Pembrey Coast SSSI habitat improvement project #NNF5 Funded By Welsh Government in partnership with Heritage Lottery Fund

 

Bore da a croeso pawb,

This is just a quick catch up on the project, now just ten weeks in.

We now have a conservation ranger appointed, formal introductions next time, who brings a wealth of knowledge on the special environment that sand dunes are.

There are a number of outcomes to be delivered by the end of the project in late 2028 these include public engagement and I'm pleased to report that the first three events have been well attended with 31 people visiting either Cefn Sidan or Pembrey Burrows LNR.

The team of specialists have been very busy with several surveys days already under their belt, and not wishing to get ahead of the reports; due at the end of 2026; here are a few highlights, the links will take you to the National Biodiversity Network- NBN -site.

Grizzled Skipper - George Tordoff

Some of the target species such as Small Blue, Marsh Fritillary, Grizzled Skipper, Dilwyns Dung Beetle, Dune Tiger Beetle - over 100 now and the enigmatic Strandline Beetle with almost the entire length of Cefn Sidan walked and driven with c170 if not more individuals recoded.

Additionally important non-target species have also been discovered, the links to the NBN atlas are worth following.

Rabigus pullus                    Rabigus pullus | NBN Atlas - project target species

Hypocaccus crassipes             Hypocaccus crassipes | NBN Atlas

Hypocaccus dimidiatus           Hypocaccus dimidiatus | NBN Atlas

Psilothix viridicoerulea         Psilothrix viridicoerulea | NBN Atlas

Demetrias monostigma        Demetrias monostigma | NBN Atlas

Staphylinus dimidaticornis    Staphylinus dimidiaticornis | NBN Atlas

Staphylinus dimidiaticornus - George Tordoff

Whilst several have been recorded previously given their status new records are vital.

Not to be outdone Myself and Veronica discovered a beetle , 

Silpha tristis,  Silpha tristis | NBN Atlas

Silpha tristis - Veronica Haines

Catching up Saturday 9th May 2026

 Bore da pawb a Croeso

Its been a while, there's been quite a bit going on, so where to start.

Well lets start with the annoying senseless vandalism at our Ynysdawela Local Nature Reserve, a picture is enough.

News on the Welsh Government funded Nature Networks Five project - Pembrey Coast SSSI Improvement project.

Liam and "Sparrow" looking for Dilwyn!

Surveys have started with one of the target species, Dilwyns Dung Beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis already found in decent numbers by Liam and Christian (Sparrow), it lives in fresh cow dung, 

Grass Eggar caterpillar

George started strong with Small Blue, Cupido minimus non target but hugely important records Also had a Grass Eggar, Lasiocampa trifolii larva and the striking and very large rove beetle Staphylinus dimidiaticornis.

Staphylinus dimidaticornis

I have now appointed a conservation ranger to help deliver the project as well as have  amore consistent presence at the Pembrey Burrows & Salting's LNR, not appropriate to mention her name yet

Artificial refugia for the Strandline Beetle and other critters have been deployed with the help of our volunteers, Ruth from NRW and Matt from Natur am Byth. 

Barry Stewart and I deployed five more at the western end of Cefn Sidan on Friday where we observed good numbers of Dune Tiger Beetle, Cicindella maritimus, Liam and Sparrow found around 87 this week ! Barry found the first Strandline Beetle of the season

Strandline Beetle

4th April 2026 - Spring

 Croeso a bore da pawb

Its been a while, quite a lot going on, so I'll try not to repeat myself.

Migrants have been arriving for a few weeks now, with Sand Martins leading the way, but now Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers are beginning to sing and a few Sandwich terns have been seen at Pembrey Harbour.

The recent run of North, North West and Westerly winds have slowed migration cross Europe and its considered to be  a "late year", certainly for Ospreys which have become regular spring migrants along the coast, with a couple being seen locally.

Our Canolfan Natur, will be open on 7th, 9th 11th, 13th and 15th from 11am-2pm (maybe 3pm if its busy).

It's nothing fancy just a place for visitors to engage and appreciate sone of the wildlife to be found in Carmarthenshire, I've been promised some exhibits which I must collect soon but if anyone has any items such as skulls, pressed seaweeds, pinned  insects, mammal or bird taxidermy (UK only)  they wish to pass on for a wider audience please get in touch.

The significance of the species is, Strandline Beetle and Small Blue butterfly - specific targets for the Pembrey Coast SSSI habitats project; Pine Marten - established in the north of the county and moving south and the Marsh Harrier.... 

As this project develops over the next year we will be offering citizen science opportunities to help, under guidance, survey the strandline ecosystem on Cefn Sidan- more details to follow

Progress with the recruitment of a Conservation Ranger, for the life of the Pembrey Coast SSSI project, is being made but these things take time.

I am also looking to recruit more conservation volunteers, specifically for the LNR's on a Monday, email infopembrey@carmarthenshire.gov.uk for more info.

Friday 13th March 2026

Croeso,

Nearly a month since the last blog, I could say there's been nothing happening but that would be a lie.

Team work

The Pine Marten den boxes have now been located around Pembrey Country Park and are being  monitored from a distance with remote cameras, we will check the cameras periodically for any activity. Hopefully we will see results over the coming years, yes,  years rather than months.

The task was made easier with extra help from the Operations team at the park - Thanks George and Liam.

The Fin whale skull has been given some attention to remove more of the flesh, not an easy job but made easier with help from Veronica and Ray, the skull may be relocated for the next few months to allow nature to take its course without any offending odours.

One side of the room

Progress is being made on the repurposing of an old office building into a space where we can offer educational activities, both for schools and the community - watch this space.

Sea water aquarium in progress

Check out on the Pembrey Country Park website and Facebook pages for a series of guided walks through the spring and summer, they will be posted during April

The effect of wind and sand

Sunday 15th February 2026

 Croeso pawb,

Its been a while since the last Blog, lots going on as usual, just not a lot to write about.

Winter is the time for most habitat management work to be carried out and this winter has been no exception, the weather however has had other ideas and has made many jobs very difficult to carry out, and whilst habitat work can look messy and destructive the key is knowing which jobs to pull.

The planned work at Morfa Berwig has been cancelled for this year but I will look to see what can be done in the autumn, hopefully before the ground gets too wet..

With meteorological winter drawing to a close, thought must turn to spring and the changing natural season, Hazel is already in flower in sheltered places, I saw a Magpie carrying a stick a few days ago and I've heard of  a Mallard with a brood of ducklings.

We carried out the last Snipe count of the season last week with a total of c105 Snipe, one Water Rail, 14 Skylarks and both ♂ & ♀ Marsh Harrier, with a ♂ Hen Harrier being seen by one of our rangers.

Looking forward into spring and summer 2026 we have a great programme of walks planned for Pembrey Burrows LNR and Cefn Sidan - these tie in to the Pembrey Coast SSSI project, I can't say to much about the project yet ....

Short and sweet this week.

Hwyl

18th January 2026

 Bore da pawb

Some exciting new projects beginning to come together.

This past week myself and some of the volunteers went out to look for suitable sites to place Pine Marten "nesting" boxes, a challenging task needing to mix solitude with accessibility; both for the animals and ourselves. We couldn't work to the suggested parameters, being limited to the size of Pembrey Country Park, but with three good sightings over the last few years the most recent of which was in May 2025 its worth doing what we can.

Due to the  weight of the boxes we will require additional help when we come to actually place them out, that's going to be interesting! Entrance is at the rear against the tree. 

Staying with the nest box theme we also put up a nesting box designed for Barn  Owls to use, I've also placed a remote camera nearby to record what species use it, some Jackdaws were already eyeing it up a few days after it was placed out!

(made of recycled plastic and donated, by the Carmarthenshire Bird Club several years ago, our box is orientated differently to the image)

Due to the recent cold spell, I delayed the monthly Snipe count, however an opportunity presented itself one morning last week when I was out with NRW officers, so when they left I counted the upper marsh with 98 Common Snipe and a single Jack Snipe recorded - sorry to my usual gang of helpers it was  spur of the moment decision.

[Jack Snipe to the left, common Snipe to the right]

I am still unable to reveal to much of conservation projects for 2026, just waiting for the final sign off from the funders! but watch this space!!!

January 1st 2026

 Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi i gyd.

Roedd 2025 yn flwyddyn brysur iawn, gyda phymtheg o brosiectau wedi'u cychwyn a thri ar ddeg wedi'u cwblhau, rydym wedi ymestyn caeau pori, gwella cynefinoedd presennol, creu cynefin newydd, plannu coed brodorol a blodau gwyllt, atgyweirio neu ailosod ffensys, gwarchod Ystlumod Bedol Fwyaf a mwy!

Mae ein gwirfoddolwyr cadwraeth anhygoel wedi cyfrif, ymlusgiaid, gwenyn a gloÿnnod byw, gwella cynefinoedd, ymgysylltu ag ymwelwyr ac wrth gwrs wedi codi sbwriel pobl eraill.

Rwyf eisoes yn gwybod bod 2026 yn mynd i fod yn flwyddyn gyffrous i gadwraeth yn Sir Gaerfyrddin, ni allaf ddatgelu gormod nawr felly gwyliwch y gofod hwn am y newyddion mawr, yn y cyfamser mae gen i naw prosiect yn barod i'w cyflwyno i gyllidwyr!

Shimmering Ruby-tail Chrysis fulgida (image from BWARS)

Happy New Year to you all.

2025 was a very busy year, with fifteen projects started and thirteen completed, we have extended grazing fields, improved existing habitats, created new habitat, planted native trees and wildflowers, repaired or replaced fences, protected Greater Horseshoe Bats and more!

Our amazing conservation volunteers have counted, reptiles, bees and butterflies, improved habitats, engaged with visitors and of course picked up other people’s litter.

I already know that 2026 is going to be an exciting year for conservation in Carmarthenshire, I cannot reveal too much now, so watch this space for the big news, in the meantime I have nine projects ready to submit to funders!

                                          ------------------------------------------------------

A visit to the, proposed, Ffynnon Helyg LNR saw me miss an Otter by seconds but I did find where it had been lying up, its often the signs left behind that are seen rather than the animal itself.

Otter "day nest"

Otter spraint

  

The Sand Martin nesting box structures seem to have survived being 50% submerged for weeks at a time, the next stage is preparing the nesting burrows for the returning birds, which really will not be long! A mix of sand and fine gravel will be used to fill the tunnels and nesting chambers allowing any adventurous Sand martins to create their own nests, I'll let you know how that goes !

Please don't expect a Blog every week in 2026, I will write one as and when I can.