Common Sandpiper at the far end of the reserve from the boardwalk. Lsr Scaup flew in again at 10:45 and came very close to the boardwalk.

A very quickly grabbed and cropped shot of a Lesser Whitethroat at Cosmeston this morning – in Hawthorn on RHS just after going thro’ the gate from the car park, by the round pond. My earliest date for Lesser Whitethroat at Cossie. Usually it’s Common Whitethroat first.

Two Redstarts (male and female) and Lesser Whitethroat singing near Dr Who exp. and a Tree Pipit fly over N at 11:45

Little Gull also still present out in the middle of the bay.

Sedge warbler present this morning

Also a predated greylag goose egg indicating breeding (a pair had been present near the South Pond hide).

Waterfowl on South Pond limited to 2 teal, 3 gadwall, 2 mallard and nesting mute swan

Coal Tits displaying in my garden in Canton and Blackcap singing. Blackcaps well distributed throughout locality and into the Vale. Cetti’s Warbler singing daily near Penarth Road River Bridge (on trail towards Leckwith).

Little Egret on Sully beach yesterday afternoon, and a Great Crested Grebe on a flat calm sea just offshore. 24 Turnstone on the beach at Swanbridge.

Two Greylag on the East lake at Cosmeston yesterday afternoon. A Snipe in the West Paddock in the wet area north of the Dragonfly Pond and a Lesser Redpoll in a tree along the ditch in the East Paddock.

Short-eared Owl seen briefly by Graham flying low and being mobbed by small birds near Llanbradach  slag heaps at 7.30pm. Probably the same bird as reported on the 6th.

Short-eared Owl appeared very briefly over the reserve at about 18:30 then dropped back down when harassed by gulls.

Delayed WeBS from Sunday. A bit misty and very little at Green Pt – just 30 Shelduck, 2 Cormorant, a Little Egret and 1 Redshank! None [Redshanl] in the usual spot. Later found c.250 upstream by Lamby Way plus 6 Teal.

At Lamby Lake a pair of Blackcap and another male singing, 3 Willow Warbler singing, a few Chiffies, 2 Sand Martin over, 3 Cetti’s singing incl 1 seen well but not in view long enough for a pic. ….. just remembered, there was an Orange Tip on the wing.

A thick fog hampered any birding at Rest Bay first thing, just a Willow Warbler noted by the golf course. The incoming tide however, brought a nice selection of confiding waders quite close in at Pink Bay with 42 Oystercatcher, 3 Ringed Plover, 18 Turnstone (3 acq. sum plum), 4 Purple Sandpiper and a Sanderling (w plum). Two White Wagtail were at Sker, 3 Siskin flew over calling and 2 Red Kite flew from the farm area as the fog began to lift. I thought I heard Chough calling but was unable to locate them. The Sker farm fields held 2 Wheatear including a lovely male, approx 100 Golden Plover (many acq. sum plum) now joined by the Turnstone flock and 4 Rook. On the return walk there was a Shag fishing at Pink Bay.

 

The drake Lsr Scaup flew in at 10:25. A few minutes later, a male Wheatear appeared on the gravel path by the dipping pond.

A male Pied Flycatcher was by the ice tower at Dunraven first thing (and seen by others later in the day near the viewpoint). Later a male Common Redstart was present, possibly the same bird as seen yesterday. Two Choughs flew over, several Siskins were around, and plenty of phylloscs had arrived.

At Ogmore a 1st-year Shag was on the rocks on the rising tide, but best of all was an Osprey that fished along the length of the river over high tide, seemingly flying off into trees at Merthyr Mawr as the rain got heavier.

Busy day at the pool today with one, possibly two male Redstart[s], Little Ringed Plover, 2 Bar-tailed & a Black-tailed Godwit, Common Whitethroat, Common Sandpiper, 3 male Blackcaps and large numbers of phylloscs and hirundines.

Many things of interest today. 1 Redstart on the trees next to the field, my first record on the reserve. Other migrants included some Chiffchaffs and a few Willow Warblers and Blackcaps. 6 Snipe are back in the Snipe Hide (perhaps a new name since the ‘hide with no door’ now has a new one!) Also of note a  record low for me of only 20 Mallard, some of whom were surprisingly hungry. [GJJ]

A 2cy Little Gull, 4 Common Terns, 1 Common Sandpiper. Around the reserve 1 Reed Warbler singing + scattering of Blackcap, Willow W and Chiffchaff. Gull & terns out in mid bay at 16:30 viewed from Prospect Place or Llwyn Passat.

Also 2 Wheatear on the barrage rocks about 17:00.

Smart male Redstart today

 

all too brief fly-past of prob fem LSW just up from the lake in clone valley. This is just up from Blackpill car park. Calling , but not pee pee call.

Lsr Scaup, Sedge Warbler, 35 GRG still present. Several dozen Sand Martins and some Swallows over Ely River by Grangemoor Park. Holly Blue female.

Migrants recorded during Breeding Bird Surveys included a few Willow Warblers, frequent Chiffchaffs and a pair of Wheatears. 2 Swallows seen after the survey ended. A Sparrowhawk was 50th species I’ve recorded during BBS on SO1000.