Broughton and Llangennith today 27Apr15

Joined by Neville Davies today we worked Broughton Burrows to Burry Holms then Llangennith Burrows to broughton Burrows and finished off in the afternoon between Broughton far mand Delvid burrows. It was cool and quiet, just a few Swallows her and there, highlights:-

Out at Bluepool corner in calm conditions:- A fine summer plumaged Great Northern Diver, c 100 Common Scoter and 2 adult Gannet. A single Oystercatcher was on the beach below. Some interesting insects on the Burrows including Violet Ground Beetle and Dock Bug.

Viewing from above Burry Holms there was another summer plumaged Great northern Diver out in Rhossili Bay as well as 2 more adult Gannets, a Shag, numerous Guillemot and a Whimbrel flew east. A single Oystercatcher was on the beach.

Llangennith Burrows held 2+ singing Sedge Warbler, several singing Whitethroat and female Wheatear, interesting also n to note the pretty micro moth pyrausta aurata.

Broughton farm and north toward Whiteford Sands caravan park, yielded a Lesser Whitethroat rattling away and showing occasionally in the blackthorn clumps.

Another exotic

This Golden Pheasant was seen in a private garden in Abercynon this morning. This is a crop from the original I was sent. Thanks to Club member Ceri Binding for forwarding the photo, and to his colleague Keith Norris for sending it. Must be an escape – the Norfolk ‘Wolferton Triangle’ birds aren’t that mobile!!Golden Pheasant crop

Cosmeston

Egyptian Goose still present this morning by the cafe boardwalk. Many Blackcaps singing, pair of Mistle Thrush collecting food by E lake, Sparrowhawk briefly over. Leps starred Speckled Woods and 4 Orange Tips. O/w pretty quiet.

Clyne Woods

 One greenwoodpecker persistently yaffling this morning.  Great spotted woodpecker drumming and great visual of prominently singing goldcrest, dunnock, chiffchaff, song thrush. Also treecreeper, marsh tit buzzard and two coal tits foraging together amongst catkins. No blackcap  this time or willow warbler.

Cardiff

A singing Redstart showed well this morning in the treetops around the IKEA roundabout in Ferry Road and in the rear carpark.A Reed Warbler was singing by NE entrance to Grangemoor Park,300 to 400m from the nearest water!3 Sedge Warblers now singing in CBWR.

Grangemoor Park/CBWR

Lsr Whitethroat finally showed well but briefly around 9.30am by the NE entrance gates near £poundstretcher/pet hut end – but it is mobile and roaming widely, including in the grounds of the gasholder next to the park. 4 Skylarks were on the hill including 3 singing, and 6-8 Whitethroats. In CBWR, the Lsr Scaup was still present close to the boardwalk next to St.David’s Hotel, with at least 2 Sedge Warblers at either end of the reserve.

Big Birding Day on Sunday

Had some info from Dave Carrington regarding the bird ringing on Sunday.
“Heather and Wayne will be running the bird ringing, although the weather forecast looks wet early on. The plan is for the ringing demo to start just after 8am next to the building with nets set up near by. It’s too flooded for any ringing to take place down by Kenfig Pool. If it does rain we’ll keep the nets furled and hope for a break in the weather so we can quickly catch a few birds. I’ll put out the moth trap and will lead an insect/butterfly walk ending with checking the trap.”
Let’s hope the weather isn’t too bad. If necessary we can move the stalls indoor. Hope to see you there.

Ogmore

A female Ring Ouzel was just down from the lower end of Pant Norton this morning, associating with Blackbirds and Song Thrushes. Also there a Lesser Whitethroat, plus lots of Common Whitethroats, Blackcaps, phylloscs and Yellowhammers.

Earlier a Bar-tailed Godwit, three Whimbrels, three Wheatears and a House Martin at Ogmore-by-Sea.