Fledgling warblers at the weekend, including the first young sedge warbler and whitethroats of the year. Also young reed buntings. More info see:

http://gowerbirdringinggroup.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/oxwich-marsh-18-june-2016-fledgling.html

Latest ringing news from Oxwich Marsh is at the link below.

Highlights include strong evidence of breeding in grasshopper warbler for the second year running, a reed warbler in its 10th calendar year and a good range of fledglings

http://ow.ly/gZ9s301aO3C

A range of fledglings this morning including goldfinches, stonechat, great spotted woodpecker and chaffinch. Info: http://ow.ly/u9Zw300VLyL

Singing tree pipit at Cartersford, where a number of burnet companions seen.
Spotted flycatcher in Ilston Valley. Next glade after the ruined church.
Marsh tits in two locations between Gower Inn and Ilston Church

Grasshopper warbler appears to be likely to breed on the marsh again in 2016, as we captured a male in breeding condition yesterday.

Other interest included the first juvenile greenfinches of the year, good numbers of fledged siskin, as well as young robin and blackbird.

See: http://gowerbirdringinggroup.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/oxwich-marsh-14-may-2016-fledglings-and.html

Highlight of the morning was the first fledgling siskin of the year. Also reeling gropper, and a variety of typical migrant warblers.

See: http://gowerbirdringinggroup.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/oxwich-marsh-8-may-2016-first-fledgling.html

Yesterday a returning reed warbler originally ringed as a juvenile in 2011 (at Teifi Marshes) was the highlight of the ringing session. Our first whitethroat of the season was also captured

More info: http://gowerbirdringinggroup.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/oxwich-marsh-30-april-2016-return-of.html

At least three reeling grasshopper warblers, a lesser whitethroat and small numbers of sedge warbler present this morning.

Photo of a gropper captured during the ringing session is below (credit Keith Vaughton).

For a summary of the ringing session and further photos see: http://gowerbirdringinggroup.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/oxwich-marsh-23-april-2016.html

Around The Vile migrants included a tree pipit, numerous wheatears and a willow warbler. Manxies and Sandwich terns off The Worm

Mallard have had a brood on the flash pool opposite Knelston Garage, and there have been shoveler and gadwall using it over the past week. Looks good for a wader.

Marsh harrier, reed warbler, grasshopper warbler this morning.

Latest ringing info here: http://gowerbirdringinggroup.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/oxwich-marsh-17-april-2016-first.html

7+ Sandwich terns foraging offshore

Estimated combined count of 40+ chiffchaff and a few willow warbler in the valleys at Longhole Cliff and around Overton STW.

3 porpoise foraging off Porteynon Point

Sedge warbler present this morning

Also a predated greylag goose egg indicating breeding (a pair had been present near the South Pond hide).

Waterfowl on South Pond limited to 2 teal, 3 gadwall, 2 mallard and nesting mute swan

A female brambling was among 43 birds captured this morning (Photo Keith Vaughton).

Siskin is breeding on the marsh again this year. For more info see the Gower RG blog at: http://ow.ly/10rVQr

2 Sandwich terns on the Helwick buoy off the point this morning

Wheatear, stonechat carrying food and an agitated ringed plover on the upper shore at Sedger’s Bank that may be attempting to breed

A pair of shoveler on the flash pool near Knelston Garage

Four little egrets leaving the roost this morning, and water rail and chiffchaff among 32 birds captured for ringing.

For the latest ringing news see: gowerbirdringinggroup.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/oxwich-marsh-19-march-2016-gower.html

 

Whiteford: 3 great northern diver at the point foraging together, lots of crossbill activity in the plantation (including a singing bird), and a red kite flying across the Inlet over the dunes
Rhossili: 587 common scoter in several flocks. Relatively accurate count as most loafing as opposed to foraging. Red kite.
Wernffrwd / Llanrhidian: 2 RB Mergs, 2 ringtail hen harrier, short-eared owl, 3 GW Egret
I am giving a talk at the Environment Centre, Pier St, Swansea tomorrow 19:00 on Ringing at Oxwich 2013 to date. Admission £1.

A female mandarin this morning amongst modest numbers of teal, mallard, gadwall and little grebe
A bittern reported on 14/02
Small build up of GC grebe on the sea (5)

A nice male redpoll was the best of 74 birds captured at Oxwich this morning.  See: http://gowerbirdringinggroup.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/oxwich-marsh-23-january-2016-first.html