Cosmeston

2 ad and 1 imm Heron, 1 Green Pecker, Reed Warblers flying around over W lake reeds, Reed Bunt x 2, E lake Reeds and 1 fem Blackcap + males singing. From Monday, Treecreeper briefly in wood beyond the main boardwalk and Cett’s singing. Black-tailed Skimmer & Emperor dragonflies.

Brunel dock to baglan bay

first trip out for 3 weeks after knee surgery 250+ oyster catchers in 3 different flocks
21 curlew shelduck with 9 young adult stonechat with juv singing whitethroat a few goldfinch
Juv carrion crows blackbirds with food ,meadow pipits singing skylark herring gulls and lesser.b b gulls with young on the factory roofs
With Bob Anderson

Cosmeston

Nothing very exciting but one pair of Gt Crested Grebes have finally decided to nest, same place as last year – a floating nest in the Water BIstort. Other than that, a Green ‘Pecker in W paddock and a Cetti’s singing at the end of the main boardwalk.

Oxwich Marsh: June ringing summary

For anyone interested, a summary of June ringing activity is here: http://gowerbirdringinggroup.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/oxwich-marsh-first-fledgling-cettis.html

During the month local breeding has been confirmed in a wide variety of species, with the first fledged reed buntings and whitethroats (among a variety of other juvenile birds) recorded yesterday

Kenfig and Ruperra

Purple heron was still showing well but distantly from South hide at around 4.30pm,

Nightjars have relocated a little in Ruperra from previous haunt around the motte to clearfell which can be found south of the motte off the main mettled path ,perhaps best reached by following the footpath up to the woods which rises from behind the Hollybush Inn in Draethen.

Cosmeston

a.m. – Ad Little Egret again in trees by W lake and the two imm Herons still present. Also Little Grebe by W lake reeds. No sign thus far of any GCG young, despite the display by at least 2 pairs, seen in the spring. Green ‘Pecker feeding on the ground in W paddock.

Kenfig Pool

Not sure why this hasn’t appeared here yet, although this is the first opportunity I’ve had. The Purple Heron found by Neil Donaghy y’day was sitting in a tree on the W side of the pool this morning, just above reed height and stayed there for around 2 hours at least. Also this morning, Graham Powell found an imm Long-tailed Duck! – very odd time of year for one of those and a nice find by Graham. This was all during the GBC monthly walk during which we saw something like 38 species – thanks t the 17 people who attended.

Kenfig Pool

A Purple Heron was flushed from trees [presumably it had been roosting there] near the north pool hide by an immature Goshawk doing a switchback display!! I didn’t see the bird until it flew and it went away from me, which enabled excellent views of both under and upper wing patterns. It was then seen distantly for about a minute flying back along the western edge of the pool before it dropped behind the dunes and was not relocated but it appeared to be heading towards the Kenfig Rivermouth. Also present today were a Black-headed Gull and a Curlew on the East Pool Shore and a few large Skippers and Dark Green Fritillaries.

Cosmeston and Sully Island

Two Stock Doves in the West paddock at Cosmeston early this morning. They were feeding near the central fence and viewed from the gate in the south east corner. Second time I have seen them there this month.

A Mistle Thrush was feeding a worm to its offspring on the grass near the play area. A Mallard female is looking after 6 tiny ducklings (at least 3 earlier Mallard broods have disappeared rapidly to predation) , and the 5 Canada Goose goslings are growing quickly.

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was once again in the dead trees in the middle of the cafe reedbed. They are early morning regulars here currently (and also in the trees near the car park entrance).

Whilst checking the high tide roost a little later at Sully Island (32 Oystercatcher and 3 Shelduck), a Sandwich Tern flew past heading downchannel