While walk along RSPB Ham wall looking and hoping for a Bittern but saw some i never seen

18 hardy souls explored the Forest of Dean sites today, despite the developing drizzly conditions. We only had brief views of Goshawk, and Hawfinch by some, but we nevertheless built up a good list of 44 species [updated]. There were impressive numbers of Mandarin at Cannop Ponds, and of Chaffinches at the feeding table, plus a Marsh Tit and 1 Brambling seen by some. Other highlights were Kingfisher, Red Kite, Goosander ….
Full list here [updated].

There were at least six Sand Martins this morning.

It was awful to witness a dog kill a Mallard. A member of the public dashed to the scene and forced the jaws of the dog open. However, the bird died a few minutes later. In meantime the owner of the dog made a quick getaway. Several people there were upset by what they saw which included children.

Around 20-30 Sand Martins over W Lake this morning, and a slight return of Tufties with 16 drakes and 1 duck. A feeding flock round the back of W lake contained about 5 Chiffchaffs and 1 was singing nearby, and there was a single Goldcrest.

Blackcap singing, Canton, Cardiff on 4th March. Chiffchaffs in several places Canton/Leckwith since 3rd.

Yesterday I was surprised to find 2 drake Red-crested Pochards near the main bridge. Not seen one in the park since a single male in March 2022.
They were not present this morning sadly. Two Chiffchaffs were feeding in a tree by the west lake viewpoint along the Mile Road and two pairs of Great Crested Grebes were displaying on west lake, at one point quite close together. Two Buzzards circled together over Cogan Wood and in the wood, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming [and another called near the main bridge]. I also managed to snap a Goldcrest in Cogan Wood.

Great Northern Diver 4th March am

One singing , Leckwith Hill this morning.

17 hardy souls braved the damp conditions at Garwnant this morning and were rewarded with views of the main target, Willow Tit, before we’d even left the car park! We were accompanied for a while by Ai-lin Kee – she is a ranger there and also a member of GBC and we are very grateful to her for helping to organise our visit. Despite the continuous light rain we saw 26 species including Dipper, and some Snipe on a grassy island on Llwyn-on Reservoir. Hot drinks & snacks in the cafe afterwards were most welcome!. The group in the pic are looking for a Mistle Thrush that had just landed in a tall tree.

Click here for the full list.

The first signs of approaching spring. The Tufties and Pochard have all disappeared, except for 1 drake and a pair of Tufties. I’m wondering if the pair stay and maybe possibly breed. We did have a pair breed back in July 2010 when my records show a female with 4 downy chicks.
Not much of interest today apart from writhing toads in the dipping pond. Three buzzards were soaring together over the edge of Cogan Wood and a single Mistle Thrush was in W paddock. A Goldcrest was foraging in a tree by the Mile Road.

During matting Dance

Dull and very windy at Cosmeston this morning. The female Scaup was asleep [as usual] on E. Lake. The gull is a 1st year Lesser Black-back with a Flat Holm ring F:J97. The Robin often comes to seed in my hand.
Also in the photos, a drake Goosander and a Rock Pipit seen on a walk across the barrage.

Pretty dire conditions at Cosmeston this morning, esp during the fine sleety rain shower. There were about 10 Siskin feeding in tbe Alders by the dipping pond. On E. Lake there was an adult Yellow-legged Gull, 1st one I’ve seen at Cossie for quite some time [although I’m only any good at ID-ing adult birds]. The female Scaup was quite active on W lake for a change [it’s invariably asleep]. I grabbed a few shots in the rain/sleet from the Mile Road. Rattty was raiding some bird seed left at the W lake viewpoint.

The first year female Scaup was on W lake this morning, not far off the Mile Road, so provided an opportunity to get a better shot. Looking v drab at distance, as the photo shows, close up it has lots of subtle warm brown tones. The only other highlight was a Peregrine which flew low from W paddock, across W lake and out towards Lavernock.

It was nice to come across a feeding flock of at least 50 Siskin high in Alders adjacent the golf course at Cosmeston this morning. One dropped down to spruce up a bit and I managed to grab a couple of shots. The drab female Scaup was on E lake at the north end. Not avian but the Turkey Tail fungi were worth a shot ay Sully Brook.

My fluke of the day – point and shoot work this time !

We had a successful Club trip to Rumney Great Wharf this morning despite a dampish start. We had an amazing 25 participants so thanks to you all. The final list was an impressive 51 species, including a good selection of common waders & wildfowl, the highlight being an unexpected fly-by Woodcock at Cors Crychydd Reen as we reached the end near Wentloog Avenue. Not many photo opportunities apart from a couple of Skylarks on the foreshore and a Kestrel which hunted up & down the Wharf.
Here’s a link to the final list: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s2zRtQH48d22LStE3bUdTQ5Xa_OAYxpy/view?usp=drive_link

A wet walk across to the Norwegian Church for coffee and back. On the outer barrage rocks by the fish ladder, a brief view of a fem/imm type Black Redstart. Couldn’t re-find it on the way back. At the other end just before the old feeder dock there were 4 fem and 1 male Goosander in the Bay and a Cetti’s Warbler sang right next to the path there. A couple of Linnet were by the path adj the old dock and a Greenfinch was wheezing.

Late morning today, there were 3-4 Firecrests in the Ivy covered trees by the trees at the bottom of the ‘dolly steps” in Alexandra Park [down the path that start next to the Glendale Hotel. Too fidgety for photos sadly.