Harriers at Crymlyn Bog

An immiture male Marsh Harrier was present today at Crymlyn Bog. Also present was a ringtail Hen Harrier.

Earlier today, about 11:00, a female Hen Harrier was present in the dunes of Baglan Bay. Flying around for a short period and seen to land in the dunes. As a result of this sighting I decided to check whether it might later roost at nearby Crymlyn Bog. The Bog has historically held Harrier roosts, although I am unaware of any recent records.

I was joined at Crymlyn Bog by Charles Hipkin. We parked at the visitor centre which gives a reasonable view over the Bog. We were delighted to see the imm male Marsh Harrier coursing around the Bog and head off towards Jersey Marine. At 16:30, 10mins later, it returned and was seen to go to ground among the reeds. 20mins later a ringtail Hen Harrier was seen briefly at distance. Although this bird was not seen to go to roost, I would assume it did roost here. The 2 Hen Harriers, I saw today, did appear to be different birds so there may be 2 or more in the area.

This site is desperately under watched, but hopefully these birds will stick around for a while.

Hen Harriers at Llanrhidian

Paul Tyrrell called to let me know that there were 2, possibly 3, male, and 1 female Hen Harriers and a Barn Owl at Llanrhidian marsh this evening.

Harriers at Llanrhidian

Neil Edwards just reported that 4 Hen Harriers came in to roost on the marsh this evening, however, he was more surprised to see them joined by a Red Kite at one stage! The kite was buzzed by one of the female Hen Harriers who, unlike Neil, was clearly not impressed by its presence. Neil saw what was probably the same kite earlier in the day a little further east at Wernffrwd.

Hen Harriers over the Nitten Field

Mark Newton and Rob Taylor saw 3 different Hen Harriers over the Nitten Field yesterday afternoon (1 male and 2 females) plus a Merlin which made a kill. There were also 2 Merlins seen here in the morning. Mark managed to get a couple of shots of two of the birds. They also saw at least 8 Woodcock flying around. For more of Marks photos check out http://www.welshwildlife.com/

It is difficult to judge how many Hen Harriers are around at present, but for the BTO winter atlas here are the records collated to date from the last 3 winters (red dots). All other records shown as small dots.

Hen Harrier at Frogmoor

There was a male Hen Harrier being mobbed by Jackdaws and flying west from Frogmoor below Cefyn Bryn this afternoon. Also a Little Egret was disturbed from the thawed out mud on the tarmac road leading to Frogmoor. Over 40 Lapwings and 30 plus Snipe were seen flying over the meadow west of Stouthall.
David Painter

Hen Harriers in west Gower

Map showing 2009 winter records (in red).In addition to sightings at the regular winter roost in the extensive stands of Saltmarsh Rush at Llanrhidian, there have recently been a good number of records elsewhere on the western half of the Gower peninsula. Observations of hunting birds have been made at Rhossili Down, The Viel field system, Scurlage and locations on Cefn Bryn. It is likely that there are at least four birds involved with two adut males and two ringtails. Roosting may not be restricted to Llanrhidian Marsh as historically the north-east facing dip slope of Cefn Bryn SS4990 has also been used.