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.


All visitors are welcome. You must first register by sending an email to GlamRC@gmail.com before you can contribute. An invite will be sent to your email address. Blog content will be strictly moderated. Access to pages and downloads are available to everyone. All photographs on this blog remain the property of the originator.
If you would like to use photos, please arrange permission beforehand.


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.

Sunday 28 August 2016

Ogmore - Wryneck & Garganey

A Garganey was the only duck on a rainy Watermill flood first thing this morning. As the rain eased it was joined by a few Teal, with three Green Sandpipers on the margins. It was still present this evening, once again on its own.



Shortly after I located a Wryneck in Pant y Cwteri; the valley that runs uphill south from Portobello. The bird went missing for long periods, but reportedly showed well again late afternoon.
                                                          record photo by Steve Rosser

It's been an excellent week at Ogmore, with additional sightings including Osprey, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, nine Black-tailed Godwits, Greenshank, Dipper, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Flycatcher, multiple Spotted Flycatchers and Whinchat.

Wednesday 24 August 2016

Quail at Llangynwyd

A Quail was seen at Llangynwyd this afternoon. The finder, Leah Powell, rescued it from the road and put it in the adj hedgerow. I have asked for permission to copy & send the photo. This was posted on Facebook.
Update - apparently was quite easy to pick up, no apparent injury, so poss an escapee captive bird.

Monday 22 August 2016

Lisvane Res.

Two Black Terns still present today. You can drive in from Lisvane entrance & view from the carpark. Birds showing well this afternoon. 
Of note: WW have now taken over the management of the reservoirs and maintinence  work will commence soon. I understand that they want to start sailing there again and plan to build a information centre with cafe facilities.
The minor road known as Green Lane from Wentloog to St. Mellons is closed to traffic at the St. Mellons end due to work on the railway bridge. For local birders coming from Wentloog, you go as far as the Cardiff end but have to go back the way you came.

Sunday 21 August 2016

Lisvane Res

2 Black Terns were reported at Lisvane Res this morning, apparently present up to 13:30 - reported on the Facebook group and nowhere else. Sorry for late news of this but only just seen it.

Storm Petrels Cardiff Barrage

At least 6 Storm Petrels from the southern end of the barrage this morning between 07:20-09:15. Closest approach was one which came closer than the Outer Wrach buoy which is 1000m off shore.

Saturday 20 August 2016

Balearic Shearwater past Porthcawl



Three fairly poor record shots of one of the Balearic Shearwaters that was seen from the Irongate shelter at Porthcawl this morning. This bird, picked up by Alex Bevan, flew by at 08:10. Collin Gittins and a few others had another Balearic Shearwater a little later.
Other notable species recorded 06:00 to 10:00 include
Common Scoter (12), Fulmar (25+), Manx (110+), Storm Petrel (at least 1 but likely 4 or more),  Gannet (18), Sanderling (1), Turnstone (3), Sandwich Tern (2), Arctic Tern (1 juv), Commic Tern (5), Kittiwake (9)

At around 10:30 - 3 Little Terns past the shelter per RJ et al. With a turnover of birders present throughout the day hopefully we can report a more comprehensive summary later today when news comes through.

Wednesday 3 August 2016

News

Sooty Shearwater past Sker this am. [ND]

Nice pic of a close Manx Shearwater at Lavernock today - thanks to Andy Burns & Lol Middleton.