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.

A female brambling was among 43 birds captured this morning (Photo Keith Vaughton).

Siskin is breeding on the marsh again this year. For more info see the Gower RG blog at: http://ow.ly/10rVQr

Lsr Scaup at the far end of the reserve from the boardwalk.Fox also.

Steady flow of Sand Martin through Cosmeston this morning, with several Swallow and at least 1 House Martin with them. Lots of Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler singing and a couple of Blackcap.

Sedge Warbler still present but keeping low and singing intermittently.2 Water Rails on the grass track through the main reedbed. On Tuesday 36 GCG on the reserve and the Gooseander pair by Hamadryad Park were mating.

Approachable Short-eared Owl (down to 20-30 yards) seen by Lee Ashcroft at 7.30pm yesterday. Also seen on the 4th…same spot, same time.

 

Apparently no sign of Boney’s Gull early on [per Gareth Stamp]. Am about to go and check myself – it may reappear.

Sedge Warbler singing in the main reedbe 100m from the boardwalk at 09:15.