Ross’s Gull still at aberavon beach on & off this morning, per MHi, CHi et al.

Update as of 10:19 – bird flew off beach and out of view into theHarbour/Docks

Great grey shrike in clear fell at SN878015

the Ross’s Gull was reported as flying from within Port Talbot docks over to Aberavon Beach at 14:00 [per NPR].  No news since.

No sign of Ross’s Gull this morning,but 1-Little Gull and 1-Med.Gull adult.

At The Knap,Long Tailed Duck showing well in company of Tufteds close to waters edge.

Lesser Scaup still on west lake but unusually the tufty flock were well spread out with a large number at the north end and very active diving. LS was best viewed from the viewing platform south of bridge (bird was on far side by the reed bed).

Usual Gadwall (14), Pochards (8), shoveler (3) and a pair of GC Grebes showing to each other. Nothing exotic blown in over the weekend.

A freshly dead guillemot was found on Sker Beach today and a luckier individual was found alive and brought back to the reserve centre by a walker (Rhys) this afternoon. An otter was seen close to the southern hide early this morning and the first great crested grebe for over a month was on Kenfig Pool. Still no pochards seen in 2014!

late sightings on 6/2/14 there were a pair of goosander (M+F) a Sparrowhawk and the usual corvids

on 8/2/14 goosander in flight, and to my amazement in this bird battling the strong winds and struggling to fly we came across a lovely Dipper, also got pictures of him resting on the rocks catching his breath other than that, thats it 

 

8/2/14 – Gnoll main pond we came across 30+ Mallards, 6 Coots, 3 Moorhen 50+ Jackdaws 3 Carrions 2 Greylag Geece 1 Bar Headed Goose, 12 Magpies, 6 Collared Doves, 5 Woodpigeon 3 Mistle Thrush 2 Robins 4 Tufted Ducks 1 Female Goldeneye (got pictures) and a possibility of 2 more Male Goldeneye but hard to tell as it was getting dark.

Wow – what a morning despite the weather. Ross’s Gull an absolute star bird in the company of 6+ Little Gulls (1 2cy, 1 3cy & 4+ adults),  also Razorbill and Guillemot in the river channel.

4 GC Grebes, 1 Little Grebe, but no sign of BTD, will check again later.

male and female continue to be regular visitors to garden.

This bird has been reported present this morning at E end of Aberavon beach by the river mouth feeding with 2 Little Gulls.

Late news just picked up. What has turned out to be a Ross’s Gull was seen briefly in poor conditions at Afan Rivermouth SS749886 today but it flew top the Afan river. It was seen at high tide and the ID was only confirmed from a fly-away photo after the obs got home, as initial thought was 1stW Little Gull. Will be looked for again tomorrow at high tide. See the GRC site for details and photo – http://grcforum.blogspot.co.uk. 

18,000 not so mute swans at the liberty stadium 1500 silent bluebirds on the m4 banter aside hope both sides stay up 

The Lesser Scaup was on E lake this morning [out of the wind]. Other than that, just the usual. No show by the Marsh Tit.