Ham Wall RSPB & Shapwick Heath 11th Jun 2022

On June 13, 2022 By John WilsonIn Trip reportsLeave a comment

Thirteen Club members headed down to this famous reserve in the Somerset Levels, on a nice sunny but sometimes a little blustery day. At the top of the list of target birds were Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Great White Egret, and Hobby. We weren’t disappointed. A good number of Bitterns were seen – all fly-bys and difficult to get a good photo of. Marsh Harriers and Great White Egrets were everywhere, the former never coming very close but great to watch as they quartered the vast expanses of reed, the smart adult males being particularly attractive. In the afternoon at the Shapwick Heath reserve we had nice views of two immature Marsh Harriers sitting atop a bush in the reeds. Inital sightings of Hobby were very distant from the first Ham Wall view point. Alan Rosney initially picked up a couple hunting quite high in the far distance, picked up in his ‘scope whilst scanning. In the afternoon at the Meare Heath hide in the Shapwick section we were eventually rewarded with a few excellent fly-bys low over the reeds in front of us. Warblers were represented by Reed, Garden [heard briefly], Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Cetti’s. The main wildfowl were Gadwall, all in eclipse plumage, but we did spot a single drake Pochard in flight, and several pairs of Great Crested Grebe had young ‘humbugs’. A Cuckoo was seen in flight and indeed heard. Insects provided additional interest with Red-eyed Damselflies in the Shapwick section, and an incredible number of dragonflies settling on reed stems in front of the Meare Heath hide – 20 or more 4-Spotted Chasers and Black-tailed Skimmers in one small area. A Wasp Beetle resting on the window of my vehicle in the car park, was very impressive. All in all a good day. John Wilson

Ham Wall RSPB & Shapwick Heath – 11th Jun

On June 13, 2022 By John WilsonIn SightingsLeave a comment

13 members had a successful trip to the Somerset Levels on Saturday 11th. In total we logged 53 species, and with patient observation, had good views of the main ‘target’ species of Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Great White Egret and Hobby. Several Bitterns gave rather good fly-by views although grabbing a decent image wasn’t easy as most were siilhouetted against the sky. The first Hobbys were very distant, but later from the Meare Heath hide at Shapwick Heath we had a couple of excellent fly-bys. Picturee below – Bittern, Great Crested Grebe & ‘humbug’, Great White Egret, imm Grey Heron and a rather tatty Buzzard.

May 2022

On June 5, 2022 By John WilsonIn Monthly summariesLeave a comment

Highlights: Black Terns comprised at least eight flying down river towards Cardiff Bay (4^th) and five down channel at Lavernock (four on 14^th, one on 15^th). Both Bittern and Red-crested Pochard were noted at Kenfig Pool. An Arctic Skua and 20 Dark-bellied Brent Geese were off Nash Point. At Sker 50 Arctic Terns and a Great Northern Diver were observed. Ospreys were seen over Bridgend on two dates.
Summary by Paul Roberts

Llanwonno Weds 1st June

On June 4, 2022 By John WilsonIn Trip reportsLeave a comment

GBC evening trip to Llanwonno – Weds 1st Jun 2022

Seventeen souls braved the midges and met up in the car park of the Brynffynon Hotel, for our annual foray to hear and hopefully see, Nightjars. We were pleased to welcome along Vikki Howells, MS for the Cynon Valley, who is the Senedd ‘Nightjar Champion’. We headed up the road to the west of the hotel and then took a track up the hill to the south of the road, eventually meeting a forestry track which we gradually walked along. It was pretty quiet compared to some previous years when Song Thrushes had continued singing until well after dusk. We had views of a few Tree Pipits sitting atop small saplings, and a few Willow Warblers were singing out of view. One of the Tree Pipits [the one in the photo] was pestered by a Jay. As the light began to fade it was just a case of patient waiting, watching and listening. At last some churring was detected so at least we knew there were bird[s] present. A movement was detected on the slope below us and eventually a few folk had a brief view of a male, flying into view and then disappearing behind a plantation, flashing its white wing and tail patches. Up to three birds were heard churring, then a sudden fly-by through the trees up the slope caused some excitement until I declared it a fly-by Cuckoo, albeit a brief one. Gareth Jenkins then spotted a Nightjar sitting atop a tall conifer some distance away. I hurriedly started to set up my ‘scope, which turned out to be the kiss of death and the bird flew off out of view. Others of the group then had a view of another bird flying between the trees up-slope from us. Some folk also hard a calling Tawny Owl. As always, it’s a bit hit & miss with Nightjars but at least we heard and saw some. Overall we thought there were 4-5 birds present in that area. John Wilson
Vikki Howells is to my right in the photo below.

Upcoming trips

On May 25, 2022 By John WilsonIn NewsLeave a comment

Next Weds, 1st June is our annual evening jaunt up to Llanwonno to try & see Nightjars. We meet in the dirt car park below the Brynfynnon Arms Hotel {ST033956 – CF37 3PH] at 8:30 p.m.

Bring a torch and insect repellent. Please let me know by emali if you are coming.

Sunday week – 5th June – we travel to Somerset to Ham Wall RSPB reserve for reedbed birds including Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Great White Egret, possibly Hobby, and more. It’s around 1 1/2 hrs so meet in the RSPB car park at 09:30. If you wish to car share I need to know in advance and if required the pick up will be at the usual St Margaret’s Rd, Whitchurch, Cardiff for departure at 8 a.m. Again I need to know by email if you are coming and also whether you would like or are willing to car share.

Location details: RSPB Ham Wall, Meare, Ashcott, Glastonbury BA6 9S; Grid ref ST449397; What3Words biggest.sharpened.clots

johndw1948 at gmail dot com

RSPB Dinas 22 May 2022

On May 25, 2022 By John WilsonIn Trip reportsLeave a comment

We had a GBC trip to RSPB Dinas yesterday with a group of 13 members, to whom thanks for coming. I left Penarth in nice sunshine and arrived at Dinas to be greeted by low grey cloud, drizzle and a temp of 12 deg C! Hence birds v quiet until about 2 p.m. and light in the woods was very low. Some seed was put down on the feeding log and table by the car park but we only attracted a Nuthatch and some House Sparrows. Walking through the initial damp woodland on the boardwalk produced very few birds, although there were glimpses of Pied Fly and Redstart by some and Willow Warblers and Backcaps were singing well. At the end of the boardwalk we headed left round the south edge of the wooded hill that comprises the main part of the reserve. The Bluebells were very attractive. We had a good view of a Tree Pipit perched up and more view of Pied Fly and Redstart but none really ‘crippling’. At one point a Cuckoo was heard calling and some of the party managed to find it on an adjacent hillside. We had our picnic lunches about half way round and continued until we reached the section with the steep rocky path that follows the river. I for one didn’t fancy tackling that section, so we backtracked and then dropped down to the riverside, where two Dippers were feeding, and a pair of Grey Wagtails were taking food to a juvenile sheltering under the riverbank from the the stiff cold breeze. Walking back along the boardwalk we then got some good views of Pied Flycatchers and two Spotted Flycatchers, and plenty of common species. The temperature had increased a little by this time. At the feeding log there was a constant stream of Siskin, mostly males, a juv Nuthatch and eventually a female Yellowhammer. Some folk left at this time and the few left drove up to the road above Llynn Brianne and we added 2 Wheatear, 3 Stonechat, Skylarks, Meadow Pipit and a very brief Whinchat. We eventually logged 46 species. No prize winners in the photos – v poor conditions for photography! All target species were logged in the reserve although Wood Warblers were only heard. See the full list here.

GBC field trip to RSPB Dinas

On May 23, 2022 By John WilsonIn SightingsLeave a comment

Tiring GBC trip to RSPB Dinas yesterday leading a group of 13 members, to whom thanks for coming. Left Penarth in nice sunshine and arrived at Dinas to be greeted with low grey cloud, drizzle and a temp of 12 deg C! Birds v quiet until about 2 p.m. and light in the woods v low. We eventually logged 46 species. No prize winners in the photos – v poor conditions for photography! All target species logged in the reserve although Wood Warblers were only heard. A few of us went up the road past Llynn Brianne reservoir and added a few more species – see the list here: https://drive.google.com/…/1EKUj75q…/view…

Cosmeston a.m.

On May 18, 2022 By John WilsonIn SightingsLeave a comment

2 G-c Grebe families on W lake – 1 fem had 2 v small ‘humbugs’ on her back and the other had three slightly larger ones, 2 carried and one on the water. 2-3 Reed Warblers are singing by the main boardwalk, plus a Reed Bunting, and 2-3 more Reed Warblers are in the reeds by the dipping pond. Whilst trying to see one, a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew by, into the trees bordering the car park.

Two events next weekend

On May 15, 2022 By John WilsonIn SightingsLeave a comment

Next Sat, 21st May there will be the regular walk at Kenfig NNR but this one will be dedicated to birdsong and call ID, esp for beginners. As usual, all welcome, meet at KNNR building at 9 a.m.

Then on the Sunday, 22nd May we have a field trip to the RSPB Dinas woodland reserve, north of Llandovery. Some folk, including me as it happens, have been already, so we know the target birds are there [Redstart, Pied Flycatcher and Wood Warbler]. It’s just under a 2 hour drive from me via the A470 and A40 to Llandovery then north on minor lanes via Rhandirmwyn. Post code given is SA20 0PG, GR SN788471, What3Words suave.height.splash

I suggest meeting in the car park there at around 10 a.m. – it’s on the left just past a small church and graveyard.

So, if you intend coming please let me know by email [replying to this will be OK]. If you wish to car share please also let me know at the same time. The meet point for that will be the usual spot at the bottom end of St Margarets’ Rd in Whitchurch [see the Events>Field Trips page on this website]. Be there at just before 8:30. It’s about 1hr 30 mins from there.

Welcome back the Swifts

On May 4, 2022May 4, 2022 By John WilsonIn NewsLeave a comment

This event is on Sat 14th May – “Welcome back the Swifts”. Not long now until the swifts return from Africa. Glamorgan Bird Club, in association with RSPB Cymru and the Cardiff Harbour Authority will be holding a “Welcome back the swifts” event on Cardiff Bay barrage on Saturday May 14th. Come along to celebrate the return of these iconic birds. There will be plenty on offer, including guided bird walks and children’s activities. The main event will be on the rubber crumb surfaced area near the skate park at the Cardiff end of the barrage. There is limited paid parking in that area so it might be better to park at the Penarth end and walk across. See below re free parking at the Penarth end.

Some useful info regarding this event. Rather than pay the extortionate parking fees at the car park at the Penarth end of the barrage, there is a free car park near the Tesco store. When you drop down to the Tesco roundabout, take the first exit and there’s an entrance to a free car park about 100m on the right [there’s a height restriction but cars are fine]. From there it’s about a 10-15 min walk to the barrage. Walk along the adjacent road, then go right at the first junction then left when you reach the main road to the barrage. This avoids possibly being caught by the Marina lock gate being open for boats and thus closed for pedestrians whilst boats enter or leave. There’s not usually a long wait but you never know.

March 2022 [belated]

On May 1, 2022 By John WilsonIn Monthly summariesLeave a comment

Cardiff Bay: Larids took centre stage, most notably Bonaparte’s Gull, Caspian Gull,
Iceland Gull and two Little Gulls. Three Bearded Tits were briefly at the Wetlands
Reserve, before flying off high (23 rd ). An Osprey flew over (25 th ), with another over
nearby Penarth, before heading up the River Ely (27 th ). A Common Scoter was in the
bay. A Black Redstart was still present at Porth Teigr.
Kenfig: An adult Iceland Gull was a fleeting visitor to Sker (4 th ). Noteworthy wildfowl (all
being drakes), comprised the first Garganey of spring (26 th ), a Red-crested Pochard
and the wintering Ring-necked Duck, which remained until the second week. At least
two Great White Egrets were recorded during the month. A Black-tailed Godwit and a
Continental Cormorant were at the Pool. The first Wheatears arrived at Sker (10 th ).
Other Sites: Two female Ring-necked Ducks were present all month at Lisvane
Reservoir, where an adult Little Gull dropped in (23 rd ). A pair of Garganey and a
Spotted Redshank were at a private site in the Vale of Glamorgan (23 rd ), with another
Spotted Redshank noted at Cardiff Foreshore on the same date. Four Siberian
Chiffchaffs were frequenting the margins of the two lakes in Porthcawl, namely a
couple at each of The Wilderness and Pwll-y-Waun. An Osprey flew over at
Cosmeston, carrying a fish (30 th ). A male Hen Harrier flew high over Bridgend
Industrial Estate, while a ‘ringtail’ was observed at Llanwonno. The Watermill flood at
Ogmore hosted two Little Ringed Plovers, a Water Pipit and the first White Wagtail of
the spring (11 th ). A Continental Cormorant was identified at Ogmore Estuary. A Black
Redstart was still around at Newton, Porthcawl. A Sand Martin at Merthyr Mawr
Warren (11 th ) and a Willow Warbler at Cosmeston (15 th ) were both first reports.
Summary by Paul Roberts

February 2022 [belated]

On May 1, 2022May 1, 2022 By John WilsonIn Monthly summariesLeave a comment

Highlights: A second-winter Bonaparte’s Gull at Cardiff Bay may have been a returning bird from last year. The male Cirl Bunting, discovered in January, was still at Ty’n-y-Caeau Farm, Marcross. Ring-necked Ducks remained at Kenfig (a male) and Lisvane Reservoir (two females). A juvenile Glaucous Gull was briefly at Ogmore Estuary. A first-winter Caspian Gull was noted at Cardiff Bay. Kenfig Pool hosted a Black-necked Grebe. Siberian Chiffchaffs occurred at Merthyr Mawr Warren, Pwll-y-Waun (Porthcawl) and Cardiff Bay.

Other Sites: Two Scaup were on Kenfig Pool, with an Eider and a Great Northern Diver off nearby Sker. Stormy weather saw the arrival of Little Gulls at Kenfig (two), Ogmore rivermouth (two), Aberthaw and Cardiff Bay. Two Yellow-legged Gulls were observed at Ogmore Estuary. A Short-eared Owl was at Heol-y-Cyw. A Water Pipit was at Rumney Great Wharf. Black Redstarts were logged a Cardiff Bay (four), Barry waterfront, Aberthaw, Monknash and Southerndown. Ten Hawfinches called in at Cosmeston, with a single seen at Forest Ganol. Three Choughs were at Southerndown.
Summary by Paul Roberts

April 2022

On May 1, 2022May 1, 2022 By John WilsonIn Monthly summariesLeave a comment

Highlights: A Glossy Ibis was found at Tirfounder, Aberdare (26^th). Both Bonaparte’s Gull (23^rd) and Caspian Gull (5^th) were located at Cardiff Bay. A Hooded Crow at Kenfig (20^th) was typical in our area in both its arrival date and short stay. Two female Ring-necked Ducks lingered at Lisvane Reservoir, with one of them visiting Cosmeston. A Hoopoe was reported from Ogmore-by-Sea. Garganey were noted from Roath Park Lake (two), Parc Tredelerch (two) and Kenfig (four), where a Siberian Chiffchaff was also noted. A presumed ‘Channel Wagtail’ was a brief visitor to Cardiff Bay (28^th).

Other Sites: A group of five Great White Egrets was observed in flight over Kenfig. Ospreys were logged at Cardiff Bay, Nant-moel Reservoir and Llywyn-on Reservoir (at least two here, including a bird ringed at Balgavies, Scotland). An early Hobby was seen over Bridgend (6^th). Greenshanks were at Llanilid, Kenfig and Ogmore Estuary, where a migrant Little Ringed Plover was also seen. A Little Gull was at Cardiff Bay. Three Little Terns and an Arctic Skua passed Sker. A Water Pipit was at Ogmore Estuary early in the month. A Ring Ouzel was at Garth Hill. A Pied Flycatcher arrived at Cosmeston. The first Wood Warbler turned up at Pennsylvania Wood, Aberkenfig (17^th).
Summary by Paul Roberts

Cosmeston

On April 28, 2022 By John WilsonIn SightingsLeave a comment

Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat and Reed Warbler still singing in the same locations at yesterday. Around 10 Swallows were over W lake for a while and a couple of Sand Martins. A Coot with 4 chicks on W lake. The Robin pix below feature a male attempting courtship feeding by offering a berry to a female who wouldn’t take the bait, and the adult Heron was standing on the main E lake boardwalk on a section that has been temporarily closed off while nearby works are taking place. By the same section of boardwalk was the lovely Water Vole.

Cosmeston

On April 27, 2022 By John WilsonIn SightingsLeave a comment

During a circuit this morning, a Lesser Whitethroat still singing in the snipe enclosure, and still refusing to show, c.10 Sand Martins and a couple of Swallows over the lakes, Common Whitethroat still on territory by the dipping pond, 1 poss 2 Reed Warblers singing in the E lake reeds, and a male Reed Bunting singing there. Leps of interest on Tuesday were Orange Tip and a Dingy Skipper [see photo], and a Large Red Damselfly. There were 3 active Coot nests that I could see. Some misc pix below.

Cosmeston

On April 22, 2022 By John WilsonIn SightingsLeave a comment

There were around 10 Sand Martins over W lake this morning with a couple of House Martins, and the Common Whitethroat has set up by the dipping pond, using a small sapling as a song post.

Cosmeston

On April 21, 2022 By John WilsonIn SightingsLeave a comment

Nothing too exciting but 2 new birds for my year, albeit heard only – Lesser Whitethroat singing in brambles on the right about 200m past the dragonfly pond, and a Reed Warbler singing in the reeds by the main boardwalk. The pair of Gadwall were still present on W lake.

Cosmeston

On April 18, 2022 By John WilsonIn SightingsLeave a comment

Little & large from Cosmeston today. Quite like the soaring Buzzard as it’s looking sideways and you can see its face. The Wren was singing by the Mile Road. Also a non-avian pic – there are some nice patches of Cowslips dotted around the park. Obv pretty busy atm with many folk with kids heading for the play park. Plenty of people who cannot apparently read, feeding the swans etc whilst standng next to the many signs around the place alerting to the risk of avian flu and requesting people to NOT feed the wildfowl.

Various

On April 15, 2022 By John WilsonIn SightingsLeave a comment

Recent activity of interest that hasn’t appeared on here. Sand Martins are inspecting the holes in the wall of the old Channel Dry Dock [past N end of the Cardiff Bay barrage], a male Pied Flycatcher turned up at Cosmeston on Tues 12th, then back to the Bay, a Common Tern yesterday [apparently still present this morning] together with a male Wheatear on the outer Barrage rocks and a White Wagtail.

Craig Cerrig Gleisiad

On April 11, 2022April 17, 2022 By John WilsonIn SightingsLeave a comment

A small group of us were on a Glamorgan Bird Club trip to Craig Cerrig Gleisiad [above the A470 N of Storey Arms] this morning, and after some patient scanning of the crags, eventually saw a couple of male Ring Ouzels, which obligingly sang for us. We thought there were perhaps 3 or even 4 birds due to the calls heard, but only 2 were seen. Couple of silly shots below to give some idea of how far away they were [‘scopes essential]. The one shown was right on the top of the ridge as can be seen. Also seen in flight there, 2 Peregrines, a few Red Kite, and in the nearby wood by the youth hostel some common woodland birds but Pied Flys, Redstart etc not yet arrived.
Click here for the complete list [from my own database so apologies if I’ve missed any – John W].