Welsh Journals

Ornithological Notes, 1977-78 H. MORREY SALMON, C.B.E., M.C., D.L. These notes, which are summarised in their present form for the convenience and interest of the members of the Society, include the more unusual and interesting occur- rences in the three Glamorgan counties during the years 1977 and 1978. Those who desire more detailed information can consult the Glamorgan Annual Bird Reports of the Ornithological Section. The Black-throated Diver, the least frequent of the three winter visiting species, was recorded once in each year, one bird staying on Eglwys Nunydd reservoir for over four weeks in February-March, 1978. All three winter visiting grebe species again occurred; a Red-necked Grebe, the scarcest, remaining on Kenfig Pool for over two weeks, September-October, 1977. Wintering Great Crested Grebes were prominent, up to a maximum of thirty being on Eglwys Nunydd reservoir in October, 1978; this species also bred successfully on three waters, rearing young on Kenfig Pool for the first time in 1977 and again in 1978. Fulmars continue to breed on the Gower cliffs, including Worms Head, and were prospecting the cliffs of Mid and South Glamorgan, in both summers, as far east as Rhoose Point. Manx Shearwaters continue to come up-Channel in some numbers as far as Lavernock Point during summer but whether breeding birds from the Pembrokeshire island colonies or non-breeding immature birds is not certain. During a gale-period in November 1977, a Storm Petrel was at Eglwys Nunydd reservoir during one day in November, 1977; extremely unusual for this essentially pelagic species. On the same day a Leach's Petrel was seen at Kenfig Pool, the first recorded of this species since the 'wreck' of 1952. Gannets, likewise from Pembrokeshire, were seen off Gower in considerable numbers, with a few occasionally as far up-Channel as Aberthaw and Lavernock Point. Cormorants are seen widely, both coastwise and on inland waters, but have ceased to breed in Gower, probably due to action by fishing interests. Shags appear to occur more frequently, especially at the eastern end of the Bristol Channel. Grey Herons seem to have had successful breeding seasons but, while the 'booming' call of the Bittern was again heard in both years at Oxwich, there is still no evidence of them breeding there. Other visiting members of the heron family and near allied species have, however, been of great interest: a Little Bittern, unfortunately dead, was found at Kenfig in October 1977; Purple Herons have appeared for the fourth consecutive spring, one at Oxwich, May-July 1977, and another at Kenfig Pool, April-May 1978. Spoonbills came for the second successive year: three spent two days in Gower in April 1977, one of them identifiable by a colour-ring as having being reared in a nest in Holland in 1974. In August, 1978, a White Stork, also probably a passage-migrant from Holland, was seen at Gelligaer; only the fourth ever recorded in Glamorgan but the third in the past seven years. In May, 1978, a survey of breeding waterfowl, which brought up to date our knowledge of the species involved throughout the three counties, was carried out. Of particular interest in this connection was the first breeding of Wigeon in Glamorgan, when a duck and six ducklings were seen in the Kenfig area at the end of June. Being so far south of the species normal breeding range, it seems certain that the duck, at least, had escaped from a waterfowl collection but it could be that she had attracted a wild drake.