It was with great sadness that I found out that George Morgan passed away yesterday morning. George was 73 and extremely popular with the local birding community. I only got to know George well in 2009 when I started going birding again. It was of course at Eglwys that I would bump into him; in fact going birding at Eglwys was a bit like going to see George at home. Over the years George contributed vast amounts of records which allow us to have a good understanding of bird trends from his area – including Eglwys, Port Talbot Docks and Margam Park. His contribution to WeBS is invaluable. George made a number of discoveries of rarer birds and I know that he had a big fondness for Phalaropes. Indeed he would find Grey Phalaropes annually and he also discovered at least one Red-necked Phalarope. Apart from being a good birder George was also great company and I will miss his sometimes wicked sense of humour.
For all the birders who knew George, I know I can send heartfelt condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.
Glamorgan Bird Club 
Currently in Poland but very sad to hear this news Mark – I saw George at Kenfig not so long ago. he always had time for a chat and a laugh and his contribution to West Glam birding in particular with all the hours he put in at Eglwys shouldn’t be underestimated. I never knew his name was Morgan for many years, so always called him by the name of his car, so he was affectionately known as George Sierra or George Astra among others…
George will always be synonymous with Eglwys to me – whenever I went there he seemed to be there. He clearly loved patch birding although when it was very wet it wasn’t that unusual to bump into him in the hides at Penclacwydd. He was always a pleasure to have chat with and he will be remembered fondly by all who knew him I’m sure.
Thank you for alerting me to this quite sad and tragic death. Words would not do justice to my fond memories. So very sad
Terry tovey and kim Powell are sad to hear about george we always met him at egwlys and he loved a chat and a joke a lovely bloke will be missed by the local birding community rest in peace phalarope man
So sad, I’ll miss him. He’d stand and talk for ages. When I was living in Coed Hirwaun, Eglwys was a second home to me and George was always there! He would not just know about the rares, he’d tell you in any corner of that reservoir and habitat where any of the common species were too. I’m sad the Reservoir is not as accessible as it used to be. It would be nice if access could be opened up again. Maybe they could put a hide or something there and name it after him.
Mike Cram and family.
George was a great friend of Kenfig. In my early days he used to bring the Tai Bach Boys Brigade to carry out habitat management. He has always had time to pop into the reserve centre when birding at Kenfig. A real gentleman who will be greatly missed.