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.
A Peregrine at Crofty Marsh this morning.
ace pics
Cheers Ed.
I saw it the day before on the marsh south of Lougher Castle.
The Pink Footed Goose was also still with 85 Greylags off Crofty/ Wernnfrrd. Much closer in – early morning
At Overton Sewage works a Firecrest was showing on the beds just 4m away every 30mins or so ( see video attached) a 2nd was near the gate to the beach. Also a Siberian Chiffchaff was initially on the bushes behind the beds before coming much closer on the beds. Also 4 Chiffchaff here. Up to 5 Goldcrest on the closest bed at the same time with the Firecrest. Both FC were un-ringed. At Berry lane just 5 Med Gulls and also 25 Golden plover At Salthouse Point – 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Barnacle Goose in with 405 Dark Bellied… Read more »
The Pallid Harrier gave very good views for myself and Alistair Flanagan at Dalton’s Point this morning. Also saw 3 Jack Snipe and Spotted Redshank at Penclawdd.
42 curlew, 15 oystercatcher, 4 common gull and 2 mistle thrush on Ashleigh Road playing fields at 10.45am today. Then 15 starling, 3 oystercatcher and a solitary fieldfare on the Footgolf course. Followed by c.600 oystercatcher, 4 ringed plover and a redshank at Blackpill
Gnoll park this pm, (26).
52 black h gulls,14 tufteds, 15 + mallard,2 adult mute swans with 1 juv,2 grey wagtails,8 chaffinch,4 house sparrows,2 pied wagtails, woodpigeons,magpie ,coots,and morhens.
Nice views of water vole in amongst reeds just in front of hide at oxwich marsh- water rails squealing too
This morning at Dalton’s Point there was a Ruff roosting alongside 349 Redshank, 4 Greenshank, 2 Dunlin and 1 Common Sandpiper.
At Crofty there was a large mixed flock of geese feeding on the saltmarsh including 1 Pink-footed, 1 Barnacle, 278 Brent, 5 Canada and 98 Greylag Geese.
6 European Whitefronted Geese flew down the Loughor estuary this morning, viewed from Loughor foreshore (Glan-y-mor Park).
Red kite just soaring over Tycoch. Not often seen overhead here.
Female MH hunting again over Llanrhidian Marsh today at near dusk
Firecrest, Southward Lane, Langland. Bird recaptured that was initially ringed in late November. Indicates overwintering.
The female MH is still hunting over Llanrhidian Marsh now. On the Green beyond the reeds straight out from Llanrhidian there is 500+ Lapwing
Female Marsh Harrier today over the marsh between Crofty and Penclawdd
Chough flying over Mumbles Market, 9.30 yesterday
13th December:
Crofty: good numbers of Pintail and Shoveler with c200 of each, smaller numbers of Wigeon and Teal, c50 Curlew, at least 172 Brent Geese, and also 2 Green Sandpipers, c40 Linnets and 6 Reed Buntings.
Llanrhidian at dusk: 1 Pallid, 1 Marsh and 3 Hen Harriers (1 male, 2 ringtail), 1 Red Kite, 1 Kestrel. Was great to have a decent view of the Pallid and a ringtail Hen Harrier at the same time in the scope for comparison. Also 3 Snipe flying over after dark.
11th Dec two red kites over Britton ferry a.m.
Duffryn pond mid afternoon 14 long tailed tits great,blue, and coal tits,blackbirds ,song thrush,nuthatch,wood pigeon,grey wagtail,carrion crow and chaffinch.
Llanrhidian marsh this afternoon: Marsh and Pallid Harriers.
Great Northern Diver seen in Bracelet Bay this afternoon and then later from Knab Rock.
Scops Owl, Dunvant Park (Mon eve)
Map
Some photos of the beautiful Eurasian Scops Owl found that had been discovered in a suburban park in Killay last evening. A very unexpected species to have appeared here particularly in December! Pics by Megan Nicklin
As we approach Christmas, please do consider whether a friend or relation might welcome the gift of GOS membership. It remains £12 for a single and £15 for a joint membership, and in addition to Gower Birds you get regular email updates about the wide range of events we put on as well as the knowledge that you are supporting data collection in the interests of recording and conserving birds in the area. See: https://www.gowerbirds.org.uk/members/
A Mistle Thrush on the old Llanmorlais Railway Line this afternoon.
Very pleasing to see a small mixed flock of 4 greenfinches and 3 chaffinches in the garden at Ashleigh Road at midday today.