On Thursday 11th January myself and Facebook friend Steve Benton (Steve WB/BrummieinCymru) from Neath who had been in touch with each other arranged a day out together in Cardiff with our cameras.
Steve is currently recovering from treatment for Prostate Cancer as I underwent four years ago although Steve's cancer was further advanced than mine when diagnosed requiring more extensive treatment, he was in good spirits though and is doing really well.
Another thing we have in common is that Steve is an OM Systems (Olympus) shooter although he also shoots Nikon.
I had agreed that he could test out my OM 1.4x extender before diving in and purchasing one, judging by his images I think he was suitably impressed with it.
We met at the lay-by at Sarn Junc 36 on the M4 and as news had broken early of a Red-necked Grebe at Llanishen/Lisvane Reservoirs we headed there first only to find the bird at great distance against the far bank of Lisvane Reservoir. As the circular footpath is closed over the winter it mean't that any meaningful photos would be impossible unless the bird moved a great deal closer.
And closer it did move eventually settling in front of the Visitor Centre with the wildfowl enabling us to 'fill our boots' with photos of this attractive grebe.
The last one that I had seen was the Roath Park Lake bird in October 2018 and it was a 'lifer' for Steve.
This bird however came a lot closer than the RPL bird which on two separate visits was always too distant for anything more than 'record shots'.
The male Ring-necked Duck was also present during this visit, also the juvenile Great Northern Diver was still in residence on Llanishen Reservoir although again distant staying in the middle of the water.
It was nice to bump into Neil Donaghy, Paul Roberts and Dean Bolt who had torn themselves away from Kenfig/Sker to see the grebe.
Also good to bump into Shaun Evans, Tate Lloyd and Alan Rosney who were amongst the birders/toggers attracted by the grebe.
Good friend Dave Gilbert phoned to say he was on his way to see the grebe and after an hour or so we were joined by him.
We took a little break in the Visitor Centre cafe for a coffee (cheers Steve !) and 'filled our boots' with more photos before leaving.
I'm not sure if it is solely Welsh Water who have invested in the regeneration of the reservoirs but it is now an incredible facility in north Cardiff, well thought out and planned and the works have been carried out to the highest standards.
We had intended to visit Porth Teigr in Cardiff in search of the Black Redstarts but with the daylight closing in we headed for Parc-Y-Pentre in Llanishen instead which was only 15 minutes away, on the way home and had a small group of Waxwings which were showing well in reasonable light.
We soon found the group of birders/toggers watching the birds, these included Dave Palmer of Nick The Sheep fame who I had not seen for several years.
The Rowan tree that the Waxwings favoured was being guarded closely by a Mistle Thrush but the birds did manage a few visits and we both got some images that we were well pleased with.
As the sun's rays bid farewell it was time to call it a day, a fabulous day out in great company with some fantastic birds as well, I guess Porth Teigr and the Black Redstarts will have to wait another day.........
