Many birders in Glamorgan will no doubt be saddened to hear that Jim Ellis, a long standing birder in Glamorgan, passed away recently after a few  months illness. I am grateful to Jan Scheeres for sending the news, and he will also pass on details of funeral arrangements for anyone who wishes to pay their respects for a thoroughly nice man, who I had the pleasure to meet a few times in my early days after moving to S. Wales.

Lavernock reserve – 3 Comm Whitethroat singing by the 1st field, 10+ Blackcap, Chiffchaff nice spike of Early Purple Orchid, 2 Oycs, 3 Whimbrel and 4 fly-by Shelduck at St Mary’s Well Bay. Several Holly Blue, Orange Tip, Speckled Wood.

Cosmeston – Green Woodpecker calling, pair of Mistle Thrush, Brimstone [3], Comma [2], Orange Tip, Holly Blue, Speckled Wood.

A nice selection of waders this morning with 6 Whimbrel, 2 Sanderling which were moulting into summer plumage, 20+ Turnstone, 10+ Dunlin, mostly in summer plumage, 5 Ringed Plover, c.20 Oystercatcher [and Annie Irving had a Barwit], and 2 Wheatear flew along the beach.

5 Whimbrel on Sully Beach this morning at high tide, plus 10+ Dunlin in full summer plumage and 10 + Turnstone. 22 Oycs on Sully Island and a Rock Pipit on the foreshore just W of the Captains Wife.

I have received a report of a male and 2 fem Crossbills seen on a bush in a hedge near the stepping stones over the R. Ogmore on 24th from GBC member Mary Davis.

A bit late but I’ve been busy. There were 8 Whimbrel on the rocky beach at Sully this morning, level with the cricket pitch field. Alerted to their presence by Ceri Jones’ tweet. Srtill there at 11 when I left.

A Common Sandpiper flew from the far shore of E lake and appeared to head in to W lake but I couldn’t relocate it there. There were several Reed Warbler singing in the E lake reed bed by the boardwalk. Also 4-5 male Reed Buntings flitting and chasing around there. Also had a damselfly of some sort – took a pic but am now away for w/e without camera.

2 Reed Warblers were visible in the flattened centre of W lake reeds, my first of the year. Had brief views of a male Wheatear on the twmp beyond the dragonfly pond before it flew off high to the west. Apparently there was a fem too [per Graham Smith]. Thx to Jeff Curtis for the heads up re the Wheatear.

Highlights this morning: 1 male Pere flew over > N; 1 Lesser Whitethroat about 50m beyond the dragonfly pond but quite flighty – didn’t sing; 6 Swallow; shed loads of Blackcaps singing. In Cogan Wood, 1 Brimstone, several Orangetip, 2 Comma and a Holly Blue.

No sign of the Greenshank this morning [I shd have gone y’day!], but 2 Common Sandpipers were on the rocky shore, but very flighty.

Nice views of a Lesser Whitethroat singing briefly by the main entrance gate to the W lake conservation area [in the dip]. Mistle Thrush collecting food again in W paddock, 1 drake Tufted Duck W lake, 2 ad and 1 imm Heron W lake reeds, 1 Sand Martin E lake.

Delayed WeBS at Rhymney Est this morning. Surprised to see a pair of Pintail still hanging around. Other than that just 200 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, a couple of Shelduck and some Mallards!

Barn Owl flying over the A473, south of Junction 35, M4 on the dual carriageway towards Coychurch at 21.45 hours on Weds 12th April per David Rich.

The Ring-necked Duck was still present this morning at 8 a.m. [per text news – David Gilmore and Graham Smith].

During a morning walk – 2 Blackcaps singing and a fem in Cogan Wood, 4-5 Chiffchaff singing, 40 Sand Martin over W lake, quite high up, Ad and Imm Grey Heron by W lake posts, and my first Willow Warbler in trees by the main boardwalk.

20 or so Sand Martins around the old dock by Dr Who experience building, including several visiting nest holes.

Hi all. It is perhaps timely to just remind all observers to refrain from posting news about rare species for our area which are displaying possible breeding behaviour in suitable habitat, or are indeed breeding. There is a notice about this on the RHS further down this page. Many thanks, John Wilson – Sec to the rarities committee.

PS I’ve made this a ‘sticky’ post for a little while.

Just 1 Tufty this morning. Blackcap singing by top end of Cogan Wood. Several Song Thrush in song. Also Common Spotted Orchid leaves now bursting out of the ground although they could be Early Purple.

Apologies for non bird news post but I am trying to get in touch with Martin re access to this blog. Email has failed. Martin I have left a message in a comment on the Heol-y-Cyw post on your blog.

Deleted my original post re Cosmeston Ring-necked Duck having been down again this afternoon and got some better photos. As said previously it was found by Graham Smith this morning on E lake associating with a few Tufties. Late morning there was also an Ad Yellow-legged Gull, however this afternoon an imm Iceland Gull was present, mostly mid lake but did come close enough for the record shote below. Mid -late afternoon the R-n Duck came quite close to shoreline where the Swans usually hang out. You can see the chestnut neck band which gives it its name, in a couple of the shots.