40-50 Redwings were feeding in the grounds of St. Paul’s Church at 7.30 a.m., which must be more than the total I’ve seen all Winter!

2 Redpoll in the E paddock same area as reported by John Wilson & Ceri Jones.

Also 2 Goldcrest, Reed Bunting and Chiffchaff along main path between both lakes.

Late WeBS this morning: Rhymney Est [Green Pt] – 500 Redshank, 100 Dunlin, 100 Shelduck, 60 Pintail, 13 Shoveler, 1 Snipe, 1 Heron, plus small nos. of Teal, Oyc, Cormorant etc. At the Heliport there were 27 Turnstone but nothing else [apart from BH Gulls].

At high tide this morning 3 dunlin, 10 redshank, 4 oystercatcher, 4 curlew, 12 shellduck, 11 goldeneye, and 2 little grebe of note.

On the lane up to Norton Farm was a mixed flock, definitely 6 yellowhammer but I suspect a dozen.

Mediterranean Gull – summer plumaged adult in black-headed gull flock in car park near Lidl this morning.

The Redpolls reported by Ceri Jones yesterday afternoon were still feeding along the ditch/valley on the RH side of E paddock, in fact there were 4 this morning, feeding in the tree and on the ground. Managed a couple of record shots despite having dog on lead in one hand! A fem Stonechat was in the Snipe paddock near the dragonfly pond, Green ‘Pecker calling from near the golf course. Lesser Scaup was on E lake. Click each image.

Biting off a bud.

12 Redwings in Fairwater along the trail early today.

Highlight of today’s WeBS survey were 1 adult Y-L gull and 3 Jack snipe among 58 common snipe. Other grand totals were: 8 mallard, 61 tufties, 26 moorhens, 118 coots, 29 little grebes, 11 GC grebes, 3 mute swans, 29 herring gulls, 89 LBBgulls.

At dusk, impressive murmurations by approx 2,000 starlings, with 4 pipistrelle and 1 noctule sized bat hunting along the reservoir banks.

I couldn’t resist the sunshine and abandoned tasks to walk down the Ely from Fairwater to just past St Fagan’s museum and saw a Dipper, a pair of Grey Wagtails near possible nest site and a Kingfisher. Quite cheered me up!

At Cosmeston late morning/early afternoon 2 Lesser Redpoll feeding in trees along the shallow “valley” that runs north-south along the East Paddock. They also fly across the paddock to the trees between the East and West paddocks.

4 Common Snipe flew up from the south side of the fenced area at the top of the West Paddock, and 3 Buzzard, 2 Raven, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Grey Heron were all seen flying over Cogan Wood. A Kingfisher was busy around the West Lake, though I didn’t see any Pochard.

Earlier 2 Shelduck were loafing on the sea in a flat calm off Sully Beach, and there were at least 5 vocal Cetti’s Warblers at Cadoxton Ponds.

A Little Egret, perched up in a tree on one of the islands, was the highlight of today’s Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) at the lake. Also there: a female Goldeneye; Teal (7); Tufted Duck (94); Pochard (11); Mallard (65); Coot (58); Moorhen (11); G C Grebe (3); Mute Swan (56); Canada Goose (36); Cormorant (10) and Grey Wagtail (2).

It’s official – Spring has sprung. Had a recently fledged Collared Dove in the garden this afternoon, plus a Red Admiral.

1 Blackcap today (but silent) in the wood near the heronry. 4 Snipe at Forest Farm.

Radyr Floodplain- 1 Meadow Pipit and 1 Small Tortoiseshell (first of the year).

Stomechat,Snipe,Water Rail(2),Bullfinch(f),Kingfisher,(2),Gooseander pair.

V quick visit this morning with highlight male stonechat. Also couple of cettis, greenfinch, linnet and numerous reed bunting.

Early this afternoon 2 Moorhen, 5 Tufted Duck, 5 Mallard and a Pheasant at Butetown Pond. Later 8 Lapwing, 2 Buzzard and singing Skylark over Merthyr & Gelligaer Common. At Cosmeston 5 Gadwall, 15+ Pochard and the Lesser Scaup on the lakes, a Cetti’s Warbler in the West lake reedbed and a Green Woodpecker calling from trees on the west side of the West lake.At Swanbridge Bay a Great Black-backed Gull and a Common Gull at low tide.

2 Black Redstarts were on the roof of the last house [opposite the outer marina lock] as I approached this morning, but then disappeared completely. Probably went into one of the small courtyard gardens there. On return from Cardiff side of the barrage the only rooftop birds were 5 House Sparrows. No sign of any Sand Martins yet by the ‘Dr Who’ dock, where they usually nest in the wall.

Amazing sight of 5 GS woodpeckers in the same tree earlier! Also, green woodpecker (heard), buzzard and sparrowhawk over.

Are there any infections currently affecting Siskins?

I have, recently, found  three dead Siskins in the garden – on different days with no obvious signs of being attacked. A sick-looking bird was also around the garden this morning (see picture) until it was taken by one of the marauding cats that have infected our neighbourhood. Hopefully, if the bird was diseased, the cat will also be sick.

Black Redstart flitting between the roof of the White House by the Captains Wife and a telephone wire.

Siskin, Goldfinch and Long Tailed Tit in the lane towards St Mary’s Well.

Chiffchaff at the Lavernock nature reserve and a Green Woodpecker by the ruined anti aircraft battery. Foraging on the ground then up into nearby trees.

Also what looked like a partially albino sparrow (white mottled head and white bars on the wings ) sparrow colouration otherwise on the coast path on past the battery. Doubt it was anything particularly unusual