Firecrest still present today at lunchtime in the location posted by others. Occasionally in the treetops and on the west side of the steam.

Hawfinch sighted in treetops in the trees lining the Wrinstone Brook valley near Michaelston-le-Pit (ST139729).

Also seen along the brook and ponds: Kingfisher, 1st W Stonechat, Heron, Mallard, Moorhen, Common Buzzard.

Juvenile Hawfinch found in garden yesterday evening with a broken neck and slight damage to bill – presumably flown into window. Not a happy ending I’m afraid, but notably unusual species here.

Seawatch 1030-1210

Highlight was Red Throated Diver d/c. Also surprisingly high numbers of Swallow (30) heading in the same direction.

Otherwise, c.150 BH gulls u/c, 4 Curlew d/c, 1 GBB gull d/c. Other species; Oyk, Carrion Crow, Herring gull, LBB gull, Goldfinch, Mipit, Pied Wagtail, Linnet 

Seawatch first thing (0715-0830) was relatively quiet. Apart from large numbers of BH gulls, birds of note were; 1 juv. Gannet, 3 Curlew and single Kestrel, all down channel. 7 Oyks up channel.

Also 3 Rock Pipits on the beach and numerous flocks of Goldfinch, Linnet & Meadow Pipit, with quite a few Wagtail in the mix.

Hundreds of hirundines over heading south (mainly Swallows), with a single Swift in amongst them. Large (c.100) flock of Goldfinch and smaller group of Linnet present. Also single Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler.

Butterflies were probably the highlight though – I saw more in the wild flower meadow than the rest of the year combined! Present were; Clouded Yellow and Painted Lady along with Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Large White and Speckled Wood.

Single grey phalarope seen this morning (0730-0800ish) at Ogmore by Portobello House (likely the one in the RH picture of Mike Cram’s post). Very confiding, giving views to about 3 metres as it swam past. Quite mobile and sharing time on the eastern side of the river either foraging on the bank or swimming. Didn’t have time for a full search, but no sign of the other phal on that part of the river.

Also; 7 goosander and single greenshank, common sandpiper and redshank.

Cattle egret still present 1430. Also Comma and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies at Summerhouse Point. Small bat (prob Pipistrelle) on the wing in Penarth this evening. Spring has sprung!

Fem / imm blackcap was an unusual visitor to the garden feeders this morning.

Amazing sight of 5 GS woodpeckers in the same tree earlier! Also, green woodpecker (heard), buzzard and sparrowhawk over.

Seawatch this morning was better than expected. Highlights were; Little Gull, Pale phase Arctic Skua, Great Skua (2) – one of which took a Kittiwake out of the air while I was watching it! Also: Kittiwake (80+), Guillemot (1), Auk sp. (1), Curlew (4), Oystercatcher (15), Common Gull (2), Cormorant (7)

Popped down for an hour or so this morning. Still quite a few Kittiwakes around (20+) and a distant pale phase Skua was seen heading down channel past Flat Holm. Otherwise; common gull (6), curlew (1), oystercatcher (3) and cormorant (1).

Seawatch from 0840 to 1150 was busy at first then calmed down after a major squall passed through mid-morning. Counts were: Auk sp. (5), Diver sp. (1) (prob. Red Throated based on observations by others), Kittiwake (71+), Peregrine Falcon (1), Kestrel (1), Oystercatcher (30), Cormorant (2), Shelduck (3), Curlew (5). All down channel except the oyks.

Seawatch 0815-1115. The undisputed highlight was my first Leach’s Storm Petrel, but there were plenty of other species of interest. Guillemot (1), Great Skua (1), Common Scoter (3), Kittiwake (25+), Gannet (3), Curlew (7), Oystercatcher (18) and a number of Common Gull. Most, apart from the oystercatchers, were heading down channel.

Quail sighted at the edge of the undergrowth on Cowslip Drive, Penarth this evening. Also female Goosander on the bay opposite Prospect Place.

Highlight was a single fulmar heading d/c. Otherwise it was a gull-fest: LBB gull, Herring Gull and GBB gull, all heading d/c (10 minute count had respective counts of 31 LBBG, 20 HG, 1 GBBG)

Skylark back singing by the ice rink in Cardiff Bay (for perhaps the last season?) and mistle thrush on Taff Embankment this morning.

Highlights of visit this morning were Merlin (male), Sparrowhawk (female), Lapwing and Stonechat (singles of each). Also probable Reed Bunting (c.5) and possible Yellowhammer alongside the sizable Linnet and Goldfinch flocks.

Short visit late this afternoon – highlight was a Merlin keeping the flocks of linnets and goldfinch on their toes

Red Kite over Tesco this morning being mobbed by gulls