A query

Sorry not a record but a nomenclature query. I am adding in the Divers > Herons section of EGBR 2010. In the list on here for 2010 the Gt White Egret is Casmerodius albus as in the new Collins, but under that latin name is known as Great Egret, omitting the 'White', as in Collins. However all my other literature has Ardea alba as does the BOU online list, but with the 'White' in the common name. Acc to some online authorities Casmerodius is an old name?. So what shd it be - Great Egret - Casmerodius albus, or Great White Egret - Ardea alba. What we have on here is a mix of the two. TIA.
NB - in the E. Glam list on p.71 of the last report, the species was listed as "Great Egret", so we need to be consistent.

The Sparrow

Two images of the sparrow.

As CR and Chair of the GRC, I am responsible for all records sent to me in confidence. The GRC committee have an obligation to all observers in Glamorgan to treat their descriptions/photos/drawings in strict confidentiality and with the utmost impartiality. I, nor the GRC, will be drawn into any correspondence, other than to say we do not believe this individual is a Spanish Sparrow.

Crossbills in the Far East.

Although not rare,they are certainly not common in these parts,4 possibly more this am

Oxwich Marsh

Garganey in front of the hide last night...

... Paul Tyrrell managed to get some shots of the bird around 9am on the 24th.

(c) P. Tyrrell

Loughor Estuary

The Great White Egret was followed as it left WWT Llanelli and headed off high to the east. It was eventually seen to fly into Glamorgan just north of Loughor Bridge, at which point it turned north and started to drop and drift up the Loughor Estuary where it was lost to sight. The bird was eventually relocated in the afternoon at Llangennech (on the Carmarthenshire side) by Peter & Simon Murray.

(c) R.H.A. Taylor
at WWT Llanelli shortly before it flew onto the Upper Loughor

Kenfig pool.

A Willow tit seen and heard at 13:15 opposite the gap halfway along the North hide boardwalk today. It was elusive but was heard calling on 3 more occasions up until i left at 14:10.

Gower news

At least 1 calling Quail is still present at Paviland today.

LBB Gull

LBB Gull ringed on Flat Holm, photographed on Guernsey April 2010 (P. Veron website)
A sub-adult Lesser Black-backed Gull with a darvic ring 2AF7 was recorded from Roath Park Lake 10.vii.2011 [MCP]. This is the first instance of a ringed return from Guernsey in Cardiff.
Guernsey birders have reported at least 4 LBB Gulls which were ringed on Flat Holm seen at the Choulet landfill.

Quail at Pontrhydyfen

A Quail from Pontrhydyfen was taken taken into care at the Gower Bird Hospital last week and was successfully released today.
Simon Allen wrote: 'Admitted 2/7/11 Released 10/7/11 into one of the fields over Lunnon way. I have to say this birds behaviour was more natural the some of the other birds we’ve seen...'

(c) Simon Allen [Gower Bird Hospital]

Sad News

I have some very sad news. Dave Bull passed away last Friday after a long struggle against cancer. Dave was originally from England who settled in Cardiff and was a keen birder, later becoming a ringer. He trapped at many sites, including KNNR, Coed Ruperra and many in the Cardiff area. He, along with Ron Hogarth, trapped Glamorgan's first Marsh Warbler in June 2010 at the CBWR. Our thoughts go to his family at this time.

Status of Ruddy Duck in GB

New stats from the nationwide webscount survey suggests that Ruddy Duck is down to 90 individuals in Great Britain. The last count for this species was between 200/300 birds in 2009. This now proves that the DEFRA cull has had a dramatic effect on this species in GB. The GRC are still monitoring the status within VC41, however it looks exceedingly likely that Ruddy Duck will become a description species in January 2012 in Glamorgan.
On a brighter note, the same source estimates that c600 Bitterns are now currently overwintering in GB. Which is good news indeed.

Little Owls:East Glamorgan

Not rare or scarce I know,just local,but what charismatic and photogenic little birds !!