Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - Summer 1991
Rob Hunt

November.

A high pressure system at the start of the month led to a spell of sunny, settled weather with several night frosts. From the 9th to 24th a westerly airstream established itself producing a spell of unsettled weather. The month ended with another high pressure system.

A Black-throated Diver was seen off Burry Port Power Station (11th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.,R.L.) and at Telpyn Point there were 24 Red-throated Divers (4th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.). Single Red-necked Grebe and Shag were off Burry Port Power Station (25th - J.R.E.). At Tywyn Point 54 Cormorants were roosting (4th - D.J.P.).

A Little Egret was seen at Penclacwydd (2nd - 23rd - T.R.,B.St.) and another at Cydweli Marsh (24th - F.B.J.).

Wildfowl counts at Penclacwydd were: 810 Wigeon, 150 Pintail, 38 Shoveler and 6 Gadwall (all 5th), 11 Brent Geese (10th), an adult White-fronted Goose (23rd) and a Goosander (13th -T.R.,B.St.). Four Goldeneye and 31 Red-breasted Mergansers were seen at Salmon Scar (4th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.,C.J.). The Surf Scoter was seen at Telpyn Point (4th - J.K.,B.St.). A Long-tailed Duck at Dryslwyn (9th - J.F.) was an excellent inland record. Another at Burry Port (10th - J.R.E.,R.O.H.) was at a more typical site. Other wildfowl records were 200 Teal at Dryslwyn (9th - J.F.) and 60 Pochard at Duport Lake (7th - B.St.).

A Goshawk was seen in the north of the county on several dates (J.F., N.M.), a male Hen Harrier at Cydweli Marsh (21st - B.St., 23rd - F.B.J.) and a female Merlin at Cydweli Quay (5th - B.St.).

The Lesser Yellowlegs remained in the Cydweli Marsh - Quay area to 18th (B.St.). The Golden Plover flock at Ginst had built up to 450 birds (4th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.). Two juvenile Little Stints were seen at Coedbach Marsh (3rd - P.B.,P.G.L. et al) and a winter plumaged bird was at Cydweli Quay (11th - B.St,J.K.). Other records from the site were: 3 Green Sandpipers (5th) and 25 Bar-tailed Godwits (11th - B.St.). A Jack Snipe (3rd) and 5 Black-tailed Godwits (10th - T.R.,B.St) were seen at Penclacwydd. At Cefn Sidan records were 250 Knot, 1,000 Dunlin and 300 Sanderling (5th - B.St.). Other wader records were a Jack Snipe at Ffairfach (3rd - N.M.), 35 Ringed Plover and 300 Dunlin at Bynea (10th - B.St.) and 6 Greenshanks and a Spotted Redshank at Salmon Scar (4th - F.B.J. et al).

A Water Pipit was at Banc y Lord (3rd - P.B.,P.G.L.; 7th - F.B.J.).

A Cetti's Warbler was heard at the Ffrwd Fen (6th - F.B.J.) and a male Blackcap seen at Cefn Sidan (3rd - R.O.H.,F.B.J.). About 1,000 Fieldfares roosted at the Garreg-lwyd Forestry Plantation near Bethlehem (7th and 8th). Twelve Crossbills and 6 Redpolls were also seen there (7th - J.F.). A single Brambling and 10 Siskins were seen at Gelli Aur (4th - J.R.E.).

December.

A high pressure system gave a period of cold and settled weather up to 19th. A westerly airsteam with wet and windy weather prevailed for the remainder of the month.

A Great Northern Diver was presemt off Burry Port (27th - 30th - J.R.E. et al) and a Red-necked Grebe was seen there (15th - F.B.J.). A Shag was seen at Ragwen Point (16th - G.J.D. et al), the only regular locality for the species in the county.

The Little Egret remained at Penclacwydd throughout the month and a Bittern was seen there briefly (12th - 6.0.).

Up to 9 Bewick's Swans were seen in the Towy Valley from Cilsan Bridge to Llanarthney (J.F.,A.L.,N.M.)    (here were 35 White-fronted Geese at Dryslwyn (2nd - J.F.), but there were no further sightings there until the 45 seen by one of the teams on the winter bird race (29th - J.R.E. et al). Other wildfowl records from the Towy Valley were 5 Goosanders and a Pintail at Dryslwyn (2nd), 250 Teal and 10 Goosanders at the Dinefwr Ponds (16th - all J.F.) and a Long-tailed Duck at Llanarthney (29th - J.R.E. et al). Five Goldeneye were seen at Cydweli Quay (2nd - D.J.P.), with 3 at Llyn Pencarreg (18th) and 1 at Johnstown (15th - both J.F.). A female Long-tailed Duck was seen at Ragwen Point (3rd - B.St.), with 2 there (16th - G.J.D.,F.B.J.). Counts on the Gwendraeth Estuary were 9 Shelduck, 140 Mallard and 21 Red-breasted Mergansers; and at Ferryside 10 Shelduck,90 Mallard, 300 Wigeon, 20 Teal and 4 Red-breasted Mergansers (all 16th - B.St.).

Wildfowl counts

Penclacwydd were: 250 Wigeon and 400 Teal (5th),

540 Pintail and 35 Shoveler (12th) and 10 Gadwall (15th T.R.,B.St.). The stormy weather at the end of the month resulted in many Common Scoters seeking refuge in the Burry Estuary with records from Burry Port Harbour and Power Station, Cefn Padrig, Machynys Pond and Penclacwydd.

There were several sightings of Hen Harriers in the Pembrey - Cydweli Marsh area with 2 males at Cydweli Marsh (30th - F.B.J.). A pair of Peregrines were regular at Penclacwydd and a Merlin was seen at Cydweli Quay (16th - D.J.P.).

There were 2 Water Rails at the Upper Lliedi Reservoir (6th - M.H.W.) and 60 Coots at Llyn Pencarreg (18th - J.F.).

Wader counts from the Gwendraeth Estuary included 1433 Lapwings at Penallt (2nd), 1300 Oystercatchers, 12 Ringed Plovers, 600 Dunlin, 110 Curlews, 90 Redshanks and 70 Turnstones (all 16th - B.St.) and 4 Greenshanks at Salmon Scar (22nd - F.B.J.). A Spotted Redshank was seen at Cydweli Quay (2nd - D.J.P.). Single Green Sandpipers were recorded at Penclacwydd (1st - T.R., B.St.), Dafen Industrial Estate (6th - M.H.W.), Pencarreg (18th - J.F.) and Cydweli Quay (16th - D.J.P.). Other wader records were c. 1000 Knot at Cefn Sidan (30th - J.R.E.,R.O.H.,F.B.J.), 30 Ringed Plovers and 450 Dunlin at Ferryside (16th - B.St.),and 300 Curlews at Penclacwydd (11th - T.R.,B.St.). Four Woodcock were seen at the Upper Lliedi Reservoir (6th - M.H.W.) and were regular at Gelli Aur at dusk (A.L.).

Up to 300 Pied Wagtails roosted at Trostre (B.St.), 2 Dippers were seen at the Upper Lliedi Reservoir (6th - M.H.W.), 25 Siskins at the Dinefwr Ponds (15th - J.F.) and a Yellowhammer at Penclacwydd (15th - B.St.).

January.

The month opened with a period of wet and stormy weather, with a particularly severe gale on 5th - 6th. A high pressure system established itself from 12th and the remainder of the month was generally dry and cold.

Single Red-throated and Black-throated Divers were seen at Telpyn Point (27th - J.R.E.,R.O.H.,F.B.J.,C.J.), a Slavonian Grebe at Cefn Sidan (13th - S.L.), 8 Great Crested Grebes off Penclacwydd (19th - B.St.) and 4 at Ferryside (20th - B.St.).

Bitterns were seen at the Ashpits Pond (6th - J.R.E.,R.O.H.) and the Witchett Pool (27th - K.N.) and the Little Egret remained at Penclacwydd throughout the month.

On 27th, 3 Shags, 2 Long-tailed Ducks and 6 Scaup were seen at Morfa Bychan and a drake Velvet Scoter (J.R.E.,R.O.H.,F.B.J.,C.J.) and 2 Long-tailed Ducks (B.St.) at Telpyn Point.

In the Towy Valley there were 52 White-fronted Geese at Dryslwyn and 6 Bewick's Swans (5 ads,1 juv) and the Long-tailed Duck remained at Llanarthney (4th - R.O.H.). Wildfowl counts at Penclacwydd were 21 Mute Swans (all month), 38 White-fronted Geese flying over (17th), 280 Shelduck (26th), 700 Teal (3rd), 13 Gadwall (5th) and 200 Pintail (26th - T.R.,B.St.). Other wildfowl records were 2 female Goldeneye at Coedbach (7th), 20 Shelduck on the Gwendraeth Estuary and 200 Wigeon at Ferryside (20th - B.St.).

Raptor records ware 3 Peregrines (all month) and a Merlin (2nd half of month) at Penclacwydd (T.R.,B.St.), female Merlins at Ffairfach (16th - N.M.) and Cydweli Marsh (26th - 27th - F.B.J.) and a male Hen Harrier at Cydweli Marsh (20th - F.B.J.).

Wader counts at Penclacwydd were; 80 Grey Plover, c.1000 Dunlin (all month), 500 Knot (12th), 2 Black-tailed Godwits (1st), 250 Redshanks (5th) and a Spotted Redshank (25th - 26th - T.R.,B.St.).

A Common Sandpiper was seen at Cydweli Quay (5th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.) and counts on the Gwendraeth Estuary were; 2000 Lapwings, 250 Curlews (7th), 2000 Dunlin, 35 Ringed Plovers and 3 Greenshanks (20th - B.St.) and 20 Turnstones and 7 Grey Plovers (6th - D.J.P.). At Rhosmaen Llandeilo there were 600 Lapwings, 16 Golden Plovers and a Green Sandpiper (27th - J.F.), the latter species was also seen at St. Clears (27th - J.R.E. et al). A Jack Snipe was seen at the Witchett Pool (27th - N.E.).

A Kittiwake was seen off St. Ishmael (5th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.) and an adult winter Mediterranean Gull at Pendine (27th - B.St.).

Three species of Auk were seen following the gales; single Guillemots off the Power Station (6th - D.M.P.) and (13th - R.H.), a Razorbill there (7th - R.H.), but the highlight was a Little Auk at Duport Lake (7th -M.P.), which unfortunately died the following day.

At least three Firecrests were seen; at Tregub Woods, Llandeilo (16th - N.M.), Pembrey Forest (16th - A.L. and 19th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.) and the Ashpits Pond (19th - C.J.). A Cetti's Warbler was heard at the Ffrwd Fen (20th - F.H.J.) and a Chiffchaff seen at the Dafen Industrial Estate (4th - M.H.W.). Seventeen Ravens were seen at Morfa Bychan (27th - J.R.E. et al) and a Tree Sparrow at the Witchett Pool (27th - N.E.). 8000 Starlings roosted at Trostre (25th - B.St.), and up to 10 Siskins were regular visitors to M.H.W.'s Felinfoel garden.

February

The month opened with a high pressure system, giving a a period of particularly cold weather from 3rd to 12th with a moderate snowfall on 7th - 8th and temperatures down to minus 10 C. A thaw set in on 14th with milder weather for the remainder of the month.

A Black-throated Diver was seen at Cefn Sidan (24th - J.R.E.,R.O.H., F.B.J.,G.R.) and 15 Little Grebes at Cydweli Quay (11th - F.B.J.).

In the Pendine - Telpyn Point area there were 11 Red-throated Divers, 27 Great Crested Grebes and 40 Fulmars (11th) and 3500 Common Scoters (25th - B.St.). At Ragwen Point there were 88 Scaup, 4 Gadwall, 3 Long-tailed Ducks (1 male) and 2 female Goldeneye (11th - B.St.). Two Shags, 25 Red-throated Divers and 10 Scaup were seen at Telpyn Point (25th - B.St.). At Black Scar there were 600 Wigeon (18th - J.F.).

A neck-collared Lesser White-fronted Goose at Dryslwyn (2nd - 10th - R.H.D.) was a bird from the Finnish Release Scheme having been captive bred and released in Finnish Lapland prior to fledging (per T.R., B.St.). This bird, which caused some questioning of morals amongst county listers but failed even to interest last year's "Couched Potato Award" winner C.J., was also seen at Slimbridge before and after these dates. The White-fronts reached a maximum of only 50 during the month. Other wildfowl records from the Towy Valley were 13 Bewick's and 21 Mute Swans at Capel Dewi (11th) and a pair of Gadwall at the Dinefwr Ponds (5th - J.F.). Records of Canada Geese were 64 at Gilwen near Newcastle Emlyn (26th - I.K.M.) and 36 at. the Glynmoch Flats, near Ammanford (21st - R.D.P.), and 39 Brent Geese were at Llanelli Beach (24th - M.H.W.).

Wildfowl counts from Penclacwydd were; 18 Mute Swans (13th), 83 White-fronted Geese flying over (13th), 150 Wigeon (7th), 400 Pintail (20th), 100 Teal (23rd), 2 Shoveler (28th) and 6 Pochard (14th).

A pair of Smews were seen briefly at Cefn Padrig (8th - R.H.).

At Coedbach there were 231 Teal (17th) and on the Gwendraeth Estuary 171 Teal (17th) and a drake Eider (19th - B.St.) and 45 Shelduck (9th - D.J.P.). At Duport Lake there were 146 Pochard (7th - F.B.J.) but most of these then dispersed with 55 off Burry Port Power Station (10th - R.O.H.). 28 Red-breasted Mergansers were seen there (9th - F.B.J.1''.

Male Hen Harriers were recorded at Cydweli Marsh (2nd - R.O.H., F.B.J.), Black Scar (18th - J.F.), Penclacwydd (19th - T.R.,B.St.) and Ropewalk Farm (26th - R.H.). Female Merlins were seen at Pembrey Saltings (2nd - R.O.H.,F.B.J.) and Banc y Lord (18th - B.St.) and 2 Peregrines at Penallt (3rd - B.St.).

There were 83 Coots at Penclacwydd (13th - T.R.,B.St.).

Wader records from Cefn Sidan were; 117 Grey Plovers and BOO+ Sanderlings (17th - B.St.). Overwintering Green Sandpipers were recorded; singles at Cilsan Bridge and Ffairfach (J.F.) and 2 at Banc y Lord (2nd - R.O.H.,F.B.J.). A Spotted Redshank was seen at Banc y Lord (4th - B.St.) and Jack Snipes at Pemberton (8th - 10th - G.J.D.) and Stradey (19th - I.K.M.). At Penallt there were 250 Golden Plovers (3rd) and at the North Dock 3000 Oystercatchers, 1300 Knot and 230 Redshanks (25th - B.St.).

Counts from Penclacwydd were; 90 Grey Plovers and 2 Spotted Redshanks (27th), 1500 Dunlin (13th) and a maximum of 4 Woodcock (9th - T.R.,B.St.). There was a marked influx of Woodcock to coastal area during the cold weather from 7th with records from St. Ishmael, Pembrey Saltings, Ffordd y Wagen, Pemberton, Penclacwydd and even a town garden.

An adult-winter Mediterranean Gull was seen at Penclacwydd (8th - T.R.,B.St.) and 2 Glaucous Gulls at Cefn Sidan; a second-winter (23rd - J.R.E.,R.O.H.,F.B.J.) and adult (25th - F.B.J.).

A Short-eared Owl was seen at Penclacwydd (26th - T.R.,B.St.). The snow led to a large influx of Redwings and Song Thrushes to

coastal areas (7th - 13th). Fieldfares were less abundant with 40 at Penclacwydd (8th - B.St.). News of what was possibly the bird of the year came at the end of the month when D.H.V.R. received a belated report of a Blackbird-sized bird which had taken up residence at a Mynydd y Garreg garden during the cold spell. The black head, grey back, red breast and yellow bill strongly suggested American Robin. Thorough searching of the area failed to produce any sightings.

A Cetti's Warbler heard at the Ffrwd Fen (16th - B.St.) had fortunately survived the cold spell, whilst 3 Blackcaps were regular visitors to a Burry Port bird table (D.M.P.) and a Pembrey garden (M.C.W.). A Firecrest was seen at Pembrey Forest (4th - A.L.) and 5 Crossbills (17th - B.St.). The cold weather resulted in coastal concentrations of Reed Buntings with 24 at Pembrey Harbour (2nd - R.O.H.,F.B.J.). Bramblings, however remained scarce with up to 6 at Castle Woods, Llandeilo (8th - 10th - J.F.) and 1 at Felinfoel (8th - M.H.W.) the only records.

At Trostre 400 Pied Wagtails roosted (7th) and at Ffrwd Fen, 40 (16th - B.St.). Counts of Corvids were 32 Ravens at Ragwen Point (25th - B.St.) and 2500 Jackdaws at Llanarthney (18th - J.F.).

Couched Potato Award - It was decided after last winter's bird race to present this award to the person who found the fewest, but twitched the most, scarce birds within the county during the year. Clive Jones was the clear winner last year.

March

The weather was fairly mild during March with some warm weather in the middle of the month.

Red-throated Divers (5 - 1st, 4 - 27th), Great Northern Divers (2 - 1st, 1 - 22nd), a Slavonian Grebe (1st) and a Fulmar (27th - all F.B.J.) were seen at Cefn Sidan.

Eighteen Mute Swans were seen at Duport Lake and 2 Greylag Geese at Cydweli Marsh (18th - F.B.J.) and up to 37 Brent Geese were at Machynys (7th - B.St.). Records from the Gwendraeth Estuary were; 119 Shelduck and 9 Red-breasted Mergansers and at Ferryside 31 Shelduck (all 24th - B.St.). Ten Goldeneye were seen at Talley (.14th - J.F.). A drake Garganey at Coedbach (6th - B.St.) was followed by a pair at Bevan's Pond (7th - C.J.). Other records from Coedbach were 5 Shoveler (6th), 6 Pintail (16th), 7 Pintail    and 7 Wigeon (20th - B.St.).

Wildfowl counts at Penclacwydd were; 5 Bewick's Swans (11th), 20 Mute Swans (8th), 5 Brent Geese (12th), 105 Shelduck (1st), 50 Wigeon (9th), 100 Mallard (1st), 100 Teal (1st), 5 Gadwall (2nd), 57 Pintail (19th), 57 Shoveler (14th), 20 Pochard (9th) and a female Scaup all month (T.R.,B.St.).

An adult male Marsh Harrier was seen at Penclacwydd (24th - 25th ). Other raptors at the site were 2 Peregrines (13th), immature male Merlin (2nd) and adult female Merlin (22nd - T.R.,B.St.). A female Merlin was also seen at Mynydd Llansadwrn (30th - J.F.). Male Hen Harriers were seen at Pembrey Saltings (2nd + 5th - F.B.J.) and at Banc y Lord (3rd - B.St.). A Hobby at Burry Port (7th - F.B.J.) was a very early record.

The first Little Ringed Plover was recorded on the River Cothi (29th - J.F.) and in the Towy Valley there were 70 Snipe (10th) and a Redshank (17th - J.F.) at Ffairfach. A passage flock of 45 Golden Plover were seen at Mynydd Myddfai (21st - I.K.M.). A Jack Snipe was seen at Bevan's Pond (13th - G.R.) and 2 Black-tailed Godwits at Coedbach (22nd - B.St.). Counts from Ferryside were; 5 Bar-tailed Godwits and 85 Curlews and on the Gwendraeth Estuary 200 Oystercatchers, 3 Greenshanks and 72 Turnstones (all 24th) and 21 Grey Plovers, 2 Knot and 32 Dunlin (25th - B.St.). At Cefn Sidan there were 391 Sanderlings and 45 Bar-tailed Godwits (27th - F.B.J.).

Counts from Machynys were; 700 Dunlin (6th), 3500 Oystercatchers (9th) and 92 Redshanks (26th - B.St.). Records from Penclacwydd were; a male Ruff (23rd), 3 Black-tailed Godwits (1st) and 6 (19th), 300 Curlews (2nd), 1 Spotted Redshank (14th), 1130 Redshank (2nd) and a Green Sandpiper (21st - T.R. ,B.St.).

Gulls featured prominently in the month's sightings with second-winter Ring-billed Gulls at Cefn Sidan (2nd) and Duport Lake (17th), an adult - summer Glaucous Gull at Cefn Sidan (1st + 7th) and an adult-summer Mediterranean Gull at Llanelli Beach (17th - all F.B.J.). On the River Loughor at Bynea there were 82 Kittiwakes and a first-winter Little Gull (19th - B.St.). A Guillemot was seen off Burry Port Power Station (1st - F.B.J.).

Amongst the passerines the month saw the arrival of the first of the summer visitors with a House Martin at Banc y Lord (13th - G.R.), Sand Martin (20th - N.M.) and 3 Swallows at Ffairfach (21st - J.F.), a male Wheatear at Mynydd Bettws (6th - I.K.M.), a male Blackcap at Stradey Woods (22nd - I.K.M.) and a singing Chiffchaff at Pembrey (13th - F.B.J.). Seventeen Rock Pipits were seen at Cydweli Marsh (3rd - B.St.) and at Pembrey Forest, 5 Fieldfares (31st - M.H.W) and up to 11 Crossbills (all month - F.B.J.).

April

April was rather cold with mostly cool northerly winds, but with a warmer spell from 13th - 16th. There were very strong winds on 4th. A Great Northern Diver was seen off the Power Station (9th) and a summer plumaged bird at Cefn Sidan (24th), where there were 25 Red-throated Divers and 1 Black-throated Diver (16th). A few Gannets were seen there (13th) and the first Manx Shearwaters of the year (24th - all F.B.J.). A Great Crested Grebe was seen at the Upper Lliedi Reservoir, but failed to attract a partner (28th - M.H.W.) and a count at Allt y Gaer revealed 48    53 pairs of Grey Herons (D.H.V.R.).

Wildfowl records from Penclacwydd were; 17 Mute Swans (3rd), 104 Shelduck (20th), 6 Wigeon (6th), 9 Pintail (15th), 27 Shoveler (15th), 1 Gadwall (9th), 8 Eider (28th) and a Red-breasted Merganser (20th - T.R.,B.St.). Eider were regular on the Gwendraeth Estuary with a maximum of 32 off Salmon Scar (20th - J.R.E.) and at Dryslwyn there were 20 Goosanders (27th - J.F.).

It was a good month for Ospreys with three sightings; Cydweli Marsh (10th - M.J.W.), Cefn Sidan (13th - F.B.J.) and at Loughor Bridge (21st - G.H.). Two Peregrines were seen on the Gwndraeth Estuary (21st - B.St.).

Wader passage was noted during the month with 231 Golden Plover at Cydweli Marsh (14th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.) increasing to 423 (15th - F.B.J.). At least 12 Little Ringed Plovers had returned to their breeding sites (21st - J.F.). First arrival dates were Whimbrel - Llwynhendy (9th - I.K.M.) and Common Sandpiper - Cydweli Marsh (15th - F.B.J.). Other records of Whimbrel were; 2 at Cefn Sidan (14th - F.B.J.), 16 on the Gwendraeth Estuary (21st - B.St.) and 1 at Ffairfach (29th - J.F.,B.St.), whilst there were 6 Common Sandpipers at the Upper Lliedi Reservoir (28th - M.H.W.) and 7 at Cefn Padrig (30th - T.J.). Counts of Sanderling at Cefn Sidan were 520 (10th) and 800 (13th - F.B.J.).

Wader records from Penclacwydd were; Ruff (2nd and 23rd), 8 Black-tailed Godwits (3rd), 7 Bar-tailed Godwits (10th), 9 Whimbrel (10th) increasing to 70 (26th), 190 Curlews (20th), 1 Spotted Redshank (9th), 2 (20th) and 3 (23rd) and 1 Greenshank (16th) and 2 (23rd - T.R.,B.St.).

A Great Skua was seen over Coedbach Marsh after strong winds (4th - C.J.), 2 Arctic Skuas at Cefn Sidan (24th - F.B.J.) and a Kittiwake at Salmon Scar (11th - C.J.). The first Terns were recorded at Cefn Sidan from the middle of the month with 1 Sandwich Tern (10th), 21 (16th) and 31 (24th) and 17 Arctic Terns (30th - all F.B.J.).

A Short-eared Owl was seen at Penclacwydd (27th - T.R.,B.St.), a pair of Little Owls at Bynea (5th - I.K.M.) and a Hoopoe near Carmarthen (15th - per D.H.V.R ).

Records of passage White Wagtails were 5 at Ashburnham (14th - F.B.J.) and 20 at Duport Lake, with 4 Water Pipits, (21st - G.H.).

First arrival dates for summer visitors were; Cuckoo - Banc y Lord (13th - G.R.), Swift - Penclacwydd (25th - T.R.,B.St.), Tree Pipit - north of Gwernogle (26th - I.K.M.), Redstart - Castle Woods, Llandeilo (13th - M.H.W.), Grasshopper Warbler - Ffrwd Fen (15th - I.K.M.), Sedge Warbler - Ffrwd Fen (14th - J.R.E.), Reed Warbler - Ashpits Pond (15th - F.B.J.), Whitethroat - Pembrey Forest (14th - M.H.W.), Lesser Whitethroat - Tywyn Burrows (28th - I.K.M.), Garden Warbler - Bynea (25th - I.K.M.), Willow Warbler - Pembrey (9th - F.B.J.) and Lliedi Reservoirs (9th - R.K.B.J.), Wood Warbler - Stradey Woods (10th - C.J.) and Pied Flycatcher - Upper Lliedi Reservoir (11th - M.H.W.). Three Siskins were still visiting M.H.W.'s Felinfoel bird table (10th) and small numbers were seen at Llanybydder (26th - I.K.M.). Crossbill records were 20 at Gelli Aur (20th) and 25 at Taliaris (30th - J.F.).

May

The month was rather cool and cloudy with mostly northerly winds, conditions rather unfavourable for migration.

Four Red-throated Divers were seen at Cefn Sidan (1st) and a Velvet Scoter (3rd - F.B.J.). A Shag was seen at Telpyn Point and 8 Long-tailed Ducks at Pendine (12th - G.J.D. et al). There were 5 Greylag Geese at Coedbach (1st); 75 Shelduck and 5 Red-breasted Mergansers on the Gwendraeth Estuary (2nd - B.St.), 17 Goosanders at Dryslwyn (23rd - J.F.,B.St.) and a brood of Goosanders at Llanwrda (29th - J.F.).

Wildfowl records at Penclacwydd were; 17 Mute Swans (30th), 1 Greylag Goose (7th), 125 Shelduck (11th), a drake Garganey (6th), 1 Gadwall (3rd) and 13 Eider (11th - T.R.,B.St.), whilst at Penrhyngwyn a pair of Pintail were seen (12th - J.R.E. et al).

An Osprey was seen at the Lower Lliedi Reservoir (6th - G.H.)

Three Dotterel were seen at the Tair Carn Ridge (12th - 13th - D.G.D, B.W. et al), an annual staging post for this species during spring migration. At Mynydd Sylen there were 47 Golden Plovers and 62 Whimbrel (10th - C.J.). Two Little Stints were seen at Llanelli North Dock (31st - N.E.,R.O.H.,C.J.) and single Wood Sandpipers at Glynea Pond, Bynea (27th - I.K.M.) and Ffairfach (30th - N.M.). Records from Cefn Sidan were; 423 Sanderlings, 26 Bar-tailed Godwits and a Ruff (3rd), 36 Bar-tailed Godwits (14th - F.B.J.) and a Grey Plover, 2 Knot and 4 Bar-tailed Godwits (24th - R.O.H.,C.J.).

Waders at Penclacwydd were; a Little Ringed Plover (9th), 70 Dunlin (3rd), a male Ruff (23rd - 30th) and a female (30th), 2 Black-tailed Godwits (6th), 3 Bar-tailed Godwits (2nd), 32 Whimbrel (4th), 53 Curlews (4th), 3 Spotted Redshanks (1st) and a Greenshank (all month - T.R.,B.St.). Three Greenshanks were seen at Ffairfach (30th - N.M.), single Whimbrels at Llanfynydd (9th) and Llangadog (29th), and a survey of the River Towy revealed 51 pairs of Common Sandpipers (J.F.).

An Arctic Skua was seen off Cefn Sidan (1st - F.B.J.), but even better was a Pomarine Skua off Pendine (12th - G.J.D.,G.H.,F.B.J., C.J.) - only the third county record. This bird was seen during the summer bird race (or was it a procession 7) and was one of their outstanding total of 122 species, a new county record. The less said of the opposition's (J.R.E.,R.O.H.,D.M.P.) paltry total of 100 the better.

A Little Tern (11th) and first-summer Little Gull and Black Tern were seen at Penclacwydd (30th - B.St.). Records of Terns from Cefn Sidan were, 1 Sandwich, 2 Common and 79 Arctic (1st), 12 Little Terns (14th) 3 Arctic (17th) and 5 Arctic Terns (19th - F.B.J.). At Burry Port 1 Common and 7 Arctic Terns were seen (2nd - R.U.H.,F.B.J.). A Common Tern near Llandeilo (19th - J.F.,B.St.) was a good inland record.

A Guillemot was seen at Morfa Bychan (12th - G.J.D. et al).

A Short-eared Owl was seen at Penclacwydd (4th - T.R.,B.St.) and a Little Owl at Ffrwd Fern (12th - G.J.D. et al).

The only records of Yellow Wagtails were from the Towy Valley with 2 at the Dinefwr Ponds, 1 at Dryslwyn and 1 at Llanarthney (all 15th - J.F.,B.St.). A Cetti's Warbler was heard at a new site in Pinged (21st - F.B.J.) and the first Spotted Flycatcher seen at Morfa Bychan (12th - G.J.D. et al). Two Siskins were seen at Marros (12th - G.H. et al), 10 Crossbills at the Usk Reservoir (31st - J.F.) and Redpolls were regular at Gweunydd Cochion, Tumble.

List of Observers

P.Bristow, D.G.Davies; G.J. Davies; R.H.Davies; N.Edwards; J.R. Ellis; J.Friese; G.Harper; R.Hickman; R.O.Hunt; F.B.Jenkins; R.K.B.Jenkins; C.Jones; T. Jones; J.Kelsall; P.G.Lansdown; R.Lewis; S.Lewis; A.Lucas; N.Matthew, I.K. Morgan; K.Nicholas; G.Oliver; D.J.Poulter; D.M.Powell; R.D.Pryce; M.Pugh; T.Richardson; D.H.V.Roberts; G.Robertrs; B.Stewart; B.Wadsworth; M.C.Watson; M.J.Williams; M.H.Williams.

Thanks to all observers for submitting records.