There’s currently an Arctic Tern in Cardiff Bay. Was seen well by the sails  this morning [by Peter Howlett]. When I was on the barrage late morning it was right over by St David’s Hotel on the RH side [Techniquest/Mermaid Quay side], flying up & down the shore line. Apparently present yesterday also. Other than that today, a good number of House Martins keeping low, at the Cardiff end of the Barrage and the path beyond, plus a few Sand Martins.

V brief Hobby flew over Cogan Wood this morning. W lake had 20-30 Sand Martins, there were 40 or so House Martin over the snipe paddock, a fem Stonechat appears to have replaced the recent Whinchat [in field beyond the snipe paddock], W lake had 1 Little Grebe.

2 Black Terns still present over towards the Ice Rink and Prospect Place side.

Still present at 3 p.m. viewing from the boardwalk by the old Ice Rink site – better views.

Three Spotted Flycatchers still present this morning, having moved from their location at the end of the W paddock central hedge yesterday afternoon, to near the far LH corner of the far W paddock field, where they were some days ago. Four Mistle Thrush in W paddock, 7 Tufted Ducks [6 E lake and 1 W lake]. The many Sand Martins of y’day afternoon had diminished to a few.

The Glamorgan Bird Cub had a field trip to Lavernock yesterday and some of us called in at Cosmeston in the afternoon. The total list for the day was 52 species. Highlights were Peregrine,  Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel, an imm Green Woodpecker feeding on a track at Lavernock Reserve, steady continuous passage of Swallow, House- and Sand Martins, fairly large flocks of Linnet and Goldfinch, and 3 Spotted Fycatchers and the Whinchat at Cosmeston, plus 3 Little Grebe there and a Goldfinch which flew from the dipping pond, where we had 2 Water Voles. Other highlights included a good total of 12 species of Butterfly including 2 Painted Ladies at Lavernock Reserve. The video clip below is linked to my youtube channel so will have a random screen when it ends.

A few from our dog walk this morning. The Whinchat was still present on fence posts of the snipe paddock/enclosure, beyond the dragonfly pond and W paddock. Quite flighty but can be seen with patience. Also 2 Common Whitethroat and a Chiffchaff there. W lake had 2 Tufted Duck,  Little Grebe, and the 2 GC Grebe pairs seem to be down to 1 young each, 1 more or less fully grown and the other a little smaller.

Lesser Yellowlegs has just this minute been reported at Kenfig Pool on the E. Pool shore, found by Neil Donaghy. Nice one! Timed 16:28.

There was a Whinchat in the snipe paddock, plus several Chiffchaffs, single Mistle Thrush in W paddock and a fem Sparrowhawk flew across there, Little Grebe fishing in W lake and 2 pairs of Buzzards circling.

Much the same as Ceri, except 2 Wheatear along the shoreline rocks by Captain’s Wife and a total of c. 20 Rock Pipits along that stretch of coast, and c.10 Pied Wags. Also 1 Common Sandpiper at Captains Wife end.

R. Ely by Penarth Marina – 3 Grey Wagtails, 1 Wheatear, 8 Linnet. c.40 or so House Martins still round the houses incl young still calling from nest at the far end.

Cardiff Bay Barrage: 2 Wheatear, 6 Pied Wags, 1 Common Sand on the mud outside the outflow, 2 GC Grebes and another GC Grebe with 2 fully grown young round by The Lookout cafe.

22 people attended the GBC monthly walk at Kenfig this morning. Highlights were 2 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plover on E pool beach plus a lone Redshank. 2 imm Stonechats were in pool side  bushes, plus a smart imm Common Whitethroat [and another elsewhere], c.40 Sand Martin over the pool. 43 species seen.

Report of  Spot Fly at Cosmeston today from a member of the public messaging GBC on FB with photos. Somewhere up the RH side of the park [red route?]. I’m guessing E paddock top end.

The Little stint reported on Twitter y’day [found by Matt Meehan], was still present this morning at high tide, until 13:00 at least, associating with Ringed Plovers. Telescope essential! Thx to the RSPB bods there at lunchtime for the look through their scope. Local patch tick 🙂

Cosmeston this morning: in the far LH corner of W paddock approx here: click for map 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Blackcap incl 1 imm male, 1 imm Common Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Reed Bunting, several each of Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler, and a light passage of Swallows > west. On W lake c.20 Sand Martin and ad GCG with 3 chicks on its back, and on E lake ad GCG with slightly larger chicks in the water.

Nearly forgot – a Goshawk was over W paddock, trying to see off a Common Buzzard. Gos last seen heading towards the golf course. Also forgot – 3 drake Tufties on W lake my first this autumn.

One of the GCG pair at Cossie this morning, with some free-riding humbugs 🙂 There are 2 pairs with young present. In the far LH corner of W paddock there were 2 fem Blackcap, an imm Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffies, male Bullfinch and Long-t-Tit.

It appears there was a Spot Fly at Cosmeston this morning – per Twitter.

A feral white goose sitting on the GCG nest on W lake didn’t seem to be good news. Then I saw 2 pairs of GC Grebes displaying and acting aggressively towards one another, and finally saw that one of each pair was carrying at least one chick on their back. 2 Herons on the posts and a few Sand Martins flying around. Also a distant display from the Red Arrows as they were performing over Barry.

Disappointing 45 mins at the searchlight shelter [admittedly late morning], produced just a single Manxie down channel and a Whimbrel, plus the usual gulls. Obviously I need to get up earlier! I did see a Painted Lady in the first field.

Just a heads up that WTSWW are having an open day at Lavernock WT Reserve on Sun 6th Aug from 12:00 midday to 4 p.m. Guided walks will leave on the hour throughout the afternoon.

Nothing exciting but 2 juv Whitethroats seen [1 nr dragonfly pond and 1 near Med Village], Mute Swan pair with 4 cygnets [they started with 5]. 2 Ad sum plum Black-headed Gulls were new returning arrivals.