House Sparrow 9th July

Mediterranean Gull 2 ads BP Great Created Grebe 30 one on nest near boardwalk Mute Swan 121 plus several cygnets Black-headed Gull 80 Peregrine 2 Whitethroat 2  Sand Martin 30 also Black-tailed Skimmer 2 Emperor Dragonfly 4. Large White Orange Tip Painted Lady Meadow Brown Downside Dog jumping into the lagoon chasing wildfowl. 

 

Excellent GBC field trip to Carms today enjoyed by 19 participants, visiting Kidwelly Quay, Pembrey Harbour and Penclaccwydd WWT. 50+ species seen. Highlights – 4 Common Sandpiper, 6 Greenshank and approx 100 Redshank at Kidwelly, plus a distant Gannet, 100+ Curlew and a Whimbrel. A Shelduck crêche of an ad with 30+ ducklings, plus some common passerines. At Pembrey Harbour just 1 Sandwich Tern but 100+ Mediterranean Gulls!, but a couple of Marbled White butterflies were lifers for some, and a Painted Lady there. Also there 100+ Sand Martin were on the beach for a while then all took off. At Penclaccwydd 4 Spoonbill of which two were unusually active [for Spoonbills!], then approx 100 Black-tailed Godwit flying in to the lagoon behind the main hide was spectacular and warranted a celebratory cuppa and piece of cake at the café.

family group of LR plover with. 2 juvs. 3 common sand with 2 common sand by Loughor bridge. 26 med gull loafing on the upper Loughor, 10 ads, 12 3rd c/y and 4 2nd c/y ,,,,,not seen them here before.

32 pied wagtail with plenty of juvs , approx 35 mixed hitundines all enjoying the insects from the sheep dung on the marsh

Noted a pair of Goldfinch this morning at the far entrance to Cogan Wood, one of which was carrying nest material. Took some shots of a LBBG coming dome for bread thrown down for the crows by my pal Lindsay who some folk may know – he walks round every day feeding the crows at various points, and they know him well. Quite a few butterflies on the wing – plenty of Ringlets, a single washed out Painted Lady, Red Admiral, and the fem Large Skipper shown.

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Having been noticeable by their apparent absence for some time, it seems a Little Grebe pair have bred by the W lake – an adult was feeding a juv on the far side this morning. Pic is a huge crop. Also the GC Grebe ‘humbug’ is doing well.

Photo: yellowhammer (Richard Dann).

Latest Gower Ringing Group news HERE

 

At Cossie a couple of days ago, 3 different Cetti’s warblers singing in the E lake reed area from three different positions. There has been song from nest the cafe for most of the last month or two. I suspect a pair have bred but of course no proof. Have not seen one on any visit but just heard.

Swansea – There are a nesting pair of Ringed Plovers with one chick. Or at least only one I have seen. There is always one adult there with it chasing off other birds (seagull/jackdaw/pigeon). I have some distant shots here:

It is relatively tricky to spot.

Yesterday a Kingfisher was sitting in the fallen dead tree on E lake shore visible from the main bridge. Today in W paddock, a group of juv birds – Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin and Dunnock. Song Thrush and 4 Goldfinch there and one Song Thrush in Cogan Wood, juv Blackbird in Cogan Wood, 6 Swift over W lake plus a few Sand Martins. 3 Rook flew over W paddock – not often seen at Cossie

Another Spotted Flycatcher, some 200-300mtrs from previously reported pair with occupied nest. Also 1 Wood Warbler singing, Crossbills heard and 3 singing Tree Pipits.

Recent ringing news HERE. Photo of Jay by Richard Dann

 

1-Barn Owl flying up the reen at the eastern end of the lake.19h30

Spotted Flycatcher, pair with nest

Young Sand Martins Caerphilly Castle today 4th June.

 

Nuthatch young appeared in the garden this weekend. Appears to be adult with 2 young. Other species in or over the garden on the weekend – buzzard, red kite, tawny owl, swallow, house martin, swift, raven, carrion crow, jackdaw, magpie, jay, herring gull, wood pigeon, collared dove, robin, blackbird, dunnock, wren, blue tit, great tit, coal tit, chaffinch, bullfinch, goldfinch, chiffchaff, willow warbler, song thrush, great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, treecreeper

Species number 64 for Gower Ringing Group at Oxwich has been a long time coming.

Read more HERE

The latest news from Gower Ringing Group. See LINK

Photo: Greenfinch by Richard Dann

wood warbler singing in same spot as last week in Castell Coch woods, close to the road.  Male and female goosander on Taff in Bute Park – unusual for this time of year

OOC  Lancashire and S Cumbria   ‘bird race’ on 18th May  134 species in one day    including 17 wader species, 4 tern sp, arctic skua, hooded crow, manx shearwater, osprey, little gull, red grouse    commonest bird not seen/heard was jay

Late WeBS today, warm and fragrant in the woods, lots of wildflowers, birdsong,  spotted a dragonfly too. Still no Little Grebe, must be off nesting somewhere else.