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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.
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.