Popped out onto the patio this afternoon and there were 2 Kestrels soaring together above. Not sure if they were a pair as they were roughly the same size and colour. Earlier a Willow warbler singing nearby.

Cuckoo heard calling briefly just after 7pm. A little distant, somewhere in upland above Cefn Carfen Road.

7 am 24.4.20

6 whimbrel resting up at water’s edge

We notice that an Osprey was reported and photographed on the same morning, over Nantyffyllon, approx. 13.3 miles (as the Osprey flies) to the west-north-west of “our” bird – same bird ? – or 2 birds as part of a late migration movement ??

On one of our exercise walks, from the house in Beddau, at approx. 0645, amazed to see an OSPREY flying slowly but steadily, exactly north, at perhaps twice tall tree height, over the Common – possibly en route from overnight local water roost (Hensol Lake ??) towards potential breeding site in Mid-Wales or even Scotland.

Another 37 species joined it on our complete list as submitted to Birdtrack – included Raven carrying food for young, Stock Dove singing, Redstart singing (a first for us in this vicinity) – other summer  visitors included several Whitethroats (at last), lots of Willow Warblers and Blackcaps, several low-flying Swallows (again, at last).

First Reed Warbler in usual location; two Cetti’s singing.

Male Hen Harrier seen again on Wednesday 22nd April.

Male Hen Harrier seen on Monday 20th April flying. Lots of Skylarks, Stonechats, Wheatears, Meadow Pipit and Buzzards.

I had an email from a member of the public to say that there’s been a Pere around the apartments at Victoria Wharf which is by the R. Ely before it enters Cardiff Bay, near the White Water centre. It’s obviously using the roofs of the apartments as a lookout. Pic with the email:

Plenty of Swallows around Lower Cosmeston Farm. Blackcaps in the nature reserve and Brimstone, Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood but o/w pretty quiet bird-wise but it was early afternoon.
Lavernock – Penarth coast path, more Blackcaps, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, Dunnock, Blackbird, Robin, House Sparrow.

Yesterday 10 am,Single Red Kite SE of Pendoylan. As a sub contractor to Welsh Water I’m either working at their sites or driving between them, hence the wide variation in localities. Apologies to all those in lock down and those who can’t get out to their favourite birding spots, hopefully it won’t be long before we can all get out and about.

Two singing, Sanatorium Park.

Two singing, Sanatorium Park.

Single Red kite above Telemast (Gilfach farm) this morning. They really are becoming an almost common sight these days.

Single Red Kite over Penrhiwgwint, a pair of Stonechats, several singing Skylarks & Meadow Pipit. As we got up on the plateau I scanned a scoured field and picked out a Lapwing keeping a wary eye on a Buzzard perched on a nearby stone wall. 20 yards away was , I presume, the female, stock still and possibly on eggs/young. If this is a breeding pair, its the first I’ve seen on this hill since the ’80s. Further sightings include 8+Willow warbler, 1× Whitethroat, Crossbill, 2×Swallow, 1× Reed Bunting, 8+ Sand Martin

C.40 Swallows and 2 House Martin at Cosmeston this a.m. 10 at a time of the Swallows were perching in a tree overhanging W lake in between bouts of feeding flight. Also Green Pecker, Chiffchaff and plenty of Blackcap.

Two common sandpipers flitting around the islands in Roath Park Lake this morning.

Hendre lake april 16th Mallard with 13 ducklings

Lamby Lake april 17th 10 to 12 Hirundines all Swallows.

Driving along heads of valleys road at Dowlais this morning, Red kite overhead and a single Lapwing just a few yards off the carriageway. Later driving over Gelligaer common just after Bedlinog turnoff pair of Curlew flew over. I’ve heard them in this area before but haven’t seen any, so hopefully they’re breeding on the common.

In the last few weeks I have seen greenfinch and chaffinch in the garden for the first time in four years which is an encouraging sign. In Howardian nature reserve this morning, chiff chaff, willow warbler, garden warbler and blackcap.

Kingfisher and heron over garden this morning was a nice bonus.