Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - Winter 1991/1992
Rob Hunt

June

The weather was very wet and unsettled with below average temperatures. There were strong winds on 12th - 14th and 26th. Twenty Gannets, 6 Manx Shearwaters and a very early Sooty Shearwater were off Cefn Sidan (26th - R.O.H.,C.J.) up to 50 Shelducks were regular at Penclacwydd (T.R.,B.St.).

Detailed survey work revealed 39 pairs of Little Ringed Plovers; 34 on the Towy, 4 - Cothi and 1 - Bran. Due to the cold weather their breeding success was low with only 20 - 30 juveniles fledged. Two of the birds had been ringed as nestlings; one near Ebbw Vale - June 1985 and the other near Crickhowell - June 1989. Also 57 pairs of Common Sandpipers and 10 pairs of Kingfishers were found on the Towy (J.F.,B.St.).

Return wader passage was noted during the month with a Redshank at Llanwrda (25th - J.F.), a Common Sandpiper at Commissioner's Bridge and Green Sandpiper at Banc y Lord (26th - R.O.H.,C.J.).

At Penclacwydd Redshank numbers rose from 20 (14th) to 270 (27th) and Curlew numbers increased to 250 (27th). Other wader records there were 35 Ringed Plovers, 2 Grey Plovers, 30 Dunlin and a Black-tailed Godwit (T.R.,B.St.).

Single Turtle Doves were seen at Penclacwydd (7th – 8th – T.R.,B.St.) and at Trimsaran Road (19th – C.J.).

A pair of Little Owls bred at Ffairfach (J.F.).

Inland breeding records of Stonechats included 3 pairs near Carmel and 1 pair at Carreg Dwfn, Llandyfan (I.K.M.).

At Penclacwydd there were 4 male Sedge Warblers and 1 male Reed Warbler compared with 11 Sedge and 4 Reed last year. A Lesser Whitethroat was seen at Ammanford (28th – J.F.) and a breeding pair of Grasshopper Warblers near Pontarsais (I.K.M.).

A male Red–backed Shrike at the Witchett Pool (2nd – Ca.J.,K.N.) was the first recorded in the county for several years. Three Siskins were seen in Pembrey Forest and 5 Crossbills at Penybedd (J.K.).

July

Three broods of Shelduck totalling 14 young were on the estuary at Penclacwydd. Six Shovelers and 4 Teal arrived there (7th), whilst long stayers included Greylag, Wigeon, Gadwall, 17 Mute Swans and up to 130 Mallard (T.R.,B.St.). A pair of Pochards bred at Pontynyswen for the third year running (J.F.).

An Osprey was seen on the Gwendraeth Estuary (12th – Gn.H.).

The main interest during the month was the return wader passage. Records from Cefn Sidan were 2 Grey Plovers, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Knot and 2 Turnstones (21st) and 133 Sanderlings (25th - R.O.H.,C.J.). Green Sandpipers were widely distributed; 1 – Ffairfach (14th), 3 – Dryslwyn (21st – J.F.), 2 – Banc y Lord (14th – R.O.H.,F.B.J.), 2 - Commissioner's Bridge (19th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.,C.J.) and 3 - Penclacwydd (T.R.,B.St.). Four juvenile Little Ringed Plovers were seen at Dryslwyn (21st) and a Dunlin at Ffairfach (22nd – J.F.). There were 4 Whimbrel at the North Dock (10th – R.O.H.), 19 Common Sandpipers at Cydweli Quay, 1 at Commissioner's Bridge (both 19th - R.O.H., F.H.J., C.J.) and B5 Turnstones at Burry Port (26th - R.O.H.,C.J.). Records from Penclacwydd included maxima of 874 Curlews and 530 Redshanks. A summer plumaged Spotted Redshank stayed for the first half of the month and another was seen (19th). Other records there were; 3 Greenshanks, 9 Black–tailed Godwits, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin and 8 Whimbrels (T.R.,B.St.).

Breeding pairs of Ringed Plovers were seen near Pwll and Pembrey Harbour (I.K.M.)

Gull numbers increased at coastal sites, the best record being an adult summer Mediterranean Gull at Pembrey Harbour (14th - R.O.H. , F.B.J.). Terns were scarce, the only records being 2 Sandwich Terns at Pembrey Harbour (11th) and 3 at North Dock, Llanelli (16th - R.O.H.). A Barn Owl was seen at Ffrwd Fen and a Kingfisher had returned to Commissioner's Bridge, a regular wintering site (both 19th - R.O.H., F.B.J.,C.J.).

At Rhosmaen there were 2 Yellow Wagtails and 30 Tree Sparrows (15th - J.F.) and 2 juvenile Lesser Whitethroats at Porthyrhyd (17th - J.F.).. A Cetti's Warbler was heard at the Ashpits Pond (17th) and 15 Crossbills seen in Pembrey Forest (21st - I.K.M.).

August

A brood of half grown Little Grebe chicks on the lagoon at Penclacwydd provided a surprise in mid month (T.R.,B.St.).

Several Fulmars and Manx Shearwaters were seen off Burry Port following strong winds (22nd - C.J.).

A Little Egret remained at Penclacwydd (9th - 25th - T.R.,B.St.). Wildfowl numbers were low at Penclacwydd with 4 Wigeon, 3 Gadwall, 80 Teal, 240 Mallard, 7 Pintail, 6 Shovelers and 2 Pochards present by the end of the month (T.R.,B.St.). Thirty two Canada Geese were seen at Glanamman (26th) and 200 Mallard at Dinefwr Ponds (19th - J.F.). At Penclacwydd a juvenile Marsh Harrier was seen (3rd - 4th), possibly the same bird (10th and 27th), and a Hobby (27th - T.R.,B.St.). A Goshawk was a surprise find at Cydweli Quay (25th -F.B.J.,C.J.) and an Osprey was seen near Johnstown (27th - I.K.M.). Wader numbers at Penclacwydd included maxima of 2000 Oystercatchers, 150 Dunlin, 1600 Curlews and 500 Redshanks. There was a rapid build up of Black-tailed Godwits with 9 early in the month, 33 mid month and 104 at the end. Other wader records there included maxima of; I Ruff, 5 Spotted Redshanks. 16 Greenshanks, 4 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 15 Whimbrel, 14 Bar- tailed Godwits, 10 Knot and 4 Curlew Sandpipers (T.R.,B.St.).

Wader records away from Penclacwydd included a Wood Sandpiper (27th) and 3 Green Sandpipers (29th - N.M.) at the Dinefwr Ponds, 2 Green Sandpipers at Banc y Lord and a juvenile Little Stint at Burry Port (both 29th - J.R.E.,R.O.H.), a Curlew Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper at Cydweli Quay (21st - I.K.M.) and 78 Ringed Plovers at Pembrey (21st - C.J.).

An adult Mediterranean Gull was at the Graig School fields, Pwll (24th - F.B.J.). Numbers of terns increased during the month. Records included 14 Arctic Terns - Pendine (25th - F.B.J.,C.J.), 1B Common Terns - Llanelli Beach breakwater (28th - C.J.), 44 Sandwich Terns - Pembrey Harbour (21st - C.J.) and 56 Sandwich Terns, 37 Common Terns and 11 Arctic Terns - Burry Port (31st - R.O.H.,F.B.J.).

Numbers of Collared Doves at Penclacwydd had increased from 3 in March to 73 (T.R.,B.St.). A Little Owl was seen at Rhosmaen (14th - J.F.) and a Kingfisher at Banc y Lord (29th - J.R.E.,R.O.H.).

Migrant passerines included a juvenile Yellow Wagtail and a Lesser Whitethroat at Cydweli Quay (11th - F.B.J.,C.J.) and a Garden Warbler at Pembrey Saltings (16th - C.J.). Twenty Tree Sparrows were seen at Cilsan Bridge (13th - J.F.).

September.

A Little Egret on the river Loughor above Bynea (1st - G.W.) was probably the bird seen at Penclacwydd last month.

An Egyptian Goose was seen at Morfa Ferryside (1st - 5th) and 2 pale-bellied Brent Geese at Pembrey (21st). Other wildfowl records from Ferryside were 34 Teal (5th), 1 Pintail (12th) and 26 Shelduck

30(23rd). Off Cefn Sidan there were 500 Common Scoter (15th - B.St.). At Penclacwydd wildfowl maxima were 80 Pintail (4th), 285 Wigeon (25th) and 35 Shoveler (7th). Two Scaup were seen (9th), a female Red-breasted Merganser (9th - 10th) and an immature light-bellied Brent Goose (21st - T.R.,B.St.).

A Hobby was seen east of St.Clears (7th - D.S.).

The lowering of the water level on the N.R.A. Scrape at Penclacwydd provided ideal fresh water habitat for waders and produced a memorable month of wader watching at the centre. Greenshanks increased from 18 to a maximum of 49 (24th). Other regular species included maxima of 15 Spotted Redshanks, 109 Black-tailed Godwits, 65 Knot, 200 Redshanks, 60 Bar-tailed Godwits, 17 Curlew Sandpipers and 2 Little Stints. The highlight of the wader passage was a Wilson's Phalarope (29th - 30th), the first North American wader to be recorded at the centre. This was the second county record, the first was at Pembrey Harbour on 17th November 1974. There have been 232 records of this species in Britain to the end of 1990.

Maximum wader counts on the estuary off Penclacwydd were 1300 Curlews, 45 Grey Plovers, 500 Redshanks and 150 Knot (T.R.,B.St.).

It was a good month for Curlew Sandpipers; 6 - Cydweli Quay (1st - R.O.H.,F.B.J.,C.J.), 7 Cefn Sidan (1st - I.K.M.,B.St.) and 2 - Burry Port (1st - J.R.E. et al). Little Stints included 3 juveniles at Cefn Sidan (1st - I.K.M.,B.St.) and 2 at Burry Port (15th - R.O.H.,C.J.) A Ruff was seen at Llangennech (8th) and at Cydweli Marsh there were 40 Greenshanks, 2 Black-tailed Godwits and a Ruff (10th - G.H.). Records from Cydweli Quay were 6 Common Sandpipers (9th), 130 Redshanks (12th) and a Spotted Redshank (15th - B.St.). Other wader records were 223 Turnstones at Burry Port (15th - J.R.E.,R.O.H.,C.J.), 50 Ringed Plovers, 200 Dunlin and 50 Sanderling at Tywyn Point (1st¬I.K.M.,B.St.), 100 Ringed Plovers and 50 Turnstones at Salmon Scar (1st), 290 Curlews at Ferryside (5th) and 156 Bar-tailed Godwits between Ferryside and Salmon Scar (23rd - B.St.).

Strong winds during the middle of the month saw a series of skua records from Burry Port. The highlight was a juvenile Long-tailed Skua (14th - J.R.E.,R.O.H.), the first county record. This ocurred during an exceptional autumn for the species, with a record number of at least 60 seen at Strumble Head (Bird Watching magazine). Other records were 3 Great Skuas (16th - R.O.H.,C.J.), 1 Great Skua (R.O.H.) and 2 Arctic Skuas (17th - R.O.H.,C.J.,B.St.) and 1 Arctic Skua (18th -J.R.E.,B.St.).

Six immature Little Gulls were seen at Cydweli Marsh (10th - G.H.) and a second winter Mediterranean Gull at Burry Port (15th - J.R.E., R.O.H.,C.J.). Terns continued to be seen in good numbers with maxima of 100 Sandwich Terns (17th - B.St.) and 9 Common Terns (15th - J.R.E.,R.O.H.,C.J.) at Burry Port and 5 Arctic Terns at Cefn Sidan (15th - B.St.).

A juvenile Cuckoo was seen at Spudder's Bridge (6th - I.K.M.) and a very late Swift at Cefn Sidan (15th - J.R.E.,R.O.H.,C.J.). Passerine records included; 6 White Wagtails - Cydweli Quay (11th - G.H.), 2 Whinchats - Banc y Lord (10th - G.R.), a Spotted Flycatcher - Castle Woods (29th - N.M.), 200 Linnets - Rhosmaen (11th - J.F.) and 10 Siskins - Pembrey Forest (15th - B.St.).

October.

There were 2 Red-throated Divers at Telpyn Point (6th - R.O.H.,F.B.J., C.J.).

Two Whooper Swans were seen at Penclacwydd (28th), and maximum duck counts were: 650 Wigeon, 5 Gadwall, 250 Teal, 400 Mallard, 200 Pintail, 50 Shoveler and 80 Pochard (T.R.,B.St.). The Egyptian Goose was seen near Coed Farm, Ferryside and at Salmon Scar 2 male Eiders and 5 Red-breasted Mergansers (14th - B.St.).

A ringtail Hen Harrier was reported from Penclacwydd (6th) and a an adult female Marsh Harrier seen there (26th - 27th - T.R.,B.St.).

A Buff-breasted Sandpiper with the Golden Plover flock at Ginst Point (12th - P.H.) was the third county record of this North American species. Subsequent visits to the site produced only a maximum of 408 Golden Plovers (16th - R.O.H.).

At Penclacwydd Black-tailed Godwits reached a record maximum of 177 (5th) decreasing to 40 by the end of the month. Greenshank numbers decreased from 25 to 7 and Spotted Redshanks from 15 to 6. A Ruff was present for the second half of the month and there were 2 sightings of Green Sandpipers (T.R.,B.St.).

Two Curlew Sandpipers seen at Laugharne (6th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.,C.J.) had been joined by a juvenile Little Stint (8th - B.St.). Two Black-tailed Godwits were seen at Cydweli Quay (14th - B.St.).

A Guillemot was seen off Telpyn Point (6th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.,C.J.). Barn Owls were seen at Trimsaran Road (11th) and Bynea (12th - G.R.) and the regular Short-eared Owl at Penclacwydd was joined by a second (5th - T.R.,B.St.).

Single Ring Ouzels were seen at Morfa Bychan (6th - R.O.H.,F.B.J., C.J.) and Llyn y Fan Fach (13th - J.R.E.). The first of the winter thrushes arrived during the month with 12 Redwings at Llwynhendy (12th - I.K.M.) and 2 Fieldfares at Penclacwydd (23rd - T.R.,B.St.). A Cetti's Warbler was heard near Burry Port (25th - I.K.M.) and both Reed Warbler (13th) and female Blackcap (27th - R.O.H.) seen at Ffordd y Wagen.

November

Bewick's Swans were well represented in the Towy Valley with 5 (2 adults, 3 juveniles) at Ffairfach (6th), moving to Dryslwyn (14th - J.F.) and 14 at Ffairfach (20th) with another 2 at Dryslwyn (20th - J.F.,N.M.). The first White-fronted Geese arrived at Dryslwyn (24th - S.A.,J.F.) with 18 present. Other wildfowl records from the Towy Valley were; 70 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 2 Pintail and 5 Goldeneye - Dinefwr Ponds (11th), 200 Wigeon - Dryslwyn (14th - J.F.), and 30 Pintail - Ffairfach (19th - J.F.,N.M.). A female Goldeneye was seen at Commissioner's Bridge (16th - J.R.E.,R.O.H.,C.J.), 13 Red-breasted Mergansers at Cydweli Quay and a maximum of 56 Brent Geese at Burry Port (24th - R.O.H.,C.J.) .

Records from Penclacwydd included maxima of 350 Pintail (29th), 139 Shoveler (24th), 90 Pochard (26th) and 150 Wigeon, 45 Shelduck, 11 Gadwall, a female Goldeneye and 53 Coots. A female Long-tailed Duck (14th - T.R.,B.St.) was a new species for the centre.

A female Marsh Harrier was seen in Pembrey Country Park (D.S.) and near Ffrwd Fen (both 24th - M.R.).

At Dryslwyn there were 200 Lapwings and 130 Curlews (24th - J.F.) and at Tygwyn Pond, Ffairfach 5 Dunlin (19th - N.M.). Green Sandpiper records included 2 at Tygwyn Pond, Ffairfach (15th - N.M.), 1 at Cydweli Quay and 2 Commissioner's Bridge (10th - R.O.H.,F.B.J..C.J.). At Penclacwydd there were maxima of 173 Lapwings (29th), 49 Black-tailed Godwits (26th) and a Greenshank was present all month (T.R.,B.St.).

A Yellow-legged Herring Gull remained at Duport Lake (17th - 30th - R.O.H.).

There were large numbers of Woodpigeons in the Towy Valley with c.1500 at Llandeilo (10th - J.F.,N.M.).

Both Barn Owl and Short-eared Owls were seen at Penclacwydd.

Late Swallows were seen at Carmarthen (20th - B.M.,D.W.) and Burry Port (24th - R.O.H.,C.J.1 and a Chiffchaff at Pembrey Forest (17th - M.H.W.). Two Bramblings were seen at Burry Port (29th - D.M.P.), 30 Siskins at Dinefwr Ponds (11th - J.F.) and the large finch flock near Ginst Point included a Brambling, 3 Redpolls and a Tree Sparrow (10th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.,C.J.)..    32

December

All three diver species were seen with a Great Northern Diver at Pembrey Harbour (28th - G.J.D.,G.H.,C.J.) and a Black-throated Diver at Telpyn Point (28th - J.R.E.,R.O.H.,D.M.P.,J.R.E.). Red-throated Divers were more numerous with up to 3 at Cefn Sidan (8th - F.B.J.) and 2 at Morfa Bychan (28th - J.R.E. et al). A Slavonian Grebe was seen at Salmon Scar (8th - J.F.,B.St./

A Little Egret at Penclacwydd (31st - T.R.,B.St.) was the eighth recorded at the reserve and remained into the new year. An immature Spoonbill at Cydweli Marsh (28th - J.R.E.,R.O.H.,D.M.P.,J.R.T.) was less obliging providing only flight views as it headed off westwards. This bird was found during the annual winter bird race and provided some consolation for a 91 - 94 defeat by the G.J.D.,G.H.,C.J. team.

In the Towy valley 2 Whooper Swans remained at Nantgaredig from 8th to the end of the month. Bewick's Swans included 9 (8 adults, 1 juvenile) at Nantgaredig and 5 (4 adults, 1 juvenile at Dinefwr Ponds (8th - J.F.,B.St.) and 22 at Manordeilo (28th - J.F.). At Dryslwyn the White-fronted Geese had increased to 49 (28th - G.J.D. et al). Other wildfowl records from the Towy valley were: 2 Gadwall (2nd) and 20 Pintail (5th - N.M.) - Tygwyn Pond, Ffairfach, 9 Goosanders - Llanegwad (4th - J.F.) and 3 Mute Swans, 80 Mallard, 25 Teal, 5 Gadwall, 100 Wigeon, 6 Pintail, 1 Shoveler, 11 Tufted Ducks and 2 Pochard - Dinefwr Ponds (18th - D.H.V.R.).

Counts from Penclacwydd included maxima of 50 Shoveler, 300 Wigeon and 12 Gadwall (2nd), 316 Shelduck and 58 Coots (7th) and 460 Pintail and a female Goldeneye (28th - T.R.,B.St.).

Records from Talley were: 1 Gadwall, 21 Pochard, 18 Tufted Ducks, 7 Goldeneye and 55 Coot (1st - J.F.) and 7 Whooper Swans and 2 Gadwall (23rd - A.L.). At the Upper Lliedi Reservoir maximum counts were 183 Pochard and 77 Tufted Ducks (14th - M.H.W.). Other wildfowl records were 123 Teal, 300 Wigeon and a male Goosander at Coed Farm, Ferryside (6th - B.St.), 80 Shelduck, 80 Mallard and 12 Red-breasted Mergansers at Cydweli Quay (8th - J.F.,B.St.), a pair of Scaup at Commissioner's Bridge (14th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.) and 4 Goldeneye at Duport Lake. Up to 6 Hen Harriers were recorded: ringtails at Ginst Point (15th - F.B.J.), Cydweli Marsh (15th - C.J.) and the Crychan Forest (31st - J.F.,I.K.M.); second year males at Cydweli Marsh (14th - R.O.H., F.H.J.) and Penclacwydd (31st - T.R.,B.St.) and an adult male at Pembrey Airfield (28th - G.J.D. et al). Up to 30 Buzzards and a leucistic Red Kite provided a fine site in a field near Brook Farm, Pendine (all month - K.N.). Female Merlins were seen on the Black Mountain (6th - J.F.), Penclacwydd and at Cydweli Marsh (8th - J.F.,B.St. and 28th - G.J.D. et al).

Up to 9 Water Rails were seen at Penclacwydd and 1 at Ffairfach (8th - N.M.).

An American/Pacific Golden Plover was an excellent find amongst the Golden Plover flock (an estimated 2200 birds) near Ginst Point (22nd - P.H.). This was the second county record of the former Lesser Golden Plover.

Records from Penclacwydd were 346 Lapwings (20th), 404 Curlews (29th) and 49 Black-tailed Godwits (31st - T.R.,B.St.).

Other wader records included: at Ferryside - 1444 Dunlin, 37 Ringed Plover and 80 Curlews; at Salmon Scar - 72 Bar-tailed, 165 Knot and 40 Dunlin and along the Gwendraeth at Penallt - 40 Golden Plover,700 Lapwings and 150 Curlews (all 6th - B.St.). At Penallt there were 3 Spotted Redshanks, 1 Greenshank, 700 Dunlin and 300 Curlews (8th -J.F.,B.St.). At least 2 Greenshanks were present throughout the month in th Salmon Scar - St.Ishmael area and BO Bar-tailed Godwits were seen at Salmon Scar (15th - C.J.). An estimated 1000 Knot were seen at Cefn Sidan (28th - G.J.D. et al) and at Dryslwyn there were 150 Curlews (18th - D.H.V.R.). 

Single Jacksnipe were seen at Ffairfach (8th - N.M.) and the Horsebox Pond, Pwll (27th - 28th - J.R.E.,R.O.H.). A Common Sandpiper was seen with a Green Sandpiper at Tygwyn Pond Ffairfach (9th - N.M.) whilst other records of Green Sandpipers were: 2 - Morfa Ferryside (4th - B.M.,D.W.), 2 - Llanegwad (4th - J.F.) and 2 - Cydweli Quay, Commissioner's Bridge, Banc y Lord area (all month - B.St. et al). There were 3 records of Mediterranean Gulls; a first-winter at Ferryside (4th) and at Pendine a second-winter (3rd) and first-winter (5th - B.M.,D.W.). The Yellow-legged Herring Gull was seen at Duport Lake up to 29th (R.O.H.).

Short-eared Owls were regular near the windmills at Burry Port with a maximum of 3 (27th - D.M.P.). A Barn Owl was seen there (29th - G.R.) and also near Pendine (28th - J.R.E. et al).

A female Blackcap visited M.H.W.'s Felinfoel bird table (20th) and a Firecrest was seen at Pembrey Forest (12th - 13th - R.S.). Two Bramblings were seen at Commissioner's Bridge (8th - J.F.,B.St.) whilst at Pembrey Forest there were good numbers of Crossbills with 40 at the Country Park hide pool (26th - M.H.W.).

Observers.

S.Alexander, G.J.Davies, J.R.Ellis, J. Friese, Gavin Hall, G. Harper, P.Hawkes, R.O.Hunt, F.B.Jenkins, Carl Jones, Clive Jones, J.Kelsall, A.Lucas, N.Matthew, I.K.Morgan, B.Murphy, K.Nicholas, D.M.Powell, T.Richardson, M.Ridley, D.H.V.Roberts, G.Roberts, R.Smale, D.Stacey, B.Stewart, J.R.Thomas, G.Walters, M.H.Williams, D.Woodhead