Burry tide

Penclawdd (c) Sandra J. Stewart

Good numbers of waders on the tide including summer plumaged Grey Plover, 400+Curlew, a few Whimbrel, 20 Black-tailed Godwits, 200+ Redshank, 5 Green Sandpipers, 7 Common Sandpipers, 400 Common Gulls, 2000+ Black-headed Gulls and a man in a hovercraft disturbing one of the most important roost sites at Crofty - it's a pity he can't use the launch site at Penclawdd. On a more positive note Chris Brewer sent me an image of a Willow Tit at Wernffrwd today - proof that this species does occur on the Gower Peninsula.

Little Gull & Water Pipit at Penclawdd

Water Pipit showed very well on the slipway at Penclawdd car park (SS544958) this morning. This is not an easy species to get good views of as they tend to fly off high when approached, but today the car provided an effective hide allowing very good views for Neil Edwards and myself. When looking for this species, note that it is rarely seen at anytime other than high tide as they tend to remain concealed in the tidal creeks at other times. The winter distribution below (lime = Pre 2000, Green >= 2000, centred black = 2009) shows the species prefers the upper estuary, but note Rock Pipit also uses these same habitats when non-breeding.

Water Pipit

Rock Pipit

The first-winter Little Gull was highly mobile, moving between the northern and southern shores of the estuary and was last seen flying east towards Loughor Bridge.