Singles of Kumlien’s, Iceland and Glaucous Gull (all aged 2cy) were at Burry Holms this morning. Sad to see numerous dead seabirds washed up along the beach there, the majority Razorbills and Guillemots, but also Kittiwakes and Common Gulls. The NT wardens were out collecting the corpses and had gathered over 200 in about three miles.
A Great White Egret was at Llanrhidian Marsh.
(All the above with ND).
boats and bikes and lots of prams – perfect for driving all the gulls and ducks into the West lake.
Adult Med gull and a small immature GBB, probably.
The Bonaparte’s Gull was in Heliport Bay this afternoon. High tide was around 13.30 and it was watched between 14.45 and 15.25. It was in amongst a flock of 90 or so Black-headed gulls, initially on the rocky northern shore and later on nearby sand/mud as the tide receded.
Also present 17 Oystercatcher, 28 Shelduck, 19 Turnstone, 27 Pintail, 3 Redshank and a Curlew.
Parking for a few cars on the side of Rover Way at ST209755. Go through the metal ‘gate’ and you’re soon looking over the bay.
Water Pipit on the rocks along with the normal Rock Pipits. Thanks to Lol Middleton for spotting it.
Record shots at
http://andyburnsphotography.zenfolio.com/p744404838/h34890649#h34890649
a couple of pics from yesterday.The first was the bird at Broughton (same as Barry ,so Kumliens ).The other was near the Holmes.After checking the pic on the computer,could see it was different to the Broughton bird,so 2cy Iceland.Glauc seen briefly in flight,then on the sea as it drifted beyond the cliffs with the incoming tide (toward Broughton).hundreds of gulls were loafing on the water between Broughton and the Holmes,difficult to view most because of the conditions.
A few moribund,and 1 dead Kittiwake.
2 greenshank at penclawdd.
A red kite over my garden this afternoon being mobbed by the local jackdaws starlings and gulls
13 lapwing at Parc Slip was great to see this morning, and with the sun out and a few skylark singing it was feeling very Spring-like. The bittern wasn’t on show from the hide this visit, though four lesser redpoll were along the hedges heading back to the car park. At Ogmore there were 8 purple sandpiper and several turnstone on the rocks, being buffeted by surprisingly large waves at times for a fairly calm day. At the Watermill Pub there were 50+ Curlew in the field, good to see them in that sort of number.
Red Kite over Parc Slip this morning. Bittern from the Wader Scrape hide, male Bullfinch near the hide and another 3 Bullfinch on the visitor centre feeders along with Jay, Coal Tit, Nuthatch and Reed Bunting.
Purple Sandpiper, Turnstone and Rock Pipit on the rocks at Ogmore Beach approaching high tide. 36 Goldeneye, 3 Gadwall and 8 Redshank near Portobello on the Ogmore River, along with a Little Egret near the Treatment Works bridge.
4 more Little Egret in the Aberthaw area – 1 on the saltmarsh just east of Aberthaw lagoon, and 3 just south of the B4265 where it crosses the River Thaw.
Additions to Chris Brewer’s 2cy Glaucous at B.H. and 2cy Iceland at B.B. this morning included an second 2cy Iceland on Rhossili Beach at B.H. along with the (long-staying?) Nelson’s Gull and 2 adult Little Gulls. With ever so slightly darker outer primaries, one of the Iceland’s (shown above) had a hint of Kumlien’s about it, but essentially it looked pretty much typical glaucoides (video link HERE). Also of note were hundreds of Black-headed Gulls including a very leucistic bird that looked bright white at first glance. 60+ Kittiwakes milling around too, some drifting along the dune edge – very odd behaviour for this species!
In Broughton Bay a more typical and well marked 2cy Kumlien’s was on the beach, occasionally taking flight and showing its features well. A great bird to round off an afternoon stroll to blow out the cobwebs!
My first nest of the year! A pair of little grebes were nestbuilding and displaying noisily among the willows on Llanishen South pool. Also 1F pochard, a pair of tufties, 14 coots, 15 Canadas, 11 mallards, 1 moorhen, 9 teal and 6 snipe.
8+ Snipes yesterday at Aberthaw, also Buzzard flying over. On the beach a few Turnstones.
Male Blackcap daily in garden-spending 5 hours each day feeding from fat balls!
During a short break between rugby internationals, 1 yellow-legged gull was on Lisvane Reservoir before flying off towards Pontprennau/Pentwyn. GC grebes are arriving back (6 today, 2-3 last week), and pochard are departing (9 today, 15 last week). Also, a female blackcap in Lisvane village.
Late this afternoon 2 Green Sandpiper, 5 Bullfinch, 2 singing Goldcrest, 5 Goosander (all redhead) and a Raven. Wellies recommended – very muddy near Peterston.
Bittern showed from 09.55 – 10.50 this morning but to left hand side of scrape into sun and always obscured by reeds so no photo opportunities.
Otherwise : Grey Heron,2 Common Buzzard over,Jay,2 Green Woodpecker,Wren,Moorhen,Reed Buntings,3 male Bullfinch,Great + Blue Tits and a very busy visitor centre cafe as I left.
Quiet morning on the Estuary. Best of the bunch were 37 Goldeneye, a lonely Greylag amongst the Canadas and a group of 12 Redshank together on the far bank.
A red kite was over cimla this afternoon, at baglan playing fields there were 75 black headed gulls
at Aberavon beach there 5 kittiwakes 3 1st winter 2 adults
LTD still present this afternoon, and evidently a fan of bread!
Cosmeston – no Lesser Scaup but did get brief views of what I believe to be a 4cy Yellow-legged gull before it headed off towards the bay.
Knapp Lake – Long-tailed duck was still there but strangely elusive. Also an adult winter Kittiwake put in a brief appearance but I think Andy may have got off a quick record shot before it flew away.
42 Canada geese 7 wigeon 1 little grebe 4 cormorants small numbers of herring lbbgull common and black headed gulls
Glamorgan Bird Club 
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