Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - September 2007 - No 73
Diana and Philip Jones

In early summer, the `Ashpits Pond`, between Pwll and Burry Port, is generally crowded by families of young waterfowl such as Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Great Crested Grebe and Mute Swan.  The year started well for us, as we witnessed the spectacular courtship display of a pair of Great Crested Grebes.  Later, however, we were puzzled by the disappearance of all five cygnets of the Mute Swans that nest here.  In the past, Foxes have been blamed, but Mink, Otter and Pike are other possibilities [an Otter was recently seen at this site by Jeff Williams of Pwll - Ed.]. Another sad tale concerns a young Barn Owl, found by neighbours on the ground in their garden at Burry Port.  The weak bird was placed in a box but died shortly after.  We are unsure where this bird had come from, this species usually nests in old buildings or hollow trees.