PEMBREY BURROWS & SALTINGS LNR + PEMBREY COAST SSSI BIRD REPORT 2017
A full version paper copy is available, let me know if you want one
Species
accounts
Mute
Swan, Alarch Dof
An occasional fly over visitor
Whooper
Swan Alarch Y Gogledd
Winter visitor to Carmarthenshire with
birds wandering along the coast
Canada
Goose, Gwydd Canada
An occasional fly over visitor
White-fronted
Goose Gwydd Dalcen-Wen
A rare visitor, two were observed
flying along the foreshore heading west on 17th March
Greylag
Goose Gwydd
Wyllt
Resident along the coast, occasional
fly over visitors
Brent
Goose Gwydd
Ddu
A winter visitor, occurring in
comparatively small numbers , 11 on 3rd February
Shelduck Hwyaden Yr Eithin
Resident at Pembrey Burrows LNR for
most of the year, a single, failed
breeding attempt was noted in 2017
Wigeon Chwiwell
A wintering flock numbering in low
double digits
Gadwall Hwyaden Lwyd
At least two pairs present through
spring and summer no evidence of successful breeding
Teal Corhwy Aden
A regular winter visitor to the
saltings, with up to 200 being recorded in some years
Mallard Hwyaden Wyllt
Pairs present in spring and summer low
numbers winter
Pintail Hwyaden
Lostfain
A regular visitor to the Burry Inlet,
but only single numbers seen in the recording area.
Garganey Hwyaden Addfain
A rare visitor, a single spring record
on 13th April from the pond in grazing field 2 (GF2)
Shoveler Hwyaden Lydanbig
A scarce visitor with only small
groups recorded in spring
Eider Hwyaden
Fwythblu
Occasionally seen off Cefn Sidan in
winter and spring
Long-tailed
Duck Hwyaden Gynffon Hir
Rare visitor, 2017 was a good year
with the long staying birds from 2016 still present off Old Pembrey Harbour
Common
Scoter Mor-Hwyaden Ddu
Present offshore in most months
Velvet
Scoter Mor-Hwyaden Y Gogledd
A very rare visitor with an individual
recorded off Cefn Sidan on 28th February
Red-Breasted
Merganser Hwyaden Frongoch
A winter visitor, seen off Old Pembrey
Harbour and on a high tide in the "Swan Drain", the inlet to the
marsh at Old Pembrey Harbour
Pheasant Ffesant
Recorded in all months in the reed
bed, at least one pair bred raising at least two young to fledging (both males)
Red-throated
Diver Trochydd Gyddfgoch
Seen during sea watches from CE53 (AD)
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
June
|
July
|
Aug
|
Sept
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
11
|
-
|
11+
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
Great
Northern Diver Trochydd Mawr
An occasional winter visitor seen
offshore, (often close in) from Old Pembrey Harbour and Cefn Sidan
Fulmar Aderyn-Drycin Graig
Occasionally blown into the inlet off
Old Pembrey harbour and offshore, an individual was recorded on 10th May
Manx
Shearwater Aderyn-Drycin Manaw
Present off shore, sometimes in good
numbers spring through to autumn
Gannet Hugan
Regularly seen during rough weather
off Old Pembrey Harbour ,present offshore from spring through to autumn
Cormorant Mulfran
A common bird along the coast, often
seen feeding in large numbers of a falling tide, then up to 127 individuals
roosting on Cefn Sidan at CE51, P= present not counted
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
June
|
July
|
Aug
|
Sept
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
127
|
P
|
60
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
50
|
25
|
37
|
27
|
Little
Egret Creyr Bach
Seen daily along the "Swan
Drain" or flying over the salt
marsh
Great
White Egret Creyr Mawr Gwyn
A rare visitor to the reserve, with a
single record on 8th October
Grey
Heron Crychydd
Seen daily on the salt marsh
Spoonbill Llwybig
A rare visitor, two present on 8th
October were probably the same long staying birds seen at WWT Llanelli
Great
Crested Grebe Gwyach Fawr
Gopog
Recorded offshore in most months with
a max of six on 17th February
Red Kite Barcud
A local breeder and regular visitor,
recorded in most months
Marsh
Harrier Bod
y Gwerni
An occasional visitor, perhaps
wandering over from Llanrhidan marsh on the Gower
Hen
Harrier Bod Tinwen
An occasional winter visitor A male
seen on 10th January, with two ringtails present 15th December for one day
Sparrowhawk Gwalch Glas
A local breeder, regularly seen
hunting the dunes, two hunting together on 9th December was an unusual sight
Buzzard Boda
A local breeder seen most days
Water
Rail Rhegen Y Dwr
Resident breeder, with several
territories in and around the reed bed, recorded in all months with max of four
in February and five on 18th November flushed from the marsh
Moorhen Iar Ddwr
Resident breeder
Coot Cwtiar
A very rare visitor, with one
individual momentarily caught accidentally in a pond dipping net on 11th June !
Oystercatcher Pioden
Y Mor
Year round resident with a max of
c4250 recorded in February at roost at Old Pembrey harbour, P=present no count
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
June
|
July
|
Aug
|
Sept
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
c3000
|
4250
|
300
|
P
|
c3000
|
P
|
P
|
c2000
|
P
|
3500
|
P
|
1750
|
Grey
Plover Cwtiad llwyd
A passage wader in low numbers recorded
in most months
Golden
Plover Cwtiad Aur
Occasional records of small flocks.
c50+ during autumn and winter
Ringed
Plover Cwtiad
Torchog
Present all year, ana passage bird,
breeding attempted with three nests found, outcomes unknown, counts from Old Pembrey
Harbour
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
June
|
July
|
Aug
|
Sept
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
11
|
10
|
7
|
111
|
61
|
44
|
P
|
30
|
Lapwing Cornicyll
A disappointedly scarce visitor, a
male on territory in the spring raised hopes of breeding, but came to nothing.
Whimbrel Coegylfinir
A regular spring and autumn migrant,
with individuals occasionally overwintering, first noted on 30th March. 12
present on 2th April
Curlew Gylfinir
Present all year in very low numbers
Black-tailed
Godwit Rhostog
Gynffonddu
A visitor to the area around Old
Pembrey Harbour, with 32 on 30th December
Bar-tailed
Godwit Rhostog
Gynffonfrith
A passage visitor mainly in the spring,
P= present no count
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
June
|
July
|
Aug
|
Sept
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
-
|
-
|
146
|
116
|
35
|
-
|
-
|
P
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
Turnstone Cwtiad Y
Traeth
Passage visitor at Old Pembrey Harbour
and along Cefn Sidan
Knot Pibydd
Yr Aber
Present in low numbers throughout the
year with spectacular flocks in winter, c3000 present on Cefn Sidan 16th
December
Ruff Pibydd
Totrchog
A scarce visitor the only record was
one on Cefn Sidan on 27th September
Sanderling Pibydd Y
Tywod
Cefn Sidan is nationally important for
its wintering flocks of this smart wader, with autumn and winter counts c1000
Dunlin Pibydd y Mawn
Present in most months but a classic winter
visitor along Cefn Sidan
Common
Sandpiper
Pibydd Y Dorlan
A regular passage migrant, first
record in 2017 was on 3rd May, two present 27th June
Green
Sandpiper Pibydd
Gwyrdd
Passage migrant one present on 24th
July was the only record
Greenshank Pibydd
Coeswerdd
Present in single figures, in the
"Swan Drain", four on 19th November
Wood
Sandpiper Pibydd Y
Graean
A rare visitor with a single record on
13th May
Redshank Pibydd
Coesgoch
Present throughout the year in low
numbers, at least two pairs attempted to breed, chicks were hatched from at
least one nest outcome unknown
Jack
Snipe Gaich
Fach
A winter visitor to the salt marsh in
very low numbers 4 present on 1st December
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
June
|
July
|
Aug
|
Sept
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
1
|
4
|
3
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
4
|
Snipe Giach
Regular autumn winter visitor to the
marshy areas of the reserve with 32 present on 1st December and at least 40
flushed from the "Swan Drain" on 28th December: P= present not
counted
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
June
|
July
|
Aug
|
Sept
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
4
|
54
|
47
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
40
|
Arctic
Skua Sigwen
Y Gogledd
Seen offshore during passage, first
recorded, two on 19th September, then two on 23rd September
Great
Skua Sigwen
Fawr
Seen offshore, especially after rough
weather only one record 12th August
Puffin Pal
Very rarely seen offshore, only record
12th September
Razorbill Llurs
Occasionally seen offshore, usually
present in late autumn
Guillemot Gwylog
Occasionally seen offshore first
record 11th May
Sandwich
Tern Morwennol
Bigddu
Regular passage migrant especially in
autumn, first record though was 18th March, 150+ present at Old Pembrey harbour
on 12th August,300 on 29th then 250 present on 7th September
Common
Tern Morwennol
Gyffredin
Seen on spring and autumn passage in
low numbers, four present at the Old Pembrey Harbour roost on 7th September
Arctic
Tern Morwennol
y Gogledd
Scarce passage, one an immature
individual recorded, 7th & 9th September
Kittiwake Gwylan
Goesddu
Usually after storms, one record 10th
May, then 100+ offshore 23rd September
Black-headed
Gull Gwylan Benddu
Present in good numbers year round
Mediterranean
Gull Gwylan Mor Y
Canoldir
Noticeable in mid-summer when present
in good numbers with 62 on 26th June,
131 on 12th July, and 152, including 4 juveniles on 22nd July.
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
June
|
July
|
Aug
|
Sept
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
62
|
152
|
100
|
17
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Common
Gull Gwylan
Y Gweunydd
Present in good numbers during the
winter period, 512 present at the western end of Cefn Sidan on 16th December
Lesser
Black-backed Gull Gwylan Gefnddu Leiaf
Present in varying numbers throughout
the year
Herring
Gull Gwylan
Y Penwaig
Present in varying numbers throughout
the year
Yellow
Legged Gull Gwylan
Goesfelen
A scarce visitor one record of an
adult on 19th February
Great
Black-backed Gull Gwylan Gefnddu Fwyaf
Recorded in all months on Cefn Sidan, with + 30 present on
16th December
Stock
Dove Colomen
Wyllt
An occasional visitor to the sand
dunes/scrub
Woodpigeon Ysguthan
Resident breeder
Collared
Dove Turtur Dorchog
Resident breeder
Barn Owl Tylluan
Wen
A local breeder, one pair raised three
young to fledging, hunts over the Pembrey Burrows LNR
Short-eared
Owl Tylluan
Glustiog
A scarce winter visitor and spring migrant,
with one on 25th May, then singles in late November with a max four present during December.
Swift Gwennol
Ddu
Passage summer visitor, last date was
four on 17th September
Kingfisher Glas Y
Dorlan
A regular autumn winter visitor to Old
Pembrey Harbour
Great Spotted
Woodpecker Cnocell Fraith
Fwyaf
An unlikely visitor to the dunes on 17th September
Kestrel Cudyll
Coch
Local breeder, generally absent
through late spring to summer then present daily
Merlin Cudyll
Bach
An increasingly regular autumn winter
visitor with an adult male and female present on 10th December monthly counts
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
June
|
July
|
Aug
|
Sept
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
Peregrine Hebog
Tramor
Local breeder, birds are present
throughout the year although most obvious during autumn and winter
Magpie Pioden
A resident breeder, present in all
months , with maximum count of 15 at roost on 29th December
Jackdaw Jac-y-Do
Local breeder, large flocks form at
dusk during late autumn and winter, birds roost in Pembrey Forest, max counts
c500
Carrion
Crow Bran
Dyddin
Resident breeder
Raven Cigfran
Local breeder, seen daily throughout
the year
Goldcrest Dryw
Eurben
Local breeder, a common passage
migrant in autumn
Blue Tit Titw
Tomos Las
Resident breeder
Great Tit Titw
Mawr
Resident breeder
Skylark Ehedydd
Resident breeder and passage migrant,
breeds throughout the Pembrey LNR visible passage occurs during autumn, max
flock count of 60+ on 3rd December
Sand
Martin Gwennol
Y Glennydd
Local summer breeder, first recorded
27th March
Swallow Gwennol
Local summer breeder first recorded
31st March, late summer/autumn roosts in the reed bed can exceed c3000
individuals
House
Martin Gwennol
Y Bondo
Local summer breeder in low numbers,
first recorded on 16th April
Cetti's
Warbler Telor
Cetti
At least two individuals occupied
territory in the reed bed this year, breeding was not proven
Long-tailed
Tit TitwGynffon Hir
Resident breeder
Chiffchaff Siff-Saff
Local summer breeder, a few over
winter around the reed and willow scrub, first migrant record? 31st March
Willow
Warbler Telor
Yr Helyg
Local summer breeder, first record 1st
April
Blackcap Telor
Penddu
Local summer breeder two, a male and
female type recorded on 19th November
Whitethroat Llwydfron
Local summer breeder, first recorded
13th April
Grasshopper
Warbler Troellwr Bach
Local summer breeder with at least two
pairs nesting successfully, first recorded 11th April
Sedge Warbler Telor Yr Hesg
Reed
Warbler Telor Y Cyrs
Local summer breeder in low numbers,
the reed bed at Pembrey LNR is too dry
to support many pairs of this reed bed specialist, first recorded on 21st April
Wren Dryw
Resident breeder
Starling Drudwy
Local breeder, large flock of juvenile
birds descended onto to the dunes after fledging with flocks around 500 birds,
however no winter roost formed this year
Blackbird Mwyalchen
Resident breeder
Fieldfare Socan
Eira
A scarce winter visitor, the first
record was on 10th December, with 50 on 21st December
Song
Thrush Bronfraith
Resident breeder and winter migrant
Redwing Coch
Dan Aden
Winter visitor in low numbers with max
of c300 at dawn on 27th October
Mistle
Thrush Brych
Y Coed
Local breeder, often found in winter mixing
with other thrush species
Robin Robin
Goch
Resident breeder and winter migrant
Black
Redstart Tingoch
ddu
A single record on 8th April
Stonechat Clochdar
Y Cerrig
Resident breeder with nine recorded
pairs, most raising two broods
Wheatear Tinwen
Y garn
Passage migrant, first recorded 9th March, with four on 21st March 20 present on 22nd April, and an individual of the Greenland race
present on 6th May, last recorded on 17th October at Old Pembrey Harbour
Dunnock Llwyd
y Berth
Resident breeder
Pied
Wagtail Sigl-Di-Gwt
Fraith
Resident breeder, present in flocks in autumn with 23 feeding
on the strandline on 23rd October
Meadow
Pipit Corhedydd
y Waun
Resident breeder and passage migrant,
a flock of c89 present on 26th September
Rock
Pipit Corhedydd
Y Graig
Resident breeder
Chaffinch Ji-Binc
Resident breeder
Bullfinch Coch
Y Berllan
Resident breeder
Greenfinch Llinos
Werdd
Local breeder
Linnet Llinos
Resident breeder and passage migrant,
large flocks in autumn feed on the salt marsh
Redpoll Llinos
Bengoch Leiaf
Status unsure, two caught during a
ringing session on 27th October were a new record for the reserve
Goldfinch Teiliwr
Llundain
Resident breeder and passage
migrant/winter visitor. Large numbers present autumn through winter, a flock of
100+ on 26th September
Reed
Bunting Bras
y Cyrs
Resident breeder and passage migrant