Absolutely appalled to read Gareth Pryce’s news [further down the page] that a swans nest [the swan was sitting a few days ago when I was there] in the inlet pool on Hamadryad Park, has been burned out. What morons can do this sort of thing?

Don’t forget the AGM is tonight at 07:30 in KNNR centre. After the formal proceedings there will be a short quiz and refreshments. Please come and support us.

a.m. in the rain shower. Sand and House Martin and Swallow over E lake. Cetti’s, Reed Warbler and Sedgie singing by the main boardwalk.

a bit later than Lol & Andy! QUick walk round with the dog and fem Wheatear on the ‘hills’ behind dragonfly pond was all I could muster. Garden Wblr was a nice one – where was that?

Apologies I know this is not local bird scene news but it needs to be seen by as many people as possible. Despite EU legislation the massacre of 1000’s of migrating birds over Malta very spring is still occurring, with an incredible density of the so-called hunters [80 per sq km!]. Naturalist Chris Packham has decided to try and publicise it more and is in Malta now with a team, creating a daily video diary of what is going on and what the police are, or in many cases, are not, doing about it. Please visit his web site and watch the videos. They are upsetting, but people need to know what is going on. The web site details how you can help. Thanks you for your patience. I have been to Malta and seen it first hand – it is not hunting – it’s shooting birds for fun. BTW if there are no birds they shoot butterflies – really.

http://www.chrispackham.co.uk

Hamadryad – pair of GCG and pair of Mute Swan with nests in the ‘pool’; CBWR pair of Mute Swan with nest, 30+ GCG 30+ Tufted Duck and loads of Reed Warbler, and a Cettis singing. Bay seemingly totally devoid of hirundines and swift.

taken from the Glamorgan Bird Club Facebook page – a report of 4 Common Cranes seen over St Fagans today. Observation was posted as a comment under the Portland Obs post.

If you scroll down a bit you will see that I’ve added a new live Twitter feed in the side bar, which is from a Twitter account set up by Mark Hipkin which will often have more immediate news Tweeted by ‘phone. This feed is also visible on the GRC blog, where Mark first introduced this excellent idea. The feed window has its own scroll bar.

2 Common Sandpiper on far shore of W lake this morning. Common Whitethroat back of W lake. Mute Swan with nest in E lake reeds. 

in the reserve: fem Redstart in trees by the large gate at the far end of the first field from the road. Several Common Whitethroat singing and 1 Lesser Whitethroat. On St. Mary’s Well Bay rocks, 1 Whimbrel.

Lavernock Pt coast path, 1 Wheatear in ploughed field just beyond the big house. Whitethroats in bushes in the field by the access road to the point, and Blackcap. Light passage of Swallows.

a.m. 5 Tufties on W lake. 1 House Martin briefly. Reed Warbler and Cettis singing in E lake reeds. o/w too many people and rubbish left everywhere, including plastic bottles thrown into the new pools

2 House Martins by the houses in Penarth Portway, 5 Turnstone on R.Ely shoreline plus a first year Med Gull there. 2 Wheatear on barrage rocks.

11:45 an imm Red Kite flew from the west, low across the cliff top mini golf and headed out over the channel.

per Marlay John & Ken – two male Ring Ouzels right down near the path about 50m beyond the stile thro’ the stone wall this morning. Also Marsh Tit nest building in the youth hostel wood across the road.

Fem Wheatear at N end of west paddock this morning, then flew to fence of the snipe paddock. Also Bee Fly in Cogan Wood, and Peacock & Comma butterflies. Circa 10 Blackcap singing.

Seven, yes 7 Garganey seen at Ogmore nr Portobelllo this morning per Paul Roberts.

Barrage S – 6 White Wagtail; Barrage N new path just b4 narrow fenced-in section – Common Whitethroat singing; ‘Dr Who’ dock – 20 or so Sand Martin inspecting the dock wall holes; Norwegian Church for coffee – 4 Swallow flew over, Crow sitting on nest in the adj tree.

PS: a few Sand Martin also inspecting walls of main docks entrance outside the barrage, and 2 Shelduck on the mud there.

V quiet bird-wise. 4 GCG, no hirundines and only Blackcap singing. Leps comprised Orange-tip, Comma, Brimstone, Peackcock and Small White. Also 1 Bee-fly noted.

A pair of Ring Ouzel on the Craig, 2 male Redstart, and Pere, Sprawk, Buzzard and distant Red Kite. Marsh Tit in the YHA wood.

3 white wagtails and a rock pipit on the outer rocks this morning.