Excellent GBC field trip to Carms today enjoyed by 19 participants, visiting Kidwelly Quay, Pembrey Harbour and Penclaccwydd WWT. 50+ species seen. Highlights – 4 Common Sandpiper, 6 Greenshank and approx 100 Redshank at Kidwelly, plus a distant Gannet, 100+ Curlew and a Whimbrel. A Shelduck crêche of an ad with 30+ ducklings, plus some common passerines. At Pembrey Harbour just 1 Sandwich Tern but 100+ Mediterranean Gulls!, but a couple of Marbled White butterflies were lifers for some, and a Painted Lady there. Also there 100+ Sand Martin were on the beach for a while then all took off. At Penclaccwydd 4 Spoonbill of which two were unusually active [for Spoonbills!], then approx 100 Black-tailed Godwit flying in to the lagoon behind the main hide was spectacular and warranted a celebratory cuppa and piece of cake at the café.
Glamorgan Birds
A joint venture of Glamorgan Bird Club and Gower Ornithological Society
On Friday, we stopped at Reading Services Eastbound. As I’ve said before, the grounds are good for nature and on this occasion.the stars were dozens, or even hundreds, of Marbled Whites, probably the most I’ve ever seen. Lots of damselflies, beetles, bees and hover flies as well and a selection of fairly common birds such as Green Woodpecker, Red Kite, Buzzard, Rooks, Greenfinch…. . No time to check out the nearby lakes on this occasion.