GRC Blog


Welcome to the GRC Recorders pages. This blog provides details on all the relevant news of Glamorgan’s scarcer birds, plus all BBRC & WRP decisions that affect us locally. It will also be used to document the status and occurrence of these scarcer species and we welcome contributions from anyone with photographs, artwork or documentation of rarities past, present and future. The GRC also welcomes all seawatching news from around Glamorgan and news of passage migrants in spring & autumn, uncommon birds in our area and unusual behaviour.


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The Glamorgan Rarities Committee, in conjunction with the Glamorgan Bird Club & Gower Wildlife , have agreed to co-operate with the Welsh Ornithological Society in the sharing of bird records & photographs in the interest of keeping accurate records and to promote birdwatching in North, Mid & South Wales.

Saturday 8 February 2014

Ross's Gull at Afan river mouth


I've always dreamed of seeing a Ross's Gull, not even contemplated finding one. However, the circumstances surround this find leave me feeling a little empty. And so it goes..
I've written the circumstances surrounding my find a few times and it doesn't ever get better.
Basically, I saw this bird from distance in a howling gale and thought it was a 1st W Little Gull. Closed the distance and had a look through the bins. It struck me as being a bit pale, but still the coin didn't drop! Managed to find the bird in the camera, took a record shot of it flying away. Then it gained a bit of height and flew up river. I didn't see it again.
Got home had a look at the photo on the computer - oh no! It's ok it can't be one. I'd better go back down and have another look for it. Not there. Had another look on the computer at the photo - it's got to be one. Ring Barry - he agrees. So here we are.
The location of the sighting is SS749886. The bird was seen flying up the Afan river at 12:45 and lost from view. It was not seen amongst the gulls gathered up river near the outfall (SS757896)
Things to note are 1) there is a very big gull roost inside Port Talbot Docks but this cannot be accessed without a permit 2) the gulls inside Port Talbot Dock will be forced out from there on a high tide 3) this bird was seen around high tide.
It will be looked for inside the Port Talbot Docks tomorrow morning and there will be other birders on the public side of the Afan in contact with those inside the docks. If it is re-found inside the docks tomorrow then news will be relayed as best we can.
Parking for this area is SS748891 - do not block emergency access to the beach here. Or lots of packing along the beach front.


3 comments:

Barry Stewart said...

Brilliant find Mark! Fingers crossed for tomorrow...

John Wilson said...

Reported present this morning at east end of Aberavon beach feeding with 2 Little Gulls.

John Wilson said...

sorry shd have added by the river mouth