I was kindly sent these photos by Tony Fisher, who I see out & about. Some nice record shots of a Goshawk he saw from the northern hide at Parc Slip yesterday. Click on each one for a bigger one. Thanks Tony – nice find – you don’t often see them perched.

Nice to bump in to the GBC ex Chairman, Adrian Murch out & about today with ace Swift box installer, Howard Driver [pic gallery soon to appear on the web site]. Not much of bird interest – c.20-30 Sand Martin fairly high over E lake with a few House Martins, pair of Mistle Thrush and another singing, a pair of Gadwall were the only duck on W lake, and several Chiffchaff along the central path.  nearly forgot –  a spectacular aerial display by a pair of Sparrowhawks over the edge of Cogan Wood. At first I thought it was display with the female slow wing flapping and fanning out the undertail, but after much tumbling and locking of talons she chased him off. This followed a lone male about 15 mins earlier which flew across W paddock and disappeared over the golf course.

At midday the Little Gull was feeding over towards the barrage area in the SE quadrant of the bay, then at around 4:30 p.m. it was mid bay. V v windy on the barrage! No sign of the Iceland Gull at the Mermaid Quay pontoons [or indeed in the Bay] late afternoon.

On the GBC weekday trip to Cwm col-Huw today during a 2 hour walk before rain arrived, the highlights were 4 Yellowhammer, 4 Wheatear in a field east of the valley, Peregrine, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 4 Buzzard, at least 8 Fulmar on the cliffs, several Chiffchaff, 2 pairs of Stonechat and other common species. A bit over 30 species in all.

4 House Martin and c.6 Sand Martin at Cosmeston this morning, over the central path near the main bridge. Chiffie singing but no Willow Wblr. Pr of GCG displaying, and ad + juv Heron still present W lake.

Three dozing ducks whilst I was looking for the Black-necked Grebe [which had moved over to the the other side – see Pete Howletts post below].

Via Twitter – a Black-necked Grebe was off the barrage this morning – latest report was 10:30. You need to look at so many channels now to see news.

The AdW Little Gull was still present this morning, showing well from the shelter of the narrow path in front of the Penarth Marina houses opposite the barrage. Birding on the barrage, or indeed standing up on the barrage, was impossible/v v difficult. Also in with the feeding gulls was an AdW Med Gull. The very very strong wind seems to be  keeping the gulls away from the Prospect Place area.

The Cattle Egret was showing well this morning as all the cattle were out in the field. It’s in the field opposite the first houses as you turn in to St Athan village off the B road by the bus stop & obelisk. Can be viewed form part way down the side road by a metal gate, or from the main road by the bus stop.

No sign of Cattle Egret at 3:30 – just 5 Herring Gulls and 3 cows in the field, the rest in the shed.

Delayed WeBS count: at Green Pt, 500 Redshank, c.20 Dunlin, 1 Oyc, 20 Shelduck, 30 Pintail, 1 Snipe. At the Heliport bay, 24 Shelduck & 1 Curlew. No Turnstones or Oycs as 2 large dogs were walking and bathing along the shoreline.

A Cattle Egret was at St Athan today apparently in a field on the right as you turn off the B road. Here’ a record shot kindly sent to me by Tony Fisher.

No Wheatear this morning. A Kingfisher was fishing by E lake, from bushes by the central path, and a couple of Chiffchaff were feeding along the latter. Ad Grey Heron sitting in W lake reeds, & 2 male Reed Bunts noted.

A smart male Wheatear was in W paddock at Cosmeston late morning, and a Chiffchaff was in trees by the bridge. A Brimstone was in flight along by the medieval village. Still ` couple of Pochard lingering on W lake and 2 Gadwall that I could see.

Back from Lanzarote and now stomping [or squelching at the mo.] round Cossie again. No Sand Martins, but W lake had 6 Gadwall, 2 male Pochard, a pair of Shoveler, and 2 Grey Herons – 1 ad in the edge of the W lake reeds and an imm bird sitting on the posts.

Finally caught up with the Marsh Tit in Cogan Wood at Cosmeston this morning. There were 8 Gadwall on W lake. The three Wigeon from yesterday seem to have departed. The head-on photo of the Marsh Tit shows the whitish spots at the base of the lower mandible, diagnostic of this species in comparison with Willow Tit. V difficult to see in the field tho’!

Nearly got blown off the boardwalk this morning! There were 3 Wigeon on W lake [2m 1f], 2 Gadwall on W lake and 7 Gadwall sheltering on E lake, plus the usual Pochard & Tufties. Couldn’t find any interesting gulls.

Pretty awful walking round this morning in horizontal drizzle. However a group of 8 Bullfinch all feeding together was a nice highlight. Don’t think I’ve ever seen that many together before. They were feeding on buds in bushes near the entrance gate to the conservation area. Also around the W paddock hedges were c.30 Redwing.

V enjoyable trip to Steart Marshes and Steart Pt today with 13 participants. I think c.60 species seen and c. 5 miles walked! Highlights were thousands of Golden Plover, Lapwing and Dunlin, often all in the air at once. Also Grey Plover, Knot, Curlew, 2 small flocks of Avocet, 1 Barwit, Curlew, Peregrine, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Marsh Harrier, a flock of 10 Yellowhammers, but sadly no Short-eared Owls. Also nice views of 4 Roe Deer and at least 6 Brown Hare.

I was sent these two pix of a putative Sibe [tristis] Chiffy near the St David’s hotel by Tony Fisher [thanks Tony]- they were seen yesterday.