This morning near high tide 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Turnstone and 9 Oystercatcher at Bendrick Rock and Curlew, Whimbrel and 64 Oystercatcher at Sully Island. At Cosmeston, Sand Martins and Swallows over the west lake, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker in the west paddock and a Raven over Cogan Wood.

On Saturday evening at Gileston – 2 Little Egret on the beach, 1 Wheatear on the concrete blocks behind the beach, and Stonechat and Whitethroat families along the field boundary west of the beach car park. In the stubble fields behind the beach, 1 Mediterranean Gull with the BHG flock, as well as around 200 Canada Geese.

Highlights from this morning : 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Whimbrel, Peregrine, Kestrel. 4 Ringed Plover (inc 1 juv). Not as much activity as expected but small numbers of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and Blackcap. Linnet and Rock Pipit on the sea wall.

1 little stint , 247 Dunlin, 76 ringed plover ( seven juvs ) , 4 sanderling, singles of knot and whimbrel

Spotted Flycatcher this morning in the tree by the beginning of the boardwalk.

137 Dunlin, 52 ringed plover ( 3 juvs ) , 2peregrine, 35 plus mead pipits, 1 whinchat along the fence.

135 curlew at Llanrhidin, 50 common gull at Crofty.

well done Ed Hunter on winning the Carl Zeiss award

 

Visit to Ogmore (Portobello) between 7.30 and 8.45 last night in run up to high tide produced 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Common Sandpiper (groups of 2, 3 and 3) and 1 Green Sandpiper. Birds mobile as very little of the island visible as high tide reached.

Two Sandwich Terns amongst the gulls at Blackpill this morning.  Several Med gulls at the water’s edge and seven GC Grebes further out between Norton and Mumbles.

I have concerns for the GC Grebe pair. Could only see 2 ads on E lake and 1 on W lake and no sign of young. Last time I saw them they were almost half the size of the ads so it would be a huge shame if they have been predated, esp as it was third time lucky to get beyond the egg stage. Last time they were swimming but still resorting to parent’s back on occasion. There were a few House- and Sand Martins over W lake this morning.

c 30 Swifts early this morning. One Willow Warbler singing briefly Ely Trail.

Pied Flycatcher in trees Britannia Park at least till 08:00. Five Common Sandpiper around Mermaid Quay earlier, flying out to east corner of wetland reserve. 

We finally got some time to venture out to Irongate Point for a blustery hour this afternoon but logged just 5 Manx, 5 immature Gannet and a Fulmar down-channel (1505-1605). A Shag and an adult winter plumaged Mediterranean Gull flew to Porthcawl Point.

 

Mike & Emma

Lots of Swallows, Martins, Swifts and Gulls over the Taff at Upper Boat this afternoon

A Sooty Shearwater passing fairly close inshore going down channel was a nice surprise at Sker this morning. Also noted were 427 Manx Shearwaters, 32 Gannets, 3 Kittiwakes and 2 Fulmars between 06.45 & 08.30. The high tide wader roost held 91 Oystercatchers, 57 Sanderlings, 19 Ringed Plovers, 17 Turnstones, 8 Curlews and 3 Dunlins.

There were 6 Swift over W lake in the rain this morning, and a couple of Sand Martins, and what sounded like a juv Green ‘Pecker calling somewhere behind W lake.

Looks like the rain brought down a few Phylloscs this morning. Party of about 6 Willow Warblers feeding with Long-t Tits near the far entrance to Cogan Wood [beyond the dragonfly wood], a couple of Chiffies by the dragonfly pond and another by the main boardwalk. Ad GC Grebe carrying chicks was on E lake near the bridge.

Willow Tit calling along the track between Grovesend and Gorseinon. Roughly in the same place as last autumn.

Birds captured on the marsh this morning included 4 grasshopper and 2 garden warblers. Good numbers of sedge, reed and willow warbler. For a full account and photos, see: http://gowerbirdringinggroup.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/oxwich-marsh-30-july-2016-autumn.html

Garden warbler below

 

Still around 20 Sand Martins around the old dock by Dr. Who. 8+ Pied Wags on the barrage, and endless people gawping at their ‘phones looking for Pokemons!

The Cosmeston GC Grebes definitely have 3 chicks. Have now ventured away from the nest and were in the middle of W lake this morning riding on the adult’s back. Let’s hope they survive.

A breeding plumaged Black-tailed Godwit and a fly over Dunlin were at Kenfig Pool this morning, along with two female Pochards and eleven Swifts