Two Cattle Egret in amongst the cattle on Flemingston Moor this afternoon. Six Little Egret, four Grey Heron and two Greylag Geese also present.

This morning there are high numbers of Redwings flying through, mostly in flocks of 50-100 and largely flying west – east agains the prevailing winds , so possibility Icelandic birds.

In the last few days: a pair of Pochard were on W lake 2 days ago but have departed. Up to 3 Herons have been present. Jays have been noticeable collecting acorns. Yesterday I got a couple of shots of one in the tree plantation. It was about 75m away but I got one shot of it taking off where the blue wing panels stand out. Also yesterday I logged 3 Green Woodpeckers, 1 heard, 1 in flight and the one below which rested in a tree in E paddock. Today not much of note – around 50 Swallows were feeding quite high above W paddock. Finally yesterday Flat Holm ringed 1st year Lesser Black-backed Gull F:D94 was present – a regular visitor.

There was a very large flock of Herring Gulls on 10th October in the portobello area between 650 and 800. on the 9th at Roath Park a first year Yellow-legged Gull.

Grey Heron confronting another Heron

Kingfisher

More of Luck then skill

Cosmeston so far this week [on late morning walks – I’m not a crack of dawn birder these days! ]. Tues – c.100 Redwing flew over Cogan Wood and small parties flitted around in the dragonfly pond area, always mobile so no pix. [There was heavy passage at Lavernock early morning]. Today, 2 Siskin heard and seen flying over near the dipping pond, also 2 Gt Spotted ‘Peckers there, quite vocal. 2 Herons W lake and 1 E. lake. a Pair of Pochard were on W lake – new arrivals I think. Cetti’s Wblr quite vocal near the dipping pond and a Chiffchaff in the trees behind. Also a number of Swallows very high over.

Lucky Shot – from my Sunday Trip of coast of Cornwell

We had a reasonably successful trip to Goldcliff in Gwent this morning, with 8 participants. Waders were scarce due to high water levels & no exposed mud, but the highlight was a ‘set’ of 5 ‘heron types’ – 2 very active Spoonbills which were juveniles due to their flesh coloured bills, 1 Great White Egret, 1 Grey Heron, several Little Egrets and best of all, a Bittern which initially appeared briefly and then after a short while in cover, flew left to right for some distance on front of the seawall hide. A lone Barnacle Goose [prob not of truly wild origin] was associating with the Canadas present. Full list of the 36 species logged is here .

Three Herons present this morning. 2 in trees at the end of W lake and 1 on the fallen tree by E lake near the bridge. In W paddock there was a flock of around 100 Goldfinch with a few Greenfinch & Linnet mixed in and a lone fem Reed Bunting. These were feeding on the seeds heads of ground vegetation.

Large numbers of Swallows moving through this morning , all heading east. Mostly in single figures but also in groups of 30 – 40.

This year the vegetation around the moat has not been hacked back. And Yesterday 24th Sep we saw a Stonechat which is the first time we have recorded this species there. Alan Rosney who carries out the WeBS says he has never seen one there. Also present two Kingfishers the Shelduck and two ringed LBB Gulls details of which have been submitted.

24/9/23

We were pleased to welcome 10 folk on our first GBC Birdwalk for Women, it was great to see old and new friends, then have snacks in the cafe together afterwards to discuss the list!

On this overcast damp day, saw and heard 31 species between us, the highlights being – good views of a kingfisher on the lake, glimpses of a Water Rail by some, and several Bullfinch. We were entertained by a juvenile Little Grebe trying to swallow a fish.

Full list – Magpie, Robin, Carrion Crow, Mallard, Woodpigeon, Bullfinch, Wren, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Goldcrest, Long-Tailed Tit, Siskin, Chiff Chaff, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Coot, Little Grebe with young, Moorhen, Jay, Kingfisher, Herring Gull, Buzzard, Red Kite, Coal Tit, Blackbird, Raven, Chaffinch, Water Rail, Blackcap, Grey Wagtail, Dunnock.

Many thanks to Strinda for co- leading and Angharad for keeping the list.

A group of 6 Choughs on Locks Common this morning. The last time I saw them here was also after a big storm. Perhaps the salt spray brings up worms in the turf near the sea? They were busy pecking away at the turf, and the local crows were trying to drive them off. Also a Kestrel hovering.

38-Little Grebes yesterday,12- on Llanishen and 26-on Lisvane 13h00-14h00.

I took advise from local and sat on brench last Friday morning and reward to see 7 in number of male and female over 5 minutes

Twelve folk joined our monthly Kenfig NNR walk on Saturday morning, good to see old friends and welcome to some new ones, between us we saw and/ or heard 34 species. The highlight was of course watching the young Hobby – good views of it perching and hunting in the dunes at the far south western side of the pool – thanks to Neil D for the location. Many thanks to Dave Carrington for leading.

Full List –

Mute Swan , Mallard , Teal , Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Water Rail , Great Crested Grebe , Black-headed Gull ,

Herring Gull , Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard , Kestrel , Hobby , Jay , Magpie , Jackdaw , Carrion Crow , Great Tit ,

Sand Martin, Swallow , House Martin , Cetti’s Warbler, Chiffchaff , Whitethroat , Starling , Blackbird , Robin 

House Sparrow , Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail . Bullfinch, Linnet .

The hay in the Dovecote field has been collected and baled so the previous 30+ Yellow Wags have left. A group of 12 or so Starlings feeding in the large area of Hawthorn and other trees in ‘tree plantation’ field were accompanied by a female Reed Bunting. In the tree plantation itself a single Tree Pipit was atop the tallest of the bushes and there was a Stonechat fly catching there. Whilst on the wooden bridge across Sully Brook I struggled to get a decent clear image of a very active Reed Warbler. The juvenile Moorhen was sitting in the invasive aquatic ‘weed’ [which I have fiorgotten the name of] at the dipping pond, and a Cetti’s Warbler sang very loudly near there.

We had a warm humid troll round the Lavernock WT reserve and along the coastal path this morning – 11 participants came along – thanks for your support and patience folks. The hoped for small birds were very much not in evidence but nevertheless we logged 28 species – click here for the full list. There was continuous light passage of Swallows. Apart from the common birds, other interest was provided by a Small Copper butterfly, Common Migrant and Commomn Darter dragonflies and various hoverflies including several of the impressive and scary looking hornet mimic, Volucella zonaria. Edit: for interest I’ve posted some pix below.