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John Wilson

@48birder.bsky.social
133 followers 38 following 137 posts

Keen but aged birder and amateur photographer. Trustee of Glamorgan Bird Club & field trip organiser for same. Ex Ed of East Glamorgan Bird Report.

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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Grey Heron activity at Cosmeston a few days ago. The one preening was displaced by the bird flying in from another location on W lake which alighted on a slightly different perch. The referred resting area is near the main bridge. #birdingWales #birds #ukbirding
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
15th Sep, Cosmeston. On arrival by foot I was greeted. by a loud screech. This Ring-necked Parakeet alighted in the trees by the carpark for a few minutes, then headed off towards the golf course. #birdingWales #birds
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Delighted to see two of these beauties nectaring on our white Buddleia right outside the front door. Managed to get some half decent pix despite the blustery wind. Hummingbird Hawk-moth. #moths #wildlifephotography
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
A few from the end of Jul. Brown Argus, Yellow Shell moth, Emperor in flight and a Common Darter. All at #Cosmeston #widlife #photography
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
See image shared from a WhatsApp group. Worth watching. 🙂
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Red-veined Darter at #Cosmeston this morning, by the Mile Road. Pair of Black-tailed Skimmers in cop by the dragonfly pond. Clouded Yellow and Painted Lady nearby. #wildlife #butterflies #dragonflys #wildlifephotography
Black-tailed SkimmersClouded YellowPainted LadyRed-veined Darter
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
At Cosmeston this morning, at least 12 Clouded Yellows seen, plus Small Skipper, Ringlets, Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers, Common Blues and a Red Admiral. On a larger scale, a juv Goshawk circled over Cogan Wood, with an seemingly injured leg. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds #butterflies
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
More inverts! Another Volucella, this time V. zonaria along the path by the Medieval Village, Cosmeston. At the diping pond, a pair of Common Blue Damnselflies 'in cop'. #cosmeston #wildlife  #insects   #photography
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Bird activity around #Cosmeston pretty quiet atm,so attention turns to inverts. A couple of common hoverflies taken recently. A so-called Marmalade Hoverfly [Episyrphus balteatus] and a larger one with the boring common name Pellucid Fly {Volucella pellucens}. #insects #wildlife #photography
Episyrphus balteatusEpisyrphus balteatus maleVolucella pelkucensVolucella pelkucens
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Some besties from a trip to Ham Wall RSOB with @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social on Sun 14th. Fly-by Bittern performed well as did a male Marsh Harrier. 52 species seen and/or heard. No-show [or song] by the Shapwick Great Reed Warbler. 😕 #birdingWales Ful list here: drive.google.com/file/d/1uATT...
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Cosmeston Lakes CP, late morning. Six-belted Clearwing was a nice find, in W paddock. In E paddock there are now Common Spotted-, Bee-, and Pyramidal Orchids in flower. #wildlife #orchids #moths
Bee OrchidCommon Spotted OrchidPyramidal OrchidSix-belted Clearwing moth
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Lavernock & Cosmeston - miscellaneous. Blue-tailed Damselfly, Swollen-thighed Beetle on Dogh Rose, Common Whitethroat and Painted Lady. #wildlife #birds #butterflies
Blue-tailed DamselflySwollen-thighed BeetleCommon WhitethroatPainted Lady
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
V hot walk around Cosmeston this morning. My 1st Black-tailed Skimmer by E lake, Common Spotted Orchids emerging in E paddock, and Common Blue there. Orange-tip in Cogan Wood. #wildlife #photography #insects #butterflies
Black-tailed SkimmerCommon Spotted OrchidCommon BlueOrange-tip
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Couple of birds and a couple of inverts at Cosmeston this morning. The Whitethroat was singing by the back of the dipping pond and the Broad-bodied Chaser was there too. Common Blue Damselfly by W lake and the Great Crested Grebe on a v tranquil lake compared to recently #birdingWales #ukbirding
WhitethroatCommon Blue DamselflyGreat Crested GrebeBroad-bodied Chaser
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Brief Cosmeston visit. Cormorant wing drying [looks rather regal] and a male Blackcap which was foraging with a female - nest w young nearby? #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Risked Slimbridge y'day. V busy but hides were OK. Highlights -moulting Spotshank, lingering Tundra Bean Goose, v brief Bittern, 9 Cranes, and yr tick Sedgies. 44 spp noted in total. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds Full list drive.google.com/file/d/1IRzV...
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
Much Sand Martin activity in the old dock near Porth Teigr. Some were coming close to the near side with one collecting nest material. #birdingWales Here's a quick vid: youtu.be/9zSkx1u_axQ?...
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Some phone-scoped shots of one of the Usk Valley Ospreys on @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social trip on Thurs 9th Apr. Plus a Red Kite that chased the Osprey! Trip started at Craig Cerrig Gleisiad where it was VERY COLD. Peregrine, Kes and Red Kite seen and Ring Ouzel heard but not seen. It got v misty.🙁
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
8th April - Penarth Marina & the barrage. Common Sand at the former [R. Ely embankment]. My 1st Wheatear and a Rock Pipit at the latter, on the outer rocks. #birdingWales #ukbirding #bieds
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Quick visit to Ogmore Estuary this aft to see the 6 drake American Wigeons that turned up during storm 'Dave'. Also present, a Euro Wigeon, pr Goosander, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Ringed Plover, Willow Wblr singing, 2 Gadwall. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds
drake Euro Wigeon for comparison
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Highlight a.m. at Cosmeston was v brief [i.e. c. 5 seconds!], view of an Osprey heading NW. V quickly lost behind trees. 80% sure so posted it and it was then seen over Llandough. Over W paddock a fem Sparrowhawk and a Mistle Thrush. Lone Swallow over & 6+ singing Blackcaps. #birdingWales #ukbirding
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Recent wanderings. Penarth - Treecreeper in Alexandra Park and Turnstone by Penarth Marina. Yesterday at Goldcliff, c.50 Avocet, 20 Redshank, c. 20 Lapwing, 6 Blackwit, a Spotted Redshank and Curlew the highlights. Also many Shoveler & Teal, plus m. Wigeon and a Gadwall. #birdingWales #ukbirding
TreecreeperTurnstoneAvocetsAvocets
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Blackcaps and Chiffies now singing at Cosmeston. A couple of Redwing were still present by Cogan Wood and Greenfinch were vocal there. At the dipping pond the Moorhen pair have 2 v small chicks. The Blue Tit posed nicely on a reedmace head it was feeding on. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds
Blue TitMoorhenMoorhenMoorhen
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Quiet bird-wise at Cosmeston this morning but signs of spring. A small clump of Coltsfoot was by Mile Road lots of Dog Violet in flower in W paddock. I saw three or four Brimstones, none of which would settle, but a Comma obliged. Also on the wing quite a few Dark-edged Bee-Flies. #wildlife #wales
ColtsfootGreat Crested Grebe pairCommaDark-edged Bee-fly
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Y'day's R-c Pochards had gone 🙁 2 Chiffchaffs were by W. lake viewpoint by Mile Road. 2 Buzzards circling over Cogan Wood. G-s 'Pecker drumming on Cogan Wood & 1 calling by main bridge. 2 prs G-c Grebes displaying on W. lake. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Cosmeston, late morning. 2 drake Red-crested Pochards were a bit of a surprise. Last one there was also in March, in 2022. The only other thing of note was 2 Fieldfare foraging in W paddock. There haven't been many in the park this winter. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds.
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
Had a gentle non-birding stroll down to Penarth esplanade & pier this morning, but this singing Dunnock was really close, in a bush at the top of Cliff Hill. Such smart and underrated birds. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Rock Pipit on Cardiff Bay Barrage outer rocks this morning. One of at least 3. The AdW Little Gull was over towards Prospect Place [viewing from the sails] at c. 13:40. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Toads were out in force at the dipping pond in Cosmeston today! Plus a sizeable patch of Frog spawn. #nature #amphibians #photography #wildlife #wales
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
The long staying fem Scaup was dozing on E lake this morning, staying out of the wind in the corner near the bird table. The 1st yr LBBG has a Flat Holm ring, blue F:J97. The Robin comes to seed on my hand pretty regularly. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Cosmeston in the rain/sleet. c.10 Siskin by dipping pond. Ad Y-l Gull on E lake. Fem Scaup on W lake taken during the shower. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds #cosmeston
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Superficially the 1st yr female Scaup at Cosmeston [and sometimes Cardiff Bay] looks pretty drab at distance, but close up it has some nice warm varied brown tones. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Nice flock of at least 50 Siskin at Cosmeston this morning, adj the golf course. The drab fem Scaup was on E lake near the same path. The Turkey Tail fungi were by Sully Brook. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds #fungi
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
51 spp on a @glamorganbirdclub.bsky.social trip to Rumney Gt Wharf this morning. Waders were Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew & Oyc and an unexpected Woodcock along Cors Crychydd Reen. Some Wigeon & Pintail - lower nos. these days. #birdingWales List: drive.google.com/file/d/1s2zR...
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
In a brief visit this morning, in the Alder by the dipping pond, a feeding Siskin finally stayed long enough in the open for some half decent shots, plus a Goldfinch. Later, after I had left, @waynestrong.bsky.social found 2 female Pintails on W lake. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Cosmeston dipping pond. Not a Penduline Tit but a cute Blue Tit. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Another dull wet-ish day 🙁 Did catch up with the imm female Scaup at Cosmeston though. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Ventured out in the wind & rain this morning. Pleased to catch up with the wintering Common Sandpiper which has been present since December '25 along the R. Ely embankment by Penarth Marina. Also brief view of fem Black Redstart flitting across the rooftops. #birdingWales  #ukbirding #birds
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Goosander in Cardiff Bay on Saturday - remember that lovely sunny day? I counted 21 Goosander spread out around various parts of the Bay and the R. Ely by Penarth. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
A smart wintering Black Redstart foraging around the rooftops in Penarth Marina at the moment. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Cosmeston dipping pond. A v elusive foraging Cetti's Wblr and a very obliging Kestrel looking for a meal .... hopefully not one of the local Water Voles! #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds
Cetti's Warbler
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 27/12/2025
Rudolf the red-nosed Redwing at Cosmeston late a.m. Quite a few Redwing around the place. W lake had 13 Teal, 10 Gadwall and a drake Pochard. @waynestrong.bsky.social saw 18 and 15 respectively of the former 2 early doors. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
Pretty chilly at Cosmeston this morning. A scattering of Redwing & Fieldfare around W paddock and E lake. 4 Gadwall on W lake, 100 Tufties & pr Pochard W lake. There was also an ad Y-l Gull on E. lake. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
61 spp seen on a Glamorgan Bird Club trip y'day to a wet Slimbridge WWT. Geese incl big nos. of Barnacles, distant Russian Whitefronts and 2 Snow Geese & 1 Ross's Goose of dubious provenance. Waders incl Little Stint and 13 Ruff. 12 Cranes flying in was a great finale. #birdingWales #ukbirding
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
Two Black-necked Grebes were on E lake Cosmeston Lakes this morning, found by Graham Smith. They were sheltering from the wind with Tufties, in the lee of the Mile Road. Light was pretty poor but they were nice to see. Last record there was May 2012 - 2 breeding plum birds. #birdingWales #birds
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
Today a lone Fieldfare was surprisingly tolerant in a Hawthorn by the W lake viewpoint along the Mile Road. I’m sure this is the same bird that we saw on a Glamorgan Bird Club trip last week, and it has laid claim to that Hawthorn for its berries. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
V quiet morning at #Cosmeston. No small bird activity to speak of. Thge lakes had c.120 Tufties, 2 drake Pochard on W lake and c.50 Canada Geese. The Song Thrush photo sas takne om Sunday. It was sitting right above me so the pic is 'as taken'. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
Led a Glamorgan Bird Club walk around Cosmeston this morning. Bloomin' cold!! 43 species seen incl Siskin, Fieldfare, many Redwing, feeding flock comprising Long-tailed, Coal, Blue and Great Tits, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Treecreeper and Yellow-browed Wblr [unfortunately only seen by me 🙄] .....
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
Turnstone [one of eight] and preening Grey Wagtail near the Norwegian Church, Cardiff Bay, on Saturday 15th. #birdingWales #ukbirding #birds
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John Wilson @48birder.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
Caught up with the Red-throated Diver off the Cardiff Bay Barrage this morning. Never very close but just close enough on our return walk after coffee for some half decent. cropped pix. #birdingWales #ukbirding
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