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| December Bittern by J. Slocombe |
Highlights
A drake Ring-necked Duck was seen at Cosmeston CP 18th. The regular drake Lesser Scaup was seen intermittently at CBWR & Cosmeston most of month. A male Surf Scoter & a fem. Velvet Scoter were found in a large flock of Common Scoter off Rhossili 29th. Black-throated Divers were seen in Oxwich Bay 1st & Tutt Head 2nd. Slavonian Grebes were at Wernffrwd 7th [5] & Burges Island 20th. A Great White Egret was at Llanrhidian Marsh 24th with two there 29th. A Black Guillemot was at Port Eynon 29th, which was unfortunately attacked and killed by gulls. A 1st W Iceland Gull was seen at Lamby Tip, Cardiff 30th. The Garwnant Great Grey Shrike was seen again on 29th. The male Bearded Tit was last seen at Cosmeston 5th and another male was trapped for ringing at CBWR 1st. Finally Snow Buntings were seen at Whiteford Point 7th & 8th, six were at Broughton Bay 17th and a single at Newton Burrows 29th.
Other Notable Species
A Barnacle Goose of unknown origin, in the company of Canada Geese, was seen at Ogmore 3rd, Cosmeston 19th & 20th and at Lisvane Res. 27th. A fem. Mandarin was found at Oxwich 10th and stayed for a week. Long-tailed Ducks were seen at Aberavon 1st and at Gileston 21st. Great Northern Divers were reported at Oxwich Point 1st, Tutt Head 22nd and at Llwyn-On Res. 24th to 31st. Plenty of Red-throated Divers were observed from coastal stations: Aberavon 2nd [14] & 8th [4], Crymlyn Burrows 3rd [5] & 8th, Oxwich Point 7th [18] and Tutt Head 22nd [6]. Two Shags were off the Deeps, Ogmore 25th. A roost of 26 Little Egrets at Hendre Lake, Cardiff 30th - the highest count for East Glamorgan. Bitterns were present at KNNR [2], Parc Slip & Hendre Lake. A Spotted Redshank was at Penclawdd 1st. Yellow-legged Gulls were seen at Cosmeston 5th & 10th and at Lisvane Res. 31st. At Ogmore two Water Pipits were present 6th with one there 17th. A Dartford Warbler on south Gower 1st. A Willow Tit was found at CBWR, the first site record for this species and Hawfinches were present all month at Fforestganol with a max. of 10 on 31st.
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| November Bearded Tit by J.D. Wilson |
Highlights
The drake Lesser Scaup reappeared at CBWR on 23rd till end of month. It had moved briefly to Chew Valley Lake [RA pers comm.] for most of November. A single Velvet Scoter was in Baglan Bay 28th. A Black-throated Diver was at Aberavon Beach 27th & 28th. A Red-necked Grebe was at Whiteford Point 23rd. Up to 4 Slavonian Grebes were off Whiteford Point 23rd and another two were at KNNR 22nd. The usual two Great White Egrets were seen on the north Gower coast 12th. The immature Turtle Dove was present at Cosmeston from 9th to 18th at least. A Hoopoe was reported on Flat Holm 4th. A Wood Lark was photographed at Lavernock Point 10th. Two Great Grey Shrikes were seen: Garwnant 21st & 22nd and near Llanbradach 22nd. Yellow-browed Warblers frequented the gardens of two fortunate observers: Bridgend 7th & Llantrisant 20th & 21st. A bird showing the characteristics of Siberian Chiffchaff was at KNNR 12th to 22nd at least. Bearded Tits: the male remained at Cosmeston all month and at least 3 were seen at CBWR 25th. A f/o Richard's Pipit was seen at Sker Point 13th. Snow Buntings were present at Rhossili 17th [2], Pennard GC 16th to 28th and Sker Point 22nd. Finally a male Cirl Bunting was reported from Flat Holm 7th.
Other Notable Species
Four Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Aberthaw 9th in the company of a Barnacle Goose of unknown origin. Red-throated Divers were at Rhossili 17th, Aberavon Beach 27th & 28th [5] and three at Whiteford Point 23rd. Bitterns were seen at Lamby Lake 8th - 10th, KNNR15th & 17th and Parc Slip 26th. A Spotted Redshank was at Penclawdd 24th. A 1st W Little Gull was at KNNR 1st and Yellow-legged Gulls were at Kenfig Rivermouth 4th & Lisvane Res. 28th. Late Swallow at RGW 24th and a late House Martin at Penarth Head 11th. A Ring Ouzel was at Parc Slip 17th. A Dartford Warbler on south Gower 19th. A Firecrest was trapped for ringing at Oxwich 16th. A Water Pipit was at Ogmore 10th. Black Redstarts were reported from Mumbles Head 3rd, Splott-Cardiff 4th, Oxwich 5th, Port Talbot Harbour 12th, Cardiff Barrage 14th, Nash Point 17th, Swansea City Centre 18th and at Dunraven 18th & 19th. Hawfinches were seen regularly at Fforestganol from 7th to 17th max: 7 on 14th and a single was at Lisvane Res. 14th, the first there since 1947.
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| October Long-billed Dowitcher by M. T. Hogan |
October 2013
Highlights
The undisputed highlight this month was the Long-billed Dowitcher at Rhaslas Pool found by Mike Hogan. It stayed from 8th - 14th and was seen and photographed by many observers. It was the 2nd for East Glamorgan & 3rd for VC41.
Two Whooper Swans were at Fendrod Lake 12th. The drake Lesser Scaup was present all month at CBWR or in the Bay. Two Velvet Scoter were in Baglan Bay 12th-18th. Another was reported off Porthcawl 19th. A Great White Egret was at Loughor Bridge 2nd. A dark phase Pomarine Skua off Port Eynon 31st. Two Sabine's Gulls were reported off Mumbles Head 27th. A Bearded Tit was seen intermittently at Cosmeston from 26th. Yellow-browed Warblers were seen at Baglan Dunes 10th & Longhole Cliff, Gower 12th. Two Lapland Buntings were reported at Baglan Bay 26th and Snow Buntings were seen at Ogmore 15th & Port Talbot Docks 27th.
Other Notable Species
A Pale-bellied Brent Goose was at Dalton's Point 24th. Red-breasted Mergansers were seen at Crymlyn Burrows 12th, Swansea Bay 17th [3] & Wernffrwd 24th. Great Northern Divers were at Mumbles Pier 17th & Port Eynon 31st. Red-throated Divers were seen off Kenfig River Mouth 13th, Crymlyn Burrows 14th & Baglan Bay 15th. A late Manx Shearwater went past Lavernock 28th. Bitterns were seen at KNNR 15th & two there 17th. A Hobby was seen at Pentrebach 7th. Little Stints were seen at Cardiff Bay 27th, a first for the site & KNNR 30th. Seawatching later in the month produced Arctic Skuas off Porthcawl 27th [5], Lavernock 28th [3] & Port Eynon [3] 31st and Great Skuas at Porthcawl 26th [2] & 27th, Lavernock 28th [2] and Port Eynon 31st. A 3rd W. Yellow-legged Gull was in Cardiff Bay 27th, also a Little Gull 1st W. there same day, with another 1st W. Little Gull at KNNR 29th-31st. The highest Kittiwake passage was at Lavernock 28th were 187 were seen. Sandwich Terns were seen at Baglan Bay 4th [6], Wernffrwd 24th & Tutt Head 27th. A single Arctic Tern was at Wernffrwd 24th. Firecrests were at Nantyffylon 17th & Dunraven 18th. Ring Ouzels were at Mumbles Hill 13th & Kenfig Ind. Est. 29th. A Black Redstart was in a garden in Porthcawl 24th. A late White Wagtail was along the Cardiff Foreshore 25th and finally a Brambling was at Sker Point 24th.
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| September Red-backed Shrike by M. Hipkin |
September 2013
Highlights The drake Lesser Scaup returned to CBWR on 30th after its summer vacation. A Leach's Petrel was seen off Porthcawl 17th. A Great White Egret was again at Llanrhidian Marsh. Marsh Harriers were seen at Penclawdd 11th & Kenfig 29th. A juvenile Sabine's Gull past Porthcawl 16th. Wrynecks were seen at Ogmore-by-sea 13th & 14th and Lavernock Point 18th & 25th. A juvenile Red-backed Shrike was found at Mewslade 29th. A Red-throated Pipit was seen and heard at Weobley marsh 29th, also there same day a Lapland Bunting.
A wagtail showing certain characteristics of Citrine Wagtail was seen briefly at Lisvane Res 13th.
Other Notable Species
Returning Dark-bellied Brent Geese were seen in the Burry Inlet 27th & Sker Point [4] 29th. Red-throated Divers were at Tutt Head 15th & Porthcawl 17th. A Great Northern Diver was at Port Talbot Harbour 16th. Hobbies at Ogmore 5th & KNNR 29th. Curlew Sandpipers were seen at various locations this month: Weobley Marsh [10] 3rd & [3] 8th, Crymlyn Burrows [3] 6th, Whiteford Point [1] 22nd and Kenfig saltmarsh [2] 27th. Little Stints were seen at Weobley Marsh [1] 8th and Crymlyn Burrows [1] 21st. A Ruff frequented the Watermill 3rd to 6th. Several Arctic Skuas were seen off the Glamorgan coast at: Tutt Head 13th, 15th & 16th, Porthcawl 16th and at Lavernock 17th. Bonxies were seen at Port Talbot Harbour [2] 16th, Porthcawl 16th, Lavernock 17th and Cardiff Foreshore 28th. A single Black Tern remained at Crymlyn Burrows till 1st. Good numbers of Sandwich Terns were reported this month: off Port Eynon [24] 1st, Burry Holms [26] 21st, Mumbles [2] 21st, Whiteford Point [27] 22nd and Sker Point [2] 25th. A single Common Tern off Porthcawl 17th. A few Arctic Terns were seen: Loughor Bridge 17th, Bracelet Bay [2] 19th and inland at Lisvane Res. 19th-21st. A 1st CY Yellow-legged Gull at Loughor Bridge 30th. Roosting Nightjars seen on passage were at Pontcanna Fields 6th, Barry 21st and Rumney, Cardiff 28th. Two Firecrests were seen, singles at Llandarcy 29th and Dunraven 30th. A Willow Tit was found at Cardiff Bay 11th, scarce in this part of Cardiff. A late Grasshopper Warbler was seen at Oxwich 22nd. A Pied Flycatcher was seen on passage at Cogan Wood 14th. A count of 20 Spotted Flycatchers were at Cefn Onn Ridge 3rd. Finally a Brambling at RGW on 29th.
 |
| August Little Tern by M. Hipkin |
August 2013
Highlights
The Whooper Swan remained in Cardiff Bay until 9th. A small influx of Garganey later in the month with 2 at CBWR from 22nd to 27th at least, Lisvane Res. 24th, Rhaslas Pool 25th to 27th & Hendre Lake 27th. A Slavonian Grebe was at Whiteford Point 16th. A Marsh Harrier at Llanrhidian with the same or another at Penclawdd 28th. A Wood Sandpiper at Kenfig saltmarsh 23rd. A Wryneck was seen at Pant Norton on 27th and the highlight of the month was a Nightingale on the Radyr Flood-plain 31st. The first in the recording area since 2002.
Other Notable Species
Ospreys were seen at Wernffwrd 25th and at two at Gileston. Passage waders were seen from early in month at several sites: best were Curlew Sandpiper [8] at Rhaslas Pool 26th, Little Stint at Whiteford Sands also 26th, LRPs at Neath River 6th & Margam 22nd & Grey Plover [6] at Llanilid. Two Arctic Skuas past Port Eynon on 3rd. Yellow-legged Gulls at Loughor 4th & Crymlyn Burrows 12th. Sandwich Terns were seen of Whiteford Point 25th [30] & 28th [14]. Black Tern [3] at Baglan Bay 27th. Common Tern [2] at Crymlyn Burrows 15th & Arctic Tern at the river Neath 14th. A Little Tern was at Crymlyn Burrows 4th. A late Pied Flycatcher was at Whiteford 25th and 5 Hawfinches were seen feeding on sorbus berries at Forest Farm 14th.
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| July Avocets by G. N. Smith |
July 2013
Highlights
A very unseasonal Whooper Swan was in Cardiff Bay from 9th till end of month. The Purple Heron remained in the Margam/Kenfig till 10th at least. Two Avocets were at Cardiff Heliport 13th. Wood Sandpipers were seen at Kenfig saltmarsh 14th and three were reported at Llanilid. A Turtle Dove of unknown origin was seen in a Llantrisant garden 3rd to 5th.
Other Notable Species
Wader passage this month included, Greenshank & Bar-tailed Godwits in the Burry Estuary, Ruff & Greenshank at KNNR, Oystercatcher & Black-tailed Godwits [3] at Rhaslas. Hobbies were noted at several sites throughout the county. Kittiwake numbers have increased at their breeding ledges on Mumbles Pier. Two Sandwich Terns were over Oxwich Marsh 27th. Small numbers of Crossbills have been seen moving around the county this month.
Nightjars were seen or heard at Pelenna, Llanwonno [3] & Llangynwyd [1/2].
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| June Red-necked Phalarope by M. Hipkin |
June 2013
Highlights
The Purple Heron was seen in the Margam/Kenfig area on 15th & 26th. A Red-necked Phalarope was at KNNR on 15th. A Long-tailed Skua past Lavernock Point 16th. Pomarine Skuas were seen of Porthcawl 13th & 22nd, five at Tutt Head 15th & Lavernock Point 22nd. Finally a Sabine's Gull was at Porthcawl 22nd.
Other Notable Species
A flock of 28 Common Eider between Crofty & Landimore 25th. A male Hen Harrier was seen on passage in the Nash/Marcross area 8th. Hobbies were seen in Cardiff, Kenfig & Cosmeston. A Yellow-legged Gull was at Lisvane Res. 20th. A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was heard calling at Cwm Ivy, Gower 2nd and a party of eight Chough, including juveniles were along the Heritage Coast 25th.
Seawatching News
Seabird (not D-List) passage in Glamorgan:
Great Northern Diver
Porthcawl [1 in SP] 13th
Storm Petrel
Tutt Head 15th [2]
Port Talbot Harbour 13th [1] & 22nd [1]
Porthcawl 13th [2] 15th [3], 16th [4], 22nd [3] & 23rd [1]
Lavernock Point 23rd [4 + 1, am & pm]
Manx Shearwater [numbers over 100 listed]
Tutt Head 13th [150], 14th [100], 15th [200] & 22nd [300]
Sker Point 18th [100]
Porthcawl 13th [550], 15th [2500] & 22nd [8000]
Sully Bay 14th [100]
Lavernock Point 16th [700], 23rd [200]
Arctic Skua
Tutt Head [3] 15th
Porthcawl 13th [1]
Lavernock Point 23rd [1]
Great Skua
Tutt Head 22nd [1]
Port Talbot Harbour 22nd [1]
Porthcawl 22nd [1]
Lavernock Point 22nd [4] & 23rd [3]
Sandwich Tern
Sker Point 18th [2]
Lavernock Point 23rd [2]
Common Tern
Porthcawl 13th [8]
Finally Nightjars were reported in June from Llanwonno, Darwonno, Cwm Kenfig, Llangynwyd, Coed Craig Ruperra, Glyn Neath,
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| May Woodchat Shrike by R. Jones |
May 2013
[The coldest spring for 50 years and the 5th coldest since 1910. BBC Weather]
Highlights
An unseasonal Whooper Swan was at Penclawdd 27th. The Purple Heron was still at Kenfig saltmarsh intermittantly till 22nd at least. A female Marsh Harrier was seen at Wentloog Levels 25th. Pomarine Skuas were seen at Port Talbot Docks 9th [2], 10th [5] 27th [2] with another at Porthcawl 9th. Three Long-tailed Skuas were recorded from Kenfig Sands 23rd and another at Lavernock Point same day. An immature Sabine's Gull was off Lavernock Point 23rd. Finally a male Woodchat Shrike was found at Morfa marsh 21st-26th.
Other Notable Species
A flock of 220 Brent Geese [unspecified] were seen at Blackpill 5th with smaller flocks on 6th & 7th, with a Dark-bellied Brent Goose at Loughor Bridge 9th. An immature male Scaup was at Penclawdd 10th. A Great Northern Diver was at Port Talbot Docks 5th. A Red-throated Diver went past Tutt Head 18th. Hobbies were at Llanilid 4th [2] and Gilfach Goch 16th. A Little Stint was at Brigham Farm, nr. Llanharry 8th. A Little Tern was in Cardiff Bay 11th-13th. Finally a Black Redstart was at an undisclosed site 19th. Good numbers of spring migrants seen esp. Cuckoo and Spotted Flycatchers.
Seawatching News
Skua & Tern (not D-List) passage in Glamorgan:
Arctic Skua
Tutt Head 18th [1]
Port Talbot Docks 9th [1], 10th [3] 11th [2] & 27th [4]
Porthcawl 9th [1] & 10th [1]
Lavernock Point 23rd [1]
RGW 11th [2]
Great Skua
Loughor Bridge 9th [1]
Port Talbot Docks 27th [2]
Lavernock Point 11th [3]
RGW 11th [1]
Sandwich Tern
Tutt Head 18th [1] & 30th [1]
Loughor Bridge 9th [1]
Port Talbot Docks 5th [1], 10th [4] & 27th [3]
Common Tern
Port Talbot Docks 27th [9]
Arctic Tern
Port Talbot Docks 9th [1] & 11th [1]
Porthcawl 10th [1]
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| April Arctic Tern by J. Slocombe |
Highlights
A drake Garganey was at Kenfig Pool 21st. The regular drake Lesser Scaup was at Cosmeston CP till 12th, then at CBWR until 20th. A Purple Heron was at Kenfig saltmarsh 25th till end of month. A Spoonbill was briefly seen in Glamorgan at Berthlwyd 17th & Loughor Est. 18th. Two Dotterel were at Cwm Cadlan 30th. A summer plumage Black-necked Grebe was seen in Cardiff Bay 12th & 15th. A Hoopoe was at Middleton, Rhosilli 13th-16th. The adult Bonaparte's Gull in Cardiff Bay was last seen on 5th. An adult was then seen at Ogmore Est. 14th-17th [the regular gull here departed on 13th March, whilst the adult in Cardiff Bay departed on 5th April. It does asks the question was this the Cardiff bird moving west?]. Great Grey Shrikes were at Garwnant 3rd & 6th and at Crynant 2nd & 5th. A Wood Lark was at Port Talbot Docks 28th and finally a Blue-headed Wagtail was at Rhaslas Pool 26th.
Other Notable Species
A Pale-bellied Brent Goose was in the Burry Inlet 11th. Red-throated Divers were seen at Port Eynon 5th, Rhosilli [7] 6th & Tutt Head 18th. Seven Manx Shearwater went past Tutt Head 18th. Two Bitterns remained at KNNR until 6th. Osprey passage was widespread with birds being reported from Pontypridd 2nd, Lliw Res. 3rd, Margam Park 7th, East Bute Dock 10th & Neath 12th. A Hobby was over Efail Isaf 29th. Little Ringed Plover were reported from Burry Inlet, Waungron, Castell-du, Portobello [max 5 on 4th], Ogmore Est, Kenfig Pool, Rhaslas Pool, RCT & Cardiff UA. A Bonxie went past Tutt Head 18th. Yellow-legged Gulls were at Lisvane Res. 7th & 25th and Cardiff Bay 14th. Little Gulls were seen at Cardiff Bay 12th & Loughor [1 on 18th with 2 there 23rd]. Sandwich Tern passage: Port Eynon [8] 5th, Oxwich Point & Rhosilli [6] 6th, Burry Inlet [2] 11th, Portobello 14th, Orchards Flats 16th, Tutt Head [3] & Cardiff Heliport [2] 18th, Mewslade 20th & Bracelet Bay 23rd. Common Terns at Cardiff Bay & Loughor [2] 18th. A remarkable passage of Arctic Terns was observed in Glamorgan, the best for many years: Cardiff Bay held terns from 14th to 24th [max 54 on 23rd], Kenfig Pool [2] 15th & [12] 18th, Orchard Flats [20] 16th, Sully & Loughor [5] 17th, Tutt Head [17], Loughor Bridge [151], Ogmore Est [3] & Cardiff Heliport [6] all 18th, Tutt Head [3] 19th, Loughor [6] 20th, Bracelet Bay 23rd and Watermill 24th. A Little Tern was at Baglan 25th. A good month for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker with sightings at Oxwich NNR 6th, Margam Park 9th & Llangynwyd 23rd. Ring Ouzels were reported from Mewslade 1st, Foel Fynyddau [8 on 1st, 1 on 7th & 3 on 8th], Foxhole, Gower 7th, Cimla 7th, Mynydd Fochriw [4] 8th, Rhaslas 10th, Craig Walter & Margam Moors 12th. A Black Redstart was at Morfa Pines 12th. Finally a Firecrest at Blaengarw 15th.
Common Spring migrants: Swift, Whinchat, Tree Pipit, Pied Flycatcher, Grasshopper Wbr., Garden Wbr., Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Wbr., Reed Wbr., & Wood Wbr.
Unknown Origin: An Eagle Owl was reported at Thornhill 4th.
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| March Ring-billed Gull by M. Hipkin |
[The coldest March in Wales since 1962 & the 2nd coldest since records began in 1910 - BBC weather]
Highlights
A drake Garganey was present at Kenfig saltmarsh 14th-17th. The drake Lesser Scaup was present all month at either Cosmeston or Cardiff Bay. The Black-throated Diver remained at Lisvane Res. till 3rd. The Black-necked Grebe was present on Kenfig Pool most of month, now in summer plumage. Slavonian Grebes were seen off Whiteford Point 14th [5] & 28th, Wernffwrd 2nd [4] & 30th and Lisvane Res. 15th. The two Great White Egrets remained at Llanrhidian Marsh. An Avocet was seen at Ogmore Estuary 23rd. The adult Bonaparte's Gull at Ogmore was seen up to 13th and the adult in Cardiff moved to Cardiff Bay by early March and remained there all month. A 1st W Ring-billed Gull was found at Neath Abbey saltmarsh on 2nd and remained till 31st. A 1st W Iceland Gull was seen briefly at Ogmore 31st. A Long-eared Owl flew into a window at Llantwit Major 28th, dazed but recovered. Water Pipits were recorded at Portobello/Ogmore, RGW, Burry Inlet & Neath Abbey saltmarsh. A good month for Great Grey Shrikes with 3 being reported at Nant Gau 5th, Afon Argoed 9th & Llanwonno/Coed Cae Aberaman 10th, with the later two seen on later dates. A Hooded Crow was seen at Penmaen 29th. A possible Siberian Chiffchaff was seen and photographed at Port Talbot 9th. A Hawfinch was reported from Llanishen Res. 11th [per WOS] Finally a Snow Bunting coming to seed at a garden feeder in Killay Swansea c30th.
Other Notable Species
Three Pale-bellied Brent Geese were seen at Aberthaw 30th. The drake Greater Scaup remained at Lisvane Res till 12th. Two Long-tailed Ducks were at Whiteford Point 2nd. The two Bitterns at KNNR were seen intermittently during the month and a single was seen at Lamby Lake 14th & 16th. A Great Northern Diver was at Broughton Bay 17th. An Osprey was at Llwyn-On Res. 30th. A ring-tail Hen Harrier was at Llanrhidian mid month. Little Ringed Plovers were reported in the county by month's end. An adult W Little Gull was in Cardiff Bay 24th & 25th. The adult Yellow-legged Gull frequented Lisvane Res. on several dates and an adult was seen at Lamby Lake 13th. Sandwich Terns were seen off Llangennith 23rd [2] and Worm's Head 30th. Short-eared Owls were recorded from Llanrhidian [2], Baglan Dunes, Llanilid, Rhaslas [3], Senghenydd Mt. & RGW [2]. A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was heard at Mynydd Pwll-yr-lwrch, Maesteg 17th. Black Redstarts were still present at Porthcawl 3rd, Swansea City Centre 4th, Nash Point 9th & Prospect Place, Cardiff 29th. Ring Ouzels were seen at Rhossili Down 23rd, Ogmore 25th with two 30th and Rarn Grove 30th.
Common Spring Migrants this month include Common Sandpiper, Northern Wheatear, Swallow & Sand Martin.
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| FEBRUARY Great Grey Shrike by M. Hipkin |
Highlights
The returning male Lesser Scaup was seen at CBWR from the 3rd. A fem/imm Velvet Scoter was off Crymlyn Burrows 9th-26th. The Black-throated Diver at ENR was present until 18th at least and an imm was found at Lisvane Res. 12th and present till end of month. The Black-necked Grebe was present at Kenfig Pool from 1st till 26th at least, although it couldn't be found on 23rd and one was seen on ENR that same day. Up to 4 Slavonian Grebes were present at Whiteford Point on 16th with 3 there 2nd and at ENR with two from 2nd-9th. The two regular Great White Egrets were seen at Llanrhidian most of month. The adult Bonaparte's Gull was seen on numerous occasions at Ogmore during the month and the Cardiff bird was seen at the Heliport on 26th. A 1st W Glaucous Gull and a 1st W Iceland Gull were seen at roost at Pontsticill Res. 2nd, with both being seen there or at Dowlais, Merthyr till 14th at least. The 1st W Glaucous Gull at Wernffwrd was seen 9th-16th. A report of a Wood Lark at Llanilid on 15th. Waxwings were still present in Cardiff, with birds being seen in Maindy 4th-6th, Bute Park 5th & Lisvane Res 22nd and a single being in a Nottage garden 18th-21st. A Great Grey Shrike was on private land at Crynant 10th-24th. A Common [Mealy] Redpoll was reported in a flock of Lesser Redpolls at Dowlais 16th. Finally the Snow Bunting was present at Baglan Beach till 15th.
Other Notable Species
Two Greater Scaup [fem] were at Cosmeston or Cardiff Bay to mid month and a drake at Lisvane Res. 28th. Three Pintail were on Rhaslas Pool on 18th, a first for this northern site. Long-tailed Ducks were present off Whiteford 2nd & 16th [3] and at ENR till 18th. Great Northern Divers were seen at Oxwich Bay 1st , ENR 2nd, Swansea Docks 9th and Whiteford Point 2nd & two there 16th. A Red-throated Diver was at Longcliff Hole, Gower 3rd. The two Bitterns were still at Kenfig all month. Spotted Redshanks were seen occasionally during the month at Penclawdd, with 2 present 21st. A 1st W Little Gull was at Ogmore Est. 6th and Yellow-legged Gulls were seen at Rhymney Est. 22nd (2nd CY) & Cardiff Heliport 26th (ad). Short-eard Owls were noted at Hillend, Llangennith Dunes, Wernffwrd, Baglan Dunes, Rhaslas, Cardiff Heliport & RGW. Black Redstarts were at Penarth Head 7th & 10th and at Mewslade 16th. Finally a Hawfinch was seen at Gilfach Mt., Maesteg 17th.
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| JANUARY Bonaparte's Gull by R. Mitchell |
Highlights
The Black-throated Diver was still present on ENR 13th till end of month. A Black-necked Grebe at Kenfig Pool 6th-26th and another at Wernffwrd 6th. Slavonian Grebes were present off Whiteford Point max: 4 on 4th, 6th & 21st and at Wernffwrd with 3 there 6th-16th and ENR 28th. The two Great White Egrets were seen at the Llanrhidian roost 1st-13th. A Bonaparte's Gull (ad W) was found on the Ogmore river 5th [PGL] which was present till end of month and another adult winter was seen at the Cardiff Foreshore WTW 12th & 13th and again on 26th [GNS,PB] which is the returning adult to the area. A 1st W Glaucous Gull was found at Wernffwrd and was relocated at Whiteford Point 19th-21st at least. A Water Pipit was at Portobello, Ogmore 20th-25th. Waxwings were seen in the Cardiff area (Roath & Maindy) from 1st till 25th, max 30 on 11th. Snow Buntings were at Aberavon/Baglan present till end of month, and 2 flying over Maesteg 18th.
Other Notable Species
Seven Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Aberthaw 13th. Long-tailed Ducks were present at Burry Port 5th, ENR 13th & Whiteford Point 20th & 21st when two were seen. Great Northern Divers were at Salthouse 1st, Oxwich Bay 6th [2] & Whiteford Point 4th, 6th [2] & 20th [2]. There were 3 Red-throated Divers in Oxwich Bay 6th & Baglan Bay 9th. A Gannet was at Port Eynon 1st. Bitterns were seen at Kenfig all month max: 3 on 26th, Cosmeston 13th, Lamby Lake 17th to 22nd & Forest Farm 18th to 26th at least. Hen Harriers were at the Llanrhidian roost & Rhaslas Pool most of month, with others seen at Wernffwrd 6th, Whiteford 21st, Ty'n-y-caeau Farm 22nd & Kenfig NNR 24th. Reports of waders: Spotted Redshank 2 at Penclawdd 13th, Greenshank at Whiteford Point 21st, Woodcock 12 at KNNR 24th, Jack Snipe at Lavernock Point 20th - very unusual at this site and Common Sandpipers at Cardiff Bay mid month, Neath river 19th & Ogmore 20th. Yellow-legged Gulls at Lisvane Res (ad W) 1st & Ogmore (1st W) 16th. Black Redstarts were observed at Penarth Head/Cardiff Barrage most of month, Southerndown 5th to 17th at least and at Sarn 23rd. Finally a Lesser Whitethroat (not determined to race) at Abercynon 11th.
(Reports by NPR (EG) & MH, BS & RHAT (WG) compiled by DRWG)
Thank you to all contributors throughout Glamorgan.
