To add a sighting, simply leave a reply below. Enter the details of your sighting and upload an image or video clip if possible. You will need to be registered and logged-in to post updates or leave replies.
NB: Maximum size for video clips is 30Mb…
Guidelines for Reporting Rarities and Submission of Annual Records
Detailed records of nationally or locally rare species (guidance on these is
here) should be sent to the County Recorder Eddie Hunter (
goweros23@gmail.com) as soon as possible after the sighting. An appropriate description should be provided of the species, your previous experience of it (and similar species), the circumstances and weather conditions in which the sighting occurred and any other pertinent information (such as photos). He will then circulate to the local or national records committee as relevant.
Day to day observations, including of nest sites, flocks of birds and species of local interest, should be collated in the Annual Record Form and sent to Eddie as an email attachment following each calendar year. Receiving these by the end of January is ideal as an early start can then be made on compiling the annual report.
PLEASE NOTE
Please could we ask that detailed locational information that may lead to the disturbance of the nest sites of species listed under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981) is omitted from any posts. This may otherwise lead to an offence being committed.
Schedule 1 species that regularly breed in the recording area are Dartford warbler, chough, honey buzzard, crossbill, goshawk, kingfisher, hobby, red kite, barn owl, peregrine, little ringed plover and Cetti’s warbler.
Male Hen Harrier hunting over the marshes at Crofty this afternoon together with the usual gulls (Herring, BH, LBB) and waders (Oystercatcher, Curlew, Redshank). Brent Geese and Shelduck also on the estuary. Plenty of Reed Buntings about too.
Caught up with the port Talbot waxwings this morning thanks to Rob Jones for the heads up ,and Colin for pointing them out to
Me
Dartford Warbler between Rotherslade and Limeslade this morning.
A pair of Red Kites doing what looked very like courtship flight over our house in Bishopston just now.
I caught a second Bohemian Waxwing of the winter in my garden on Pennard Cliffs this morning. It was a young female bird again just like the one captured here in late November
Tawe Riverbank up to Ffendrod. 2 Goosander on the river. Siskins and Long Tailed Tits above. Some very noisy Goldcrests singing. On the Lake, 1 Great Crested Grebe, also a pair of Little Grebes.
My informant Margaret Thrush reports 18 little egrets on the field immediately east of Espalone Farm in Murton Lane. This morning there were three there.
Hi Peter.. I check this field almost daily.. maximum I’ve seen is 5.. but there are always loads of herring gulls..
Yesterday afternoon at Port Eynon Ringed Plover 23, Turnstone 13, Curlew 2, GC Grebe 2, Purple Sandpiper 6. I’ve got details of one of the colour-ringed Oystercatchers that were Blackpill the other day- Oystercatcher sightings Color rings: ON-W(KC) Sex: Ringnumber: 457201 Age when ringed: Adult Project management: Project started summer 2013. Adult caught Tómas G. Gunnarsson, Böðvar Þórisson, on a nest and chicks almost fledged. Veronica Mendez Aragon and José Alves, South Iceland Research Centre, University of Iceland Date time 21.5.2023 11:14 Location Iceland,S-Ice,Árn.,Ölfus,Egilsstaðir 63.9429N -21.177W Date time 21.6.2023 15:57 Location Iceland,S-Ice,Árn.,Ölfus,Egilsstaðir 63.9429N -21.177W Date 21.2.24 Observer Paul Larkin Location… Read more »
THIS WEEK’S TALK ON REINTRODUCTION OF EAGLES TO WALES HAS HAD TO BE POSTPONED DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN A NEW DATE HAS BEEN ARRRNGED.
Blackpill on the HT this afternoon.
GC Grebe 6, Knot 15, Bar t Godwit 18, Dunlin 3. A very disappointing gull roost with only about 50 present, a mere shadow of its former self. Due to the lack of landfills now?
Amongst the many Oystercatcher two colour ringed birds, one probably ringed in Iceland, the other a bit of a mystery. When, if, I get any info on the birds I will post it here.
First time out after accident, I paid a brief visit to the Brunel outer basin dock to the river Neath .13 BH Gulls (winter plumage) . 3 Redshank. 2 Egret..It was low tide 12.30 midday. Blk backed gulls, Lesser Blk backed gulls . 2 Oyster Catchers . 1 Cormorant on the other side of the river.
Yesterday Baldwins beach and the mouth of Neath River, 80 Dunlin, 38 Common Plover, Oystercatchers, Turnstones and various gulls including Herring , Black headed and Lesser black backed.
What’s a common plover please? Ringed? Green?
Ringed Alun
Yesterday.
South of Loughor Bridge
GC Grebe 2, G W Egret 1, Spoonbill 10
Oxwich Bay @ HT
Common Scoter 450, the flock being constantly harassed by HGs, GC Grebe 8, Teal 22. A tight flock just sitting on the water. I noticed that the NNR has been clearing the reeds from the open water so maybe they were disturbed from there.
One hour after high tide at Blackpill today and there were 85 Dunlin, 250 Oystercatcher, 10 Curlew and a Grey Plover.
This afternoon
Llandimore
Shelduck 61, Ruddy Shelduck 1 drake, Pied Wagtail 16, Wigeon 36.
Llanrhidian Marsh
Teal 222, Redshank 22, Lapwing 53, GW Egret 3, Green Sandpiper 1, Pied Wagtail 9
Oxwich Marsh: the siskin are back. 42 caught this morning, including one initially ringed in 2017.
This afternoon in the rain
Penclawdd
Greenshank 2
Dalton’s Point
Bl t Godwit 23, Bar t Godwit 4
Crofty/Wernffrwd Marsh
Brent 336, Spoonbill 4
At the fourth attempt, I finally caught up with the pallid harrier at Llanrhidian Marsh this afternoon. Also male and ringtail hen harrier, marsh harrier, merlin.
Seawatch – Blackpill
Amongst large flock of Oyster Catcher, 15 Bar Tailed Godwits, 5 Knot, 5 Common Gull and usual Gulls
A summary of the achievements of the Swansea Swift Project in 2023, written by Josh Greatorex-Davies is now on the relevant page of the website. See: https://www.gowerbirds.org.uk/saving-swanseas-swifts/
Apologies – another advert I’m afraid. Please delete if not appropriate.
Opticron MM4 60 ED angled scope with SDL V2 eyepiece and stay-on case for sale. No discernable scratches on bodywork or lenses. Would suit a birder wanting a budget first scope or someone wanting a small, light travel scope. £400. These normally go for about £800 new and £480 used.
I should have added contact details! Phone or whatsapp 07968 838152
A Little Egret on Langland Bay foreshore this afternoon and a pair of Ravens flying overhead.
A couple of snaps from Llanridian yesterday. Is this my first ever Merlin spotted? Is this the Pallid or is it the Hen harrier again?
Saw a Male Hen Harrier quartering near Upper Lliw reservoir but pics were rubbish as I was driving.
Hi Jordan.
Yes, that’s a Merlin and the Pallid Harrier!
Here is the shot at the car park.