A wood sandpiper showed briefly this morning from the first hide, keeping very close to the nearest shoreline. Fairly quiet for the most part, although also present were a few other birds of particular note, oddly all occuring in singles – a knot in summer plumage, barwit, greenshank, little ringed plover, a dunlin in summer plumage. Also quite a lot of yellow wagtails feeding fledged young in the area around and immediately in front of the seawall hide. A curlew sandpiper was also reported whilst I was there. 

A morning trip to the Saltmarsh found the water levels have risen considerably in the last 7 days. More birds around too. The most unexpected sighting was of 9 Greenshanks. They were spread out around the river-scrape and dune-scrapes. Moving between feeding areas regularly before 7 flew off west leaving 2 around the dune-scrapes.

Mallard (60+), Teal (15), Peregrine (1), Kestrel (1), Curlew (1), Greenshank (9), Redshank (1), Snipe (1) & Lapwing (20). Lots activity around the reeds and scrub Cetti’s, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Sedge, Willow, Chiffchaff and a single Garden Warbler. Reed Buntings still in double figures (10+) and slightly fewer Stonechats.

GBC weekday trip had 13 participants. We attained poss a record low for the no. of species seen on a field trip [around 20!], but 4-5 Whimbrel on coastal rocks plus Oycs and Turnstone provided interest. Also some very distant white specks [viewable only thro’ some ‘scopes!] running around on Kenfig Sands, were Sanderling. 1 juv Wheatear at Sker Pt and a family of Stonechat by Sker Farm. Lots of leps including Grayling, Common & Small Blue, Small Copper, Meadow Brown, and Red Admiral.

At 09:30; singles of juv redshank and dunlin. At 16:30; singles of ringed plover and common sandpiper. Plus usual suspects and lots of disturbance.

lots of ringed plover/sanderling/dunlin
no sign of any terns
Lots of gulls loafing offshore
And many swallows heading south

Trip with the grandchildren. In between pond dipping etc caught up with the lesser yellowlegs in front of b steel hide. A Clouded Yellow flew thro the grounds. Very smart dog fox also performed well on the saltmarsh bund.

Another 2nd sum Med Gull on playing fields this am.

Todays check on winter feed crop was very quiet bird wise just 3 Gold Finch in field and a flyover Wood pigeon and Swallows lots of Green-veined White and a surprise Hummingbird Hawk Moth crop looking better than last year

Mute Swan (2), Canada Goose (16), Mallard (22), Teal (4), Tufted Duck (140), Pochard (5), Common Sandpiper (2), Buzzard (1 over), Chiffchaff (3), Garden Warbler (1) & a Cockatiel!

Late News: RGW: [5.viii.13 evening high tide] Little Egret (6), Redshank [4], Dunlin [2], Lapwing (15), Whimbrel (10) & Swallow (75).

PS. Hello everyone. Excellent job John, well done.

2 med gulls amongst bh gulls

Barrage – Sand Martins still around nest holes in the dock by Dr Who experience. By Mermaid Quay – juv LBB Gull ringed 7UF white on green ringed on Flat Holm this year.

5 Swifts flying over the park at 8 a.m. today. Am I imagining it, or has there been a shortage of Swifts this year?

tawny owl.. giving it real what for outside my bedroom window… fantastic.. Also nothing to sell.. only a bird posting.!!

[with Alun Hughes]

A juvenile Goshawk caught and devoured a Mallard at the south pools. Just before I arrived Alun saw a Greenshank fly in as if to land close to where the Goshawk was feeding, only to make a very hasty exit when it realised its mistake!

1 ad Little Tern the highlight, supporting a metal ring on its right leg. Also present on the evening high tide – Turnstone (10), Knot (2), Ringed Plover (150+), Sanderling (240+), Dunlin (356) and Mediterranean Gull (8).

whitford sands around high tide this afternoon had 137 dunlin(at least 4 juv),112 ringed plover, 18 sanderling , 3 sandwich tern (1 juv), 125 BH Gull, 1 common gull, 2 juv linnet plus atendent parent.Another 5 sandwich tern ( 2 juv) at port eynon the other day

200+ oystercatchers @ High tide.. along with 20/20 Med/BH gulls.. several young LBB/Herr immature offshore…No small waders at all –> surprised me.

150+ BH gulls on rooftops @ Shops.. with 2 med gulls

A brief foray between rain bands saw a Greenshank at the Watermill flood, three Little Egrets on Ploran Mawr and four Common Sandpipers on the estuary.