Birthday Bash

After a heady night before we awoke to cold but sunny weather.  It was time to start the 2013 bird list so I started around the house.  Today was my 70th birthday so I had a bit more energy having reached this milestone.  I quickly notched up 17 species including a super Red Kite right over the house. Time to move on.




Lapwings


We started at Kidwelly Quay and as usual there were lots of Redshanks about 200 in all plus 12 Greenshanks roosting under the railway bridge.  Lapwings were also very obvious and c500 were counted as they took to the sky.  A couple of Little Egrets were added and three Goldeneye in the main channel.  We checked out the sewerage works and added Grey and Pied Wagtails but no sign of any Chiffchaffs.




Male Goldeneye


Next stop was Burry Port Harbour.  The first winter Long-tailed Duck was still there but no sign of Mediterranean Gull.  We headed on to Pembrey Country Park and scanning Cefn Sidan Beach found plenty of Oystercatchers, Sanderlings and Dunlin.  A Jay and Raven over the forest were also noted.  Back north again and a stop at Ferryside.  135 Black-tailed Godwits stood out along with the commoner waders.




The Long-tailed Duck at Burry Port


Finally in afternoon gloom we added 4 Whooper Swans at Cilsan Bridge bringing our total for the day to 54.