I don't think anyone needs reminding of what a strange year this has been as a result of the ongoing Covid pandemic, with only a faint glimmer of light at the end of a distant tunnel showing, it looks like restrictions are going to be in place for a while yet. The restrictions have curtailed travel resulting in a bird list that only just scrapped over two hundred, 201 to be exact, plus a probable Ring-billed Gull from last weekend, and 3 non counters (all wildfowl).
That said, there have been some highlights. The 3, possibly 4, Ring Ouzel from a local common in April stood out. It's the third year, in the previous 4 that I've recorded Ring Ouzel at this site. A couple of years ago a male held territory for about a week, with a female also present. His territory was centered around a small disused quarry. Unfortunately the quarry is a favoured training site for climbers, so disturbance is high if the weather is nice. With the potential to breed at the site, I'm keeping the exact locality quiet.
Coed Cefn Ffoerest held no fewer than 5 Spotted Flycatchers in early May, my highest number for many years, that included 3 singing males. At least 4 were still in the wood at the end of the month, but I couldn't find any later in the breeding season.
The other spring highlight was a brief Sedge Warbler at the edge of local woodland at the edge of Treharris.
The biggest disappointment was not connecting with the Great White Egret at Parc Taf Bargoed. It spent at least 40 minutes there early one morning, only for news to be put out after it had flown off. Given the growing frequency of both this and Little Egret, its only a matter of time before I can add either to my list for the site.
The autumn highlight was undoubtedly the flock of 11 Common Sandpipers at Parc Taf Bargoed in early August. A single, Black-headed Gull in late September, provided my only site tick of the year for the park.
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