building and back, I was lucky enough to initially flush a Cuckoo in the second field, which did a circuit and disappeared.Fortunately it was still present on my return leg and after foraging in the dense ground cover, sitting briefy in the open on the dirt path, flew around and settled in a tree. There were many Ringlets on the wing and one settled nicely for an underwing shot.
Ham Wall RSPB, Somerset Levels
A small group [just 7 of us] had a successful trip to Ham Wall RSPB in the Somerset Levels yesterday [25th]. The heat wasn’t too bad as there was some shade, plus the afternoon cloud and stiff breeze helped. 51 species were logged with highlights being 4 or poss 5 fly-by Bitterns, a Hobby, a Cuckoo, many Marsh Harriers and Great White Egrets [outnumbering Littles]. Also a Bearded Tit was seen by Alan Rosney and a few others were heard. There were very many dragon & damselflies, the best of which were Red-eyed Damselflies alighting on the floating vegetation [as is their habit] and a Lesser Emperor dragonfly flying back & forth in front of the Avalon hide. Thanks to all who came along. Click here for the full list. Images below L>R: female Marsh Harrier, Whitethroat, Great White Egret, Red-eyed Damselfly, 4-Spotted Chaser, Common Blue Damselfly.
Cosmeston
Not overly birdy at Cossie at the moment, so amongst the birdy pix there are some invertebrates. The GC Grebe ‘humbug’ is now as big as the adults. Two adult Herons were in a tree near the main bridge. Managed to grab a shot of the Jay which was very busy in the grove of trees behind W lake. The day-flying moth is Pyrausta purpuralis,always nice to see. The pair of Damselflies ‘in cop’ were by the dragonfly pond [either Common or Azure – not sure you can tell from the image]. The hoverfly is Leucozona laternaria [confirmed on the Hoverflys FB page] – a new sp for me. Finally the Comma was one of two seen near the Medieval Village.
May 2023
Highlights: A Night Heron was found at Cosmeston (15th). Sightings from around Kenfig NNR included Purple Heron (Kenfig Pool, 27th), Wood Sandpiper (Sker Pool and Kenfig Pool, 26th and 27th respectively), two Greenshanks, Little Tern, Arctic Skua and Brent Goose. A Purple Heron was still at Cwmbach Wetlands (2nd), having been first seen in late April. A drake Garganey visited the Watermill flood, Ogmore Estuary (7th). Ospreys were seen over Bridgend on two occasions. A group of four Hobbies was observed at Newton Moor, Cowbridge, with a single noted at Ogmore Estuary. Four Purple Sandpipers were at Ogmore-by-Sea. The first Spotted Flycatchers arrived at Pennsylvania Wood and Gwaelod-y-garth (3rd).
Summary by Paul Roberts
RSPB Dinas
On a sunny day 12 members enjoyed a walk around the beautiful Dinas RSPB reserve, north of Llandovery. We logged 38 species including all the ‘targets’ of Pied & Spotted Flycatchers, Common Redstart, and Wood Warbler, with Garden Warbler, Marsh Tit and other common woodland species thrown in for good measure. Adult Wheatears were feeding juvs by the access road to Llyn Brianne reservoir. By the afternoon it was getting pretty warm and folk were wilting, and the leader succumbed to an ice cream cone and then an ice lolly after watching the Wheatears! A few record shots by yours truly below. Thanks to all for coming. John Wilson. Click here for the full list.
Cosmeston latest
Today was pretty quiet but I noted a Green Woodpecker near the dragonfly pond and a Great Spotted Woodpecker calling by the Mile Road next to W. paddock but not seen. A Chiffchaff was feeding in a tree there and a WIllow Warbler has been singing from a tall bare tree near the snipe enclosure for several days. One Great Crested Grebe pair has a single well grown ‘humbug’ [usually on E lake] and this morning I saw that the other pair have at least 2 small chicks, still being carried on the adult’s back [1 visible in the pic below]. There’s a Moorhen with 3-4 young on the dragonfly pond. Yesterday a Stock Dove was in W paddock then flew obver to feed just beyond the dragonfly pond. Was pleased to see and whole lot of Honey Bees nectaring on the mass of Alexanders near the dipping pond this morning [there’s been a noticeable absence of bees & hoverflies up til now]. Whilst there I saw a Reed Warbler singing in the ‘open’ amongst the Alexanders and took a couple of shots for the record [see the pix to see the difficulty through swaying vegetation]!
GBC Small Grants Scheme
This is a reminder that the Club has a Small Grants Scheme for grants of up to £250 for specific projects as detailed on the website – see this link. This reminder is to alert members that the deadline for applications for the next tranche is 30th June 2023. All details are on the website via the link above.
Two upcoming field trips next week
The first is the annual evening visit to Llanwonno to hear and hopefully see Nightjars. This is on Thurs 1st June. I can’t lead this one so Alan Rosney is kindly stepping in. As per usual, meet at 8:30 p.m. in the large dirt car park below the Brynffynon Hotel at ST031956. Bring a torch and insect repellent. Depending on where the birds are it may involve a walk of up to 1/2 mile along the narrow road. No particular need to let us know in advance.
Then on Sunday 4th we have a trip to the RSPB Dinas reserve, north of Llandovery, hoping for Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, Redstart, Wood Warbler and many other woodland species. It’s quite a drive [75 miles from me] and takes about 2 hrs depending on where you come from. I suggest trying to get there by about 09:30. The reserve car park is at SN787470 about 1/2 mile south of Llyn Brianne reservoir, and is reached via a long winding narrow road running north from Llandovery via Rhandirmwyn. It would be useful to know who is coming on this one. I can offer a lift from St Margaret’s Road, Whitchurch for pick up at 07:30. Also anyone else willing to car share shd be there a bit before that. All plse let me know whether you are going straighgt there or not.
Cardiff Bay 20th May
The feeder dock in Cardiff Bay just before Porth Teigr is now busy with Sand Martins claiming holes in the dock wall. The photos were taken on Sat 20th, when there was also a House Sparrow pretending to be a new species – Brown Wallcreeper! There were also a good number of House Martins inspecting nest sites at Penarth Marina, although it was disappointing to see that the residents in an apartment that faces the lock control room, had obviously hacked off several HM nests from last year from their roof facias. Sadly no Swifts were seen at all.
Castell Nos
21 GBC members enjoyed a visit to the Castell Nos upland area near Maerdy this morning. Ceri Jones led us round this new location for a field trip and Mike Shewring of the Lost Peatlands project gave us an overview of this important project. Being upland the number of species is not huge, but we logged 36. Highlights were 2 Cuckoos seen from the parking laybay, and 1 or poss 2 later on. Several Whinchats were seen and 2 Stonechats. Tree Pipits and Willow Warblers were singing and 2 Crossbills came down to a puddle to drink. We eventually overlooked the Tarren Y Bwllfa cwm cliff at the top end of Parc Cwm Dare and managed to ‘scope up a Peregrine sitting on a ledge. A selection of my photos below. The bird ones pretty poor as they were always quite distant, plus a couple of interesting invertebrates. The images are individually captioned. Here’s the list [updated 22 May]. John Wilson
Cosmeston
An adult Night Heron currently roosting at Cosmeston, found at 4:50 by Graham Smith. Mostly well concealed in trees on the west lake ‘island’, but did preen for a while at around 7 p.m. and showed its head and long white plume, and yellow feet. V difficult to find unless someone is there with their ‘scope on it.
Glamorgan Bird Club 
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