Belated reports of a male Hen Harrier on 16th, and a ringtail on 18th. The latter seen and filmed by Frank Ryan.

This site appears to have become a bit of a hotspot for the species in the recording area.

 

Last night:  Male seen churring from favoured song-post, plus close fly-past by female.

Midges on the wing in nightmare numbers!!!! 😦

Male Nightjar churring at replanted clearfell area adjacent to Llanbradach slag heaps on 19th. Closely followed by the same male flying past just above head height and a distance of approx 20 feet.  On the 17th at the same site – lots of churring heard, plus a  pair seen in flight together with wing clapping taking place.  Churring also heard here on 15th.

Neither of us have recorded Nightjar at this site before.

 

 

 

 

Belated report from Graham – Common Sandpiper yesterday morning.

Late yesterday afternoon – no sign of the Short-eared Owl, but Graham had nice views of a very smart male Ring Ouzel perched on a willow sapling.

Short-eared Owl seen briefly by Graham flying low and being mobbed by small birds near Llanbradach  slag heaps at 7.30pm. Probably the same bird as reported on the 6th.

Approachable Short-eared Owl (down to 20-30 yards) seen by Lee Ashcroft at 7.30pm yesterday. Also seen on the 4th…same spot, same time.

 

Lee Ashcroft popped in to show  me some mobile phone pics/vids  of the Hen Harrier he saw on the 20th, plus a Short-eared Owl seen at the same spot when he was driving home from work this afternoon. Peregrine also seen.

Graham saw an imm fem Goshawk being mobbed by corvids this morning.

 

Lee Ashcroft just phoned me to say he saw a ringtail Hen Harrier this afternoon.

This a.m. – ringtail Hen Harrier still around.

Graham went up to see if the Short-eared Owl was still around. No sign of the owl but he did see a ringtail Hen Harrier come in to roost at 4.15pm.

A Short-eared Owl well seen by Graham  from  4.00 – 4.30pm.

Nice selection of raptors seen by Graham this morning, highlight being the site’s first Hen Harrier (ringtail) of the season. Others – 2 Red Kites, several Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine and Kestrel. Also, a single Redpoll.

Graham just phoned me to say he saw a juv. Black Tern over north lake (adjacent to Nantgarw Rd) at 10am. Bird still present when he departed at 10.20am.

A Jack Snipe this lunchtime. Also, Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker and good numbers of Redwing & Starling.

Hawfinches showing well at 1pm, at least 10 seen. Peregrine over.

Ringtail Hen Harrier still around..nice views of it hunting over bogs this a.m. Also, Red Kite x2, Buzzard x4, Raven x2, Snipe x3, Golden Plover (heard). Fieldfare x20, Mistle Thrush x2 and a male Stonechat.

While watching a ringtail Hen Harrier on fence post this afternoon a male appeared in binox field of view. Ringtail flew off as male approached, but I stayed with male as it proceeded to hunt over common. Searched for ringtail after male had disappeared but no joy. Other stuff: Red Kite, Kestrel, Buzzard x6, Raven x2.

A Brambling seen in Chaffinch flock this morning.

Ringtail Hen Harrier hunting over the snowy terrain this morning. Except for singles of Stonechat and Reed Bunting there wasn’t much else around.