1ST - 6TH APRIL 2008

APRIL began with a very blustery day and a Short-eared Owl still present at Llanilid, along with four Little Ringed Plovers. Nine Northern Wheatears and eighteen Sky Lark were at Sker Point and the Hen Harrier was at Kenfig Pool. On the 2nd, a House Martin was again in Swansea and the Ring-billed Gull remained at Lamby Lake. An Osprey was seen catching fish over Culverhouse Cross, Cardiff before circling off high and four Barn Swallows were at Cosmeston Lakes. A beautiful day on the 3rd produced the Great Grey Shrikes at Mynydd Margam and Perthcelyn, where there were also six Lesser Redpoll, while Kenfig Pool had a Barn Swallow, two Common Shelduck and 45 Sand Martin. A Red Kite was at Llanilid, the Spotted Sandpiper was at Lisvane Reservoir and four House Martins were at Caerphilly Castle. A pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers were at Parc Cwm Darren and four Little Ringed Plover were again at Llanilid. On the 4th, the adult Little Gull was again at Cardiff Bay, two Greylag Geese and two Eurasian Jay were unusual migrants at Kenfig Pool. A Peregrine was over Bridgend Town Centre and the Water Pipit, now in full breeding plumage, was refound again at Llwyn On Reservoir. Barn Swallows arrived en masse with the largest group being twenty in Maesteg. A cold day on the 5th saw fifteen House Martins arrive near Tondu, Bridgend and 24 Willow Warbler and two Blackcaps were at Kenfig Pool. Over 400 Sand Martins and four House Martins were at Cosmeston Lakes and a Ring-necked Parakeet was at Aberthaw Marsh. The Glaucous Gull and a Whimbrel were in Port Talbot Harbour and a Red Kite flew over Cardiff Airport. The Spotted Sandpiper was again at Lisvane Reservoir. A very cold day on the 6th saw 100 Barn Swallows at Llanilid and the Water Pipit was at Llwyn On Reservoir. A Red Knot and a Common Sandpiper were at Ogmore Estuary.