News

The Ross's Gull [1st W] still at Aberavon this am, showing off the Afan river mouth [per RM]

Plus at least 10 Little Gulls (5 x 1st W, 1 x 2nd W, 4 x ad)

Barry Dock: There are two [2] Black-throated Divers present, both together at the eastern end. [MCP & DRWG]. {This is only the second time that two have been seen together in East Glamorgan, the other being two at Sker Point 22/11/1985 [N. Odin]}

                                                                   © H. Lack

The Knap, Barry: The Long-tailed Duck is still present, along with a Med Gull [ad W], as is the drake Lesser Scaup at Cosmeston CP. Also there 9 Gadwall. [MCP & DRWG]

There was a Med Gull [ad W] at Roath Park Lake this am. [DRWG]

Late news: A Lesser Whitethroat (race unknown) seen feeding in a Roath garden 10th Feb, together with 4 Blackcaps. [Per GRC]

Ross's Gull

Still present today feeding with the gull flock west of the Jackstones pier, Aberavon at 0920 at least. Also 2ad and 3 1st winter Little Gull, 2 Shelduck, guillemot, ad wp Med Gull and a rather lonely escaped Snow Goose on the beach [which in fact, which was quite rightly pointed out a white fat hybrid  blob - MHn]. Weather was horrendous in a near gale force wind blowing from the docks direction, managed to tuck myself into the jackstones out of the wind much to the amusement of visiting birders.

Ross's Gull still present, today

 A couple more shots of the Ross's Gull that was still present today. It showed well on the beach amongst the small gathering of gulls, just west of Jackstones Pier, for about 20 mins . It was very interesting to watch it call out repeatedly for about 20s or more, this morning. Lets hope it's little voice carries far and that it is able to pull another one in! After taking to flight it fed off the shore with other gulls and alighted on the sea regularly before disappearing for a bit. Shortly after that it reappeared and fed just off the river mouth for a while before flying west into the docks.

No real pattern is emerging as to where one might expect to find it at any particular part of the day. However, it does seem that on every day since it was first seen on Saturday, that it shows around the river mouth and pier for 30 mins or more during some part of the day.

Ross's Gull announcement.

It has come to our attention that birders having been entering ABP controlled land in search of the Ross's Gull, today. There is an unmanned gate at the end of Riverside Road, where it meets the public footbridge over the Afan River. Signs at the gate clearly show that unauthorised access beyond the gate is prohibited. The gate is watched by CCTV cameras and workers that use the area report trespassers to security. Today, an ABP security guard had to travel from Swansea to respond to a complaint made to ABP, which resulted in 3 birders being asked to leave. Tata Steel security will also respond to alerts from this area.

It is incredibly frustrating not knowing where this bird is when its not showing from the public areas. However, there is no excuse to trespass in order to try and see the bird. A handful of permits are issued each year to allow WEBs counts and other survey work to be done, so any further reported incidents will jeopardise the relationship between the land owners and volunteer surveyors. Please be mindful of this.

The Ross's Gull has been reported less frequently today, but it did return to the shore and pier northwest of the Afan River mouth between 14:00 till 14:30 at least. In addition to this there are some reports of it showing along the Afan River during the day.

PLEASE DO NOT enter the private land beyond the gates at the end of Riverside Road where it meets the public footbridge over the Afan River. Although the gates are open, signs clearly warn against unauthorised access. Private security will be asked to respond to birders that are trespassing here. Thank you.

Aberavon Beach

Long tailed Duck being drenched at Barry

Wildwings at Aberavon

Sightings

The Bonaparte's Gull was off the Heliport this afternoon. The Long-tailed Duck was again at The Knap, Barry.

Ross's Gull still at Afan river mouth

Last night what I wanted more than anything was for the Ross's Gull to be still present this morning. I was also hoping that it would show well for everyone. In the main my hopes were realised although as I write this I don't think it has been seen for about 2-3hrs and some birders getting there as I was leaving will still be hoping it makes a reappearance. Me too.

Undoubtedly, there will be better photos to follow this set, which is a lot bigger than I would normally consider posting. However, to find a bird like this on a local patch (but not my patchwork patch - doh) still feels like a dream to me. For that reason I've decided to post all my favourite digiscoped pics from this morning in one go. Even more special to me though, was the upbeat atmosphere created by the Ross's Gull. With the good turnover of local birders and some from further afield coming and going throughout the morning, it seemed that anytime the Ross's Gull was on view there would be high-spirited voices describing it's every move. That's when you know it's a good bird. Happy days...

Ross's Gull at Afan river mouth

I've always dreamed of seeing a Ross's Gull, not even contemplated finding one. However, the circumstances surround this find leave me feeling a little empty. And so it goes..
I've written the circumstances surrounding my find a few times and it doesn't ever get better.
Basically, I saw this bird from distance in a howling gale and thought it was a 1st W Little Gull. Closed the distance and had a look through the bins. It struck me as being a bit pale, but still the coin didn't drop! Managed to find the bird in the camera, took a record shot of it flying away. Then it gained a bit of height and flew up river. I didn't see it again.
Got home had a look at the photo on the computer - oh no! It's ok it can't be one. I'd better go back down and have another look for it. Not there. Had another look on the computer at the photo - it's got to be one. Ring Barry - he agrees. So here we are.
The location of the sighting is SS749886. The bird was seen flying up the Afan river at 12:45 and lost from view. It was not seen amongst the gulls gathered up river near the outfall (SS757896)
Things to note are 1) there is a very big gull roost inside Port Talbot Docks but this cannot be accessed without a permit 2) the gulls inside Port Talbot Dock will be forced out from there on a high tide 3) this bird was seen around high tide.
It will be looked for inside the Port Talbot Docks tomorrow morning and there will be other birders on the public side of the Afan in contact with those inside the docks. If it is re-found inside the docks tomorrow then news will be relayed as best we can.
Parking for this area is SS748891 - do not block emergency access to the beach here. Or lots of packing along the beach front.

Razorbill off the Heliport on the 6th.

Another Auk sp?d c and 2 ad Kittiwakes d c.

News

BTD still at Barry Dock this am. [ND]