Shelducklings, Garganey, Cattle Egret, and loveable Little Grebe Chicks
May has concluded with a number of new arrivals!
Summer is on its way – even if the weather doesn’t feel like it!
Wildlife Sightings at WWT Llanelli from 26th May – 1st June 2025
Highlights: Shelduck, Garganey, Cattle Egret, Little Grebe
Move aside, Mallards; it's time for the Shelducks to shine! This week, we’ve seen plenty of black and white fluffy ducklings leaving the nest for the first time, wobbling their way into the world. Shelducks usually nest underground, sometimes in old rabbit burrows, from which both parents lead their ducklings out onto the water. Though they’re tiny now, these ducklings will soon grow into large adult ducks, which can reach the size of some small geese!
The Garganey on the Dafen Scrapes has been joined by another male and a female! Keep an eye out from the British Steel Hide if you want to catch a glimpse of the trio skulking in the vegetation.
On Friday, we had a flyover of three Cattle Egrets, though it seemed only one stuck around the Saline Lagoon, showing off its buff breeding plumage to visitors in the British Steel Hide. Luckily for this bird, our marsh cattle will soon be returning to churn up the mud, allowing the Cattle Egrets to forage for disturbed insects and worms.
Back to the fluffy babies, we’ve also had a clutch of Little Grebe chicks on Deep Water Lake. Their nest is visible from the Peter Scott Hide by observing the edges of the Stone Islands – though, they may be taking to the waters soon (or hitching a ride on Mum’s back)!
Additionally, we’ve had another Marsh Harrier visit early this week over the Millennium Wetlands, and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull on Freshwater Lagoon. You may also see something fluffy while looking out onto the Lagoon: a flock of eight Sheep to graze the area! The same goes for Deep Water Lake, but this year we’ve opted for a group of hungry Goats to get the job done (alongside Babs and Felix, our resident Ponies).
Featured Photo Credit: Billymill60
