Welsh Journals

COMMON SCOTER (Melanitta nigra). A regular winter visitor and large flocks may be seen off-shore around the peninsula. The drake is wholly black apart from the bright orange patch on bill. EIDER (Somateria mollissima). To the ornithologist this is probably the most interesting species of duck in Gower. It was first recorded about 20 years ago, and a small flock (varying in number) still persists in the vicinity of Whiteford. So far there is no record or evidence of breeding. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (Mergus serrator). Seen occasionally off Whiteford. SHELDUCK (Tadorna tadorna). This is our largest duck, is resident and breeds in small numbers. In Llangennith it is better known as St. George's Duck or Brannet." It occasionally chooses some strange places to breed. Normally the site is a burrow in sand-dunes, but it has bred on Cefnbryn. According to the late Mr. Woodward there were occasions when the parent birds used to lead the tiny ducklings down past his cottage soon after dawn every morning on their arduous trek from Cefnbryn to Oxwich marshes. Early one morning he heard a commotion, and on investigation he discovered some ducklings had fallen into a shallow pit. The parents were waiting nearby in a pitiable state until they were rescued and set on their way. WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (Anser albifrons). A regular winter visitor to Llanrhidian for many years. PINK-FOOTED GOOSE (Anser brachyrhynchus). An occasional winter visitor to the estuary and Oxwich. BRENT GOOSE (Branta bernicla). Both the dark-breasted Brent and pale-breasted are regular winter visitors to Whiteford, and also occasionally on Blackpill beach. MUTE SWAN (Cygnus olor). This is the semi-domestic species which is seen at Oxwich and ornamental ponds etc., in Swansea. Those seen occasionally on inshore waters around the coast are probably almost wild. Breeds occasionally at Oxwich and possibly other remote sites. WHOOPER SWAN (Cygnus cygnus). Rare winter visitor. The New Member of Parliament It will be a great joy for me to work in co-operation with the Gower Society to preserve the beauty of this part of the world. Voluntary organizations like yours are an absolutely essential part of the functioning of democracy. -From the speech given by Mr. Ifor Davies, M.P. for Gower, at the Annual Dinner of the Gower Society on 23 October, 1959.