The Wood Sandpiper found by Paul Roberts yesterday was still present opposite Portobello House this morning up to 1 p.m. at least. Also there 1 Black-t Godwit and upstream by Portobello Island, 3 Common Sandpipers.

3 or 4 Med Gulls were preening with B.-H. Gulls in Singleton Park in the rain yesterday morning, before they were chased off by a Sparrowhawk. Tawny Owls have bred successfully there again this year. A juvenile Green Woodpecker was in Clyne Woods.

Video of Med. Gulls in Singleton Park

News rec’d from Mark Hebden – 5 Common Sandpipers were at Talygarn Lake near Pontyclun today. Thanks Mark.

A Wood Sandpiper and three Black-tailed Godwits this lunchtime, across the river from the house.

Close views of 2 Nightjars circling around me last night at about 22:00. Male wing clapping and churring from nearby tree. Third bird also suspected.

Big movement of swifts (up to 50 birds) heading south/west down the valley around 15:00

A breeding-plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit was on Portobello earlier today.

50 Oystercatcher on Sully Island at high tide today. 63 Black-headed Gull near the Captain’s Wife, and a further 170 along the beach between Sully sailing club slipway and Hayes Point. Green Woodpecker from the coast path by Ty Hafan, and 3 Whimbrel on the beach there with another near Bendrick Rock.

9 med gulls including two long stay ringed birds (E825 -black on white & YHE8 – white on red. — Both reported to the med gull ringing place)

Greenshank and Little Egret new in today.

A greenshank was at Kenfig Pool this morning. Four black-tailed godwits flew over the saltmarsh/reedbed and the/a great white egret flew off from the saltmarsh towards Kenfig Pool at lunch-time.

A much better turn out than last time – 19 participants in today’s field trip to Dare Valley Country Park, so thanks all. Weather was very kind. Overall group list of around 40 species with highlights being Redpoll, Redstart, Peregrine, Kestrel, a very pale Buzzard, superb views of Kingfisher, lots of butterflies including Dark Green Fritilleries, Emperor and Golden-ringed Dragonflies and Common Lizard. All in all a very pleasant day out in good company.  Nice to welcome along a potential new member in Louise Gray from Fairwater.

Many thanks to Strinda Davies for leading this morning’s monthly Glamorgan Bird Club walk at Kenfig. Sixteen participants including 2 newcomers. In total 42 species with the highlight being the Great White Egret giving excellent views from the South hide and again later along the East Pool shore.

Full list:

Black-headed Gull, Blackbird, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, Cetti’s Warbler, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Collared Dove, Coot, Cormorant, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Great White Egret, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Herring Gull, House Martin, House Sparrow, Kestrel, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Linnet, Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Mute Swan, Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Robin, Sand Martin, Song Thrush, Starling, Swallow, Swift, Treecreeper, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon, Wren

 

 

A Clouded Yellow was at the far end of the east paddock this morning, plus Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Small Skipper. Black-tailed Skimmer on the boardwalk.  Bird-wise the GCG is still sitting on the nest in the Water Bistort in W lake ‘bay’ and there’s a seemingly completely free-floating nest with a GCG sitting, currently near the main bridge. Mute Swan with 6 half-grown cygnets, 2 ad Herons incl a very confiding one by the cafe. Also 4 Tufted Ducks. Oh I forgot, an old friend, Lesser BB Gull with blue Darvic ring 3UF in white characters.

The Redpoll was back today (camera ready this time).

WeBS count on Caerphilly Moat this morning. Good numbers of Sand Martins present. Black headed Gulls back on site.

The HT roost at Pwll-y-froga (SS5294) is worth checking at the moment as it seems to be the new Med Gull hot-spot with 61 there this morning. This is the highest number I have ever seen on the south side of the Burry (NB. 7 more were seen at Wernffrwd at the same time RHAT & PS). The Pwll-y-froga roost also had 103 Common Gulls (these usually build up to around 500 by the beginning of August at this site), 1221 Black-heads, 167 Herrings and a few Lesser and Great Black-backs. A few waders are also starting to trickle through, with 2 Common Sands, 7 Whimbrel, 7 Dunlin, 1 Greenshank, c500 Curlew and c700 Oystercatcher. Rob & Peter also saw a Common Tern at Wernffrwd.

Sand martins are feeding young in 6 nest holes this morning. In early June adults were feeding young in one nest hole which is  being used again for a second brood.

Breeding plumaged Lesser Redpoll on the garden feeders this morning. Grabbed the camera for a quick shot and the battery was dead – doh

A juvenile Little Ringed Plover was on the lower estuary this morning.