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 Cettiās warbler.
Pair of Redstarts and Wood Warbler Pontneddfechan, near Gunpowder Works. Also Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Bullfinch, Dipper, Grey Wagtail. A number of Brimstone and a male Orange Tip butterfly.
A good day of raptors. Started with a chance Merlin in Upper Killay and ended with an Osprey at Usk Reservoir, which we also saw dive unsuccessfully for a fish, with plenty of Buzzards and Kites in between, and a female and male Sparrowhawk as well. And some Hares in the fields by the reservoir.
An early fledgling robin in my garden this morning, being fed by both parents.
This afternoon
Broughton Bay
Sandwich Tern flocks of 13 and 5 heading out of the Burry
Gannet 3
Common Scoter 31
Swallow 2
Rook, 39 occupied nests in rookery near Broughton Farm
Llangenith Moors and Rhossili Bay
Manx Shearwater 10 heading west
RT Diver 2 east across the bay
Arctic Skua 1 heading into the Burry
Whitethroat 1
Still lots of Black-tailed Godwits around, I guess waiting for the NW winds to ease, with 593 between Penclawdd and Loughor Bridge this evening. Also 584 Oysrercatcher, 36 Knot, 26 Whimbrel, 12 Curlew, 3 Grey Plover, 3 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Barwit and a Curlew Sandpiper. The long staying Little Gull was still in the same area.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/csm1XRg7qgj7Sk8E9
A reminder to everyone that Sophie Lee-Williams will be talking to GOS tomorrow evening about white-tailed eagle reintroduction to Wales. Face-to-face event in Sketty.
More information here: https://www.gowerbirds.org.uk/event/reintroduction-of-the-white-tailed-eagle-to-wales/
Haven’t seen for myself but there has/are 2 male Golden Orioles in Cwm Ivy woods in the last couple od days. Iv’e seen the pics, very smart.
Grasshopper warbler reeling at Crymlyn Bog this morning. Also reed warbler, sedge warbler, whitethroat.
This afternoon
Oxwich Bay
Common Scoter 133 out towards Pwlldu
Curlew 9, four on the foreshore and 5 in off inland
Sanderling 11
GC Grebe 1
RT Diver 1 in bp
Salthouse Point on the run up
Very few waders
Oystercatcher 614
Grey Plover 4 in nbp
Dunlin 1 in bp
Whimbrel 3
Curlew 1
Pair of Pied Flycatcher calling and feeding near Sgwd Gladys, Pontneddfechan. Appeared to be nesting in tree hollow.
On a morning walk today in Crynant Forest, SN7903/04, I had my first Tree pipit of the year display flighting in some clear fell . Also noted were Willow warblers, Chiff chaffs and Blackcaps as well as Robin, Blackbird, Song thrush, Chaffinch, Wrens , Blue and Great tits.
Just pulled in to Turpins Point and had a cracking view of the Whimbel, it was probing the mud right up to the road.
Where is Turpins Point please
Sorry I meant Daltons, brains going!
Dear All We are now in the breeding season. For Schedule 1 species at risk of disturbance at the nest, we need to ensure that any sightings do not provide information that may lead to their disturbance. This includes cliff-nesting species such as Dartford warbler and chough which have been targeted by photographers (some of whom have used tape lures) in recent years, and species expanding their range / becoming locally commoner in some parts of the recording area such as red kite and goshawk. Please be aware of this in your posting. A list of Schedule 1 species that… Read more »