Saturday, 26 July 2014
Marsh Harriers at Llanrhidian
2 Marsh Harriers present again this morning, an adult female and a juvenile (2 video grabs of the adult allow comparison with the Kenfig adult - same bird?). Also a Pied Flycatcher, 26 Sedge Warblers and 7 Reed Warblers were ringed and a minimum of 11 Green Sandpipers noted.
Marsh Harrier still at Kenfig Saltmarsh
Typical of a juvenile Marsh Harrier seen at this time of year this bird shows a evenly dark plumage to the upperparts, with a pale fringe that runs along the edge of the coverts. However, Marsh Harrier plumages are extremely variable and so the fresh-looking feathers with no sign of any wing-moult also give weight to this bird being this year's juvenile.
A minimum of 3 Marsh Harriers in the area today, with a female and juvenile seen this morning, at Llanrhidian (BS)
Leckwith
A Quail was picked up in a Leckwith garden (off Penarth Rd.) mid month. News via Daniel JJ & RSPB Cymru. [picture below]
Also a report of 3 Wood Sandpipers near the boathouse at Kenfig Pool 22/07/2014
Friday, 25 July 2014
Sad News
Dave Glanville sadly passed away earlier this week. Dave was a Cardiff birder before moving away to Pembrokeshire in the 90s. All at the GRC send our heart-felt condolences to Dave's family at this time.
Please accept my apologies for the lateness of this posting, but Mike Powell, Paul Parsons & myself were in northern Scotland with no access to the internet. Thanks to Phil, Judd & Gary Harper for letting us know this sad news whilst we were away.
Great White Egret at CBWR
A Great White Egret was photographed at CBWR on the 23rd by Ben Salter. A photograph is viewable HERE.
Marsh Harriers at Llanrhidian
A juvenile Marsh Harrier was hunting first thing, which spooked at least 4 Green Sands. A little later Neil Edwards saw two juveniles in the same area SS4993.
 |
| in for the kill... |
Wednesday, 23 July 2014
Marsh Harrier at Kenfig Saltmarsh/reedbed this afternoon
Picture of the marsh harrier found by Darren this morning. Adult female in primary moult?
Vote for Skydancer - a grassroots initiative to protect Hen Harriers.
LINK HERE
Hen Harrier Day: Sunday August 10th 2014
On the 10th of August – when the media’s attention is turning towards grouse moors and the start of the ‘Inglorious 12th’ – Birders Against Wildlife Crime (BAWC) intend to highlight the scandal of the widespread illegal persecution of Hen Harriers on upland grouse moors and celebrate one of our most iconic birds of prey.
Follow the link HERE to find out more about the campaigns, background and Hen Harrier Day events.
I think we can show our support on this blog, or any blog, website, twitter etc., by flooding social media with photos of Hen Harriers or describing accounts of Hen Harriers sightings from the past. I've got a handful of Hen Harrier photos from over the years, none of which are going to win any competitions, but I've kept them all because every Hen Harrier sighting is special and each photo means something. The way things are going we certainly shouldn't rely on any future re-introduction scheme as some sort of insurance that these birds won't be lost completely. I hope some of you might join me to post loads of photos of Hen Harriers on the day, and we can show our support to this very worthy cause.
There are also various petitions that can be signed online. Links to some of them will be posted here shortly.
Thursday, 17 July 2014
Poss Red-crested Pochard CBWR
Here are some photos of this duck, the wing bar looks good for Red-crested Pochard but the head pattern and shape look a bit off. Can't immediately find any shots on the internet that show a similar head pattern but if it's a recently fledged bird I guess it could still be moulting through.
Happily coming into bread and squabbling amongst the Mallard!
Pete
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