Bittern at Lamby lake today.

Not sure if there's enough detail in these photos to distinguish it from the previous photos of the last Bittern at Lamby lake!

Another colour-ringed Ringed Plover

Right: green / Left: red over red

Another colour-ringed Ringed Plover, today. Details will be sent and feedback will be posted when they are returned.

Yellow-legged gull and scaup at Lisvane

A few record shots of a yellow-legged gull at Lisvane this morning, the first I've seen here since New Year's Day. A male scaup was also seen here this afternoon, by Allan Dowson (reported on Glamorgan Birds).

Great Grey Shrikes

Seems like a good time to find one of these; 2013 birds shown in black.

I'm not sure if the clusters of dots reflect preferred areas for this species or the activities of Glamorgan's birdwatchers, but the 2013 records clearly follow a similar pattern to previous years? A visit to Margam could be rewarded.

Other news

A new Great Grey Shrike in Glamorgan today at Coed Cae Aberaman ST015986 ((PH, MJB)

1st W Ring-billed Gull again on playing fields at Cwrt Herbert (SM, PM, TMT)

3 Sand Martin this morning at Swansea Vale (AWF)

6 Sand Martin at Cardiff Bay (SRH)

Ringed Plover (ringed) on Aberavon Beach

Right:green & Left:red over orange

Rob Jones picked out a colour-ringed Ringed Plover amongst a small group of waders on Aberavon Beach, this afternoon. I'll send out details tomorrow and provide feedback here, as and when I get it.

Quite a productive bit of birding from Brunel Dock to Aberavon Beach and back produced a couple of Sand Martins heading up-river over Brunel Dock. A Short-eared Owl and male Merlin in Baglan Dunes. The Merlin put up a Sky Lark and gave chase for about 30 seconds while the Sky Lark appeared to be in complete control of the situation; celebrating the positive outcome by bursting into song as the Merlin carried on its way. Close by in the flooded part of the dunes 2 Water Rail and 1+ Jack Snipe.

Great Grey Shrike at Afan Argoed

Couple of "record" shots from this afternoon,bird showed at 3.50pm in same general area as grid ref posted yesterday.
Always distant and only stayed for about 40mins before disappearing.
Best pics may probably be obtained by "digi-scoping".

Lesser Scaup

Various people are still reporting Lesser Scaup at Cosmeston [and CBWR]. Is this really the genuine article? The only bird I have seen on and off since I got back from hold, appears to be the suspected hybrid Tufted x Gt Scaup that I originally thought was the Lsr when I first found it, until photos were taken. The bird I saw at Cossie on Sat during the GBC walk seemed to be the hybrid to me, just from the size [it appears to be slightly bulkier than Tufty], although the black bill nail did seem v small and restricted to the very centre of the bill tip. Also the nape > rear crown shape does not seem quite right for Lsr and there is a distinct 'bump' implying a vestigial tuft. I'll try & get some HD video next time I visit.

Interesting Chiffie

 I noticed a couple of Chiffchaffs in Port Talbot, today. One of them caught my eye as being less usual. The ear-coverts were a nice warm buff colour and overall it looked brown-grey above and pale below. The other Chiffchaff that it was with looked generally more green in tone.

 Camera to hand I spent the next few minutes trying to get some record shots of a very active bird in poor light. Not a great combination and not great results. Some of the shots show the warmth of the ear-coverts and brown cap that becomes greyer going down the mantle. No yellow in the supercilium is good , and also bolder behind the eye which is also good. Some green tones in the wing can be made from some angles.

 However, what I was really hoping for was a distinctive call and that never came, both birds remained silent. Looking at the photos I'd also like to see a bit more contrast between the green tones in the wing and the "greyer" mantle and back. Whether the lack of good light contributes to this not showing in the photos or whether it just doesn't occur on this bird is debatable. I guess without a nice recording of the call this bird will remain just a chiffie.

 Any comments welcome on this subject especially warm buff ear-coverts occurring on non-tristis Chiffchaffs.

Sightings

Bonaparte's Gull in Cardiff Bay this morning, best seen off Prospect Place. Common Scoter still present in Bay until 11am but not seen later, presumably flushed off by boats. Lesser Scaup at Cosmeston.