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.

Recent sightings

Some notable migrants beginning to filter through the county in the last few days include.

Wood Sandpiper at Llanilid 30th but no sign 31st (NPR, AH)

Garganey at Cardiff Bay 28th but no sign 29th (ABv)

2 Garganey at RGW 29th (AP, CE)

Cardiff Foreshore

Evening seawatch from RGW: Great Skua chasing gulls this evening & adult Yellow-legged Gull.

Seawatching from Tutt Head 18/07/12

From Simon Murray

2 Great Skua
1 Sandwich Tern

past Mumbles Head yesterday evening

Seawatching from Tutt Head

From Simon Murray

Adult Roseate Tern d/c(west) past Tutt Head 15:55

June Round-up

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Pomarine Skuas past Mumbles

From Simon Murray and Peter Murray.

Seawatching from Tutt Head 15:00 to 18:00

5 Pomarine Skua (all pale phase, at least 2 with spoons. 4 together at 16:00 and a single bird at 16:10 passing d/c (west))

50+Manx, 3+Guillemot, 10+ Gannet & 7+ Mediterranean Gull

Arctic Skuas past Kenfig Rivermouth

From Gwyn Randall

2 Arctic Skuas (1pale phase and 1 dark phase) were watched passing Kenfig river mouth late morning.
Birds were seen to head off in a SE direction.