A short visit this afternoon produced a Hobby. Nothing else of note showing in very windy conditions.

For anyone interested, a summary of June ringing activity is here: http://gowerbirdringinggroup.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/oxwich-marsh-first-fledgling-cettis.html

During the month local breeding has been confirmed in a wide variety of species, with the first fledged reed buntings and whitethroats (among a variety of other juvenile birds) recorded yesterday

Purple heron was still showing well but distantly from South hide at around 4.30pm,

Nightjars have relocated a little in Ruperra from previous haunt around the motte to clearfell which can be found south of the motte off the main mettled path ,perhaps best reached by following the footpath up to the woods which rises from behind the Hollybush Inn in Draethen.

David Gilmore has posted some info about work that is due to start at Sluice Farm, resulting in closure of the sea wall between there and the county boundary – please see the Glamorgan Birds forum http://glamorganbirds.blogspot.co.uk There;s also some info there in another post re Llanishen Res.

Just showed again in flight for 20 seconds or so,  came up from reeds as you look left from hide, circled and came down in same spot.

The purple heron was present first thing, and was fairly active.  Seen in flight three times from the hide between 6:00 and 6:30, at one point dropping into the reeds.  A very nice bird!

a.m. – Ad Little Egret again in trees by W lake and the two imm Herons still present. Also Little Grebe by W lake reeds. No sign thus far of any GCG young, despite the display by at least 2 pairs, seen in the spring. Green ‘Pecker feeding on the ground in W paddock.

Again only reported elsewhere, the Purple Heron was apparently still present on the W side of the Pool today, and the L-t Duck had gone.

Plenty of Sand Martins hawking for insects over the castle moats this afternoon and nesting in the cavities in the walls of the middle ward.

Not sure why this hasn’t appeared here yet, although this is the first opportunity I’ve had. The Purple Heron found by Neil Donaghy y’day was sitting in a tree on the W side of the pool this morning, just above reed height and stayed there for around 2 hours at least. Also this morning, Graham Powell found an imm Long-tailed Duck! – very odd time of year for one of those and a nice find by Graham. This was all during the GBC monthly walk during which we saw something like 38 species – thanks t the 17 people who attended.

A fem Redstart  and  a male  Kingfisher were in the pond this am.

I’m not out & about as early as Ceri! A full-plumed adult Little Egret was sitting [Prof Bush please note] 🙂 in a tree by W lake, and there were 2 imm Grey Herons by W lake also. Adult Robins were feeding young by the car park.

A Purple Heron was flushed from trees [presumably it had been roosting there] near the north pool hide by an immature Goshawk doing a switchback display!! I didn’t see the bird until it flew and it went away from me, which enabled excellent views of both under and upper wing patterns. It was then seen distantly for about a minute flying back along the western edge of the pool before it dropped behind the dunes and was not relocated but it appeared to be heading towards the Kenfig Rivermouth. Also present today were a Black-headed Gull and a Curlew on the East Pool Shore and a few large Skippers and Dark Green Fritillaries.

Two Stock Doves in the West paddock at Cosmeston early this morning. They were feeding near the central fence and viewed from the gate in the south east corner. Second time I have seen them there this month.

A Mistle Thrush was feeding a worm to its offspring on the grass near the play area. A Mallard female is looking after 6 tiny ducklings (at least 3 earlier Mallard broods have disappeared rapidly to predation) , and the 5 Canada Goose goslings are growing quickly.

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was once again in the dead trees in the middle of the cafe reedbed. They are early morning regulars here currently (and also in the trees near the car park entrance).

Whilst checking the high tide roost a little later at Sully Island (32 Oystercatcher and 3 Shelduck), a Sandwich Tern flew past heading downchannel

Many Swift and Sand Martin over the bay in the mizzle this morning. Smaller numbers of House Martin. Imm Grey Wagtail on the outer barrage and 2 Shelduck feeding on the outer mud. Sand Martins visiting nest sites in the dock by the new bridge near Norwegian Church. In the dock opposite the entrance to Dr. Who, there were 5 drake and 2 fem Tufted Ducks, plus what I think was the Scaup hybrid that was in CBWR earlier in the year. Didn’t get a v good view but I don’t think it as the Lesser Scaup.

Quiet bird-wise with the only ‘unusual’ sighting being an ad summer Black-headed Gull on the W lake posts – unusual at this time of year. Also 2 Mistle Thruish in W paddock and a Green Pecker calling. 100’s of Common Spotted Orchid and also many Pyramidals, and I reckon at least 50 Bee Orchids dotted around the place in the E paddocks. A Large Skipper was by Cogan Wood beyond the dragonfly pond.

A calm and relatively warm evening with clear skies to the west and plenty of midges evident. Four Nightjars including 3 churring males, the first starting at 21.55 . Lucky to get reasonable scope views of one of them perched, when then flew very close to me a couple of times. Also a Kestrel and a calling Tawny Owl.

Lesser Whitethroat singing at the east end today might be a bird on territory for a second brood? Or possibly that’s very optimistic – they’re rarely heard here but easily missed. Other warblers in song included a few Chiffchaffs, a few Whitethroats, a Reed Warbler and 3 Sedge Warblers.

A few Painted Lady on the wing today. Probably just into double figures of them yesterday nearer the foreshore plus 2 Dark Green Fritillaries

The annual Puffin hunt produced several sightings this morning. To cut a long story short – max 6 and min 3 birds present. Nothing else out of the ordinary bird wise but  at least 6 each of Painted Lady and Red Admiral out on the head.

Red Kite flying low over the fields between Rudry Village and The Maenllwyd late yesterday evening.