Highlights by Paul Roberts: A Wryneck at Ogmore Estuary, initially found there in August, lingered until the start of the month. A Grey Phalarope flew past Sker (28^th). A Garganey was at Llanilid (10^th). A report was received of both Richard’s Pipit and Woodlark at Ogmore-by-Sea (17^th), but without confirmation. A Storm Petrel was off Lavernock. A Hobby was observed hunting near Ogmore Castle. Sightings from Kenfig included Bittern, Little Ringed Plover and Greenshank. Further Greenshanks were noted at Ogmore Estuary and Rumney Great Wharf, with a Merlin at the latter site, also. Firecrests were seen at Hensol Forest (two) and St Mary’s Well Bay.

Summary by Paul Roberts

Bridgend: An Osprey was seen over Bridgend town (24^th). Storm Petrels were noted off Sker and Porthcawl, with two Artic Skuas and a Great Skua also from the latter site. Little Ringed Plover, Greenshank and up to five Green Sandpipers were logged at Kenfig. A Nightjar was seen over the M4, near Sarn (1^st). A Pied Flycatcher was at Cwm Ffos, Parc Slip (3^rd).

Cardiff: A Little Egret was on the River Taff at Blackweir. A Manx Shearwater (5^th) and a Gannet (11^th) were both displaced to Cardiff Bay. Also present there were several Yellow-legged Gulls and a Pied Flycatcher (at the Wetlands Reserve, 13^th).

Rhondda Cynon Taff: An Ortolan Bunting at Caerlan Farm, near Penhiwfer, was an excellent discovery (26^th), but sadly didn’t appear to linger. Two Wood Sandpipers and three Green Sandpipers were at Llanilid (1^st). Sightings from Rhaslas Pond included Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Redshank, Green Sandpiper and Stock Dove.

Vale of Glamorgan: A Wryneck turned up at Ogmore Estuary (25^th) and was still present at the month end. Both Storm Petrel and Arctic Skua passed Lavernock, with three Arctic Skuas and 1,000 Manx Shearwaters from St Donats on the same day (10^th). A Hen Harrier drifted over Barry (23^rd). A Goshawk was over Llantwit Major (10^th). A noteworthy movement of 62 Tree Pipits was observed at Lavernock (25^th). A flock of 20 Yellow Wagtails was in harrowed fields at Durval Farm, St Brides Major. Pied Flycatchers were observed at Pant Norton (21^st) and Summerhouse Point (two, on 26^th). Several Choughs were on the Heritage Coast.

Highlights: A Great White Egret flew over Gileston (25th). An Osprey and a Wood Sandpiper were simultaneously at Kenfig Pool (30th). Two further Wood Sandpipers were observed at Llanilid (4th and 29th). A Goshawk was circling over fields between Cosmeston and Lavernock. Greenshanks visited Bendrick Rocks (Barry), Aberthaw and Kenfig. A smattering of Green Sandpipers included less than usual occurences from Cosmeston and Ogmore-by-Sea. Black-tailed Godwits were at Aberthaw and Ogmore Estuary. Both Arctic Skua and Great Skua were noted off St Donats. Two juvenile Yellow-legged Gulls turned up at Cosmeston. A good count of 16 Mediterranean Gulls was made from Nash Point, where a Sandwich Tern was also logged. Early migrant Yellow Wagtails were sighted at Ogmore Estuary and Kenfig. News was received of Ring Ouzels breeding in the north of the area. An adult male Hawfinch was a surprise at Ewenny Priory.

Highlights: A Blue-headed Wagtail was briefly along the east pool shore at Kenfig (10th ). Also there, an unseasonal Great Northern Diver off Sker and 22 Black-tailed Godwits at the pool. A Black Tern called in at Ogmore Estuary, early in the month. An Arctic Skua was off Lavernock. A very unusual local record concerned a pair of Hawfinches breeding successfully at Norton Church, Bridgend. The male of the pair was ringed as an adult near Parkend, Forest of Dean, on 11/04/2017.

​Highlights: A second calendar-year Bonaparte’s Gull was found at Cardiff Water Treatment Works (3rd), presumably the same individual as seen at Cardiff Bay in late April. A Hoopoe was photographed in a Cwmbach garden (15th). A probable Golden Oriole was reported at Parc Slip (16th). Single Pomarine Skuas were noted off Lavernock (8th and 19th). A passage of Black Terns occurred, with coastal sightings from Lavernock (maximum seven), Glieston (five) and Kenfig (maximum 10 at the pool and nine off Sker), plus an inland record of five at Rhaslas Pond. The same weather saw a movement of 500 Common Terns and three Arctic Skuas off Sker. A Greenshank was at Kenfig Pool. Hobbies were noted at Merthyr Mawr and Kenfig. A Wood Warbler was at Castell Coch.

Highlights: A stunning male Citrine Wagtail was a great find at Llwyn-on Reservoir (27th). A Red-rumped Swallow spent a few hours at Kenfig Saltmarsh, but apparently moved on when a Merlin showed up (5th). Two Bonaparte’s Gulls graced Cardiff Bay – a brief adult (22nd) and a lingering second calendar-year (from 25th). Also at Cardiff Bay, a Golden Oriole was reportedly rescued and taken into care (29th), sadly succumbing. At Kenfig Pool both Whooper Swan (3rd), and Cattle Egret (19th) were fleeting visitors, with up to four Garganey recorded. A Great White Egret was at East Aberthaw (16th). Two Avocets were noted at Ogmore Estuary (6th). Other Sites: Ospreys were observed at Llwyn-on Reservoir, Cwm Cadlan, Southerndown, Bridgend and Kenfig. A male Hen Harrier transited over Cosmeston. A Merlin was at Nash Point. A Hobby was seen over Broadlands, Bridgend. Several Little Ringed Plovers, a Spotted Redshank and a Greenshank were at Ogmore Estuary. Rumney Great Wharf held Greenshank and Green Sandpiper. A maximum of four Little Gulls was at Cardiff Bay. Wintering Water Pipits were still present early in the month at Ogmore Estuary and Rumney Great Wharf. Ring Ouzels turned up at Mynydd Bach (two) and Rudry Common. Migrant Pied Flycatcher and Wood Warbler were both noted at Kenfig.

Highlights: Kenfig held the lion’s share of this month’s scarcities, with five Garganeys, Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, two Black-necked Grebes, Slavonian Grebe and two Avocets recorded. Four Cattle Egrets remained at Porthcawl all month. A White Stork was reported over Ewenny (26th) and a Turtle Dove of unknown origin was frequenting a Rhoose garden
Other Sites: Scaup were noted at Cosmeston and Kenfig. A Bittern was reported at Lamby Lake, with others at Cosmeston and Kenfig. Hen Harriers were logged at Gileston, Parc Slip, Mynydd Eglwysilan and Llanilid (a male, which commuted between here and Hirwaun Common). Both Marsh Harrier and Merlin were seen at Kenfig, with another Merlin at Flemingston. A Little Ringed Plover was at Ogmore Estuary, where two wintering Common Sandpipers and a Green Sandpiper were still around. Cardiff Bay held two Little Gulls and two Yellow-legged Gulls, with another of the latter species at Caerphilly Castle Moat. Three Short-eared Owls were in the dunes at Kenfig. At least four Water Pipits were at Ogmore Estuary, with others at Rumney Great Wharf and Green Point, Rhymney Estuary. A minimum of four Choughs was roaming the Heritage Coast. A Firecrest was at Kenfig Pool. Hawfinches were a popular draw at the Forest Ganol feeding station.