Late news from Cardiff Bay

Eclipse drake Lesser Scaup from late morning, showing into the afternoon, and a Garganey 25/8/12 (AGS), (ABv, MCP, PB)

No sign of either Lesser Scaup or Garganey 29/8/12 (AGS)

Possibly the Lesser Scaup moved on to Chew Valley Lake, with an eclipse drake reported from there yesterday?

Garganey at Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve

Some field notes on the female/juvenile Garganey at Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve 23/8/12. Mainly stayed around the three small islands in the main lagoon, viewed from the boardwalk at 1:30pm.
Teal sized, strong head pattern, darker "cap" and back of neck, neat scalloped pattern on back, greyish speculum, pale wing coverts, strong mottling on flanks and breast sides, black legs, all-dark bill, which was relatively broad towards the tip.

Curlew Sandpiper at Brunel Dock

ad Little Gull

2 ad Curlew Sandpiper were feeding for 30mins in Brunel Dock till 2mins before I arrived (DL). Although an ad Little Gull, coming out of summer plumage, with the Black-headed Gull roost was a good consolation.

Garganey at CBWR

A Garganey at CBWR (19/08), the 2nd record there this summer. Photo by S. Strutt

OOC: A Baird's Sandpiper at West Angle Beach, Pembs VC45 found by Clive Hurford.

Wernffrwd, North Gower

adult Yellow-legged Gull

A imm/fem Long-tailed Duck this am [per RHAT]
Last evening tern highlights include Black Tern (4) & Little Tern (1). Also YLG there [per MHp]

Roseate Tern from Wernffrwd

1 Roseate Tern was among a massive flock of c800 Common Terns feeding in the inlet near the big mound at Wernffrwd, yesterday evening. Also 1 Black Tern, 23+ Little Tern(including many juvs), 20+ Arctic Tern and 40 Sandwich Tern. (BS)

This morning from first light. 1 Black Tern, c20 Little Tern, c30 Sandwich Tern and a handful of Common Terns in very blustery conditions. Hopefully more later....

Marsh Harrier at Rhymney estuary

Female type Marsh Harrier this afternoon. Also Curlew Sandpiper present. (RM)

Waters south of Gower

Great Skua

 A boat trip into the waters between Gower and Lundy was very rewarding today.

2nd summer Pomarine Skua

Highlights

2 Pomarine Skua (2nd summer I think?)
1 Great Skua
6 Storm Petrel
6 Puffin
20,000+ Manx Shearwater (on view from one scanning point)

Seawatching Port Eynon

adult dark phase Arctic Skua

 While watching impressive passage of Manx Shearwater past Port Eynon this morning a couple of Arctic Skuas also went past. An adult with a juvenile, and I'm guessing the juvenile of the adult? The juvenile bird following the adult closely behind and never leading during pursuits or more relaxed flight.

adult (below) with juvenile Arctic Skua

05:40 to 08:30. Birds passing east except where shown.

32 Common Scoter (west), c100 Gannet, 4000+ Manx Shearwater, 2(dp) Arctic Skua, 1 Sandwich Tern and 2 Guillemot (on sea with heavy wing-moult)

Manx Shearwater
05:45 - 06:00 = 558
06:45 - 07:00 = 706
07:45 - 08:00 = 337

Peak passage occurred between 06:00 and 07:30. During this period I would approximate total numbers passing, heading east, to be 3500+ but after 07:30 a definite movement of birds passing west occurred, albeit in smaller numbers. It would be fairly safe to claim in excess of 4000 Manx Shearwater past Port Eynon this morning.