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.

Saturday 13th December 2025

 

Croeso pawb,

“Mae gennych chi swydd wych, byddwn i wrth fy modd yn gwneud eich gwaith”

Dim ond rhai o'r sylwadau braf a gafwyd yr wythnos hon wrth ymgysylltu â'r cyhoedd, ni ellir ysgrifennu sylwadau eraill yn dda nid yn fy mlog oherwydd eu natur gamdriniol.

Ie, mae gen i swydd anhygoel sydd, fel rydw i wedi dweud sawl gwaith rwy'n caru y tu hwnt i fesur, ond nid yw mor hawdd a thawel ag y mae'n ymddangos, fel llawer o broffesiynau mae ganddo ei ups and downs ond mae'r wythnos ddiwethaf wedi bod yn anodd, llawer o graeanu dannedd ond hefyd cryn dipyn o chwerthin, yr un mor dda.

 

“ You’ve got a great job, I’d love to do your job”

Just some of the nice comments received this week whilst engaging with the public, other comments can’t be written down well not in my blog due to their  abusive nature.

Yes, I have an amazing job which, as I’ve said many times, I love beyond measure, but its not as easy and tranquil as it appears, like many professions it has its ups and downs but the past week has been tough, lots of gritting of teeth but also quite a few laughs, just as well.

 I hope the Welsh is translated appropriately please let me know if it’s not!

Sea Buckthorn clearance, the last for several years to come

 A huge amount of habitat   management has taken place at Pembrey Burrows LNR over recent weeks, some of it looks harsh, some has already passed the “harsh” stage and is in the settling down phase. In a year’s time we will see improvements to a functioning ecosystem. 

The restored dune slack

It’s been a good week for bird records, with Marsh Harriers, Merlin, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Red Kite and Buzzard making daily appearances, much to the worry of the Starling, Teal  and Snipe flocks.

Sadly its not been so good for sea mammals with several Grey Seals washed ashore dead, a glimmer of hope was the successful release of this seal pup which after giving me a good run around on the beach.

Apparently seal pups can become afraid of the water after traumatic events, this little one was with, what we assumed was its mother sadly deceased. We had expert advice and they were happy the pup was weaned and had as good a chance of survival as was possible, so we rested her? for a few hours and then took to the sea. 

We now need a replacement large animal crate !

Behind those eyes is a vicious bite!

It’s a good time to get out and about before winter really bites!

No new blogs until January 26

29th November 2025

 

Bore da pawb, croeso.

Cymaint yn digwydd yn ystod yr wythnos ddiwethaf, llawer iawn o reoli cynefinoedd gan gynnwys adfer ardal wlyb yn Pembrey Burrows GNL, a phlannu coetir newydd.

So much happening in the past week, a great deal of habitat management including restoring a wet area at Pembrey Burrows, and planting  a new woodland.

There is an area on the Pembrey Burrows LNR that I remember ten years ago was floristically rich, however for too many reasons to go into here, the area has been encroached by Eared Willow, Sea Buckthorn, one or two Aspen, and despite an acceptable grazing regime much rough grass and resulting "thatch" on the ground.

I discussed a plan with my colleague from Natural Resources Wales and well when a plan comes together it comes with surprises, under the willow etc there was a dune slack waiting to blossom , and now it will.

Plenty of south facing slopes for inverts to use, and a great seedbed for all those buried seeds which didn't have chance under the existing conditions; I am looking forward to spring and summer to see how nature recovers. Very little excavation was needed it was removing the willow etc by its roots that allowed the water to rise to the surface very quickly.

This project will require careful monitoring of the returning species - there may be surprises!

Bird highlights already include dozens of Pied Wagtails, Meadow Pipits and, briefly, a Common Snipe! The area will be securely fenced to reduce any disturbance.

Meanwhile back in Pembrey Country Park, myself Ray, one of our stalwart conservation vols, along with contractors planted 629 young trees into a rough unused area of the park as a condition of the felling licence to remover 120 Corsican Pine and Willow from another restoration project  

(Ray and I planted the 19 "big trees" ).

This area excludes people and dogs at the moment to allow the trees to establish and to allow time for me to design a network of paths so that the woodland will be used for quiet relaxation, with perhaps a couple of suitable rustic benches dotted around.

Rain and a taste of Winter 22nd November 2025

Bore da pawb.

Its been a busy couple of weeks, with meetings and planning work.  Contractors are on site carrying out habitat restoration works and have  now completed phase 1 at Pembrey Country Park.

This was a dune slack 30 years ago

Here we go

Almost there, invertebrate bank at the rear

All we need is water !

Remember the Fin Whale on Cefn Sidan, well the lower left jawbone has detached itself from the body as a result we have been able to recover the huge bone back to Pembrey Country Park along with a few vertebrae, once the skull is recovered, probably sometime in 2026 we will create an interpretive display so that visitors can learn more about the whale. Photo next time !

At Llyn Llech Owain Country Park, conservation volunteer and licenced bird ringer Alice has successfully ringed two "new" Willow Tits, the additional data from Alice will build into the ongoing work to ensure the survival of the species at Llyn Llech Owain

Willow Tit, handled under licence, photo by Alice

Another week

 Bore da pawb

Well we seem to be paying for the really nice summer we experienced, over three inches or 75mm of rain was recorded at Pembrey country Park.

Ponds which have languished with summer levels have now filled up, and are recharged nicely.

Myself and colleagues from the Natural Environment team went to an all Wales Grazing Conference at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells which was very well attended, with some useful learnings.

The bird hides at Pembrey Country Park are undergoing repairs and a tidy up, if I could find someone to fill any bird feeders regularly, (twice a week without fail), then I would set up a small feeding station.

This weekend is the monthly Wetlands and Estuaries Bird Survey, WeBS, I count Ffynnon Helyg, Ashpits, Tywyn Bach and Burry Port inner Harbour all very poor today; the saving grace was Old Pembrey Harbour area with 2450+ Oystercatchers, 96 Ringed Plover , 2 Knot, 15 Curlew
and a single Common Snipe the best.

Alistair  Mckechnie has asked me to share a link if you know anyone who may be  keen to get involved with a local conservation or environmental project, here's a new online guide to help you. The link is www.llanelligreenguide.wales 

Batty time

 Bore da pawb Croeso.

This is week has been all go awarding contracts for the winter projects across the estate that we manage, Wednesday I spent the day with Jenny and dan from Vincent Wildlife Trust | Conserving threatened mammalswith… they were installing the last of the additional roosting features into five out of the 6  WW11 bunkers at Pembrey Country Park, committed to Greater Horseshoe Bat conservation , the presence of two very flirty looking, yes flirty not flighty, GHB's stopped the sixth bunker being completed for now- in fact they weren't being flirty just good mates!

Tile to fit flat to the ceiling

 These features, tiles and flower pots, have been       adapted to replicate roosting features in caves, very   clever. Many thanks to Dan and Jenny for what was a   very dusty job, no bats were disturbed during this   work which was carried out under licence.

Inverted flower pot roughed up with concrete

A dusty job

Other winter work contracted out is meadow management and pond creation at Morfa Berwig LNR, dune slack restoration at Pembrey Country Park, and scrub and meadow management at Ynysdawela LNR, more on those jobs when they happen.

A home form home

 Bore da pawb croeso.

No blog for a while as I have been away on leave.

Just before I left a few projects were underway and I am please to say they are now finished off .

Protecting the winter hibernation roosts of Greater Horseshoe Bats, GHB's) at Pembrey Country Park has been a long held campaign, well with funding from Welsh Governments Local places for Nature and the huge support of Isabel Macho and Matthew Collinson in securing those funds; six of the seven WWII bunkers now have secure and improved roosting opportunities.

I engaged Vincent Wildlife Trust, Vincent Wildlife Trust | Conserving threatened mammalswith…  to be our consultants on the project and both Dan and Jenny have been nothing other than fantastic working with one of our countryside contractors they ensured that the work, which has involved building walls and installing metal gates to a design GHB's will use.

Not without issues as the GHB's have already returned for the winter, well four of them never left! Work, conducted under licence, had to start and stop a few times, but now its done.

Monitoring will continue as it has done for several years with hopefully an increase in hibernating and maybe fingers crossed, breeding GHB's. - I have just realised I haven't taken any photos of the finished work !!

A project I do have photos for though is the Sand Martin nesting box project at our Ffynnon Helyg proposed Local Nature Reserve.

Designed delivered and installed by John and Jake from Green Future Building, Green Future Building Ltd (GFB) - Green Future Building it wasn't without its issues though, within seconds the van they were driving got stuck in the only patch of mud ! Well an hour later and we were underway again.

The units provide 96 nesting holes for Sand Martins, mitigation and future proofing for the potential loss of their breeding site on Burry Port East beach. It may take several years before the birds decide to move in, but in the meantime we will prepare the nesting holes with sand and grit to provide as natural an experience as possible for the birds.

The reason the units appear so tall is that John from GFB has worked out that the birds are more likely to use the higher holes, we will plant willow whips at the rear to help hide the supporting piers.

Well that's it for this week....

More tales of the sea... one way or another

 Bore da,  croeso pawb.

Wedi bod yn bythefnos prysur iawn – mae gwaith y gaeaf ar y gwarchodfeydd natur wedi dechrau, a mae prosiectau eraill fel blychau nythu Gwennol y Glennydd yn mynd ymlaen nawr.

It’s been a very busy couple of weeks – the winter work on the nature reserves has started, and other projects like the Sand Martin nest boxes are underway now.

The incessant rain since the start of September has certainly made up for what has been, in my opinion, an almost perfect summer, can the rain now stop !

Sabines Gull

The series of Low pressure systems has delivered some nice birds to the coast, including multiple Grey Phalaropes, Arctic Terns, and Sabines Gull.

Additionally the influx of Glossy Ibis across the UK has reached Carmarthenshire.

Interesting though less welcome have been Portuguese Man 0 War "jellyfish". The Portuguese man o’ war may resemble a jellyfish, but it's actually a siphonophore—a colony of genetically identical organisms called zooids. These zooids develop from a single fertilised egg and bud into specialised parts that can't survive alone.                  Together, they function as one creature,                                                                                                         working in unison to move, and catch food.

The Fin Whale continues to fascinate locals and out of area visitors alike, I have managed to remove the skull, 5m x 2.5m, with the aim of removing any remaining flesh through the winter and eventually creating a display at Pembrey Country Park.

Anyone visiting our Morfa Berwig Local Nature Reserve will see that the winter work programme is well underway, phase 1 is complete with phase 2 planned for later in the winter, don't panic it will look amazing next summer. - go an have a look!

Ar ôl blynyddoedd lawer, dw i’n hapus iawn dweud bod ein safle Ynysdawela’n ffurfiol nawr yn Gwarchodfeydd Natur Leol. Mae’r broses gyfreithiol wedi cymryd tipyn o amser, ond ’di llwyddo cyrraedd y pwynt yna, ac ’dan ni’n gwybod nawr y ffordd orau i fynd drwodd gyda’r pethau cyfreithiol

After many years I am delighted to announce that our Ynysdawela site is now officially a Local Nature Reserve the legal process has taken an age, but we've got there and now understand the best and appropriate routes to navigate legalities .

All at sea or not

 Croeso pawb

A short blog this week to record an unusual and unpleasantly sad event.

On Monday afternoon our Lifeguards reported a large cetacean washed ashore on Cefn Sidan, initial inspection that evening found the decomposing body of a large Whale, measured at around 20-22m in length, weighing possibly as much as 30 tonnes

My initial thoughts were either Fin Whale, Balaenoptera physalus or Sei Whale  Balaenoptera borealis.

The carcass is quite decomposed especially on the ventral side whilst all colour seems to have been lost from the skin on the dorsum, it may be the outer layer has been lost.

The finding was reported to the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, CSIP.

UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme

Their team attended on Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd September and identified the whale as a Fin Whale, the second largest mammal on earth, considered vulnerable to extinction by the IUCN.

Follow this link for more information, Fin whale - Wikipedia

Any further information from the CSIP will be in the next blog

Butterfly bonanza

 Croeso pawb,

Summer 2025 just keeps on giving, my feeling is that there has been something of a bounce back from the recent run of poor springs and summers, especially when looking at numbers of some species of butterflies and bees.

In the past week I have been mooching about the nature reserves and country parks and have been delighted with the numbers of butterflies and bees seen.

At Pembrey Burrows I did a circular transect over the middle saltmarsh, taking in the swathes of Sea Lavender, it was only around 500m in total, however I counted the following: Common Blue 15, Meadow Brown 8, Large White 4, Small White 5, Small Heath 2 and Clouded Yellow ♂ 1. 

Clouded Yellow, Colias croceus , image Butterfly Conservation

Feeling suitable impressed I then did another circular  transect of around 300m on an area of recovering embryonic dunes nearer to "The Nose" Common Blue 13, Meadow Brown 4, Small White 34,  Small Blue 3

I was really pleased with the counts but they paled into insignificance when I "popped in" to look at an area we are trying to recreate a wet area, a dune slack.

Growing in the slack is an area about 20sqm of Water Mint, Mentha aquatica, I was stunned by what greeted me, there were over 200 butterflies in and around the mint with at least a further 100 flitting over other adjacent areas of mint and a few Purple Loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria.

Without professional photographic equipment any photograph would not do the scene any justice.

A rough estimate of species recorded would be, Common Blue 140, Meadow Brown 55, Small White 45, Gatekeeper 20, Small Blue 5, Small Heath 4, Clouded Yellow 3 ♂ and 1 ♀, Red Admiral 1

Even more interestingly the ♀ Clouded Yellow was very pale, and likely to be the form helice, 

Clouded Yellow ♀, ssp Colias croeus, f helice, image UK Butterflies