Out In The Floods

With a hint of sunshine between the showers we ventured out first to Cilsan Bridge.  It was obvious that the Tywi had breached its banks with water all over the valley grassland and the road in places.  34 Whooper Swans were crammed into the only grass still not covered and very close to the road.  There were also 50 Mute Swans about 100 Greylag Geese, 20 Mallard and a pair of Goosander on the flooded meadow.

Whooper Swans - part of a flock of 34

We moved on to Kidwelly Quay where the sun was shining brightly.  Four wonderful Red-breasted Mergansers where in the channel and coming quite close allowing some photography. 

Male Red-breasted Merganser

The tide was half out so waders and wildfowl were quite apparent.  Lapwings numbered 350 but we could only see 20 Golden Plovers.  8 Greenshanks sat under the railway bridge and 2 Little grebes were in the channel. There were good numbers of the commoner waders with Redshank, Curlew and Dunlin.  We took a walk alongside The Kymer Canal and added a Sparrowhawk which disturbed a small flock of Linnets.  On the way back to the car Bullfinch and Long-tailed Tits were in the hedge.

A female Red-breasted Merganser still with signs of juvenile plumage

We called in at Burry Port Harbour where 3 more Red-breasted Mergansers were in the channel and 33 Brent Geese fed by the tide line.  Masses of Oystercatchers could also be seen in the distance.  At Ashpits Pond a Cetti's Warbler sang twice.  By now the cloud had removed the sun so we headed for home for hot chocolate and a mince pie. 2014 species list now 60.