The raptors have had us in rapture over recent days
Under the wide, open skies of winter, Llanelli feels alive with possibility.
The air is sharp and clean, carrying the scent of salt and reed, and every misty breath seems to clear the mind.
Wildlife sightings at WWT Llanelli up to Sunday 30th November 2025
Highlights: Pallid Harrier, Hen Harrier, Goshawk, Merlin, Otter.
Out on the marsh, the horizon stretches endlessly, a canvas for the drama of the season: raptors quartering stealthily over the channels and low plants, their silhouettes etched against a pale sky. There’s a freshness here that speaks of change, the quiet pulse of migration, the promise of wild encounters in the stillness of cold light.
And what a time it has been for those who love the thrill of birds of prey. From the British Steel Hide, the skies have been nothing short of spectacular: eight different raptor species recorded, six of them in a single morning. Hen Harrier and Marsh Harrier gliding effortlessly over the wader flocks; a Pallid Harrier, rare and ghostly, sweeping across the saltmarsh; a Goshawk powering through the air with predatory intent; Peregrine Falcon stooping at dizzying speeds; and a Merlin (Britain’s smallest falcon) darting low after prey, a welcome returnee from its summer hunting in the uplands. Then Sparrowhawks flashing through with sudden precision, and Buzzards soaring high on thermals, surveying it all.
This is winter at its wildest – a season of hunters and hunted, of open skies and restless wings.
It's not just the skies that have been busy. Down on the ground and in the water, there's plenty to see:
Otter - a fleeting glimpse in Deep Water Lake last Friday. Seeing an otter is a magical moment that reminds us why wetlands matter.
Snipe - showing beautifully on the freshly cut area in front of the Peter Scott Hide, thanks to recent habitat work using an amphibious cutting machine!
Common Darter - a few hardy dragonflies still clinging on as winter tightens its grip.
Redwings - flocks feeding on berries, their high-pitched calls carrying across the wetlands.
Water Pipits and Garganey - adding a splash of variety to the Dafen Scrapes.
Murmuration update - early signs have fizzled out for now, but keep watching the skies - Starlings can surprise us!
Why visit now?
Winter at WWT Llanelli is a season of contrasts: crisp air and soft light, quiet reedbeds and sudden bursts of drama as raptors hunt over the marsh. Whether you’re hoping for a glimpse of an otter, the thrill of a peregrine’s stoop, or simply the peace of wide horizons, there’s something here for every nature lover.
Wrap up warm, bring your binoculars, and experience the wild heart of winter.
Ready to visit?
With so many wildlife encounters and inspiring activities, no two visits are the same. A visit also supports our vital work to restore wetlands and their wildlife.
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