A group of 9 or 10 swifts over the lake yesterday evening in quite cool blustery conditions. On the water itself Coots and Moorhens already with young as have the pair of Canada geese, although it seems at least 3 goslings are missing from 2 days ago, leaving only 2. No sign of any mallard ducklings and the pair of mute swans don’t seem to be nesting yet.

2 Swifts flying about

On Monday morning two kingfishers at hide 1 and 2, it seen Forst farm is the best place to go just now, see the birds

Tiring GBC trip to RSPB Dinas yesterday leading a group of 13 members, to whom thanks for coming. Left Penarth in nice sunshine and arrived at Dinas to be greeted with low grey cloud, drizzle and a temp of 12 deg C! Birds v quiet until about 2 p.m. and light in the woods v low. We eventually logged 46 species. No prize winners in the photos – v poor conditions for photography! All target species logged in the reserve although Wood Warblers were only heard. A few of us went up the road past Llynn Brianne reservoir and added a few more species – see the list here: https://drive.google.com/…/1EKUj75q…/view…

Blue Tit parents visiting nest box 14 times in 15 minutes yesterday while several fledgling Long Tailed Tits were being fed in the hedge in the background.

I have picture of a pair of Mediterranean gulls with readable tags on legs – do i contract somebody – if so who and how

2 G-c Grebe families on W lake – 1 fem had 2 v small ‘humbugs’ on her back and the other had three slightly larger ones, 2 carried and one on the water. 2-3 Reed Warblers are singing by the main boardwalk, plus a Reed Bunting, and 2-3 more Reed Warblers are in the reeds by the dipping pond. Whilst trying to see one, a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew by, into the trees bordering the car park.

One singing for half an hour in my Canton, Cardiff garden. Previously in same location in 2005 and 2014; garden is 500 metres away from nearest water!

Reed Warbler singing again in this location which is alongside the busy Leckwith Road.

Two Cettis Warblers singing along the Ely trail as usual.

Next Sat, 21st May there will be the regular walk at Kenfig NNR but this one will be dedicated to birdsong and call ID, esp for beginners. As usual, all welcome, meet at KNNR building at 9 a.m.

Then on the Sunday, 22nd May we have a field trip to the RSPB Dinas woodland reserve, north of Llandovery. Some folk, including me as it happens, have been already, so we know the target birds are there [Redstart, Pied Flycatcher and Wood Warbler]. It’s just under a 2 hour drive from me via the A470 and A40 to Llandovery then north on minor lanes via Rhandirmwyn. Post code given is SA20 0PG, GR SN788471, What3Words suave.height.splash

I suggest meeting in the car park there at around 10 a.m. – it’s on the left just past a small church and graveyard.

So, if you intend coming please let me know by email [replying to this will be OK]. If you wish to car share please also let me know at the same time. The meet point for that will be the  usual spot at the bottom end of St Margarets’ Rd in Whitchurch [see the Events>Field Trips page on this website]. Be there at just before 8:30. It’s about 1hr 30 mins from there.

0930. 4 screaming Swifts over, very briefly. Also Greenfinch calling (has been for weeks)

At last. 2 Swifts with the House Martins (20 or so) over the estate

The ploughed field has been manured today, again attracting birds. Both Whimbrel (5) and Wheatear (4+) continue to drop in for a feed, alongside the resident Herring Gulls, Corvids, Starlings and Thrushes.

There’s a freshly ploughed field at Wigfach which is attracting quite a few birds at the mo. Yesterday lunchtime amongst commoner species were at least 7 Wheatear , a couple of which looked like Greenland, 2 White Wagtail & 4 Whimbrel.

Lesser Whitethroat singing right next to the Athletics Stadium.

Reed Warbler singing, Canton Ditches, Leckwith Road.

Two Whitethroats seem to be holding territory now, Sanitorium Park.

29 April

Whooper swan juvenile. Where has it come from & where is it going?