Birds of the Wildlife and Wetlands Trust

Information kindly provided by the National Wetland Centre Wales (NWCW)

Introduction

NWCW is situated on the northern shore of the Burry Inlet, which is regarded as the most important estuary for wildfowl and waders in Wales. Bird numbers on the whole of the Burry Inlet are at their highest in the winter when over 50,000 birds can be present. These include internationally important numbers of Oystercatchers (21,000), Pintail (3,000), Shoveler (600) and Knot (6,000), and nationally important numbers of Brent Goose (1,300), Shelduck (2,000), Wigeon (3,000), Teal (2,000), Dunlin (8,700), Lapwing (10,000), Black Tailed Godwit (300), Curlew (2,400), Whimbrel (120 on passage) and Redshank (1,200). As a result of its bird numbers, the Burry Inlet is designated a Ramsar Site, SSSI, Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Special Area for Conservation (SAC). The whole area of salt marsh at NWCW (100 hectares) lies within these boundaries and many birds can be seen from the centre (in smaller numbers).

The Centre opened in 1991, and the creation of a variety of habitats such as brackish and freshwater scrapes, a six acre lagoon, landscaped grounds and reed beds provide habitats for a wide variety of birds. In 1999 the reserve expanded with the creation of the Millennium Wetland, which is part of a £28 million development, stretching for 12 miles from Loughor Bridge to Pembrey Country Park along the coast of the north shore of the Burry inlet. The site covers an area of 200 acres and has been transformed from low grade agricultural land into deep water lakes, shallow scrapes, reed beds, wet meadows and ditches. Target species for the site include Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Little Egret, Spoonbill, Cettis Warbler, Black Tailed Godwit, Redshank, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Skylark and Kingfisher.

To date, bird numbers have generally increased annually and the site is probably the best place in Wales to see Little Egret, which is now resident. Although numbers peak late summer and in the year 2004 there were 195 present. Other normally scarce residents include Black Tailed Godwit and up to 750 have been recorded. To date, 197 species have been recorded, 58 of which have bred. Over 40 species can be expected throughout the year. Over 50 between August and April.

Autumn

Autumn time is very exciting for wader passage. Up to 60 Greenshank, 29 Spotted Redshank, 750 Black Tailed Godwit, 72 Curlew Sandpiper, 13 Little Stint, 1,100 Redshank, 2,400 Curlew and 12 Ruff have recently been recorded. Other regulars include Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover and Whimbrel. Throughout Autumn over 20 species of wader can be seen. High tides usually produces small numbers of Sandwich, Artic, Common, Little and Black Terns are regular. Garganey are also recorded.

Winter

Winter sees large numbers of wildfowl and waders return, many of which are seen on the estuary, marsh scrapes and surrounding fields. Other waders recorded annually include Grey Plover, Lapwing, Snipe, and even occasional Jack Snipe. Water Rails (up to 19) are regular visitors to the ditches throughout the reserve. Brambling can often be seen around the feeding stations along with many Tits and Finches. This is the best time of year for raptors such as daily Peregrine and Merlin, Hen Harrier along with the resident Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Buzzard. Barn and Little Owl are resident breeders and throughout winter 2000/1, were joined by Long Eared, Short Eared and Tawny Owl.

Spring/Summer

Spring and Summer sees the arrival of Wheatear, Sand Martin, House Martin, Swallow, Willow Warbler, Sedge and Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat. Waders at this time of year normally include up to 200 Whimbrel, Common Sandpipers (up to two pairs have bred), Little Ringed Plover, small numbers of Knot, Bar Tailed Godwit as well as the resident Black Tailed Godwits. Lapwing and Redshanks breed, the former being the most obvious with their noisy aerial displays. Small numbers of Eider can often be seen on the estuary at high tide (April/May). Late summer sees Little Egret numbers increase (up to 217 in 2001). Spoonbills have been recorded annually since 1995.

Bird Species List

Winter

Whooper Swan, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Shoveler, Red Breasted Merganser, Goldeneye, Brent Goose, Knot, Snipe, Jack Snipe, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Water Rail, Brambling, Bittern, Peregrine, Merlin, Hen Harrier, Short Eared Owl, Siskin, Redpoll, Long Eared Owl, Redwing, Fieldfare, Great Crested Grebe, Scaup, Dunlin, Raven, Stonechat, Common Gull.

Passage

Med Gull, Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Whimbrel, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Bar Tailed Godwit, Garganey. White Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Water Pipit, Marsh Harrier, Turtle Dove, Sandwich Tern, Arctic Tern, Common Tern, Black Tern, Little Tern, Sand Martin, Spoonbill, Little Gull, Bittern, Ruddy Duck, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Whinchat, Cuckoo.

Summer

Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Swallow, House Martin, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Swift, Grasshopper Warbler.

Resident

Little Egret, Black Tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Shelduck, Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Lapwing, Redshank, Barn Owl, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzard, Kingfisher, Cettis Warbler, Little Grebe, Reed Bunting, Moorhen, Coot, Skylark, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Treecreeper, House Sparrow, Goldcrest, Meadow Pipit, Song Thrush, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Herring Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull.

Rarities

American Wigeon, Marsh Sandpiper, Blue Winged Teal, Green Winged Teal, Gull Billed Tern, Ring Billed Gull, Wilsons Phalarope, Leaches Petrel, Spotted Crake, Long Billed Dowitcher, Great Northern Diver, Red Throated Diver, Black Necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Great White Egret, Pectoral Sandpiper, Smew, Osprey, Avocet, Grey Phalarope, Artic Skua, Great Skua, Hoopoe, Aquatic Warbler, Firecrest, Snowbunting, Red Footed Falcon, Lesser Scaup, Lapland Bunting, Richard’s Pipit.