News

The Ring-billed Gull is again at Neath Abbey Saltmarsh this morning [RJ & MHi]

Water Pipit at Portobello, Ogmore [GR et al]

Bonaparte's Gull

The adult from Cardiff foreshore has moved into Cardiff Bay, present yesterday evening and again this evening when seen perched on the railings near the barrage sluice gates at 6 p.m.
(B-t Diver still on Lisvane Res today too).

Ring-billed Gull Neath Abbey Saltmarsh

 I saw this gull with others gathered alongside the Neath River at Neath Abbey Saltmarsh, this morning at 09:40. My first thought was 1st W Ring-billed Gull and I quickly tried to get some record shots of it. Unfortunately the gulls were pretty restless in the area and after 10 mins it flew off with the others in the direction of the playing fields at Cwrt Herbert. Lots of sporting activities there and no sign of it with other gulls nearby.

 It flew off before I was completely satisfied of its ID. It never came closer than 300m but these cropped digiscoped shots do (I think) show enough features to confirm it as a Ring-billed Gull, close to 1st S plumage.

It was searched for again this evening but no luck relocating it. It may have roosted with the other gulls somewhere in Baglan Bay and hopefully it will show again tomorrow morning. The viewing points for the saltmarsh are from Neath Abbey roundabout (although parking here is very limited) and access to view the saltmarsh can be obtained from Milland Road Industrial Estate (however the gulls "spook" very easily from that side of the river)

Greater Scaup and BT Diver on Lisvane Res.

A rather distant shot of a fine drake Greater Scaup on Lisvane Res this afternoon. The BT diver is still present too (17th day and counting!).

Maesteg.

A fem Hen Harrier circled around me and drifted north at Maesteg cemetery this morning.

News #2

26th Feb.

Bonaparte's Gull [ad] still present on the River Ogmore, also 5 Med Gulls there. [NPR]

f/imm Velvet Scoter still off Crymlyn Burrows Beach, with 6(5m) Common Scoter

Also nearby a Short-eared Owl at Baglan Dunes, no reports or sign of the Snow Bunting since 12/2/13 (MHi, DCM)

Black-throated Diver still at Lisvane, this am (RET)

Black-necked Grebe still present at Kenfig Pool, also 2 Bitterns there. [ND]

25th.

Black-throated Diver still at Lisvane Res. [PB]

North Gower

Penclawdd Pill - 1 Spotted Redshank (PKG, CJ)

Wernffrwd - 2 Great White Egret (10:30; WT)  (13:10; PKG, CJ)

Llanrhidian roost - 2 Great White Egret, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Barn Owl (PKG, CJ, EAH)

Great Grey Shrike near Crynant

The GGS found by Rob Jones was still present today. Permission was granted to access the area favoured by the Shrike again today. However, whether or not the area can be accessed without restriction from another direction is less clear. If I find out that it is possible to access area without restrictions then I will post those details as they become available. Thanks go to Rob for arranging access today.

Also in the area 1 ringtail Hen Harrier and Rob later had a Short-eared Owl at Baglan Dunes, at last light.

Sightings

Bonaparte's Gull on shore off Cardiff Heliport this morning. Also Med Gull (1w) and 25 Common Scoter on the sea. Lesser Scaup in the CBWR, also Yellow-legged Gull (ad).

Bittern at Crymlyn Bog

A Bittern was seen in flight over Crymlyn Bog this evening at 17:15. No Harriers were seen but a decent sized flock of Gulls were around the old tip area. Unfortunately, they were only giving brief and partial views of the flock in flight from the visitor centre, at Crymlyn Bog.