Ospreys have been spotted soaring across the estuary as they migrate for winter, with six spotted at one time last week!
Numerous Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) are still being spotted along the estuary from the British Steel Hide. Only last week six individuals were spotted at one time! Those that have been recorded are usually juveniles, who tend to linger while they develop their hunting skills, which are mostly instinctive for Osprey parents don’t teach their young to hunt. But they won’t be here forever, so be sure to pop by soon!
A couple weeks ago we had the first sightings of Yellow Wagtails (Motacilla flava) since the spring, but they haven’t been the only exciting passerines flying about WWT Llanelli! We’ve also had sightings of Whinchats (Saxicola ruberta), Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) and a Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata). Both the Whinchat and the Spotted Flycatcher have a red UK Conservation Status, and even the Wheatear has an amber status. A number of factors have caused these populations to reduce in the UK, with some down as much as 90% since the mid 20th century. Habitat loss and climatic changes tend to be the key contributors to their decline. So, with this summer being the UK’s hottest on record, we were glad to see these remarkable birds out on the Dafen Scrapes.
We also had a welcome sighting of a Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) on the Saline Lagoon. These beautiful birds have a black and white speckled/spotted plumage and are much larger and chunkier than their other well-known relative, the Ringed Plover. We hope to be seeing more of them as the autumn closes in!
We’ve certainly been seeing more waders with counts of Black-Tailed Godwits (Limosa Limosa) nearly at 900. Redshank (Tringa totanus) numbers are also steadily increasing alongside Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) and Spotted Redshank (Tringa Erythropus). We’re also still seeing plenty of Green Sandpipers (Tringa ochropus) and Common Sandpipers (Actitis hypoleucos) as well as the odd Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea). A few Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) have also been sighted in recent weeks!
Kingfishers (Alcedo atthis) are still active out on the reserve, as well! They’re often seen hunting in the waters of Deep Water Lake. Listen for their high-pitched call as they fly between hunting locations, and always keep an eye peeled for an Otter (Lutra lutra). They’ve have also been seen again recently!
Visitor Paula Young waited nine years to see an Otter, and on a recent visit was rewarded for her patience with two! The featured photo was taken by Paula.
