Gower Wildlife

Peek-a-berus

2012-02-18T21:02:00.003Z

My first adder (Vipera berus)of the year, seen today on Gower.

A male in an unusual spot.

Great Crested Grebe v Pike

2012-02-17T22:28:00.002Z

Mike Clark wrote:
'The Pike went down three times, but it would not go round the second bend!!, the last photo shows as far as it will go, I think the pike lived. Not a photo for Anglers to see' ... I'm sure they will appreciate it just as must as you or me ;) (photos (c) M. Clark

Beached Bird Survey 2012

2012-02-17T11:14:00.003Z

The annual Beached Bird Survey takes place over the weekend of 25th and 26th February. I still have a few stretches of beach around Gower for which I need someone to undertake the survey.

This national survey basically involves walking an allocated stretch of beach, 1-2 hours after high tide, to check for any dead seabirds and to report any oiling, either on the birds or the beach itself.

The survey can be conducted on the above weekend or a week either side of these dates.

If you would like to take part in this survey the following stretches of beach on the Gower are still available:

1. Swansea Bay - Blackpill to the West Pier by Swansea docks (avoid the 3rd & 4th March due to the bike race)
2. Shirecombe to Great Tor (Threecliff Bay and Pobbles Beach)
3. Oxwich Point to Port Eynon Point (The Sands and Port Eynon Beach)
4. Kitchen Corner to Burry Holms (Rhossili Beach)
5. Cwm Ivy Tor to the Whiteford Hide (Whiteford Sands and Berges Island)

If you would like to volunteer or require further information please feel free to contact me on 01792-537439 or by e-mail: alastair.flannagan@ntlworld.com.

Thanks
Alastair Flannagan

Parc Slip

2012-02-13T08:56:00.000Z

Two interesting photographs from Mike Clark:

The long-staying Iceland Gull that has been hanging around the old converted chapel at Parc Slip over the last two weeks, and below, the perfectly preserved skull of a Treecreeper that he found recently.

Crossbill season

2012-02-13T08:41:00.002Z

Paul Tyrrell wrote: '...the pick of the bunch was this male Crossbill seen at Whiteford. This single male was seen in the second large block of conifers on the way too the point, no other Crossbills were seen.'

While Crossbills are scarce in the lowlands, our upland conifer plantations seem to be supporting a booming Crossbill population, which of course are now breeding.

Black Redstart at BP Baglan

2012-02-09T22:34:00.001Z

male Black Redstart

A quick sortie around Baglan Bay this morning was rewarded with this very fine Black Redstart. I've seen about 7 female types over the last few years so I've been hoping, waiting expectantly, for a male bird for a while. It was worth the wait although the video grab doesn't do the bird justice the video below should be better? Otherwise around the bay Great Crested Grebes up to 96, with 33 off Aberavon and 63 off Crymlyn. 2 Red-throated Divers also showing distantly but 2 Harbour Porpoise were not far from shore just after the high tide around 08:00. A very brief stop at the Neath Abbey roundabout on the way back was rewarded with a decent number of Greylag Geese totalling 14.

Black Redstart video

Rodenticides and local wildlife

2012-02-05T19:27:00.001Z

Simon Allen of the Gower Bird Hospital wrote: ‘In July 2011we were called out to a Red Kite near Gowerton, reported as being caught up ina tree by its wing tags. When we arrived the bird had fallen from the tree andwas moribund. It was a young male, oneof two kites hatched on Gower peninsula that year. Examination of the bird revealedno signs of trauma around the patagia of the wings, so entanglement wasunlikely. It appeared in good physical condition weighing in at 849g, so was sentoff for toxicology tests under the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS).The results stated the cause of death as a ruptured liver due to trauma.Background testing for rodenticides (anticoagulants) demonstrated that the birdhad three second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) in its liver, thesebeing:

Difenacoum (0.16mg/kg):The first second generation anticoagulant to beintroduced in 1974.

Bromadiolone(0.016mg/kg): A second generation anticoagulant. One important attributeappears to be that it does not markedly reduce the palatability of baits incontrast to other anticoagulants.

Brodifacoum(0.002mg/kg): One of the most potentsecond generation anticoagulants introduced commercially in 1979. A lethal dosecan be ingested after one feed. This product is licensed for indoor use only.

Rodents have developed resistance to the first generation ofanticoagulant rodenticides (FGARs) such as warfarin, so new chemicals have beendeveloped. Both FGARs and SGARs work inthe same way, by preventing blood from clotting and thereby inducing haemorrhaging,but their toxicity is very different. FGARs are described as short-acting, theystay in the body for a relatively short time and often require multiple dosesto exert their toxic effects. SGARs only require a single dose to causeclinical signs of haemorrhage and they stay in the body much longer than FGARs,increasing the chance of secondary poisoning. Most cases of toxicosis ofnon-target species involve SGARs

Although cause of death of the kite was recorded as trauma,the report suggested that the residual rodenticides would have exacerbated theinjury where otherwise the bird may have recovered (although the bird may havebeen already weakened by the poison which resulted in the fall and consequenttrauma).

Rodenticides may also have a non-lethal effect on apopulation, affecting their ability to hunt and breed successfully. A study onthe effects of rodenticides on a great bustard population in Spain demonstrateda link to increased pathogen and parasite burdens in birds exposed torodenticides.

It’s not just the top predators such as raptors andmustelids that are being affected. Gower Bird Hospital supplied 20 hedgehogsthat had died to a survey for anticoagulants as part of a PhD study by ClaireV. Dowding at Bristol University. 85% of the 20 hedgehogs had rodenticideresidues in their livers, 15% had the same profile as the red kite i.e. threeresidual SGARs in their livers. The hedgehogs came from a wide geographicalarea across South West Wales.

Just like the link between insecticides and parasitosis in bees, the effects of rodenticides on avianand mammal health and fecundity are real and happening now outside your backdoor.’

Grey day at Bluepool

2012-02-04T21:11:00.002Z

Bluepool Corner

The walk along the coast past Bluepool Corner was relatively sheltered from the bitter south-easterly wind this morning and even though the threat of snow eventually materialised as rain the ground was still frozen solid! Birds were relatively thin on the ground, but two Short-eared Owls flushed from an area of Bracken made up for this, with other noteworthy sightings including 13 Fulmars on the cliffs (with 9 of these on the cliffs shown above), a Great Northern Diver on the sea and a flock of Dark-bellied Brents feeding on the beach below Twlc Point.

Neil lookingalmost monastic in the remains of
The Church of St Cenydd on Burry Holms

Very little was seen on-and-from Burry Holms the pick being a few Common Scoter, a Red-throated Diver and a lone Harbour Porpoise. When leaving I collected a few moss samples from the remains of The Church of St Cenydd and we couldn't help wondering what life must have been like for the monk that lived there and what sights he must have seen! A little botanical interest was provided here by the small rosettes of Sea Stork's-bill (Erodium maritimum) growing on the wall tops. The morning was rounded off with two confiding Choughs feeding in the car park at Broughton following a swift walk back to beat the rain, bumping into Chris Brewer on the way.

Pesticides blamed for bee decline

2012-01-30T09:04:00.004Z

There was a very interesting article in this Sunday's Independant, this excerpt gives a flavour '...Researchers found that bees deliberately exposed to minute amounts of the pesticide were, on average, three times as likely to become infected when exposed to a parasite called nosema as those that had not. The findings, which have taken more than three years to be published, add weight to concern that a new group of insecticides called neonicotinoids are behind a worldwide decline in honey bees, along with habitat and food loss, by making them more susceptible to disease....'
Clearly it's not just bees that are being affected!
Click here to read the full article.

Deer at Whiteford

2012-01-29T16:58:00.001Z

[length 55mm] (c) R. Colley

Rob Colley wrote: 'This Whiteford-resident fossil was picked out of a recently-exposed peat slab on the beach at Whiteford point. Cardiff Museum Palaeontology Dept. have identified it as “the lower jaw back (or second) molar of a deer (possibly Red deer), deposited between 3000-11000 yrs ago. These (peat) beds built up in the low lying marshy ground behind coastal dunes… when … sea level was up to 25m lower than today.”

Maybe not all change down there can be attributed to sheep and quad bikes?'

Iolo talk

2012-01-28T19:09:00.000Z

Iolo Williams is a Patron of Gower Bird Hospital and we are delighted that he has agreed to do another illustrated talk to raise funds for the Hospital. The talk is called “Wales – From Mountaintop to Sea” and will be on Wednesday 1st February 2012 at 7.30pm at The Grove Lecture Theatre, Singleton Campus Swansea University. Admission is by advance ticket only, tickets are £10 each and all funds raised will go towards the running costs of Gower Bird Hospital.

This is a very popular event and there are still some tickets available for purchase at the bird hospital reception on Sandy Lane. Tel: 01792 371630.

Neath Canal Bridge

2012-01-27T18:26:00.002Z

A total of 17 mosses and 17 vascular plants were noted growing directly on the stonework of the canal bridge downstream of the lock at Crugau yesterday. There was nothing particularly rare or unusual about this assemblage, but I always find it remarkable what can be found once you start looking...

The neat domes of Grey-cushioned Grimmia (Grimmia pulvinata) were noted growing with more sprawling mats of Thickpoint Grimmia (Schistidium crassipilum) on the top of the bridge parapets. Capsules of Clustered Feather-moss (Rhynchostegium confertum) growing on the wall sides were immersed in water droplets creating an interesting effect and Verdigris Tufa-moss (Gymnostomum aeruginosum) was noted growing along the mortar lines.

Enjoying these patches of winter green was a Two-toothed Door Snail (Clausilia bidentata).

Early Bombus hypnorum

2012-01-27T15:36:00.000Z

I noticed a Bumblebee on the patio this morning, it was pretty messed up after a heavy downpour. Clearly a recent emerged Bumblebee that may have been caught out by last night's cooler temps? When I went to pick it up I noticed a small amount of movement in its legs. I'm not sure where I got this info from, maybe read it somewhere or Nigel Ajax-Lewis told me, but you can give Bumblebees a much needed energy boost by letting them feed from honey?

The Bumblebee was put on a bit of kitchen towel with a small amount of honey, covered with a plastic tray and placed on the windowsill which gets the morning sun. About 90mins later it was ready to go. The top photo, taken by Charles Hipkin, shows it not long after release in tip-top condition.
On a more serious note it wasn't that long ago that Bombus hypnorum was first recorded in Glamorgan, less than two years ago I think, but the early emergence and long flying season is allowing this Bumblebee to spread like wildfire across British Isles and is sure to be one of our most common Bumblebees in years to come. I like them, not least because they're distinctive among other Bumblebee species!!

RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch

2012-01-27T14:48:00.000Z

It's that time again. The BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH is here again. A very valuable exercise to help keep track on the the status of our commoner birds. If you'd like to take part and haven't before you can find out more on the link below. Good luck!

Big Garden Birdwatch homepage

Gower Ornithological Society indoor meeting

2012-01-25T19:55:00.001Z

Jeremy Douglas-Jones wrote:
This Friday, 27th January it is time for the Society's annual Margaret Price Memorial Quiz. It will be held, as usual, at the Environment Centre, Pier Street, Swansea starting at 7.30pm. This year the quiz will be presented by last year's winner: Chris Brewer, so at least the tough competition will not be up against you! This is a great, fun evening and a great way to test your birding knowledge.
Admission is the usual £1.00 each so do come and join in.
JeremyGowerbirds@gmail.com
07770 986791
01792 551331

Frog spawn: First dates table

2012-01-25T08:48:00.000Z

Last nights mild and wet conditions seems to have sparked some more amphibian activity, resulting in 5 clumps of spawn being laid in our Gorseinon garden last night.

4th Jan Carn Glas Road, Swansea, Siriol Jones
7th Jan: Clydach, Swansea, Andrew Lucas (poss a few days old)
25th Jan: Gorseinon, Barry& Sandra Stewart
25th Jan: North side of Cefn Bryn, Mark Barber
26th Jan: Swansea Community Farm, Fforest Fach, Mark Barber

Penrice Wood

2012-01-21T21:15:00.003Z

A selection of ferns, mosses & liverworts found growing on a Limestone outcrop in the wood at Penrice today:

Rambling Tail-moss (Anomodon viticulosus)
locally abundant on Limestone rocks and walls around Gower

MacKay's Pouncewort (Marchesinia mackaii)
scarce in Glamorgan, but a good population at Penrice

Wall Scalewort (Porella platyphylla)
frequent on Limestone rocks and walls around Gower

Southern Polypody (Polypodium cambricum)
growing from Rambling Tail-moss
scarce in Glamorgan, on walls and more rarely trees

Local scenes

2012-01-20T20:22:00.000Z

There's been a fair bit of action around our shores recently and I've been trying to capture a bit of it on film, in a bid to catch up in one go I've grouped three videos together in this post. Two are from Oxwich and one from Aberavon. I've tried to capture the variety of action at Oxwich in the first link and the next two concentrate on the Iceland Gulls at Oxwich and the bottom link shows an Iceland Gull at Jackstones Pier, Aberavon. As Barry has mentioned below the action at Oxwich seems to have dried up and to my knowledge the featured Iceland Gulls have moved on. All the same it was great while it lasted and there will be a few more Iceland Gulls found before the winter is out I'm sure!

General scene at Oxwich Bay 29th December 2011

Iceland Gulls at Oxwich Bay

Iceland Gull at Aberavon

Volunteers for Bird Surveys

2012-01-20T00:09:00.000Z

An interesting community project going on at Glantawe Riverside Park, Ynysmeudwy which is being coordinated by Roger Dutton. If you're interested I'm sure Roger will be delighted to see you. Details are found on the the photo which should enlarge when you click it.

Whooper Swans on Broad Pool

2012-01-19T11:04:00.002Z

Philip Croft wrote: 'On Tuesday morning [17th], about 9am, I was driving past Broad Pool. I saw swans on it (which is unusual, anyway), assumed they were Mute, then glanced sideways and saw the bill pattern on one; it was a Whooper. I reversed back and had a good look; there were six Whooper Swans and four Mute Swans on the pool. For 18 years I drove past Broad Pool twice a day and never saw Whooper Swans on it, so this is pretty unusual.'
It appears the small group of Mute Swans that has been present for the last week or so may have attracted the Whoopers to land on the pool.

Iceland Gulls in Oxwich Bay

2012-01-18T22:47:00.000Z

The feeding bonanza in Oxwich Bay appears to peter out at the end of last week. Among the feeding masses, the highligh was probably the appearance of four Iceland Gulls, each being in a different age class, these being:

1st winter plumage : 28th Dec - 8th Jan

2nd winterplumage : 28th Dec - 7th Jan

3rd winter plumage: 7th-8th Jan

Adult winter plumage : 7th Jan

Although birds have now dispersed, it's quite possible these and other Iceland Gulls will turn up at other sites such as Blackpill, Whiteford or in the Burry Inlet. Another 1st winter bird has also been seen at Aberavon, so 2012 could turn out to be a bumper year for this normally scarce Arctic gull.

2nd winter Iceland Gull 30th Dec.
for non-birders, it's the 'white-winged' gull in front.

Baglan Energy Park mosses

2012-01-18T18:26:00.000Z

Cladonia sp.

Yesterday I took a walk over the site where Charles and Hilary Hipkin found Wall Bedstraw (Galium parisiense) last year see here. It was still evident mid-winter, with patches of new growth even sporting a few flowers. However, Cladonia lichens and a variety of mosses were the most prominent feature of this seemingly barren area of slag, Megapolitan Feather-moss and Kneiff's Hook-moss being species of note.

Megapolitan Feather-moss (Rhynchostegium megapolitanum)

Kneiff's Hook-moss (Drepanocladus aduncus)

The commonest species in this areawas Lesser Bird's-claw Beard-moss, that formed extensive patches some of which were producing capsules on long yellow stalks.

Lesser Bird's-claw Beard-moss (Barbula convoluta var. convoluta)

Bob's funeral

2012-01-18T15:49:00.002Z

To be held at 11:30am, Friday 27th January at Pantygwydr Church, Uplands, Swansea, then 1:30pm at Llanelli Crematorium. Refreshments at Pantygwydr Church after the service.

Bob Rigdon

2012-01-16T10:02:00.000Z

Bob, Dean and myself in the Nitten Field last autumn
(c) Gordon Howe

I regret passing on the very sad news that my good friend BobRigdon passed away last night. Bob was diagnosed with lung cancer last year, yetdespite his worsening health, always managed a smile and a laugh whenever I sawhim. He was a true gentleman, modest and polite, but always cheery and a littlebit cheeky whenever we were out ringing, no matter how early the hour! Bob lovedexploring Gower and had great appreciation and affection for its wildlife andscenery. A devoted family man, our thoughts are with his wife Trish and their familyat this very sad time.

Otter in Neath

2012-01-16T09:30:00.000Z

I was delighted to find an Otter using the Neath River not far from where I often go to check out what's present around the Neath Saltmarsh. The photo is a still from a video which is much better and can be found following the link below. The Neath Abbey salt marsh is a very valuable natural resource right in the heart of Neath. In the last 16 months it has produced some nice records such as Pink-footed Goose, Spoonbills, Ospreys and this Otter.

Otter video

Tree Sparrow update

2012-01-16T09:00:00.000Z

Andrew Lucas wrote: 'Barry Weston and I visited the Newton Farm tree sparrow site at first light on Sunday morning. After about 20 minutes a single tree sparrow turned up and fed ravenously, until a pass by a sparrowhawk caused the birds to dive into nearby cover. Matt Hunter also visited later in the day, and saw the tree sparrow, and two passes by separate sparrowhawks. Let's hope our tree sparrow has its wits about it!

Afterwards, we split up, with Barry covering the farmland to the east, whilst I walked west to the feeding site at Kimley Moor. There was a flock of 20+ chaffinches at Kimley Moor, and a larger flock of about 50, along with a few house sparrows, just outside Scurlage. However, the general 'birdlessness' of much of the farmland was a concern. Sheep grazing or autumn-sown cereals seem to be the dominant land use, with few arable fields with weedy edges that farmland species might favour.

East of Scurlage looks like a better bet, with several large ploughed fields that might be worth a try. We hope to take a look at these over the coming weeks.'

Fish in Oxwich Bay

2012-01-13T23:01:00.000Z

A fisherman showed us this fish that he found washed up on Oxwich Beach at low tide this afternoon, which he identified as a Pilchard (Sardina pilchardus). I'm no fish expert, but it does look very much like the slender-bodied illustration of a Pilchard in my Collins Pocket Guide to Fish of Britain and Europe, said to grow to 28cm. Whilst the Gannets, Shags and Cormorants and Grey Seals would easily take fish of this size, clearly birds such as the Kittiwake, Razorbill and even the larger gulls clearly were feeding on smaller fish than this. - another species or do Pilchards appear in a range of size classes?

Sunsets

2012-01-13T22:02:00.004Z

After not seeing much of the sun since before Christmas, it's been nice to have the opportunity to be out and about around sunset the last two days. Images, as they came out of the camera, give a good impression of the light each evening:

...after feeding the swans at Sandy Water Park last night.

Arthur's Stone this evening.

The only moss I could find in the gloom on the stone itself were a few small cushions of Common Pincushion (Dicranoweisia cirrata), although the lichen flora, which I know nothing about, looked more promising.

Crimson Speckled in Horton

2012-01-13T21:19:00.000Z

Caroline Careless of Malvern, Worcs sent me four prints of a specimen of the Crimson Speckled that she photographed whilst on holiday in Horton on 14th October last year, providing proof of the first modern record of this rare migrant moth in Glamorgan. Caroline wrote '...I was walking back up to the camp-site...when I stopped to rest on the bench on the right hand side of the road. The moth showed up clearly against the dark wood of the bench seat and fluttered up onto the nearby wall before labouring its way across the road onto a high stone garden wall...where the photographs were taken...'

Firecrest

2012-01-10T09:12:00.000Z

I've not heard of many Firecrests this winter, though thankfully Goldcrests seem to be in good supply after being very scarce the previous two winters.

Firecrest (c) Wayne Davies

This jewel of a bird has been present at Kidwelly sewage works for a few weeks and seems fairly reliable along with the long-staying Long-billed Dowitcher, which is usually north of the quay. In fact the best placed to look for the Dowitcher is on the bend just above the railway bridge, looking from the riverside path at Glan-yr-afon Park ~SN400068. Many thanks to Wayne for this cracking photo.

Fleabane Tortoise Beetle at Leason Wood

2012-01-06T19:15:00.000Z

Fleabane Tortoise Beetle (Cassida murraea)

Beetle found in lightly flushed limestone grassland along with range of interesting mosses including erect shoots of Lindberg's Plait-moss (Calliergonella lindbergii).

Oxwich Bird Hide and shooting

2012-01-06T10:21:00.001Z

I have been informed that CCW are aware of the complaints regarding shooting in the area around the hide and have been in contact with the relevant parties. An agreement is in place that any further shooting activity will be notified via a sign at the hide and on the main road gate. Unless otherwise notified the hide is open to the public.

Frog Spawn

2012-01-06T10:19:00.001Z

Siriol Jones reported the first Frog spawn at Carn Glas Road, Swansea on 4th January. If anyone can beat that we'd love to hear from you.

This message may be of interest to spawn-spotters like Siriol and myself:

Dear all
A Happy New Year from all at Pond Conservation
Have you seen frog or toad spawn in your garden pond? Then join in with our Big Spawn Count, so that we can find out more about the breeding success of our frogs and toads in garden ponds nationally.
The Big Pond Dip and Thaw surveys have given us a lot of new information about garden ponds. Now we are working with our colleagues at Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) and Amphibian and Reptile Groups of UK (ARGUK) to find out more about the numbers of frogs breeding in garden ponds.
We are also keen to find out more about our common toad. Although, toads are less associated with garden ponds – there is some indication that the use of gardens is becoming more frequent due to loss of traditional breeding habitat. This is something we would like to find out more about.
You can take part in our Big Spawn Count by going to your pond and counting the number of spawn clumps present. For more information about this, and to enter your results online go to our Big Spawn Count pages.
http://www.pondconservation.org.uk/bigponddip/BigSpawncount
with best regards
Angela JulianSupporters' Scheme Manager

Kittiwakes and other seabirds

2012-01-03T21:59:00.000Z

I spent most of the morning waiting for the rain to pass and hoping that the weather forecasters had got it right! They had and I was able to spend the afternoon sheltering from the wind watching the seabird action in Oxwich Bay. I was a bit like a kid in a sweet shop and didn't know where to look next!
I urge anyone who hasn't yet been to see the action to go do down and fill your boots. A telescope would certainly help obtaining better views of some of the action but even without one, if you go along the path to Oxwich Point and look out from near the Church the Kittiwakes (shown above) are energising the area right in front of you. Cormorants in good numbers, Shags, Razorbills, Guillemots and Gannets can been watched from here, as well as some Grey Seals. The Gull numbers are in their thousands and an immature Iceland Gull is often on view from here among them. The photos and descriptions don't do this spectacle justice and you need to see it with your own eyes. With strong westerly winds in the forecast until the weekend I would say it is unlikely that numbers will drop dramatically before then but it might not last for weeks? If you get a chance go down soon, go you won't be disappointed! I'm going again tomorrow.....

Sunshine!

2012-01-02T23:30:00.000Z

Dai Roberts wrote: 'For many years I have considered Oxwich as more of a butterfly or wildflower zone. Bird life has been less of an attraction, but in the last two weeks it has gone wild! "The Gulls" have swarmed in, plus shag, cormorant, razorbill, divers etc, even seals and the occasional porpoise. Still my Sanderling have not been scared off! The kittiwakes were enjoying the sunshine today.' All photos (c) D. Roberts.

Kittiwake first winter

Kittiwake adult winter

Burry Weather

2012-01-02T21:32:00.001Z

At Wernffrwd this evening a Short-eared Owl came out to hunt as two Great White Egrets, 32 Little Egrets and two Hen Harriers went to roost. Nice light between the showers.

Oystercathers off Dalton's Point

Rainbow over Crofty from Wernffrwd

Tree Sparrow Project:Newton Farm

2012-01-02T19:10:00.005Z

Few "record" shots of a single Tree Sparrow using the feeders with House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Blue Tits and Robins taken during a visit this pm by myself and Peter Morgan. Worryingly a Sparrowhawk was eyeing up the small birds and landed in the high tree behind the barn, it didn't make a kill and flew off across the fields. The feeders were 90% full.

Oxwich Bay

2012-01-01T14:22:00.000Z

Nicholaston Pill post flush!

I couldn't resist another trip down to Oxwich this morning and managed to add Glaucous Gull to the list of birds seen there in the last few weeks, a fine 1st winter bird at Nicholaston Pill. This was in a flock of 6,000 gulls (Herring and Common mostly) and 72 Cormorants at Nicholaston Pill which were flushed by the first early morning dog-walkers, most birds flying inland or out to sea. I bumped into Rob Taylor who had made some counts early on which included 62 Gannets, 207 Razorbills, 732 Kittiwakes (he saw over 900 a few days back) and 139 Shags. Also present were 2 Great Northern Divers (1 very close to the car park), a few Red-throated Divers & 7+ Grey Seals.

Nicholaston Pill mid-flush!

Seabirds in Oxwich Bay

2011-12-31T18:07:00.002Z

Gannets, Kittiwakes and gulls on 29th December (M. Hipkin)

Alan and Shirley Osbourne informed me that since moving to Oxwich in 1963 they have never seen a concentration of birds in the bay like that witnessed over the last two weeks. Alan said that birds first started gathering in the bay around the 15th December, with numbers peaking a couple of days before Christmas day. He also said that there were around five times as many birds then than during the last few days with well in excess of 10,000 birds in the bay.

Oxwich Church in very gloomy conditions on 30th December

Herring Gulls and Common Gulls have been the most abundant species, with around 4,000 of each. I counted 530 Kittiwakes on the 29th and counts on the 27th included 154 Razorbills, 170 Cormorants, 109 Shags and 38 Gannets, though I know Mark Hipkin saw over 80 on the 29th. Other miscellaneous species have included 80+ Black-headed Gulls, 43 Wigeon, 30+ Common Scoter, 30 Great Black-backed Gulls, 20+ Guillemots, 5 Teal, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Eiders and the odd Great Northern and Red-throated Divers, Mediterranean and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Scarcer species noted have included 2 Yellow-legged Gulls and 2 Iceland Gulls. Mammals have been represented by 10+ Grey Seals and 3+ Harbour Porpoise.

Kittiwakes, Shags & Herring Gulls off Oxwich Church

Iceland Gull by Oxwich Church

Llynfi Valley Blog launched

2011-12-27T20:20:00.000Z

Check out this new blog to find out what wildlife can be found in a typical South Wales Valley
http://llynfivalleynature.blogspot.com/. The site is run by Paul Parsons and Martyn Hnatiuk, two very active and experienced recorders with a wide range of wildlife interests.

Tree Sparrow at Newton

2011-12-27T20:09:00.001Z

Alun John sent me this photo of a Tree Sparrow at one of the Newton Farm feeders today, which is excellent news. Time will tell if this will be like last year's lonesome bird; but hopefully not and that others appear at the feeders over the winter. Great work Alun, I know Andrew and Barry (Weston) will be very pleased with your observation.

Sometimes it pays to do the dishes!

2011-12-24T18:07:00.003Z

View of the sparrow hedge from the kitchen sink.

This Tree Sparrow was a new bird for Uncle Doug's garden in Tycroes today, spotted along with 15 House Sparrows, 5 Bullfinches and a few Reed Buntings. A nice reward for doing the dishes!

Tree Sparrow top bird, note the chestnut cap and black cheekspot on a clean white background. Note that unlike the House Sparrow male and female Tree Sparrows look similar.

With no camera at hand other than on my phone, this was my first ever attempt at 'phone-binning', i.e. holding the phone's camera to the eyepiece of a pair of binoculars. It's not as easy as it sounds believe me!

This bird is about 10km south of the Tywi Valley, the nearest known breeding area for Tree Sparrows, so it's possible others have wandered further south. Check your bird table tomorrow and you may have an unexpected Christmas present :)

Pomarine still present.

2011-12-24T18:00:00.000Z

And what a present!! Merry Christmas.

Pomarine Skua at Whiteford

2011-12-23T21:56:00.001Z

This Pomarine Skua was seen at Whiteford by Rob Colley and Dai Roberts today. It looks very similar to a bird that was photographed at Gileston on 16th December by Steve Hinton, although difficult to say for definite. Rob and Dai also report finding a rancid carcass of a Leatherback Turtle on the beach there. All photos (c) D. Roberts.

Mid-winter Hoverfly

2011-12-22T22:24:00.001Z

An Episyrphus balteatus landed on my hand while out and about near Glynneath today. This hoverfly can be found on the wing in any month of the year and it's "friendly" nature is something that I've often found quite endearing about this species.

Gower Birds annual report for 2010

2011-12-21T13:43:00.003Z

The latest Gower Birds is now available from Jeremy Douglas-Jones at 14 Alder Way, West Cross, Swansea SA3 5PD. Price is £5 plus £1 p&p. gowerbirds@gmail.com

Great White Egrets hanging around

2011-12-21T09:44:00.003Z

Little Egret , Great White Egret and Grey Heron off Loughor Boatclub on 9th Dec (c) Phil Holden

2011 has been the best year on record for Great White Egrets in the Burry Inlet. Since the first sighting of the year on 15th July at WWT Llanelli, there's been a continuous presence in the estuary. The first bird was joined by a second that appeared on 30th August and these long-stayers have regularly been seen together at WWT and Llanrhidian saltmarsh, with occasional forays elsewhere around the Burry Inlet and Upper Loughor. A third bird appeared on 28th November, but this was highly mobile and may have been responsible for sightings further afield, such as at Neath, Brynaman and the Twyi Valley in early December. But the faithful two look set to stay the winter, so next time you see a big white egret, try and note the large yellow bill, which will confirm it as a Great White rather than Little. The latter can often appear deceptively large,especially in flight and there are approximately 100 of these scattered around the estuary.

Gower Bird Hospital Lesser Black-backed Gulls

2011-12-19T10:38:00.000Z

(Pin 1) Release site for all birds in Swansea Bay

The above map shows the emerging pattern of sightings of colour-ringed Lesser Black-backed Gulls rehabilitated at the Gower Bird Hospital in recent years. It clearly demonstrates that the migratory behaviour of birds treated at the hospital fits neatly within the normal pattern expected for this species, with winter distribution along the Atlantic coast of the Iberian peninsula and north-west Africa. The majority of birds treated at the hospital are local breeders from West Glamorgan, a proprotion of which have been fitted with a dark blue ring bearing a white 'Y'. From 2012 birds will be marked with unique rings rather a standard scheme marker, so it will be possible to produce life histories of individuals of these long-lived birds. If you see any colour-ringed gulls, you can report your sighting via the European Colour-ring Birding website at http://www.cr-birding.org/.

For more information about the excellent work carried out by the Gower Bird Hospital visit http://www.gowerbirdhospital.org.uk

Oxwich WARNING

2011-12-17T22:24:00.000Z

Not such a nice scene or experience was reported by Mark Newton and another couple visiting the bird hide at Oxwich today. Mark told me that he took provisions enough to stay in the hide all day in the hope of photographing Otters and other wildlife. His visit was soon interrupted however, by a gang of shooters who were loitering in the reeds right next to the hide and actually shot over it. Putting the fact that Oxwich is supposed to be a bird reserve aside, shooting this close to a site where the public are encouraged to visit and are effectively hidden by vegetation just seems wrong!

I will make a few enquiries, but until information is available stating when shooters are in the marsh and where they will be shooting I would suggest that it is unsafe for people to visit the bird hide. This activity is especially disappointing after all the hard work that has been put in to recreating the wetland habitats on site by CCW staff.

Pink-footed Goose at Neath saltmarsh

2011-12-17T18:25:00.001Z

Neath saltmarsh

Quite a nice scene at the Neath Abbey saltmarsh today about an hour after high tide. This Pink-footed Goose was again present having been seen earlier this month on the 4th. Rob Taylor had reported this bird in the morning on the 4th with Canada Geese at Fendrod lake before I saw it that day. It is quite possible that this individual is the same bird recorded at Ogmore for a while from the 16th October found by Paul Roberts. Whatever the case it's nice to have a "wild" Goose spend a bit of time on a local patch.

Pink-footed Goose at Neath saltmarsh

Also today a Water Pipit (first this winter) around the slurry run-off from the Cow feeding area next to the Neath Abbey roundabout. Canada Geese (52), Teal(4), Little Grebe(5), Little Egret(2), Lapwing(16), Curlew(5) and Redshank(15) complete the best of the rest. Also reasonable numbers of Gulls including at least 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Video taken during my first sighting of this bird (4.12.11) can be found on the link below

Pink-footed Goose video

Gower Tree Sparrow Project update

2011-12-09T21:48:00.001Z

Andrew Lucas wrote: "This winter, the Gower Tree Sparrow Project has restarted some feeding at two locations where tree sparrows have been seen in the not-too-distant past: Newton Farm and Kimley Moor. Local birders have been busy in recent years with Atlas work, but now that is more or less finished, thoughts have returned to finding one of Gower's most elusive passerines! Incidentally, don't take any notice of 'Gower Birds'; reports of the project's death have been greatly exaggerated.

feeders at Newton feeding station

Kimley Moor feeding station

This year, we will try single feeders at two locations - Newton Farm and Kimley Moor - with possibly more when we get them renovated. After four years, they are looking a bit tired, and several need spare parts!. Both locations are on public footpaths, and anyone is welcome to visit them. If you do visit, please report back what you see to me at a.lucas@ccw.gov.uk, even if you see nothing! If the feeders are empty, please feel free to refill them. At Kimley Moor, the seed is in a dustbin near the feeder. At Newton, the food is in a dustbin inside the barn on the left as you approach the derelict farm from the south.

The story of tree sparrow on western Gower is a perplexing one. Birds have been known to breed at Newton Farm for several years, but have disappeared recently. Nestboxes have been provided at several locations, without success (though we have boosted Gower's blue tit population!!).

This winter,we hope to relocate the birds, but to do that, we need birdwatchers out there looking. The two locations would make a very nice circular walk on western Gower. The area is well worth a look, as over the years a number of other nice birds have been seen in the area, including Merlin, Woodlark, Hen Harrier and Barn Owl. Oh yes, and Gyr Falcon!!! If you see a possible Tree Sparrow, remember the differences with house sparrow. In Tree Sparrow, the sexes are similar, the crown is chocolate brown, and the birds have characteristic dark cheek spots or 'ear muffs'.

The project has produced a newsletter for participating farms each year at Christmas, which can be found by clicking on the links below.

Don't forget that the project relies on landowner goodwill, so if you visit, please keep to the public footpaths and follow the country code. In particular, make sure that all gates are shut properly.

Finally, the project is always looking for help, so if you'd like to get involved, please let me know.

Thanks to Sean Hathaway and Mark Winder of the City and County of Swansea for their help."

Thanks

Andrew

To view the GTSP newsletters click on the following links:

2007 2008 2009 2010

Whiteford Sands

2011-12-04T23:27:00.000Z

During the GBC gield trip today we discovered a dead Seal pup on the beach at Whiteford Sands revealed by falling tide.

Veteran Juniper at Southgate

2011-12-04T20:54:00.001Z

This specimen east of Fox Hole must rank amongst the older Juniper bushes in Gower. There are another 16 plants on the ridge in the distance, but these are all much younger.

Looking west towards West Cliff

Beautiful twisted trunk of the same bush

For another veteran specimen at Foxhole Slade, Paviland see: http://goweros.blogspot.com/2010/07/mothing-at-foxhole-and-overton.html

Invasive Cotoneasters at Fox Hole, Southgate

2011-12-04T17:04:00.001Z

Wall Cotoneaster (reddish patches) and Entire-leaved Cotoneaster (green patches) smothering limestone grassland at West Cliff

Sections of the slopes below Fox Holeat Southgate have swathes of non-native Cotoneasters clothing the rockier partsof the cliffs. These are primarily Wall Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis) and Entire-leaved Cotoneaster (C. integrifolius), with a few plants of LateCotoneaster (C. lacteus) and HimalayanCotoneaster (C. simonsii). The lowgrowing species are particularly well suited to the south Gower limestonecliffs and are clearly reducing available niches for native wildlife.

Wall Cotoneaster (left) and Entire-leaved Cotoneaster (right).
Compare pointed vs shiny blunt leaves and small-shiny vs large-dull berries of the two species

One obvious example of competition forspace is on exposed cliff habitat where native prostrate form of Juniper (Juniperus communis) grows, this being avery scarce plant, thinly distributed along the South Gower coast. Severalyoung plants appear to be in the process of having their space being taken overby plants of Wall Cotoneaster. The availability of suitable germination sitesis also likely to reduce over time adding pressure on this vulnerable species.

Wall Cotoneaster spreading through Juniper

What can be done? The cost of clearingthese invasive plants is likely to be prohibitive, especially in today’seconomic climate. You can also question how effective such action would be inthe long-term as recolonisation is likely to rapid given the abundanceof plants in other part of Gower. So it looks like we might just have to acceptthis is a very successful group of alien species which look set to stay. Trying to look on the positive side at least the birds and the bees will have a feast, although this will be meagre compensation for what could be lost!

Largely unaffected cliff grassland at West Cliff, just west of Fox Hole. A Juniper bush (brightest green) can be seen in the foreground with darker patches of Wall Cotoneaster bottom right. It could be that the spread onto this more exposed aspect is constrained by climatic conditions, or that it is only starting to spread around the corner remains to be seen!

Pontrhydyfen Fungi.

2011-12-02T22:19:00.001Z

This violet fungi was growing at the base of a Spruce tree.

This large fungi was growing on trees and open ground.
Any ID help appreciated.

Great Northern Diver in Bracelet Bay

2011-12-02T07:19:00.001Z

Great Northern Diver from Bracelet Bay car park

An adult Great Northern Diver was showing at pretty close range in Bracelet Bay yesterday. It flew into the bay from the Port Talbot Docks direction just after first light and was constantly on the move flying off west and east, flying back and diving in the bay, on occasions not far from the shore and rocks. Later on, while at Crymlyn Burrows, a Great Northern Diver was watched flying from the Mumble direction and landed on the sea in the shipping channel beyond the Neath river mouth and it was assume to be this same, mobile bird. Aged as an adult due to the white spots found on its back which are the remnants of adult summer plumage. Hard to make out in this photo but also the black tip to the bill and black cutting edges towards the end of the bill also indicate an adult bird.

Some late autumn fungi

2011-11-30T17:46:00.005Z

This year’s long autumn, free of any significant cold weather, has benefited a number of fungi. Our local sand dunes have been quite productive and several people have commented to me about the abundance of fruiting bodies on Whiteford Dunes. Clitocybe barbularum (Omphalina barbularum in some books) is a common species on all our local dune systems. This small, brown toadstool is one of a number of sand dune-specific species and is usually found growing in a bed of Sand-hill Screw-moss (Syntrichia ruralis subsp. ruraliformis) along with other species like the rather poisonous Ivory Funnel (Clitocybe rivulosa). Both of these species are Basidiomycetes that produce spores on gills that are formed on the underside of the cap. The photos below were taken on Baglan Dunes.

Clitocybe barbularum

Clitocybe rivulosa (Ivory Funnel)

Conifer plantations in the Neath Valley have been relatively poor this year but these fruiting bodies of Elastic Saddle (Helvella elastica) in the photo below were found at the edge of a Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) stand above Resolven.

Helvella elastica (Elastic Saddle)

Although the fruiting body of Elastic Saddle looks superficially like that of a typical gill-bearing toadstool, it is in fact an Ascomycete, not a Basidiomycete. It produces spores all over the surface of the saddle-like cap and does not have gills or pores (see fruiting body on right).

Cormorants on Whiteford Lighthouse

2011-11-27T19:23:00.001Z

There were 63 Cormorants roosting on the lighthouse this evening. Although the Cormorants at Whiteford are counted monthly, it seems that the actual evening roost on the lighthouse itself is not counted very often. The daytime November average from the point from 1996-2010 (taken from Gower Birds) is 77, but some of these may also be using the nearby roost at Blue Pool which frequently hosts >60 birds. The highest daytime count at Whiteford during this period was 199 recorded in November 2003.

Beautiful light from the point back towards Burry Holms at dusk, around which time the Eider flock (64) and Brent Geese (234) plus Black Brant flew with the tide into the estuary. Also of note there were two Firecrests in the dunes on the way out.

Starling roost at WWT Llanelli

2011-11-24T22:09:00.001Z

Numbers of Starlings have been building up at WWT Llanelli over the last couple of weeks. There was no mega flock as such, just a constant arrival of flocks like these. Once in the reeds they didn't come out again. It will be an interesting challenge for anyone attempting a count!

The changing face of Baglan Burrows

2011-11-23T08:38:00.001Z

Bing Maps (left), Google Maps (right)

I was comparing Bing and Google aerials this morning and was very surprised to see how much the impact of motorcycles on Baglan Burrows has increased in recent years. Other obvious changes also include the development of a large blowout in the foredunes, but all is not bad as the dunes do appear to be accreting at the western point. If anyone can work out how old each image is this would be interesting to know, my very rough guess would be 1999 & 2009?

WWT Llanelli sunset

2011-11-20T20:04:00.001Z

saltmarsh scrapes at WWT Llanelli

The Starling roost is probably as large as it's ever been at Penclacwydd at the moment, with a conservative estimate of ~100,000 birds roosting in the reeds in the Millennium Wetlands. There was also an added bonus of seeing two Great White Egrets going into roost after being chased around the saltmarsh scrape by a Grey Heron just before this attractive sunset.

Garden moths in Gorseinon

2011-11-20T09:43:00.001Z

The garden trap produced a late Dark Sword-grass and more seasonal Feathered Thorn and Chestnuts.

Feathered Thorn with its feathered antenna folded under the wing

Dark Sword-grass

The periodicity plot in the map the below shows Dark Sword-grass has been recorded in all months except Januray, with peak numbers of this relatively common migrant occurring during the autumn period.

Distribution and flight period of Dark Sword-grass

Black Brant on Whiteford Beach

2011-11-19T16:38:00.001Z

Black Brant with Dark-bellied Brents

I took an early morning stroll with Mark Hipkin out to Whiteford first thing to look for the Black Brant Branta bernicla nigricans, found last week by Phil Hill, Mike Hogan, Rob Gaze & Martin Bell. This is a North American subspecies that has only been recorded in Wales on two previous occasions. This bird has joined forces with the wintering flock of Dark-bellied Brents B.b. bernicla, which are of Russian origin with ca.1000 spending each winter in the Burry Inlet.

In good light the American subspecies is very distinctive and stands out well in the crowd, as can be seen above. Note the general lack of grey tones, strong white flash on the flank and bolder neck collar which meets in the middle at the front (broken in D-b Brent). Also in the flock was a Pale-bellied Brent B.b. hrota which has a much whiter belly and flanks. A few more shots can be seen at
http://moonmoths.blogspot.com/2011/11/black-brant-at-whiteford.html

The best shots of the goose however are probably in the video taken by Mark 'Spielberg' below, which you can view here...
Black Brant Video

Spielberg in action!

Common Darter last dates

2011-11-18T19:34:00.001Z

Mike Piercey told me that there were 5 or more Common Darters sunning themselves in his yard yesterday. Just checked and the average last date for this species over the last 10 years is the 14th November, with the latest date on the database being 26th November 2006 when Tony Messinger saw a singleton at Kenfig. So definitely worth keeping an eye open during any sunny spells in sheltered spots over the next week or so as the mild weather looks set to continue a little bit longer at least and we may see a new record being set...

Common Darter in Glamorgan

Clouded Funnel

2011-11-14T20:03:00.004Z

These Clouded Funnel (Clitocybe nebularis) fruiting bodies were found in the forests on Mynydd Resolven this weekend. This medium to large sized toadstool often grows in large groups and clusters under deciduous broad-leaved trees and conifers, so it usually attracts attention. Clouded Funnel contains a number of interesting toxic purine derivatives such as nebularine, a compound which has been well-studied and is known to poison mammalian cells. The pharmacological effects of these toxins have attracted a lot of attention both as antibiotics and anti-tumour agents. Other species of Clitocybe contain significant amounts of a toxin called muscarine, notably Ivory Funnel (Clitocybe dealbata), which is a smaller, white species that occurs locally in grassland and on sand dunes. Muscarine poisoning is very unpleasant and potentially very serious for children and adults. A single cap of Ivory Funnel contains enough toxin to elicit toxicity symptoms in most people.

Lots of Yellowhammers

2011-11-13T18:00:00.001Z

Yellowhammer at Common Cliff

It was a real treat to have so many Yellowhammers whilst walking a loop from Overton around Paviland Farm and back again today. The biggest group were sheltering out of the wind in the bushes at Foxhole Slade. There were 21 here and elsewhere along the walk three, twos and a few singles.

Chiffchaff at Paviland Farm

Nothing too out of the ordinary throughout the walk but nice stuff popping up here and there. The Chiffchaff shown above was in the bushes near Paviland farm and struggled for some time with a beetle that I thought was more suited to a shrike's diet than a Chiffchaff's! Other notable stuff included 11 Golden Plover, 2 Lapwing, 1Snipe, 200+ Skylark, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Dartford Warbler, 3 Chough, 50+ Chaffinch and 9 Reed Bunting

Status update for Vagrant Emperor in Glamorgan

2011-11-11T13:31:00.001Z

Mike Powell has provided details of the status of Vagrant Emperor in VC41 following the unprecedented numbers of records from around the British Isles and Ireland earlier this year. Please visit the VC41 Dragonfly Blog via the link on the post below to access details of records from our recording area.

Vagrant Emperor at Baglan bay

2011-11-10T19:26:00.001Z

Vagrant Emperor (c) M Hipkin

I found this Vagrant Emperor flying in the dunes at Baglan Bay today. I wasn't certain about the identityof this dragonfly at the time but following contact by email with Ardrian Parr, Migrant Dragonfly Officer for the British Dragonfly Society, Adrian has confirmed it.

For more information please visit the VC41 Dragonfly Blog on the link below

VC41 Dragonfly Blog

Red Sword-grass in Gorseinon

2011-11-09T10:48:00.000Z

Last night I ran the moth trap in the garden for the first time since the 11th October. Only seven species, but this handsome Red Sword-grass made the effort worthwhile. This is a localised species of marshes and boggy ground is a new species for the garden list.

The other species trapped were Streak (1), Feathered Thorn (1), Chestnut (4), Dark Chestnut (1), Brick (1) and Angle Shades (1).

nightjar singleton park

2011-11-08T12:43:00.002Z

This morning a new PhD student Martin says he watched a bird like a "long pigeon" singing in a tree just inside singleton park at the entrance from Brynmill Park on the left near the stream, about 9am. It had a continuous churring song. I've just been and checked with him and no sign now but sounds like a Nightjar! I checked common nighthawk calls, no chance it's that, but with this autumn what will happen next?

Odd bird at Mumbles

2011-11-07T12:00:00.001Z

Thought I'd post this here, from the GBC sightings.
"An unusual starling has been visiting our bird feeders. It has pale buff underparts with darker brown back and wings. No spots. Its legs are flesh coloured and its beak is yellow at the base. Both its legs and beak seem slightly thicker than those of normal starlings. Could it be a Rose-Coloured Starling?"
I'll see if I can get the lady's details [Margaret Green] so someone can maybe check it out.
...Thanks John. For details of where to view this bird see Glamorgan Birds website, Barry

record shot taken by Margaret & Tom Green

WhiteFord; the graceful and the disgraceful!!

2011-11-07T11:21:00.000Z

Sometimes it's easy not to take any notice of things you hear, like distant flying aircraft but I was watching the birds in the Great Pill from Berges Island and they were starting to look distressed. I looked up and saw some light aircraft go over at what I thought was pretty standard height, maybe a little low? Another aircraft was lower still at about 50m! While I was pretty annoyed with this it did put all the Eiders to flight and an opportunity presented itself!!

What happened next I still cannot believe! I could hear mass panic to my right and looked away from the flying Eiders to see this aircraft fly no more than 10m off the ground! It will be wrong of me to speculate about why the pilot chose to do this but it certainly wasn't beneficial to the birds present. I'm not fully up to speed on the boundaries or classifications of designation afforded to this area apart from the Burry Inlet is a RAMSAR and I think Whiteford is a SSSI?

At one point I thought it must be a crashing aircraft but the fact that it was controlled indicates a complete disregard to the safety. I will be pursuing this matter with both the police and CCW in the hope that maximum penalties possible can be imposed on this pilot and even the flying club. I wasn't the only one to witness this crazy act and Nick from Gower Photography will also be pursuing this matter. I'm not sure how successful it's going to be but if anyone else witnesses scenes like this it is well worth reporting them as this helps the police build a picture.

Wonderful Whiteford

2011-11-06T23:30:00.000Z

Whiteford produced a very enjoyable birding middle session today having started and finishing with the Isabelline Wheatear. 3 birds stood out, a Firecrest, a Long-tailed Duck and a Red-necked Grebe. Quite apart from the Isabelline Wheatear, each of the birds mentioned would have made my day on their own. So to have all three together in the same day was quite special. The 2 poor quality photos shown are pretty reflective of the distances and subsequent views that provide an extra challenge when birding at Whiteford.

I've attached a couple of links to video footage of the birds below. The standard is not great because not all birds pose on top of rocks or bushes and say birdie to the camera!

Red-necked Grebe video

Long-tailed Duck video

Wheatear Watchers

2011-11-06T20:57:00.004Z

The Isabelline Wheatear was quite a crowd puller by Gower standards. Being constantly on show, often performing at close range in the brilliant sunshine, it ensured there was a constant turnover of birders with the most I saw at any one time being about 35. How long before we get another bird of this quality?

The pre-dawn brigade. Mark informed me he was on his own at 0650hrs when the bird first showed on the mound.

Some mid-morningers enjoying fabulous views in perfect conditions. The bird was generally more active on the surrounding saltmarsh at this stage using the pony poo for perching!

Isabelline Wheatear,Wernffrwd,Gower

2011-11-06T19:59:00.008Z

Few pics of the wheatear,great find by Rob,terrific bird,huge thanks as well to Mark and Barry for getting the news out so quickly,lifer for me as well,woohoo !!
More pics at http://grcforum.blogspot.com/2011/11/isabelline-wheatearwernffrwdgower.html

Isabelline Wheatear

2011-11-05T22:15:00.001Z

Before I forget, congratulations go to Rob Taylor on a fantastic find! I've put a link below to a bit of video of the bird

Isabelline Wheatear video

Isabelline Wheatear cont...

2011-11-05T19:41:00.003Z

Isabelline Wheatear found and photographed by Rob Taylor. A absolutely fantastic find made all the more special by the beautiful evening light. More photos at http://grcforum.blogspot.com/2011/11/isabelline-wheatear-cont.html

Isabelline Wheatear at Wernffrwd

2011-11-05T19:18:00.001Z

Rob Taylor found this Isabelline Wheatear late on this afternoon and I managed to get there and to take a few record shots. Rather befittingly, Rob has some very nice shots of the bird which show the diagnostic features better than my efforts do. Treat this as a bit of an appetiser of some better shots to come!I've taken a bit of video and hopefully I'll get that edited some tome tonight.

Wryneck at Earlswood Golf Course

2011-11-04T16:59:00.000Z

A late Wryneck at Earlswood golf course today. Having been treated to my first NPT Wryneck earlier this year I wasn't expecting to see my next one so soon afterwards! But as Charles Hipkin stated it's "impossible to see too many Wrynecks!" Charles joined with me returning to look for the bird this afternoon and we found in the same area after a brief wait. It seems pretty loyal to the damp track between the golf course and the Neath River. This area is best accessed by parking at the turn off to the Ferry Boat Inn (SS72949392) and following the track around the back of the golf course, through the wood and 80m beyond the wood to the open area with a wet track (SS73119367). The bird was showing all along the track on both sides.

Visible Migration at Rhossili

2011-11-02T20:35:00.000Z

Starlings over Inner Worm

Nothing too unusual today with regards to species during my visit to West Gower.However, there was an apparent visible migration with Starlings contributing to a large portion of the birds passing through. 1980 Starlings were counted heading west with most birds choosing to fly over The Worm. Other large numbers were provide by Linnet(511), although this number also includes a large group of regular birds, and Chaffinch (233)

Linnets over Rhossili fields

Some other highlights from the day were as follows:-
Rhossili - 3 Yellowhammer
Mewsalde - 10 Redwing, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 1f Blackcap and 2 Yellowhammer
Overton - 3 Teal, 4 Stock Dove and 3 Redwing
Paviland - 1 Teal, 1 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 1 Woodcock, c150 Skylark and c3000 Starling feeding in the fields
Oxwich Bay - Only one bird found on the sea, a single and possible Red-necked Grebe. It was a bit distant and conditions made viewing very difficult. Anyway it's worth a mention to anyone who might be in the area to check it out in calmer conditions.

Isabelline Shrike at Porth Clais, Pembroke

2011-10-30T23:30:00.000Z

I started off today with good intentions of maybe finding something nice in our recording area and having made the trip to Rhossili things weren't going too badly with a late Balearic Shearwater flying out of Rhossili Bay. Not long after this however news came through that the Isabelline Shrike found on Friday, but not seen yesterday, was still present this morning. Like the Lesser Grey Shrike that I went to see earlier this year this bird was found by Marion B on this occasion John and Jon were also in on the discovery.

I'm very fond of Shrikes and it's very easy to spend a long time watching them. Not surprisingly I've taken a bit of video of this bird which can be found on the link below

Isabelline Shrike video

Clouded Yellow at Oxwich

2011-10-30T23:00:00.000Z

Paul Tyrrel wrote 'Oxwich hide was very quiet Friday morning on the birding front, with only the local Moorhen on show but warm weather brought out several dragonflies and one or two Red Admirals seen from the hide. But as I left and made my way along the boardwalk I was lucky enough to see this Clouded Yellow sunning its self in the grass. Considering all the rain we have had recently still in very good condition.'

[A late record of what has been an very poor year for this species.]

Mediterranean Gulls in Bracelet Bay

2011-10-30T18:36:00.002Z

This flock, photographed just below Castellamare Cafe Bar, comprises mostly Mediterranean Gulls. In fact there are 58 in this group of 66 birds, which also includes 7 Black-headed Gulls and 1 Herring Gull. There were other Med's around and we saw a minimum of 65 today, which I think is probably the most I have ever recorded at this site?

A few were colour-ringed, but we only managed to read [White 3C78] and [White 39J8], both almost certainly of Belgian origin.

Woodlarks at Paviland

2011-10-30T15:43:00.003Z

Chris Brewer found and photographed two obliging Woodlarks in stubble at Paviland today (photos (c) Chris Brewer).

In addition to the bold white supercilium behind the eye, note
the diagnostic black & white alula below the greater coverts.

Photo showing well how the white supercilia meet in a 'V' on the nape.

Woodlarks have appeared in south-west Gower in five out of the last 10 years, with October-November being by far the best time to look for them.

garden and park fungi

2011-10-29T18:13:00.000+01:00

My fungi identification is not too hot, so any feedback on these two species would be welcome. I still have the specimens in the fridge!

cf Hygrocybe fornicata (Earthy Waxcap)
several patches in our side garden lawn

cf Clavulinopsis umbrinella (Beige Spindles)
growing under a poplar in Parc-y-Werin, Gorseinon

Last few warm sunny days...

2011-10-29T16:26:00.003+01:00

Gower adders are still slithering out of their hibernation sites on sunny days to warm up. Soon they will settle in for the winter and won’t be seen until late February / early March. Female adder seen yesterday (28/10).

Birds of Neath and District

2011-10-28T09:46:00.001+01:00

Whinchat by Dr Bryn Richards

The GOS 2011/12 Winter programme of events continues this evening with an illustrated talk by myself. Since my recent return to the birding scene over the last few years I've been reacquainting myself with the local area and the bird life found here. There have been some quite apparent changes since my early years of birding which stopped about 20 years ago. If you go further back Dr Bryn Richards, one of the founder members of G.O.S, produced a systematic list of bird records between 1952 to 1972 for the Neath and District area. Dr Richards’ systematic list includes a brief status of each species recorded during that period and it has been very interesting noting how bird life has changed over the last few decades locally as well as some obvious additions and losses from the area.

Using a systematic list to compare the birds recorded between 1952 to 1972 and 2009 to 2011 has shown some expected and unexpected trends and I will aim to highlight these. The talk will be illustrated using both Dr Richards’ and my own photographs, with a bit of video thrown in for good measure.

This talk is open to GOS members and non-members alike so if you’re interested and can make it please come along.

The meeting will be held in the Environment Centre, Pier Street, Swansea at 19.00 for a 19.30 start. Admission as usual £1.00 a head to cover venue costs.

Some of this week's fungi

2011-10-23T21:06:00.009+01:00

Here are a few photos of some of the fungi seen in Neath Port Talbot over the last few days, during an otherwise poor season.
Web Caps (Cortinarius species) are to mycologists what the North American Empidonax flycatchers are to birders - a nightmare! They are the largest group of fungi found in Britain and the popular guidebooks contain only a small proportion of the species. A few are deadly poisonous.
Cinnamon Webcap (C. cinnamomeus) is fairly common in our area under birch and conifers. Those in the photo were growing under Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis) in Afan Forest Park. The young gills are yellow-orange in colour when young, then go rich brown in colour. The cap usually has a central point (umbo). There are a few closely related lookalikes.

Cortinarius cinnamomeus

Girdled Webcap (C. trivialis) is much less common and grows with willows. But, it is quite distinctive with a slimy cap, a whitish girdle on the stalk and, below this, lots of coarse scales This one was found under Eared Willow (Salix aurita) near Blaengwynfi.

Cortinarius trivialis

Butter Cap (Collybia butyracea) is one of the most common toadstools in local conifer plantations. It has a very greasy (buttery) cap which is dark brown when moist but dries out to a pale colour when dry (as shown in the photo).

Collybia butyracea

Shaggy Scalycap (Pholiota squarrosa) is an almost unmistakable species, covered in brown scales and growing in clusters on dead wood or at the bottom of living trees. It is usually found on the wood of deciduous trees, but these were growing in a Norway Spruce (Picea abies) plantation near Cwmgrach.

Pholiota squarrosa

A Bold Centipede

2011-10-17T20:19:00.001+01:00

This 10cm long specimen of the centipede Stigmatogaster subterranea was patrolling around the top of a rock outside the kitchen window this morning. Surprisingly three hours later it was doing exactly the same thing on the next rock along and I assume it was there for the whole time. I've no idea what this behaviour was all about (possibly something similar to Martyn's observations of flies with Summits Disease - see http://goweros.blogspot.com/2011/08/summits-disease.html), but its scientific name suggests it should have been underground? More surprising was that the birds on the feeder, barely 1m away, showed no interest in this worm-like creature. [photos as encountered rather than set up]

Seasonal Snow

2011-10-16T11:22:00.000+01:00

Snow Bunting at Newton (c) M. Hipkin

Dean Bolt found this very nice Snow Bunting at Newton on 14/10/11. It was still present yesterday and showing particularly well in nice afternoon light. It's worth keeping an eye out for them along coastal tracks and paths with some good numbers around the country at the moment. Snow Buntings can easily be overlooked due to their reluctance to fly unless absolutely necessary. Check out the link below for a bit of video of the bird.

Snow Bunting video

seasonal plant

2011-10-14T15:48:00.002+01:00

A lunchtime check of the ivy flowers between the University and Mumbles found nothing more interesting than one Ferdinandea cuprea. However there was a sprig of mistletoe growing on a poplar at Blackpill, its low height leads me to suspect the hand of man rather than any natural origin. No berries for a christmas kiss though!

Parasitic Bolete in Coed Bach Park

2011-10-12T10:45:00.001+01:00

Whilst walking the dog in Coed Bach Park, Pontarddulais we picked a rather slug-eaten example of the parasitic fungus Xerocomus parasiticus (Parasitic Bolete) growing from its host, Scleroderma citrinum (Common Earthball). Identification is straightforward as this is the only fungus known to grow from any kind of puffball. The photo below shows sections through the parasitised Common Earthball. Note that early in the development of the earthball fruiting body, the spores are relatively pale, but these blacken with age.

There appear to be very few local records of the Parasitic Bolete, so it is always worth noting if you come across this easily recognised species. Non-mycologists (myself included) should always take a record shot or specimen as fungi are a particularly challenging group due to their plasticity and variation. See also earlier post of Earthballs in situ http://goweros.blogspot.com/2010/10/common-fungi-in-our-woodlands.html

Beautiful Demoiselle

2011-10-07T17:36:00.000+01:00

male Beautiful Demoiselle (c) J. Driscoll

A little bit of a late posting but Jeff Driscoll has just sent me a few photos of Beautiful Demoiselles that he found on the Swansea Canal at Ynysmeudwy lower lock back in August. He also notes that there were particularly good numbers of them at this location, estimating between 20 and 30! Having only seen my first one of these this year I'll be paying this location a visit next year for certain.

female Beautiful Demoiselle (c) Jeff Driscoll

For more like these check out the link the link below

VC41 Dragonfly Blog

Catbirds in Morriston

2011-10-05T14:32:00.000+01:00

Angie Jones may need to make alternative arrangements for feeding the birds in her garden!

Red Deer at Margam

2011-10-05T14:20:00.000+01:00

Early morning Stag

Paul Tyrrell wrote: 'Good to see so many fantastic birds on or near our patch so far this autumn, long may it continue. But as you know autumn is also the time of the red deer rut so with the weather set good for the weekend i headed to margam park for first light saturday morning, and i wasn't disappointed. There seemed to be one large stag holding an area with thirty or more hinds in it. there were half a dozen younger and much smaller males around, but any coming to close were quickly chased away, with much bellowing and stamping of the ground. The younger stags seemed quite happy to flex their muscles among them selves with some locking of antlers and much pushing and shoving but none with the strength or size to challenge the dominant stag. I later spoke to a chap who told me there was another large stag at the other end of the park with his own group of females. So i will definitely be going back in the next week or two, weather permitting of course.'

Stag with some of his hinds

Sun rise

Peregrine v Herring Gull

2011-10-04T09:39:00.000+01:00

Dai Roberts wrote: 'I was down Whiteford yesterday out on the sand bank / rocks extending to the lighthouse carefully looking out for waders - educational reasons of course! There were a flock of mainly herring gulls perched on the bank behind me and I looked around when I heard a commotion. The main flock were just taking off rising into the air, very upset indeed. Two amid the crowd, did not take off as they were fighting. A closer look and I realised one of them was a peregrine falcon and it was wrestling with what appeared to be a juvenile herring gull. This went on for a couple of minutes, the gull making a lot of noise. The other gulls took no helpful movements and just flew off out onto the water. I did not see the peregrine make contact, but I suspect it did not strike the gull in the air, or if so very low down indeed. The gull fought well poor thing and did not look as if it had been stunned because it was hit in flight. I always thought gulls were immune to peregrine attack?'

Migrant moths in Nitten Field

2011-10-03T14:56:00.002+01:00

First OS map of Gower (provided by Gordon Howe) with middle leg of
this Convolvulus Hawk-moth is pointing to Mewslade.

Last night there was a good arrival of migrant moths into the UK and two traps set in the Nitten Field at Mewslade attracted a very good selection of these. The highlight was a single specimen of the Old World Webworm (Hellula undalis), the first record in Glamorgan of this tropical species.

Numbers of all 50 species recorded are given below, with migrants shown in bold - more photos here http://moonmoths.blogspot.com/:

Caloptilia stigmatella (1), Mompha subbistrigella (1), Light Brown Apple Moth (7), Rhomboid Tortrix (2), Acleris hastiana (1), Eudonia angustea (4), Old World Webworm (1), Rusty-dot Pearl (39), Rush Veneer (1), Vestal (19), Red-green Carpet (1), Common Marbled Carpet (5), Green Carpet (4), Brimstone Moth (3), Convolvulus Hawk-moth (1), Archer's Dart (1), Turnip Moth (1), Dark Sword-grass (1), Large Yellow Underwing (6), Lesser Yellow Underwing (2), Autumnal Rustic (16), Pearly Underwing (1), Setaceous Hebrew Character (52), Neglected Rustic (1), Square-spot Rustic (16), Common Wainscot (7), L-album Wainscot (5), Black Rustic (51), Green-brindled Crescent (29), Large Ranunculus (1), Feathered Ranunculus (2), Brick (1), Red-line Quaker (7), Yellow-line Quaker (1), Flounced Chestnut (4), Beaded Chestnut (5), Lunar Underwing (26), Orange Sallow (1), Pink-barred Sallow (4), Sallow (2), Dark/Grey Dagger (1), Angle Shades (10), Rosy Rustic (6), Frosted Orange (2), Large Wainscot (4), Small Mottled Willow (1), Pale Mottled Willow (2), Ni Moth (1), Silver Y (3) & Snout (3).

Bonxie on Swansea's filthy west pier

2011-10-02T14:17:00.000+01:00

A very confiding Great Skua was looking for scraps on the pier this morning providing great photo opportunities with the Meridian Tower behind. We had a very nice cup of hot chocolate in the Grape and Olive at the top of the building afterwards and can definitely recommend it; stunning views and we managed to tick off the skua from there too! Some friendly Turnstones were also present feeding on left over bait. I have to say the mess left on the pier by fishermen was a disgrace, not just the usual discarded line and hooks everywhere, but cans and litter left scattered. I wont go into details about the foul smell engulfing the end of the pier - perhaps that's what attracted the Bonxie in the first place!

Bonxie is the Shetland name for Great Skua and is commonly adopted by birdwatchers. It is believed to be of Scandinavian origin derived from bunke meaning 'dumpy body'.

a bird free day 30th september

2011-10-01T08:54:00.005+01:00

High tide was nice in the Burry but no birds of interest to photograph and a trip to Oxwich hide found a man with a machine working in front of the hide so.......... turn of attention to insects on the Ivy blossom. Lots to see including:

Mellinus arvensis decapitating a fly prior to carrying it back to the burrow, they don't always do this according to photographs, maybe this was a feisty fly!

a better view of the Mellinus.

My first Colletes hederae! A check later at Port Eynon also found them there so they are likely to be widespread now? Anyone else seen them yet? Day wasn't totally bird free. This Goldfinch, feeding on Evening Primrose seed was so confiding it got a face full of flash and my 100mm macro!

Long-billed Dowitcher at Kidwelly Quay

2011-09-30T14:58:00.000+01:00

Long-billed Dowitcher at Kidwelly Quay

Dominic Davidson found this Long-billed Dowitcher at Kidwelly Quay yesterday evening and it was still present this morning and showing reasonably well while I was there. Like the bird I saw many years ago at the Rhymney River it was associating closely with Redshank and appears to be quite loyal to the area in front of the carpark and down to the railway bridge.

A few record shots of the bird which seems to be pretty far along its moult into 1st winter plumage. Congratulations go to Dom on a very nice fine which I was very pleased to watch this morning. The light is great at this location in the morning and well worth the effort.

Long-billed Dowitcher with Redshank