Sunday News

Bonaparte's Gull still at Ogmore, showing just downstream of Portobello House. Reported this morning (see below DCB) and again this afternoon. Showing well from 14:30 till 15:50 before flying off downstream towards the beach, presumed going to roost (SM)

Whiteford - 3 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Black-necked Grebe and 1Hen Harrier (BS)

Oxwich Bay - 2 Great Northern Divers and 3 Red-throated Divers (BS)

Snow Bunting was found once again feeding on the strand line near the blowout Baglan Dunes, Aberavon (SS721921) (DMC)

Black-necked Grebe at Kenfig

A couple of record shots of the Black-necked Grebe which has been present on Kenfig Pool since the 4th. This afternoon it was favouring the open water near the western reed bed, although on occasions it did prefer to be in among the main group of birds towards the centre of the pool

Bonaparte's Gull still present

The Bonaparte's Gull is still present this morning (09:00), again showing just downstream of Portobello House(DCB)

Also, nearby, the Black-necked Grebe is still present at Kenfig Pool (ND)

Other news from today

1 1st W Glaucous Gull from Wernffrwd (CDB)

1 Black-necked Grebe and 1 Bittern still at Kenfig (DGC)

1 Great Northern Diver and 4 Slavonian Grebe again at Whiteford (WT et al)

1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose off Green Point, Rhymney (PB)

Yesterday

1 ad male Black Redstart at Cardiff Barrage (JDW)

Bonaparte's Gull at Portobello, Ogmore

This adult Bonaparte's Gull was found this morning by Peter Lansdown. It was relocated later on this afternoon by Paul Roberts just downstream of Portobello House where it showed well near to where the stream feeds into the river (SS869762). It was watched flying into the Sewage Works on one occasion but didn't spend much time out of view before it was back feeding in the river.
If this bird remains loyal to the area, and in particular the stretch of river that it was using late afternoon, then it will present a very good photo opportunity.
Thoughts as to whether this is the same Bonaparte's Gull that has returned to Cardiff Bay for a number of winters are sure to come to the fore. In time that theory may become more clear, but whatever the case it is a very nice find by Peter.

More from today

Whiteford - 1 Great Northern Diver and 4 Slavonian Grebe. Also 39(6f) Eider, 2m Red-breasted Merganser, 22 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Greenshank. (OJL)

Baglan Bay - 5 Red-throated Diver and 172 Great Crested Grebe. (MHi)

Black-necked Grebe at Kenfig

A Black-necked Grebe was on Kenfig Pool this afternoon (SM)

Yesterday's news

News via RBA and BG and ultimately tracked down to Gwent OS from yesterday are of particular note. (HD, TG)

Whiteford - 1 juv Glaucous Gull also Red-brested Merganser, Great Northern Diver and 4 Whimbrel

Llanrhidian - 1 Great White Egret and Hen Harrier

Lesser Scaup revisited

Nice find yesterday John. I must admit I was happy to go along with your original call, from your photos, before shouts of "Hybrid, hybrid, hybrid..." started filtering through the airwaves. Reading our learned friends comments on here I can see where the issues are. So I was keen to find a way of comparing the original bird with this one to make the features stick in my mind. I was surprised (honestly!) to find that I had taken a video of the Lesser Scaup last year at Cosmeston, on the way back from the Common Yellowthroat, and that it may be useful to some because it was shot under similar conditions to your bird from yesterday.

The bill, more poignantly, the nail are quite different, but that the contrast between the sides of both birds and their backs is particularly different. Certainly it isn't easy to have those difference to mind with nothing to compare. I guess there is a chance that over the next few weeks direct comparison may be made with the original bird if it chooses to return.

Video of last year's drake Lesser Scaup

Lesser Scaup vid

Haven't posted video before,  so: .......