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.


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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.

2015 Records



GLAMORGAN RARITIES COMMITTEE
In association with:~
GOWER ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY & GLAMORGAN BIRD CLUB
All records of description species during 2015


Italics   No description or photographs submitted
A           Record Accepted by GRC unless stated (NB ‘w’ = waivered site)
P           Record Pended
NP        Record Not Proven
IC         In Circulation
?           Record considered to be of unknown origin
*            Welsh Description Species [WRP]
**           British Birds Description Species [BBRC]
[H]        Heard only
[WG]     West Glamorgan
[EG]      East Glamorgan
(Note: re: 'waived' = "w - the need for a description for this species has been waived only in these specific instances - e.g. species has increased to 5+ records per year, or due to a large influx as in the case of Waxwing occasionally, or the regularity of the species at some sites e.g. Red Grouse at 2 locations in north Glamorgan, Slavonian Grebe at Whiteford & Burry Inlet, Marsh Harrier on North Gower, KNNR & Wentloog, Puffin at Worm's Head, Water Pipit at various estuarine localities & Tree Sparrow in West Gower & Vale of Glamorgan".)

BOU Order:

2015 Systematic List

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)
 [EG] 13 Oct [ad & juv] KNNR - [ND]
 [WG] 18 Oct [ad] Fendrod Lake - [RHAT]
 [WG] 22 Nov. [1] Fendrod Lake - [RHAT]

Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus)
A [WG] 15 Apr [1] Gnoll CP, Neath - [NE, MHi]
 [WG] 27 Dec. [1] Fendrod Lake - [RHAT]
{un-ringed & wary}

Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus)
A [EG] 01-03 May [1] Portobello, Ogmore [GP & MHn] & Cosmeston CP 04-05 May - [WMS & JDW]
{Present there 29-30/04/15 & Cosmeston 8/04 till 27/04. Formally accepted onto VC41 List}
A [EG] 15 Jun [1] Roath Park Lake - -G. Steed] {Possibly same individual, also seen in Gwent in July}

Garganey (Anas querquedula)
A [EG] 12 Mar [male] Kenfig Saltmarsh - [D. Coombs]
A [EG] 13-26 Mar [2 males] Kenfig Saltmarsh - [N. Donaghy, MHi, DC et al]
A [WG] 03 Apr [male] Oxwich - [MHu] 
© Alun Jones

A [EG] 04-14 Apr [male] Parc Slip NR - [Howard R. Saunders]
A [EG] 02-16 May [male] North Cardiff - [RJT]
A [EG] 26 May [male] Cosmeston CP - [C. Jones]

*Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)
 [EG] Jan, Feb & 01-10 Mar & 25 Mar -03 May [male] Cardiff Bay Wetlands Res. - [multi obs]
 [EG] 12-24 & 28 Mar [male] Cosmeston CP - [J.D. Wilson]
 [EG] 01 Apr to 03 May [male] CBWR
 [EG] 08 May [male] Llanishen Res. - [PB] {new for site}
 [EG] 01-28 Jun [male] Cardiff Bay - [multi obs] {possibly paired with fem. Tufted Duck}
(Returning male from 2014)


 [EG] 20 Oct - 03 Nov [male] CBWR - [GP et al] (drake returning to area)


*Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)
A [EG] 20 & 22 Oct & 24th to 28th Oct [1st W male] CBWR - [G. Stamp et al]

Black-throated Diver (Gavia arctica)
 [WG] 22 Nov. [1] Rhossili - [] 
A [EG] 1 Dec. [2] off Sker Point - [ND]

Leach's Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa)
[EG] 14 Nov [1] Lavernock Point - [ABv]
A [EG] 15 Nov [1] Porthcawl - [MHi]
A [EG] 15 Nov [1] Lavernock Point [WMS, PWG]
[EG] 15 Nov [1] Cardiff Heliport - [ABv]
[WG] 17 Nov [1] Bracelet Bay - [AJ]
[EG] 18 Nov [1] Lavernock Point - [GNS]
[EG] 28 Nov [1] Porthcawl - [AM]

Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena)
 [WG] 13 Jan [1] Whiteford - [ND et al]
 [WG] 04 Feb [1] Oxwich Bay - []

Slavonian Grebe (Podiceps auritus)
w [WG] 13 Jan [2] Wernffrwd - [M. Maher]
w [WG] 08 Feb [2] Whiteford Point - [D. Pritchard]
w [WG] 22 Feb [4] Wernffwrd - [O. Gabb]
w [WG] 05 Apr [3] Burry Inlet - [BS]
w [WG] 26 Nov [3] Whiteford Point [BS]

Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)
A [EG] Jan-Mar [1] Undisclosed - [GRC]
A [EG] 10 Nov [1] Porthcawl [MHi & DC]

Great White Egret (Egretta alba)
A [WG] Jan- 22 Apr [2] Llanrhidian Marsh - Multi Obs
video-grab 10 March (B. Stewart)
  [EG] 13 Mar [1] Ogmore Est. - [D. Ripley]
A [WG] 12 May [1] Llanrhidian Marsh - [MP, JNE, BS] {different from regular 2}
video-grab (B. Stewart)
A [EG] 03 Jul [1] Lamby Lake, Cardiff - [RM]
A [EG] 03 Jul - 03 Sept Aug [1] Kenfig Pool - [DGC]
 [WG] 27 Sept. [1] Broughton - [MSC]
A [WG] 16 &18 Oct [2] Llanrhidian Marsh - [R. Warren]
A [WG] 29 Oct [3] Llanrhidian Marsh - [MHi]
A [WG] 01 Nov [4] Llanrhidian Marsh - [MHi, DC, RHAT, BS, SJS]
NP [EG] 04 Nov [1] Flat Holm - [Stewart Grey]

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
A [EG] 30 Sept - 03 Oct. [1] KNNR - [ND]


*Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)
A [EG] 19-23 Jun [2cy] Kenfig Pool - [ND et al]

**Black Stork (Ciconia nigra)
A [WG] 26 May [1] Afan Argoed - [MHi]
© P. Parsons
A [EG] 26 May [1] Maesteg - [PP] (same bird seen f/o)

*Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
A [EG] 29 Sept. [1] Lavernock Point - [LM]

Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
w [WG] 14 Apr [fem/imm] Llanrhidian Marsh - [BS]
w [EG] 18-19 Apr [fem/imm] Kenfig Saltmarsh [MHi & ND]
w [WG] 14 May [adult fem] Llanrhidian Marsh - [MP & JNE]
A [EG] 14 Aug [juv] Ogmore Estuary - [NPR]
w [WG] Aug [2] Llanrhidian Marsh - [BS]
w [EG] 20-22 Aug [juv fem] Kenfig NNR - [HRS, DGC]
                                                                         © H.R. Saunders

A [EG] 27-28 Aug [1 fem/imm] Rhaslas - [MTH]
w [WG] 31 Aug [1] Llanrhidian Marsh - [AH]
A [EG] 31 Aug [1 fem/imm] Lavernock Point - [LM & AB]
                                                                       © A. Burns

w [WG] 14 Sept [1] Whiteford Point - [CDB]

*Common Crane (Grus grus)
 [EG] 06 Apr [2] Barry - J. O'Sullivan]
 [EG] 06 Apr [4] Cardiff - D. Hall
 [EG] 17 Apr [2] Sker & KNNR - [DGC & ND]
 [EG] 18 Apr [2] Kenfig Pool - [G. Moore] - same birds as above
 [EG] 19 Apr [2] Llantrisant - [David & Hazel ]
 [EG] 20 Apr [2] Cowbridge - []
 [EG] 08 May [1] Penarth - [JPH]
 [EG] 30 Sept [1] St. Mellons, Cardiff - [R. Facey]
{Probable releases from the GCP Somerset}

Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)
A [EG] 15 Jul [3] Sker Point - [ND]
A [EG] 19 Oct [3] Kenfig Pool - [ND]

Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)
A [WG] 24-26 Apr [1] Llanrhidian - [BS]
video grab (B. Stewart)
A [EG] 24-25 Jul [1] Ogmore Estuary - [NPR]
A [EG] 17 Aug [juv] Llanilid (Studio Pool) - [AH & NPR]
A [WG] 19 Aug [juv] Llanrhidian Marsh - [BS]

Grey Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius)
A [WG] 15 Sept. [1] Broad Pool, Gower - [C. Brewer]
 [WG] 11 Dec. [1] Crymlyn Burrows - [MHi]
A [EG] 27-30 Dec. [1] Sker Pool - [DGC]
(A Grey Phalarope was seen briefly at Kenfig Pool 24 Dec., which quite possibly could be this individual)

Pomarine Skua (Stercorarius pomarinus)
 [WG] 03 May [2] Loughor Bridge - [BS]
A [EG] 02 Jun [2cy] off Southerndown - [NPR]
A [EG] 17 Nov [1dp] off Lavernock Point - [LM, GNS]
A [EG] 19 Nov [1lp] off Lavernock & St. Mary's Well Bay [PB, GNS, LM, AB & DRWG]
A [EG] 19 Nov [1-2] off Lavernock & St. Mary's Well Bay [GNS, LM, AB]
 [EG] 20 Nov [1] off Lavernock Point []
A [EG] 30 Nov [1] off Lavernock Point [LM, JDW, AGS, GNS & MCP]

Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii)
 [WG] 05 May [1] Port Eynon Point - [Unk] (report)
(with Common Tern) © M. Hipkin
A [EG] 02 Jun [2] off Porthcawl - [MHi, MHn, GP]

**Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia)
A [EG] 01-15 Feb Cardiff Heliport, 01-20 Mar Cardiff Bay  - [GNS, RM et al] {Returning adult to area}
A [EG] 24-28 Mar [2 ads] Cardiff Bay - [PMH, LM, GNS]
A [EG] 29 Mar - 12 Apr [1 ad] Cardiff Bay [multi-obs]
 [WG] 12 May [1 ad S] Llanrhidian Marsh - [MP, JNE & BS]
video-grab (B. Stewart)
Glaucous Gull (Larus hyberboreus)
A [EG] 15 Jan [2CY] Cosmeston CP - [JDW]
© J.D. Wilson
A [EG] 15 Jan - 12 Apr [1st W] Sker Point/Pink Bay/Porthcawl area/Port Talbot - [DGC et al]
© D.G. Carrington (Feb)


© Steve Rosser (Apr)
 [WG] 18 Feb [1st W] Crymlyn Burrows - [PM]
 [WG]  04 May [ad] Aberavon Beach - [J. Garside]

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides)
A [EG] 22 Mar - 19 Apr [2CY] Cardiff Bay & River Taff - [JDW et al]

**Great Spotted Cuckoo (Clamator glandarius)
A [EG] 15-17 Apr [imm/2cy] Cwm Cadlan LNR - [Martin Bevan et al]
{First record for Glamorgan}
                                                                     © RGS

**Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus
 IC [WG] 05-06 Nov [1] Glyn-Neath - [EAH, MHi & PB et al]

Hoopoe (Upupa epops)
A [EG] 20 Apr [1] Rhoose Point - [C. Collins]

Wryneck (Jynx torquilla)
A [EG] 12 & 14 Sept. [1] Bridgend - [Adrian Reed]
A [WG] 02 Oct. [1] Cefn Bryn - [BS]

Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor)
A [WG] 04 -11 Jan & 14-27 Feb [1] Pengwern Common - [G. Rees, A King]
© M. Hipkin

A [EG] 16 & 22 Jan & 4 Feb [1] Garwnant - [CJ & RM] (presumed same from 2014)
© R. Mitchell

 [WG] 27 Jan [1] Ffyonnon Tyle-teg (Upper Blaengorrwg) - [M. Shewring]
A [EG] 14-16 & 22 Mar [1] Hirwaun Common (Bwlch-yr-Lladron) - [C. Richards]
A [EG] 28 Oct [1] RGW - [T. Winstone]
A [WG] 11, 12, 19 & 21 Nov  & 02, 03, 13 & 26 Dec. [1] Afan Argoed - [D. McEachen & PP] 

Wood Lark (Lullula arborea)
A [WG] 08-13 Jan [3] Overton - [MHi et al] (from 2014)
© M. Hipkin 
[EG] 10 Oct [1] Lavernock Point - [GNS]
A [WG] 18 Oct [3] Mewslade - [CG,PP,PT]
                                                                  © P. Parsons

A [EG] 28 Oct [1+] Lavernock Point - [LM, ABs]
A [EG] 30 Oct [1] Lavernock Point [DRWG, LM, ABs]
 [EG] 31 Oct [2] Lavernock Point [LM, ABs]
 [EG] 01 Nov [2] Lavernock Point [GNS]
A [EG] 11 Nov [1] Lavernock Point [LM, ABs]

Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus)
 [EG] 04 Oct [1] KNNR - [SLM]
 [WG] 04 Oct [1] Aberavon - [DMC]
 [EG] 04 Oct [1] Llandaff, Cardiff - [SRH]
 [EG] 04 Oct [1] Rhoose Point - [SPH]
 [WG] 06-07 Oct [1/2] Mewslade - [EAH]
 [WG] 08-14 Oct [1] Middleton - [EAH] (possibly same as above)
 [EG] 10-13 Oct [1] KNNR - [DGC] 
 [EG] 11 Oct [2] KNNR - [AWF]
 [WG] 12 Oct [1] Rhossili - [EAH]
 [EG] 13 Oct [1] undisclosed site - [per GRC]
 [EG] 14-17 Oct [1] Cardiff Bay - [ABv]
 [EG] 14 Oct [1] Roath Park, Cardiff - [DRWG]
 [WG] 15 Oct [1] Langland Bay [per BirdGuides]
 [EG] 19 Oct [1] Robertstown, Aberdare - [MJB]
 [EG] 25 Oct [1] Cathays Cemetery - [AGS]
 [EG] 27 Oct [1] Lavernock Point - [per BirdGuides]
[Note: Species waived for 2015 influx, GRC]

Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)
A [EG] 30 Apr [1] Parc Slip LNR - [GP]

*Rose-coloured Starling (Sturnus roseus)
A [WG] 31 Jul - 03 Aug [ad] Aberavon seafront - [Bob Anderson]

Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta)
w [EG] 17 Jan till 10 Mar at least [1] - Ogmore lower est. - [NPR] (from 2014)
© Paul Roberts

w [EG] 04 Feb [1] RGW - [DRWG]
w [EG] 02 Nov [1] Ogmore Est. - [NPR]
w [WG] 16 Nov [1] Dalton's Point, Penclawdd - [BS]

*Little Bunting (Emberiza pusilla)
A [EG] 05 Feb - 7 Apr [1] Forest Farm Reserve, Cardiff - [MCP & DRWG]
                                                                       © Mark Hipkin

Snow Bunting (Plectrophennax nivalis)
w [WG] 28 Dec [2] Whiteford Burrows - []

Extras

Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens)
 [EG] 18 Nov [6] KNNR - [JC & ND] {Of unknown origin}

Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus)
 [EG] May [1] (North Glamorgan) 
 [EG] June [1] (SE Glamorgan) 

Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
w [EG] Jan-Feb [2] Cowbridge 
{Report: Coming into a garden, feeding with House Sparrows}

*Siberian Chiffchaff (P.c. tristis)
 [EG] 04 Jan [2] Kenfig NNR - [ND]
 [WG] 04 Feb [1] Overton Sewage Works - []

Scandinavian Rock Pipit (A.p. littoralis)
 [EG] 11 Mar [1] Ogmore - [NPR]
 [WG] 17 Apr [1] Wernffrwd - [BS]

Pomarine Skua
 [?] 05 May [2] Burry Inlet - [Laurie Allnett] A Carmarthenshire record? YES (BS)

Up-dated 23/01/2016

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