A brief visit in heavy drizzle produced a little ringed plover and a common sandpiper this afternoon.

Not news really – this is a test post to try & answer a technical question I have been asked re posting photos. Anyway these are the pr of GC Grebes at Cosmeston – 2 chicks clearly visible but poss 2 more underneath mum – if they are these have hatched after the other two. Would have though all eggs hatched more or less simultaneously.

Another returning  Belgium ringed med gull

First seen in Swansea in 2006 at Blackpill by Bob Howells

And has returned yearly to Swansea to over-winter since then

The GC Grebe pair still have 2 young but there cd possibly be 2 more later hatched ones [I was told that there might be 2 more eggs there]. The young are staying either on mum’s back or the nest altho’ apparently did venture into the adjacent water this morning. Mute Swan pair still have 2 well-grown cygnets [out of 7 originally]. 5 Tufted Ducks on E lake this morning.

Common Sandpiper feeding in the drain outlet just below Blackweir 17:30 to 18:15.

Robin Sunbathing Penallta Park

A Cuckoo in Pant Norton was a surprise; the first I’ve seen in the area for years. A Greenshank was on estuary, with a Siskin and several Redpolls at Norton Wood.

Yesterday morning at Cosmeston the Great Crested Grebe which has been on the floating nest in the West Lake bay had at least 2 young on its back.

Late this morning at high tide there were 36 Oystercatcher, 3 Whimbrel and 2 Dunlin on Sully Island. The Dunlin were the first I’ve seen there since 22 March.

At Bendrick Rock this morning, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Whimbrel and a Little Egret.

Highlights of today’s WeBS count were Great Crested Grebe (rare here), Little Ringed Plover (juvenile), Mediterranean Gull (juvenile) and two Little Egrets.

On Sully Island yesterday evening, 1 Ringed Plover, 4 Turnstone, 3 Whimbrel and a Grey Heron. At Bendrick Rock this morning 3 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Whimbrel, 6 Oystercatcher and 2 Cormorant.

Good numbers of reed warblers, increases in sedge warbler and willow warbler noted this morning. Also a young lesser whitethroat.

See: http://gowerbirdringinggroup.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/oxwich-marsh-23-july.html for latest information

2 ad Med Gulls with partial hoods on the barrage north end at noon.

Autumn has certainly arrived, with a Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler among the many phylloscs and Blackcaps yesterday. Today also good numbers of warblers, highlights being Stonechat and Reed Warbler. A Common Sandpiper has been present on this stretch of river for the last 3 days, although it wasn’t seen today. (GJJ)

A Woodpigeon has built a nest in the metal beams of the railway station’s platform shelter. Protected from the wind and rain a perfect des-res, and the acoustics enhance the cooing. Lends a whole new meaning to bird-brain.

 

GBC trip this morning, highlights were at least 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Dippers by the road bridge near Peterston-super-Ely, a fly-over Hobby, many Song Thrush, GS Pecker, Whitethroat with food, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Stock Dove, 20 or so Sand Martin still around the river, plus Swallow and House Martin, Chiffchaff and other common spp. Sadly we found 2 dead recently fledged Pheasant chicks with no sign of serious injury – 1 seemed very recently dead [still warm and it hadn’t been lying in the sun]. A Green Sandpiper was seen briefly along one of the river ‘meanders’. Also what was later ID’d as a Four=spotted Chaser dragonfly of the form praenubila which has dark terminal bands on the wings giving a Demoiselle-like appearance.

A female Redstart was in our small front garden and drive this morning in Bridgend and lingered in the Avenue feeding.

A perfect swift evening – I’ve had about 20 partying in the local (Canton) streets, whizzing about and calling. I think some of the young ones have fledged. And as it’s been so still, the calls have really carried. Think they are really enjoying this warm weather. Tomorrow night might be good as well.

2 common sandpipers 120 black h gulls 6 juvs 2 oyster catchers 1 curlew 2 little egrets heron goldfinch lots of juv herring and lesser b b gulls and 1 shelduck

stop press! Broad pool Canada geese party 6 ( 4 juvs) , for all you Corvid fans, at

Dalton’s point, 319 Carrion crow,275 Black tailed godwit and 18 Knot.

family party of 4 LR plover ( 2 juvs) at Upper Loughor.

late burst of Grasshopper warbler at Grovesend,and the first juv willow warbler passing through the garden.

Reed warblers now a lot more mobile in marsh as adults and fledged juveniles move around post breeding / fledging.

Fledgling treecreeper. Large flocks of goldfinches and still the odd siskin hanging around.

For details see: http://gowerbirdringinggroup.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/oxwich-marsh-15-17-july-2016-surge-in.html