A lone Avocet was feeding on the shore on the east side of the mouth of the estuary this afternoon as the tide receded. Also a swallow at Cors Crychydd Reen.

At CBWR this afternoon a Bittern flew across the lagoon, where there were 40+ Great Crested Grebes. many in display mode, and a pair of Goosanders. Both Little Gulls amongst the thousands of mainly Black-headeds out in the Bay, and 5 Sand Martins explored the dockside holes near the former Dr Who Experience building.

A cuckoo called from the copse at the base of the ashtip near the SW corner of the lagoon at c.11.30 this morning. Four full-grown hairy Garden Tiger larvae were putting themselves in danger by wandering over the track in search of pupating sites.

Four pairs of Tufties on the lagoon, and two broods of Mallard. Lesser Whitethroat and Reed Bunting singing and showing well there in contrast to the shy Sedge and Reed Warblers.

Two Hawfinches at top of Plane tree beside main path from Visitor Centre to House at 3.45 this afternoon.

PLEASE NOTE: Entry to the site (now National Trust) is only possible during opening hours (approx 10am – 5pm) and costs £7.20 – unless NT member.

Long-tailed Duck f/imm on Knap Lake at midday with 32 Tufted Duck, 32 Mute Swans, 16 Mallard. At nearby Barry Harbour: 16 Oystercatchers, 6 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 1 Little Egret.

Newton Rocks/Trecco Bay – 1 Brent Goose (Light-bellied), 6 Redshanks, 3 Grey Plover, c.30 Ringed Plover with 1 Sanderling and 10 Dunlin.

Porthcawl seafront between Hutchwns Pt and Irongate Pt – 1 Purple Sandpiper, 10 Turnstone, 1 ad Med Gull.

Black-necked Grebe still present, seen off east side of Taff, south of the A4232 flyover, off the marina at around noon today – best viewed from opposite side of river. At least 20 Little Grebes also present.

10 Light-bellied Brent Geese, 13 Turnstones, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlews, a pair of Stonechats and 60 Crows. 6 Snipe at the lagoon, with Water Rail calling.