Managed a slow walk round this morning. Highlights – drake Gt Scaup still present, in W lake ‘bay’ seen from the bridge, Med Gull seen by Jeff Curtis, an ad Yell-legged Gull in middle of E lake and pr Gt Crested Grebe displaying.

Black redstart seen again this afternoon on the wooden fence by the flats between Cantonian High School and Doyle Court on Doyle Avenue, Fairwater.

Lower reservoir: group of six female goosander resting on water close to wood-shaded edge of reservoir. Upper reservoir: grey wagtail, 3 kite, raven, buzzard.

My first visit, after getting back from a mega trip to Guatemala at 12:30 a.m. today! Highlights were a drake Greater Scaup on E lake, a male Stonechat on the snipe paddock fencing and a single Snipe seen briefly there.

Fine views on today’s GBC Field Trip of a Great Grey Shrike (excellent find by Tate Lloyd) seen south of the path from Three Brothers to Burnt Log. Several Hawfinch were by the cricket ground at Parkend, and there were 15+ Mandarin Duck at Cannop Ponds where a Marsh Tit gave close views.

In all 42 species seen or heard today, and many thanks to all 22 participants who came along.

Full species list:
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Mandarin Duck, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Grey Shrike, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Bullfinch and Hawfinch.

Quite a sight to see 150+ lapwing rising up, startled, from a field close to Kittle egg farm this morning.

11-Snipe from the bigger hide,at the weir 1-Dipper with nesting material,4-Goosanders 2m+2f above the weir.Also 4-Mallards 2m+2f just above the weir were feeding in a way I’ve never seen before in dabbling ducks.They were all diving continuously whilst I was there.I have only seen Mallards dive to escape danger,but not this time,they were feeding,very strange.11h00-12h00

From the coast path west of Gileston beach car park this morning, a singing Yellowhammer and Skylarks, 2 male Stonechat, 22 Lapwing, 14 Curlew and 3 Raven. In Limpert Bay 6 Brent Geese (5 pale-bellied, 1 dark-bellied), 95 Wigeon, 10 Shelduck, 7 Oystercatcher and 2 Rock Pipit.

Early afternoon in Barry Old Harbour 2 Curlew, 8 Redshank, 2 Shelduck, 1 Oystercatcher and a Little Egret. In Barry Docks 8 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Raven, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull and a Great Northern Diver.

Did my “dead bird” survey this morning.. Unfortunately there were a lot.!! Mixture of lapwings, turnstones & a couple of blackbirds..

Otherwise.. good mixed flock of ringed plovers & sanderlings.. Oystercatchers, common gulls, 1 great crested grebe.. Very quiet on a stunning Spring morning

One black-tailed godwit with the redshanks and curlews, 2pm.

Scaup 1 Tufted Duck 230+ Little Grebe 12  Lapwing  42 Goosander 2 Redwing 6 Fieldfare 40  lots of  usual gull, One very strange looking bird view from across the bay, probably a  lucistic Lesser B/B Gull. A lot of vegetation has recently been cut down which is a pity as it was good for migrants.

GBC’s next field trip is this Wednesday 7 March to the Forest of Dean. Meet 9am at New Fancy View car park SO628095. For full details including car share arrangements please see http://www.glamorganbirds.org.uk.

Two visits to Barry Old Harbour in the last 3 days produced a number of species infrequently seen at this site. On Thursday 5 Ringed Plover were present and this afternoon birds included 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Fieldfare (including birds on an area of seaweed), Redwing, 1 Common Gull, 1 Snipe and a Lapwing.

Also present today species more regularly seen here including 2 Curlew, 2 Shelduck, 11 Redshank, 1 Rock Pipit and a high count for this site of 48 Dunlin.

Birds mostly viewed from the footpath that runs along the west side of the causeway to Barry Island.

Just a reminder that on Tuesday 6th March at Kenfig reserve centre 7.45pm. There will be a talk on the mystery of the disappearing Pied Flycatchers.
The talk will now be given by one of the researchers on the project Jez Smith, as Rob Thomas is unavailable

Single redwing in garden at Upper Killay with two song thrush and six blackbirds.

Two red kites above Liberty Stadium as Swansea City thrashed West Ham!

Lots of Fieldfares and Redwings on the common at Porthcawl – also Lapwings on the beach.

Apparently, a Flamingo has been seen in Porthcawl! Presumably from Penclacwydd?

 

Flock of around 40 fieldfare around the Knap and Romilly Park area of Barry this morning.

Lapwing on bank opposite house, first time in 20 years here. Fieldfare have joined the Redwing in considerable numbers. Found apples I provided.