Garganey, Pectoral Sandpiper, Palmate Newt, and a pair of courting Cuckoos
It’s been a while since we had any amphibian action!
The early bird gets the worm… and the early visitor spots the Harrier!
Wildlife Sightings at WWT Llanelli from 28th April – 5th May 2025
Highlights: Garganey, Pectoral Sandpiper, Palmate Newt, Cuckoo
A lovely surprise for our breeding duck survey on Thursday: a pair of Garganey were happily paddling along in the West Scrapes before popping up onto the bank, letting themselves be seen. The pair returned again on Friday, this time on Deep Water Lake, so we’re hoping that they will be sticking around! Garganeys very rarely breed here, so spotting the pair was exciting for all of us!
Arriving on the Dafen Scrapes yesterday, a Pectoral Sandpiper has captured the attention of photographers and casual observers alike. A very scarce visitor, the Pectoral Sandpiper breeds in Northern Siberia and North America. It's hardly bigger than a Dulin, so it may be hard to spot, especially among the many Black-Tailed Godwits surrounding it this morning. These sandpipers are named after their brown breast band seen above their white belly.
This morning, a male Palmate Newt was spotted relaxing near the water's edge by one of our Reserve Team. Males of this species are easy to identify, thanks to their thin filament at the end of their tails and webbed back feet present in the mating season (and the reason for their name). Females, however, are difficult to distinguish from Smooth Newts. Palmate Newts are our smallest species of newt in the UK, followed by the Smooth Newt, then the largest and rarest – the Great Crested Newt. You may be surprised to learn that newts spend much of their lives on land, looking much drier and more lizard-like than their slimy aquatic selves!
This morning’s Dawn Chorus walk took visitors all across the Millennium Wetlands during the sunrise to listen out for the beautiful birdsong that fills the reserve. During the walk, visitors spotted a pair of courting Cuckoos near the Canoe Safari, and another lone Cuckoo not too far away. With three flying around, things are looking great for them to breed here – much to the dismay of our Meadow Pipits! Visitors were also wowed by a Marsh Harrier soaring above during the walk, no doubt silencing the chorus for a moment, and a Lesser Whitethroat on the Centre Path.
The Ruff, Common Sandpiper, and a few Whimbrels from previous weeks are sticking around on the Saline and Freshwater Lagoons (though currently overshadowed by the birds above). Alongside them, a Spotted Redshank sporting its all-black summer attire has been wading around the edges of the Saline Lagoon, while a couple of Mediterranean Gulls soar above.
Over on the Millennium Wetlands a tiny Tree Creeper has been carrying nesting material to its cosy nook under the rafters of the Heron’s Wing Hide, and even tinier Azure Damselflies have been darting around too!
Featured Photo Credit: Neil Fermandel
