It was very enjoyable Lyn - thank you!

A glorious morning at Sker produced a dark morph Arctic Skua, 13 Bar-tailed Godwits, as well as 9 Whimbrels, 10 Oystercatchers, 21 Ringed Plovers & single figures of Dunlin, Grey Plover, Purple Sandpiper among others. All library pics except incoming tide scene taken today.

After hearing up to five, I finally got to see my first Sedge Warbler of the year at Kenfig Pool today. On a very overcast morning, there was also a breeding plumaged Cattle Egret briefly on the East Pool Shore before it flew into the West Pool Bushes to roost - too far for pics.

On what was another pretty quiet morning for migrants, it was nice to get my first two Eurasian Whimbrels of the year on the dropping tide at Sker.

I didn't manage to catch up with any of the very few new migrants in at Kenfig Pool today, but I did see my first Peacock of the year. What a stunning butterfly they are!

The first Reed Warblers arrived at Kenfig Pool a couple of days ago, a little earlier than in recent springs. They have become commoner than Sedge Warblers over the years, especially so at the rivermouth end of the reserve. I'm hoping to census them later in May.

A nice fall of migrants at Kenfig Pool today with 6 Common Whitethroats, three Sedge Warblers, two Reed Warblers, a Grasshopper Warbler, Common Sandpiper, 14 Blackcaps, 22 Chiffchaffs, 33 Willow Warblers and a Red Kite over. One pair of Whitethroats were already copulating...

The Common Ringed Plovers at Sker have been displaying constantly for the last couple of weeks with at least five pairs present, probably more. This bird took a moment out to pause on the rock before setting off on another chase and call session.

You’re welcome Ronnie 👍

GND for me 👍

Many of the 180 or so remaining European Golden Plovers at Sker are starting to look absolutely stunning as they gain their full breeding dress. It won't be too much longer before they all depart until September when they begin to return.

Nice one Andy!

On a gloomy morning, it was a joy to see and hear my first couple of Willow Warblers at Kenfig Pool this morning. There were also a couple of others seen there today in a different area. I also had a Barn Swallow - my third in the past three days.

This group of four Barnacle Geese arrived at Kenfig NNR during the cold spell over Christmas 2025 and are still present. They remain wary and recently have started taking short high flights, so I'm guessing it won't be long before we say farewell to these beautiful little geese.

The gorgeous weather has seen increased activity from the local Skylarks at Kenfig NNR with many singing over the southern areas of the reserve in particular with this shot taken there yesterday.

Yes mate - they had an exceptional breeding season last year. I’ll be finishing mid April so hope a few of the unpaired males will find females and the rest of the reserve that’s as yet unchecked will produce 30+ pairs in total 👍

Another fabulous day of warm sunshine at Kenfig NNR to continue my surveys of European Stonechats. It seems we are heading for an excellent year with 18 pairs, 6 unpaired males and an unpaired female found so far with half of the recording area still to complete.

A glorious early spring morning at Kenfig NNR where an immature male Marsh Harrier was present, as were 67 Eurasian Teal, but the highlight for me was a flock of 26 Fieldfares that were feeding frantically in the Castle Meadow, so presumably newly arrived birds putting on fat.

Thank you Toritori - so much fantastic wildlife to see!

My last few shots from Japan - White-tailed Eagle, Whooper Swans, Blakiston's Fish-owl and one of several Japanese Macaques that we saw to round off an amazing holiday to an amazing country.

A few more from Japan in Feb/March 2023 - Hooded Crane, Varied Tit, Green Pheasant and a Sable that fleetingly graced us with its presence.

A few more pics from Winter in Japan - Warbling White-eye, White-naped Crane, Oriental Turtle-dove and Black Scoter

There were eighty three Ruddy Turnstnes over the high tide at Sker this morning. These two birds are just showing the first signs of aquiring breeding dress with the edging on the scapulars showing why they get their name. The first white head feathers are also coming through.

Happy to get my first two Sand Martins of the year through Kenfig Pool this morning, but they didn't linger. Photo from Spring 2020.

Thanks - sorry for the extra work for you... May have to invest in a USB keyboard soon!!

Here are a few more from my Japan winter trip in Feb/March 2023. Japanese Murrulet, Black-faced Spoonbills, male Siberian Long-tailed Rosefinch and a a breeding plumaged Saunder's Gull.

unable to add any hashtags Adam as the key on my keyboard is broken...

After a very quiet month at Kenfig NNR, I joined the February Northern Wheatear club at Sker this morning with @deanbolt.bsky.social I only managed a brief glimpse upon finding it before it was flushed by a jogger, and I didn't see it again, so here is a photo from there in Spring 2024

Yes - it will be one month and maybe some extra days in Tokyo as I didn’t see much of it last time…

Oh yes, I sure am!! But, we will come to Hokkaido again too on that trip.