Todays entertainment at an otherwise quiet estuary was provided by a rather early juv female Merlin trying to catch a Kingfisher on the lower estuary.

The Kingfisher would land on the riverbank and the Merlin would approach at speed. At the appropriate moment the Kingfisher would casually drop into the water and immediately pop back onto the bank apparently unimpressed by the young birds efforts. After about 8 attempts from various heights, angles and directions, with the Kingfisher seemingly leaving it later and later to pop into the water just to wind her up, it dawned on the Merlin that she was not going to enjoy Kingfisher for breakfast and headed off towards Ogmore By Sea to try her luck with something a little less savvy.

The only other bird of note was a Reed Warbler singing from a thicket at Merthyr Mawr!

I have recently rec’d a request for help with counting Wood Pigeon which pass thro’ in impressive numbers on vis mig in Oct and Nov. Please visit the GBC Forum for more info.

2 Green Sandpiper at RGW,

Vizmig more obvious.

At the Saltmarsh – Wigeon (6), Gadwall (1), Teal (75+), Water Rail (2 juv), Lapwing (17), Snipe (10), Greenshank (1), Kingfisher (2), Cetti’s Warbler (2) & Reed Bunting (8)

Rivermouth – Shelduck (1 – east), Gannet (1 – west) & Great Black-backed Gull (6)

For a while, thought it was going to be a bird-less session! At Lavernock Wildlife Trust reserve [thanks to Nigel Ajax-Lewis for correcting me on this one] , a Silver Y moth and 1 Painted Lady, 1 Green ‘Pecker, 1 Jay, a Heron and 2 Oycs in St Mary’s Well Bay. At Lavernock Pt coastal path a feeding flock consisting of c.20 Blue Tit, a few Gt Tit, 4 Chiffchaff, 6 Long-t Tit, an imm Goldcrest and a Garden Warbler.

On Wednesday evening, flock of around 20 Ringed Plover, with at least one dunlin and one sanderling. Waders are not my strong point, so could be more interesting stuff there, if anyone cares to look!

Garden Warbler feeding in rowan.

several very green chifchaffs on the hill… otherwise very quiet.. 10 med gulls on the grass bank including a new ringed one for me black on white (E825).. Breeding location has been requested.!

3 Black Terns (2 of 3 shown above) were feeding in the bay and resting on Aberavon Beach for at least an hour after high tide.

Sanderling (345), Dunlin (70+). Ringed Plover (150+), Mediterranean Gull (6), Sandwich Tern (2), Black Tern (3), Whitethroat (1), Sedge Warbler (1), Stonechat (12) & Reed Bunting (4) (MHi, RJ)

Yesterday, locally –

Bryn Tip area – Whinchat (4), Marsh Tit (1); Melincourt -Spotted Flycatcher (2); Gnoll CP – Spotted Flycatcher (4)

2 Garganey still present this afternoon at CBWR at the far end of reserve from boardwalk. Also ad. Med Gull.
Another 2 ad. Med Gulls in Hamadryad Park.

Late news posted on behalf of Allan Dowson [awaiting registration].

1-Spotted Flycatcher in trees at the pond. Also,up to 5-Clouded Yellows and 1-Painted Lady.

50+ Yellow Wagtails in the fields this morning plus 6 Wheatear and 3 White Wagtails around the point.

Redstart and Lesser Whitethroat at Merthyr Mawr.

2 curlew sandpiper with 93 dunlin and 104 ringed plover on foreshore.
Also 14 Sandwich tern, 5 whimbrel and a few barwit.
Lots of phylloscs and blackcap in the scrub east of the plantation – would be worth working the area if anyone has time.

Many many swallows feeding over the common (tooo many to count).. I’ve never seen swallows perching on gorse before.. amazing….

Late news for 24th Aug – per Alan Williams [awaiting registration]

Osprey at Llanrhidian (2.30pm), eating a fish on one of the furthest posts on the marsh. 26+ porpoises and 6 common dolphins off Port Eynon point (4.30pm to 6pm), also 20 plus gannets in the area. OOC: spoonbill and ruff at WWT Penclacwydd.

2 whinchat (1 juv. 1 male) near broad pool and 4 tree pipit at rhosili down

Wigeon (1), Gadwall (1), Teal (c40), Snipe (11), Greenshank (1), Green Sandpiper (1), Whinchat (1) & Yellow Wagtail (4)