Great White Egret roosting with Llanelli
Having just returned from a relaxing holiday it’s nice to get back to the reserve and see what birds have arrived.
On Saturday afternoon a Great White Egret was found roosting in the European Pen, along with 50 Little Egrets. Records of Great White Egret in the UK have slowly been increasing and this autumn has been exceptional. Many predict they will be one of the next species to colonise the UK, perhaps as a result of the changing climate.
Pre-roost gatherings of more than 2000 Starlings and 1000 Jackdaws, over the centre and Millennium Wetlands, was an impressive sight. A newly arrived Short-eared Owl could be seen over the saltmarsh and the wintering Black-tailed Godwit flock rose to 360 birds.
The number of wintering wildfowl and waders has been increasing since I left for holiday last week. A recent count of the reserve and neighbouring estuary produced an impressive 3090 Oystercatcher, 850 Knot, 670 Teal, 390 Wigeon, 285 Pintail and 124 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.
A single Chiffchaff was a late and notable record for the reserve. This could either be a late passage migrant or perhaps a bird set to spend the winter in the area. The local Kingfishers have been showing well from the Peter Scott & British Steel hides.
With easterly winds forecast over the next and into next weekend it will be interesting to see what happens over the coming days ...
