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Wales Vale Of Glamorgan County Borough (visit this page on fatfisherman.com)

Common ShagPhalacrocorax aristotelis � Chris Thomas http://www.ceeege.com/Birds/Birds_BirdMenu.php

You will notice that there is no introduction to this section yet.

I would like to fill this gap with an introduction from a local birder [or someone who is a frequent visitor] for every one of the geographical pages. The many thousands of birders now regularly using these pages prefer to read something written by someone who can see the place from an insider's point of view. They know the best spots, not just the ones that first time overseas visitors usually visit or that are on the normal birding trip itineraries.

Each introduction carries the e-mail address of the contributor so that birders can get in touch with them if, for example, they are planning a trip [unless the contributor is unable to do this].

Please get in touch if you feel you can contribute an introduction to this page - you don't have to be an expert; I'm not!

top sites

Cosmeston Lake

(ST180190) An early morning visit is recommended here, so as to avoid the hoards of dog walkers, which come here. Walk swiftly away from the tame flock of Mute Swans and the motley collection of ducks on the first pond in front of the visiting centre, by following the boardwalk to the left. This crosses a small area of reeds, which has breeding Reed Buntings, Reed and Sedge Warblers. In this area it splits, but it doesn't really matter which branch you take, as both come out onto the same bridleway, in front of the second pool. This area of bushes is worth a few minutes, for birds like Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Bullfinch. This second pool is much better for birds than the first, being reed-lined in places and less prone to disturbance. Turn right along the bridleway until you come to a bridge over a small channel which connects the two ponds - this gives a good view over both ponds, and especially over the largest expanse of reeds at the far side of the second pool. Last winter this area of reeds held a couple of Bitterns and a Pied-billed Grebe. At the top end of the second pool, a path leads off left, and circles the whole pool, rejoining the bridleway at the mock medieval village near the visitor centre. This walk is a lot quieter than most of the rest.

Lavernock Point

(ST190680) This is undoubtedly the best sea watching spot in Glamorgan, outside the Gower. Although it can't really compete with spots on the south and east coasts of England, or even some of the Pembrokeshire headlands, it regularly produces small numbers of seabirds, including Gannet, Manx Shearwaters and skuas. It is also an excellent spot for migrants, in both spring and autumn, with good scrubby cover along the cliff top. Rarities are often recorded among the usual summer visitors, and have included Bonelli's Warbler, Richard's Pipit and Firecrest.

contributor

John Wilson
Chairman, Glamorgan Bird Club
john_wilson@glamorganbirds.org.uk
http://www.glamorganbirds.org.uk/

useful reading

Birds of Glamorgan

Clive Hurford and Peter Lansdown 228 pages, 30 col & 17 b/w photos, line illus, maps. 1995
ISBN: 1872808344
Buy this book from NHBS.com

clubs

Glamorgan Bird Club & Gower Ornithological Society

http://www.glamorganbirds.org.uk/
The Glamorgan Birds Website, a joint venture between the Glamorgan Bird Club and Gower Ornithological Society. The main function of these bodies is to produce the annual bird reports for the East and West of the county of Glamorgan. This website features a number of online services aimed at making your birding in Glamorgan much easier. There are links to a number of pages that will be useful to anyone with an interest in birds, from the casual birdwatcher to the keenest of birders...

Glamorgan Wildlife Trust

http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/index.php?section=localtrustsites&trust_id=000096
Glamorgan Wildlife Trust was established in 1961 to maintain and increase the biodiversity in the old county of Glamorgan, and to enhance public understanding, enjoyment and respect of Glamorgan`s environment. The Trust has approximately 1,400 members and manages 46 nature reserves, which cover nearly 1400 acres - from cliffs and sand dunes in the south to woods and moor land in the north.

reserves

Cosmeston Lakes Country Park

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmeston_Lakes_Country_Park
Cosmeston Lakes Country Park is a free entry public country park between Lower Penarth and Sully, 7.3 miles (11.7 kilometres) from Cardiff in the Vale of Glamorgan county of Wales...

trip reports

Travelling Birder
http://www.travellingbirder.com
The Travellingbirder.com birding trip report search engine guides you to 7,000+ birding trip reports on the Internet. You can search for trip reports from a specific country and time of year. Not all these reports are in English. So, if you can�t find the trip report you want on this Fatbirder page� give them a try!

tour operators

Celtic Bird Tours

http://www.celticbirdtours.com/
Celtic Bird Tours is an independent Tour Operator [ATOL 6839] offering birders excellent value holidays in interesting and beautiful locations worldwide. Our aim is to provide an enjoyable and interesting experience within a small group environment...

places to stay

Sheepleys B&B

http://www.sheepleys.co.uk
Situated on the outskirts of the village of Llandow, near Cowbridge, Sheepleys is an ideal venue for exploring the Heritage Coast and the stunning countryside of the Vale of Glamorgan...

BLOG - Birders in Boxers

http://birdersinboxers.blogspot.com/
Adventures of Glamorgan birders, who sit in cars in their underwear ... well two of them do after dipping on Dotterel on a wet and misty Garreg Lwyd...