Field trip alert. There’s a field trip to Goldcliff, E of Newport, next Sunday, 6th Aug. High tide approx 10:30 so meet at Goldcliff at 9 a.m. Parking on LH verge opp the entrance track, or along the track over the hump back bridge but it can be v muddy there. Waders are the target. Poss also visit Uskmouth wetland afterwards. Poss pick up at St Margaret’s Rd at 8:30 but limited spaces – I need to know in advance both re attendance and lf lift req’d. John Wilson johndw1948 at gmail dot com.

Attention all. I’m afraid after watching the 6 o’c forecast I have decided to cancel the field trip to Llanilid tomorrow. It’s an open site and there there’s no shelter or hides, and it would be pretty much a dead loss anyway. Sorry to disappoint. John Wilson

There’s a local field trip next Saturday, 22nd July, to the old Llanilid opencast area, which is located south of Bryncae, betweeen there and the M4. It’s a site for passage waders and some breeders such as Little Ringed Plover. It’ll probably only be a half day unless we decide to go somewhere else. Meet at 9 a.m. at the bottom end of Enterprise Way which runs south from the roundabout in Bryncae which is a few hundred yards east of the Bryncae Arms pub [to your right]. Just beyond the pub is the roundabout sign on the left, which on Google streeet view, does show the right turn [last exit] as Road Closed. You can go down the road but it eventually comes to a dead end which is where to meet. If it continues to be wet, wellies or waterproof boots are advisable.

As usual let me know if you intend coming. Map of location below.

The AGM minutes have now been finalised and agreed and are viewable from the <About><GBC documents> menu . We are grateful to Trustee Strinda Davies for taking the minutes and writing them up.

Users may have noticed that the Twitter feeds in the RH column on some pages [including the home page], and also in the footer, are not working and contain a cryptic message. This is a global problem caused, thought by some, by the Tweet viewing limit imposed by Twitter itself. Solutions are being sought. John Wilson

There’s a field trip next Sunday 25th June to RSPB Ham Wall in the Somerset Levels. Meet in the RSPB car park at circa 09;30. It’s on the road called Station Road which runs north from Ashcott Village on the A39 to the village of Meare. The reserve is about halfway between these two villages. It’s probably a little later than ideal but there’s always plenty to see, although I believe the initial flurry of Hobby activity has quietened down. I will aim to leave home at 8 a.m. and could pick up at St Margaret’s Road at about 8:15 if anyone would like to car share. Plse let me know by email whether you plan to come and whether you need a lift. John Wilson

This is a reminder that the Club has a Small Grants Scheme for grants of up to £250 for specific projects as detailed on the website – see this link. This reminder is to alert members that the deadline for applications for the next tranche is 30th June 2023. All details are on the website via the link above.

The first is the annual evening visit to Llanwonno to hear and hopefully see Nightjars. This is on Thurs 1st June. I can’t lead this one so Alan Rosney is kindly stepping in. As per usual, meet at 8:30 p.m. in the large dirt car park below the Brynffynon Hotel at ST031956. Bring a torch and insect repellent. Depending on where the birds are it may involve a walk of up to 1/2 mile along the narrow road. No particular need to let us  know in advance.

Then on Sunday 4th we have a trip to the RSPB Dinas reserve, north of Llandovery, hoping for Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, Redstart, Wood Warbler and many other woodland species. It’s quite a drive [75 miles from me] and takes about 2 hrs depending on where you come from. I suggest trying to get there by about 09:30. The reserve car park is at SN787470 about 1/2 mile south of Llyn Brianne reservoir, and is reached via a long winding narrow road running north from Llandovery via Rhandirmwyn. It would be useful to know who is coming on this one. I can offer a lift from St Margaret’s Road, Whitchurch for pick up at 07:30. Also anyone else willing to car share shd be there a bit before that. All plse let me know whether you are going straighgt there or not.

There’s a field trip next weekend, on Sunday 21st to Castell Nos, an upland area of restored peatland above Maerdy. The meet time is 9 a.m. and the location, a layby on the A4233 between Maerdy and Aberdare, Grid Ref. SN 97300 00012, indicated by the red arrow on the map below. NB the layby is on the left going north, and is beyond the “Beyond Lands End” car park iindicated on Google maps, which is to the right of the road..

Details re the trip are on the website here.

Car sharing is possible by meeting at the St Margaret’s Road meeting point in Whitchurch, Cardiff, which is shown on the website page linked above. I can take 3 people. Departure from there will be at 8:15. Others can share share if they wish.

I need to know by email who is coming and whether you intend to go straight there or wish to car share. johndw1948 at gmail dot com

Been away for a few days so apologies for shortish notice. There’s a field trip a week today, on Thurs 11th May to Cwm Claisfer reserve which is just in Powys, south of Llangynidr and north of Rassau, the latter which lies just S of the Heads of the Valleys road. The reserve lies next to the B4560 Llangynidr Road. The meet point is on a right hand downhill haripin bend as indicated by the red arrow in the map. below. The travel time from Cardiff is a bit over an hour depending on traffic. As this is a mid week trip I suggest meeting there at around 10 a.m. The alternative is far too early for me, if I am to avoid the traffic jam that comprises Penarth at commuter time.

The most direct route is up the A470 to Merthyr then along the A465 Heads of the Valleys Rd. You must leave the A465 at the exit which is initially signed Rassau Industrial Estate then Ebbw Vale A4048. At the roundabout at the bottom of the slip road take the second exit which was signed A4281 Rassau as you drove down the slip then at the next v close rbt take the 1st exit, stil for A4281. You then stick on the A4281, going across 1 rbt, then looking for a sign for a left turn for Llangynidr. Turn left and the road bends round left to a T junction. Turn right here and you’re on the Llangynidr Road A4560, which goes all the way to the meet point. You go across some moorland, ignioring any laybys on the left, and the road eventually starts to drop downhill. There’s a left hairpin and then you drop fairly steeply to the RH hairpin where we meet.

Be aware that the walk in the past has involved climbing over a gate to access the downhill track between the trees – I haven’t been there for quite a while but I don’t think there’s a stile onto the track. Maybe Alan who is on this email list, can update if necessary as I’m sure he’s been there much more recently than I. The track goes downhill for about 1/2 mile or so and the return route is back up again. Hoped for species are Redstart, Whinchat, Stonechat, Tree Pipit, Cuckoo, Wood Warbler. Gos has been seen in teh area in the past but it’s a bit late for them to be ‘showy’ now. We might call in to Llangorse Lake afterwards.

As always, let me know if you intend coming. ….  and sorry this is rather long but there was a bit to explain for the benefit of those not familiar with the site.
John Wilson

Members may be interested to note that Peter Lansdown, a previous County Recorder and a member of GBC, will be present and will have copies of his recently publshed book, “Rare and Scarce birds of Eastern Glamorgan” for sale. Peter was co-author of the Birds of Glamorgan. The new book documents all the rare and scarce birds that have occurred in Eastern Glamorgan. With 148 pages, the book has 102 photos (many taken by the late Richard Smith) and covers 140 species. It is priced at £18 (cash or cheque please).

A bit later than I intended but I’ve been away for 10 days and rather busy since I got back late on Monday.

So, there’s a field trip to Goldcliff on the E side of Newport on Tues next week, 25th Apr. Not sure how it happened but this is the same day as the GBC AGM which is in the evening [as per the website]. Hence I’m not going to make this a full day as I have a few things to prepare for the AGM. High tide is at around 10 a.m. so as it’s a weekday I suggest meeting at Goldcliff at around 9 a.m. depending on rush hour traffic.

For those that haven’t been there the Grid Ref is ST356836 and parking is either on the LH verge by the orange arrow in the map below, or there is some parking down the track opposite over a rather sharp hump back bridge, and it will be muddy if it has rained.

As it’s a weekday I hope it won’t be too busy as space is limited in the hides and on the viewing areas. Depending on the response I may have to call a halt to bookings if numbers start to get too high, so it’ll be first come first served. Obv I can’t stop people going of their own accord.

Let me know by email if you intend coming. I can’t offer any lifts as Whithcurch in Cardiff would be a nightmare to get to for me in the morning, but if you’re a Penarthian then let me know. John W

GBC AGM will be held live at Pencoed Rugby Club starting at 7:30 p.m. on Tues 25th April. Full details are in the embedded pdf notice below. The displayed page is scrollable or can be popped out into a new window with the popout button top right. In the popout view the pdf can be downloaded using the down arrow symbol top right. As always, the official business will be followed by one of Alan Rosney’s devilish birdy quizzes. There will also be refreshments.

Important documents: These are documents which we are required by charity rules, to be made available before the AGM itself.

Trustees annual report for 2022-2023 – please click here – this is the annual report which will be given by the Chair of the Trustees, Jean Haslam, at the AGM itself, and which we also have to submit to the Charities Commission.

Treasurer’s draft Annual Statement of Accounts for year ended 31st March 2023: please click here. NB these remain subject to independent examination by the auditor. Once he has done so and signed them off, updated copies will be uploaded and accessible via the same link above..

Biographies/profiles of persons standing for election as trustees: please click here – there are 4 persons – Alan Rosney, Robert Bradshaw, David Hibler and John Western.

Trip cancellation. Sorry to announce that tomorrow’s trip to South Gower is cancelled. Alan has called me to say that the weather forecast is pretty awful and will wipe out most of the day [which looking at the weather sites is definitely the case], so he has rightly decided to cancel it

We know some of you who had booked, will have already heard directly from Alan but this is just in case anyone decided to come at the last minute. John Wilson

There’s a field trip to south Gower next week, on Thursday 16th. This has been listed on the website since last April but for some reason it was dated as Tues 14th on the printed programme cards that some will have received, so apologies for that.
Unfortunately I cannot lead this one as we have workmen in our house all next week and I need to be on hand.

Alan Rosney has kindly agreed to act as leader [alanrosney@gmail.com] – thanks Alan. On the day he would iike someone to act as deputy and will be asking for a volunteer.

The arrangement is to meet at the Oxwich Bay carpark [SS501865] at 10 a.m. It would be helpful if you can let Alan know if you intend coming.

We announce the launch of “Rare and Scarce Birds of Eastern Glamorgan”

Peter Lansdown, co-author of the Birds of Glamorgan, has recently published another book, documenting the rare and scarce birds that have occurred in Eastern Glamorgan. With 148 pages, the book has 102 photos (many taken by the late Richard Smith) and covers 140 species. Peter will be at the next GBC indoor meeting, (next Tuesday at Pencoed Rugby Club – 7:30) selling copies. It is priced at £18 (cash or cheque please). If you cannot attend the meeting then please contact Peter direct . He is at 197, Springwood, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff, CF23 6UG. Email peterlansdown at btinternet dot com. The price including p&p is £21.70, cheques payable to Mr. P. Lansdown.
Front cover and sample text page below.

Another advance notice. There will be a live, in person, indoor meeting on Tues 7th March at 7:30 p.m. at Pencoed Rugby Club (SS961813 – CF35 5PB).
Club member Paul Denning who some of you may know, will be giving an illustrated presentation entitled ‘Living the high life in France’. Paul’s talks are always entertaining and the intriguing title suggests some interesting birds to be seen.
The location is easy to find off J.35 of the M4. Go north [right] on the A473, take 1st exit at the first roundabout and the rugby club is immediately on your left.

Sorry for shortish notice [bit busy], but hot on the heels of our trip last weekend to Ogmore, there’s a trip this coming Sunday 5th Mar to the Forest of Dean. Many will know this is our more or less annual outing to try & see displaying Goshawk, plus Hawfinch, Marsh Tit, Mandarin if you like pretty ducks and other common woodland species.

Meet point will be as usual at the New Fancy View viewpoint car park, about a mile north of Parkend [see attached pdf]. The road leading in to Parkend from the south is the B4234 from Lydney.

We will meet in the car park at 09:30. The post code given is GL15 4HS. Grid Ref SO627095. There’s no need to formally book, but it is usefuil if I know you will be coming. John Wilson – johndw1948 at gmail dot com

There’s a local field trip to Ogmore next Sunday, 26th Feb, the main aim to see Purple Sandpipers, but also any other waders and whatever else may be around of course, including Goldeneye and Goosander on the river. We normally do some initial scanning at Portobello but the parking ‘field’ there is now closed off. Offroad parking opposite at the entrance to Pant Norton is very limited so as we are a group and also as the tide is in from about 10 a.m. to midday I suggest we meet in the main car park at Ogmore-by-Sea.

I will try to get there by about 9 a.m. and I suggest parking at the far [eastern] end which is nearest where the Purple Sands are usually found.

Acc to the Vale Council website, parking charges are £1 for up to 1 hour, then £6 all day, so apparently nothing in between. As I am thinking of then walking upstream by the R., Ogmore towards Portobello so we’ll inevitably be more than 1 hour so be prepared to pay £6, unless you have a disablility badge, then it’s free. Apparently all the machines accept cash or card payment, including contactless. They do not give change for cash payments.

As usual let me know if you intend coming. I’m afraid I can’t offer car sharing unless you’re somewhere convenient west of Penarth. johndw1948 at gmail dot com

There will be a Zoom talk & presentation for members, on Tues 7th Feb starting at 7:30 p.m., when Journalist, Author & Campaigner Tessa Boase will tell us all about the women who founded the RSPB way back in 1889. It should be a fascinating story. Please email me if you wish to join the meeting. John Wilson – johndw1948 at gmail dot com.