A few shots of the female Dotterel on Garreg Lwyd this morning – one of a pair, along with a male.  The birds were quite flighty so I had to make do with ‘habitat’ shots, but it was nice to find them – a first for me.

Both these Herring Gulls appeared in Clydach today. They were both ringed on the same day in Gloucester in 2009. EWD has been recorded annually at Clydach by me and the late Barry Weston since 2010. It has only been recorded during the summer months.It’s a mystery where it spends the winter. ESV had not been reported since 2011 so the ringer was pleased to hear the it remains alive and well.

 

Summary of Summer Migrants Arrivals for Tirfounder Fields, Aberdare 2017

12th Mar, Chiffchaff (11th, M.Bevan). 30th Mar, Blackcap. 1st Apr, Willow Warbler, Sand Martin. 14th Apr, Swallow. 18th Apr, House Martin, Sedge Warbler (17th M.Bevan). 21st Apr, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat. 5th May, Swift. Little Egret present intermittently from Jan, last seen 6th May. No Willow Tit reports for 2 yrs.

Other: Sat 6th May, Mynydd Gethin (Aberdare) : Crossbill x 3. Cuckoo x1. Kestrel x 1. Red Kite x1. Linnets x6.

Drunk Ewok

A Cuckoo heard calling from the direction of Glamorgan Canal/Forest Farm stopped me in my tracks tonight. I was in the fields on the Coryton side of Long Wood at the time. It called continuously for 30+ secs at around 6.30pm and then again, very briefly at 6.47pm. Unexpected patch tick!

My local (Canton/Riverside border) swifts arrived back today, pretty much on time. And I saw a number of other groups around West Cardiff today.

The brisk easterly this morning delivered a few waders – 30+ Whimbrel, 26 Bar Tailed Godwit and an impressive ( for the site) 21 Grey Plover, the majority looking very dapper in full summer plumage.  Swifts were also arriving off the sea in ones and twos totalling 15 when I left.

There was a blend of winter meets spring in the cool east / north easterly winds as 7 Purple Sandpipers sat alongside 2 Whimbrel and three summer plumage Turnstone on the rocks at Hutchwns Point . Two Swift and 2 Sand Martin flew through. There were also 3 Wheatear present but these were constantly harassed by the local breeding Rock Pipits. Offshore 2 Common Scoter flew down-channel and a Fulmar was patrolling the cliffs. I wouldn’t have seen the Fulmar were it not for me staying to watch the constant low circling overhead of an A350-1000 Airbus!

Walked the Route 43 cycle track.Plenty of birds/flowers and butterflies. The wild garlic and bluebells are quite spectacular and the aroma a real treat.

Bird species;Song Thrush(4),Blackbird(18),Mistle Thrush(2),Buzzard(2),Red Kite(1),Blackcap(12),Whitethroat(6),Wood Warbler(8),Blue Tit(8 including one pair feeding young in a nest at ground level at base of tree),Great Tit(6),Robin(10),Wren(7),Chaffinch(9 singing males)Cuckoo(1 calling on slopes above Pant Teg),Great-Spotted Woodpecker(1),Grey Heron(1),Dipper(1),Grey Wagtail(2),Pied Wagtail(2).Goosander(20, which included two males and 8 ducklings).Butterflies;Large White,Small White,Orange Tip,Brimstone,Red Admiral and Speckled Wood.

Male Stonechat again.

This ringed Mediterranean Gull (green RJ5T) has been hanging around at Ogmore for the last few days. I’ve just heard back that this is the first sighting, with the bird ringed at Polder de Sebastapol, Barbâtre, Vendée, on 02/05/16.

Also this morning a Wigeon and a pair of Shoveler new in.

 

Couple of photos of the dotterel on Garreg Lwyd yesterday.

Whinchat still present this evening at Cardiff Bay Wetland Reserve

At Swansea Vale, Coot(2 with a brood of 3 chicks) with another sitting on nest.Moorhen(2 with brood of 3 chicks) Dabchick(1),Mute Swan(2 with the pen sitting tight),Blackcap 4,Willow Warbler(6),Chiffchaff (6). On Mynydd Carn Llechart, Cuckoo(2, one  also seen),Red Kite (5),Buzzard(4),Stonechat(2 pairs),Reed Bunting(1 pair),Meadow Pipit(12),Skylark(8),Wheatear(6).Butterflies-Red Admiral,Comma,Orange Tip and Brimstone.

Lavernock reserve – 3 Comm Whitethroat singing by the 1st field, 10+ Blackcap, Chiffchaff nice spike of Early Purple Orchid, 2 Oycs, 3 Whimbrel and 4 fly-by Shelduck at St Mary’s Well Bay. Several Holly Blue, Orange Tip, Speckled Wood.

Cosmeston – Green Woodpecker calling, pair of Mistle Thrush, Brimstone [3], Comma [2], Orange Tip, Holly Blue, Speckled Wood.

Cetti’s Warbler as usual in Grangemoor Park; one further up-river towards Canton/Leckwith.
Whitethroat calling, Grangemooor Park; two Greenfinch singing.
Sanatorium Park- male Stonechat for the second time in four days (unusual in this locality).

Nice record for my WBBS this morning of lesser whitethroat singing in the trees on the pitch side of the bridge.

Lots of Reed and Sedge Warblers, Whitethroats, and Stonechats evident, plus a reeling Grasshopper Warbler.  On the beach, a group of five Whimbrel late afternoon/evening.

One Reed Warbler, 3 Willow Warblers singing, Grangemoor; Cetti’s singing along Ely Trail east of Leckwith Hill.

Lots of activity and bird song this morning. A brief view of a male common redstart near St David’s hotel. At least 9 singing sedge warbler and 8 whitethroat on the reserve of note.

A flock of 56 Whimbrel and 2 Bar Tailed Godwit on the Royal Porthcawl Golf Course was quickly fragmented by the first golfers. A Whinchat and Sedge Warbler were on the walls. A further 8 Whimbrel and 2 Gadwall were at Sker Pool and 20 Wheatear in the area.  A Cuckoo and 5 singing Lesser Whitethroats were at Merthyr Mawr.

Flock of 26 Whimbrel N over the barrage at 07:20, also 2 ‘flava’ Wagtails E and 2 Wheatear on the grass. Several hundred Sand Martin and 30+ Swift feeding over the Bay with a few Swallow and House Martin mixed in at 08:00. On the barrage rocks 3 Common Sand with another 3 on the banks of the Ely along John Batchelor Way.