Interested in birds? Once again, we are promoting our ’15 month membership, for the price of 12′ offer. Anyone who joins now will become a member until the end of March 2027. Potential Christmas present? Visit the Club website and click the large “Join” button. If you need help setting things up, please get in touch with the Membership Secretary (alanrosney@gmail.com)
Spread the word folks.!

In view of the forecast and looking at various radar predictions I have decided to call this one off. It is a longish exposed walk with no shelter whatsoever, and the BBC site states “heavy rain and a moderate breeze” from 10 a.m. onwards, and the % chance of rain is from 70% up to 100% as the afternoon progresses.

I certainly don’t relish the idea. Apologies to anyone who would want to ‘give it a go’.

Two GBC events to alert you about:

On Tuesday next week, 4th November, there’s a live indoor meeting at Pencoed Rugby Club, when John Wilson will be giving an illustrated talk about a birding trip he and his wife did last year, to the Danube Delta in Romania – it’s called Birding by Boat.

On Sunday week, 9th November, there’s a field trip involving a walk from Rest Bay to Sker Point and back, hoping for some waders including Purple Sandpiper. Regulars will have done it before – it’s a flat but longish walk along the coast path – probably about 2km each way. Meet at 9 a.m. in Rest Bay car park. All day parking there now is just £1 [from 1st Oct thru the winter]. Let John Wilson know by email if you’re coming – johndw1948 at gmail dot com

Just a heads up that the trip to Cwm Nash tomorrow has been cancelled due to a yellow weather warning. Sorry folks, but your wellbeing is a priority.

Don’t forget we have a live indoor meeting at Pencoed Rugby Club on Tuesday [7th Oct], 7:30 p.m. in the upstairs room. Long standing club member David Rich will be giving us an illustrated talk about his many birding visits to the USA, over the years. It should be very interesting.
The Rugby Club is in Velindre Rd, CF35 5PB.

In respect of the above [see the post before last on this blog page], in view of the incoming storm we have decided to expand the count dates to include the weekend after as well -i.e. 10th to 13th Oct. That is only these two weekends and not the whole week in between.

A heads up that there’ s a field trip to Kidwelly Quay and Burry Port/Pembrey Old Harbour on Sunday 28th September. High tide is around 10 a,m., so meet at the Kidwelly Quay car park at 9 a.m. Bring a packed lunch. Walking is flat and there are no facilities at either site, although I suspect there are loos at Burry Port itself. Sturdy footwear is recommended. Waders at Kidwelly, and Terns at the Old Harbour. Let me know if you intend coming [johndw1948@gmail.com].

3rd – 6th October … bird your local patch! A heads up that as in Sep 2024, we are launching another ‘Big Bird Count’, where all GBC members are invited to spend a day logging birds in a local location of their choice. This year you should do your count on any day from 3rd to 6th October. Once you’ve compiled your list, which should include details of the site and its location, send the results to Tim Adcock [timadcock950@gmail.com]. Your list can also include a photo. A report will be published on the overall results, which will be judged for best bird, best list and best photo. You can see last year’s results here: https://glamorganbirds.org.uk/big-bird-count/
Have a go!

We have had to change the venue for next weekend’s outing, which was due to be at Rhossili/Worms Head. However due to the fire at the hotel there, there are restrictions on access and parking although these may reduce as the week goes on. 
However, to avoid any confusion, the venue will now be Nash Point [where there is similar habitat, and still includes the chance of seeing Chough].

Meet at 9 a.m. or thereabouts, at the Nash Point car park [where there is small charge collected at the cafe there]. There are also seasonal public loos.
Length of outing is open so bring a snack and plenty of drink. Plse email John Wilson if you wish to attend – johndw1948 at gmail dot com

We are pleased to be able to announce the publication of our 2023 Bird Report, which is linked below. We are immensely grateful to the current editor, Ceri Jones and all involved, for turning this one around in 6 months, as we strive to catch up. We aim to do the same with the 2024 report, the last one that Ceri will be editor for.

Click this link to access a downloadable copy. It’s a 6MB pdf.

The 2025 AGM took place last night [Tues 22nd] and was attended by 34 members – thanks for coming along to support us!. The formal business was completed without a hitch. This included the re-election of Strinda Davies, Jean Haslam and John Wilson as per the Agenda resolutions, and the election of Jenna Clark. After the official business,. John Wilson presented young GBC member Tate Lloyd, with the inaugural Robert Bradshaw award. Congratulations and well done Tate! After some refreshments including Mrs Wilson’s exceedingly good cakes, the raffle was drawn, and then all took part in a typical Alan Rosney devilish quiz.

There’s a field trip as per our programme, on Sat next weekend 8th March, to the Forest of Dean. This is our annual trip to try for Goshawk. Last year was disappointing but birders are generally optimistic folk – fingers crossed for this one. The back-up cast isn’t too bad with Hawfinch, Crossbill, Marsh Tit, Goosander, Mandarin and “whisper it”,
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker being found in the area.
Meet at the New Fancy View viewpoint car park, north of Parkend at 9 a.m.
It’s about an hour’s drive from our normal N. Cardiff meeting point in St Margaret’s Road, Whitchurch. It’d be good if some folk could car share as parking is a little limited in some of the locations. For car sharing, meet at St Margaret’s Rd for departure at 8. If there are requests I’ll be there. I can take 3. If others wish to then please be there too, or arrange between yourselves.

Please let me know by by email with [a] confirmation if you’re coming and [b] your intentions re travel. Bring a packed. lunch. John Wilson johndw1948 at gmail dot com

Also – don’t forget the Zoom talk this eve [Tues] at 7:30 on Saving the Stone-curlew by Keith Betton of Hants Ornithological Soc – please email John Wilson for the invite link [johndw1948 at gmail dot com]

Grey Herons are in decline. It’s important we know where they breed.
We know of only 5 heronries in our region. Are there others out there we don’t know about?
This spring, when you’re out birding, please keep an eye out for heronries and message us if you find one. Thanks 🙏
Contact points: GBC Trustee and BTO Heronries Census Organiser for Mid & South Glam, Strinda Davies [strinda.davies@glamorganbirds.org.uk] or local BTO rep Daniel Jenkins-Jones [eastglamwebs@gmail.com].

First, we have an in person indoor meeting on Tuesday next week, 4th Feb, 7:30 at Pencoed Rugby Club [upstairs room]. Local birder Amy Schwartz will be giving a presentation on “Eastern Australia”, which will no doubt feature some antipodean avifauna. The venue is just N. of J.35 of the M4 in Velindre Road, CF35 5PB

Second: We have arranged a bird watching walk on February 16th (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.) in conjunction with the Restore the Thaw project team. They have set up an eventbrite invitation for attendees. If you are interested, please follow the link below. Numbers will be restricted, so get in early if you are keen to come along. As per usual, wet weather gear and sturdy walking boots will be required. We may be able to loan binoculars if needed. 

Apologies for short notice – it’s been a busy few days.
There’s a scheduled field trip to Rumney Great Wharf next Sunday 2nd Feb. This is to coincide with high tide for wildfowl & waders. High tide is at 09:38. Meet 9 a.m. in the car park at Parc Tredelerch, just off the roundabout on Lamby Way where the recycling centre access is. The sea wall can be very muddy so wellies or waterproof footwear are necessary. Access from the car park is a walk along Wentloog Avenue and then along the track alongside Cors Crychydd Reen up to the sea wall. Plse let me know if you intend to come. John Wilson johndw1948 at gmail dot com

We’re sorry but the scheduled Walk for Women tomorrow at Cosmeston has been cancelled due to the forecast. We don’t seem to be having much luck with the weather thus far! Apologies that when this was posted on Fri I typed ‘tomorrow’ by mistake, and used the wrong date in the header . It’s all correct now.

We are pleased to announce the publication of the 2022 East Glamorgan Bird Report, our first since we took the decision to cease production and publication of a printed version. It is still a fully illustrated version with good quality colour plates and is published in pdf format.

It can be viewed and downloaded by clicking this link. This will display the document in Google Docs, from where it can be viewed and/or downloaded.

There’s a local field trip next week, on Tues 12th, to Bryngarw Country Park – https://www.bryngarwcountrypark.co.uk/ – Brynmenyn, Bridgend, CF32 8UU
Meet in the car park at 10 a.m. Looks like parking is £3.50 for the day although I don’t expect to be there until closing time [4:30].
Main species I’d expect to see would be Dipper & Grey Wagtail, but most common woodland species are possible. Last time we were there we had a Mandarin Duck on the pond! It’ll probably be quite muddy in the upper woodland area and there is a steep slope down at one point. Please let me know if you intend to come. John Wilson – johndw1948 at gmail dot com.