tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10844305411044231882024-03-05T14:48:07.925+00:00Wildlife in WalesWelcome to my Blog, I hope you enjoy it. I hope to share with you the wonderful wildlife that can be found here in Wales. I'm based in Neath Port Talbot and I make no apologies for flying the flag for this biodiverse county. But, of course, I won't be ignoring the other great areas further afield. Thanks for visiting and come back soon.Mark Hipkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210719279354534840noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084430541104423188.post-13349264634263954162011-05-15T14:43:00.002+01:002011-05-16T11:06:21.495+01:00Neath Port Talbot Day list 14th May 2011<strong><u>Above Cilfrew from 04:00 (15 new species)</u></strong><br />
04:07 Tawny Owl<br />
04:13 Robin<br />
04:13 Cuckoo<br />
04:18 Redstart<br />
04:28 Blackbird<br />
04:40 Song Thrush<br />
04:49 Blackcap<br />
04:51 Chaffinch<br />
04:53 Carrion Crow<br />
04:59 Pied Flycatcher<br />
05:03 Magpie<br />
05:05 Great Tit<br />
05:10 House Sparrow<br />
05:12 Woodpigeon<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Crymlyn Burrows from 05:20 (38 new species)</u></strong><br />
05:20 Buzzard<br />
05:20 Green Woodpecker<br />
05:21 Lesser Black-backed Gull<br />
05:21 Herring Gull<br />
05:21 Wren<br />
05:24 Skylark<br />
05:25 Garden Warbler<br />
05:26 Greenfinch<br />
05:26 Sedge Warbler<br />
05:28 Dunnock<br />
05:30 Curlew<br />
05:30 Shelduck<br />
05:31 Meadow Pipit<br />
05:32 Whitethroat<br />
05:34 Reed Bunting<br />
05:35 Whimbrel<br />
05:36 Dunlin<br />
05:49 Redshank<br />
05:53 Swallow<br />
05:54 Mistle Thrush<br />
05:56 Common Sandpiper<br />
05:57 Willow Warbler<br />
06:02 Chiffchaff<br />
06:10 Collared Dove<br />
06:10 Goldfinch<br />
06:17 Great Black-backed Gull<br />
06:34 Ringed Plover<br />
06:34 Sanderling<br />
06:36 Common Gull<br />
06:40 Little Egret<br />
06:47 Oystercatcher<br />
07:03 Cormorant<br />
07:17 Stonechat<br />
07:19 Jay<br />
07:20 Swift<br />
07:23 House Martin<br />
07:30 Linnet<br />
07:31 Blue Tit<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Pant-y-Sais from 07:40 (10 new species)</u></strong><br />
07:42 Reed Warbler<br />
07:45 Grasshopper Warbler<br />
07:55 Mallard<br />
07:59 Bullfinch<br />
08:04 Water Rail<br />
08:05 Grey Heron<br />
08:10 Long-tailed Tit<br />
08:19 Greylag Goose<br />
08:26 Grey Wagtail<br />
08:40 Lesser Redpoll<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Llettybella from 09:00 (7 new species)</u></strong><br />
09:05 Pied Wagtail<br />
09:11 Great Spotted Woodpecker<br />
09:16 Wood Warbler<br />
10:00 Tree Pipit<br />
10:15 Coal Tit<br />
10:23 Siskin<br />
10:35 Raven<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Abergarwed from 10:50 (0 new species)</u></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><u>Borrow Pits from 12:10 (7 new species)</u></strong><br />
12:10 Goosander<br />
12:11 Sand Martin<br />
12:11 Mute Swan<br />
12:15 Coot<br />
12:15 Canada Goose<br />
12:15 Great Crested Grebe<br />
12:20 Little Grebe<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Neath River from 13:25 (1 new species)</u></strong><br />
13:29 Black-headed Gull<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Cimla from 13:45 (3 new species)</u></strong><br />
13:50 Rook<br />
13:52 Nuthatch<br />
13:59 Starling<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Aberavon from 14:20 (2 new species)</u></strong><br />
14:33 Lapwing<br />
13:36 Wheatear<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Port Talbot from 15:25 (1 new species)</u></strong><br />
15:25 Feral Pigeon<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Margam Moors from 16:40 (3 new species)</u></strong><br />
16:54 Pheasant<br />
17:54 Moorhen<br />
19:09 Stock Dove<br />
<br />
4 Schedule 1 breeders also recorded during the day not listed above.Mark Hipkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210719279354534840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084430541104423188.post-41905900733443314972011-04-30T20:19:00.001+01:002011-04-30T20:20:52.945+01:00Butterflies at Crymlyn Burrows<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2Yc6VGRKNXKJ0KF_eV0qgGF0Q_Z7tQVTgpawqV5drxBSElsUqMHFl2Etno7m2MA-PGDRhnDRLSekujZPW6PC3uoltpT3T_UJ_xGB71d6qL4vyl9u8qj6HQDP7xDfeVoiPNZsKW39kOA/s1600/Brown+Argus+Crymlyn+Burrows+30Apr11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2Yc6VGRKNXKJ0KF_eV0qgGF0Q_Z7tQVTgpawqV5drxBSElsUqMHFl2Etno7m2MA-PGDRhnDRLSekujZPW6PC3uoltpT3T_UJ_xGB71d6qL4vyl9u8qj6HQDP7xDfeVoiPNZsKW39kOA/s400/Brown+Argus+Crymlyn+Burrows+30Apr11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Argus</td></tr>
</tbody></table> On my way back from the beach following a bit of wader watching I found a nice area in the dunes which was pretty well sheltered from the strongly winds. It was full of butterflies and I managed to record some good stuff for this site. At least 20 Brown Argus were on the wing here and it was great to see them fly in the company of Common Blue butterflies. They are quite distinctive in flight, the underwing looks quite pale (sometimes described as silvery) and they keep quite close to the ground and fly a bit faster than Common Blue.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XfzfDAL2EnrMVFMha-D5EeF3ABn0YR_vHfj7TcGqwBVbeXB95ZQIhkswAZ_HkESFCNjci2ofwwUed_mfFYR0T0M4mTPxzTXuyw9S12gKj6X_2E_dAXE8CrWyRin5Z7df-JuHrMvItro/s1600/Brown+Argus%25281%2529+Crymlyn+Burrows+30Apr11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XfzfDAL2EnrMVFMha-D5EeF3ABn0YR_vHfj7TcGqwBVbeXB95ZQIhkswAZ_HkESFCNjci2ofwwUed_mfFYR0T0M4mTPxzTXuyw9S12gKj6X_2E_dAXE8CrWyRin5Z7df-JuHrMvItro/s400/Brown+Argus%25281%2529+Crymlyn+Burrows+30Apr11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Argus</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zZ_dbhlSi6JdR1upUZSI-WMwXSbqQtkv4KQ9iGsR9XYF2YHAwav_5RF2Z6tXceK0ZrKNWY5INTVyQHci5SnGSHILxsx76Fh9cnaGwArpqpprDsgjtzUKki4uVe7cqQET-lvdXUg80Qc/s1600/Small+Heath+Crymlyn+Burrows+30Apr11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zZ_dbhlSi6JdR1upUZSI-WMwXSbqQtkv4KQ9iGsR9XYF2YHAwav_5RF2Z6tXceK0ZrKNWY5INTVyQHci5SnGSHILxsx76Fh9cnaGwArpqpprDsgjtzUKki4uVe7cqQET-lvdXUg80Qc/s400/Small+Heath+Crymlyn+Burrows+30Apr11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Heath</td></tr>
</tbody></table> 2 Small Heath were seen flying near this sheltered area and is quite early for this species<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJg_L-wO7pIYbIam7UmyoK2rrpA2r1V6on65BsotQ8yBWJPJ2_PzjnuL5GhKx4OLcGcJGlLU2TXDppxfMNJnbw5vL3F1GjmexyHKozpKP0aSv-fHECtk0WgZH3hEnP68hpAhr3PeAtm8/s1600/Dingy+Skipper+Crymlyn+Burrows+30Apr11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJg_L-wO7pIYbIam7UmyoK2rrpA2r1V6on65BsotQ8yBWJPJ2_PzjnuL5GhKx4OLcGcJGlLU2TXDppxfMNJnbw5vL3F1GjmexyHKozpKP0aSv-fHECtk0WgZH3hEnP68hpAhr3PeAtm8/s400/Dingy+Skipper+Crymlyn+Burrows+30Apr11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dingy Skipper</td></tr>
</tbody></table> At least 5 Dingy Skippers were flying around the sheltered area and is a good record for this site, although sightings of this species are being recorded pretty regularly this year<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvR_LwAhL9RZT0aWCyzbFSPv4QTa2Vq-yQAsttom2cPm1uF95rtyDZxY8J0o2WfSBg7aZ46pqq0mh1gwg-hNmdpczQtKjoxtNud0gUF1K1mU3YWMfaFxZKyuHxAqLVqiQJY1H0D3TktVA/s1600/Small+Blue+Crymlyn+Burrows+30Apr11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvR_LwAhL9RZT0aWCyzbFSPv4QTa2Vq-yQAsttom2cPm1uF95rtyDZxY8J0o2WfSBg7aZ46pqq0mh1gwg-hNmdpczQtKjoxtNud0gUF1K1mU3YWMfaFxZKyuHxAqLVqiQJY1H0D3TktVA/s400/Small+Blue+Crymlyn+Burrows+30Apr11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Only 2 Small Blue were found today<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfsrmYbNa-Y919XnmErPSF2RSequdSdf1QmX0ZaoJAlrTBj91wVPgV5iBFME1DvAxg8gbk-LmGHJmE0SApX2O7yVDLEA7SZ6tnTgYxURagsIxHJnVlNRR6B1WyEkpRDql5syEmadOH6w/s1600/Small+Copper+Crymlyn+Burrows+30Apr11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfsrmYbNa-Y919XnmErPSF2RSequdSdf1QmX0ZaoJAlrTBj91wVPgV5iBFME1DvAxg8gbk-LmGHJmE0SApX2O7yVDLEA7SZ6tnTgYxURagsIxHJnVlNRR6B1WyEkpRDql5syEmadOH6w/s400/Small+Copper+Crymlyn+Burrows+30Apr11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>At least 20 Small Copper were here and further afield as were the most abundant species today Common Blue which numbered over 60 throughout the site.Mark Hipkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210719279354534840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084430541104423188.post-58809064449137808442011-02-28T18:50:00.000+00:002011-02-28T18:50:20.398+00:00Greenshank at Penclacwydd WWT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJWhStIPRr83JxHLGtuxFm5jLzO-yIUitKt3Prz7-lViqGgR6kQxCZ1cHlfZHqY1LmFJxdKZ7P__ZNtht6j6bHf-fI8KnvcQ6pTNlop7deNukQCa21C1ywEH_e6hYCFOQDQ1qGFH_61M/s1600/Greenshank+Penclacwydd+28Feb11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJWhStIPRr83JxHLGtuxFm5jLzO-yIUitKt3Prz7-lViqGgR6kQxCZ1cHlfZHqY1LmFJxdKZ7P__ZNtht6j6bHf-fI8KnvcQ6pTNlop7deNukQCa21C1ywEH_e6hYCFOQDQ1qGFH_61M/s400/Greenshank+Penclacwydd+28Feb11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I made my first ever visit to Penclacwydd WWT today! I've walked the millennium path a few times but, never actually entered the reserve. Having now experienced it I can't wait to go back. I spent my whole time in the British Steel hide and although there were never very large numbers of birds, there was a continual movement of birds to and from the scrape.<br />
<br />
5 Greenshank (shown above) were showing on and off throughout the day. Other nice stuff were a fine drake Pintail, 3 Little Egret, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker over the centre.Mark Hipkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210719279354534840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084430541104423188.post-23870605357162310322011-02-28T18:48:00.001+00:002011-03-01T14:18:20.612+00:00Mediterranean Gull on Aberavon Beach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABqu29ZnYj8Nmdk9qC0VoQrB1aTBeqkJSEmCoiIe8m_myVUQWJdzmshzUWRv3E-mgUjVJwLEJ9H3DHMUfIrNSCzRNwf74M-F2XciWqi9bNIqRWOwpYkezysvNI6f4I9MTzgTGelPPTlk/s1600/Mediterranean+Gull+Aberavon+Beach+26Feb11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABqu29ZnYj8Nmdk9qC0VoQrB1aTBeqkJSEmCoiIe8m_myVUQWJdzmshzUWRv3E-mgUjVJwLEJ9H3DHMUfIrNSCzRNwf74M-F2XciWqi9bNIqRWOwpYkezysvNI6f4I9MTzgTGelPPTlk/s400/Mediterranean+Gull+Aberavon+Beach+26Feb11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This fine adult Mediterranean Gull was on Aberavon Beach on Saturday. Although good numbers are often found around Bracelet Bay they are much more uncommon at these nearby beaches. It was very confiding and completely on its own in the middle of the beach. A Black-headed Gull joined it briefly but, was unable to put up with the activity on the beach that this Gull could.<br />
<br />
I found it during a volunteer survey to look for birds that have been washed up along our beaches. This survey is conducted nationwide with particular interest in oiled birds or signs or oil. The stretch I covered was between the Neath river and Afan river. It is pleasing to report that no signs of oil was present. Even more pleasing, were the very good numbers of Sanderling present along this same stretch. I counted 529 Sanderling here, with 375 on the main beach and a further 154 in the smaller bay at the mouth of the Afan.Mark Hipkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210719279354534840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084430541104423188.post-3316797553294486682011-02-25T18:26:00.000+00:002011-02-25T18:26:41.519+00:00Lesser Scaup on Eglwys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDTpm544gLrKtl1mjMA0E88tVng_JFO76Z-6GBM9OOKIILum4y2mbTDKEhgtZH4E-xYkWAC8XARpUuqaqJEnnyTth9mD_goARLYB96DpRxWZStECScDIyXkWKWxx79iGhSy-Gcu3EXrs/s1600/Lesser+Scaup+Eglwys+25Feb10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDTpm544gLrKtl1mjMA0E88tVng_JFO76Z-6GBM9OOKIILum4y2mbTDKEhgtZH4E-xYkWAC8XARpUuqaqJEnnyTth9mD_goARLYB96DpRxWZStECScDIyXkWKWxx79iGhSy-Gcu3EXrs/s400/Lesser+Scaup+Eglwys+25Feb10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>In very depressing conditions at eglwys today, the quality of species present brightened things up a good deal. Duck numbers fluctuate quite a lot at Eglwys from day to day. The female Lesser Scaup was definitely present last week on the 16th and 17th but, I'm not sure if it was seen there after those dates, even though it was looked for. Today she was showing quite well, albeit distantly, and feeding frantically.<br />
<br />
The slavonian Grebe was still present, as were 2 drake Scaup. All these birds were viewed from the locked gate near reedy bay.Mark Hipkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210719279354534840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084430541104423188.post-82178616626534202912011-02-24T22:42:00.000+00:002011-02-24T22:42:51.921+00:00Slavonian Grebe on Eglwys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRvOQI-cQIsTQHA3dfz4-WABI9DfTYCwDbV5uXS04YNdv5Xq6iUTrwagt6_-IPsQ_-36M6fsGeyk0ogSPhx1Z_UuSqcHiPrifrLdDqH8G2Mi6ziyo50Z_lIiC50vMGI6stlnfa4OJaKw/s1600/Slavonian+Grebe%25282%2529+Eglwys+24Feb11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRvOQI-cQIsTQHA3dfz4-WABI9DfTYCwDbV5uXS04YNdv5Xq6iUTrwagt6_-IPsQ_-36M6fsGeyk0ogSPhx1Z_UuSqcHiPrifrLdDqH8G2Mi6ziyo50Z_lIiC50vMGI6stlnfa4OJaKw/s400/Slavonian+Grebe%25282%2529+Eglwys+24Feb11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Slavonian Grebe at Eglwys Nunydd Reservior today.It showed well down to about 30m in the NW corner of the res.Mark Hipkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210719279354534840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084430541104423188.post-63497899870894951722011-02-19T21:28:00.002+00:002011-02-19T22:15:54.016+00:00Merlin at Baglan Bay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXeG6g0ePqum1qAhpdtVFOEmLvt9hkcoXC9-j_jx0fogjg9OuncZASmL2AN4YRsDCwNa-iyLiOA8cMYJ81SjxvgmPJ6jqIZUIc5Cekz1UGWOHOrzdI9S-yyf4CUpslPz3KwoPjg3tGpI/s1600/Merlin+BP+Baglan+19Feb11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXeG6g0ePqum1qAhpdtVFOEmLvt9hkcoXC9-j_jx0fogjg9OuncZASmL2AN4YRsDCwNa-iyLiOA8cMYJ81SjxvgmPJ6jqIZUIc5Cekz1UGWOHOrzdI9S-yyf4CUpslPz3KwoPjg3tGpI/s400/Merlin+BP+Baglan+19Feb11.jpg" width="381" /></a></div>This gorgeous female Merlin allowed me some fantastic views this afternoon. She was hunting the old BP Baglan grounds and when I found her she was using this brick building to check out the local passerines.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvD9Hg5847S06q6yb0G2T7ngJolFxGk4pD-PdxqDbz6XyWM7s9ars6QVAtnFA12_kB3UOXpOfQHosUn97gpby3fM8_2ByPUwR9buISjZstKVg3zjlLHBwQVv6orrq79AkzM563q-vn7zU/s1600/Merlin%25282%2529+BP+Baglan+19Feb11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvD9Hg5847S06q6yb0G2T7ngJolFxGk4pD-PdxqDbz6XyWM7s9ars6QVAtnFA12_kB3UOXpOfQHosUn97gpby3fM8_2ByPUwR9buISjZstKVg3zjlLHBwQVv6orrq79AkzM563q-vn7zU/s320/Merlin%25282%2529+BP+Baglan+19Feb11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>As the video below shows, the Carrion Crows wouldn't let her settle for too long but, they didn't chase her for long probably aware that she is far too quick for them in any case.<br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kRadiOW52s0?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kRadiOW52s0?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Mark Hipkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210719279354534840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084430541104423188.post-37273596357562133142011-02-19T20:37:00.000+00:002011-02-19T20:37:18.021+00:00Grey Plovers at Crymlyn Burrows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sZDN_kBfnNXDRqGkFwAi0-ZCv4PXFNW-bJmHWoug95XUnEIvXddEubbbQM8JLlT8BmgNQfsN2NvHBtzIw5Q0HzaI1l-67PTVUHFO-pjP3C6g1zgKHZWBQMWxcizzPI-4LTvXKHDudMs/s1600/Grey+Plovers%25284%2529+Crymlyn+Burrows+19Feb11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sZDN_kBfnNXDRqGkFwAi0-ZCv4PXFNW-bJmHWoug95XUnEIvXddEubbbQM8JLlT8BmgNQfsN2NvHBtzIw5Q0HzaI1l-67PTVUHFO-pjP3C6g1zgKHZWBQMWxcizzPI-4LTvXKHDudMs/s400/Grey+Plovers%25284%2529+Crymlyn+Burrows+19Feb11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The shingle ridge at the Western end of Crymlyn Burrows is a very important roosting area for waders during big high tides. Today there were 18 Grey Plover which represents my best count of this species at this site. Also roosting here were 88 Ringed Plover, 39 Sanderling and 149 Dunlin. Out at sea there were very few Great Crested Grebe off Crymlyn Burrows with only 8 noted but, there was 1 Red-throated Diver fishing offshore and 4 Kittiwake in with some Black-headed Gulls and Common Gulls further out.Mark Hipkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210719279354534840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084430541104423188.post-38236133536577831252011-02-03T18:48:00.000+00:002011-02-03T18:48:52.792+00:00Stock Dove at Margam ParkI found a pair of Stock Dove today near Margam Castle, possibly the same pair that Martyn Hnatuik found last year and maybe returning to the same location, I'm not sure? Whatever the case they have quite a local breeding distribution in Wales and, with the exception of the well known roosting area near Eglwys are not that commonly recorded within Neath Port Talbot. Armed with just my digiscoping gear today I chose to Video the male bird (confirmed by singing)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1yPD6fFA7Z-zCCsGtaH5SXjxLzPCMBkt7O6MbdOu_PgqeImABEQqiu5jf3ePLV33oKhMOdZX9qoRzzTJJaqEJSa-xJsVEtMHIIN2LBZJGFH4vM_i5R1-qPttd04pa-QwmLUJrwOGjHQ/s1600/Stock+Dove+Margam+Park+3Feb11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1yPD6fFA7Z-zCCsGtaH5SXjxLzPCMBkt7O6MbdOu_PgqeImABEQqiu5jf3ePLV33oKhMOdZX9qoRzzTJJaqEJSa-xJsVEtMHIIN2LBZJGFH4vM_i5R1-qPttd04pa-QwmLUJrwOGjHQ/s320/Stock+Dove+Margam+Park+3Feb11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The video isn't that good but I've decided to post a few "frame grabs" just to show the bird and some distinctive features. In the photo above the sitting bird does not show the white collar of an adult Woodpigeon or the white wing flashes that occur on both adult and juvenile Woodpigeons.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07dd8O-DYDuZCYvfUSHzsC9JkEjw8_9NP_3UFzNex6wyu_52HdgY784jhZnfsrfdaQEo_HvM2zZN_MgaxrINfAaI5j-nkIjR5RYO83jp04lbe8Xl5D0TAKXNV-1V7tvD7by23BYwcXTQ/s1600/Stock+Dove%25281%2529+Margam+Park+3Feb11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07dd8O-DYDuZCYvfUSHzsC9JkEjw8_9NP_3UFzNex6wyu_52HdgY784jhZnfsrfdaQEo_HvM2zZN_MgaxrINfAaI5j-nkIjR5RYO83jp04lbe8Xl5D0TAKXNV-1V7tvD7by23BYwcXTQ/s400/Stock+Dove%25281%2529+Margam+Park+3Feb11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The flight shots show a very broad tail band and also the much more extensive dark band that runs along the trailing edge of the inner-wing. Also the complete lack of white wing flashes separate them from Woodpigeon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpbofX-UpfFNjYBI-F5bd1jPPy7xj8s4LS8mwe81pkOnDvJVZuNKUMjtZBTnDLQHsh9PMGdlTTnEPEQbqKVZPsCcqef4azJ9WBKjTa-5_tf4-qDRskNcfYJdjxGGETfzHtmatTrAC-Do/s1600/Stock+Dove%25282%2529+Margam+Park+3Feb11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpbofX-UpfFNjYBI-F5bd1jPPy7xj8s4LS8mwe81pkOnDvJVZuNKUMjtZBTnDLQHsh9PMGdlTTnEPEQbqKVZPsCcqef4azJ9WBKjTa-5_tf4-qDRskNcfYJdjxGGETfzHtmatTrAC-Do/s400/Stock+Dove%25282%2529+Margam+Park+3Feb11.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>Mark Hipkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210719279354534840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084430541104423188.post-20995253256652936772011-01-31T21:05:00.001+00:002011-02-01T08:26:40.215+00:00Afan ArgoedIn 2010 I tried to see as many different species as possible within the boundaries of Neath Port Talbot. I managed to see 165 species and the last new species I saw was Marsh Tit. It was at Afan Argoed, around the feeders, at dusk on 28th December. Today, I tried to catch up with this species again at the same location. I didn't manage to see a Marsh Tit today, but, there was an abundance of activity around the feeders including some birds that are always good to see.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> male Greater Spotted Woodpecker</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZvY6nZXIgQ4Xo5rVvm5P7E6a8zzEQi7ld0WCW7zy7tncnxv4PiNjrZJ42ZiUFYU-pekm3LfXbbs1OZ1p-7bmXhfbxd3bTnv3iAfaLP2O1etOVNpeC07TEY3lV6mNLzQYnf332gDLjEA/s1600/GS+Woodpecker+AfanArgoed+31Jan11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZvY6nZXIgQ4Xo5rVvm5P7E6a8zzEQi7ld0WCW7zy7tncnxv4PiNjrZJ42ZiUFYU-pekm3LfXbbs1OZ1p-7bmXhfbxd3bTnv3iAfaLP2O1etOVNpeC07TEY3lV6mNLzQYnf332gDLjEA/s400/GS+Woodpecker+AfanArgoed+31Jan11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Robin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nUvRuTrel7bA3gkMg7iwqhQEozqx1E5lIO9zEl4J2iCQ3e3lmqJfMjqQvMrMsyLUbCRs38ldcMT36Qaz7B8OLa_OCT26sx73aXnG9YdMbmSGnkMA5Ii4JKMk4lr-S4an__yplUj2oOw/s1600/Robin+Afan+Argoed+31Jan11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nUvRuTrel7bA3gkMg7iwqhQEozqx1E5lIO9zEl4J2iCQ3e3lmqJfMjqQvMrMsyLUbCRs38ldcMT36Qaz7B8OLa_OCT26sx73aXnG9YdMbmSGnkMA5Ii4JKMk4lr-S4an__yplUj2oOw/s400/Robin+Afan+Argoed+31Jan11.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Jay</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_68XD7tCSFNqhKCERWJ58xczYf6Ov2XfzT_gbzJ1cveAia7V8KhVZOs8i2-srWsihTSzwS5SrInCpgPv7ACbGoddaUKwgpFLt3TKAvanq53hTn6pV7bvZZeFRkWs6gKgzt20g1BdpJ4/s1600/Jay+Afan+Argoed+31Jan11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_68XD7tCSFNqhKCERWJ58xczYf6Ov2XfzT_gbzJ1cveAia7V8KhVZOs8i2-srWsihTSzwS5SrInCpgPv7ACbGoddaUKwgpFLt3TKAvanq53hTn6pV7bvZZeFRkWs6gKgzt20g1BdpJ4/s400/Jay+Afan+Argoed+31Jan11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Coal Tit</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQQRR9tmf6sDhDnXeyqYkSS_K2YCWPUWHVBvB9absEOgN8ovfJ4dOX_gQUCN8cS4FnCBzEvBwDfqO4QFYsLZfDBMOTT-hsPGllMoe9Rc1Gmq2GGPPBCmUl4sg9eFpMrqsYuLJLbTti5Q/s1600/Coal+Tit+Afan+Argoed+31Jan11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQQRR9tmf6sDhDnXeyqYkSS_K2YCWPUWHVBvB9absEOgN8ovfJ4dOX_gQUCN8cS4FnCBzEvBwDfqO4QFYsLZfDBMOTT-hsPGllMoe9Rc1Gmq2GGPPBCmUl4sg9eFpMrqsYuLJLbTti5Q/s400/Coal+Tit+Afan+Argoed+31Jan11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The Afan Argoed centre can easily be found by car off the A4107 on the right-hand side going up the Afan Valley, beyond Pontrhydyfen and before Duffryn. There are lots of well marked tracks that pass through a number of very nice habitats. The feeders are right next to the centre and the birds seem well used to the presence of people which makes it a bit easier to catch them on camera.Mark Hipkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210719279354534840noreply@blogger.com0