Green-winged Teal at Kenfig salt marsh

A record shot of the drake Green-winged Teal at Kenfig salt marsh, this afternoon. Found earlier today by Darren Coombs. The bird showed frequently on the flooded scape area and even came out of the water briefly to preen. It spent the entire time that I was there, this afternoon, in East Glamorgan.

Kumlien's Gull(s) at Fendrod Lake

23/3 Kumlien's No2 below Kumlien's No1 © M. Hipkin

Yesterday afternoon, Simon & Peter Murray found that there were 2 Kumlien's Gulls together at Fendrod Lake. There seems to be a bit of debate surrounding the origins of the paler of the 2 birds and whether primary pattern and overall lack of contrast in the wing will allows us to differentiate between Iceland and Kumlien's. In addition to the recommendations from some of our local learned friends for caution when recording race status of the first bird there are a number of Gull books and reputable Gull ID websites that state Iceland and paler Kumlien's types are inseparable, particularly at this time of year when wear and fading come into play. However, for the purpose of this post I'l be referring to the contentious bird as Kumlien's No1 or 'first bird.'

19/3 Kumlien's No1 © I. Tew

23/3 Kumlien's No2 © I.Tew

The second bird does have a pale bill. but the light does play a part in the differences shown above. In bright light the first bird's bill can look strikingly two-toned.

18/3 Kumlien's No1 © M. Hipkin

23/3 Kumlien's No2 © P. Smith

Certainly the second bird shows distinctive darker outer primaries than the first bird. However, I would say the outer primaries of the first bird are still just darker than it's inner primaries.

18/3 Kumlien's No1 © M. Hipkin

23/3 Kumlien's No2 © I. Tew

18/3 Kumlien's No1 © M. Hipkin

23/3 Kumlien's No2 © I. Tew

It's not easy to find similar shots of the birds in the same pose and light. Indeed in some photos it's difficult to tell which one is which. The second bird is a bit bulkier than the first and gives a rather white-hooded appearance in the field. This second bird looks like it must be the same bird Peter Murray found on 27th February at Blackpill, which was seen again by (DCo, BS, CDB & MHi) on the 2nd March. The first bird has been present since 17th March.

23/3 Kumlien's No2 above Kumlien's No1 © M. Hipkin

The ID of both birds may yet still call for more debate before they can be put to race with any confidence. Personally, I believe they are both OK for Kumlien's Gull, however, the features shown by the first bird can be heavily dependant on the light conditions at the time of viewing. The second bird, in my opinion, is a much safer call for Kumlien's Gull. Further comments welcome with regards to the identification of either gull.

Weekend round-up

Two Kumlien's Gulls now frequenting Fendrod Lake 23rd [PM, SM]. Still there today 24th.
{Photo compilation to follow}

The adult Bonaparte's Gull now showing in Cardiff Bay, 22nd & 23rd [ND]. Also the 1st W Little Gull still present.

The Black-throated Diver still present on Cosmeston, 22nd & 23rd

A Ring-billed Gull [ad] was at Blackpill late pm. 23rd [EAH]

Three Pale-bellied Brents at Broughton Bay 23rd [MSC]

Spring migrants seen: Swallow, Sand Martin, Wheatear & Willow Warbler and several singing Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps.

News

Two Great White Egrets & 3 Slavonian Grebes between Llanrhidian & Salthouse Pt. (North Gower), also Greenshank at Penclawdd [ND].
BTD still on east lake, Cosmeston.
The Kumlien's Gull was back on Fendrod Lake [AJ].

The report of a Tree Sparrow at Swansea Vale LNR [19th] is the first sighting of this species in VC41 in 2014.

Bonaparte's Gull - Cardiff Bay

The adult Bonaparte's Gull showing well amongst 500+ Black-headed Gulls in the middle of the Bay 10.45 - 11.30 at least, viewable from the promenade behind Bellway flats tower and from the Ice Rink. Also, Little Gull (2nd cal-yr), and c.30 Sand Martins.

Kumlien's Gull still at Fendrod Lake

 The Kumlien's Gull showed well at Fendrod Lake, this afternoon. Coming to bread, harassing other gulls and looking very smart in the sunshine. Well worth a visit I would say. Occasionally it would make brief trips away from the lake to spend time with other gulls gathered over the River Tawe, to the west.

Elsewhere in the county the Siberian Chiffchaff was still present around the South Pool Hide at Kenfig (ND). The Black-throated Diver was still present at Cosmeston CP (CHa)

Kumlien's Gull at Fendrod Lake

 A 2nd cal yr Kumlien's Gull was found by Terry Tovey and Kim Powell at Fendrod Lake, this afternoon. Terry first saw the bird amongst the gathered gulls that were coming to bread, just in front of the car park. The bird flew off towards the bay at about 16:50, but was not subsequently seen later at Blackpill

At Blackpill the adult Ring-billed Gull was roosting on the sea with about 200 Common Gulls. Not many other gulls at Blackpill apart from that, with a handful of Mediterranean Gulls being the best of the rest

At Crymlyn Burrows a 4th cal yr Yellow-legged Gull was near the river mouth, mid-afternoon.

Kumlien's update

A quick browse through this years records suggests seven or so individuals may have been responsible for the Glamorgan sightings. Still time for more of this disputed taxon in what has been an unprecedented influx. NB. The red dot at Cosmeston is Dave Rich's 2012 record (one of just two county records prior to this winter's influx, the other an adut bird that frequented Swansea Bay for a few years - not shown). The five 2014 records of nominate Iceland Gulls are not plotted.

Kumlien's Gull

The adult Kumlien's Gull was present near Ogmore rivermouth at about 10:45 today. The bird was several hundred metres down the beach towards Newton, initially with two Herring Gulls and then on its own. I managed this ropey digiscoped shot before it took off and headed over the rivermouth, subsequently lost to view.

Despite the distance I was able to get good scope views of it on the beach and it's fair to say that the grey wing tip markings were more prominent in the field than is suggested by this photo.

Adult Kumlien's Gull again at Ogmore

The Adult Kumlien's Gull was seen again, late morning, near the river mouth at Ogmore (NPR)

Also today, a Jack Snipe was seen at the flooded scrapes SE of the main marsh area, at Kenfig salt marsh (DCo)

Late news from yesterday.

An adult Ring-billed Gull was again at Blackpill, yesterday evening. Showing on the sea at 17:00 (SM)

The Bonaparte's Gull was seen yesterday morning (GNS) and again mid-afternoon (per Birdguides) from the Heliport area

The Black-throated Diver was still present yesterday evening at Cosmeston CP (JS)