Radyr Redstarts and others - 08/09/2015

After a few weeks (probably months!) of not really having been out and about birding, and the nice fact that I had a day off between enrolment and the course starting again, I went off down to Radyr floodplain on an early start. Shortly after arriving I was on to a kingfisher on the Taff, and could hear a GS woodie in the trees not far from the bridge. It was a misty start but there was plenty of activity, with big flocks of goldfinch doing the rounds.

After bumping into Geth we were on to redstart and tipit, both my first for the site.

Last Friday I also took a day course on coastal plant ID with SEWBREC, and to put it mildly I was out of my depth. However, it's inspired me to make sure I'm taking a more well-rounded approach to wildlife. It was also great getting to see Kenfig in a different light, expertly guided by County Plant Recorder Julian.

The star of the day by far was some Field Gentian, found out near Sker Rocks.

The only other birds of note in recent months was the Cory's shearwater that I saw on a stag do in Croatia and the little stint at Goldcliff, the latter a happy consolation prize from dipping on the temmincks (dodgy scope shot here via phone)-