5th October. There was a total of 261 Coot and good numbers of Little Grebe and Tufted Duck and 4 Shoveler along with a few Meadow Pipits.

Canada geese heading for the north bank.

We had a reasonably successful trip to WWT Steart Marshes in N Somerset today, with 15 participants. Sadly, waders were in short supply but we did manage to log 52 species. Almost the 1st bird seen on the start of the walk was a fly-by Spoonbill. The only waders we managed were distant Lapwing, 2 Greenshank,a few Curlew and a Redshank. The scrapes main occupants were large numbers of eclipse Wigeon and Teal. Amongst many Little Egrets were some Cattle Egrets. Common raptors were a few Kestrel and 2 Buzzards. All too brief and not seen by all were a Marsh Harrier, and a very speedy Merlin which shot into John Wilson’s ‘scope view, chasing un-ID’d prey. Here’s a link to the list – click here.
Spot the Kestrel in the pylon pic. Otherwise, Wheatear, Kestrel and Heron in the middle of a large field.
Late update: One of our party saw a couple of Egyptian Geese – thx for the photo Rob.

I had a slow middle of the day amble around the reserve this morning. Small birds were in short supply and the highlight was 3 Peregrines circling quite high, one of which flew high over me and headed towards St Marys Well Bay. A Sparrowhawk had a pretty entertaining chase with a Crow with each swapping chaser and chased mode until they gave up. Also noted, a single Raven and a Jay.
It was blowing a hoolie over the channel but there was nothing of interest.
Below, a much adjusted pic of the Pere that flew over me. The original is a small silhouette!

Kenfig Pond

We had a field trip out west to Carmarthenshire today, with 21 participants. The weather was great but the awaited high tide wasn’t very high at all, hence birds were a bit distant at Pembrey & Kidwelly. Highlights of the 47 [edit] species were the large numbers of Black-tailed Godwits and Knot at WWT Llanelli, plus a good number of Greenshanks. Sadly we couldn’t clinch any Spotted Redshanks as the waders were mostly asleep although yours truly did see two on a short re-visit on the way home. Pembrey Old Harbour only gave us 2-4 Sandwich Terns, but 100’s of Oystercatchers. Kidwelly produced more Greenshanks, a few Dunlin and huge numbers of Curlew. There’s a link to the list below. I’ve complied it from memory so if anyone who came sees there’s anything missing do msg me. No stunning photos at the mo.
Click here for the updated list.

Grey Phalarope 1 Spotted Flycatcher 1 (poss 2) Chiffchaff 10 seen harassing the Spot fly Swift 3 Swallow 6 House Martin 1 Coot 235 at least most we have seen here. Also Clouded Yellow 1 and Migrant Hawker 1

Highlights of Saturdays monthly walk at KNNR included Grassopper Warbler, Tree Pipits and Treecreeper in the hand, Bittern (seen by three people), juvenile Cettis and a Red Kite that circled low over the car park. Thanks tgo Dave Carrington for leading.
Here’s the full list on eBird: click here

ebird.org

eBird Checklist – 15 Aug 2026 – Kenfig Pool and NNR – 43 species

Submitted by David Carrington.

Saw 8 different birds – 3 with fish – 2 catching fish – 5 circle above together + 2 Adults calling

There were good numbers of Small red-eyed Damselflies this morning ovipositing.

I know not found in Wales/Locally but only third time seen in UK, plus Eastleach only 2 + bit hours away basically my back yard GL73NW that the Sat to village, locals very friendly and proud of the bird and there a field to park car less mile away

A young squirrel yesterday. and Common Blue Damselfly and Small Red-eyed Damselfly.

I took this photograph at today. I think it might be a female Pale Clouded Yellow can anyone please help.

Just now across the levels all you can see is mostly flying birds especially at RSPB Greylakes i sure can hide a elephants as reeds that high !

Mainly a butterfly day today with at least 12 Clouded Yellows seen, plus Small Skipper, Ringlets, Gatekeepers, Whites, Common Blues and a Red Admiral. Star however was a juvenile Goshawk with what appeared to be an injured leg, which circled above Cogan Wood. It was quite distant but my instant thought was Gos, athough when I looked at my back of camera pix I thought maybe Honey-buzzard, but after downloading and adjusting them Gos it was.

First couple of days back after a 2 week break visiting various places.
It was a nice surprise to see a Red Kite drift slowly across E paddock this morning, heading NNE towards Penarth. A pair of Gt Crested Grebes have 4 half grown ‘humbugs’ on W lake. There’s plenty of Gatekeeper bnutteflies about and I think the dragonfly is probably a Migrant Hawker.

While in Suffork visiting RSPB Minsmere i went to Frederick’s Mount woods which large space between the trees – wait a while for sundown and dusk to come, finally mass churring started then they appeared at least 10 as they most flew 2 to 6 feet of the ground zooming across the space as if jet fighter – After i through i was tracting a nightjar high and as i pressed it turn on penny heading for the ground, so after just 3 shots i gave up attemping to take Pic’s and listen to their bleeping sounds and wing clapping as they past…

2nd on my Hope list – was Roseate Terns at RSPB Minsmere which i saw + long distance Pic’s, nothing great but good enought for my Bird spiece collection but back to Dartford Warbler – late afternoon walk on the heath and pair started to call and i got my cigar moment – i must mention i was walk on big public path, i used no calls and they pop to see me and i was away within five mins – i never disturb them as many people walking past with dogs and many horse riding past