A small group [just 7 of us] had a successful trip to Ham Wall RSPB in the Somerset Levels yesterday [25th]. The heat wasn’t too bad as there was some shade, plus the afternoon cloud and stiff breeze helped. 51 species were logged with highlights being 4 or poss 5 fly-by Bitterns, a Hobby, a Cuckoo, many Marsh Harriers and Great White Egrets [outnumbering Littles]. There were very many dragon & damselflies, the best of which were Red-eyed Damselflies alighting on the floating vegetation [as is their habit] and a Lesser Emperor dragonfly flying back & forth in front of the Avalon hide. Thanks to all who came along. John Wilson. Full trip list on trip lists page

On a sunny day 12 members enjoyed a walk around the beautiful Dinas RSPB reserve, north of Llandovery. We logged 38 species including all the ‘targets’ of Pied & Spotted Flycatchers, Common Redstart, and Wood Warbler, with Garden Warbler, Marsh Tit and other common woodland species thrown in for good measure. Adult Wheatears were feeding juvs by the access road to Llyn Brianne reservoir. By the afternoon it was getting pretty warm and folk were wilting, and the leader succumbed to an ice cream cone and then an ice lolly after watching the Wheatears! A few record shots by yours truly are in a sightings blog post. Thanks to all for coming. John Wilson.Full list on the trip lists page.

28 Club members gathered at Llanwonno on the evening of 1st June, in the hope of seeing and hearing Nightjars. It proved a difficult night however. A stiff north-easterly breeze seemed to have kept the birds down. We did hear some churring and many of the group had brief views. We did get good views of Tree Pipit, Kestrel, Buzzard and Swift however. Summary by Alan Rosney who led the trip.

21 GBC members enjoyed a visit to the Castell Nos upland area near Maerdy this morning. Ceri Jones led us round this new location for a field trip and Mike Shewring of the Lost Peatlands project gave us an overview of this important project which GBC have donated money to from our ‘green offset’ collections made on field trips. Being upland the number of species is not huge, but we logged 36. Highlights were 2 Cuckoos seen from the parking laybay, and 1 or poss 2 later on. Several Whinchats were seen and 2 Stonechats. Tree Pipits and Willow Warblers were singing and 2 Crossbills came down to a puddle to drink. We eventually overlooked the Tarren Y Bwllfa cwm cliff at the top end of Parc Cwm Dare and managed to ‘scope up a Peregrine sitting on a ledge. List on the trip lists page.

10 Club members enjoyed a trip to Cwm Claisfer near Llangynidr, and an afternoon visit to Llangorse Lake. The walk back up the long drag from the lower part of Cwm Claisfer was marred by persistent rain but we soon dried off. The Cwm is not as good as it used to be but we had nice views of a male Common Redstart and brief views of a female. Tree Pipits were active in the open areas but sadly no Pied Flys or Wood Warblers were seen. A couple of lucky folk saw 2 Cuckoos on the open moor and whilst having our snacks up by the moor, an unexpected visitor was a Little Ringed Plover that dropped in to feed on the grass in front of us, plus a male Wheatear. At Llangorse the resident Barnacle Geese were very vocal. A Common Sandpiper was seen and a Reed Warbler collecting nest material gave good photo opportunities [see sightings post 15th May]. A cuppa and a cake at the cafe were most welcome! 48 species were seen – full list on the trip lists page.

The weather was good for our trip to Goldcliff today. It was quiet birdwise but there were some highlights. The long-staying Spotted Redshank showed well, now in breeding plumage. Just one Little Ringed Plover was seen. The Avocets were great to watch and the evocative sound of displaying Lapwings was a treat. Some of the group also saw a Great White Egret.
On the foreshore were Wheatear, Whimbrel, Curlew and Oystercatcher. Passerines weren’t great in number but Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Blackcap were all added to the trip list. Thanks to John Wilson for leading today and for all the club members that came along. Alan Rosney

Pleasant stroll around Kenfig National Nature Reserve this morning on our monthly public walk. There were plenty of Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps there, plus a single Whitethroat. Sand Martins were plentiful over the pool with a scattering of Swallows and House Martins amongst them. A pair of Sparrowhawks put on a great display. The trip total was 49 species.

Successful [mostly] but chilly trip to the Forest of Dean today with another big group [22 participants]. It was too cold & still, apparently, for raptor soaring so just a few Buzzards seen from the viewpoint despite patient waiting and scanning. Highlights were Crossbills at the viewpoint, Hawfinch up in tall trees by the sportsfield in Parkend, Marsh Tit, Goosander [9 redheads] and Mandarins at Cannop ponds. 45 species in all. Full list on trip lists page.

An amazing 25 GBC members enjoyed a trip to Ogmore, Sun 26 Feb, on a sunny but cold day. Despite ‘dipping’ on Purple Sandpipers along the foreshore rocks [which were fully occupied by anglers] we totted up 43 species, during an outing which included a walk up the estuary as far as just short of the water treatment works bridge. Highlights included a group of 9 Brent Geese offshore of the rivermouth, 3 Goldeneye, 4 Goosander, Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall, a Common Sandpiper and others to make up a total of 42 species – full list on the trip lists page.

It was a lovely day today for our trip to Somerset to visit Chew Reservoir. Six members scanned the vast expanse of water from Herriot’s Bridge and Heron’s Green Bay. Nearly all common wildfowl were seen and sharp-eyed Alan Rosney picked out the much wanted ‘redhead’ Smew at Heron’s Green Bay – this tiny ‘sawbill’ was pretty distant, with a group of Coot and a Black-headed Gull, but scope views were OK. We dipped on the reported Scaup. It was good to see many Goldeneye, the males often displaying. Several Great White Egrets were seen including one dwarfing a Little Egret. Blagdon Reservoir was also visited for a reported Ring-necked Duck but we didn’t find that although there was plenty to see. Finally we dropped in at Barrow Gurney ‘tanks’ by the A38 and eventually found the reported male Long-tailed Duck [well spotted David Rich!]. A good day out with by my reckoning, 56 species. Full list on the trip lists page. John Wilson

Great day at Whiteford, Gower In Jan. Weather was really good. Highlights were 3 Great Northern Divers, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Red-breasted Merganser plus both Marsh and Hen Harrier. Thanks to John for leading and to all who came along. 21 Participants came along and 65 species were seen – full list on the trip lists page.

Twenty Club members enjoyed the nice sunny day for the first GBC outing of 2023. We spent 3 hours at Cosmeston, slightly irritated by the loud gunfire due to a local clay pigeon or pheasant shoot, which seemed to have kept some birds away or at least hidden in cover. West lake had the usual Tufties plus 8 Pochard and 6 Gadwall, 4 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Little Grebes and a brief Kingfisher was seen by a few. A small flock of Teal few around [possibly disturbed by the gunfire from a pool hidden in Cogan Wood, but they didn’t drop in]. In Cogan Wood after some patient watching most had views of a Marsh Tit as it dashed in and out to snatch up sunflower hearts deposited in a favourite place. The same location produced Blue, Great and Coal Tits, plus Long-tailed Tit and Nuthatch. West paddock gave us Green Woodpecker but no Hawfinch showed in what has become a regular winter location.
Some of us went over to Cardiff Bay by the Ice Rink where we saw the female Scaup and 2 female Goldeneye and a fly-by drake Goosander. After that, round the other side at Porth Teigr, by Roath Basin, we had nice views of the male Black Redstart.
In all we logged 47 species – the full list is here.

Another cracking trip to Dorset. En route to the Portland Bird Observatory we stopped off at Maiden Castle to try for Corn Bunting. We struggled at first but eventually one popped up on a barbed wire fence. Next stop was RSPB Lodmoor, where we soon found a Spoonbill amongst the Canada Geese. A fly-over Marsh Harrier put a lot of birds up, amongst which were both Little and Great White Egrets. Walking round to the north of the site we were delighted to see plenty of waders, including Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff, Black–tailed Godwit, Snipe, Common Sandpiper and Dunlin. John Wilson also glimpsed a Green Sandpiper – a great selection of waders. Several Yellow Wagtails were present too. The number of Mediterranean Gulls there is incredible. We then heard that the Red–backed Shrike that had been there for a week was still on the old tip. What a bird! The scalloped juvenile plumage was stunning [see pix below]. Off to Ferrybridge next, where we had misjudged the tide. The water was almost up to the viewing platform, meaning few waders were visible. There were a few Dunlin, a Sanderling and a Little Stint there. In the harbour was a lone Brent Goose.
Saturday dawned bright and we spent the first few hours around the Obs. Sea-watching wasn’t easy as the winds were northerly, pushing birds off-shore. An oddity was a Whitethroat that was perched on a rock right next to the obelisk. We saw plenty of Gannets, a few auks, Scoter plus Cormorant and Shag. A Rock Pipit was seen in this area too. After lunch we walked to Culverwell and up to the top fields. There were plenty of hirundines passing through with some other passerine movement. The Wheatears in the fields were great to see. Kestrels seemed to be everywhere. Some of the group also got on to a Merlin and a Lesser Redpoll was heard calling as it flew overhead. Following a visit to Radipole, where we saw a Hobby and a Kingfisher, we then decided to re- visit Ferrybridge for a second chance of watching waders on a rising tide. We weren’t able to add many new species but there were greater numbers of waders present, including several Ringed Plovers and Turnstones. An immature Common Gull caused some discussion. We were up early on the Sunday and were delighted to see the Little Owl in the Obs Quarry. Martin Rich also saw a Barn Owl go in to roost in the quarry. There were several passerines in the quarry with at least four Spotted Flycatchers and a Blackcap seen. Back in the Obs building, there was a quick shout and we were delighted to get on to a Turtle Dove on the wire. More
sea-watching brought some decent but distant views of Balearic Shearwaters and there was a light passage of Kittiwakes. We were privileged to see a Firecrest in the hand at Culverwell. The ringer had also caught a Spotted Flycatcher but had released it prior to our arrival. He told us that a Wryneck had been seen in a nearby quarry. We scoured the area but had no success unfortunately. We decided to re-visit Lodmoor on the way home, where both Water Rail and Bearded Tit were new for the trip. Cetti’s Warblers were loudly calling from waterside bushes and there were also several Chiffchaffs present. Some of us went for a second viewing of the Red–backed Shrike. Not a bad way to finish off a great weekend’s birding. Once again thanks to John Wilson for organising the trip and to the fellow GBC members who made it a great experience.

Red-backed Shrike by John Wilson

There were only seven participants- perhaps some were put off by the poor weather forecast. We had prepared a contingency plan of dashing to Penclacwydd WWT in the event of heavy rain. We needn’t have worried however as the weather was glorious. We met in the car park at Pembrey Old Harbour and ambled up to the old dock wall. The tide was on the turn, so we hoping that the terns present would be pushed up towards us. As it happens the tide was fairly low, meaning telescopes were the order of the day.
Scanning the tide line we saw hundreds of Sandwich Terns fishing off-shore. Amongst them were several smaller terns. After a bit of searching we picked out Little, Common and Arctic Terns amongst them. A quick shout got us all on to a juv Black Tern that had landed in the tern flock. It was surprising how much smaller it was than the other terns. There was a smart Bar-tailed Godwit, loafing amongst the Oystercatchers. Other waders there included Ringed Plover, Sanderling and Dunlin. (A Curlew Sandpiper was reported after we had moved on to Kidwelly). Several Mediterranean Gulls and a couple of Gannets were also seen.
On the mud by the railway bridge at Kidwelly Quay we saw several Greenshank, Redshank, Dunlin plus a couple of Common Sandpipers. Also present were two Whimbrel, fifteen Curlew, a Kingfisher and a very fleeting Wood Sandpiper. Elsewhere we saw several Little Egrets, a Red Kite, two Buzzards, Swallows, Stonechats and good numbers of gulls. A very sharp shower brought a close to a very successful trip.

Successful GBC trip to the Blorenge today in search of Red Grouse. 2 or 3 were seen, not far from the trig point. They were quite difficult to pick out as they fed amongst the heather. We eventually managed to get everyone on to them – a “lifer” for some of the group, which numbered 18.

It wasn’t particularly “birdy” but we also saw Wheatear, Raven, Buzzard, Swallow, House Martin, Wren, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Meadow Pipit, Linnet and Stonechat. Sadly we didn’t see any Whinchats on this trip. It got too warm for birding after lunch so headed home. {This summary courtesy of Alan Rosney – thanks Al}.

Eight member met up at this location near Penderyn, WSW of Llwyn-on Reservoir. It’s NNR status is mainly for plants but it can be a good location for birds. By the road above we saw several Wheatear and Skylarks. At the initial meet point back towards Llwyn-on we had nice views of displaying male Siskins. On the reserve first up were a number of Mistle Thrushes, a family group we thought, and then one of the party found a Spotted Flycatcher. A number of Redstarts, both adult and juv were seen as we walked the trail, Blackcaps were singing as were Chiffchaffs. Willow Warblers weren’t vocal but were seen collecting food. At the top of the reserve we had a number of adult & juv Stonechats. A lone Sedge Warbler was a bit of a surprise, and on meeting Club member Martin Bell down at the small bridge, he got us on to a single Garden Warbler. Altogether 39 species were logged, plus a few interesting invertebrates. The full trip list can be seen here.

Thirteen Club members headed down to this famous reserve in the Somerset Levels, on a nice sunny but sometimes a little blustery day. At the top of the list of target birds were Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Great White Egret, and Hobby. We weren’t disappointed. A good number of Bitterns were seen – all fly-bys and difficult to get a good photo of. Marsh Harriers and Great White Egrets were everywhere, the former never coming very close but great to watch as they quartered the vast expanses of reed, the smart adult males being particularly attractive. In the afternoon at the Shapwick Heath reserve we had nice views of two immature Marsh Harriers sitting atop a bush in the reeds. Inital sightings of Hobby were very distant from the first Ham Wall view point. Alan Rosney initially picked up a couple hunting quite high in the far distance, picked up in his ‘scope whilst scanning. In the afternoon at the Meare Heath hide in the Shapwick section we were eventually rewarded with a few excellent fly-bys low over the reeds in front of us. Warblers were represented by Reed, Garden [heard briefly], Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Cetti’s. The main wildfowl were Gadwall, all in eclipse plumage, but we did spot a single drake Pochard in flight, and several pairs of Great Crested Grebe had young ‘humbugs’. A Cuckoo was seen in flight and indeed heard. Insects provided additional interest with Red-eyed Damselflies in the Shapwick section, and an incredible number of dragonflies settling on reed stems in front of the Meare Heath hide – 20 or more 4-Spotted Chasers and Black-tailed Skimmers in one small area. A Wasp Beetle resting on the window of my vehicle in the car park, was very impressive. All in all a good day. John Wilson

GBC evening trip to Llanwonno – Weds 1st Jun 2022

Seventeen souls braved the midges and met up in the car park of the Brynffynon Hotel, for our annual foray to hear and hopefully see, Nightjars. We were pleased to welcome along Vikki Howells, MS for the Cynon Valley, who is the Senedd ‘Nightjar Champion’. We headed up the road to the west of the hotel and then took a track up the hill to the south of the road, eventually meeting a forestry track which we gradually walked along. It was pretty quiet compared to some previous years when Song Thrushes had continued singing until well after dusk. We had views of a few Tree Pipits sitting atop small saplings, and a few Willow Warblers were singing out of view. One of the Tree Pipits [the one in the photo] was pestered by a Jay. As the light began to fade it was just a case of patient waiting, watching and listening. At last some churring was detected so at least we knew there were bird[s] present. A movement was detected on the slope below us and eventually a few folk had a brief view of a male, flying into view and then disappearing behind a plantation, flashing its white wing and tail patches. Up to three birds were heard churring, then a sudden fly-by through the trees up the slope caused some excitement until I declared it a fly-by Cuckoo, albeit a brief one. Gareth Jenkins then spotted a Nightjar sitting atop a tall conifer some distance away. I hurriedly started to set up my ‘scope, which turned out to be the kiss of death and the bird flew off out of view. Others of the group then had a view of another bird flying between the trees up-slope from us. Some folk also hard a calling Tawny Owl. As always, it’s a bit hit & miss with Nightjars but at least we heard and saw some. Overall we thought there were 4-5 birds present in that area. John Wilson
Vikki Howells is to my right in the photo below.

We had a GBC trip to RSPB Dinas yesterday with a group of 13 members, to whom thanks for coming. I left Penarth in nice sunshine and arrived at Dinas to be greeted by low grey cloud, drizzle and a temp of 12 deg C! Hence birds v quiet until about 2 p.m. and light in the woods was very low. Some seed was put down on the feeding log and table by the car park but we only attracted a Nuthatch and some House Sparrows. Walking through the initial damp woodland on the boardwalk produced very few birds, although there were glimpses of Pied Fly and Redstart by some and Willow Warblers and Backcaps were singing well. At the end of the boardwalk we headed left round the south edge of the wooded hill that comprises the main part of the reserve. The Bluebells were very attractive. We had a good view of a Tree Pipit perched up and more view of Pied Fly and Redstart but none really ‘crippling’. At one point a Cuckoo was heard calling and some of the party managed to find it on an adjacent hillside. We had our picnic lunches about half way round and continued until we reached the section with the steep rocky path that follows the river. I for one didn’t fancy tackling that section, so we backtracked and then dropped down to the riverside, where two Dippers were feeding, and a pair of Grey Wagtails were taking food to a juvenile sheltering under the riverbank from the the stiff cold breeze. Walking back along the boardwalk we then got some good views of Pied Flycatchers and two Spotted Flycatchers, and plenty of common species. The temperature had increased a little by this time. At the feeding log there was a constant stream of Siskin, mostly males, a juv Nuthatch and eventually a female Yellowhammer. Some folk left at this time and the few left drove up to the road above Llynn Brianne and we added 2 Wheatear, 3 Stonechat, Skylarks, Meadow Pipit and a very brief Whinchat. We eventually logged 46 species. No prize winners in the photos – v poor conditions for photography! All target species were logged in the reserve although Wood Warblers were only heard. See the full list here.