APRIL began where March left off really, as the cool NE wind held migrants back, though the four Bearded Tits were still in Cardiff Bay and four Red-billed Choughs and seven Purple Sandpipers were at Ogmore-by-Sea. The four Bearded Tits were still at Cardiff Bay on 2nd and a pair of Barn Owls were at Llanilid. An Osprey was over Beddau, near Pontypridd, a Red-billed Chough was at Lock’s Common, Porthcawl and a Jack Snipe remained at Kenfig Pool. Another day with very few migrants and more cold north winds on 3rd. An Osprey north over Maesteg and another over Clydach, Swansea were the only noteworthy arrivals. Two Grey Partridges and eight Yellowhammers remained at Tyn-y-Caeau Farm feeding stations. A better day on the 4th produced two Barn Swallows in Cardiff Bay and a Little Owl and five Northern Wheatears at Sker. The four Bearded Tits and three Little Gulls were still in Cardiff Bay and two Little Ringed Plovers were at The Watermill Flood. On the 5th an Osprey was over Cardiff and the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker showed very well at Bryngarw Country Park. Two Bearded Tits were seen to fly high east from Cardiff Bay, which probably ended hopes of a possible breeding attempt. A Ruff was a good spring find on the Ogmore Estuary and a Common Sandpiper was also present there. The Water Pipit remained at Llwyn Onn Reservoir where there was also a Barn Swallow. The 6th produced a drake Garganey, two Willow Warblers and a Blackcap at Kenfig Pool, while 25 Fieldfares were at Mynydd Bach, Maesteg. Eleven Purple Sandpipers were still at Ogmore-by-Sea, along with six Northern Wheatears. The 8th saw Willow Warbler numbers up to twelve at Kenfig and a Ring-necked parakeet at Gileston was an unusual record for the county. A Hen Harrier and Cetti’s Warbler were at Cosmeston Lakes.