Spoonbill, Water Pipit, Spotted Redshank, and a swooping Sparrowhawk
Blustery weather has blown away our winter blues, and our winter birds!
Though the wind is unwavering, we’re still wishing for a wetland white Christmas!
Wildlife Sightings at WWT Llanelli from 16th – 22nd December 2024
Highlights: Spoonbill, Water Pipit, Spotted Redshank, Sparrowhawk
The number of Spoonbill on the Saline Lagoon has fallen from our record of seventeen to a consistent nine over recent weeks. Though we hope to see their numbers build back up soon, the nine spoonbill do make a spectacular sight from the British Steel Hide, often lined up neatly in a row.
The British Steel Hide is the place to be to spot all sorts of interesting species this week, as this morning Water Pipits and a Spotted Redshank caught the attention visitors watching from the hide. Spotted Redshank sightings should hopefully become more frequent over the winter, as they often spend the colder months on coastal wetlands like ours.
Back to the birds of prey from last week – the female Sparrowhawk was seen again this morning flying over the Western Scrapes of the Millennium Wetlands.
Also out on the reserve side - It’s a good time of year to keep an eye out for mixed-species feeding flocks of small birds. Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits , Long-Tailed Tits, and Goldcrests can be seen flying together in groups, foraging for insects. Siskin and Redpoll stick together too, so keep your eyes peeled for them as you explore the site.
Once again on the Millenium Wetlands, we have finally finished the grueling task of cutting back this year’s section of the reedbed. Each winter, as the removal of old reeds promotes better seed head production in those that grow in their place. This is particularly good for Reed Buntings, whose diet primarily consists of seed and insects, and nest in the reedbeds here around April.
Featured Photo Credit: Steve Benton
