Iceland Gull and Glaucous Gull still showing well

2 cy Glaucous Gull

 It was a really good day today being able to catch up with the long staying Iceland Gull at Taff's Mead Embankment and the even longer staying Glaucous Gull at Porthcawl. The Iceland Gull turned up at around 15:45 after a waiting over 30 mins for it to show just downstream from the railway bridge. It then proceeded to have bread thrown at it or at least had bread thrown tactically into zones that offered it the best chance of getting some! At times when it was sitting on the railway bridge it almost appeared suspicious about how easy life had become! Top marks to the birder who brought the bread.

2 cy Iceland Gull

Then down to Prospect Place for a quick look for the Bonaparte's Gull(s) but only a handful of 2cy Black-headed Gulls were on view from here. Plenty of "White-headed Gulls" around the bay though. Finally, home via Porthcawl for a second attempt at seeing the Glaucous Gull. It wasn't long before it could be seen from the east esplanade distantly on the sea off the Lookout Tower rocks (Rhych Point). An attempt to close distance for record shots resulted in losing the bird completely, and then a hugely frustrating 30 minutes ended with the bird doing it's very best to be noticed on the most prominent chimney in Porthcawl! Luckily for me I looked there before heading off home. The bird still struggles to put any weight on it's left leg yet seems adamant to continue using it. Apart from that it seems very healthy and never looked in any danger of losing this prime lookout post to the other gulls that were in the area. Both of them cracking birds.

Parc Slip 04/04/15

The drake Garganey was still present this morning on the Northern Wetlands until 0930hrs when it flew off low eastwards and was relocated at the Fountain [south] Lake 30mins later, other migrants included 6 Chiffchaff and a lone Sand Martin

BBRC News

The latest issue of BB lists several changes to species moving onto & off the BBRC list from 1st January 2015.

Species going on to the BBRC are: Aquatic Warbler, Tawny Pipit, Red-throated Pipit & Rustic Bunting.

Species now dropped from BBRC are: Lesser Scaup, Penduline Tit, Blyth's Reed Warbler & Citrine Wagtail. {These will now automatically go onto the WRP Rarity List for Wales}

GRC

Steve Moon

Just an update in case anyone has not seen it elsewhere. After the service at All Saints Church, and thereafter at Margam Crematorium, there will be a 'wake' to which Steve's acquaintances are invited, at Kenfig Reserve Centre, from 3 p.m.
IN case you haven't seen it, Madeleine has written a touching tribute which is published in Walesonline, here http://tinyurl.com/pwymqrh.

Little bunting - Forest Farm

The little bunting was showing very well on and off between 1605 and 1640. It was very quiet with no-one around and the bird was very active. Earlier there had been no sign for most of the afternoon. During this period the bird seemed to rest / preen in the trees immediately behind the feeders before flying in to feed at the base of the hide.

It looks fit and healthy which begs the question, when is it going to leave?

Request Kumlien's Gull record flight shots 2014

It's probably fair to say that separating a Kumlien's Gull from an Iceland Gull is anything but straightforward. A good deal of time has passed since last year's major influx of white-wingers, a fair proportion of which seem to have originated from North America. The numbers of Kumlien's Gulls being recorded last year seemed to be remarkable and it certainly stood out amongst previous years and this year. Not surprisingly then that this rarer race of the Iceland Gull requires good supportive evidence to be recorded as an official record, and here in Glamorgan WRP decide over which ones will make the grade. I have recently started trawling through photos that have been posted online on this blog or the Bird News Services to try and find useful record shots. The experts in this area have given a fairly simple requirement for Kumlien's Gulls to be separated from Iceland Gulls safely. This involves having a good quality shot which shows the bird in flight. In particular the flight shot should demonstrate that the outer primaries look darker than the inner primaries, and that the outer webs of the outer primaries look dark compared to the inner webs. My understanding is an Iceland Gull type that looks very dark and captured well on camera standing or sitting will not be enough to confirm it as a Kumlien's Gull. Photos showing an open wing are crucial.

No-one has sent to me any descriptions relating to Kumlien's Gulls from from 2014 so far. A few people have responded to my request for shots of flying birds. Thus far I am confident that two 2nd Cal year birds ranged widely between Blackpill, Crymlyn Burrows and Fendrod Lake. Although one of the birds seems right on the margin of being identified to race safely. Caution might prevail there. Both birds will be submitted as 2nd Cal year Kumlien's and I think I have enough photos to present a case for both.

The Burry Holms Kumlien's Gull from 2014 are very poorly represented with photos showing them in flight. Another way to write that is that no-one has provided me any flight shots of Kumlien's Gulls from Burry Holms in 2014, and sadly I never connected with one there. My request therefore is for anyone who has in their possession decent flight shots from this site please send them to me. Thank you.

Kumlien's Gull Fendrod Lake 23/3/14

Steve

Just an update. Cd you please refer to the Glamorgan Birds sighting page for full details. I have been in touch with Madeleine and she would be very happy for anyone connected with Steve to come along to the funeral, which is likely to be 7th or 8th April. She is hoping to hire KNNR centre for people to gather afterwards to celebrate his life and work there. She will let me know details as soon as they are settled and I will post them on the other page where I have created a sticky post that will always be at the top. Thanks
For info, the funeral will be on Weds 8th April at All Saints Church, Victoria Rd, Porthcawl at 1:45.

Cardiff Bay Bonaparte's Gulls

Managed to get shots of both birds in the same light and at the same (unfortunately extreme) range this afternoon. You can see how visible the P9 marks are on the one compared with the other and the variation in black smudge shape. Sadly the two in one shot never came off because as one drifted off up river the other one took its place.

Pete

Steve Moon

It is with very great sadness that I have just learned that Steve Moon passed away this morning. I have no other details.  He did a great deal for birding in our county and will be sorely missed. Our sincere condolences go out to Madeleine and his family.

Ogmore Bonaparte's Gull 2013 - revisited

© J. Slocombe

© J. Slocombe

Jeff Slocombe has kindly provided some shots taken January 2013 of the Ogmore Bonaparte's Gull. The interesting thing is that this bird seems to show only the left P9 is marked. My photos of this bird give support that the right wing showed no mark on P9.