A Tree Sparrow among the flock of House Sparrows was an unexpected surprise at Swansea Vale LNR today.  It was at the south west corner of the reserve among the brambles & hedgerow (either side of Nant-y-fendrod) where the tarmac path meets the wooden bridge – SS684981.

6 Sand Martins at the River Tawe, Swansea Vale may indicate that numbers are starting to build at this location. 

Black-throated Diver still present and showing very well on East Lake, as well as Kingfisher. Marsh Tit in Cogan Wood and gorgeous male Lesser Redpoll near Dragonfly Pond. No sign of Bonaparte’s Gull at Heliport.

2 Great White Egrets (bare part colours rapidly on the turn) feeding just west of the mounds, 3 Slavonian Grebes (still predominantly winter plumage) just off the marsh edge to the west and 6 R-b Mergs in fine fettle were the highlights on the high tide first thing. Generally though far fewer birds around, with the Crofty D-b Brent flock having gone down from 370 to 79 in the last few days, although I could see another 26 off Weobley. Still no Wheatear for me, though Chiffchaffs were singing most places I stopped at today and yesterday I did see a couple of Sand Martin’s at Swansea Vale.

The Black-throated Diver was on West Lake this lunchtime, preening and sleeping all the time I was there.

A few chiffchaffs singing, but otherwise pretty quiet.

Despite the spring-like conditions we’ve been experiencing, there have still been 370+ Dark-bellied Brents regular off Salthouse Point in the last few days – video of a busy group readying themselves for departure HERE

 

Terry T & Kim P found this very obliging 2cy Kumlien’s Gull at Fendrod Lake, this afternoon. It has already acquired a taste for bread by all accounts so it could be a popular bird if it sticks around a while. It flew off towards the bay at 16:50 (ish)

The ad Ring-billed Gull was still at Blackpill roosting on the sea, early evening. Also there was 4cy  Yellow-legged Gull at Crymlyn Burrows, mid-afternoon.

The Black-throated Diver was on E lake late this morning but was on W lake when I left after about 45 mins.

The adult Kumlien’s Gull was relocated this morning near Ogmore rivermouth, at about 10:45. The bird was initially sitting several hundred metres down the beach towards Newton direction, before flying off over the rivermouth and not subsequently relocated. 

I managed a truly terrible digiscoped shot, which at least can act as a record. The grey in the wing tips appeared more prominent in the field than is suggested in the photo.

 

 

Red kite over lansdowne road and cowbridge road heading north east. Not a bad garden tick!

Singing Chiffchaff (1), Snipe (4), Jack Snipe (1), Reed Bunting (1)  and displaying Meadow Pipits the highlights this morning.

My first Chiffchaff of the year was singing in the sunshine this afternoon near the Clyne Recycling Centre.

evening walk fairly quiet 12 little egrets at the boat club roost 8 shelducks 4 curlews seen but more calling    In the grass redshank calling usual gulls crows robins dunnocks blackbird and meadow pipit 

with bob anderson 

Sand martin over the marsh this morning.
Chiffchaff singing from Oxwich Burrows.
Greylags chasing around over the reebed. Siskin present among the larger flocks of goldfinch and greenfinch. 5 Buzzard soaring over the marsh.

A Water Pipit – now acquiring breeding plumage – was on the lower estuary, but rarer for the site was…….a Coot!

A bit behind the rest of the county but the first few singing along the River Ely this morning.

1 House Martin over the barrage at 08:30 coming hot on the heels of the Sand Martin yesterday!

White Wagtail this morning at Caer-lan farm. My first record of one at the site and Paul Marshman’s first in the Rhondda in c.50 years of birding the area. Goshawk, Peregrine, Buzzard, c.50 Fieldfare and at least 6 Raven also seen.

1 Sand Martin and 3 Chiffchaff late morning.

Bitterly cold wind coming off the East lake.

BT Diver still present.