More inverts! Another Volucella, this time V. zonaria along the path by the Medieval Village, Cosmeston. At the diping pond, a pair of Common Blue Damnselflies 'in cop'. #cosmeston #wildlife  #insects   #photography

Bird activity around #Cosmeston pretty quiet atm,so attention turns to inverts. A couple of common hoverflies taken recently. A so-called Marmalade Hoverfly [Episyrphus balteatus] and a larger one with the boring common name Pellucid Fly {Volucella pellucens}. #insects #wildlife #photography

Some besties from a trip to Ham Wall RSOB with @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social on Sun 14th. Fly-by Bittern performed well as did a male Marsh Harrier. 52 species seen and/or heard. No-show [or song] by the Shapwick Great Reed Warbler. 😕 #birdingWales Ful list here: drive.google.com/file/d/1uATT...

Cosmeston Lakes CP, late morning. Six-belted Clearwing was a nice find, in W paddock. In E paddock there are now Common Spotted-, Bee-, and Pyramidal Orchids in flower. #wildlife #orchids #moths

Lavernock & Cosmeston - miscellaneous. Blue-tailed Damselfly, Swollen-thighed Beetle on Dogh Rose, Common Whitethroat and Painted Lady. #wildlife #birds #butterflies

V hot walk around Cosmeston this morning. My 1st Black-tailed Skimmer by E lake, Common Spotted Orchids emerging in E paddock, and Common Blue there. Orange-tip in Cogan Wood. #wildlife #photography #insects #butterflies

Couple of birds and a couple of inverts at Cosmeston this morning. The Whitethroat was singing by the back of the dipping pond and the Broad-bodied Chaser was there too. Common Blue Damselfly by W lake and the Great Crested Grebe on a v tranquil lake compared to recently #birdingWales #ukbirding

Brief Cosmeston visit. Cormorant wing drying [looks rather regal] and a male Blackcap which was foraging with a female - nest w young nearby? #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds

Risked Slimbridge y'day. V busy but hides were OK. Highlights -moulting Spotshank, lingering Tundra Bean Goose, v brief Bittern, 9 Cranes, and yr tick Sedgies. 44 spp noted in total. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds Full list drive.google.com/file/d/1IRzV...

Much Sand Martin activity in the old dock near Porth Teigr. Some were coming close to the near side with one collecting nest material. #birdingWales Here's a quick vid: youtu.be/9zSkx1u_axQ?...

Some phone-scoped shots of one of the Usk Valley Ospreys on @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social trip on Thurs 9th Apr. Plus a Red Kite that chased the Osprey! Trip started at Craig Cerrig Gleisiad where it was VERY COLD. Peregrine, Kes and Red Kite seen and Ring Ouzel heard but not seen. It got v misty.🙁

8th April - Penarth Marina & the barrage. Common Sand at the former [R. Ely embankment]. My 1st Wheatear and a Rock Pipit at the latter, on the outer rocks. #birdingWales #ukbirding #bieds

Quick visit to Ogmore Estuary this aft to see the 6 drake American Wigeons that turned up during storm 'Dave'. Also present, a Euro Wigeon, pr Goosander, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Ringed Plover, Willow Wblr singing, 2 Gadwall. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds

Highlight a.m. at Cosmeston was v brief [i.e. c. 5 seconds!], view of an Osprey heading NW. V quickly lost behind trees. 80% sure so posted it and it was then seen over Llandough. Over W paddock a fem Sparrowhawk and a Mistle Thrush. Lone Swallow over & 6+ singing Blackcaps. #birdingWales #ukbirding

Recent wanderings. Penarth - Treecreeper in Alexandra Park and Turnstone by Penarth Marina. Yesterday at Goldcliff, c.50 Avocet, 20 Redshank, c. 20 Lapwing, 6 Blackwit, a Spotted Redshank and Curlew the highlights. Also many Shoveler & Teal, plus m. Wigeon and a Gadwall. #birdingWales #ukbirding

Blackcaps and Chiffies now singing at Cosmeston. A couple of Redwing were still present by Cogan Wood and Greenfinch were vocal there. At the dipping pond the Moorhen pair have 2 v small chicks. The Blue Tit posed nicely on a reedmace head it was feeding on. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds

Quiet bird-wise at Cosmeston this morning but signs of spring. A small clump of Coltsfoot was by Mile Road lots of Dog Violet in flower in W paddock. I saw three or four Brimstones, none of which would settle, but a Comma obliged. Also on the wing quite a few Dark-edged Bee-Flies. #wildlife #wales

Y'day's R-c Pochards had gone 🙁 2 Chiffchaffs were by W. lake viewpoint by Mile Road. 2 Buzzards circling over Cogan Wood. G-s 'Pecker drumming on Cogan Wood & 1 calling by main bridge. 2 prs G-c Grebes displaying on W. lake. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds

Cosmeston, late morning. 2 drake Red-crested Pochards were a bit of a surprise. Last one there was also in March, in 2022. The only other thing of note was 2 Fieldfare foraging in W paddock. There haven't been many in the park this winter. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds.

Had a gentle non-birding stroll down to Penarth esplanade & pier this morning, but this singing Dunnock was really close, in a bush at the top of Cliff Hill. Such smart and underrated birds. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds

Rock Pipit on Cardiff Bay Barrage outer rocks this morning. One of at least 3. The AdW Little Gull was over towards Prospect Place [viewing from the sails] at c. 13:40. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds

Toads were out in force at the dipping pond in Cosmeston today! Plus a sizeable patch of Frog spawn. #nature #amphibians #photography #wildlife #wales

The long staying fem Scaup was dozing on E lake this morning, staying out of the wind in the corner near the bird table. The 1st yr LBBG has a Flat Holm ring, blue F:J97. The Robin comes to seed on my hand pretty regularly. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds

Cosmeston in the rain/sleet. c.10 Siskin by dipping pond. Ad Y-l Gull on E lake. Fem Scaup on W lake taken during the shower. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds #cosmeston

Superficially the 1st yr female Scaup at Cosmeston [and sometimes Cardiff Bay] looks pretty drab at distance, but close up it has some nice warm varied brown tones. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds

Nice flock of at least 50 Siskin at Cosmeston this morning, adj the golf course. The drab fem Scaup was on E lake near the same path. The Turkey Tail fungi were by Sully Brook. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds #fungi

51 spp on a @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social trip to Rumney Gt Wharf this morning. Waders were Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew & Oyc and an unexpected Woodcock along Cors Crychydd Reen. Some Wigeon & Pintail - lower nos. these days. #birdingWales List: drive.google.com/file/d/1s2zR...

In a brief visit this morning, in the Alder by the dipping pond, a feeding Siskin finally stayed long enough in the open for some half decent shots, plus a Goldfinch. Later, after I had left, @waynestrong.bsky.social found 2 female Pintails on W lake. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds

Cosmeston dipping pond. Not a Penduline Tit but a cute Blue Tit. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds

Another dull wet-ish day 🙁 Did catch up with the imm female Scaup at Cosmeston though. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds

Ventured out in the wind & rain this morning. Pleased to catch up with the wintering Common Sandpiper which has been present since December '25 along the R. Ely embankment by Penarth Marina. Also brief view of fem Black Redstart flitting across the rooftops. #birdingWales  #ukbirding #birds

Goosander in Cardiff Bay on Saturday - remember that lovely sunny day? I counted 21 Goosander spread out around various parts of the Bay and the R. Ely by Penarth. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds

A smart wintering Black Redstart foraging around the rooftops in Penarth Marina at the moment. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds

Cosmeston dipping pond. A v elusive foraging Cetti's Wblr and a very obliging Kestrel looking for a meal .... hopefully not one of the local Water Voles! #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds

Rudolf the red-nosed Redwing at Cosmeston late a.m. Quite a few Redwing around the place. W lake had 13 Teal, 10 Gadwall and a drake Pochard. @waynestrong.bsky.social saw 18 and 15 respectively of the former 2 early doors. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds

Pretty chilly at Cosmeston this morning. A scattering of Redwing & Fieldfare around W paddock and E lake. 4 Gadwall on W lake, 100 Tufties & pr Pochard W lake. There was also an ad Y-l Gull on E. lake. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds

61 spp seen on a Glamorgan Bird Club trip y'day to a wet Slimbridge WWT. Geese incl big nos. of Barnacles, distant Russian Whitefronts and 2 Snow Geese & 1 Ross's Goose of dubious provenance. Waders incl Little Stint and 13 Ruff. 12 Cranes flying in was a great finale. #birdingWales #ukbirding

Two Black-necked Grebes were on E lake Cosmeston Lakes this morning, found by Graham Smith. They were sheltering from the wind with Tufties, in the lee of the Mile Road. Light was pretty poor but they were nice to see. Last record there was May 2012 - 2 breeding plum birds. #birdingWales #birds

Today a lone Fieldfare was surprisingly tolerant in a Hawthorn by the W lake viewpoint along the Mile Road. I’m sure this is the same bird that we saw on a Glamorgan Bird Club trip last week, and it has laid claim to that Hawthorn for its berries. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds

V quiet morning at #Cosmeston. No small bird activity to speak of. Thge lakes had c.120 Tufties, 2 drake Pochard on W lake and c.50 Canada Geese. The Song Thrush photo sas takne om Sunday. It was sitting right above me so the pic is 'as taken'. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds

Led a Glamorgan Bird Club walk around Cosmeston this morning. Bloomin' cold!! 43 species seen incl Siskin, Fieldfare, many Redwing, feeding flock comprising Long-tailed, Coal, Blue and Great Tits, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Treecreeper and Yellow-browed Wblr [unfortunately only seen by me 🙄] .....

Turnstone [one of eight] and preening Grey Wagtail near the Norwegian Church, Cardiff Bay, on Saturday 15th. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds

Caught up with the Red-throated Diver off the Cardiff Bay Barrage this morning. Never very close but just close enough on our return walk after coffee for some half decent. cropped pix. #birdingWales #ukbirding

Couple of imm Kestrels having a bit of a dog fight at Cosmeston Lakes CP this morning in v poor light. Photos are huge crops as they were quite high. Nice to watch tho'. The 1st Kes alighted on the W paddock hedge and was then flushed by the 2nd. I wasn't ready for that! #birdingWales #ukbirding

An arboreal Black-headed Gull at Cosmeston this morning. #birdingWales #ukbirding

This annual slaughter of Dolphins & Pilot Whales takes place in the Faroes annually, as a 'tradition', know as the Grind. They are set to host the 2027 Island Games. Please sign this petition to stop that hosting unless this needless slaughter ends. c.org/N9kkXvDRjj

Cosmeston a.m. Hobby flew over my head from golf course and landed in tree by E lake [with its back to me!]. Immed chased off by Crow Then saw it later v high over W lake and then E paddock. Rubbish photos but v nice to see. Flight pic is a HUGE crop #birdingWales #ukbirding #cosmeston

Recovering from a v nasty fluey cold & cough so v brief slow walk round #Cosmeston this morning. Best was this juv Kestrel hovering over W paddock. There are plenty of Ivy Bees and still good nos. of Migrant Hawkers. The pristine Speckled Wood was near the dipping pond. #birdingWales #ukbirding

Led a GBC trip to Pembrey Dock, Kidwelly, WWT Llanelli on Sun 28th w 21 folk. 64 species! Grey Phal at Kidwelly was the star among 15 spp of wader overall, including Curlew Sands, Ruff, Spotted Redshank & Greenshank. #birdingWales Full rept & link to list here: glamorganbirds.org.uk/category/tri...

My first Clouded Yellow of the autumn at Lavernock NR this morning. I don't rise early enough for vis mig but a small flock of c.10 Siskin flew over as I arrived. Around 40 Goldfinch were feeding in trees by the 1st field. #birdingWales #ukbirding #nature #butterflies