Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - September 1983
Ian Morgan

Early May saw a Lesser Whitethroat at Tywyn Point and a pair of Turtle Doves at Eastwoods, several pairs of the former sp. were noted later in the breeding season around Trostre. Another bird that has had several sightings this year is the Little Owl with birds throughout the summer at Mynydd Sylen, Bynea and with records at Mynydd Du also.

Mynydd Du has had nesting Ring Ouzels with a pair with young above Pont Clydach in early June. The Yellow Wagtail nesting colony on the coast between Machynys and Llwynhendy was surveyed - at least three pairs were nesting and a nest with 4 eggs was found on one visit. This species also nests in the Tywi valley (and elsewhere on the coast?); it occurs on passage in autumn.

Pied Flycatchers, though common and widespread in the North of the county do not normally nest in South Carmarthenshire, therefore it was pleasing to hear of two pairs nesting at Llanedi (near Pontarddulais) and alongside the mineral line in the Pontiets - Pontyberem area. Birds have sung in the past in Stradey Woods (1971, 1980) but have not bred. Another scarce nester in the South of the county, the Whinchat, was nesting this year on the bog at Llwyn-yr-eos (nr. Llannon) whilst there were inland pairs of Stonechats at Mynydd Llangyndeyrn where Curlews also nested.

In the course of botanical recording, a previously unknown pair of Peregrines were found - this species continues to increase in the county. Kites had a reasonable breeding season and they too are spreading. A male Crossbill was seen in Pembrey Forest sometime in June by E.J. Smith.

In early June G. Harper heard Quail calling at night behind Maes-yr-Hâf, Pwll; this sp. is infrequently recorded. A visit to the Witchett Pool, Laugharne on 6th August was enlivened by a male Marsh Harrier hunting over the reed-beds and nearby willow scrub. A pair of Siskin’s, probably nesting nearby, were seen near Cynnant Farm, Rhandirmwyn, early in July. This small finch (normally a scarce winter visitor) has only been nesting in Cams. for the last decade or so.

Green Sandpipers as well as the more widespread Common Sandpipers have been recorded on passage in July-August at Pont-newydd (Mynydd-y-Garreg) and at Upper Lliedi Reservoir. Great-crested Grebes and Little Grebes nested successfully near Llanelli this year, both sp. also nested at Talley Lakes.

Recent events, however, have overshadowed many of the summer records, the strong gales of early September blew many seabirds off course onto the west coast of the British Isles. The alarm was raised on Sunday 4th by Mr. Clive Jones and before long a host of local ornithologists were reaping the rich harvest of rare birds in the Burry Port area.

Perhaps it would be said that the “star birds” were the 4 plus Sabine’s Gulls - two still resplendent in summer plumage, that afforded such good views to (most) who searched for them. The Sabine’s Gull nests in Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere and the strong winds must have intercepted the migrating gulls en route to the Wintering grounds. Many have apparently been seen elsewhere on the west coast. Not to be forgotten either was the 1st year Little Gull flying into the gale, as it fed diligently off the water’s surface. This gull used to be a regular autumn visitor to the Burry Port area but numbers have declined in recent years.

Far offshore, Petrels were seen - flying, typically low over the sea.

Since the majority of those seen at other sites after the present gales were Leach’ s Petrels it is not unlikely that some (or all?) of those at Burry Port were Leach’s not Storm Petrels. Some observers saw a Great Skua whilst a Phalarope, later determined as a Grey Phalarope frequented the Pwll Beach area. Various Tern species - Sandwich, Little ‘Commic’, and Black have been recorded and the Monday after the storms produced excellent views of a Red-necked Grebe on a calm sea off the Power Station; it is usually a very rare winter visitor. A visit to Cydweli Quay yielded a Spotted Redshank.

There have been reports of large numbers of Shearwaters, Skuas and Sabine’s Gulls elsewhere in Dyfed with some Shearwaters being blown inland. It is certainly worth looking out for the unusual in the weeks to come.

I am grateful to the local ornithologists who submitted records.