In progress......
Overview
The Llanelli WWT site opened in 1991, formerly know as Penclacwydd, lies on the Burry Inlet south of Llanelli. It is also know as the National Wetlands Centre of Wales (Canolfan Gwlyptir Genedlaethol Cymry) and is part of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. Habitats include areas of saltmarsh and mudflats, wet meadows, reedbeds, scrapes and a specially constructed lagoon. The site also houses a collection of captive swans, geese and ducks. It now also gives access to the larger Millennium Wetlands area with more lakes, scrapes and woods.
Birds
Notable Species
The predominant species in winter is the Greater White-fronted Goose, numbers have declined in recent years but they are still nationally significant. Bewick's Swan is another regular wintering species. It now occurs in hundreds attracted by artificial feeding and can be seen on the floodlit Swan Lake. Other wintering waterfowl include Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall and Common Teal, Northern Shoveler, Common Shelduck, Common Pochard and Tufted Duck.
Rarer waterfowl are frequently recorded at Slimbridge and this is probably the most regular site in Britain for the Lesser White-fronted Goose which occurs among flocks of its larger relative. Snow Goose and Barnacle Goose are regularly seen but thought to originate from the captive collection and Mandarin Duck breeds ferally in the surrounding farmland. Sawbills are regular in small numbers on the estuary in winter and a few Common Scoter can turn up at any time of year.
A variety of waders are attracted to the saltings at Slimbridge during passage periods and in winter. Eurasian Curlew, godwits, Common Redshank and Dunlin are among the most numerous but around twenty species can be seen. Water Rail is resident and can be seen with patience and luck.
The large concentrations of birds at Slimbridge are bound to attract predatory species and Hen Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Merlin and Peregrine Falcon are regular in winter with Northern Hobby a frequent visitor in summer. Short-eared Owl is usually present in autumn and winter and Barn Owl is resident.
Rarities
In addition there is the possibility of rarities and there have been occasional records of North American vagrant waders and gulls.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Bewick's Swan, Whooper Swan, Greater White-fronted Goose, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Common Shelduck, Mandarin Duck, Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall, Common Teal, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander, Western Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel, Merlin, Northern Hobby, Peregrine Falcon, Water Rail, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Eurasian Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Northern Lapwing, Red Knot, Sanderling, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Ruff, Jack Snipe, Common Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, Common Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Little Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Black Tern, Eurasian Collared Dove, Barn Owl, Little Owl, Short-eared Owl, Eurasian Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Common Wren, Dunnock, Eurasian Robin, Black Redstart, Common Redstart, Whinchat, European Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Eurasian Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Sedge Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Common Treecreeper, Common Magpie, Carrion Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Eurasian Siskin, European Goldfinch, Lesser Redpoll, Lapland Bunting, Snow Bunting, Reed Bunting
Other Wildlife
To do
Site Information
October to April is the best time to visit Slimbridge with peak waterfowl numbers in January.
Access and Facilities
To reach the Llanelli WWT site, take exit 48 from the M4, head south and follow the duck signs.
An ideal family destination with shop and education centre, toilet facilities and restaurant. Hides and observation towers overlook the best areas for wild birds.
There is an entrance fee for non-members and the Trust is open 9.30 am to 5.00pm daily.
Contact Details
WWT National Wetland Centre Wales Llwynhendy, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire SA14 9SH Telephone: 01554 741087 Fax: 01554 744101 Email: [email protected]
External Links
Content and images originally posted by Alan R
Reviews
...... In progress Alanr September 2008
