Marsh Harrier at Llanrhidian

The bird drifted slowly across the marsh in hunting mode heading west at 1950hrs and wasn't seen again despite meeting up with Neil Edwards almost immediately after seeing the bird and looking until 10 mins after sunset. Plumage appeared blackish-brown all over other than a cream cap and throat patch (so presumably a 2cy bird). These couple of ropey video grabs give general impression. Thankfully I had a reasonable look before getting a record video.

Cardiff Bay Wetland Reserve & Hamadryad Park

CBWR busy with migrants late afternoon. Male redstart still showing on & off in front of St David's Hotel. 7+ reed warbler singing throughout the reserve with 14+ willow warbler, 6 + blackcap. Cetti's warbler were particularly vocal and showy with birds perching atop bushes to sing. The grasshopper warbler gave a brief reel mid afternoon but otherwise no sign. 7 wheatears were also on the reserve (my highest count here).

The lesser scaup was showing well at the end of the boardwalk.

Hamadryad Park - walking through the Park home at 1830, a grasshopper warbler was reeling strongly in the hedge where the trees have been cut down. I waited a short while and it popped up and showed well.

Garganey, Fountain pond, Parc slip.

                           Drake Garganey still present this morning.

Glaucous Gull roosting inside Port Talbot Steelworks

An immature Glaucous Gull was seen flying to the gull roost inside the steelworks this evening. It was seen in flight above one of the buildings a few times and also watched coming into land. The area it was loyal to didn't afford clear views of it standing, but occasionally it could be seen flapping its wings or flying a short distance. That behaviour seems consistent with the Porthcawl bird, which has trouble putting weight on one of its legs, so it seems this is where that bird has been roosting at least part of the time during its long stay.

Glaucous Gull at Coney Beach

Here's a couple of pictures of the Glaucous Gull at Porthcawl on the weekend.

Cardiff Bay

One of the adult Bonaparte's gulls dropped into the Bay at 1700. It is now acquiring its dark hood. It flew and briefly landed in the Wetland Reserve before joining the rest of the flock of large gulls. It was the only small gull in the Bay. It flew off in the direction of the Heliport at 1725.

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.