A group of nine braved a chilly, but bright, 07:30 start and energetic walk from Kenfig Ind Est out to the river mouth via Kenfig Castle and back via Morfa Tip. The chance of 2 Cranes kept us alert and the birding was good. Highlights, Marsh Harrier (fem type still about from yesterday), Whimbrel (3), Sandwich Tern (3), Shoveler (pair), Sedge Warbler (1), Reed Warbler (4+), Whitethroat, Tree Pipit and female Redstart. At least 56 species seen over the day between the group.

No luck with the Cranes but there were 2 very early pristine Brown Argus flying along the path at the base of Morfa Tip’s southern slope. Also a few Orange-tips, a Green-veined White, a Brimstone, a few peacocks and a few Small Tortoiseshells along the walk.

News from the marsh.  Reed (18/4), sedge (15/4) warbler back on territory.  Recent ringing info:

http://gowerbirdringinggroup.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/oxwich-marsh-13-april-2014-incoming.html

Sixteen went on the monthly bird walk at Kenfig on Sat 18th including a welcome new young teenager. Although the east wind meant it was a bit quiet we managed 39 species, highlight being Common Snipe, 6  Lapwing, glimpse of Blackcap, more reasonable views of Whitethroat, Swallow and Rock Pipit.

A few counts from the upper section of the Burry (south shore) today, the terns feeding just south of Loughor Bridge this evening being the highlight: Mute Swan 10, Greylag Goose 15, Canada Goose 8, Dark-bellied Brent Goose 4, Shelduck 304, Gadwall 20, Teal 23, Shoveler 5, Red-breasted Merganser 1, Great Crested Grebe 40, Oystercatcher 32, Grey Plover 12, Knot 1, Whimbrel 11, Curlew 10, Common Sandpiper 1, Redshank 9, Black-headed Gull 405, Mediterranean Gull 1, Lesser Black-backed Gull 74, Herring Gull 286, Arctic Tern 2, Common Tern 12, Sandwich Tern 18, Wheatear 10 & White Wagtail 2.

Iceland gull still present, asleep on the railway bridge at lunchtime.

1 singing Redstart.

A few migrants around which was nice considering the calm clear sky. At Broughton , 2 wheatear, a couple of willow warbler and white throat. At llangenith, 6 wheatear, 1 reeling grasshopper warbler, 3 whitethroat, 2 sedge warbler, several house Martin and swallow through, couple of Cettis. Pride of place to a cracking male whinchat which are a scarce treat on spring on Gower. Unfortunately, a bit too flightey to get close enough for a pic.

Two swifts over the stables this evening and 8 house martins. At least 7 swallows back at the riding school.

Unidentified Pipit – Solved – thought to be mottled Meadow Pipit

Hi, I am slightly perplexed by this pipit, I am inexperienced with the genus, the sun was in my eyes and the camera and pictures on Google are varied and sometimes inaccurate, and am searching for an opinion before I enter it into databases. I just feel that from viewing my usual meadow pipits over the years this stood out as being different. Notably it had sparse black flecking on a white chest. It did not call in flight. There are prominent white eyebrows, moustache and wing bars.

Might it be a migrating tree pipit? Found at Kenfig dunes approx 2pm 18.4.15.

A Little Ringed Plover present this evening.

Sedge Warbler seen yesterday singing again by the rocks in front of St.Davids Hotel.6,possibly 8 Reed Warblers singing.

1 female Ruff around, and in the fenced off Lapwing breeding area behind the dunes

at whiteford sands. 18 house martin plus small no.s of swallow around Burrows cottage. possibly mostly migrants unless the village collective were feeding on the edge of the marsh\paddock

Two Common Cranes with no rings or wing tags over Kenfig Pool this morning. First seen at Sker [DGC] and then over the pool [ND] before landing somewhere in the Western Dunes. Also Very nice views of Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Common Whitethroats and an unseen Reed Warbler singing in the north east corner.

2 Whitethroat in Hamadryad Park.In CBWR,GCG on 3 eggs,juv Song Thrush being fed by adult,Sprawk Kestrel and single Swallow over.

Some good local patch birds around this afternoon -red kite over high heading west, curlew over heading north and GBB gull arrived from the south, along with swallow and the regular wildfowl.

Caught up with this gem found by Martin Bevan, this afternoon. It’s in an open area so close approach not advisable, unless it comes to you! It was present mid afternoon at the very top of the reserve past the ruined building using the trees around the top field to rest and also feeding on the ground in the longish grass. Some heavily cropped record shots:

Has anyone got any ideas what these feathers may be from? They were dropped in to us at the Wildlife Trust. The carcass of a large bird of prey was found in the Vale of Glamorgan and these are some of the feathers from it. Apparently it had been significantly predated and there was no head and not much body left, but the talons were and were reportedly as thick as a man’s finger. Closest we can find it red-tailed hawk but these feathers are bigger as you can see from the photograph!

Red kite flew over at Lunch time today upsetting a couple of gulls.

Whitethroat in the small reedbed in front of St.Davids Hotel.

2 little egrets and 4 Whimbrels at Blackpill this evening. Tawny Owl calling calling in Singleton Park. Several Brimstones and numerous Peacocks in Clyne Woods, plus a small twittering of Swallows overhead and 1 Fox.