Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - December 1984
Richard Davies

By Richard Davies, Recorder for the Gower Ornithological Society

January

During January most of the wildfowl reached their peeks on Gower with 4694 Teal, 2200 Wigeon, 2 Black-necked and 5 Slavonian Grebes at Whiteford with 2404. Pintail at Wernffrwd. Off Whiteford Point 10 Scaup were seen on 17th, whilst at Oxwich Pochard (17) and Tufted (16) reached maxima, and where a German ringed Teal was seen (staying into February). A Bittern was heard 'booming’ at Oxwich from 16th and the Cetti's Warbler was in song most days. Off Worm's Head 20+ Red-throated Divers were seen. Marsh Harriers were seen at Oxwich and Crymlyn Bog for most, of the year, both were immature males. Lapwings peaked at 3540 at Weobley Saltings on 17th 10 Spotted Redshank were also seen at Whiteford.

At Blackpill, the first of the Mediterranean Gulls appeared to stay all year, also from the beginning of the month Iceland Gulls arrived, seen on and off until April with six individuals (2 2nd winter, 14 1st winter birds). Unusual were two Ringed-necked Parakeets at Llanrhidian (were they wild?), 7 Firecrests were at Oxwich and 20+ Redpolls on the Garth, Morriston were notables.

February

A Bittern was still present at Oxwich while 501+ Brent Geese (dark belied) peaked at Whiteford, from where a Long-tailed Duck was seen on 9th, 5 Jack Snipe were flushed from the marsh. The first of the Ring-'billed Gulls arrived from the 24th with various individuals turning up until the beginning of May, when they suddenly disappeared. Flocks of 100+ Yellowhammers at Llangennith moor and 250+ Linnets at Burry Green were notable. A winter Ruff at Whiteford on the 9th was unusual.

March

Red-breasted Mergansers on the Burry Estuary peaked at 18 as did Eider off Whiteford - 80 (with 44 males), these numbers were consider¬ably down on previous years. A single Long-tailed duck was seen near Berges Is¬land, Whiteford. The first migrants were coming through with 6 Wheatears at Wernffrwd on the 20th.

April

More migrants with a male Ring Ouzel at Cefn Bryn on the 7th and 67 Whimbrel at Blackpill on 23rd. Also 21 Sandwich Terns at Whiteford, 33 Sand Martins at Oxwich on 11th. Redstarts at Cwm Ivy woods, a Lesser-spotted Woodpecker at Oxwich and 388 Sanderling at Blackpill.

May

Some very rare birds turned up with an adult male Woodchat Shrike at Cwm Ivy marsh on 17th and a Nightjar the same day. Mediterranean gulls peaked at 4 together on 14th at Blackpill where a Little Stint was seen, the customary Purple Heron arrived at Oxwich on the 15th, staying into July. Over Oxwich 7 Sparrowhawks were seen soaring on 2nd and a Wood Warbler was heard at Whiteford Plantation. Lesser Whitethroats were seen at a few localities into June, but still no proof of breading.

June

Unusual for the time of year were 3 Storm Petrels seen from a boat in Swansea Bay on 2nd, Six Barnacle Geese at Waunarlwyd and on the Burry Estuary were probably feral. A Quail was heard near Scurlage on the 19th and a Turtle Dove was seen at Mumbles on 4th.

July

Again a Storm Petrel was seen, this time in Oxwich Bay. Six Black tailed Godwits in full summer plumage at Wernffrwd on 10th and 10 Green Sandpipers at Llanrhidian were good numbers. Three superb Roseate Terns were seen at Oxwich on 21st and a Great Skua on 2nd. A Nightjar was again at Cwm Ivy Marsh.

August

A prime month for seawatching (which on Gower is mostly from Port Eynon Point), producing a Cory's Shearwater and 500 Manx Shearwaters on 18th. At Blackpill, Ringed Plover peaked at 497, present were also Little Stints and 6 Black Terns with Curlew Sandpipers late in the month. 35 Sandwich Terns at Whiteford and 7 Little Terns at Oxwich showed that there was some migration.

September

After severe gales early in the month, 3 Leach's Petrels. An Osprey was noted in the Burry Estuary from 21st to 28th with two over Pennard on 25th. At Whiteford, 15 Greenshank, one Ruff, an Arctic Skua and later a Great Skua on the 11th. The “Bonxie” continually attacked a Shelduck for twenty minutes, the victim escaped by diving. At Broadpool there was a gathering of 15 Common Sandpipers whilst at Blackpill there where 77 Comic Terns. Very unusual was a Wryneck seen at Overton on the 1st.

October

A very rare visitor on Gower was a female Smew at Blackpill in company with 6 Goldeneye on the 30th, there were also two Curlew Sandpipers earlier in the month. At Oxwich a party of 15 Bearded Tits were seen, with 3 Great Northern Divers in the Bay and 200 Pied (with one White) Wagtails on the shore. Snow Bunting s were seen both at Worms Head and Whiteford Point.

November

At Worms Head 4 Velvet Scoter along with 350+ Common Scoters were seen. At Blackpill a first-winter Glaucous Gull came for a day. 4 Short-eared Owls were frequently seen at Llanrhidian. Again at Whiteford, a Long-tailed duck and up to 8 Great-crested Grebes were seen while 14 White-fronted Geese were there on the 12th.

December

Early in the month came the biggest surprise of the year when a Red-breasted Flycatcher was seen at Whiteford on the 4th. Crossbills were found at Pellergaer Forest, with up to 20+ seen. At Llangennith Moors a large flock contained 650+ Chaffinch 25+ Brambling and 7 Tree Sparrows, the flock being chased by a male Hen Harrier. Large flocks of Stove Doves (68), Wood Pigeons (120) and Collared Doves (43) were seen over Gower. At Oxwich, 5 Gadwall were noted, whilst at Weobley 3750 Lapwing and 3200 Golden Plover were counted. At Blackpill a first-winter Iceland Gull was seen on 31st December and 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers. At Whiteford, 5600 Knot and 2900 Teal were good counts. From the

'Crabart ', Rhosilli 11 Purple Sandpipers and an immature Velvet Scoter were seen.