Glamorganshire Golf Club

Dear Sandy The above seems to suggest that golfers at The Glamorganshire could see Chough and Dartford Warbler whilst playing. This is extremely unlikely. Whilst the former have increased their range into Glamorgan, you will not see them away from coastal cliffs and the latter is confined to a few individuals on the Heritage Coast. However, The Glamorganshire is still an excellent place to see wild birds in between golf and general banter. At this time of year look out for Redwing and Fieldfare, winter visitors from Scandinavia. Thrushes migrate at night and you may well hear them overhead calling as you leave the clubhouse on an autumn night. Other thrushes such as Blackbirds, Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush also visit. The Robin is another familiar bird that resident, or is it? Most of the Robins you see are also visitors from central Europe replacing our own breeders who in turn move further south. Blue Tits, Great Tits will be obvious at this time of year and Coal Tits will also become evident at they too move in. Long-Tailed Tits form sizeable flocks as they forage. Winter is also a good time to see Goldcrest, Britain’s smallest bird and if you are really lucky the rarer Firecrest. As you leave the club at night you may hear a Tawny Owl calling from Downs Wood. Little Owl has been a regular breeding species in the trees between the 12th and 14th fairways. You will notice birds of prey too, Buzzards, Kestrel and Sparrow Hawk which has also bred recently. Chough are members of the Corvid or Crow family. Whilst you won’t see these you will see Crow, Rook and Jackdaw. There is a rookery at nearby Cogan Wood, Cosmeston. At this time of year Jackdaws form a sizeable roost at Cosmeston and you will see large flocks gathering at dusk. Look out also for Raven. Starlings also form winter roosting flocks at dusk. In recent years these have grown to fairly large numbers and can put on quite spectacular displays. Skylark and Meadow Pipit can sometimes be heard overhead. When I was a boy Skylark would sing whilst performing their towering display flight on the course. Alas they do not breed here now. Green Woodpeckers are often seen on the fairways throughout the years but also be aware of the Great Spotted Woodpecker. It is these that you may hear ‘drumming’ in the spring. Several types finches can be seen; Bull Finch, Green Finch Chaffinch and Linnet. You would almost certainly find Treecreeper and Nuthatch in Downs Wood. Summer visitors include Chiffchaff (or if you speak welsh Siff Saff) Blackcap, Whitethroat and Willow Warbler. Swallows, House Martin and Swift can often be seen overhead on a summer’s day. In the autumn, you may see many hundreds of Swallow passing over the 17th tee on their way to South Africa if the weather conditions are suitable. One unusual bird you may have noticed in recent years around the 7th hole is the Rose Ringed Parakeet. This has been in the area several years being an escape or perhaps part of the large population that resides in Surrey. Being close to Cosmeston Lakes, you may see Mute Swans, Canada Geese and duck commuting back and forth to Cardiff Bay. Golf courses are great places to see wild birds and I hope this will give an insight to what can be seen with little effort. In the words of Walter Hagen never hurry, never worry and be sure to smell the flowers. Doesn’t quite fit I know but you will get the general idea. Monty Mulligan