2 local walks in ST08 this week, totalling approx. 7hours, produced 53 species – included confirmed breeding Dipper with young in nest, female Sparrowhawk just failing to take a non-ID pigeon right in front of us, male Wheatear at previously known breeding area, 5 singing Tree Pipits, Redstart, Stonechat pair, 4 singing Wood Warblers. No Kestrel or Cuckoo, as has become the “norm”.

A pair of Yellow-crowned Weavers (also known as Bishops) Euplectes afer were seen by John Shepherd at Swansea Vale on the 25th. Relocated today by Alastair Flannagan – some pics HERE of these striking birds.

…still looks a slow day down in Glamorgan, so here is a Caspian (not siberian!) Stonechat (only 5th recorded in UK??)

http://andyburnsphotography.zenfolio.com/passerines/h266c529d#h266c529d

Taken on Fair Isle

Andy

Checked the small sand Martin colony by the mine museum at least 5 family parties involving about 30 birds also of note garden warblers spotted fly a male redstart green woodpecker willow warbler and cuckoo 

Just like Minsmere, but with fewer celebrities.

…It looks a slow day down in Glamorgan, so here is a Cetrine Wagtail, taken just outside the area.

http://andyburnsphotography.zenfolio.com/passerines/h14b333d#h14b333d

We’re about 5 miles from Muckle Flugga.

Andy

Just had the rather bizarre sight of a Fulmar flying past from my lounge window!

Newport Wetlands: Savi’s Wbr. still present this am showing & reeling intermittently. Also present Marsh Harrier & Cuckoo [MCP early am, JH & DRWG mid morning]. Well done to Matt Meehan for a VC35 first and a really rare bird nationally.

A Spoonbill was again feeding on the Glamorgan-side of the estuary on the receding tide this morning (SS5597), 9 Dunlin there the only new birds seen. Yesterday evening in the same area a Pale-bellied Brent was flying around with a Dark-bellied Brent.

Llanrhidian marsh road had 1 lesser white throat at the village end, a comm. redstart was singing from some oak trees within farm fields.unfortunately , couldn’t  get views of it. Can’t say I’ve  heard one singing on Gower before.

At Allt Y  Graban, pontlliw ,  1 pair of garden warbler  both birds sounding slightly agitated. One further singing male further up the road

Garden Warbler still singing in Canton; Reed Warber singing in Grangemoor Park plus Skylark as usual.

Garden Warbler singing well at dawn, Ely Trail, Canton (off Lansdowne Gardens), Reed Bunting singing, Skylark singing at Grangemoor Park. Small total of four Common Whitethroats.

Cuckoo (min. 2), Skylark, Tree Pipit (4 singing), Redstart (min. 3), Wood Warbler (2 singing), Raven, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Crossbill.

Red Kite went through about 12:30 with a Peregrine close behind – even though they were in the binoculars at the same time I don’t think they were actually interacting 🙂 – on the negative side – I also had fairly close views of what I think was a MINK. Never seen one before but was very dark (if not black) swimming in water close to bank and looked to be about 18 inches long (including tail).

Need a bit of help on this one. 3 shots taken this morning of a single bird, which I think is a Sanderling. Anyone confirm?

http://andyburnsphotography.zenfolio.com/waders/h36bfae2d#h36bfae2d

Also seen, a single ringed plover and a couple of whimbrels in flight.

Andy