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

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.