Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - September 1984
Ian Morgan
1984 has been a good year for Lesser Whitethroats with a crop of Carmarthenshire records, birds being still reported, in addition to the earlier spring records, until at least mid-June (after they cease to sing they can be difficult to locate) Roy Barker submitted two records, from Bryn and the Morlais Valley, Luke Gravett confirmed breeding of this species near the Witchett Pool and Gary Harper did Iikewise at Pwll. This large influx was no doubt aided by the predominantly South-east winds of April-May, for the Lesser Whitethroat migrates in a North-west direction in spring; (and vice versa in autumn), rather than broadly northwards in spring as do many of our summer visitors. Several observers have commented on the lack of Sand Martins this year, with a great many less on the Tywi and elsewhere, but a small colony was found on the Llwchwr just East of Llanedi, this July.
Mid-June had a Turtle Dove passing through the Witchett area; whilst the same period on Gower saw the much rarer Alpine Swift and Little Egret reported. In early June, an unmated male Pied Flycatcher was still singing amongst the oaks of Stradey Woods and Tony Jenkins reports the successful colonization of woodland at Gelli Aur (Golden Grove) by this increasing species.
Barn Owls have regularly been seen this summer on the flat coastal area South of Llwynhendy and Bynea, also in late July breeding of the Little Owl was confirmed, (young just out of the nest), in the same area. Two new members, Brian Felton and Lesley Willets, whilst watching foxes in front of their cottage at Penyfai Farm, had he additional pleasure of seeing a Barn Owl hunting silently one evening; this Owl was subsequently seen visiting one of their outbuildings. It is pleasing for us to state therefore that this most beautiful owl is still with us in the Llanelli area, whilst it continues sadly to decline elsewhere - there are believed to be less than 5000 pairs now left in the British Isles. Two other raptors, the Red Kite and Peregrine, are both continuing to do quite well in our county - long may this remain so'.
A visit to Cefn Sidan on 7 July proved abundantly fruitful for E.J. Smith when he counted an amazing estimated 13,000 Scoter offshore'!, even higher figures were obtained in the 1970's; for Carmarthen Bay is an extremely important moulting ground for this maritime duck. As Edward emerged from the sea (he had gone in to 'cool-off' after seeing so many Scoter?', he was equally amazed to see, at close range, an adult Mediterranean Gull at the waters edge, this species is quite regular at Blackpill, Gower but only occasionally recorded in Carmarthenshire. Sandwich Terns have been present offshore at Cefn Sidan and Pembrey, in fact they are a regular feature off Cefn Sidan in July-August with their harsh cries; they have also been noted this summer in company with Common Terns at Ginst Point. By 20 July the flocks of Black-headed Gulls were building up with 400+ on Cefn Sidan and (six days before) 210 at the North Dock, Llanelli.
Common Sandpipers may have bred this year at Llyn Llech Owen and by early July they, together with Green Sandpipers, were passing through southwards again at Kenfig. Likewise a passage Common Sandpiper was at Machynys on 12 July. Whinchats bred at Cors Glynrhenllan (West of Llandybie) and coots, mallards and moorhens nested at Old Castle Pond where Tufted Duck (a pair) were present through the summer. Coots and. Moorhens bred successfully too, at the Machynys Ponds.
On 21 July, E.J. Smith had another good record in the form of 2 Little Stints, in. company with some Ringed Plovers near Burry Port Power Station, whilst on 27 July no less than 5 Green Sandpipers were flushed together as a small flock on the Afon Llwchwr North-east of Llanedi, this species is more usually encountered singly or sometimes in twos. A Greenshank was recorded by the Llwchwr South of Ammanford in late July.
A decade ago, 1974, was a 'classic year' for many local birdwatchers with a host of good records being made. Listed below are some of the more interesting records made in 1974-1976 in the Gwendraeth-Burry Port area: Wilson's Phalarope, Grey Phalarope, Avocet, Little Egret, Black Terns, Little Gulls, Spotted Crake, Hoopoe, Little Stints, Curlew Sandpipers, Spotted Redshanks and various rare American waders such as White-rumped Sandpiper and Buff-breasted Sandpiper - the majority of which were discovered by E.J. Smith, aided by Gary Harper and Dave Powell.
Luke Gravett informs us that by early August Skuas were already passing down off the Pembrokeshire coast and that a day-trip to Eire had a bonus in the form of a Black-browed Albatross in St. George's Channel' this selfsame species has been rumoured to be off the South Glamorgan coast also.
Certainly sea-watching from the South Gower coast has been worth while recently Manx Shearwaters, a Cory's Shearwater, Great and Arctic Skuas noted from Port Eynon Point. A Glaucous Gull has been present on the Gower coast also this summer.
By early August members of some species were building up on the Gwendraeth - Tywyn Point area, e.g. on 5 August: 44 Cormorants, c. 150 Common Gulls (and some c. 1000 gulls on the Gwendraeth itself - Black headed??); plus 2000+ Oystercatchers. A visit to the Llwchwr estuary North of Llangennech by E.J. Smith on 9 August was rewarded by the presence of 7 Common Sandpipers, 3 Green Sandpipers and. 4 Greenshank.
The drought of the spring-summer resulted in the ‘Ashpits Pond' drying-up completely with the necessary removal of the Mute Swan pair and their cygnet to a safer site. Some ground-feeding species such as the Rook must have found feeding difficult due to the sun-baked soil.
In general, a quiet period, as high summer often is, but we look forward to the autumn passage with anticipation.
Again thanks to the regular contributors of records - your help is always appreciated.
Latest News
On Sunday 12 August, Luke Gravett and John Rees had an excellent day when they recorded an Osprey at the Witchett Pool, it was 'seen off' by the resident male Marsh Harrier but only after giving a fish-catching performance! Greenshank together with commoner wader species were at the muddy margins of the Pool. Cory's Shearwaters have been also seen offshore at Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire, and a Baird's Sandpiper is at Newport, Pembrokeshire. The 12th August also saw a Glaucous Gull at Cefn Sidan, this time noted by Geoff Evans.
