1ST - 10TH MAY 2009

MAY began quietly with just Common Cuckoos and Whimbrel reported from a few places, along with fifty Common Swift at Cardiff Bay on the 1st. The 2nd produced a the Lesser Scaup in Cardiff Bay, a Hawfinch at north Cardiff, a Whinchat in Maesteg and a Barn Owl at Kenfig Pool. On the 3rd, a Hen Harrier was at Kenfig Pool and a Wood Warbler and Common Cuckoo were in Maesteg. A Eurasian Hobby was at Aberthaw Marsh. A cold day on the 4th saw four Common Scoter off Kenfig Sands and more poor weather on the 5th kept things quiet, but the first Spotted Flycatcher was at Lavernock Point and a Manx Shearwater was off Rhymney Estuary. Two hundred Common Swift were over Cardiff Bay. On the 6th, the Iceland Gull was again at Ogmore Estuary and an Osprey was in Miskin. Two Wood Warbler were in Aberdare. A brighter day on the 7th produced two Little Terns over Kenfig Pool, along with seventeen Dunlin and fifty Common Swift. Eighty Dunlin and 100 Common Swift were at Rhymney Estuary. Four hundred Common Swift and the Lesser Scaup were in Cardiff Bay and a Grey Plover was in Sully Island. On the 8th, a Manx Shearwater and a Northern Fulmar were off Kenfig Sands and forty Sanderling were on the beach. Five Bar-tailed Godwit were at Pennard, Gower and two Wood Warbler were again in Aberdare. The Iceland Gull was again at Ogmore Estuary and a Whinchat was at Kenfig Pool. On the 9th, 48 Manx Shearwater were off Sker and an excellent count of 62 Common Whitethroat were around Kenfig Pool and 400 Manx Shearwater and a Great Northern Diver were off Mumbles Head. Common Redstart, Pied and Spotted Flycatchers were at Coed-y-Bedw, Cardiff and a Whinchat was at Llanilid. A Eurasian Hobby was on North Gower. The 10th produced Common Cuckoo, Whinchat, Tree Pipit and Wood Warbler in Margam Forest and a Whinchat and Common Cuckoo were in Maesteg. The Iceland Gull was again at Ogmore Estuary.