Here’s a couple of shots of the Marsh Harrier which I aged as sub-adult male.It was only around for 10 mins before disappearing….it’d be nice if it stuck around.

Marsh harrier (first seen by CDB), wood warbler and grasshopper warbler (1+) were the main interest this morning. Siskins have bred on the marsh / close to it this year, as juvenile birds were present today, and a flock has been present throughout the spring.

The Garganey pair were still present this morning between 11:00 and 13:00, asleep by the edge of the main W lake reed bed facing out into the main body of the lake. 

They were seen during a successful walk which I accompanied on behalf of GBC with a group of children who were on a bird recognition course with Valeplus http://www.valeplus.org.uk who are based in Barry & Llantwit and run various courses for young people with learning and related disabilities. We saw 26 species. Thanks to Steve Thomas for inviting me along – it was a pleasure.

Lots of tipits displaying, several willow warblers and whitethroat, pair of stonechat, male bullfinch, and briefly a cuckoo before it was sent packing by a pipit.

Pretty quiet, few Whitethroat [6], Blackcap [2], Lesser Whitethroat [1], Chiffchaff [1], Curlew [1] & 1st S. Med Gull off the point.

Black Tern still at 11am mid bay from the Ice Rink  and at that point 60+  screeching swift overhead too.

The Black Tern is a summer plumaged bird, probably best viewed from the Ice Rink boardwalk. Very nice find by Gareth Pryce. Also about 20 Swift fairly high, and many hirundines over the water, mainly Swallow and Sand Martin.

Whilst looking at a Heron at Cosmeston a movement to its right turned into a pair of Garganey, which was a nice surprise. They were behind the posts, viewed from the bridge, and were skulking right up against the base of the vegetation.

I’ve just rec’d a report [08:45] of a possible Black Tern in Cardiff Bay [obs was not sure]. Obs was in CBWR but bird was out in the Bay. WIll check myself but have only just got up!

Holly and I made a quick visit this evening after some heavy showers. Only an adult Grey Heron feeding, but we did see our first Swift of the year flying over.

Red-throated diver (w/pl) still present, but at Oxwich Bay Hotel end of the beach tonight.
Very few waterfowl on the freshwater ponds.
199 kittiwakes counted on Mumbles Pier this evening.

For any gull connoisseurs out there, this dark gull was in the fountain outside Cardiff City Hall this morning. Dave Slade & I concluded that it was just a particularly dark lesser black backed (probably 3rd year summer plumage), but I would be interested to hear any alternative theories or comments on how common this is.

I don’t “do” gulls, but noticed this one because it was so much darker than a nearby herring gull, as you can see in the first two photos.

Cuckoo heard early today and yesterday (30/4) from Upper Killay pond area.

A record shot of the Hoody at Sker found by Dean Bolt. Pic by Graham Roblin for which thanks Graham.

The purple heron found this afternoon by Neil Donaghy was still present at 5.10pm. We (Jeff Curtis and I) saw it in flight when standing by the old wooden nature reserve sign overlooking the marsh and river area to the south of the new bridge over the river. Pictures on Glamorgan Rarities Committee blog. It landed in reeds at approximately SS783830. Mark Hipkin reports seeing it again at about 7pm. Two little ringed plovers were feeding in the sandy scrape on the east side of the haul road in the rejuvenation area.

mid-day-ish. Yomped all the way from KNNR car park to Sker then along to Rest Bay area and saw lots of Jackdaws, Crows and Rooks in the big field, but not the Scottish, or perhaps Irish, corvid. Doh! There were 12 Whimbrel in the field nearest the coast, and quite a lot of Wheatear, Sky Larks singing, Stonechats carrying food, & Linnets. Plan was to do Gileston first …. oh well. 2 Birds gone on the same day. 😦

3 Sedge Warblers showed well this morning, 2 in song flight, including one seen singing in the scrub just over the grass track through the reeds from the beginning of the boardwalk.

Message from Neil Donaghy – Purple Heron at Kenfig Saltmarsh.