late news from y’day. A Lesser Whitethroat was reported singing next to the hide in the morning and a Little Egret was present [per Lol M].

On the reserve, 6+ Blackcap singing, Willow W and Chiffchaff, a few Swallows moving thro’. Also 2 what I’m sure were Holly Blue, 4 Peacock, 1 Brimstone and a Small Tort. Quite a lot of Cowslip in flower now.

Re the cranes I received an email via the web site that 2 cranes were seen heading east over Cowbridge at 12:45 yesterday.

Caught up with this gem found by Martin Bevan, this afternoon. It’s in an open area so close approach not advisable, unless it comes to you! It was present mid afternoon at the very top of the reserve past the ruined building using the trees around the top field to rest and also feeding on the ground in the longish grass. Some heavily cropped record shots:

The Great Spotted Cuckoo found this evening by Martin Bevan was still present until dusk apparently.  Grid ref SN 961 095. Only parking for 5 cars near the reserve track so best to park in Penderyn then walk 1 mile NE towards Cwm Cadlan. Instructions as given on the South Wales Birding Facebook page are as follows:
At the LNR, take the path down into the valley, cross the bridge, take the path to the left and follow for about 500m to open area. Grid Ref SN 961 095.

I have just rec’d a report of a Gt Spotted Cuckoo about halfway along the road between the Cwm Cadlan ‘dotterel’ area, and Penderyn, as of 10-15 minutes ago. Awaiting further news.

UPDATE – the bird was still present at 19:27 apparently [via pager service]. Park in Penderyn and walk 1 mile NE back along the road towards Cwm Cadlan. V limited parking near the site.

Hamadryad/CBWR. 2 Cettis W ,1 by R Raff and 1 by Bay bridge in Hamadryad. At least 4 Cettis singing in CBWR, 1 seen v well. 6+ Reed Warblers now singing, and 8+ Reed Hunting.

2 Wheatear in the 2nd field on the left going towards Penarth – presumably the same birds as Lol had y’day. Also my first Comma of the year there. No sign of the male Redstart at Cossie, nor much else come to that.

Highlights of the GBC field trip today – thx to the 15 folk who braved the cold wind. 1 Common Sand at the pool plus plenty of Sand Martins and a few Swallow, Gadwall, 4 GCG, good nos. of singing Willow Warbler, male Blackcap. 5 Buzards were active over the rivermouth area. At Sker, 13 Golden Plover and 1 Grey Plover, 10 or so Ringed Plover, Turnstone and Oyc, and a male Wheatear between Sker Farm and the coast. 49 species in all.

In Hamadryad Park, c.30 Sand MArtin and 1 Swallow overhead, pr of GC Grebes nest building in the lagoon, Willow Warbler singing briefly near the road bridge.

Cardiff Bay wetlands – Cetti’s Warbler singing nr the yacht club, Reed Warbler singing to left of the gravel path, 24 GC Grebes, 1 Grey Heron. V cold & windy.

Garganey still present on Fountain Pond today [per Margaret Samuel – thanks].

Wheatear in W paddock this morning, and Egyptian Goose still present 11 a.m.

Here’s a couple of shots of the Egyptian Goose on E lake this morning. Another addition to the various duck exotica seen in the park over the years (such as Red-crested Pochard, Black Swan, Chiloe Wigeon, Ringed Teal, Bar-headed Goose, Mandarin, and Ruddy Duck).

Egyptian Goose [per Ceri Jones & Lol Middleton] still present 10:30 – 12:00, also Swallow [my first] and Sand Martin, and Willow Warbler singing by golf course and another [per Lol] near W lake.

The hybrid Aythya duck still present on E lake, Cetti’s Warbler singing at far end of the boardwalk, Mistle Thrush singing E paddock, 3 prsof GC Grebes, Green ‘Pecker calling. Also the leucistic Herring Gull still on E lake and getting v v pale – almost all white now except for primaries.

Two Bonaparte’s Gulls were seen at Cardiff Bay this morning, and the Little Gull, I believe at the road bridge end of the Bay. I and several others watched one of the Bonaparte’s at the Barrage end late morning,and the footless 2nd yr Med Gull was there too.

The fact the the very large church in Porthcawl this afternoon was completely full, and that at least 25 of Steve’s birding acquaintances were present says it all. You will be sorely missed but not forgotten Steve.

I’ll leave this link to the  touching tribute by Madeleine in Walesonline: http://tinyurl.com/pwymqrh

Went back with my camera this morning to get some trophy shots of ‘my’ bird, lol. Finally caught up with it when it flew up the R. Ely and landed amongst the yachts moored by the white water centre. It then came back allowing a few flight shots and landed off Plas St Andresse.

A 1stW going into 2nd yr plumage Iceland Gull was a nice surprise at the barrage this morning. First seen sitting on the inner jetty then on the water just inside the barrage. Sods law I hadn’t taken my camera but here’s a phone shot FWIW. There shd be some decent pix forthcoming, from Lol Middleton and A N Other. After a while it flew off and landed somewhere in the Wetland Reserve. Also after I left I had a call to say that the Bonaparte’s was there, sitting on the buoys where the Common Gulls often hang out. A fem Black Redstart was at Penarth Marina in the small square that overlooks the outer harbour of the marina.

Field trip on Weds to Forest of Dean for Gos, Hawfinch, Mandarin, MarshTit etc. Aiming to get to New Fancy View at 9 a.m. altho’ that may be a bit optimistic given morning traffic. I am aiming to leave St Margaret’s Rd, Whitchurch at 07:45 depending on how long it takes me to get there from Penarth! New Fancy View is N of Parkend here http://tinyurl.com/lt2jlrv [see the orange arrow]. Whatever, we will all eventually be there at NFView and hope the Gosses perform.