Dotterel - Cwm Cadlan

I've just had a call from GBC member Alan Cripps, who has found a pair of Dotterel this morning, on Cwm Cadlan nr Garwnant. {Further info from GBC sightings} - They were about 2-300 metres away from where the pair were found 2 years ago. From that area there is another peak to the left (West?) and slightly further on with some sheep and horses on it. There`s quite a large area of rocks below this peak which is where the birds are.

No sign today 1st, despite searching the whole area by several observers.

                A couple of record shots of the Dotterel at Cwm Cadlan 30th April by Alan Cripps

Wood Lark in Port Talbot

Late News - 1 Wood Lark was seen at a location with no general public access in Port Talbot, yesterday evening at 18:15. The bird was found inside Port Talbot Docks. Initially heard in flight it was then watched to land where views of the bird were taken by scope. It flew once again a short distance calling as it took flight. Bad weather made further viewing of this bird impossible. (RJ, GR)

Colour ringed Sanderling

A colour-ringed Sanderling was in the wader roost at Crymlyn Burrows this evening. Waders certainly seem to be on the move with a Grey Plover at Kenfig river mouth yesterday and 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, c100 Dunlin, c90 Ringed Plover, 300+ Sanderling and a lone Whimbrel along the beach this evening.
I'm still waiting for news on the colour-ringed Ringed Plovers that were noted in the Baglan Bay recently, but I get the impression that news of this bird will be returned much quicker. The International Wader Study Group website explains clearly the process and also other useful bits of information about their projects. The section which explains the code for this bird has been reproduced below. I'm looking forward to reporting back information on this bird very soon and encourage anyone with an interest in tracking ringed birds, particularly Sanderling, to visit the website on the link below.

International Wader Study Group - Sanderling Project

The first letter stands for the colour (Green =G) and the number for the position of the flag, where:

1 - on the left tibia (above the "knee")
2 - on the right tibia (above the "knee")
3 - on the left tarsus (below the "knee") above both rings
4 - on the right tarsus (below the "knee") above both rings
5 - on the left tarsus between both rings
6 - on the right tarsus between both rings
7 - on the left tarsus below both rings
8 - on the right tarsus below both rings

Note that positions 1 and 2 are not used for this project. The letters following the number stand for the colours of the rings (Y= Yellow, R = Red, W = White and G = Green) read downwards on the left leg first followed by the right leg. So G5YRWG has a yellow ring above a red ring on the left tarsus with a green flag between the two rings. On the right tarsus it has a white above green ring.

G4YWWW

Record shot of Purple Heron this morning at Kenfig Saltmarsh.

Iain Lambert

Motacilla flava type at Rhaslas Pool

A selection of photographs taken by Mike Hogan of the flava type wagtail at Rhaslas Pool 26th April

Purple Heron at Kenfig Rivermarsh

Purple Heron showed on 4 occassions in flight sometimes very close, once with two Grey Heron for comparrison. Many other migrants present best being 2 male Redstart and a Lesser Whitethroat.

The bird was seen on both the East and West Glamorgan areas of the marsh, but favouring the East side  [MHn,PPa]

Lisvane Reservoir Aythya

A few pics of an Aythya hybrid on Lisvane Res. It has been around since 20/4/13, but always distant from the Black Oak viewing platform and I've only just twigged that its worth a long hard look! Still present this evening. I guess its partly tufted, but opinions on the likely parents gratefully received!

Little tern, Neath river.

                                            Very poor record shot but the bird was distant and
                                             flew off down river.

News

Possible Purple Heron at Kenfig Saltmarsh (RT)
1 Little Stint at Kenfig Foreshore (RT)
1 Little Tern at Neath River (PP, CG)
1 Short-eared Owl Baglan Dunes (PP, CG)
Swifts, widespread arrival into area (Multi obs)
Spring Migrants:
Lesser Whitethroats at south Cardiff, Wentloog Level & Kenfig; (SS) & (ND)
Wood Warbler singing at County Hall, Cardiff (SS)
Pied Flycatcher at Nash Point (NPR)
Redstart 1f Wentloog Level
Cuckoo KNNR & Wentloog Level
Reed Warbler RGW
Yellow Wagtail RGW
Greenland Wheatear 2, RGW & Northern Wheatear

Wood Warbler at Forest Farm, Whitchurch

A couple of photos of the Wood Warbler, found by Gethin Jenkins-Jones on April 20th in trees opposite 'the hide with a door' at Forest Farm, Whitchurch.

Photographer Ester de Roij, who was waiting to photograph a Kingfisher, was dragged out of the hide to take these photos. Thanks Ester! www.edrphotography.co.uk