Harriers ahoy! Plus Avocet, Merlin, and play-fighting Otters
Here’s what’s been turning heads on the lagoons and scrapes over recent days. Bring your binoculars and warm layers, because you won’t want to miss any of it.
Another week, another pulse-quickening sweep across the wetlands... and what a lively few days it’s been! Water, wind and winter light have conspired to show off the marshes and ponds at their unobscured best, and the wildlife has absolutely risen to the occasion.
Wildlife sightings at WWT Llanelli from 7th to 16th February 2026
Highlights: Hen Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Otter, Lapwing, Pochard, Avocet, Firecrest.
Over on Deep Water Lake, the water surface has been busy with a classic wildfowl cast. Rafts of Shoveler, Tufted Duck and Gadwall are cutting neat Vs through the ripples, while Teal flicker iridescent along the margins. Reserve warden Pete also counted 10 Pochard on one of his Wetland Bird Surveys (WeBS) counts.
A dapper pair of Mute Swan glide past like living sculptures, with Moorhen and Coot fussing around the reeds. Waders add a dash of drama as always; watch for the knitting needle-billed Snipe melting into tussocks, a wash of Lapwing flipping black-and-white in the air, and alert Redshank teetering along the edges. There’s real elegance from Little Grebe and Little Egret, and a stern line of Cormorant drying wings like they've been pegged on washing lines. It’s a full palette of shape, sound and motion every day on this lake.
Territories are being declared and fought for, and birds are pairing up, preparing to bring the next generation into the world. One amazing interaction between a Hen Harrier and a brave Lapwing was caught on camera by volunteer Russ Myners.
At Freshwater Lagoon, the tide of waders and dabblers continues. Sleek Black-tailed Godwit probe their long bills through the shallows while tight knots (and yes, Knot) skitter and settle in sudden unison. Teal are here too, joined by Shoveler, Gadwall, Tufted duck, sturdy Mallard and bright Shelduck. The solo Avocet, monochrome and immaculate, has been spotted regularly, scything its upcurved bill with effortless grace.
Patient visitors continue to wait in the Peter Scott Hide and Heron's Wing Hide for an elusive Otter appearance, but these beloved mammals are working to their own schedule. Lucky photographer Mal Spain's patience was rewarded when he spotted the young otters play-fighting in the lagoon from the cover of one of the willow viewing screens.
The big duck energy ramps up on the Dafen Scrapes, with these calorie-rich scrapes and pools offering ducks galore. At peak, a sweeping 270 Wigeon set the soundtrack with that pure, whistling call, while 110 Teal stitch colour into every channel. Sleek Pintail add elegance to the melee, Shoveler keep the water spinning with their spoon-shaped bills, and plenty of Tufted duck (tufties to their friends) bob between dives. As if that weren’t enough, 64 Canada geese have been causing a rowdy ruckus, honking, posturing, and generally making sure nobody forgets they’re in charge of the 'lawn'!
On Saline Lagoon, the wader spectacle keeps rolling: a brilliant 121 Redshank patrol the edges in russet-tinged ranks, punctuated by 18 slim, pale Greenshank stepping neatly through the shallows on a recent count. Shelduck add their bold colour, Little Egret tiptoe the margins like white apparitions, and a squad of Cormorant cruise and perch with prehistoric poise.
Look up, too! Birds of prey have been showing right across the wetlands. A zippy Merlin can scythe through at reed-top height or perch on a fencepost, and a broad, buoyant Marsh Harrier may quarter low and deliberate. There’s been the pale, thrilling sweep of Pallid Harrier among the week’s highlights, and the sudden dart-and-vanish of Sparrowhawk along the hedges and banks. Closer to eye level, perky Stonechat have been hitching rides on reed stems and fence posts, tails flicking, offering perfect views for patient watchers.
On Saturday 14 February, eagle-eyed visitors were treated to the fiery flash of a Firecrest darting about within the grounds of the collection, with Simon Rees skilled enough to snap a photo of the speedy bird during a very brief pause.
Featured Photo Credit: Young otters play-fighting by Mal Spain
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