Great Grey Shrikes in Glamorgan

A Great Grey Shrike was seen at Afan Argoed, today, by Elaine J. It was showing in some clear fell with spindly Birch and Ash remaining (SS827941) between 3-4pm this afternoon. It was also seen in the same area at the same time of day, yesterday (8/3/13).

Earlier this week (5/3/13) a Great Grey Shrike was found at Nant Gau (SN8902) (CR, MST)

The Great Grey Shrike found earlier again, this year, near Crynant, is on forestry managed land which appears to have no general public restrictions. The bird has not been looked for, to my knowledge, for a couple of weeks but may still be around? Last known sighting came from SN764050 on 24/2/13. Access via St Illtyd's Walk at Crynant.

News

1st W Ring-billed Gull on playing fields this morning (MB)
Ad Bonaparte's Gull still at Portobello, Ogmore (MB)
f  Black Redsart Nash Point lighthouse (JR, SRH)

Sightings

Lesser Scaup at Cosmeston. Common Scoter drake in Cardiff Bay.

RBG still at Neath Abbey Salltmarsh

Once again viewed at Neath Abbey Saltmarsh c15:00. Stayed a few minutes before flying towards Neath centre. Very few gulls along the river around 3pm. Many more earlier on at midday but no sign of the RBG.

News

VC41 Spring Arrivals:
Sand Martins have been seen in Cardiff & at Fonmon in the Vale, both 7th Mar.

Bonaparte's Gull (March 5th) and Water Pipit

Ring-billed Gull around Neath

 The 1st W Ring-billed Gull was showing well in the same general area, again this morning. It flew in to join other gulls on the riverbank at 08:45, but only stayed for about 10 mins before flying off towards Cwrt Herbert playing fields. Later it was relocated with the mainly Black-headed Gull flock on those fields, which can be viewed from Neath Abbey Road. It spent about an hour here, and was quite mobile between fields and lamp posts, between 09:00 to 10:00 before flying off towards Neath centre.

 Later a quick check of the Neath Saltmarsh gull roost at high tide (from Milland Rd Ind Est) found the bird present amongst the other gulls 11:15 to 11:45. The gathered gulls were quite flighty on this occasion and it remained distant.

Ring-billed Gull

Still present at Neath Abbey Saltmarsh over the high tide this morning.

Ring billed Gull News & sighting history within NPT

Ring-billed Gull still present on the saltmarsh at Neath Abbey, this morning at 09:40. (ND, NPR)

No sign of BTD at Lisvane Res, however male Greater Scaup still present.

Just to add a bit more information on Ring-billed Gull sightings in NPT; some documented records are as follows :-

22 Jan 1990 [1st W] Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir (NO)
13 Mar 1994 [Ad W] Jersey Marine (RHAT)
15 Dec 1996 [Ad W] Port Talbot Docks (DMC, GR, PR, DS)
05 Sep 1997 [Ad W] Aberavon Beach (DMC)
06 Jan 1999 [Ad W] Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir (DR)
28 Jan 2001 [Ad W] Margam Wharf (DMC, GR, DS)
25 Jan 2004 [Ad W] Neath Estuary (DMC)

Ring-billed Gull records in MapMate (includes all NPT records).

Black = 2013

Red (large) = 2000-2012

Red (small) = pre 2012

Black Redstart at Porthcawl 
Seen in local allotments

                                                                  (c) K. Squires

Ring-billed Gull still Neath Abbey Saltmarsh

The 1st W Ring-billed Gull showed well this morning between 09:00 and 10:30. Once again it was amongst the gathered gulls at the side of the river and later departed, heading NE towards Cwrt Herbert. It's not yet clear where it goes to after leaving the area or whether it returns periodically throughout the day to the river, to wash, like many of the local gulls do? Neither is it clear what time it turns up at the salt marsh. However, the timing of it's departure from the last 2 days has been 50mins after high tide (Port Talbot).

High tide gull roost is generally found at SS743969. Parking inside Milland Road industrial estate at SS74559677. Follow path to bridge over canal and continue out to the Neath River to view roost on the opposite side.