Busy times, update, Thursday 13th July 2017

Quite a lot going on at the moment, not least the preparation for the official opening of the Morfa Berwig Local Nature Reserve on 21st July, more of that in a moment.

I've started the autumn ringing at Pembrey, it really is an autumn site as the hirundine (Swallows and Martins) roost is the main focus of activity. The roost of Swallows is growing daily with most of the birds being this years young, last night at sunset there were around 750 birds going in to the reeds, so far we've caught about 40 Swallows,  and one Sand Martin.

It looks like the Sedge Warblers (Sedwa) have had a reasonable breeding season with good numbers of young birds already ringed; the lack of water in the reedbed means it's not favoured by Reed Warblers (Reewa) with low numbers breeding, but they to have raised a few broods.

Other captures have included Stonechat (2 juveniles BTO code 3J) Pied Wagtails (adults BTO code 4, and 3J's) and Whitethroat (code 3J).

With the tide being high late evening I've noticed that a few of the local birders have been out, with a good count of Mediterranean Gulls (130+) in Old Pembrey Harbour.

Meanwhile back at Morfa Berwig the contractors have started replacing most of the wooden bridges with enclosed culverts and pathways.

one of the old footpath bridges, being removed

Yesterday the team were hard at applying Linseed oil to the signs, moving old fences, opening up pathways and generally getting the place in order, there's a bit! more to do next week before opening day.