Wood Warbler

I checked the area around the Merthyr tunnel (Cynon side) for Wood Warbler this morning and had one singing and flaunting itself in the larch plantation beside the cutting, exactly where I had one last year. Frustratingly I had to get back to work, so couldn't stay to enjoy it. I also saw a Swift flying up the valley at around eight this morning.

Penderyn Mineral Line

 Lords and Ladys, great too see so much of it growing along the line.

 I found Water Aven growing along the ditch on the Mineral Line, I don't remember seeing it there before.

Bog Beacon as found by Mark and seems to be growing in a small area in a damp ditch.

A bit of a hoot

I went looking tonight for the owlet but no sign but found the Adult roosting above where the chick was, I think the chick has got to be still there but out of view.

Shapwick Part Three

Having dipped the Hudsonian Godwit with Martin Bevan last Sunday and then connecting with it on Thursday with Martin Bell I found myself driving there again today with Mr Bevan hoping the bird would stay around long enough for him to see it.

Messages from Rob Gaze who was already there said that the bird was still showing well. Parking up we walked up to Meare Heath and the large crowd of birders. The bird was soon located at the back of the flock fast asleep. We waited around until it flapped it's wings so Martin could see the dark armpits. Unfortunately for Martin there was no sign of Rob to give him his celebratory bar of chocolate.

We then walked up to the Meare Hide and then across to the Noah Hide where we spent a good half hour watching some Common Terns and photographing an obliging Great Crested Grebe and Grey Heron. Also a large shoal of Rudd were right below the hide showing really well and occasionally jumping clear of the water.

We then walked down to Ham Wall where really good numbers of Hobbies were flying around hawking for insects just above the reed beds.

 Great Crested Grebe

 Grey Heron

 Swift

Cwm Cadlan

On Wednesday after work I went up to the Dotterel site or the limestone pavement for a pleasant stroll, it was far from it with a high freezing wind and a hailstone shower. There was nowwhere to hide so I sat down and waited for the shower to pass. There were a flock of Skylarks up there, a flock of about 20 Mistle Thrush which seemed strange for the time of the year. It felt like being in Canada again. But what a great place and we are so lucky to have this on our doorstep also it was great to watch the Wheatear singing and displaying. Yes just rocks and no birds on them and will pick a better day next time I am up there.

Tawny Owl

I found this Tawnie on Wednesday night and was disappointed that the shot were out of focus and went back last night to see if I could find him again and had a nice surprise and found this Owlet and a adult .

Ravens

Not a good forecast for Sunday, so I did my raven count before work, this morning. It lasted from 05:15 to 06:00 and in the first 15 minutes or so, just over three hundred birds flew out! However, in the following half our, only a further twenty birds emerged, but even so, at a total of 322, it was the second highest May count, the previous highest being the first, in 2002, which was 325.
No Cuckoo this time, which was disappointing.