A classic and very showy “tristis” Siberian Chiffchaff was around the East Pool Marsh and later the northern boardwalk this morning. Also three Common Chiffchaffs, two of which were briefly in song. A mini influx of 2 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Goldeneye and 3 Tufted Ducks, unbelievably made it my best count of diving birds on the pool since the 5th January…

Mediterranean Gull at Barry Docks waterfront this morning, another (possibly the same bird) earlier at Knap Lake along with the Long-tailed Duck. Liitle Egret and Curlew at the Old Harbour. Skylark singing in the Docks.

Goldcrest in the pines on the way out.  Good numbers of Sanderling, Dunlin and Ringed Plover with large flocks of Oystercatcher and Turnstone.  Skylarks singing. One dead Kiitiwake on beach unfortunately.  Very large numbers of Brent Geese from the hide with at least 20 Eider.  The Eider were in small groups and diving regularly making counting them tricky.  Stonechats on the way back.

Colour-ringed Common Gull J0Z9 seen again today on the buoys near the barrage (first seen on 4 Feb) ringed 1240km away in Norway at Torderød, Moss, Østfold  59°26’07″N 010°38’02″E on 15/06/2012.

Female Blackcap in the garden this afternoon. First time (ever) that I’ve seen one here – I must be doing something right with the bird feeder.

Reasonable photo at

http://andyburnsphotography.zenfolio.com/local/h353f1579#h353f1579

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

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!

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!

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.