Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - Summer 1989
Rob Hunt

December

Three Red-throated and 1 Black-throated Divers were seen at Cefn Sidan (17th - F.B.J.) and a single Red-throat at Burry Port (29th - C.J. et al). Sightings of Little Grebes included 5 at Commissioner's Bridge, Cydweli (18th - F.B.J.) and 7 at Cydweli Quay (22nd - G.J.D; C.J.)

No counts were received of the White-fronts at Dryslwyn, but 12 Brent Geese were on Pembrey Saltings (21st - G.J.D; C.J.) whilst a single Whooper Swan and 10 Mutes were at Talley (11th - D.H.V.R.). The Long-tailed Duck remained at 'Duport Lake', Llanelli, until 2nd January; with a female Scaup also there from 26th - 29th (R.O.H. et al), another Scaup was seen at Llyn Pencarreg (11th - D.H.V.R.). Other wildfowl records were 2 Gadwall at Morfa, Ferryside (29th - G.H. et al); 1 Goldeneye at the Upper Lliedi (19th - C.J; G.J.D.), 4 Goldeneye at 4 Eider at Salmon Scar (both 29th - G.H. et al) and c2,500 Common Scoter at Cefn Sidan (17th - F.B.J.).

The best raptor records were from Pembrey Saltings, 2 Hen Harriers (a ringtail 21st & 22nd) and a male (22nd - C.J; G.J.D.) and a Merlin (29th - J.R.E. et al). A Common Sandpiper was the the Ashpits Pond area from 27th - D.M.P. and Green Sandpipers were at Penclacwydd (T.R.) and Commissioner's Bridge throughout the month. A single Greenshank was at Salmon Scar Point on several dates and 10 Black-tailed Godwits at Morfa Ferryside (29th - G.H. et al). A fine adult winter Glaucous Gull was seen off Burry Port Power Station (29th - C.J. et al). Single Guillemot and Razorbill were noted off Salmon Scar (28th - R.O.H. and 29th J.R.E. et al respectively).

A single short-eared Owl was seen at Penclacwydd (T.R.) and four were at Machynys (29th - S.L.), Single Kingfishers were recorded at Commissioner's Bridge and the Ashpits Pond area.

The unseasonally mild weather was clearly appreciated by a Firecrest at the Ffrwd (24th - I.K.M.), a Whinchat at Burry Port (24th - T.J.) and a Chiffchaff at Old Castle (29th - R.O.H. et al). A Snow Bunting at Cefn Sidan from 30th (S.F.) and 24 Field Fares at Bevan's Pond, Cydweli (22nd - G.J.D; C.J.) seemed almost out of place in such spring-like conditions. Other passerine records were Black Redstart at Burry Port (21st) and Hooded Crow at Salmon Scar (22nd - both G.J.D; C.J.).

January

A Red-necked Grebe off Burry Port Power Station was a good county record (15th - S.L.).

At Dryslwyn, the White-fronts increased to 120 by the middle of the month, with 28 being seen at Penclacwydd (7th & 8th - T.R.).

Three Greylags were offshore from Burry Port Power Station (22nd - F.B.J).

Wildfowl counts at Penclacwydd included 240 Wigeon, 430 Teal, 12 Pintail and 110 Mallard (11th - T.R.). The lagoon at Penclacwydd regularly attracted up to 60 Wigeon and 30 Teal (T.R.). Up to 53 Pochard were at the Upper Lliedi Reservoir (M.H.W.) and 2 Long-tailed Ducks were at Cydweli Quay (22nd - F.B.J.).

At Penclacwydd the high-tide count on 11th revealed 300 Curlew, 440 Redshank and 110 Lapwing, 21 Black-tailed Godwits and 3 Green¬shank were seen at Salmon Scar (22nd - F.B.J.). There were 110 Snipe at Porthyrhyd (30th - J.F.).

The adult Glaucous Gull was seen at Burry Port Harbour (1st - R.O.H; F.B.J.) and a Yellow-legged Herring Gull was off the Power Station (22nd - F.B.J.).

Due to the mild weather Bramblings were very scarce the only records being of a female at Felinfoel (1st - 3rd M.H.W.) a male at the Upper Lliedi Reservoir (6th - M.H.W.) and 1 at Cydweli Quarry (30th - J.F.). Six Siskins were at the Upper Reservoir (6th - M.H.W.) and Redpoll sightings were 19 at Llyn Llech Owen (30th - J.F.) and 2 at Pembrey Saltings (15 - M.H.W.). The Snow Bunting remained at Cefn Sidan on the 1st (R.O.H; F.B.J.). A Barn Owl was dead on the dual carriageway near Porthyrhyd on the 12th (I.K.M.).

February

All 3 diver species were seen off Cefn Sidan on 25th - 4 Great Northern, 3 Black-throated and 2 Red-throated (F.B.J.).

The Dryslwyn White-fronted Geese reached a maximum of 164 (7th - J.F.). The Whooper Swan remained at the Talley Lakes together with 7 Goldeneye (7th - J.F.), and the wildfowl count at Penclacwydd included 320 Teal, 9 Shoveller, 130 Wigeon, 90 Shelduck and 15 Pintail (10th - T.R.). Numbers of Wigeon roosting on the lagoon reached a maximum of 85 (11th - T.R.).

During the month, 2 Short-eared Owls and a Merlin were regular 4t Penclacwydd (T.R.) and a male Hen Harrier was seen at Pontarsais (5th - J.F.).

Two Water Rails gave good views from the hide at the Upper Lliedi Reservoir (M.H.W.).

Wader records included 150 Curlew and 110 Lapwings at Drywslyn

(19 - B.St.); 110 Snipe, 400 Redshank and 550 Curlew at Penclacwydd (10/11 - T.R.). Two Green Sandpipers were seen at 'Banc-y-Lord' (10th - J.F.) and at Ferryside 385 Bar-tailed Godwits were seen on the 19th (F.B.J.) . Whilst the adult Glaucous Gull was off the Power Station on the same date (F.B.J.).

Two Bramblings were seen at Felinfoel (23rd - M.H.W.) but the most unusual passerine record was of a House Martin at Pembrey (5th - F.B.J.).

March

Cefn Sidan again held the monopoly on diver records with a maximum of 7 Red-throated and 1 Great Northern (11-F.B.J.). The second Red-necked Grebe of the winter was also recorded here (4th - F.B.J.).

Records of Brent Geese on the Llanelli side of the estuary have been few this winter, but 27 were seen off Penclacwydd on 15th and 30 on 23rd (B.St.). Long-tailed Ducks included 2 immature males at Cydweli Quay (11th & 19th - R.O.H; F.B.J.) and 1 at Cefn Sidan (5th - G.H; F.B.J.). The best wildfowl record was of a drake Surf Scoter off Marros (28th - per D.H.V.R.). Red-breasted Mergansers reached a maximum of 14 at Cydweli Quay (11th - R.O.H; F.B.J.).

Two Spotted Redshanks were seen at Penclacwydd and remained until at least 7th May by which time they were in immaculate breeding plumage (T.R.). Over 2,000 Dunlin were counted at Cefn Sidan (5th - G.H; F.B.J.) with 200 at Penclacwydd (17th - B.St.). The latter site also had 850 Curlew (7th) 110 Snipe, 2 Black-tailed and 336 Bar-tailed Godwits (15th - B.St.). There was a heavy overnight passage of curlew at Llwynhendy as they flew northwards to their breeding areas on 2 March (I.K.M.). Wader counts from Cefn Sidan were 117 Grey Plover (4th - F.B.J.) and 150 Knot (19th - B.St.). The first Little Ringed Plovers of the summer were 3 recorded at Drywlwyn on the 20th (J.F.).

A Pomarine Skua seen - down to a few yards range - at Cefn Sidan (5th - G.H; F.B.J.) was only the second county record. The only other record was in Barker's (1905) - Handbook of the Natural History of Carmarthenshire - a record of one shot in the county and in the possession of Browne, Solicitor, of Carmarthen.

Two Glaucous Gulls were seen at Cefn Sidan on the 5th - a first winter bird (J.R.E; R.O.H.) and an adult (B.St.). A total of 84 Kittiwakes (groups of 53, 23 & 8) were seen flying west off Penclacwydd after strong winds (22nd - B.St.).

Barn Owls were recorded at Pembrey (7th - J.R.E. etal) and 2 at Llangennech (18th - F.B.J; E.J.S.) and 2 Short-eared Owls remained at Penclacwydd (11th - T.R.).

Passerine records included a mixture of winter visitors and the first of the summer migrants. A Snow Bunting was at Cefn Sidan (5th - S.L.) 5 Siskins at Felinfoel (5th - M.II.W.), 24 Fieldfares were at Pembrey (19th - B.St.) and a dozen flying north near Cwmbach on the 27th (I.K.M.). A Cetti's Warbler was heard at Ffrwd Fen (19th - R.O.H; F.B.J.) and was present until at least 12th May. The first records of summer migrants were: Sand Martin - Penclacwydd (15th - B.St.); Tree Pipit 29 - Carmel (29th - I.K.M.); Wheatear - Pembrey Harbour (12th - F.B.J.); Chiff-chaff - Pembrey (11th - F.B.J.); Willow Warbler - Swiss Valley (29th - J.R.E) and Carmel (29th - I.K.M.); Blackcap - Stradey Woods and Llandyry (27th - I.K.M.).

April

Divers continued to be seen off Cefn Sidan with 5 Red-throated and a single Black-throated (28th - F.B.J.). Nine Great-crested Grebes were off Penclacwydd (10th -B.St.).

Wildfowl counts at Penclacwydd were; 231 Shelduck (17th), 4 Pintail (6th), 20 Gadwall (20th), 14 Wigeon and 20 Eider (10th) (T.R;B.St.). A further 21 Eider and a Fulmar were seen off Salmon Scar (10th - J.R.E.).

The Dotterel passage at the Tair Carn Ridge was disappointing - the only record being of 4 birds (26th - J.F; N.M.) though three males and two females were on Fan Foel ('Carmarthen Van') on 7 May; they were spotted by Brecon Beacons National Park warden Tim James, just inside the Brecon side of the Carms-Brecs border, though of course it is likely that they also occurred on our side of the border. Several visits over the following 2 weeks failed to produce any other records, a Jack Snipe at Trostre (8th B.St.) was the only record for the winter period except for a singleton at Ffrwd on 17th March (I.K.M.). There was a good passage of Whimbrels at Penclacwydd with over 130 (20th - B.St.). Other wader counts at Penclacwydd were 70 Redshank (9th), 4 Black-tailed Godwits (all month), 37 Bar-tailed Godwits (9th), 250 Curlew (17th), 30 Turnstones (2nd), 40 Knot (3rd) and 39 Grey Plover (2nd) - T.r; B.St.). Forty-four Black-tailed Godwits were counted at Laugharne (30th - G.h; F.B.J.). Two Common Sandpipers were seen at the Upper Lliedi Reservoir (17th).

After strong winds on the 11th, 3 Sandwich Terns and a Great Skua was noted from Cefn Sidan (28th - F.B.J.). The Sandwich Terns were the first of a good spring passage of terns with the highlight of 3 Roseate Terns at the early morning high tide roost at Pembrey Harbour (22nd & 23rd - F.B.J.). What was probably one of these birds was seen at Cefn Sidan. (23rd - F.B.J.). Another 4 Sandwich and 28 Arctic Terns were at Cefn Sidan (30th - G.H; F.B.J.).

A single Short-eared Owl remained at Penclacwydd (20th - T.R.), whilst the first record of Cuckoo was at Pembrey (11th - M.W.). Four Turtle Doves flying west at Pwll (23rd - G.H.) is the only record for this species. The first record of Swift was of 2 birds at the Upper Lliedi Reservoir (25th - R.O.H.).

Two summer-plumaged Water Pipits at Penclacwydd (8th - R.O.II.) and 46 White Wagtails at Ginst Point (30th - G.h; F.B.J.) were passage birds. The same appears to be the case for the single Yellow Wagtail at Penclacwydd (25th & 26th - B.St.); these being the only records at this former breeding site. First arrival dates for summer migrants were as follows: Swallow - Nantgaredig (1st - J.F.), Redstart - Brechfa (18th - J.F.), Grasshopper Warbler - Tywyn Point (15th - I.K.M; B.St.), Sedge Warbler - Ffrwd Fen (15th - F.B.J.), Reed Warbler - Ffrwd Fen (16th - 1.K.M; B.St.), Whitethroat - Penclacwydd (20th - B.St.), Lesser Whitethroat - Llwynhendy (23rd - I.K.M.), Wood Warbler - Pontargothi (24th - J.F.) and Pied Flycatcher - Llanllwni (14th - J.F.).

May

The first record of Manx Shearwater of the year was of 17 birds offshore at Cefn Sidan (3rd - F.B.J.). A few Gannets were seen here on several dates during the month. The most unusual sighting was a Chilean Flamingo at Penclacwydd (7th - B.St.). Fifteen Great Crested Grebes were seen there (23rd - B.St.).

At the 'Ashpits Pond' Pwll the Mute Swans hatched 8 cygnets and a pair of Garganey were seen (7th - D.M.P.). An adult male was amongst the 10 Long-tailed Ducks seen off Cefn Sidan (6th - J.F.). Wildfowl counts at Penclacwydd on 6th were 6 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 31 Mallard, 17 Eider and 10 Shelduck (T.R.). At Dryslwyn 16 Goosanders were seen (9th - J.F.).

Two Wood Sandpipers at Dryslwyn was a good spring record (9th - J.F.). Single Greenshank were seen at Cydweli Marsh (5th -

R.O.H; F.B.J.), Dryslwyn (9th - J.F.) and Penclacwydd (22nd - T.R.). Wader counts at Penclacwydd on the 5th and 6th were: 200 Whimbrel, 140 Bar-tailed Godwits, 250 Dunlin, 3 Knot, 150 Curlew, 2 Grey Plover and 1 Ruff. (T.R; B.St.). This was the only record of Ruff over the spring period. No birds were seen in the Coedbach-Cydweli Marsh area which held a large number of birds during the spring of 1987. There was a strong passage of Dunlin at Penclacwydd with c2500 birds (15th & 16th - B.St.). At Penclacwydd 3 pairs of Lapwings and a pair of Redshank were breeding at the main lagoon (T.R.). Other wader records were 187 Sanderling at Cefn Sidan (17th - B.St.), 24 Whimbrel at Cydweli Quay (1st - B.St.) and a single Whimbrel at Dryslwyn (8th-J.F.).

Three Arctic Skuas were recorded on the 3rd - 2 dark-phase birds at Cefn Sidan (F.B.J.) and a pale-phase at Penclacwydd (J.E.). Terns continued to be seen in good numbers: 48 Arctics and 6 Common Terns at Cefn Sidan (3rd - F.B.J.). Little Terns included 23 at Penclacwydd (6th - B.St.) and 5 at Cefn Sidan (6th - J.F.). A Black Tern was at Cefn Sidan (9th - F.B.J.) and Sandwich Terns records included; 1 Cefn Sidan (6th - J.F.), 4 Cefn Sidan (10th - F.B.J.) and 2 at Penclacwydd (17th - B.St.).

Little Owls were present, believed breeding, at Glynea Farm, Bynea JrI.K.M.) whilst another pair frequented Tir Morfa Farm near the Penclacwydd Wildfowl Centre (B.St.). Most records of this species in recent years refer to the coast or Tywi valley.

Passerine records included Siskins at Pembrey Forest (6th - J.F.), Tree Sparrows at Dryslwyn (7th - J.F.) whilst thick scrub near Carmel held a singing garden warbler on the 4th (I.K.M.). Whitethroats have been abundant in coastal areas, whilst 5 Lesser Whitethroats were at Penclacwydd (2nd - B.St.). Four Grasshopper Warblers have also been heard there. (B.St.).

Thanks to everybody who has submitted records.

List of Observers G.J. Davies, J.R. Ellis, J. Evans, J. Friese, S. Fry, G. Harper, R.O. Hunt, F.B. Jenkins, C. Jones, T. Jones, S. Lewis, N. Matthew, I.K. Morgan, D.M. Powell, T. Richardson, D.H.V. Roberts, E.J. Smith, B. Stewart, M.H. Williams.