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

Redpoll showing well on feeders around Education Centre. Highest count last week 5. This morning 2 on bird table on eastern side on Centre. Birds such as long tailed tits, siskin, great spotted woodpecker and Reed Bunting still showing well. Ranger still feeding each day. Check out car park boulders as well

Also 5pm last night, Peregrine flying low over car park on summit heading west

Red Kite flying low over north western end of Parc on Thurs 10th mid afternoon. Great place to look for raptors on skyline form valley floor. Not sure weather Goshawks will be around this year after mass felling of larch plantation where they used to nest!

One Goldcrest in the small group of trees at the opposite end of the lake from the carpark.

Reed Bunting singing in the reeds at the same end and several Great Crested Grebe displaying. Plus the usual Moorhen, Coot, Tufted Duck etc.

Lsr Scaup was on E lake, 1 drake Shoveler on W lake plus a few Gadwall, 2 Grey Herons [1 ad and 1 imm], Little Grebe, 2 pairs of GCG displaying, LTT, Goldcrest, 4-5 male Reed Bunting singing, and 2 Cetti’s heard, 1 by main boardwalk and the other in W lake reeds. 3 Comon Gulls were sitting in line on the W lake posts – see photo.

2 Snipe; 3 Water Rail including one in a tree; Cetti’s; 2 Bullfinch (m+f).
In Penarth Marina/Plas Taliesin, still 2 Black Redstarts (1m+1f/imm with faint grey-white wing bars).

There was a female black redstart on the roof of the old store shed west of Nash Point and a couple of small tortoiseshell butterflies were enjoying the spring sunshine this morning.

Bittern and Little Egret flew into W lake this morning per Jeff Curtis. Bittern dropped out of sight into reed bed.

A fresh looking Chiffchaff was working its way down by the central path, 2 pairs of GC Grebes displaying, 3 Gadwall, c.20 Pochard, pair of Mistle Thrush in W paddock and a Green ‘Pecker calling by the golf course.

A few pix of today’s birds: – clockwise from top L – Dunnock, GC Grebs, Reed Bunting, Chiffchaff, Mistle Thrush

Three Goldcrest, 2 by central path and 1 in Cogan Wood, 5 Snipe flushed from the snipe paddock, although all were silent and flew low & short, but I can’t believe they were all Jacks. All only seen briefly from behind so no view of bill. Ad Green ‘Pecker flew from adjacent the snipe paddock. Record shot of Goldcrest below. Just added this – forgot to say one of the Marsh Tits was in the usual place in Cogan Wood.

Redwing 7 one caught by a Sparrowhawk but it broke free. Teal two pairs, never seen Teal here previously, Green Woodpecker 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Nuthatch 4 Songthrush 2 Lots of Gulls Herring Lesser Black Backs and Black-headed one ringed which I will submit to BTO.

Earlier this morning an adult Mediterranean Gull on Sully playing fields. On the beach 7 Grey Plover and 20 Turnstone, with a single Curlew at Bendrick Rock. Yesterday evening’s high tide roost on Sully Island included 56 Oystercatcher, 4 Curlew, 8 Ringed Plover, 10 Turnstone and 9 Dunlin.