Male and female regularly at fat ball in Canton garden.

Damp GBC midweek trip. Lesser Scaup, Marsh Tit, Redwing, Treecreeper and Nuthatch at Cossie, and Long-tailed Duck at The Knap, Barry.

I need some help from any Gull experts out there.

For the past 2 months there has been a gull down at Cosmeston that looks like it is a 3^rd winter type Yellow Leg Gull. A number of people have commented that it is not a yellow leg but no one has offered any conclusive suggestions on what it is. I have photographed the bird many times since the end of November (it is quite unique as it is missing white spots on the ends of P8 and P10 on its left side). The wing tip pattern says it is not an argenteus or an argentatus. The mantle colour is too light for a graellsii. On balance it looks then like a YLG….but what else could it be? Any ideas?

There are 14 photographs on starting at

http://andyburnsphotography.zenfolio.com/ylg/h2119a527#h2119a527

 which take you through all the key ID points. On some browsers you may need to scroll down to see the text below the photos.

The bird has been around most days since the end of November although on many occasions took off mid morning and flew north east in the direction of Cardiff bay. Having said that, I have not seen it since the 28^th Jan, so keen to hear if anyone sees it (usually near the main entrance on the east lake). It would be good to get some more shots as it moves towards summer plumage. If you do see it, send me an email (address on web site).

It’s that time of year when I begin to receive pictures from photographers for potential use in the EGRC Annual Bird Report. So I am looking for high quality, high resolution digital photographs of  birds taken in Eastern Glamorgan in 2013.

Priority will be given to birds that are rare or uncommon in the recording area where a photograph substantiates a submitted, accepted record. Secondly I shall be looking for uncommon species that have not been featured in recent bird reports – a quick review will determine which these are, and finally, for excellent photographs of the more common species in the recording area that have also not featured in recent reports.

For submissions under 5Mb please send by email to rgsmith@birdpix.freeserve.co.uk. For larger submissions please use the excellent (free) service provided by http://www.wetransfer.com sending to my email address. I can thoroughly recommend wetransfer. Failing that send me an email and I will, by return, send an address for you to mail a CD.

At dusk today, 20-30+ Pied Wagtails gathering in Oystermouth car park, before going to roost in evergreen bush opposite the Co-op.

Lesser Scaup still on West Lake this afternoon in with the tufties.

Long-tailed Duck f/imm on Knap Lake at midday with 32 Tufted Duck, 32 Mute Swans, 16 Mallard. At nearby Barry Harbour: 16 Oystercatchers, 6 Redshank, 1 Curlew, 1 Little Egret.

7-Snipe,2-Kingfishers and 1-Bittern,all from door-less hide.10h45-12h15

Just a reminder that there is a GBC meeting at Kenfig this evening (7.45 p.m.) John Wilson is giving a presentation of his trip to Burma.

Adult Mediterranean Gull this evening in the Black-headed Gull roost in Barry Docks. Earlier today, 2 Willow Tit at Nelson Wern.

Lesser Scaup back on the west lake this morning. It was  showing very well in with the tufty flock. Very near the Yellow warning sign at the ‘muddy’ south bit of the lake. Managed a few better shots today as it swam quite near to the shore.

http://andyburnsphotography.zenfolio.com/waterfowl/h1926f951#h1926f951

A few other ducks around in with the tufties – pochards (3), shovelers (1 male), Gadwall (9) and a male widgeon. No sign of the pintails today.

A short-eared owl was reported this afternoon seen in the southern dunes from the yellow trail near where the blue permissive bridleway crosses.

A Kumlien’s Gull flew into the pill in front of the Lido at 1650hrs where it bathed for 10 mins or so. Good numbers of other gulls too, though most very distant. I’d only seen a dozen Meds before the Kum’s flew in which was surprising, though birds were flying in all the time. I’ll put some pics of the gull on the GRC later…

single female daily this last few days feeding on fat ball in Canton garden.

Great Northern Diver close inshore on the north side of Mumbles Pier (Owain Gabb) and a Jack Snipe bobbing straight out from the hide at Oxwich (BS, SJS).

First thing this morning, as many as three good candidates for Yellow-legged Gulls on East Lake.  Unfortunately they were fairly static on the water and never showed the colour of their legs to clinch it.  I checked again a few hours later but all three had gone.

No sign of the Lesser Scaup with the Tufties, but two drake Pochard in amongst them.  Other sightings included a Kingfisher on East Lake, Green Woodpecker near the Dragonfly Pond, and Marsh Tit and Nuthatch in Cogan Wood.  Lots of Redwing still around, but didn’t see any Fieldfare.

The weather for Sunday seems to be in the balance. It looks like the day will be dry, or certainly drier than today and tomorrow. However, it does look like it will still be fairly windy, and from experience I can say that Whiteford can feel very exposed in stormy conditions. Therefore at this point I will suggest the following

The full day is going to be cancelled – there will be no Llanrhidian roost watch

A half day will be run – going to the Whiteford Hide and back

I will be there to lead those who still want to give it a go on Sunday for a half day, which will go out to the lighthouse and back via the hide. Windy conditions will make long distance viewing of birds difficult and the swell will also contribute in making things tough.

I doubt that I would normally choose to visit a place like Whiteford during these conditions but the birds will still be there! Seeing them well might be difficult.

I will run a full Whiteford and Llanrhidian field trip on Sunday 2nd March 2014 and reschedule the field trip programmed for that day by moving it back 2 weeks.

Therefore to summarise – The field trip on Sunday (2/2/14) will be run as a reduced event. Those who want to brave the elements should turn up as planned and we will aim to leave the Cwm Ivy car park at 09:30. We will be back at the car park by 13:00. There will be no Llanrhidian Roost watch.

If coming then make sure you are prepared to face the elements. It will be very wet underfoot and obviously good waterproofs and warm clothing will be essential. I would suggest wellington boots are also essential.

If uncertain please contact me 07875431917 or markhipkin1@gmail.com