Nesting platform
Nesting platform
Nice to see a couple of nesting platforms have been installed on the ponds down Swansea Vale over the last couple of days, presumably for the Mute Swans. Should certainly offer more protection than their usual location. #birdingWales
Whooper x Trumpeter Swan hybrid and a Mute Swan
Whooper x Trumpeter Swan hybrid
Whooper x Trumpeter Swan hybrid and a Mute Swan
Whooper x Trumpeter Swan hybrid
The intriguing Whooper x Trumpeter Swan hybrid was back along the cycle track between Cilsan and Dryslwyn on Saturday evening. Terrible light (as usual) but these photos show its comparable size to the Mute Swans well. #birdingWales #birdsSeenIn2026 #UKWildlife #birds @birdsinwales.bsky.social
Yellow Brain Fungus
Not a lot of colour about yesterday thanks to persistent fog, so this Yellow Brain Fungus on our walk at Rhossili really stood out. #fungi #fungiFriends #nature #photography #UKWildlife
Fulmar
Rhossili end of day and watching 6 Fulmar soaring along the cliffs beneath us was a true delight! Out in the bay a Red-throated Diver and 4 Great Crested Grebes including a pair head bobbing. Not quite brave enough to attempt the weed dance at sea. #birdingWales #birds #birdsSeenIn2026 #UKWildlife
Not today.
Marsh Tit
Next up was Mill Wood which was full of calling Redwing, Fieldfare, Mistle and Song Thrush, plus our quarry the Marsh Tit. Eventually found a single bird just off the main path. Terrible photo but always a nice bird to spot. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026 #birds @gowerbirds.bsky.social
Hooded Crow and Carrion Crow
Took a bit of searching, not helped by the thick fog, but I eventually caught up with the Hooded Crow at South Gower RFC today. It was fairly mobile and quite wary but gave decent views in the end. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026 #birds @gowerbirds.bsky.social @birdsinwales.bsky.social
Great to see some classic traction along the Heart of Wales line today with a double headed class 37 express from Birmingham to Cardiff. 37240 and 37418 provided plenty of thrash and growl, shown here pulling out of Llandeilo station. #UKRailways #photography #railwayPhotography #train
And sometimes only video can do a scene justice. Caban Coch doing what it does best. #landscape #photography #nature #wales #landscapePhotography #stormHour #photoHour
Water flowing over Caban Coch dam.
Water flowing over Caban Coch dam.
Water flowing over Caban Coch dam.
Water flowing over Caban Coch dam.
Couldn’t resist a trip up to Elan Valley last weekend where the endless rain this winter has resulted in spectacular scenes. I’ve always wanted to see the water coming over Caban Coch dam, and it was worth the wait. #landscape #photography #nature #wales #landscapePhotography #stormHour #photoHour
Combining two of my coolest hobbies today with a bit of train-spotting at Llandeilo station where there’s a Chiffchaff in full “chiff-chaffing” mode. Lovely. #birdingWales
#birdingWales
Sunset
An actual sunset. In wales. Unprecedented in recent months. #landscape #photography #nature #skyscape #wales #landscapePhotography #stormHour #sunset #photoHour
The upper Loughor
The upper Loughor
The upper Loughor
The upper Loughor
What a gorgeous evening to be out. Didn’t turn up any early spring migrants but good to see some of the patch regulars including Stock Dove, Buzzard and Red Kite. #birdingWales
First butterfly of the year sighted today. 🦋
I do indeed! In my defence it had been a long day when I wrote that.
Great Grey Shrike location
Hi Paul. ///starring.surpasses.whom should take you there. We first had it at the top of these trees before it looped around to the other side of the water and back again.
One of the Mute Swan pairs down Swansea Vale were actively nest building today. Last year they successfully raised just a single gosling to adulthood, so let’s hope for even better in 2026. #birdingWales #birdsSeenIn2026 @swanwatchuk.bsky.social
Moon
The last moon of winter. A clear sky has been something of a premium these past few months, so it was lovely to catch a glimpse on the final day of meteorological winter.
📍Wales,UK
#astrophotography #photography #nightsky #moon
Short-eared Owl. Honest.
Significantly worse views of yesterday’s Short-eared Owl however, though thankfully much better through the scope. Numbers have been well down this winter locally so nice to catch up with one on the cusp of spring. #birdingWales #birdsSeenIn2026
Hen Harrier
Lovely views of this female Hen Harrier down at Llanrhidian yesterday evening. Swept by the car and then looped out over the marsh before heading straight back at us. Closest views for some time, and in actual sunshine! #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdSeenIn2026 #birds @gowerbirds.bsky.social
Great shots Annie and it’s so nice to have the first spring migrants back.
Great Grey Shrike
A speculative trip to the Cambrian Mountains north of Llyn Brianne reservoir this morning came up trumps with the Great Grey Shrike at our first stop! Great views from the road inc in flight and hovering. A long overdue Welsh tick. #birdingWales #rareBirdsUK #UKWildlife @birdsinwales.bsky.social
Great shots Nick.
Saw your message so thought I’d help out 🙂.
#birdingWales
#birdingWales
Can’t be many photos out there with those two species in. Nice one.
Sunset over Llanrhidian Marsh
Finally caught up with a Short-eared Owl this evening courtesy of distant but clear views at the Llanrhidian Marsh roost. Lovely to watch it hunt with the low sun shining through its wings. Super close fly past of a female Hen Harrier with a male and a Marsh Harrier in after sunset. #birdingWales
Rhossili beach
Burry Holms
Rhossili Downs trig point
Rhossili beach looking towards Burry Holms
Couldn’t turn up an early Wheatear during a walk over Rhossili Downs, but gorgeous weather to be out in. Kestrel, Buzzard and Red Kite enjoying the thermals against a backdrop of singing Skylarks and Meadow Pipit calls. #birdjngWales
