GRC Blog


Welcome to the GRC Recorders pages. This blog provides details on all the relevant news of Glamorgan’s scarcer birds, plus all BBRC & WRP decisions that affect us locally. It will also be used to document the status and occurrence of these scarcer species and we welcome contributions from anyone with photographs, artwork or documentation of rarities past, present and future. The GRC also welcomes all seawatching news from around Glamorgan and news of passage migrants in spring & autumn, uncommon birds in our area and unusual behaviour.


All visitors are welcome. You must first register by sending an email to GlamRC@gmail.com before you can contribute. An invite will be sent to your email address. Blog content will be strictly moderated. Access to pages and downloads are available to everyone. All photographs on this blog remain the property of the originator.
If you would like to use photos, please arrange permission beforehand.


The Glamorgan Rarities Committee, in conjunction with the Glamorgan Bird Club & Gower Wildlife , have agreed to co-operate with the Welsh Ornithological Society in the sharing of bird records & photographs in the interest of keeping accurate records and to promote birdwatching in North, Mid & South Wales.

Saturday 31 March 2012

Ruff




Colin Gittins' photos from Kenfig saltmarsh on Friday. It seems the bird in question is a Ruff and not a Wood Sand as first reported. Well done those observers who noticed this. The power of taking a record shot. DRWG

Wednesday 28 March 2012

Nantyffyllon today

                                        Female Ring ouzel, above the old Coegnant colliery.

Hoopoe

A Hoopoe was seen at Nitten Field, Mewslade on Gower this am. No further details.

LRP

Llanishen Reservoir: 2 on small pool near railings.
Of interest - RGW: SEO (6) & Sand Martin (3) MCP, RM & DRWG.

Tuesday 27 March 2012

Stone-curlew

A Stone-curlew was seen in with the Golden Plover flock at Sker Point. It is still present but very mobile and has landed in the fields between Sker House & the new farm house. [per DCB]
Last seen in flight heading towards Porthcawl at 09.55.
Records of Stone-curlew in Glamorgan
Swansea area 1885
Kenfig Pool 15th Aug. 1939
St. Athan area 27th April 1941
Cadoxton Ponds 16th April 1983
Sker Point 18th Apr. 1988
Wentloog Level 20th to 22nd Aug. 1990 (ringed on Salisbury Plain)
Lavernock Point 2nd June 1991
Sker Point 27th Mar. 2012
[This species is a Welsh rarity]

Sunday 25 March 2012

Swift sp over Rhossili Down

A Swift sp was seen over Rhossili Down today. Viewed in difficult light but between Common and Pallid, the time of sighting was not given and there is no indication that it was showing signs of staying faithful to the area.

News from Owain Gabb (via Barry Stewart) 

Monday 19 March 2012

New Arrival!

Just a short note: Mike Powell & Louise had a baby boy (Joshua Alexander) today, born just after 1 o'clock. Congratulations from all his colleagues at the GRC and the Glamorgan birding fraternity.
Seems spring has arrived a day before the Vernal Equinox!!

Wednesday 14 March 2012

Garganey Cosmeston

I discovered this drake Garganey at W lake bay Cosmeston this morning. Very smart bird but light not much good so record shots only and heavy crop.

Monday 12 March 2012

Bonaparte's Gull

The AdW Bonaparte's showed really well around 11:30 just after the very high tide. It was surface picking. flying up and down along the shoreline and too close to 'scope, about 100m E of Cardiff Heliport bay in front of the WTW. This was during my delayed WeBS count from yesterday. Sadly no camera with me, otherwise would have yielded some superb flight shots.

Friday 2 March 2012

Long-eared Owl

A LEO flew out from the hedgerow that runs between Cardiff - Newport [c11.30]. It flew right past the observer and seemed to land again further along towards the wharf - unfortunately the obs couldn't relocate the bird. Obs 100% sure of his ID. There were also 9 SEO on the wharf this am. [per RM]. The LEO was seen again at 13.40 in hedgerow, again flying off.
(This is the first sighting in Cardiff for 18 years - to the day, when 3 were seen at the Wentloog Ind. Est. 2/03/1994)