Saturday, 14 May 2022

Trip away from SS15 – Wales (part 4)

On 10th May 2022, I visited the following sites

RSPB Cwm Clydach near Swansea

WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre near Llanelli, Carmarthenshire

RSPB Cwm Clydach is a broad-leaved woodland nature reserve on the outskirts of Clydach near Swansea. It is easily accessible via a path that runs alongside the Lower Clydach River.

The highlights, amongst 17 species recorded during my visit, were as follows (heard only records in italics): Dipper (2 adults and a juvenile), Grey Wagtail (6 adults and 2 juveniles), Willow Warbler (1 singing male), Chiffchaff (3 singing males), Blackcap (3 singing males), Coal Tit (1), Mistle Thrush (1)

WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre is a 500 acre reserve situated 1 mile east of Llanelli and 5 miles north of Swansea on the eastern side of Carmarthen Bay. It is part of the Burry Inlet estuary, which is an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), an SPA (Special Protection Area) and a Ramsar site, and it enjoys unrivalled views out across the saltmarsh all the way to Penclawdd on the Gower peninsula. Habitats include a mosaic of lakes and lagoons, reedbeds and woods.

The highlights, amongst 42 species recorded during my visit, were as follows (heard only records in italics)Mediterranean Gull (6), Common Sandpiper (2), Black-tailed Godwit (c.175), Lapwing (4), Shelduck (c.70), Gadwall (c.30), Mallard (c.15), Tufted Duck (11), Common Pochard (6), Shoveler (2), Great Crested Grebe (2), Little Grebe (1), Coot (4), Moorhen (4), Greylag Goose (7), Canada Goose (6), Sedge Warbler (1 singing male), Chiffchaff (2 singing males), Blackcap (3 singing males), Cetti’s Warbler (1 singing male), Swift (1), House Martin (1), Sand Martin (1), Bullfinch (2 males), Greenfinch (2 males), Goldcrest (1 singing male)




























Photo: WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre




























Photo: WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre




























Photo: Black-tailed Godwits




























Photo: Black-tailed Godwits




























Photo: Black-tailed Godwits




























Photo: Black-tailed Godwits




























Photo: Black-tailed Godwits




























Photo: Black-tailed Godwits




























Photo: Black-tailed Godwits




























Photo: Black-tailed Godwit




























Photo: Black-tailed Godwit




























Photo: Black-tailed Godwit




























Photo: Common Sandpiper




























Photo: Common Sandpiper




























Photo: Common Sandpiper




























Photo: Common Sandpiper




























Photo: Common Sandpiper




























Photo: Shelduck




























Photo: Shelduck




























Photo: Shelduck




























Photo: Shelduck




























Photo: Tufted Duck




























Photo: Black-headed Gulls




























Photo: Black-headed Gulls




























Photo: Black-headed Gulls




























Photo: Black-headed Gulls

From south Wales, I drove around 2.5 hours to my campsite …. Bob's Field Camping. This is located just outside Glastonbury in the Somerset Levels and I had booked it in order to visit the excellent RSPB Ham Wall just 5 miles away. However, very disappointingly as it turned out, I had to abort my visit early the next morning due to the forecast of extremely heavy rain.

Bob's Field Camping is a campsite comprising a large field plus shower, toilet and cooking facilities and costing £17.50 per night. I did not meet the owners but they did send me a very friendly welcome text. I was the only person camping there other than 2 others.

Campsite records (heard only records in italics): Swift (2), Swallow (3), Garden Warbler (1 singing male), Blackcap (1 singing male), Mallard (3 flew over), Robin, Wren, Blackbird, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Rook, Magpie, Jackdaw, Pheasant















Photo: Bob's Field camping















Photo: Bob's Field camping

💚🦆 🦉🦋🐝🦊🦡🌼 🌳💚
Stay safe, stay well, stay strong, stay connected with nature

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