Kenfig NNR

Eleven folk came on our Kenfig monthly walk- thanks!

A blustery morning down at Sker, but the tide was just going out, and rewarded us with a list of 50 species. A few people went down to the pool afterwards,  it was quiet, but they found us a few more for the list.

The highlights today were a Whimbrel, Curlew, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Sanderling, Willow Warbler, Wheatear.

Full list-

Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Mute Swan , Mallard , Grey Heron, Little Egret Cormorant, Coot, Oystercatcher , Ringed Plover , Whimbrel ,Curlew, Turnstone Sanderling , Dunlin  ,Black-headed Gull ,  Great Black-backed,  Gull Herring Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull,  Feral Pigeon , Woodpigeon, Collared Dove,  Swift, Kestrel Magpie,  Jackdaw, Carrion Crow,  Blue Tit , Great Tit , Skylark, Sand Martin, Swallow House Martin, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Wren , Starling, Blackbird,  Robin Stonechat , Wheatear , House Sparrow , Dunnock , Pied Wagtail , Meadow Pipit  Rock Pipit,  Bullfinch,  Greenfinch,  Linnet , Goldfinch.

 

Cosmeston

Most of the action around the fenced off area of west paddock – 2 Tree Pipit , 1 Spotted Fly , 4 Blackcap , 1 Garden Warbler , 4 Chiffchaff , 3 Willow Warbler , 1 Common and 1 Lesser Whitethroat . 1 Redstart on posts at lake end of west paddock . 1 each of Buzzard , Sparrowhawk and Raven over .

East Aberthaw

A good mixture of species seen this morning . 45 Canada Geese at the rivermouth with the usual gulls and a few waders , mainly Oystercatcher and Curlew and 2 Dunlin . Singles of Kestrel , Sparrowhawk and Buzzard hunting over the tip . At least 100 Linnet , 6 Greenfinch and 3 pairs of Bullfinch , plenty of Goldfinch . One group of 5 Wheatear were in the beach area along with several Rock Pipit . 6 species of warbler were seen , Blackcap , 2 Garden Warbler , Reed Warbler , at least 10 Common Whitethroat , Chiffchaff and some really smart looking Willow Warblers . 53 species in total 7.50am to 11.30am .

Lavernock

Rather late doing a sea watch [other commitments] so from 13:10 to about 14:15, just 3 Fulmar, and 2 Gannet [1 ad and 1 2nd yr] down channel from the searchlight ‘shelter’, which felt as if it would be blown off its foundations at times! Much earlier, Phil Bristow had 2 Arctic Skuas, a single Storm Petrel, many Manxie, and a flock of Common Scoter, all d/c.

Cardiff Bay

A single Common Sandpiper along the embankment by Penarth Marina/R. Ely mouth this morning, plus 100’s of Hirundines over the water, mostly Sand Martin but House Martins mixed in [active nest noted on house near the Penarth Marina outer lock gates] but no doubt plenty of others. Also whilst on the Barrage I noted about 6 Swifts feeding over the water.

Cardiff Bay

A 3 hour circular walk around Cardiff Bay was generally quiet . A Common Sandpiper and 3 Turnstone were along the Ely embankment . Lesser and Common Whitethroat , Blackcap and Reed Warbler were seen near the boardwalk area at CBWR . 7-8 Swift seen in total with lots of Sand and House Martin and a total of 11 pairs of GC Grebes with chicks of varying ages .