Thanks to John for the call re the Iceland Gull. I arrived as it flew off to the reserve but it later returned to the barage area. Some good shots including flight shots at
http://andyburnsphotography.zenfolio.com/icelandgull/h28932f81#h28932f81

A really nice 2nd CY bird. It seemed very mobile so may not hang around too long.

As we were waiting (as Lol said in the previous post) the Bonaparte’s turned up and landed on the boom. Three shots at
http://andyburnsphotography.zenfolio.com/bonapartes/h8522e5a#h8522e5a
including one that shows the comparison to BHG’s showing the size comparison and aslo the much shorter leg length in the Bonapartes.

Quite exciting for a Sunday morning.

A 1stW going into 2nd yr plumage Iceland Gull was a nice surprise at the barrage this morning. First seen sitting on the inner jetty then on the water just inside the barrage. Sods law I hadn’t taken my camera but here’s a phone shot FWIW. There shd be some decent pix forthcoming, from Lol Middleton and A N Other. After a while it flew off and landed somewhere in the Wetland Reserve. Also after I left I had a call to say that the Bonaparte’s was there, sitting on the buoys where the Common Gulls often hang out. A fem Black Redstart was at Penarth Marina in the small square that overlooks the outer harbour of the marina.

There was still an emphasis on winter birds in the Burry [Wernffrwd to Gowerton section] this morning, with just the faintest hint of spring migration; counts included Mute Swan 11, Canada Goose 34 [the most I’ve in the Burry since 2010], Dark-bellied Brent 669 [many now moving into the upper part of the Burry as they do every year before departing], Shelduck 230, Gadwall 27, Wigeon 190, Teal 77, Red-breasted Merganser 22, Heron 12, Little Egret 28, Great White Egret 2, Oystercather 350+, Knot 200+, Bar-tailed Godwit 27 (RHAT), Redshank 155, Spotted Redshank 1, Ruff 1 & Wheatear 1.

For some of this mornings goose action click HERE

Just had a phone call from Martin Bevan to say that the Great Grey Shrike is still there this morning at 8.30.

Dawn walk this morning drumming g s woodpecker calling green woodpecker 3 nuthatch pair of goldcrest pair of coal tits several blackbirds and song thrush singing ,2 jay 5 calling wood pigeon ,singing chaffinches , robins dunnocks,Wren 5 redwings buzzard carrion crow ,blue and great tits

Glorious spring day in the valley today. Lots of woodpeckers drumming, tits clearly prospecting, woodpigeon courting and the highlight, first Chiff Chaff of the year for me, seen and heard at Mill Wood area.

chiffchaff singing in the lane behind illtyd street along with 2 buzzards, red kite and a merlin flying over

9 red-throated divers close inshore off the pill this morning.  Also 6 GC grebe a bit further out.

15 Redwings and a Ring-necked Parakeet in Singleton Park. In Clyne Woods was my first singing Chiffchaff of the year, as well as 2 Brimstones and Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, and Peacock butterflies.

2 Red Kites and 3 Buzzards low over the fields in Llanharan, between 1400hrs and 15.30.

A ring ouzel was found by two photographers on the farm field near the pond this morning. Dave Lewis and myself managed a brief view of the bird before it flew off over the dunes.

20 plus Turnstones at Suly Beach at High tide

Little Gull still in the bay. 2 fem Black Redstarts in marina. Sprawk again f/o. A party of 5 Ravens over CBWR.

Jack snipe among the birds captured on the marsh this morning.  More here: http://gowerbirdringinggroup.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/oxwich-marsh-18-march-2015-sniping-from.html

A visit to Porthcawl this evening between 1700-1800h was enlivened by at least 2 Purple Sandpipers on the rocks by the seawall in front of the Lifeboat shop, together with 40 Turnstone. A total of 36 Black-headed Gull mostly in or acquiring first summer / adult summer plumage were in two different groups along the seafront

HD Pic Link
Great Grey Shrike. Just as I was packing up with no show, he gets out of bed at 3pm! He was very wary, but just sat in a tree for an hour. I was hiding behind a copse, suddenly he swooped over the top making ‘kestrel’ type noises and was off, possibly a warning. Bright little bird, like a carnivorous parrot. Coincidence that he chooses to stop at the ‘Thieves Pass’? Kudos to whoever found him, not a top birding destination!

Also first wheaters, kestrel, buzzard, fieldfare, raven, stonechat, linnet, GSW, all kinds of songbirds.

A pair of Grey Partridges was in gorse at Ogmore-by-Sea. Good to know that a small population is seemingly hanging on in the area.

Little Gull  on  Taff  again but soon  flew  off  towards  the  bay  11.30am. Vg  views of  Sprawk  male  on  roofs  in  Plas  Taliesin. Yesterday  3  Black  Redstarts  ( 1 m, 2 f ).

First chiffchaff of the year singing this morning… lots of parachuting meadow pipits.. one kestrel.. many many rooks

The Lesser Scaup was very near to the boardwalk outside the cafe this morning so if anyone is still waiting to get a good picture of it, now’s the time.