Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - December 1983
E.J. Smith
It is now five years since I moved to the Ammanford area, thus making frequent visits to the Gwendraeth estuary very difficult. Back in the 1970’s it was a different story, when myself together with friends like Geoff Evans, Gary Harper, Ian Morgan and Dave Powell had many exciting birdwatching experiences down on the estuary which at that time was quite well-watched.
Tywyn Point at the head of the estuary has limited access to members of Llanelli Naturalists. Visits should be restricted to weekends, or perhaps evenings, as this is M.O.D. property, and are most rewarding when the tide is high so that waders and gulls can be inspected at roost. A drive through Pembrey Forest provides the best means of reaching the Point, although a fairly long walk awaits you after parking the car. That it pays to scrutinise the large wader flocks was demonstrated back in the 1970’s when Avocet, 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers and a Baird's Sandpiper showed up. In the winter, keep an eye out for birds of Prey which regularly include Merlin, Peregrine, Short-eared Owl and Hen harrier.
Kidwelly Marsh, which covers a particularly large area, is the winter home for sizeable flocks of Golden Plover and Lapwing. At passage times, notably in the autumn, try to visit when the predicted tide heights for Llanelli are in excess of 8 metres. These high tides flood the marsh completely, forcing waders to move closer and closer to the Banc-y-Lord which is an earth bank running along much of the southern side of the estuary. You can easily reach this site by parking just off the main Pembrey-Kidwelly road opposite to the Pinged turn-off nearest to Kidwelly (at SN412049). On morning visits the sun is conveniently situated behind you, often resulting in near-perfect light conditions. This area has produced many exciting visits, with large numbers of the scarcer waders including Greenshank, Spotted-redshank, Green Sandpiper, Little Stint, Ruff and Whimbrel often present. Rarer birds in recent years have included Little Egret, Spotted Crake, 2 Gull-¬billed Terns, White-winged black Tern and Rough-legged Buzzard.
Over at Kidwelly Quay the greatest number of birds is to be seen at low tide when the extensive mudflats are dotted with feeding Redshank, Curlew and Shelduck. In the evenings there is often a movement of Gulls from up-river; perhaps with scarce species present such as the Little Gull soon in 1977. Other scarce birds seen about that time were Curlew Sandpiper, Marsh harrier and Arctic Skua.
To view the north side of the estuary, you should leave Kidwelly on the St. Ishmael's road, which after a couple of miles or so will take you to Salmon Scar Point. Try to stop mid-way along the estuary though, to see trio feeding Greenshanks and Spotted Redshanks which frequent a small rocky outcrop there. Good views of a Dowitcher were obtained here in 1978. At Salmon Scar Point itself, a large rocky area is exposed at low tide giving excellent feeding for Oystercatchers and Turnstones. As the tide comes in, Eider and Red-breasted Mergansers move in to replace the waders. Look out for Velvet Scoter among the Common Scoter which sometimes drift in during stormy weather. Terns occur frequently during migration times with all the more usual British breeding species including Roseate and Little having turned up.
I hope that this short article will stimulate interest in the birds of this very interesting estuary, prompting people to visit and very importantly record their sightings. I would be most grateful if any records could be sent to myself.
N.B. Ed. Smith has written an excellent, low-price book on the Gwendraeth Estuary and its birds. Copies are available from the Secretary.
