1 singing Redstart.

A few migrants around which was nice considering the calm clear sky. At Broughton , 2 wheatear, a couple of willow warbler and white throat. At llangenith, 6 wheatear, 1 reeling grasshopper warbler, 3 whitethroat, 2 sedge warbler, several house Martin and swallow through, couple of Cettis. Pride of place to a cracking male whinchat which are a scarce treat on spring on Gower. Unfortunately, a bit too flightey to get close enough for a pic.

Two swifts over the stables this evening and 8 house martins. At least 7 swallows back at the riding school.

Unidentified Pipit – Solved – thought to be mottled Meadow Pipit

Hi, I am slightly perplexed by this pipit, I am inexperienced with the genus, the sun was in my eyes and the camera and pictures on Google are varied and sometimes inaccurate, and am searching for an opinion before I enter it into databases. I just feel that from viewing my usual meadow pipits over the years this stood out as being different. Notably it had sparse black flecking on a white chest. It did not call in flight. There are prominent white eyebrows, moustache and wing bars.

Might it be a migrating tree pipit? Found at Kenfig dunes approx 2pm 18.4.15.

A Little Ringed Plover present this evening.

Sedge Warbler seen yesterday singing again by the rocks in front of St.Davids Hotel.6,possibly 8 Reed Warblers singing.

1 female Ruff around, and in the fenced off Lapwing breeding area behind the dunes

at whiteford sands. 18 house martin plus small no.s of swallow around Burrows cottage. possibly mostly migrants unless the village collective were feeding on the edge of the marsh\paddock

Two Common Cranes with no rings or wing tags over Kenfig Pool this morning. First seen at Sker [DGC] and then over the pool [ND] before landing somewhere in the Western Dunes. Also Very nice views of Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Common Whitethroats and an unseen Reed Warbler singing in the north east corner.

2 Whitethroat in Hamadryad Park.In CBWR,GCG on 3 eggs,juv Song Thrush being fed by adult,Sprawk Kestrel and single Swallow over.

Some good local patch birds around this afternoon -red kite over high heading west, curlew over heading north and GBB gull arrived from the south, along with swallow and the regular wildfowl.

Caught up with this gem found by Martin Bevan, this afternoon. It’s in an open area so close approach not advisable, unless it comes to you! It was present mid afternoon at the very top of the reserve past the ruined building using the trees around the top field to rest and also feeding on the ground in the longish grass. Some heavily cropped record shots:

Has anyone got any ideas what these feathers may be from? They were dropped in to us at the Wildlife Trust. The carcass of a large bird of prey was found in the Vale of Glamorgan and these are some of the feathers from it. Apparently it had been significantly predated and there was no head and not much body left, but the talons were and were reportedly as thick as a man’s finger. Closest we can find it red-tailed hawk but these feathers are bigger as you can see from the photograph!

Red kite flew over at Lunch time today upsetting a couple of gulls.

Whitethroat in the small reedbed in front of St.Davids Hotel.

2 little egrets and 4 Whimbrels at Blackpill this evening. Tawny Owl calling calling in Singleton Park. Several Brimstones and numerous Peacocks in Clyne Woods, plus a small twittering of Swallows overhead and 1 Fox.

The Great Spotted Cuckoo found this evening by Martin Bevan was still present until dusk apparently.  Grid ref SN 961 095. Only parking for 5 cars near the reserve track so best to park in Penderyn then walk 1 mile NE towards Cwm Cadlan. Instructions as given on the South Wales Birding Facebook page are as follows:
At the LNR, take the path down into the valley, cross the bridge, take the path to the left and follow for about 500m to open area. Grid Ref SN 961 095.

Managed to catch up with the very smart-looking redstart found by Darren Coombs near Kenfig Castle this morning.
This afternoon I popped into Parc Slip and found another male redstart among the bushes near the end of the wooden fence along the canal path.

A Common Sandpiper along John Bachelor Way this evening, also 5 Turnstone.

I have just rec’d a report of a Gt Spotted Cuckoo about halfway along the road between the Cwm Cadlan ‘dotterel’ area, and Penderyn, as of 10-15 minutes ago. Awaiting further news.

UPDATE – the bird was still present at 19:27 apparently [via pager service]. Park in Penderyn and walk 1 mile NE back along the road towards Cwm Cadlan. V limited parking near the site.

8 blackcaps 2 female, 10 chiff chaff, 6 willow warbler around the run off pool also coot with 4 young.

on the main pool a common sandpiper and a little egret