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| December Caspian Gull by A. Burns |
Highlights
The drake Lesser Scaup was seen intermittently at CBWR most of month. The two Great White Egrets were still present on Llanrhidian Marsh. A Red-necked Grebe was seen on 26th and 28th from Wernffrwd and Whiteford respectively. Two Slavonian Grebes were seen at Whiteford 14th, 24th & 27th with four there on 29th. A late Pomarine Skua was seen off Rhossili 24th. The highlight of the month, and a first for VC41, was a 1st W Caspian Gull which was seen and photographed at Cosmeston CP 8th [AB & LM]. Three Wood Larks remained at Overton up to 28th at least, with 4 present on 3rd. Great Grey Shrikes were seen at Afan Argoed 15th & 20th, Pelenna 22nd & Coed Taf Fawr 26th. Only the fourth Common Rosefinch for VC41 was found at Overton on 1st.
Other Notable Species
Pale-bellied Brent Geese were seen at Gileston with 6 on 20th and 10 present 28th. A Long-tailed Duck was at Crymlyn Burrows 6th & 13th and one was at Roath Park Lake 7th, 108 years after the first record there, which was also the first confirmed record for VC41. Red-throated Divers were at Sker Point 1st, 4th [13] & 5th [6], Sedger's Bank, Gower 7th [3], Rhossili 13th [3] & 24th [2] and Oxwich Point 24th [3]. Great Northern Divers, two still on Llwyn-on Res. till 6th at least. Two in Oxwich Bay 10th, one off Mumbles head 11th and at Whiteford Point one on 14th, five on 24th and one on 29th. Three different Bitterns were reported from KNNR, Cosmeston & Forest Farm in Cardiff. A Spotted Redshank was at Dalton's Point 1st. Yellow-legged Gulls were at Cosmeston 12th & 14th and Roath Park Lake 10th & 14th. A Water Pipit was on the Ogmore Estuary 27th. Black Redstarts were still in good numbers around Penarth Marina, max 6 on 6th, others were seen at St. Helen's, Swansea 1st and Aberthaw Power Station 13th. A late Swallow was seen near Overton, Gower on 3rd. A Firecrest was at Parc Slip 30th. Finally the Hawfinches at Fforestganol were still feeding on beech-mast with a max of 10 on 4th.
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| November Black Redstart by Jeff Slocombe |
Highlights
The drake Lesser Scaup was at CBWR till 28th, then Cosmeston 29th. A Velvet Scoter was off Porthcawl Harbour 3rd. A Slavonian Grebe was at Whiteford 30th. Another Black-necked Grebe was seen on 27th & 28th in Cardiff Bay, to add to this excellent year for this species in Glamorgan. Two Great White Egrets at Llanrhidian Marsh 9th, 16th & 17th, another was seen flying up river Neath at Briton Ferry 29th. A juv Marsh Harrier at Llanrhidian 9th. The Great Grey Shrike was again seen at Garwnant 1st. A Wood Lark at Sker 15th and up to 5 were seen at Overton 22nd and present till end of month. The Yellow-browed Warbler remained at Pant Norton till 4th. Two possible Siberian Chiffchaffs were seen at Kenfig 18th. A Water Pipit at Ogmore 9th & 22nd and up to 5 were reported along RGW mid month. A Snow Bunting was along the Southerndown cliffs 16th to 22nd.
Other Notable Species
Two Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Aberthaw 17th, with 5 present there on 23rd. Great Northern Divers were at Kenfig Pool 7th & 8th, the summer plumage bird still at Mumbles till 10th, two were on Llwyn-on Res. 17th to 30th, Crymlyn Burrows 20th, Whiteford Point and two off Sker Point both 30th. Red-throated Divers were seen at Crymlyn Burrows 18th, Mumbles 29th & Sker Point 30th. The Little Egret roost at Hendre Lake totalled 31 on 26th, equalling record count there. A Bittern was seen at Kenfig 5th & 29th. A late Osprey was over Kenfig Pool 10th. A record count of 227 Common Snipe for East Glamorgan at Llanishen Res.* on 27th [RJT]. A Great Skua past Sully 8th. A VC41 record count of 116,600 Wood Pigeons flying over Cardiff Bay on 5th [PMH]. A swift species was seen at Porthcawl 16th, but not identified. A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was seen at Llanharry 14th. Late Swallows were seen at Porthkerry 24th & Sker 26th. Firecrests at Oxwich 1st [trapped for ringing] and Kenfig 27th. Two Dartford Warblers were seen in the western Vale 17th. At least two Ring Ouzels were seen at Pant Norton 1st to 12th. Up to 9 Black Redstarts were present around Penarth Marina & Cardiff Bay, with 7 seen in the marina area and 2 at Roath Dock with singles at Cwm Col-huw & Dunraven. A late Northern Wheatear was seen at Rhossili 16th. Good numbers of Hawfinches were again seen feeding on Hornbeam at Fforestganol, with a max. of 15 on 17th.
[* NOTE: Llanishen Reservoir cannot be accessed legally from any view point. Access is only available to authorised personnel.]
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| October Kentish Plover by M. Hipkin |
{Provisionally the 11th warmest October, behind the warmest 2001}
Highlights
Pairs of Whooper Swans were seen at Kenfig Pool 12th & 29th. The drake Lesser Scaup remained at CBWR all month. Great White Egrets were prominent this month with singles being seen at Llanrhidian Marsh 1st, Kenfig Saltmarsh 4th, Llwyn-On Res. 7th, Lavernock Point 13th and Talygarn Lake 14th. Some of these sightings may involve the same individual. A Black-throated Diver was in Swansea Bay 19th. Two more Black-necked Grebes were at Lisvane Res. 5th. The highlight of the month was a Kentish Plover found at Crymlyn Burrows 18th to 20th. A Grey Phalarope was at RGW 11th. Pomarine Skuas were off Mumbles 11th & Port Eynon 18th. A 1st W Ring-billed Gull was at Blackpill 4th. A Turtle Dove was at Cosmeston 2nd. At Lavernock Point Wood Larks were noted on passage on 12th and two on 15th. The returning Great Grey Shrike was back at Garwnant 31st. Two Bearded Tits were noted on 3rd at CBWR. Yellow-browed Warblers have been especially prominent this month with sightings at Dunraven 16th, Kenfig river 17th, Waterton 20th, Pant Norton 23rd to 26th, Maesteg 24th, Oxwich 25th [trapped] & 30th and KNNR 27th. Finally a Lapland Bunting f/o Kenfig Rivermouth 23rd.
Other Notable Species
Two Pale-bellied Brent Geese were seen at Sker Point 2nd. Great Northern Divers were at Mumbles 11th and a summer plumage there from 29th to 31st. An Osprey was flying down the Rhondda Valley 16th. A Hobby was seen near Marcross in the Vale 5th. A Great Skua was off Porthcawl 19th. Arctic Skuas were seen on passage off Porthcawl 9th [2], Port Eynon 18th [2] and Whiteford 26th [2]. Sandwich Terns were seen at Porthcawl 9th, Dalton's Point 14th [32] and Port Eynon 18th [3]. Two Common Terns at Porthcawl 9th. Arctic Terns at Porthcawl 9th [3] and Sker 11th. A 1st W Little Gull past Lavernock 7th. Two Short-eared Owls were at RGW 29th. A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was found in the north of the recording area at Garwnant 31st. Ring Ouzels were seen at Caerlan Farm 12th, Cwm Nash 14th and an excellent count of nine at Cwmdu 20th. A late juvenile Grasshopper Warbler was trapped at Oxwich 5th. Finally Firecrests were seen at Miskin 6th, Lavernock Point 10th and two at Oxwich 25th.
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| September Black-necked Grebe by N.P. Roberts |
{Autumn equinox 23rd. Driest September since 1959}
Highlights
The drake Lesser Scaup reappeared at CBWR on 4th and has been present rest of month. The juvenile Black-necked Grebe moved from Lisvane to Llanishen Res. on 3rd and remained until 10th at least. Other Black-necked Grebes were at Llanilid 9th & Cardiff Bay 27th. Two more Black-necked Grebes were at an undisclosed site 29th. 2014 has proved an excellent year for this species. A Norfolk wing-tagged Marsh Harrier was at Llanrhidian Marsh 7th & 14th and a fem/imm f/o Roath 15th. A probable Corn Bunting was seen briefly at Lavernock Point 8th.
Report of a Turtle Dove at Lavernock 29th.
Other Notable Species
A covey of 6 Grey Partridge at Cwm Nash 5th. This species is now quite scarce in East Glamorgan. A Shag was seen off Sker Point 19th. A Merlin was seen at Nash Point 18th. Hobbies were seen at Lisvane Res. 4th, Loughor 15th & Penarth 17th. Selected wader passage this month: The juv Knot stayed at Llanilid till 2nd, a good inland record. A Ruff was at Crymlyn Burrows 12th. Little Stints were seen at Whiteford 14th and Crymlyn Burrows 23rd. Curlew Sandpipers were in evidence at several locations: Dalton's Point 13th, one at Ogmore River 13th, three there 16th and four present on 17th & 18th with two remaining 22nd & 23rd. Whiteford Point 14th [4] & 20th [1], Crymlyn Burrows 14th [1] & 23rd [1] and Penclawdd 20th [1]. Spotted Redshanks at Brunel Dock 6th and relocating to Crymlyn Burrows 8th & 9th. and Penclawdd 13th. An Arctic Skua past Sker Point 26th. Sandwich Terns were at Sker 19th [2] & 26th [2]. Common Terns were seen at Sker 19th [3] and Crymlyn Burrows 20th [2]. An immature Yellow-legged Gull was seen at Cosmeston 29th. A Guillemot at Ogmore Est. 9th. Chough were seen in good numbers along the south Gower coast and Heritage Coast this month. A Treecreeper was trapped for ringing on Flat Holm 8th, a rare bird for the island. A Ring Ouzel was at Lavernock 21st. A Firecrest was present in the churchyard at Lavernock 14th. Late Grasshopper Warblers were seen at Radyr Floodplain 6th & 13th and at Brunel Dock 7th. Finally Greenland Wheatears were seen at Sker 14th [2] and Broughton 19th.
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| August Little Tern by R.G. Smith |
{End of the meteorological summer. Coolest August since 1993}
Highlights
Pairs Garganey were at Llanrhidian Marsh 3rd to 5th and Kenfig Saltmarsh 18th. Marsh Harriers were at CBWR 8th, Cardiff Heliport 17th & Rhaslas Pond 25th, a very good record for this northern site. At Lisvane Reservoir a winter plumaged Black-necked Grebe was present 16th, this was then joined for a day by a moulting summer plumage bird on 26th, the regular bird then remained till 30th, when it was joined another, this time by a juvenile. The juvenile then remained till month's end, with the regular bird seemingly gone.
Other Notable Species
A Red-breasted Merganser was at briefly at Kenfig Pool 26th. Ospreys were seen Parc Slip, Beddau 19th & Llanrhidian 29th. A Hobby was at RGW 15th, Pentre Meyrick & Parc Slip. Waders returned this month: LRP at Llanilid 4th [5] and a juv at Crymlyn Burrows 26th. A Little Stint was at Ogmore Est. 14th. A Ruff at Kenfig Pool 18th and 2 at the Rivermouth 26th, 11 Curlew Sandpipers at Weobley 30th & a Spotted Redshank at RGW 28th. A pale phase Arctic Skua off Weobley 30th. A YLG in the Burry inlet 25th. Three Black Terns were seen briefly at Lisvane Res. 27th. Sandwich Tern at Penclawdd Pill 2nd [10 inc. 3 juvs], Common Terns were seen at Gowerton 27th [20], Sker & Rhaslas 28th [3], the latter again a very good record for this site. A juvenile Little Tern, which was ringed, was present at Kenfig Pool 12th to 18th. Chough were present in good numbers along the south Gower coast and finally a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was seen in a mixed tit flock at Lisvane Res. on 16th.
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| July Marsh Harrier by M. Hipkin |
Highlights
Quails were heard at Sker Point 9th and one found in a Leckwith garden mid month. Great White Egrets were present at Kenfig Saltmarsh 1st to 8th and at CBWR on 23rd. Marsh Harriers were present at Kenfig Saltmarsh 23rd to 25th and two at Llanrhidian Marsh 25th & 26th.
Other Notable Species
Three Arctic Skuas were seen off Tutt Head 10th. Sandwich Terns were seen off Sker Point 6th [7] & Port Eynon 21st & 28th [12]. A single Arctic Tern was at Port Eynon 28th. A Yellow-legged Gull was at Lisvane Res. 30th. A Short-eared Owl was at RGW 4th. A juvenile Cuckoo was at Wernffrwd 29th. Returning Greenshanks were seen at Kenfig Saltmarsh, Llanilid & Parc Slip. Chough were present on south Gower and one over Lock's Common 14th. Finally a Pied Flycatcher was trapped for ringing at Llanrhidian 26th.
Late News: A Quail in a garden in Grangetown, Cardiff 18th, of unknown origin.
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| June Night Heron by P. Howlett |
Highlights
A Night Heron was found at Cosmeston CP on 12th, and was reported until 15th. A Great White Egret was seen at Kenfig Saltmarsh 30th. Four Common Cranes were seen flying over Flat Holm 12th - again releases from the GCP. At Worms Head, Puffins were noted on 22nd [4] and 25th [3]. A Glaucous Gull [probably the 3cy which was seen earlier in the year] was again reported ranging between Burry Holms & Broughton 14th. Finally a Turtle Dove was seen between Ilston & Pengwern Common mid month.
Other Notable Species
Seven Common Sandpipers were seen on Portobello island/Ogmore on 30th. Two Sandwich Terns were seen on the Fairy Buoy off Porthcawl 21st. Manx Shearwaters were seen off the Worm 22nd [500+] & Tutt Head a count of 1257 was noted on 30th. Parties of Chough were seen on south Gower & along the Heritage Coast.
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| May Long-tailed Skua by M. Hipkin |
Highlights
A male Garganey was present at Kenfig Saltmarsh till 10th and a pair were seen at Cosmeston CP 2nd to 4th. A summer plumaged Great White Egret was at Kenfig Saltmarsh 15th. A Spoonbill was at Loughor Bridge 25th. Common Cranes continued to be seen flying over at Lisvane 3rd [4], Cosmeston 13th [3] & Leckwith 18th [3] all again part of the Great Crane Project. An imm male Marsh Harrier was at Oxwich 3rd & 8th. Two Avocets were found by Loughor Bridge 18th. Four Pomarine Skuas past Tutt Head on 11th and an adult Long-tailed Skua was seen flying past Port Talbot 12th.
(Reports of two Turtle Doves at Caerphilly Mountain 11th & a Temminck's Stint at Hendre Lake 29th.)
Other Notable Species
A late Pale-bellied Brent Goose was still on the river Loughor 24th. The female Red-crested Pochard was still present on Kenfig Pool 6th & 10th. The fem. Long-tailed Duck was again present on East Aberthaw quarry pools 18th. Great Northern Divers were seen off Tutt Head 10th [2], Porthcawl 10th [2] & 12th. Red-throated Divers were at Oxwich 1st and Tutt Head 9th, 10th [2] & 11th. During the early May gales, Storm Petrels were seen in numbers off various headlands & seawatching sites: Porthcawl 7th, 9th, 10th & 11th. Tutt Head 10th & 11th. Sker Point 11th & Lavernock 11th. A provisional total of 100 were recorded during this period. Two Hobbies were seen on Flat Holm 1st, first island record. Arctic Skuas were seen during the gales at Tutt Head 5th [2], 10th [2], Cardiff Heliport 7th, Limeslade 10th, Dalton's Point 10th [2], Porthcawl 6th, 10th [2], 11th [2], Aberavon Beach 11th & Lavernock 11th. A single Great Skua was off Aberavon Beach 11th. Black Terns were at Cardiff Bay 2nd & Loughor Bridge 11th. Sandwich Terns were seen passing Porthcawl 10th & 11th, Loughor 11th and Tutt Head 12th. Common Terns: Porthcawl 7th & 10th [2] and Loughor 11th. Arctic Terns: Dalton's Point 10th [2] and Porthcawl 10th [11] & 11th [20]. A 1st S. Little Gull was off Porthcawl 7th and two 1st S. Little Gulls were seen at Rhaslas Pond 20th, the first record for the site. A Yellow-legged Gull was on Flat Holm 1st.
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| April Woodchat Shrike by J. Slocombe |
Highlights
A Pink-footed Goose was at the Watermill 9th and the same at Llanilid 12th. The Green-winged Teal was present at Kenfig Saltmarsh until 8th. A few sightings of Garganey this month: a drake at Kenfig Saltmarsh 2nd to 8th, a remarkable 5 males & 2 fems on the Ogmore River 16th (2nd highest count VC41), with another drake present there 23rd and a pair at Kenfig Saltmarsh 28th with a drake present there 30th. A Purple Heron was found at the Kenfig Saltmarsh 30th. A White Stork f/o Lisvane 21st. A Spoonbill was at Penclawdd 27th, another Spoonbill was seen flying over Flat Holm 29th. A Slavonian Grebe was off Wernffwrd 5th. Parties of Common Cranes were seen over St. Athan 10th [6], Cardiff City Centre 11th [5] & St. Fagans 23rd, (these were possibly all releases from the Great Crane Project). An Avocet was at Ogmore 1st. The regular adult Bonaparte's Gull was in Cardiff Bay 1st. Glamorgan's third Franklin's Gull [2cy] was found at Crofty 18th and again at Penclawdd 27th, being mostly resident in VC44. The Mynydd Ty-talwyn Glaucous Gull was seen on 2nd, 6th & 12th with a sighting at Parc Slip, Tondu 8th. Another [3cy] was at Broughton 19th. Iceland Gulls [imm] were seen at Rhossili 15th & possibly the same in Broughton Bay [juv] 18th. A single Kumlien's Gull [imm] was still at Fendrod Lake till 6th. A Turtle Dove of unknown origin [plastic ring] was in a Bridgend garden 2nd & 3rd. Two Hoopoes on Gower: at Landimore 11th & Langland 29th. A male Woodchat Shrike was found at Gileston 28th & 29th.
Other Notable Species
A fem Red-crested Pochard was on Kenfig Pool 24th to 26th. A Long-tailed Duck was in Rhossili Bay 13th. The female was again present at East Aberthaw quarry pools 20th. A Red-throated Diver was at Nicholston Pill 28th. Three Sandwich Terns were at Broughton 20th. Little Gulls were seen at Cardiff Bay [1st W.] 1st till 17th, Swansea Vale 5th & seven on the Loughor 6th. A Yellow-legged Gull was at Cosmeston CP 9th. Little Ringed Plovers were at the Watermill 17th & KNNR 30th [2]. A report of four Ruff in summer plumage at Sker 21st was unusual for East Glam. A Spotted Redshank was at Llanilid 5th. Ospreys were seen flying over Bridgend town 7th, Penclawdd 15th, Kenfig river 24th and possibly the same bird over Caerau, Maesteg same day. Finally a female Ring Ouzel was at KNNR 19th.
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| March Green-winged Teal by M. Hipkin |
Highlights
The Black Brant was again seen in the Burry Inlet 2nd. A drake Green-winged Teal was found at the Kenfig saltmarsh 25th till 31st [3rd VC41]. A Black-throated Diver was present at Cosmeston CP from 7th to 23rd, with an unconfirmed report on 29th. The two Great White Egrets were again at Llanrhidian marsh form 7th to 21st. Slavonian Grebes [max 3] were seen along the north Gower coast most of the month. A summer plumage Black-necked Grebe was seen on 29th at CBWR. An adult Ring-billed Gull was found at Blackpill 1st, this was then joined by another adult on 7th & 8th. One of these or another was then seen at Loughor Bridge 11th. An adult remained at Blackpill till 27th at least. The regular Bonaparte's Gull was seen at the Heliport 17th, then it frequented Cardiff Bay from 21st till end of month. It was joined by a second adult, with a slightly more advanced hood, on 30th. Iceland Gulls were reported from Burry Holms 1st [imm] with 2 imms at Broughton Bay also 1st. An Iceland gull type was seen off Cardiff Barrage 2nd. A Kumlien's Gull [imm] was at Blackpill 1st & 2nd. An adult Kumlien's Gull was at Ogmore Est. 11th & 17th. An imm Kumlien's Gull was at Fendrod Lake 17th till 21st [Blackpill bird?], this was then joined by Iceland/Kumlien's type 23rd. A Kumlien's Gull [imm] was then seen at Crymlyn Burrows 27th, possibly the Fendrod bird. A Great Grey Shrike was at Mynydd Marchywel 14th & 16th. A Bearded Tit was at CBWR 1st, a Firecrest at Ewenny Priory and a Siberian Chiffchaff was at KNNR 18th.
{Unconfirmed reports from BirdGuides of fly-over GWE at Treforest 28th & Cyncoed, Cardiff 31st.}
Other Notable Species
Pale-bellied Brent Geese were seen at Wernffwrd 2nd & 11th [1], Broughton Bay 23rd [3] & Gileston 30th [7]. The Long-tailed Duck was reported again from the Knap 26th, there was a female present on East Aberthaw quarry pools 16th (possibly the Knap bird). A Great Northern Diver was in Broughton Bay 8th. Two Red-throated Divers were off Mumbles 1st. A Bittern was still at KNNR 1st. Ospreys were seen flying over Bridgend 25th, Parc Slip 28th & Penarth Head 30th. An early Greenshank was at Penclawdd 21st. Little Ringed Plovers were at Castell Du 30th [2] & KNNR 31st [3]. The 1st W Little Gull was in Cardiff Bay all month, joined by an adult W 31st. Yellow-legged Gulls were at Lisvane Res. 1st [ad] & CBWR 5th & 6th [3rd W]. A Ring Ouzel was in the Llynfi Valley 4th. A Black Redstart was on the Barrage 1st to 7th. Water Pipits were at Dalton's point 2nd & Ogmore Est. 15th. Finally a Tree Sparrow was seen at Swansea Vale NR 19th.
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| February Ross's Gull by R. Mitchell |
{A stormy beginning with continuing gales, ceasing by end of month}
Highlights
The drake Lesser Scaup was at Cosmeston till 20th at least. A Black-throated Diver was at Barry Docks 7th & 8th and was then joined by another 13th till 15th. A Red-necked Grebe was at Whiteford 18th, three Slavonian Grebes were off Wernffwrd 17th. The Black-necked Grebe was in Cardiff Bay till 4th and another was at Wernffwrd 17th. The Great White Egret was at Llanrhidian Marsh 25th. Tideline corpses of Little Auk at Margam Sands 18th & Puffins at Gileston 23rd & Kenfig Sands 28th [3] along with numerous razorbills & guillemots showing the force of the recent winter gales. This months highlights were definitely gulls and the stand out bird was a 1st W Ross's Gull (MH et al) at Aberavon from 8th till mid month. The regular ad W Bonaparte's Gull was at Cardiff Heliport intermittently most of month. Two Iceland Gulls were at Burry Holms & Broughton Beach 23rd. Kumlien's Gulls were seen at Blackpill 2nd [2nd cy], Burry Holms 15th [2nd cy], Aberavon [ad W] & Broughton Bay 23rd. Glaucous Gulls were seen at Burry Holms 6th, Wernffwrd 17th [ad W], Mynydd Ty-talwyn 21st and Burry Holms 23rd [2nd cy]. The Nelson's Gull was again seen at Burry Holms 23rd, presumably the January bird? The regular Great Grey Shrike made an appearance at Garwnant 4th. The Bearded Tit was again at CBWR 4th & 27th. A Siberian Chiffchaff was at KNNR 26th and Snow Buntings were at Whiteford 2nd [6] and 20th [4].
Other Notable Species
Two Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Wernffwrd 17th. A fem Long-tailed Duck was at Knap Pool 4th till end of month. Great Northern Divers were seen at Kenfig Pool 4th, Llwyn-on Res. till 6th and Mumbles Head 2nd & 8th. Bitterns were at KNNR, Forest Farm and at Parc Slip. Little Gulls, of all ages, were numerous this month with many seen at locations across the county: Burry Holms, Wernffwrd, Mumbles, Oxwich, Aberavon, Sker, Ogmore & Cardiff Bay. A Yellow-legged Gull was at the Knap 19th. Water Pipits were seen at RGW [up to 16] and Sully Beach 24th.
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| January Thayer's Gull by M. Hipkin |
{The wettest January on record for over a hundred years}
Highlights
A Black Brant was seen along the north Gower coast 5th & 6th. Two Velvet Scoter were seen in Rhossili Bay 2nd with three there on 19th. The resident Lesser Scaup was at CBWR till 20th, then reappeared at Cosmeston 26th to 29th. The two Great White Egrets were along the north Gower marshes. Slavonian Grebes were seen at Whiteford 2nd [3] & Llanrhidian 6th [2]. A Black-necked Grebe was found in Cardiff Bay 2nd and was present till 25th at least. Gulls were the highlight this month with the finding of a putative juvenile Thayer's Gull at Burry Holms, Gower 4th, which was present till 19th at least. A possible Welsh first. Also seen in the Burry Holms area was a possible American Herring Gull, a Nelson's Gull (HerringxGlaucous Gull) and juvenile Kumlien's & Glaucous Gulls. Another Glaucous Gull [ad W] was seen at Blackpill 27th. Iceland Gulls were seen at Dowlais Top [ad W] on 11th, Burry Holms 12th [ad W] and at Blackpill 29th [2nd W]. The Cardiff Bonaparte's Gull [ad W] returned for its 6th winter, firstly at the Cardiff Heliport 12th and then at Cosmeston CP 25th. Finally 2-3 Bearded Tits were seen at CBWR on 6th & 8th.
Other Notable Species
Pale-bellied Brent Geese were seen at Gileston 5th-9th [10], Port Eynon [2] & Ogmore both 25th. The female Mandarin Duck was seen again at Oxwich 18th. The 2013 Great Northern Diver remained at Llwyn-on Res till 9th at least. Others were seen at Whiteford Point 2nd & Port Eynon 19th. Red-throated Divers were at Port Eynon 2nd, Bracelet Bay 6th [4], Mumbles 7th, Oxwich Bay 12th & 18th, Sker Point 16th and Overton Cliff 28th [7]. Bitterns were present at KNNR [3], Forest Farm and Parc Slip all month. A count of 150 Common Snipe at Llanishen Res. 19th equals the highest count for Cardiff. Great Skuas were at Bracelet Bay 3rd & Overton Cliff 28th. Good numbers of Little Gulls were seen: Bracelet Bay [2], Port Eynon 27th [4] and Overton Cliff 28th [3]. Yellow-legged Gulls, all adults, were at Cosmeston 2nd & 6th, Cardiff Bay 12th & 13th and Ogmore 27th. A Firecrest was at Overton sewage works 25th. Water Pipits were at Ogmore Est. 9th and Neath River 28th [2]. A wintering Lesser Whitethroat (undetermined race) was seen in a Cardiff garden mid month. At Forest Ganol the Hawfinch flock increased to a record breaking 25 on 25th, which is the highest count for Glamorgan.
(Reports by NPR (EG) & MH, BS & RHAT (WG) compiled by DRWG)
Thank you to all contributors throughout Glamorgan.
