Cosmeston

2 Kingfishers from the main bridge y’day and 1 this morning. Max 22 B-h Gulls recently including at least 2 this years imm. Reed Wblr at the dipping pond this a.m. GC Grebe with 1 fully grown imm still with stripey head. Water Vole v brief appearance at the dipping pond this morning. Also an amazing carving recently installed near the dipping pond, carved out of a single tree.

Peterston Moors R. Ely valley

On Weds 11th Jul 15 GBC members had a morning walk through Lanlay Meadows NT and on to Peterston Moors (R. Ely floodplain) near Peterston-super-Ely.  It was very hot and humid in overcast conditions.  We saw 32 species in all, highlights of which were 2 Green Sandpipers, adult Grey Wagtails with young, Sand Martins entering nest holes in the sandy river banks, and exc views of Red Kite, Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk. The full list ca be seen by clicking here.

Sully and Llwyn On

Six Whimbrel at Bendrick Rock early this morning at high tide. Shortly afterwards an adult Mediterranean Gull on Sully Beach along with 200+ Black-headed Gulls. An adult Great Black-backed Gull was on Sully Island.

Yesterday morning at Llwyn On reservoir, where the low water level has exposed lots of mud and a bridge, 4 House Martin repeatedly visiting the water’s edge, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Great Black-backed Gull and 4 Grey Heron. In the nearby forestry plantation on the east side of the A470, 9 Crossbill, 2 Raven and 1 Tree Pipit.

Cosmeston – last couple of days

Today there were 9 Black-headed Gulls on W lake posts including 2 of this years juvs. The Canada Goose pair have lost 1 of their 3 goslings but the remaining 2 are quite large now. Silver ‘Y’ moths seen this a.m. plus Comma. 2 Days ago there were 20 or so each of House and Sand Martin feeding over the upper dovecote field, plus a few Swift. Here’s a few recent photos:

Cosmeston

A nice find [and my first there since 2007] was this Cuckoo on the posts of the ‘snipe’paddock’ fence this morning. Also fem Mallard with 8 v small ducklings on W lake, and 7 Black-headed Gulls on the W lake posts, the first for me since the winter. Also v annoyed to see that some morons have chucked the life belts back into the lake, 2 days after they had been retrieved and put back on the holders by the park staff.IMG_6772 copy

Penarth

Juvenile Hawfinch found in garden yesterday evening with a broken neck and slight damage to bill – presumably flown into window. Not a happy ending I’m afraid, but notably unusual species here.

Cosmeston

Pretty quiet at Cossie this morning due to the heat I guess. Did see one of the Kingfisher pair from the main bridge plus the pr of GC Grebes with 2 now pretty advanced young. Other wildlife included several Emperor dragonflies ovipositing at the dipping pond, and a Comma sunning on the path through Cogan Wood. Several Swift were over the meadow by Sully Brook with a few Swallows.

Talygarn Lake

WeBS a few days late. A lovely walk in the woods and round the lake on a warm day.

Couldn’t find Moorhen or Little Grebe today.

Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Chiffchaff, Dunnock , House Sparrow, Magpie, Mute Swan ,
Song Thrush, Woodpigeon , Blue Tit, Chaffinch , Coot, House Martin ,Kingfisher,
Mallard 57, Robin , Swallow ,Wren ,

KNNR

There were 17 participants on the Monthly Public Birdwalk last Saturday -16/06/18-, 46 species were found, the highlights being a Pink-footed goose, and a Sparrow hawk which posed by the edge of the pool.

Full list-

Blackbird, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chiffchaff, Coot, Dunnock,  Great Tit,
Great Black-Backed Gull, Grey Heron, Herring Gull , Jackdaw , Lesser Black-backed Gull,
Magpie, Mute Swan,  Pink-footed Goose , Reed Warbler,  Sand Martin,  Song Thrush ,
Starling,  Swallow,  Whitethroat , Woodpigeon,  Blackcap , Bullfinch , Canada Goose ,
Chaffinch , Collared Dove, Cormorant , Goldfinch,  Great Crested Grebe,  Greenfinch ,
Greylag Goose , House Sparrow , Lapwing , Linnet , Mallard,  Pied Wagtail, Raven, Robin,
Skylark , Sparrowhawk , Stonechat , Swift,  Willow Warbler , Wren,

Thanks to all for coming, and to Ceri for finding us some great birds and interesting paths!