At Cosmeston there were several singing Chiffchaff and 4 Sand Martins. Black Redstart showing well at Sully and was singing also.

Cetti’s Warbler singing; Chiffchaff singing, both this morning.

In addition to Ceri’s report, a male Stonechat was on posts by the snipe paddock, 3-4 Sand Martins were feeding fairly high over the main bridge at around 1 o’c. Three Swallows had also been seen but not by me [Wayne Strong & Graham Smith – 1] and Lol Middleton – 2]. The Lsr Scaup and the hybrid were loafing together near the cafe [phone pic]:

At Cosmeston this morning good views from the West Paddock of a Great Spotted Woodpecker in a treetop in Cogan Wood. Magpies were harrassing a Jay near the Snipe Field, and a Common Snipe flew around the Snipe Field calling before settling into cover. The Lesser Scaup was on the East lake with the lookalike hybrid and an ever-dwindling group of Tufties.

There were 61 Oystercatcher on Sully Island at high tide early this morning.

At Pontycymer yesterday 2 Dipper and a Grey Wagtail on the Garw river below Pontycymer Pond. Lots of Reed Buntings around the pond and a few Siskin nearby.

3/4 Swallows over barrage lock gates 10:45 but did not linger. 15+ Sand Martins over Taff by Hamadryad Park 9:00.

A single swallow by  stockhams  corner near neath

Single Swallow-heading West at 17.30 hrs

4 Sand Martins as per Gareth’s post, no sign of any Wheatear on the barrage – just 1 Rock Pipit and 4 Pied Wags. However what I believe is a ‘new’ Black Redstart, a fem at the far RH end of the old dock opposite the entrance to Dr Who Experience, near the Gloworks building.

At least four Sand Martins exploring nest holes and collecting nest material in the dock beside Doctor Who.A singing Chiffchaff was in CBWR by the boardwalk.

At Cadoxton Ponds this morning a singing Chiffchaff, 6 Cetti’s Warbler, pair of Stonechat, a Siskin and a Water Rail.

At Swanbridge the Black Redstart was again on the roof of the last house on St Mary’s Well Bay Road, and 1 Curlew, 1 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover and 2 Shelduck were present at low tide. A drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker and a calling Green Woodpecker were in the trees behind the Swanbridge Farm houses.

A Mediterranean Gull was on Sully beach approaching low tide and a Kestrel flew over the beach near Bendrick Rock.

The cleared skies seemingly prompted the departure of the Firecrests and most of the Chiffies and Goldcrests this morning, sadly. Graham Smith flushed a Woodcock from the marshy dip in W paddock, near the dragonfly pond. There were still quite a few Redwing around, in the wood by the play area. There was an obliging Goldcrest halfway along the central path. I like the pic below where it seems to be attempting an Irish jig! Click on each pic for a full size one. <later> PS it was nice to be sussed [due to binos, camera & dog] by Mick Lobb, [a name I was familiar with as being active on the birding scene in Glamorgan since before my time here]. Always nice to put a face to a name. Then just afterwards,  the same thing again with a guy whose surname was Brown and is a friend of GBC member Lee Taswell – sorry I forgot your first name if you are reading this!

A pair of Red-legged Partridges along a track and then in stubble was a surprise this morning.

A fall of Chiffchaff accompanied by Goldcrests and two Firecrest provided the interest today as reported by John. Firecrests were particularly difficult to photograph. Also, two Sand Martin.

Nice afternoon birding at Cosmeston with nice company too. 2 Firecrest and several Goldcrest. Fieldfare and Redwing in E Paddock but no sign of Redpoll. Reed warbler by the hide. More Goldcrest, Chiffchaff  from the 1st platform south of the bridge. A Kingfisher was flying around W lake landing at several points, on the lake was several Greylags, Cetti heard in reed bed opposite hide.

A Firecrest was at the top end of Pant Norton late afternoon, earlier on today a Wheatear was on the lower estuary.

Went back this afternoon – 2 Firecrests reported. Eventually got on to both birds feeding uncharacteristically very high in the tops of the tall trees about 30m beyond the far end of the main bridge, either side of the path. Also several Goldcrest there and a few Chiffchaffs. Firecrests present until at least 4:30 – one had moved into the small isolated ‘copse’ on the path that leads around the back of E lake. Got some record pix but not v good due to their insisting on staying high up. Below is the best I could manage and that is cropped!

Couldn’t find a Firecrest at Cosmeston this morning, although there were 3 ‘crests’ in the right area, one of which I did manage to ID as a Goldcrest [duh brain remembered his camera but forgot his bins!] – they were mostly high above me so using the lens at 400mm as a ‘scope was no good].
A lone Lesser Redpoll was in the snipe paddock, 20 Redwing and 2 Fieldfare in W paddock, Green ‘Pecker calling, lots of people.

Near Penarth Road Bridge (picnic area west of Penarth Road) Chiffchaff singing; Cetti’s Warbler singing.

Female Blackcap in Canton garden.

An interesting record from 19th Mar: Mary Gallagher, a GBC member who lives in Porthcawl, opened her curtains to see this strutting along their garden wall: Nice pic Mary!

Firecrest at Cosmeston late Saturday afternoon. It was on the west side of the path between the lakes north of the bridge at the point where you can either carry on north or go west around the top end of the West Lake.

On the same visit, in the East Paddock 2 Lesser Redpoll seen briefly feeding on the ground west of the shallow ‘valley’ until disturbed by walkers. Common Snipe and Green Woodpecker in the fenced area at the top of the West Paddock.