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.

Little Egret very confiding bird three colour ringed birds, Coot C218 green ring black lettering, Lesser B/B Gull K=V red ring black lettering and Black-headed Gul 9RK white ring black lettering. I have submitted this bird previously but have not received any feedback. Also Raven 4 Teal 3 not little Grebe which is unusual.

We had a well attanded walk [18 participants] around Cosmeston this morning. It was nice to welcome a couple of new members. It was hard work but we managed a fairly respectable 37 species. Highlights at the start were a Water Rail and 2 Redpolls at the dipping pond and an adult Mediterranean Gull by E. lake. Minuses were dipping on Marsh Tit in Cogan Wood, and no Yellow-legged Gull. A highlight at the end was a flock of c.20 Siskins feeding in Alder by the golf course. Photos below include some I grabbed of a pretty viscious fight between Great Crested Grebes, caused by 2 pairs displaying within a few feet of each other. Robin, Great Tit and Blue Tit fed from my hand in Cogan Wood. Click here for the full list.

Yesterday morning [Sat 15th Feb] was the monthly walk at Kenfig NNR. There were just 9 participants and it did start a little damp, but 39 species were seen, highlights being the long-staying American Wigeon and a Great White Egret. Here’s the full list: click here

A rather chilly walk this morning, arranged with the Restore the Thaw project folk with myself, Alan Rosney and Barrie Gardiner from GBC acting as leaders. We explored around The Leys at Gileston then walked to E. Aberthaw and back. That path in front of the Power Station seems endless!! The chill wind meant small birds were keeping hidden but we saw 35 species with highlights being a pair of Peregrines chasing feral pigeons, a sizeable flock of Wigeon at the R. Thaw mouth, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, Oystercatchers, Stonechats at The Leys, Goldfinches & Linnets. A couple of lucky folk saw a Black Redstart – kindly shown to them by GBC members Martin Bell and Ai-Lin Kee who happened to be there independently.
The full list is here.

Nothing too exciting. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was on E lake, Cosmeston this morning – actually more like midday. The 1st YLG I’ve seen there in ages. Mid lake so pix are huge crops. In the two ‘groups” it’s the nearest bird. Note mid, warm gery of upper parts in comparison to the dark slate gry of Lesser Black-backs present and the silvery grey on the couple of Herring Gulls present.

I edit serial of photes of Hovering Kingfisher while standing on stone fort

A few from the last few days or so. A. trip over to The Knap lake Barry recently, just for a stroll, produced a familiar Tufted x Pochard hybrid. At Cosmeston the Little Grebes are now in breeding plumage and have started whinnying [and the Great Cresteds have been displaying too]. Only my second Common Gull of this winter was on E lake the other day, on a calm day when the water produced a nice pattern around the bird. This morning on a walk through Cogan Wood I spotted a load of Redwing in an adjacent field, guessing about 100 in all – the most I’ve seen this winter. Birds were coming down for seed as usual, including a Marsh Tit.