Recent Sightings 5th June - 10th June
The latest updates and sightings from across the Llanelli wetland reserve.
Millennium Wetlands
Bee Orchids have been sighted this week on the reserve in between the Sir Peter Scott hide and Heron’s Wing hide and in the Explore play area. They're named bee orchid because of the markings on the flowers.
Kingfishers were seen using the artificial nesting bank on Deep Water Lake this past week and have been observed mating; the male has also been bringing in fish for the female, which means that they are getting ready for their second brood of the season!
Two Jay fledglings were seen in the Northern Loop on Tuesday, making quite the racket waiting for their parents to feed them.
A Weasel was caught on camera by a very lucky visitor on Saturday last week in the Northern Loop; it was even carrying its freshly caught prey, an unlucky mouse.
Large Skipper butterflies have been recorded this week in the Wildflower Meadows and Saltmarsh on the butterfly survey. A Mother Shipton moth was also seen on the butterfly survey by the viewing screens for Deep Water Lake along the centre path, a day flying moth that is named after a 16th century Yorkshire witch because of its wing markings. A Yellow-tail moth caterpillar was also seen this week, very striking with its stripy black, white and red pattern with black and white tufts of hair.
A moth light trap was run on the night of the 8th with 13 individuals of 10 species: comprising of the following: Poplar Hawkmoth, Dark Arches, Grey Arches, Common Marbled Carpet, Streamer, Ringed China Mark, Light Emerald, Mottled Rustic, Small Square-spot and a Tortrix spp.
British Steel Hide
A Male Garganey was seen from here on Tuesday and Saturday feeding on Dafen Scrapes, quite late in the season to be seeing them now, but even stranger was the male Wigeon in this area on Saturday, not a common summer bird for the UK. Also here on Thursday were 2 Oystercatchers on Dafen Scrapes islands.
Although the Saline Lagoons are quiet due to lack of water, 1 Spoonbill is still present, often seen resting on the bank of the Saline Lagoons, amongst a dozen or so Little Egrets.
Freshwater Lagoon
The Little Ringed Plover pair continues to sit on the nest on the island; we have all fingers crossed they are successful! Around 500 Black-tailed Godwits are continuing to feed and rest here most days. The Herring Gull nesting on small centre islands now has chicks.
