Hi,
During my final week as a Mid Wales Conservation Intern it was the large high tides that produced excellent wildlife watching. An early start in the Breakwater Hide on the 20th produced good wader numbers on the Breakwater field including, 105+ Dunlin, 100+ Redshank, 16x Bar-tailed Godwit, 100+ Curlew, whilst a scan of the estuary produced 3x Goldeneye, 17x Red-breasted Merganser and 3x Great Crested Grebe. Meanwhile at the other end of the reserve visitors reported excellent views of 24x Greenland White-Fronted Geese and 1x Bean Goose near the Saltings Hide as well as another 9x Bar-tailed Godwit.
The large tides inundated the saltmarsh as can be seen from this photo looking towards the Domen Las Hide.
Bird song has built up to dawn chorus level with the musical notes of Robin, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Great Tit and Chaffinch filling the air on a daily basis. Drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker’s can also be regularly heard from the Visitor Centre.
The Robins delightful song fills the early morning air.
Other interesting sightings on the reserve this week included, 1x Gadwall (Visitor Centre Pools, 20th), 2x Little Grebe (Visitor Centre Pools, regular) and 1x Hen Harrier (female, Domen Las Hide, regular).
Look out for ear fungus on elder trees whilst walking the Green Trail.
Finally, I’d like to wish all Ynys-hir blog readers and visitors a fruitful and wildlife packed year.
Cheers,
Adam
Where is the Domen Las hide? It's not shown on the reserve map.
Thanks
G