In previous years, the Redshanks have returned to the Ely embankment, where the River Ely runs in to Cardiff Bay, as early as mid October. This year, for some unknown reason, they’re late. I started seeing them on the mud outside the Barrage a couple of weeks ago but these five are the first I’ve seen grazing along the shoreline of the embankment, where they catch tiny molluscs and crustaceans. It’s wonderful to have these handsome birds back on the patch again.