Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - Summer 1988
Rob Hunt

December

A Great Northern Diver was offshore from Burry Port Power Station on 5th (FBJ) and was soon on several later occasions between Burry Port Harbour and Cefn Padrig.

The Whooper Swan which arrived at Penclacwydd in October remained until the end of the month whilst eight Bewicks Swans (five adults and three juveniles) circled the area before continuing their flight on 3rd (TR). At Dryslwyn the regular wintering flock of White-fronted Geese numbered 157 on 12th (ROH L FBJ). The best counts o4 Brent Geese were 146 off the Power Station on 26th (DMP) and 87 off Penclacwydd on 24th (TR). A small group was regular at Pembrey Harbour, eleven being present on 31st (FBJ). Further west at Ginst Point, the single Barnacle Goose was still present on 6th (MW). Sightings of Eider have been less common in recent winters, but three were off Cefn Sidan on 31st (FBJ). Inland at Talley there were fifteen Goosanders and two Gadwall on 28th (AO L MC). At Penclacwydd numbers of Shelduck had increased to 195 on 25th (TR).

The most interesting raptor records involved harriers with a male Marsh Harrier at Pembrey on 13th (FBJ) and a female at Ffrwd Fen on 27th (GJD L CJ). At Cydweli Marsh two male Hen Harriers were present on the 27th (GJD L CJ) and with two Peregrines on 31st (FBJ L EJS). A Peregrine was also regular at Penclacwydd (TR).

Four Ruff were with the group of c700 Lapwings and 146 Golden Plover at Pembrey Airfield on 23rd (JRE eta!). Green Sandpipers were at traditional wintering sites: three at Commissioner's Bridge on several dates (CJ eta!), one at Llangennech on 22nd (JRE L ROH) and one at Llansteffan on 23rd (DS). Greenshanks were recorded at Salmon Scar with one on 1st and four on 23rd (JRE). Black-tailed Godwits over-wintered at Ferryside with 31 being present on 1st together with 46 Bar-tailed Godwits (JRF). At Cefn Sidan the wintering Sanderling flock had built up to c500 birds.

A Short-eared Owl was regular at Penciacwydd (TR) and a Barn Owl was at Cydweli Flats on 6th (DMP eta!).

A female Black Redstart was at the Power Station on 5th (FBI), this being the only coastal record of the winter. A sale Blackcap was regular at The Links, Pembrey (MCW). A Chough was reported at Burry Port Harbour on 20th (per.FBJ) and the large Starling roost at Ffrwd Fen included an albino on 27th (638 L FBJ). Two Tree Sparrows were seen at Dryslwyn on 5th (FBJ).

January

The Great Northern Diver remained offshore at Burry Port Power Station with a Red-throated and eleven Great Crested Grebes also there on 17th (FBJ). The Whooper Swan remained at Penclacwydd and another was with nine Bewicks Swans at Capel Dewi on 2nd (JRE L ROH). The numbers of Bewicks Swans had increased to 28 at Nantgeredig by 16th (JF). At Dryslwyn there were c130 White-fronts and a single Barnacle Goose. Due to the mild weather the number of ducks at the Upper Lliedi Reservoir was much lower than usual. However, this locality produced the best winter record: a drake Ring-necked Duck identified by MHW on 10th. This bird was to remain in the area for a long period and was only the second vice-county record. This species has extended its range eastwards in North America and this has been reflected in an increasing number of UK records in recent years, there having been 202 British records up to the end of 1966.

At Penclacwydd numbers of Teal increased from just under 400 on 18th to over 600 by the end of the month (TR), when the Pintail numbers were just over 100.

A Peregrine was regular at Penclacwydd with others being seen near Meidrim on 11th (MW) and Burry Port Power Station on 17th (FBJ). Merlins were seen at Pembrey Saltings on 10th (FBJ) and Penclacwydd on 20th (TR).

Many people viewing the Ring-necked Duck on the Upper Lliedi Reservoir had excellent views of up to two Water Rails feeding beneath the bird table in front of the hide.

Green Sandpipers were recorded at a number of sites: two at Capel Dewi on 2nd (ROH), two at Nantgeredig on 16th (JF), at Llansteffan on 24th (DS) and also Commissioner's Bridge. Ginst Point and Llansteffan had single Spotted Redshank on 24th (MW L DS). The Golden Plover flock at Ginst was up to 1290 birds on 24th (MW) whilst at Llansteffan there were 171 Bar-tailed Godwits and 21 Black-tailed Godwits and two Greenshanks on 24th (DS). A single Jack Snipe was with 21 Common Snipe near Meidrim on 19th (MW). A single Ruff was seen at Coedbach on 3rd (ROH L FBJ).

At Penclacwydd the number of Short-eared Owls had risen to four on 7th (TR) whilst a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was seen feeding at the bird table at the Upper Lliedi on 23rd (GDJ & CJ).

The unseasonally mild weather resulted in few coastal records of Fieldfares and Redwings and no records of Bramblings. However, a single Snow Bunting was at Neville's Dock, Llanelli on 26th (SL). Wintering warblers clearly benefitted from the mild weather with Chiffchaffs at the Upper Lliedi Reservoir on 23rd-24th (GJD,CJ & MHW), female Blackcaps at Llanelli on 10th (ROH) and 25th (JRT) and a male at The Links, Pembrey throughout the month (MCW). A Black Redstart was at Llandeilo on 7th and 8th (NM) whilst two Dippers were regular at the Upper Lliedi and four' were on the River Cynin on 27th (MW).

February

All three diver species were recorded in the Burry Port - Cefn Sidan area: single Black-throated and Great Northern at Burry Port on 2nd (GJD); Great Northern at Cefn Sidan on 20th (ROH & FBJ) and Cefn Padrig on 24th (GH) and five Red-throated on 6th (FBJ) and fourteen on 20th (ROH & FBJ).

At Dolwen Point, Fulmars had returned to their breeding ledges by the end of the month (MW).

A single Bewicks Swan was at the Horsebox Pond, Pwll on 27th (FBJ) and at Dryslwyn there were 148 White-fronted Geese and a single Barnacle Goose on 22nd (MW). During the month there were several coastal records of White-fronted Geese flying north in late afternoon: 100+ over Stradey on 25th (JRE) and 121 over Pwll on 26th (GH). No sightings have been made in North Gower (per.DHVR) and as yet no sightings of birds feeding at coastal sites. At Cefn Padrig there were 36 Brent Geese on 18th (FBJ). There were c450 Shelduck at Penrhyngwyn on 28th (ROH) and thirty Scaup at Burry Port on 2nd (GJD). The Ring-necked Duck departed from the Upper Lliedi Reservoir on 17th but was seen at the Old Castle Pond on 28th (ROH).

Merlins were recorded at Banc-y-Lord on 21st (JRE etal), Dryslwyn on 22nd (MW) and Cynwyl Elfed on 23rd (MW).

Green Sandpipers remained at many sites, the only new record being a single bird with a Common Sandpiper at the Lower Lliedi Reservoir on 23rd (GH). Sightings of Knot have been scarce, the only notable count being c850 at Penrhyngwyn on 22nd (CJ). At Ginst Point the Golden Plover flock increased to over 1500 individuals on 7th (MW). A single Ruff was at Pembrey Airfield and at Ferryside there were 21 Bar-tailed and 159 Black-tailed Godwits on 21st (JRE et al). Two Woodcock were at Cwmbach near Meidrim an 2nd (MW) and a Jack Snipe was seen near Coed Llwyndry, Llanybydder on 19th (IKM).

Amongst the gulls there was an adult Mediterranean Gull at the Horsebox Pond on 24th (GH) and an adult Glaucous Gull at the Power Station on 27th (FBJ).

During the month there were up to six Short-eared Owls at Penclacwydd (TR).

A Chiffchaff was seen at Pwll on several dates together with a Cetti's Warbler on 27th (FBJ).

March

The only diver records were of a single Red-throated at Cefn Sidan on 1st (ROH & CJ) and a Great Northern at Cefn Padrig on 20th (FBJ). A Fulmar was offshore at Cefn Sidan on 6th (ROH L FBJ).

The Whooper Swan which was at Penclacwydd early in the winter had moved to the Old Castle Pond joining five Mute Swans. It was likely to have been this group which was seen at the Horsebox Pond on 20th (FBJ). Sadly it seems that the Whooper did not survive to return northwards: after its last sighting on 26th (ROH) there were reports of a swan having been killed by colliding with power lines at the Duport Site (per.TR). The last count of geese from Dryslwyn was of 128 White-fronts and the single Barnacle on 1st (ROH & CJ) whilst at Penclacwydd there were 85 Brent Geese on 20th (TR). The wildfowl count at Penclacwydd on 20th revealed 158 Teal, 28 Pintail and six Wigeon (TR). The Ring-necked Duck continued to be recorded and was seen on several dates at Old Castle Pond, becoming regular from the 26th. At first it was very wary, hiding in the reeds for long periods but clearly learnt from the wintering Tufted Ducks and became very approachable by the end of the month. At the Upper Lliedi Reservoir three male and a female Shoveller were recorded on 25th (RKBJ).

There were few new wader records during the month. At Penclacwydd the count on 20th revealed 160 Redshank, 350 Curlew, c40 Snipe and three Black-tailed Godwits (TR) whilst at Llangennech there were three Green Sandpipers on 1st and 12th (CJ et al). The adult Glaucous Gull was seen again at Burry Port Power Station on 20th (FBJ). Up to six Short-eared Owls remained at Penclacwydd (TR).

March is the month which sees the arrival of the first summer visitors and a Cuckoo at Llandeilo on 27th was a very early record (ID). The first hirundines were a Sand Martin on 22nd (NM) and a Swallow on 26th (ID) both also at Llandeilo. A Tree Pipit was at Gweunydd Cochion, Tumble on 29th (JRE), a Wheatear at Pembrey on 19th (FBJ), a Chiffchaff at the Lower Lliedi Reservoir on 21st (RKBJ) and a Willow Warbler at Telpyn Point on 31st (:RE). A particularly early record was of a Pied Flycatcher at Ginst Point on the 20th (PH). A Siskin visited a Swiss Valley bird table from 8th March to 2nd April (MHW).

April

Three Great Crested Grebes returned to the Upper Lliedi Reservoir early in the month. Two of the birds were seen displaying on several occasions and hopefully they will breed this year.

At the Ashpits Pond the female Mute Swan was incubating eggs by the end of the month. At Penclacwydd a raft of up to sixty Eiders was offshore at high tide for a few days from 17th (TR). The last Pintail at Penclacwydd was seen on 17th but two Teal remained into May (TR). The Ring-necked Duck remained at Old Castle Pond until 21st.

Little Ringed Plovers returned to the Towy valley during the month (JF) and the first Whimbrel were at Penrhyngwyn on 7th (IKM). There were 48 Whimbrel at Penclacwydd on 17th (TR) and numbers built-up here during the month. The first Common Sandpipers were recorded at Cydweli Quay and the Upper Lledi Reservoir on 17th (FBJ & RKBJ). Other wader records included a roding Woodcock near Meidrim on 22nd (MW) and at Cydweli Marsh 102 Golden Plover, two Greenshank and two Green Sandpipers were present on 5th (EJS et al).

Three Glaucous Gulls were seen early in the month: the previously recorded adult at Burry Port Power Station on 1st, a third-year bird at Machynys on 2nd & 3rd and a second-year bird at Cefn Sidan on 3rd & 4th (EJS) and an unaged bird was at Cefn Sidan on 24th (GHa & IKM). The first Sandwich Tern of the year was at Cefn Padrig on 3rd (EJS). A Guillemot was seen at Cefn Sidan on 3rd and a Razorbill at Telpyn Point on i0th (GH et al).

A flock of c70 Fieldfares at Cilsan Bridge on 9th (FBJ) was a late record and the last Short-eared Owl was seen at Penclacwydd on 23rd (TR). At the Lower Lliedi Reservoir a calling and drumming Lesser-spotted Woodpecker was seen on 4th (RKBJ).

Migrant passerines were recorded throughout the month with first arrival dates as follows:

• House Martin, Upper Lliedi Reservoir, 10th (RKBJ),
• White Wagtail, five, Cydweli Guay, 24th, (CJ).
• Redstart, Gelli Aur, 10th (TJ),
• Black Redstart, Ginst Point, 10th (CJ eta!), Whinchat, Gwenffrwd, 24th (per JRE),
• Grasshopper Warbler, Ffrwd Fen, 19th (JRE) and Llangennech (SJO),
• Sedge Warbler, Ashpits Pond, 17th (FBJ), Reed Warbler, Ffrwd Fen, 29th (CJ), Whitethroat, Penrhngwyn, 7th (IKM),
• Lesser Whitethroat, Llwynhendy, 27th (IKM),
• Blackcap, Nantgeredig, 3rd (JF) and Castle Woods, 3rd, (IB),
• Garden Warbler, Castle Woods, 25th, (IB) and
• Wood Warbler, Castle Woods, 22nd, (IB).

My thanks to all observers and contributers:

• IB Ian Boyd
• JRE John Ellis
• GHa Gavin Hall
• FBJ Bernard Jenkins
• CJ Clive Jones
• IKM Ian Morgan
• TR Tony Richardson
• DS David Stacey
• MHW Mike Williams   
• AO L MC A.O.K M.Chater
• JF Julian Friese
• PH Peter Hawkes
• RKBJ Richard Jenkins
• SL Stuart Lewis
• SJO Stephen Ormerod
• DHVR Dilwyn Roberts
• JRT John Thomas
• MW Mark Wilson.   
• GJD Gareth Davies
• GH Gary Harper
• ROH Rob Hunt
• TJ Tony Jenkins
• NM Neil Matthew
• DMP Dave Powell
• EJS Ed Smith
• MCW Mrs. Watson