An unusual find this afternoon, I found what looks to me like the remains of a Red Legged Partridge. (Unfortunately the head was missing ) I’ve absolutely no idea how it got up here at the top of the Rhondda Fach? Probably a victim of a local Peregrine. The last Red leg I’ve seen was over 20 years ago outside Morganstown.

Loop around hilltop via bronwydd woods this morning which was alive with common species, No Wood Warblers singing yet this year, usually present by now, No Spotted flycatcher either but its early days. Out into scrub where Willow Warbler , Blackcap and Whitethroat seemed everywhere plus pairs of Greenfinch and Bullfinch. Male Kestrel around quarry, cuckoo calling then seen above nant graig ddu,another calling above rhiwgarn. Red kite over. @ Swifts over Porth

Sat 2nd. My one local weekend walk up to the plateau and back down via Nant hafod. Theres now at least 3 Lapwings in the field at the top, Stockdove, Stonechat 2 prs, many meadow Pipit, several Linnets, Skylarks, a distant calling Cuckoo over in Glynfach.Willow warblers, Mistle thrush, Greenfinch and a singing Redstart as I followed Nant Hafod. A couple of very vocal song thrush and several Swallows around Nyth Bran and as I returned to Porth @ 12 Sand Martin swooping around the small colony nesting in weep holes of bypass.

Lovely walk early this morning, so many birds made it a joy. Mistle and song thrush singing, blackbirds a plenty, usual woodland and scrubbland birds including 2 ,presumably male, tree creepers having a right old scrap, chiffchaffs,willow warblers, blackcaps & Whitethroats. Tawny owl hooting (at 8.15!), a Cuckoo calling in the distance, Buzzard ,Jay,Raven & Rooks and 3 male Bullfinch that alighted on a tree together and flew off together. Also a male Great spotted woodpecker harassing a Green Woody. The Greens nest hole was literally a couple of mtrs below the G.S.Woody so not a lot of “love thy neighbour” !

Yesterday 10 am,Single Red Kite SE of Pendoylan. As a sub contractor to Welsh Water I’m either working at their sites or driving between them, hence the wide variation in localities. Apologies to all those in lock down and those who can’t get out to their favourite birding spots, hopefully it won’t be long before we can all get out and about.

Single Red kite above Telemast (Gilfach farm) this morning. They really are becoming an almost common sight these days.

Single Red Kite over Penrhiwgwint, a pair of Stonechats, several singing Skylarks & Meadow Pipit. As we got up on the plateau I scanned a scoured field and picked out a Lapwing keeping a wary eye on a Buzzard perched on a nearby stone wall. 20 yards away was , I presume, the female, stock still and possibly on eggs/young. If this is a breeding pair, its the first I’ve seen on this hill since the ’80s. Further sightings include 8+Willow warbler, 1× Whitethroat, Crossbill, 2×Swallow, 1× Reed Bunting, 8+ Sand Martin

Driving along heads of valleys road at Dowlais this morning, Red kite overhead and a single Lapwing just a few yards off the carriageway. Later driving over Gelligaer common just after Bedlinog turnoff pair of Curlew flew over. I’ve heard them in this area before but haven’t seen any, so hopefully they’re breeding on the common.

Penderyn Reservoir this morning. Willow Warbler, Common Sandpiper

Nant moel reservoir this afternoon. Willow warbler, Sand Martin, grey and pied wagtails. Used willow tit playback but no response, however usual tit species were present.

First visit to this site as part of Willow Tit survey and was surprised by the number of species, which will obviously increase in the coming weeks. Species of note- 1 Willow Tit (close views of male calling), 1 Water Rail, 1 Little Grebe, 20+ Coot, 6 Moorhen, Mute swan (pair nest building), 3 pairs of Canada Goose, several Chiffchaff, Sparowhawk (f), 3 Buzzards and several pairs of Bullfinch

Usual common woodland species including Nuthatch and Treecreeper. Flyover Red Kite plus a pair of Buzzards. Woodcock flushed. This a lovely little reserve which I’ll certainly revisit. Perfect habitat for Willow Tit but no sightings on this occasion.

Single ( possible second)  Willow Tit in area of scrub adjacent to former factory site to rear of handball court. Seen and heard at @ 7.45 am on a cold but clear morning. Recorded call was used.

sorry, another late one from Saturday 2nd sept ( I’ve just got to grips with logging into the sightings page 🤔)  A lone Swift over Porth, the latest I can recall.

Late post from 13.00 Friday 1st sept , 3 Red kites just off A48 near Pyle. I was driving at the time but later checked on map and they would have been in the area near the quarry.