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Wales Carmarthenshire (visit this page on fatfisherman.com)

Merlin Falco columbarius - detail from a painting - �David Miller http://www.davidmillerart.co.uk

Carmarthenshire is a large county with a very varied environment. In the North East corner lies the region that was once Britain's last bastion of the Red Kite, while in the South West you have, in winter, the UK's largest flock of Scoters.

In addition to the top sites listed in the section below the following offer some great birding opportunities: Burry Port Harbour (waders, wildfowl, gulls, terns, etc.) Cefn Sidan Sands [Pembrey CP] (waders, Scoters, divers, etc.) St Ishmaels/Ferryside (waders, gulls, etc.) Laugharne (waders, wildfowl, etc.). Black Mountain [Mynydd Ddu] (raptors, Dotterel on passage, etc.) Llyn Y Fan Fach (winter wildfowl, passage migrants, etc.) Talley Lakes (wildfowl, grebes, etc.) Brechfa Forest (Nightjars, Kites, Crossbills, Redpolls, etc.)

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Cambrian Bird Holidays

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top sites

Dinas RSPB Reserve

(SN781467) The reserve is located 4 miles North of Rhandirmwyn [which is 8 miles N W of Llandovery, on a B road] in the N E corner of Carmarthenshire [in the area that was once the last refuge of Milvus Milvus]. Breeding birds include P and Sp Flycatchers, Wood Warblers, C Redstarts, Garden Warblers, Lesser Whitethroat [etc.], Tree Pipits, Grey Wagtails, Dippers, C Sandpipers and Red Kite. Two miles up the road, the dramatic Llyn Brianne Dam is well worth a visit [Kites and Goshawks] but is, unfortunately, somewhat acidified [though they do keep threatening to do something about it... Five miles South of Dinas [on the Pumpsaint road] is another RSPB reserve, Gwenffrwd [SN748458], which has the same mix of birds as Dinas, but to which visits must be notified in advance [telephone - email] and non-RSPB members aren't really welcome.

Dryslwyn (Castle)

(SN 50200) The banks of the River Tywi, six miles S W of Llandeilo, just off the B4300. Sadly, the wintering W-F Geese [including the occasional Lesser] seem to have disappeared in the last five years - Breeding Mute Swans, Little Ringed Plover, Sand Martins, Goosanders, Little Grebes, Kingfishers, etc. Winter: Large flocks of Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Mute swans, Goosanders, Lapwings, Curlews; a smattering of Whoopers and - usually - 1 or 2 Bewicks and [in the car park] Tree Sparrows. Nearby Gelli Aur Country Park [SN590190] has all the usual western woodland visitors, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, etc.; Marsh and Willow Tits breed, plus Tree Pipits; Red Kite are usually present and Goshawks breed in the conifers.

Kidwelly Quay

(SN390073) Ten miles west of Llanelli, on the A484. A pleasant spot with free parking. A good site for waders and wildfowl [summer excepted], with semi-rarities occasionally turning up at the sewage farm [Firecrest etc.].

Penclacwydd

The new Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust reserve is at Penclacwydd. This reached by taking the A484 from Swansea towards Llanelli. Shortly after crossing the Loughor, look out for signs for the reserve, reached along minor roads to the left. This reserve has been constructed on old industrial land owned by British Steel along the north shore of the estuary, and holds many of the same birds as are found at Whiteford Point, but in much more accessible surroundings. Several rarities have been found here, including Lesser Yellowlegs and Blue-winged Teal, and Kingfisher are seen regularly in winter.

Pendine

(SN280080) Pendine is ten miles SW of St Clears, on the A4066 [via Dylan's Laugharne]. One of the best spots for observing [late October to mid March] the 15,000+ Common Scoters in Carmarthen Bay. A fair smattering of Velvet's is ever present; also small flocks of Red-throated Divers, with Great Northern and Black-throated Divers's regularly occurring [The Sands were once famous for the breaking of world land speed records!].

WWT Llanelli (Penclacwydd)

(SS530990) The WWT Llanelli (Penclacwydd) Reserve is on the A484, 2 1/2 miles West of Loughor Bridge, on the eastern edge of Llanelli. You have, of course, to pay to get in [unless you are a member]. Wales' largest flock of Little Egrets [50 - Aug 2000]. All the usual waders, including a resident non-breeding flock of Black-tailed Godwit; large winter flocks of Pintail, Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal, etc.; Brent [Db], the only reliable migrant geese and very few migrant swans; all the common warblers breed; SE and LE owls in winter; L Grebe, C Redshank, Lapwing, Greylag, C Sandpiper, Shelduck, etc., breed [L-r Plover?]. Rarities regular though sporadic [2000: Grt White Egret, American Wigeon, B-w Teal, etc.]. Peregrines everpresent; Hen Harriers and Merlin regular. The new, 5 square-mile Millenium Wetland [opened mid 1999] would appear to have considerable potential [tip: ask for Nigel Williams].

contributor

Eric Wydenbach
ericwyd@hotmail.com

county recorder

Owen Harris
5 Williams Terrace, Burry Port, Carmarthenshire SA16 0PG
01554 832479

numbers

Number of bird species: 295
County Bird - Red Kite Milvus milvus

clubs

Carmarthenshire Bird Club

http://www.carmarthenshirebirds.co.uk/
The Carmarthenshire Bird Club exists to promote the observation, study and recording of the wild birds and wild-bird populations of Carmarthenshire. The club also organises meetings for its members which include field trips and talks on wildlife topics...

The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales

http://www.welshwildlife.org
The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales is one of 47 Wildlife Trusts across the UK. We are the fourth largest in area, covering from Cardiff and Caerphilly in the east to Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire in the west, and include 3 of the West Wales islands amongst our 90 or so nature reserves - Nature Centre, Parc Slip, Fountain Road, Tondu, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan CF32 0EH...

reserves

Forestry Commission - Black Covert

http://tiny.cc/Forest
The Ystwyth Valley woodlands are a mixture of broadleaf and conifer mixes which gives good habitat for Red Kite...

Forestry Commission - Brechfa Forest

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/WalesCarmarthenshireNoForestBrechfa
Red Kite, Sparrowhawks, Peregrine, Goshawk, Buzzards, Merlins, Kestrels, Ravens, Curlews, WoodCock, Nightjar, Cuckoos, Barn owls, Little Owls, Woodpeckers (all 3), Goldcrest, Warblers, Crossbills...

RSPB Reserve - Dinas-Gwenffrwd

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/g/gwenffrwd-dinas/index.asp
A boardwalk takes you through oakwood and then the trail continues to the fast-flowing river...

Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Reserve - National Wetlands Centre Wales

http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit/llanelli/
For a day out with a difference visit award winning WWT Llanelli. With thousands of the world's most spectacular ducks, swans and geese, acres of ponds, lakes and reedbeds, its your chance to take a walk on the wild side!

trip reports

Travelling Birder
http://www.travellingbirder.com
The Travellingbirder.com birding trip report search engine guides you to 7,000+ birding trip reports on the Internet. You can search for trip reports from a specific country and time of year. Not all these reports are in English. So, if you can�t find the trip report you want on this Fatbirder page� give them a try!

places to stay

Blaenfforest

http://www.cottageholidayswales.com/index.php
A cottage holiday to remember is assured at our holiday cottage near Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire in south west Wales. The holiday cottage at Blaenfforest stands in a private and secluded situation, in a perfect holiday location convenient for Ceredigion and Cardigan Bay, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. The original Welsh stone cottage is surrounded by ten acres of idyllic countryside, rich with wildlife. There are shops, pubs and restaurants within 2 miles...

Castell Y Graig B&B

http://www.bed-breakfast-wales.co.uk/
The Countryside Retreat of Castell Y Graig bed and breakfast offers chill out opportunity in one of Wales�s most spectacular rural locations with panoramic views...

Plasnewydd-Hideaway - Brecon Beacons National Park

http://www.selfcatering-directory.co.uk/uploads/estate/selfcatering/self-catering-976.htm
Holiday in Wales in this former Welsh farmhouse - a private country retreat with pool and sauna, set in its own 35 acres of stunning Welsh countryside on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park in Carmarthenshire, South West Wales. The local Welsh countryside and the cottage grounds are a haven for wildlife and a birdwatcher's paradise. Plasnewydd is ideal as a base for walking, cycling or exploring this beautiful part of Wales by car. Or indeed, come here just to pamper yourself - relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility and see how Plasnewydd lives up to its name of Hideaway!

Dyfed Powys Police Wildlife Unit

http://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/community_safety/community_safety_wildlife_crime_prevention.asp
Dyfed Powys Police is committed to protecting the environment and wildlife within its area. In order to achieve our aim we work closely with other agencies who have an interest in the protection of the environment and we are a member of PAW Cymru (Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime).

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