Chiffchaff seen around Hamadryad  ‘pond’. Song Thrush near Clarence Embankment entrance singing a great variety of songs including a good imitation of Willow Tit call. 2 Stonechat (m+f) on the reserve yesterday and Lsr Scaup, Cetti’s and Water Rail showing well today close off the boardwalk. 4 Black Redstart (2m,2f) still present in the harbour and Plas Taliesin.

Big raft on the sea this afternoon

Anyone have any suggestions?

Interesting Aythya hybrid on W lake Cosmeston this morning. Looked superficially like Lesser Scaup, but had bronzy tinge to head and was slightly bulkier than Tufted. When Lawrence arrived with his scope, the balck bill nail could be seen the too extensive. Nape was flat-ish but not flat enough IMO although it did have the small bump at the join of nape & crown. Back was nicely vermiculated grey. You have to wonder whether the regular Lesser Scaup is cross-breeding.

Also present of interest, 1 drake Wigeon and 3 Gadwall

Good numbers of kittiwakes already back on what’s left of the wooden platforms on the old lifeboat house… I think many will struggle to find places to nest this year even using the new ironwork under the new building…..

Darren Coombs and I took lead of the GOS outdoor meeting to Dinefwr, yesterday. Eight of us enjoyed a full day and covered much of the park in search primarily for Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. Unfortunately we were unable to turn up any. Conditions were good early morning and a few Great spotted could be heard along with the occasion Green Woodpecker. Between us as a group we saw about 60 species over the course of the day including a good mix of woodland species and wildfowl. The Great White Egret was showing on the pools along with Gadwall, Teal and Wigeon. Looking distantly towards Cilsan bridge found at least 2 ad Whooper Swans in fields with some Mute Swans. In the wood about 5 Marsh Tits were seen and also here some Redwings and Stock Doves. The biggest surprise was a male Merlin that passed through quickly, no doubt attracted to the grounds around the Castle by the decent flock of Meadow Pipits (c45).

Around lunchtime we waited out the heavy rain at Dryslwyn Car Park where a further 7 ad Whooper Swans were on view amongst the flock of geese there – mainly Canada Geese with a few Greylag Geese mixed in. A good flock of Wigeon here too along with a few Little Grebes, Mallard and Teal. A short walk to Dryslwyn village was rewarded with 4 Tree Sparrows among an impressive number of garden birds attracted to feeders in a private garden.

Latest ringing news: http://gowerbirdringinggroup.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/oxwich-marsh-28-february-2015.html

Don’t forget that the next GBC indoor meeting is next Tuesday, 3rd March at Kenfig. Start 7.45 p.m. The topic is the Birds of Thailand presented by Hugh Lansdown.

A nice record from Jez Smith, of a drake pintail showing well on Tredegar House lake this morning.

Two female/first year and one adult male Black Redstart still present around Plas Taliesin, no sign of the bird on the rocks on the seaward side of the outer harbour. One of the female/first year birds came down from the rooftops briefly.

This Friday’s (27/2/15) Gower Ornithological Society indoor meeting will be an illustrated talk on Honey Buzzards by expert Steve Roberts.

Anyone who knows Steve is well aware of his tremendous knowledge about the lifecycle of Honey Buzzards, and the tireless work he does in order to help preserve both local and national breeding populations. Steve will show some footage of birds as well as discuss points from his recent article on Honey Buzzards which was published in British Birds. It is a meeting that will be well worth attending!

19:15 start

Environment Centre, Pier St., Swansea, SA1 1RY

http://www.glamorganbirds.org.uk/gos-events.html

Dunnock 18 mostly singing males Carrion Crow 70 loose flock in ploughed  field Rook 3 Buzzard 1 Greenfinch 6 Chiffchaff 2

Large roaming flock of Siskin (2-300) that contained a few Redpoll. Two Crossbills f/o. Dipper on stream by bridge. No sign of GGS or Willow Tit unfortunately.

Still down at mum-in-laws. Did some birding today: Sandsfoot Castle (Portland Hbr) – 4 Slav Grebe, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 GN Diver, 1 fem Eider, c50 R-b Merganser, Shag; Portland Castle (Portland Hbr) – Black Guillemot and another 50+ R-b Merg. Portland Bill – 3 Purple Sand, 6+ Rock Pipit, 2 ad Gannets > E. Ferry Bridge – 50-100 Brent. v v cold & windy so didn’t stay to try & sort out Pale-bellieds.

The Lesser Scaup was sheltering close in by the ice rink this morning and showing well.

Black redstart – adult male calling and feeding on outer harbour wall and first groyne on beach at Penarth side of barrage yesterday. Thanks to Gareth for advice about tracking one of these down.

This morning (pre rain) little bunting still at Forest Farm. Also a drumming pecker which sadly turned out to be a greater, rather than the mythical lesser spotteds.

4 Slavonian grebe, 2 great white egret, ring tail hen harrier, peregrine and lots of waterfowl moving around on the flood tide this morning

3 Goosanders (2male, 1 female) on the river about 150 metres upstream from the A4232 road bridge. Also good views of a pair of Cetti’s Warblers in the reeds fringing the river.

2-Goosanders m+f above Blackweir,also 50+Redwings and Fieldfares,mostly Redwings,in fields next to the riding school. 15h00-16h30

Group of 9 chough displaying over the course for long periods this morning.. enjoying the gusty wind

1 little egret