Guest blog by Gareth Stamp, City of Cardiff Council Park RangerWith the longer days and warmer weather, birds really only have one thing on their minds –finding their true love. Birds tend to be distracted at this time of year as they show off and argue with one another as they attract a mate.
Many of our local birds, such as blackbirds and robins, will already be busy feeding their young. For them their breeding season is in full swing. It will be a similar situation in the garden with many birds sat on eggs or feeding their chicks. So, we might see less activity around the feeders but that is just a sign that they are busy nesting.
Our summer migrants, such as warblers and flycatchers, continue to arrive in the UK through the first few weeks of May. The dawn chorus will be in full swing as the birds that have arrived for the summer burst into song to attract their sole mate. Chiffchaffs, willow warblers, blackcaps and reed warblers fill the local woodland and reed beds with their rich cry. So, why not get up early and visit your local park to hear some bird song? Forest Farm Country Park and Cardiff Bay Wetland Reserve are good places to experience this wonderful operating performance.
With nature in full bloom, May is one of the most enjoyable months to spot some beautiful birds, perhaps by taking a walk or a cycle along the River Taff, the backbone of Cardiff’s wildlife. Dippers will be busy feeding their young and can be seen searching for food in the shallows. The woodlands along the river are also full of rich flute like notes from the blackcaps and willow warblers. Kingfishers tend to sit tucked away in their burrows protecting their eggs – but if they take a quick break from their duties you might by lucky to spot one.
Mixed flocks of migrated swallows, house martins and swifts congregate over water pools, making sure they’re well hydrated after their long flight. Cardiff Bay is a great place to see this feeding frenzy and to familiarise yourself with each species.
Cardiff has many lakes and ponds, such as Roath Park, Hendre Lake and Forest Farm which are home to a variety of water birds. Many of them, such as coots, moorhens and mute swans are in full breeding season. In fact I have already spotted the first moorhen chicks of the year at Forest Farm, possibly the first of three families. This coot family were also photographed last year at Roath Park Lake (see below).Coot family, Roath Park Lake, Cardiff
The heronry in north Cardiff will be reaching its peak of noise and activity as parents bring food for the large hungry chicks. They can be seen daily hunting for fish and frogs at Forest Farm as a tasty treat for their young.
With migration reaching its peak this month, you can spot migrant wonderful birds just about anywhere. So, why not get out and explore this summer? You never know what treats you might hear and see.