Bittern was showing well for about 20-30 mins in a small clump of reeds left of the Sand Martin ‘bank’ – this despite a couple with 2 children walking right through the middle of the no access conservation area, going right above where the Bittern was. On E lake Lesser Scaup and hybrid Poch x Tufty and what I think was a 2nd cal yr Yellow-legged Gull but will have to check age (it had the dusky grey mantle but flight feathers & coverts still brownish). Also Swallow, 20-30 Sand Martin, Willow Wblr, Chiffchaff & Cetti’s Wblr singing. Below, three record shots of the Bittern.

Forgot, there was a fem Wheatear in the large field beyond the snipe paddock but disappeared when flushed by a walker.

Just after finishing my BBS on ST1576, a group of birds flew low and fast over me (next to Ysgol Treganna). To my surprise, they were 20 or more swallows – heading SE. Then a pair of swans flew over, which would have been a first for the BBS. The last bird of the survey was a first – a drumming GSW on the far side of the R Ely (near Trelai Park & allotments).

Lesser Scaup, Gadwall pair, Shoveler pair, Sand Martin, Green Woodpecker, drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker were at Cosmeston early this morning. Plenty of singing Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff there too. Yesterday afternoon at Cosmeston 2 Wheatear in the West Paddock and Sparrowhawk over.

St Mary’s Well Bay/Swanbridge this morning – 10 Shelduck, 15 Oystercatcher, 2 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker, 2 Raven, Jay, Linnet, Nuthatch and Pheasant.

Pair of Willow Warblers back on site this evening; first I’ve seen this Spring. Also my first Swallow of the year at Rudry Common this morning.

100+ kittiwakes on or around the nesting ledges….

And surprisingly 1 great crested grebe in almost summer plumage foraging close in by Verdi’s

6<> Sand martins present above Abercynon railway station. Cannot confirm this is arrival date.

Lsr Scaup still present by St.David’s Hotel boardwalk. 3 Willow Warblers singing in Hamadryad/CBWR and a silent one which looks good for WW. 11 Sand Martin perched on the fence in the Doctor Who dock. Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Cetti’s and Blackcap singing in Grangemoor Park.

Cetti’s Warbler singing/Ely Trail further “up river” than recently. Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff in my garden in Canton.

This was posted on Facebook S. Wales Birding – keep your eyes peeled and don’t get too excited if you see it!

PLEASE HELP: (Day 6) LOST FALCON: (GLAMORGAN AREA SOUTH WALES ) Gyr / Per last seen in the area of Pyle and the A48 road towards Porthcawl. The bird snapped the creance and still has the swivel and 20ft of creance attached to her.
Please call 01656 864631 or 07771796510 if you see her…please share !!!!!!

V quiet in the Bay – just 8 Sand Martins at the Dr Who dock with at least 4 holes being entered.

Highlight tho’ was a large bull Seal in the outer part of the outflow from the barrage sluices. I first spotted what I thought was a seal on our outward walk, out in the channel beneath a large flock of gulls – the latter having brought my attention to it. It obviously then came inshore to the barrage when I saw it on the way back. 3rd time I’ve seen a Seal here – last time was also a large bull which i videoed. Didn’t have either camera with me this time.

Disturbed weakly singing Willow Warbler from shrub in our garden at lunchtime,  flew onto trellis and the on down the gardens, heard singing for several minutes

A treat to see a bittern flying from the West lake , over the bridge , then back again into the reedbed to the left of the perching posts.   Our first swallows swooping across the water too.

My first Blackcap of 2016 this evening and up to 10 Palmated Newts in the pools along the side of the track

Late afternoon walk with Flynn, and what are going down in my book as 2 Willow Warblers by the central path. Neither was singing or calling but pale pinkish legs [yes I know they’re not 100% foolproof], combined with long wings cf nearby Chiffchaff, ‘clean, sleek’ looking plumage and no tail dipping, was good enough for me.

Nice to hear two singing willow warblers in Bute this afternoon, both in trees by the Café near the bridge, being my first of the year. Several sand martins quite high over the Taff too.

Nice walk around the reserve this morning. There had been a minor fall of Chiffchaffs. One bush had 7, all actively feeding.  39 species seen.

Wheatear on the barrage rocks very buff on the breast, Greenland species?
Lsr Scaup present again just outside the reserve by St.David’s Hotel boardwalk.
7 Sand Martins and 1 Swallow over the dock by the side of Doctor Who and a dozen or so hirudines low over the bay.
Blackcap male showing well in Grangemoor Park from the boundary path near the Staples end.

Cwmbach Aberdare. Hi can you guys please help with an ID, I found what appeared to be a Vulture-Crow on my lawn this morning?! No RSPB book in the world can say what it is! Was about 6 foot long and digging up the lawn while looking at me menacingly.

Chiffchaff (lots) Cetti’s  and Willow Warbler Blackcap, not had four Warblers in March before! No hirundines.

Many Chiffchaffs plus one Blackcap singing today. Nice to see a lot of tits checking out the boxes we made in the nest box building session in Kenfig this February. Also 4 Buzzards but no hirundines.

Things beginning to calm down in Forest Farm. Haven’t seen any Snipe or Water Rails for some time. However lots of excitement in the heronry as a few nests already have chicks.