The year is not out yet, Saturday 21st December 2019

The winter equinox will occur at something like 04:19hrs on the morning of Sunday 22nd December, and astronomical winter will begin, ending on 20th March 2020; now that's the way I remember winter being none of this winter starting on 1st December, which is just to make the statistics work!

Maybe now that winter is "official" we will get some winter weather.....

The wintering flocks have arrived in force with well over 3000 Knot on the beach and at the least the same figure of Golden Plover high over Kidwelly Marsh, four Bar-tailed Godwits were in amongst the Knot flock, there were good numbers of Sanderling and Oystercatcher with very good numbers of Common Scoter flying East offshore

Knot (photo Colin Dalton)

Sanderling (photo Colin Dalton)

I had hoped for some raptors on the beach or even some nice passerines, in fact both were absent. Also absent today were the "white buckets" that have been washing up along the coast as a result of being lost from a vessel lost during a recent storm.

The feeding station set up in the park has become quite a draw for the birds, mostly Great and Blue Tits but also two male Blackcaps who are keen on the fat balls.

Blackcap male

More and more Blackcaps are wintering in the UK especially along the southern coasts, I found another just near the park entrance a few days ago; if you are lucky enough to see a Blackcap or Chiffchaff during the winter don't forget to report on your local bird sightings.

With our Christmas events running to a natural closure the next big event will be the annual WALRUS DIP at Pembrey Country Park & Beach on Boxing day morning arrive for 10:45 latest.