Purple heron drawing.

Thought i would draw the Kenfig bird, although i dipped on it!
Ballpoint and watercolours - 30x20 inches.

Saker - RGW 26/5/2011 -

Great skua, Porthcawl today.

Black Stork: Mynydd Ty Talwyn, Llangynwyd

Few record photos of the Black Stork seen in flight over Mynydd Ty Talwyn,Llangynwyd,Maesteg this morning by Paul Tabor and myself,the last photo shows the bird going down and we believed at the time that it had landed out of sight over the crest of the hill.

The stork was first seen by Paul who then got me on to the bird and I managed a few record shots,the bird was about 1/4 mile distant so the photos are heavily cropped.

Despite a good search of the surrounding area and Parc Slip NR by several birders the bird could not be relocated,hopefully it is still in the area and someone refinds it.

Woodchat Shrike at Fairwood Common

It was great to catch up with the Woodchat Shrike that Wendall found yesterday at Fairwood Common. There has been some discussion that it might be the Llangennith Woodchat Shrike relocated? At the time, during today's visit, while I was looking at the bird I also thought that the downy plumage was consistent with the Llangennith Shrike. However, having now compared the photos I took today with Rob Taylor's photos (and others) it is clear they are different birds. The key area being around the bill; where the Llangennith Shrike shows a lot of white above the bill and around the eye the Fairwood Shrike does not.

Woodchat at Fairwood Common

Woodchat Shrike found by Wendell Thomas at 1530hrs just east of Cartersford Bridge at SS554913

BNG-Llanilid "Return visit"

When I visited last week after work the light was very poor,much better this morning in the sunshine,luckily the heavy showers missed the site.

Garganey at Llanilid

Alun Hughes has found a drake Garganey at Llanilid this evening.  Not absolutely sure on which pond the bird was showing but, I think it is on one of the 2 ponds on the south of the site around SS990808?
The Black-necked Grebe was also present today per John Wilson on the small pond nearby. As has been mentioned before, this area is quite sensitive area and it is recommended that you remain on the tracks when moving between the ponds.

Hoodies at Sker Farm

Graham Roblin found a Hooded Crow at Sker Farm this morning. It was still showing well this afternoon between 13:30 and 16:00. The bird favoured the field (SS798794) with the sheep next to Royal Porthcawl Golf Club although it was quite mobile as the resident corvids arrived in the area to feed and departed regularly. On one occasion the bird flew to Sker Rocks to feed but, only spent a brief period there. One further notable event was when a Herring Gull singled it out from a feeding group of corvids and gave chase through the air but the Hooded Crow was able to avoid the attack easily.

Hooded Crow - Sker Farm, near Pink Bay

Here are some more shots of the hooded crow taken before the rain this morning. Nice find by Graham Roblin and Dean Bolt. Dean saw 5 yellow wagtails, a whinchat and several manx shearwaters too.

Hooded Crow at Sker

Rather distant photos of the Hooded Crow at Sker this morning in the light drizzle. This species is nationally rare in Wales. For some reason it was omitted from the the EG D-List in 2005, however the GRC have reinstated it, and from 1st May 2011 it is a description listed species.

Hooded Crow at Sker

Call from Dean Bolt who is watching a Hooded Crow in the field adjacent to the green lifeguard hut.

Black-necked Grebe:Llanilid

Managed to get down to the site after work this evening,light was very poor and had to push the ISO a bit but pleased to get a few record shots.

"Plumage tick" for me,first one I've seen in summer plumage.

Black necked Grebe 04/05/2011 - Llanilid East Pool

Male Dotterel photographed in a gale on Sunday morning

Black-necked Grebe

Still present this evening.

Wood Sandpiper at Port Talbot Harbour

(c) B. Stewart

BNG at Llanilid

News from NPR & AH - The BNG is still present at Llanilid and showing well. It is on a pool in the SE corner, at SS998807. Park at the eastern end and take the track by the owl field leading down to the pools in that area. Remember this is a sensitive area, please keep to the tracks.

Black-necked Grebe at Llanilid

A superb shot of the summer plumaged BNG at Llanilid on 30th April by Ian Hatch. The observer kept the site undisclosed initially because he didn't want to upset anyone, thinking that it may be a Glamorgan breeding species. After being in correspondence with the observer I have decided to release the site details as CR, because this species is only a passage migrant in Glamorgan in spring and usually one-day birds. However the code of conduct set for all wild birds should be observed at all times.

Dotterel still at Cefn Cadlan

Still present today and showing very well. Thanks to Martin Bevan and Phil Hill

Black Terns at Porthcawl

3 Black Tern flew up channel at Porthcawl at 0800hrs in a strong force 5 easterly wind.

Dotterel at Cwm Cadlan today.

Dotterel Cwm Cadlan

Martin Bevan and Phil Hill have found a pair of Dotterel at Cwm Cadlan this morning - I rec'd a text at 09:19.