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.

Sunday 5 April 2015

Iceland Gull and Glaucous Gull still showing well

2 cy Glaucous Gull
 It was a really good day today being able to catch up with the long staying Iceland Gull at Taff's Mead Embankment and the even longer staying Glaucous Gull at Porthcawl. The Iceland Gull turned up at around 15:45 after a waiting over 30 mins for it to show just downstream from the railway bridge. It then proceeded to have bread thrown at it or at least had bread thrown tactically into zones that offered it the best chance of getting some! At times when it was sitting on the railway bridge it almost appeared suspicious about how easy life had become! Top marks to the birder who brought the bread.
2 cy Iceland Gull
Then down to Prospect Place for a quick look for the Bonaparte's Gull(s) but only a handful of 2cy Black-headed Gulls were on view from here. Plenty of "White-headed Gulls" around the bay though. Finally, home via Porthcawl for a second attempt at seeing the Glaucous Gull. It wasn't long before it could be seen from the east esplanade distantly on the sea off the Lookout Tower rocks (Rhych Point). An attempt to close distance for record shots resulted in losing the bird completely, and then a hugely frustrating 30 minutes ended with the bird doing it's very best to be noticed on the most prominent chimney in Porthcawl! Luckily for me I looked there before heading off home. The bird still struggles to put any weight on it's left leg yet seems adamant to continue using it. Apart from that it seems very healthy and never looked in any danger of losing this prime lookout post to the other gulls that were in the area. Both of them cracking birds.

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