Otter activity

 

Good to see two of the three Otter at WWT Llanelli this morning, showing quite well for a few minutes from the Peter Scott hide.

The Otter have now been seen quite frequently, although you still have to be in the right place at the right time! For once, I happened to fluke it. Look out for unusual wakes, movement around the side of reeds, and also air bubbles for clues of Otter activity. They are being seen more frequently from the Peter Scott and Heron`s Wing hides, sometimes the ponds, plus the Lily pond. I`ve also had tracks in the mud by the reedbeds.

Keep a low profile as much as possible, and this will increase your chances of seeing them without them slipping away.

from the archive

 

It was a year ago that I had some photos of the UK`s fastest declining resident bird species, the Willow Tit. Looking very similar to a Marsh Tit, these wonderful little birds bred successfully at WWT Llanelli as well as other sites, and were ringed for future observation records.

Hoping that they will be successful again this year.

the last few days

 

Thank you to those people who turned up for the monthly Walk with the Warden at WWT Llanelli yesterday. A hint of drizzle was in the air, but we managed to finish before the very heavy rain came in in the afternoon. Birds are gradually singing and calling more and more, with Wren, Song thrush, Great Tit and Cetti`s warbler all belting it out.

No sign of the Otter whilst we were there, but a Kingfisher flashed past the Heron`s Wing hide at the end.

The last week started with a lucky / fluked sighting of a Barn Owl, and ended on Friday with Short eared owl. A mild calamity struck when I found that at least half of the contents of my flask had leaked out inside my rucksack, possibly a good half a litre. This meant everything had to be rung out ( the inside is going to be damp for weeks!). The crunching, tinkling sound of the broken mirror lining inside the flask told me that this one - flask number six - was now for the bin!

Walk on Saturday

This Saturday will be the next `Walk with the warden` at WWT Llanelli, but unfortunately the weather isn`t looking too special. We`re used to it by now though, and it could be that this time we might just strike it lucky and see the Otters? Who knows, but fingers crossed.

The Pallid Harrier still remains in the area, and has been seen a couple of times over the Reserve. You never know whether this very rare, Asian bird of prey might show up, but there should be other things to see and hear that will lift our spirits on the damp day that`s been forecast.

On these walks I always remind people that we have a Dawn Chorus walk, well it will be good to confirm to everyone there that this year we have two walks on consecutive days - 5th and 6th May. It`s an early start, but well worth it.

So here`s to Saturday ......... I hope you can come and join us, 11.30am in the Centre.

Happy Valentine's Day

 

If you're celebrating Valentine's Day today, have a great day. If you're not, you can also have a great day too!

Mr and Mrs Kingfisher sending you their best wishes for whatever you're doing today.

See you soon. 

Bookings open

 

Just a reminder that bookings are now being taken for the Dawn Chorus walks at WWT Llanelli on Sunday 5th and Bank holiday Monday 6th May 2024, available online HERE>>> 

For the first time, we are doing two mornings instead of one for this annual event, and full details are available via the website or by calling the office. We meet around 5.45am to go out on the Reserve at 6am.

These walks are suitable for beginners, and if you have binoculars bring them along.

Come prepared for Welsh-weather, and good footwear is essential. 

Thanks

 

Otters

 

An early start volunteering at WWT Llanelli this morning to beat this afternoon`s weather.  Whilst in the water in chest-waders, I had the experience of seeing the three Otters that have been reported before, coming to perhaps 15 metres from me.

Two were definitely juveniles, and 90% sure the other one was too. A really good sign.

World Wetlands Day - 2nd February 2024

 

On the day of this post it`s World Wetlands Day - something to be celebrated and reminded about, as wetlands are essential for the health of this planet.

Here in my small corner of the globe, I volunteer for the WWT as part of what I consider as `giving back` for all that I enjoy from nature at my local wetland centre. I`m involved in the Reserve count, data correlation, Centre photography, specific projects (including Kingfisher), visitor engagement, Warden walks and WWT events.

I would like to encourage anybody who has not spent time with nature visiting wetland areas to do so, stop, listen and watch, and soak up the atmosphere - it`s really good for both physical and mental health.

I`ve been a volunteer for 19 years this year, and a wetland centre member for coming up to 33 years, and all I can say is that it`s been a privilege.