Last night, there were two broods of 7 and 2 Tufted Ducks on Brynmill Park lake. After a raid by gulls, the 7 became 5! There was a brood of 6 Tufted Ducks on Singleton Park boating lake two weeks, but I can’t see them now, so I think they also may have been predated by gulls.

Approx. 50 Mediterranean Gulls were on Swansea Beach around 2 p.m. opposite the university. Mute Swans with 4 young on Singleton Park boating lake. Moorhens with 4 young on Brynmill Park lake. Young Tawny Owls heard and seen in Singleton Park at 10 p.m.

2 Red Kites flew eastwards over Hafod-Morfa Copperworks at 11.55 a.m.

A mated pair of Little Grebes on the lake today; hopefully, breeding this year.

Also, 20+ Tufted Ducks, 2 Cormorants, pair of Mute Swans, Moorhens, Coots, etc.

In the Clyne Valley this morning, 3 or 4 Spotted Flycatchers hunting for insects; flock of 100+ Goldfinches feeding in the knapweed-strewn meadow, until disturbed by an attacking Sparrowhawk; 1 Brimstone butterfly.

Still a dozen-plus Painted Ladies on buddleias at Blackpill, plus a few Small Tortoiseshells.

Wheatear along Swansea seafront this morning. At least a dozen Painted Ladies on nearby buddleias. Many more Painted Ladies and a Brimstone in the Clyne Valley. Sad to see nearly all Ash trees in the valley seem to be affected with Ash Die-Back.

1 Swallow over Clyne Valley this evening. Marsh Tit showing well in Clyne Woods.

2 Dippers fighting and chasing each other furiously on lower part of River Clyne today. Rival males, or male pursuing a female?

A Buzzard was a surprise in Singleton Park this morning, hunting for insects on the grass between the university and Oystermouth Road (first I’ve seen in the park).  A Stock Dove was in the Ornamental Gardens.

In Brynmill Park, was a Little Grebe (the first I’ve seen for months there), 1 male Wigeon, 2 Grey Herons, half-a-dozen Cormorants, 20+ Tufted Ducks, Mallards, Coots, Moorhens, etc.

Was watching my first Spotted Flycatcher of the year, darting out from a hedgerow to catch insects in the evening sunshine, when a Sparrowhawk suddenly appeared from nowhere, grabbed the unfortunate flycatcher, and disappeared back into the woodland. All that remained were a few small, pale feathers fluttering forlornly to the floor. A bugger for me, as I had switched my video camera off ten seconds earlier; and not much fun for the flycatcher, which was never seen again.

Brynmill Park Lake: Tufted Ducks have a brood of 8 newly-fledged young (there were 2 successful pairs there last year).

Singleton Park: Tawny Owls have bred successfully there again, as they seem to do almost every year now.

Coot with 3 recently-hatched young on the lake.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker seen entering nest hole several times this evening. A Marsh Tit was close by.

A brief clip from today, May 23rd:

 

 

Clyne Woods: 5-6 Chiffchaffs singing; a Marsh Tit was by the exit on Rhyd-y-defaid Drive, Sketty.