32 mallard under the road bridge next to pant a sais in the shade lots of juvs amongst them

Latest ringing news HERE

Nice pic of treecreeper by Amy Schwartz

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.

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.

Latest ringing information is HERE.

Highlights have included an 8 year old reed warbler and the first young grasshopper warbler of the year (see below – photo Bethan Dalton)

A sub-ad Little Grebe was in the W lake small bay [far end of the lake]. 13 B-h Gulls incl 1 juv on the posts. A Water Vole was posing well at the dipping pond again.

A nice surprise on a rare summer visit to the lake were three Common Sandpiper on the east side of the island. Mute Swan 82 Lesser B/B Gull 40 one ringed G+X a regular here. Also: Banded Demoiselle  2 Emperor 8 Common Blue Damselfly lots and Black-tailed Skimmer 3 and Holly Blue Butterfly.

Yesterday,july 4th. the Great Crested Grebes eggs finally hatched.At least two juvs. on parents back,could be three.

2 adult shelduck with 3 well grown youngsters

There was a pretty confiding Water Vole at the dipping pond although it played hard to get amongst the reed stems. The Kingfisher was on the usual dead tree seen from the bridge, and an imm Grey Heron was at the dragonfly pond.

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:

Latest ringing report HERE.

Productivity seems to have been good for most resident species, and first reed warbler young now on the wing.

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.

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.

a  red kite was low over asda car park this afternoon being mobbed by the local gulls

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.

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 ,

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!

Pair of siskin been visiting since yesterday.. normally only see in the winter.

11 hardy souls faced the all day drizzle and had a long walk around the NW Bargoed area including Cefn Gelligaer, thanks to Club member Lee Taswell showing us round his local patch. Despite the weather we saw 42 species, although Cuckoo was only heard. Highlights included at least 3 Common Redstart including a juv bird, 2 male Whinchats, 3 Red Kite, Tree Pipits, a Curlew display flighting, lots of Skylarks, Green Woodpecker and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, and quite a few young birds including Stonechat, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin. A fly by flock of 4 Stock Dove were also noted. Many thanks to Lee. Full list will be added to the GBC trip lists page shortly.