Yesterday (5th) a long walk over the ridge into Taf Bargoed and home via Craig Fargoed and Parc Taf Bargoed. Highlight's were a singing Wood Warbler, female Goshawk, plenty of Redstart up Taf Bargoed. a male Whinchat in Craig Fargoed. Singing Reed Warbler at Pact Taf Bargoed lakes setting ponds/reed beds. More butterflies about with several Orange tips, and a Speckled Wood - both my first of the year.

Today, a visit to Coed Cefn Fforest, then Nelson Bog. Highlights were 4 singing Wood Warb's in CCF (but no flycatchers of any description) and a Garden Warb just outside the woods. 3 Reed Warbs were the highlight at Nelson. Even more butterflies than yesterday, inc Large White. First Odonata of the year, with two Large Red Damselfly's newly emerged at Nelson.

A quick visit to Edwardsville woods on the way home heard 1 of last weeks Wood Wards still singing. I didn't go further up for the second, but I did hear one across the river, so either the second bird has moved downstream a bit, or a third has moved in.

Just as I was approaching home, a familiar song was heard, but I couldn't quite place it. The culprit was high in the tops of the trees. I eventually managed to get a decent view and, surprise, surprise, it was a male Lesser Whitethroat - a very nice Merthyr tick.