Welcome to the Spring Newsletter which will been sent out by post to accompany the much anticipated Bird Report for 2004 /2005

There has been a great deal of catching up to do and we thank the County Recorder and members who have assisted in the preparation of this edition.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Saturday 28th April 2007 - A field trip to the RSPB reserve at Dinas. Meet at the reserve car park at 09:30 a.m. This will be an opportunity to see recently-arrived migrants such as Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler and Redstart. In the afternoon we can visit nearby Troed y rhiw. If the weather is bad or if you need travel directions, ring Wendell on 07840 881254.

Saturday 19th May 2007 - Talley Lakes. Turn left from the A40 onto the B4302, ½ mile north of Llandeilo. Follow the road to Talley. There is parking at the abbey and at the start of the forest walk which is a little further along the road. Meet at the abbey car park at 10:00 a.m. This Wildlife Trust reserve has wet woodland and reedbed and is of interest to botanists as well as birders. Access has recently been improved with a boardwalk and a hide. We may be able to visit one of the woodland sites at Llandeilo after lunch. If the weather is bad ring Wendell on 07840 881254 before you set out

Friday June 15th Nightjar Watch.

Meet at Crychan Forest car park, above Cynghordy at 8.30p.m SN837413. We will hope for success on the night..

Saturday July 14th South and West Wales Wildlife centre at Cilgerren. Meet at the Centre car park at 10.00am. Wendell has not visited the Centre before and wants to give it a go! We could probably include Cardigan Marshes or a coastal site as well on this visit. More details in the next news letter.

Any queries you have relating to any of the above events contact Wendell on tel. 07840881254.

If your membership has lapsed and you would like to rejoin and enjoy the summer programme Wendell can point you in the right direction if you give him a ring.

Below are the winter events we have enjoyed.

DECEMBER 2006

There was a good attendance of over thirty members to hear Simon Allen talk about the work of the Gower Bird Hospital. We were able to give a donation of £40, to help with their gradual expansion and increasing work.

JANUARY 2007

Five club members and three of our friends from Gwent braved the elements on January 13th for our annual visit to Whitford Burrows and we were rewarded as the rain stopped on our arrival. Highlights of the day were - Jack Snipe, Hen Harrier, Slavonian Grebes. The number of Eider Ducks and Brent Geese appear to be down from previous visits. It was an enjoyable day and with the exception of one light shower we managed to keep dry.

FEBRUARY 2007

Thirty two members attended Ian Tew’s talk on The Birds of Goa in spite of threats of snow. It was an excellent talk and Ian’s photography was amazing despite the problems he experienced with his camera part way through his trip.

Colin Jones followed with a brief explanation of the work which will be involved for the new B. T. O. Bird Atlas. If you are able to contribute in any form or would like more information please contact Colin on tel no 01554 821632 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

MARCH 2007

A record number enjoyed a talk by Gary Harper, one of our members, on the birds of the island of Lesbos. It is certainly a place for a combined holiday with birdwatching, and his pictures showed the variety of birds to see and hear in a mixed terrain.

Ffordd y Wagen Pwll

Ffordd y Wagen is part of an old tramway, some of its wooden sleepers still visible, which originally ran from Sandy Bridge to Burry Port Harbour. The section which remains can be accessed from below the Talbot Arms in Pwll and goes as far as the new industrial estate in Burry Port, running beside an overgrown drainage channel. Its sheltered position and the availability of water make it a favoured spot for birds and butterflies. It has recently been cleared and needs the tread of feet to keep it open. The path can be made into a circular walk returning to Pwll by the side of Ash Pits pond and the Coastal Cycle Path. Within sound of traffic it is still a peaceful place and birds which one may see and hear are Buzzard, Barn Owl, Cetti’s Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Willow Tit, Treecreeper, Bullfinch, Jay and Green Woodpecker amongst others. Parking at recreation ground SN 473010