the remains of brynllefrith held 2 pair redstart, 2 singing tree pipit with 2 further birds seen on ground.

6 redpoll, 2 crossbill, 2 pair song thrush, 2 mistle thrush, 8 willow warbler, 2 raven, red kite and lurking carrion crows.

at Cwm clydach, walked from Pont llechart to above nest box 205. 5 male pied fly seen, 3 singing. 2 females also. These were the furthest down the valley toward Pont Llechart I’ve seen for about 4 years. Hopefully a sign of a few extra adults making it back this year?

3 redstart on the edge of woodland, 1 pair spotted fly. ( 2 other birds heard calling/ singing but not seen)

only 1 wood warbler, 8 blackcap, 6 willow warbler, 2 pair of dipper, 1 grey wagtail

also…wood warbler and garden warbler at Penllegaer fforest

A Kingfisher did a couple of circuits over W lake this morning, viewed from the bridge. A pair of GC Grebes were starting a nest in the middle of W lake ‘bay’, where one failed last year due to fluctuating water levels. 2 Buzzard over Cogan Wood, plenty of Reed Warblers singing, plus Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Cetti’s and a Whitethroat. A lone imm Black-headed Gull over E lake was a little unseasonal, and 2 Swift flew S over W paddock. Also had Reed Bunt carrying food near the cafe boardwalk and ditto Blackbird pair by the dipping pool.

Friday 13th am. 2 spotted flycatchers, appearing to be a pair, in wet woodland on the RSPCA site (plus several singing blackcap, willow warbler and chiff-chaff

Two male Nightjars active from 9.25pm, my first sighting this year.

From a couple of hours this morning – two Cuckoos very vocal and active, usually with several pipits in attendance.  Many Meadow Pipits, plus several Tree Pipits in song and displaying.  2 family groups of Stonechat, a pair of Redpoll (presumably Lesser Redpoll, although they did appear to be rather pale), and 2 singing male Whinchat.  Didn’t see any Ring Ouzel, but may not have been looking in the right areas.

i have counts, but can’t find my notebook…there was a curlew sand with around 900 Dunlin, 80 sanderling, 20 whimbrel, 50 ringed plover, 2 curlew, 1000 Oycs & 700 herring gulls on the lighthouse scar today. A couple of sandwich terns and some whuhooing eiders made for a very pleasant session scanning through the throng, despite not finding anything terribly unusual. A garden warbler was unexpected in the dune scrub and a cuckoo on the hill was my first this year … Nice to get out for a change!

A Black Redstart was singing intermittently from among the boulders in front of the ABP offices, it had a black breast but very brown primaries and coverts so likely a 2 cy male. On the grass by the play area there was a Yellow Wagtail (record shot below) and a small flock of 7 Dunlin flew over.

Another wet morning with poor visibility, but noted: 2 Cormorant d/c, 1 Shelduck u/c, 1 Oystercatcher d/c, 1 Whimbrel d/c (stopped briefly – see pic), 34 1st sum plum Black-headed Gull u/c, 3 Swift, 31 Swallow, displaying Rock Pipit and 2 Harbour Porpoise just offshore on the high tide.

Some wader passage on this mornings incoming tide saw

52 Dunlin , 11 sanderling, 22 whimbrel and 8 ringed plover

A short seawatch in poor conditions at high tide this morning 0900-1015. There were 16 Common Tern feeding offshore, along with a Great Crested Grebe and 3 Porpoises which drifted by. A Redshank and an Oystercatcher flew u/c and 3 Dunlin, a Turnstone and a Ringed Plover flew d/c. There were 14 Linnets feeding on the lawns in the pouring rain.

On the beach between Ogmore and Newton this afternoon were 100 Dunlin, 70 Sanderling and 30 Ringed Plover.

Kestrel, Swift, Common Sandpiper, Stonechat and at least 8 Cetti’s Warbler at Cadoxton Ponds during WEBS count this morning. Also this morning a late Wheatear at Bendrick Rock, and Whimbrel there and on Sully Beach.

Monday 8th May morning – 8 swifts tearing around the rooftops and screaming – lovely.

Usual Cetti’s singing. Skylark singing. Generally quiet today here and along Ely Trail.

Yellowhammer at Llantwit Major yesterday.

The rain and easterlies overnight dropped quite a few warblers in this morning, but mainly 3+ Reed Warblers and 3+ Lesser Whitethroat of note at Delvid/Broughton. House Martins continued to pass through (3 Red Admiral were also noted). The western and southern end of Llangennith Moors held at least 14 Sedge, 6 Reed and 2 Cetti’s Warblers plus many paired up Whitethroats and 4+ Pheasant were present along with drake Mallard and an immature Grey Heron. The only activity on the sea was yesterday morning when a Gannet flew distantly west and 3 Sandwich Tern lingered in Broughton Bay. Red Kite and Peregrine were also noted in the wider neighbourhood. The rookery near Delvid is very busy, 50+ nests and at least 40 birds were feeding in fields near Broughton Burrows this morning. Yesterday evening a Cuckoo was calling over between Lagradanta/Delvid.

The GBC Big Birding Day today at KNNR was successful if a little windy! Thanks to all who attended/helped/participated. 2 guided walks were taken – the first to the pool where the stars were 9 Whimbrel in E pool fields and a White Wagtail, although the latter was only seen by Paul Denning who came with us. The second walk with 19 people went out to Sker Farm and Sker Pt. Sadly with the tide out, the putative American Golden Plover had gone from near Sker Pool and was probably out on the rocks somewhere but could not be found. The howling gale out there didn’t help! 14 more Whimbrel out there tho’ and a few Turnstone and some distant Sanderling on Sker beach. All in all a nice day. Brief report and some pix on the web site via the newsflash on the home page.

Highlight of the morning was the first fledgling siskin of the year. Also reeling gropper, and a variety of typical migrant warblers.

See: http://gowerbirdringinggroup.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/oxwich-marsh-8-may-2016-first-fledgling.html

A Siskin (male) visiting the garden today was the first I’ve seen since moving in back in Feb.

Lesser Whitethroat singing at the top of Leckwith Hill.

Skylark singing, Caerau. Greenfinches singing in several localities Cardiff west and Vale- more abundant than in recent years.