An adult and a juvenile Green Woodpecker at Cosmeston this morning. The bird on the right is a juvenile [no black moustache and a streaky face]. The other is a female [solid black moustache – a male would have a red streak down the middle of the ‘tache]. This was near the dipping pond, where I’ve seen an ad a couple of times recently, so I reckon they nested in the copse nearby.
For anyone who visits Llanishen & Lisvane Reservoirs, the list below should be of interest. It has been complied by 3 regular birders there – Nick McNeil-Watson, Phil Bristow and Simon Lawrence. It’s a complete list of all species seen at the reservoirs in 2024, and illustrates its importance as an oasis for birdlife in the city. Well done guys!
The embedded pdf below is scrollable – the list is 2 pages.
Monday at Cosmeston. A Green Woodpecker was foraging as they do, on the ground near the dragonfly pond. It flew up into a tree and I managed to creep out of view to behind a bush and got some nice shots. They’re easily spooked.!
Following Martin’s post about his sighting of a circling White Stork whilst most of us were in the Avalon hide, here’s a quick overall resumé.
14 members enjoyed a successful trip to the Somerset Levels and Ham Wall RSPB reserve yesterday. We saw [or in some cases heard] 60 species including the key birds of Bittern, Hobby, Marsh Harrier, Great White and Little Egrets and in the case of two lucky observers, a circling White Stork! The numbers of dragonflies and damselflies present was impressive. Birds are usually quite distant hence only a couple of poor photos, but below are some nice odonata shots. Here’s the full bird list:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yW0IRUBj-Lq-mKsdS_TjUxbzrchn_eVl/view?usp=drive_link
Kenfig NNR: A Golden Oriole was at the Pool, but soon lost to view in dense cover and not relocated (25th). Waders included Wood Sandpiper (1st), two Ruff and two Greenshank. A Cattle Egret and at least two Great White Egrets were present. A Hen Harrier was seen arriving in off the sea (14th). A Storm Petrel, three Great Northern Divers and an Arctic Skua were observed off Sker.
Other sites: An Alpine Swift moved quickly through over Splott, Cardiff (25th). Four Dotterels, which were found at Cefn Cadlan on April 30th, remained until the second week, with one lingering until the 18th. Seawatching efforts at Lavernock produced Pomarine Skua (3rd), Sabine’s Gull (25th) and two Storm Petrels, while Porthcawl turned up Great Skua, Arctic Skua and two Storm Petrels. Hobbies were seen over Bridgend and Heol-y-Cyw. A Hawfinch was noted in Penarth.
Summary by Paul Roberts
A belated brief report of our club field trip to the Castell Nos upland area north of Maerdy. This was led by club member Ceri Jones, who is familiar with the area, and co-led by Alan Rosney. {Edit} There were a pleasing 23 participants. Highlights were 4 Cuckoos, Whinchat, Redpoll, Crossbill, Tree Pipit and Peregrine, out of 39 species seen. The list below was compiled by participant John Western – thanks John. I was away and unable to go …. sadly {John W}
Species list: Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Woodpigeon, Cuckoo, Buzzard, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Carrion Crow, Raven, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Sand Martin, Swallow, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Wren, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, Whinchat, Stonechat, Wheatear, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Linnet, Redpoll, Crosshill, Goldfinch, Siskin.
Non avian wildlife seen was as follows:
Butterflies:- Peacock, Small Pearl – Bordered Fritillary, Small Heath, Green – veined White, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Painted Lady.
Moths:- Meadow Grass -moth, Oak Eggar ( larva), Plain Pollen -moth, Brimstone moth , Silver Ground Carpet, Common Heath.
More misc wildlife – including a couple of birds! The Long-tailed Tit looks a bit tatty, no doubt after raising a sizeable brood. The Coot juvs were in the W lake bay, one sitting nicely surrounded by Water Bistort. The hoverfly is “The Footballer” [Helophilus pendulus], and the Four-spotted Chaser dragonfly was at the dipping pond.
Quiet bird-wise but Brimstone was nice plus my first spike of Common Spotted Orchid in E paddock. The Buzzard was over the dipping pond area and the Broad-bodied Chaser male was by the ditch at the back of the cafe.
The 2025 AGM took place last night [Tues 22nd] and was attended by 34 members – thanks for coming along to support us!. The formal business was completed without a hitch. This included the re-election of Strinda Davies, Jean Haslam and John Wilson as per the Agenda resolutions, and the election of Jenna Clark. After the official business,. John Wilson presented young GBC member Tate Lloyd, with the inaugural Robert Bradshaw award. Congratulations and well done Tate! After some refreshments including Mrs Wilson’s exceedingly good cakes, the raffle was drawn, and then all took part in a typical Alan Rosney devilish quiz.
This morning there were 3 Common Sandpipers along the R. Ely embankment by Penarth Marina, plus 15 Turnstones. A Raven was sitting around on equipment in the environment building yard at the N end of the barrage and 2 Common Whitethroats were singing in the scrub by the path past the Swift tower. The feeder dock had about 40 Sand Martins investigating the nest holes.
Highlights: A first-winter Bonaparte’s Gull was a popular attraction at Ogmore Estuary (10th-25th), this being the third site record for the species. The long-staying American Wigeon finally departed Kenfig Pool, while the female Ring-necked Duck remained throughout at Lisvane Reservoir. An Avocet turned up at Kenfig Pool (18th). A Black-necked Grebe called in at Llanishen Reservoir (31st). A Velvet Scoter was again noted off Cardiff Foreshore.
Other Sites: A Ruddy Shelduck was briefly at Kenfig (25th). Egyptian Geese comprised two at Roath Park Lake and one at Parc Tredelerch. A Common Scoter called in at Llanishen Reservoir. A Bittern was seen at Kenfig Pool. Osprey passage was evidenced at Kenfig (four individuals), Cardiff Bay (two) and Fochriw. A Hen Harrier was at Cwm Cadlan. A Common Crane of unknown origin overflew Penarth, heading high west (26th). At least five Little Ringed Plovers passed through Ogmore Estuary, where 450 Golden Plovers (flying over) and a Green Sandpiper were also logged. Further Green Sandpipers were recorded at Dunraven, Llwyn-onn Reservoir and Rumney Great Wharf. Black Redstarts occurred at Penarth, Southerndown, Aberthaw and Cwm Nash. A Firecrest was seen at Lavernock. A remarkable gathering of up to 24 Hawfinches was frequenting the grounds of St Cadoc’s Church, Cadoxton.
Summary by Paul Roberts
The 2025 GBC AGM is being held on Tues 22nd April at 7:30 p.m., at Pencoed Rugby Club, 31 Felindre Road, Pencoed, CF35 5PB. Do come along and support your club. Here’s a link to a page on this website with all the info you need.
After the official business there will be refreshments [Mrs. Wilson’s exceedingly good cakes!], and a devilsh quiz devised by Alan Rosney.
At Cosmeston recently I saw a Water Rail in Sully Brook, opposite the Medieval Village. I was ready on the second occasion and managed to grab a couple of shots. The Swan touching down by the main bridge was impressive.
A couple of adult Great Black-backed Gulls were in the outer harbour of the barrage recently.
We had a successful trip to the Forest of Dean on Sat 8th, with 20 participants. Unlike the last two years we succeeded with seeing Goshawk from New Fancy View – just the 1 bird but it was worth it. We also had a Red Kite there. We also scored with a few Hawfinch in Parkend, and a couple of Marsh Tits at Cannop Ponds. The inevitable Mandarins featured there too, plus some smart Siskins and a pair of Goosander. No pix of the Gos or Hawfinch from me, but a few of other species seen. are shown below. John Wilson.
We noted 45 species – click here for the list. In addition we had Long-tailed Tit, Jay, Cormorant and Teal.
There’s a field trip as per our programme, on Sat next weekend 8th March, to the Forest of Dean. This is our annual trip to try for Goshawk. Last year was disappointing but birders are generally optimistic folk – fingers crossed for this one. The back-up cast isn’t too bad with Hawfinch, Crossbill, Marsh Tit, Goosander, Mandarin and “whisper it”,
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker being found in the area.
Meet at the New Fancy View viewpoint car park, north of Parkend at 9 a.m.
It’s about an hour’s drive from our normal N. Cardiff meeting point in St Margaret’s Road, Whitchurch. It’d be good if some folk could car share as parking is a little limited in some of the locations. For car sharing, meet at St Margaret’s Rd for departure at 8. If there are requests I’ll be there. I can take 3. If others wish to then please be there too, or arrange between yourselves.
Please let me know by by email with [a] confirmation if you’re coming and [b] your intentions re travel. Bring a packed. lunch. John Wilson johndw1948 at gmail dot com
Also – don’t forget the Zoom talk this eve [Tues] at 7:30 on Saving the Stone-curlew by Keith Betton of Hants Ornithological Soc – please email John Wilson for the invite link [johndw1948 at gmail dot com]
Highlights: First-winter drake American Wigeon at Kenfig, female Ring-necked Duck at Lisvane Reservoir, Velvet Scoter off Cardiff Foreshore and two Scaup at Cardiff Bay were all present throughout. Three individual Caspian Gulls and up to 20 or so Yellow-legged Gulls were noted in the vicinity of Cardiff Bay. Several Siberian Chiffchaffs remained at Burrows Well, Merthyr Mawr Warren. A Black-throated Diver was present at Llanishen Reservoir into the start of the month. Marsh Harriers were seen at Rumney Great Wharf and Kenfig. Ogmore Estuary held Water Pipit, three Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Merlin and Common Sandpiper. Two Short-eared Owls were observed at Old Castle Down. The first Sand Martin turned up at Flemingston Moor (24th). Black Redstarts were at Cardiff City Hall, below Penarth Head, and Southerndown. Two Firecrests were located at Boverton Brook. A Hawfinch was noted at Cosmeston.
Summary by Paul Roberts
Yesterday morning [Sat 15th Feb] was the monthly walk at Kenfig NNR. There were just 9 participants and it did start a little damp, but 39 species were seen, highlights being the long-staying American Wigeon and a Great White Egret. Here’s the full list: click here
A rather chilly walk this morning, arranged with the Restore the Thaw project folk with myself, Alan Rosney and Barrie Gardiner from GBC acting as leaders. We explored around The Leys at Gileston then walked to E. Aberthaw and back. That path in front of the Power Station seems endless!! The chill wind meant small birds were keeping hidden but we saw 35 species with highlights being a pair of Peregrines chasing feral pigeons, a sizeable flock of Wigeon at the R. Thaw mouth, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, Oystercatchers, Stonechats at The Leys, Goldfinches & Linnets. A couple of lucky folk saw a Black Redstart – kindly shown to them by GBC members Martin Bell and Ai-Lin Kee who happened to be there independently.
The full list is here.
Nothing too exciting. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was on E lake, Cosmeston this morning – actually more like midday. The 1st YLG I’ve seen there in ages. Mid lake so pix are huge crops. In the two ‘groups” it’s the nearest bird. Note mid, warm gery of upper parts in comparison to the dark slate gry of Lesser Black-backs present and the silvery grey on the couple of Herring Gulls present.
A few from the last few days or so. A. trip over to The Knap lake Barry recently, just for a stroll, produced a familiar Tufted x Pochard hybrid. At Cosmeston the Little Grebes are now in breeding plumage and have started whinnying [and the Great Cresteds have been displaying too]. Only my second Common Gull of this winter was on E lake the other day, on a calm day when the water produced a nice pattern around the bird. This morning on a walk through Cogan Wood I spotted a load of Redwing in an adjacent field, guessing about 100 in all – the most I’ve seen this winter. Birds were coming down for seed as usual, including a Marsh Tit.
Glamorgan Bird Club 
You must be logged in to post a comment.