A belated brief report of our club field trip to the Castell Nos upland area north of Maerdy. This was led by club member Ceri Jones, who is familiar with the area, and co-led by Alan Rosney. {Edit} There were a pleasing 23 participants. Highlights were 4 Cuckoos, Whinchat, Redpoll, Crossbill, Tree Pipit and Peregrine, out of 39 species seen. The list below was compiled by participant John Western – thanks John. I was away and unable to go …. sadly {John W}

Species list: Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Woodpigeon,  Cuckoo, Buzzard, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Carrion Crow, Raven, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Sand Martin, Swallow, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff,  Blackcap, Whitethroat, Goldcrest,  Wren, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, Whinchat, Stonechat, Wheatear, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Chaffinch,  Bullfinch, Linnet, Redpoll, Crosshill, Goldfinch,  Siskin.
Non avian wildlife seen was as follows:
Butterflies:- Peacock, Small Pearl – Bordered Fritillary, Small Heath, Green – veined White, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Painted Lady.
Moths:- Meadow Grass -moth, Oak Eggar ( larva), Plain Pollen -moth, Brimstone moth ,  Silver  Ground Carpet, Common Heath.

More misc wildlife – including a couple of birds! The Long-tailed Tit looks a bit tatty, no doubt after raising a sizeable brood. The Coot juvs were in the W lake bay, one sitting nicely surrounded by Water Bistort. The hoverfly is “The Footballer” [Helophilus pendulus], and the Four-spotted Chaser dragonfly was at the dipping pond.

Quiet bird-wise but Brimstone was nice plus my first spike of Common Spotted Orchid in E paddock. The Buzzard was over the dipping pond area and the Broad-bodied Chaser male was by the ditch at the back of the cafe.

Parc Cwm Darren

Four-spot Chaser at Parc Cwm Darren 18th May.

One singing , Sanatorium Fields this morning.

Two singing Whitethroats nearer St Fagans than Fairwater.

Two Dippers. One half way along the trail the other just 400 metres from Fairwater (where the trail starts).

Eight folk took a gamble on the weather this morning and were well rewarded!

We saw/ heard a total of 51 species. The highlights were – Osprey on the coast over the sea, Peregrine Falcon flying over, 7 Whimbrel at Sker Point, 8+ Wheatear, 10+ White Wagtail, a very smart Red Bunting and a pair of Kestrel perched near the barn at Sker House, and … a bright Yellow Wagtail by the pond at Sker.

Full List-

Canada Goose , Greylag Goose , Mute Swan, Gadwall , Wigeon, Mallard , Tufted Duck, Pheasant , Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon , Collared Dove, Coot, Little Grebe , Great Crested Grebe , Ringed Plover, 7 Whimbrel , Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull , Cormorant , Osprey, 2 Kestrel , Peregrine, Magpie, Rook , Carrion Crow , Blue Tit , Great Tit
Skylark , Sand Martin , Swallow , Cetti’s Warbler , Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff , Whitethroat , Wren , Starling, Song Thrush, Blackbird , Robin , Stonechat, Wheatear, House Sparrow , Dunnock , Yellow Wagtail , White Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit , Linnet , Goldfinch , Reed Bunting

Many thanks to Dave Carrington for leading and navigating the route through the flooded slacks! Also everyone else for coming along and helping with ID

This morning there were 3 Common Sandpipers along the R. Ely embankment by Penarth Marina, plus 15 Turnstones. A Raven was sitting around on equipment in the environment building yard at the N end of the barrage and 2 Common Whitethroats were singing in the scrub by the path past the Swift tower. The feeder dock had about 40 Sand Martins investigating the nest holes.

15 Great Crested Grebe on Lisvane Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing Speckled wood 2 and Orange Tip male which was first of the year for us.

On 11th April between Fairwater and St Fagans, single Dipper on the River Ely. Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker close to Fairwater.

2.5 mile walk around Llanishen Reservoir to catch Black neck Grebe in summer plumage

One singing for several hours in my Canton, Cardiff garden this morning.

At least six Sand Martins this morning investigating nest holes. Good to see them back.

A pair of Chough put in an appearance and a Peregrine but otherwise it was pretty quite.

At Cosmeston recently I saw a Water Rail in Sully Brook, opposite the Medieval Village. I was ready on the second occasion and managed to grab a couple of shots. The Swan touching down by the main bridge was impressive.
A couple of adult Great Black-backed Gulls were in the outer harbour of the barrage recently.

19/03/25 Osprey overhead at 14:45 flying North.

We had a successful trip to the Forest of Dean on Sat 8th, with 20 participants. Unlike the last two years we succeeded with seeing Goshawk from New Fancy View – just the 1 bird but it was worth it. We also had a Red Kite there. We also scored with a few Hawfinch in Parkend, and a couple of Marsh Tits at Cannop Ponds. The inevitable Mandarins featured there too, plus some smart Siskins and a pair of Goosander. No pix of the Gos or Hawfinch from me, but a few of other species seen. are shown below. John Wilson.

We noted 45 species – click here for the list. In addition we had Long-tailed Tit, Jay, Cormorant and Teal.

Birds singing daily (up to four individuals) Sanatorium Park and along Ely Trail.

First locally singing Chiffchaff in Sanatorium Park, Canton on 2nd March and another this morning.