Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - Winter 1990/1991
Dilwyn Roberts

Among regular British ducks, Garganey are uniquely the only summer migrants, arriving towards the end of March-mid May, the return passage to tropical Africa beginning in late June, ending in October. The numbers of those arriving and staying to breed in Britain, fluctuate unpredictably, probably dependant on prevailing weather conditions and at only a few flood-land and fen areas in south east England, Yorkshire and Somerset do they nest annually.

As Wales is situated on the periphery of its summer extension, Garganey occur a spring (mainly) and autumn passage migrants, chiefly to Gwent, Glamorgan, Anglesey and Pembrokeshire, although single pairs bred in Cardiganshire in 1968, Monmouth in 1969-70 and probably at Kenfig Pool, Glamorgan in 1984.

Initially recorded by L.W. Dillwyn from 'Llanelly Marsh' in 1848, T.W. Barker noted three occurences, all shot, during the early years of this century at Cynwyl Elfed and Llandybie. Despite that up to the 1950's coincided with a period of gradual increase elsewhere, there were no futher Carmarthenshire records until 8 May, 1949 when 3 males and a female were seen at Witchett Pool on Laugharne Burrows, followed by a pair there on 9 May, 1954. One was reported shot on the Teifi at Pencarreg in 1963, a female similarly, Ginst Point, on the unusual date of 11 January, 1969, and a pair seen 'near Cydweli' (probably at Bevan's Pond on Cydweli Flats), between 27 March and 4 April, 1964. 1969 saw a considerable influx, with a maximum of 8 at Witchett Pool, 28 March - 1 April, with 2 females staying there the following year from 23 April.into early May, with a pair there again on 17 April, 1971; earlier in April a male had been shot on Afon Llwchwr, near Llangennech.

The years 1969-76 are notable in that Garganey were recorded annually, albeit only a single record in most years, mainly on spring passage during March/April:- a male visiting Coed, Ferryside in 1973, a female on a pond at Glanrannell Park, Crugybar in 1974, a pair on Bevan's Pond in 1975. Only three return passage records exist, probably partly due

to the greater difficulties presented with regard to identification, a pal the male in eclipse plumage at Cynheidre Pool, 28/29 October, 1972, a pair which visited the duck pens at Coed, Ferryside, 8 August 1976 similarly an immature at Penclacwydd, 9-20 September, 1989. Following an eleven year gap, a pair later joined by another male were seen at Bevan's Pond on 5 April, 1987, again a pair there with the male seen displaying, 28 March, 1990, also a pair at Ashpits Pond, Pwll on 7 May, 1989. As a scarce passage migrant this shy little duck is most likely to be encountered in Carmarthénshire on our limited number of shallow fresh waters in spring, the conspicuous white stripe shown up by a dark crown, stretching from the eye in a graceful curve to the nape, its blue shoulders and drooping, pointed black and white scapulary advertise the male, most often paired by a more unobtrusive female.