Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - March 1983
Ian Morgan
Apart from the wintering Chiffchaff and Blackcap mentioned in the article on the Pwll area, a female Blackcap was seen feeding (on the berries?) - amongst thick ivy on the railway side cliffs at Ferryside on 22nd January, whilst on 17th February a Chiffchaff was seen methodically to search the buds of a garden shrub at Denham Avenue.
At the R.A.F. runway (“Eastwoods") there have been the usual numbers of Golden Plover and Lapwing (500+ each) together with Fieldfares and Redwings. Four Whooper Swans (2 adult and 2 immature) were recorded on 6th February by E.J. Smith.
On 5th December a Buzzard wearing jesses was seen at the R.A.F. Bombing Range and throughout the winter a young male Hen Harrier has frequented the area. It is considered young for it has russet-coloured feathers on the back; otherwise it has the plumage of an adult male. On the 13th February this bird was joined by what was believed to be a male Marsh Harrier which afforded good but brief views, a Little Owl was seen on the same date on Mynydd Sylen.
Song Thrushes were singing by the end of December, Blackbirds on 26th January and Chaffinches on 29th January. There has been an influx of migrant Blackbirds during the recent cold spell. Mr. Clive Jones has recently recorded Merlin, Peregrine and female Hen Harrier at Machynys; also he was fortunate to see about 300 Brent Geese flying in the Burry Estuary in early February. On 6th February c. 350 Curlew were roosting on the Machynys fields at high tide.
Stop Press!
Since the above was written other members have submitted records of over-wintering Blackcaps such as the pair present through-out the winter near the Felinfoel garden of Mr. Michael Williams. Another pair has been present in Pembrey and a male was amongst the Sea Buckthorn, Tywyn Point on March 6th. Pembrey has also been visited by Snow Buntings and Mr. Brian Stringer informs me of the presence of three short-eared owls near Trostre.
1983 will see the British Trust for Ornithology’s Buzzard and Mute Swan Surveys. If any member is willing to complete a few simple census forms they should contact:-
Mr. Dilwyn Roberts, LIanelli. Mr. Roberts will also have details of the B.T.O.’s ‘Winter Bird Survey’ for 1983-84. Help is needed for all these worthwhile surveys.
