Julian Friese

Many species of waders breeding in the British Isles are currently undergoing long-term declines. The principal reasons are thought to be a) drainage of wetlands, b) the high stocking-rates of cattle and especially sheep on pasture lands and c) the advent of autumn-sown cereals replacing traditionally spring-sown.

The drainage and subsequent agricultural improvement of wet pastures and marshes deprives waders, such as Curlew, Redshank and Snipe of feeding areas, whilst high stocking rates causes the destruction of nests through trampling. In addition, the grazing pressure results in a lack of structure and diversity in the grass sward (giving many fields a sparse bowling-green appearance) and hence absence of tufts of grass in which to hide a nest.

Autumn sown cereals mean the loss of nesting ground for birds like Lapwing because by the time spring arrives the crops have already grown too high for nesting. (This is less of a problem in Wales including Carmarthenshire because of the very low amounts of tillage compared to England)

As indicated above, the main waders suffering a demise are Curlew, Lapwing, Redshank and Snipe (though the last two have always been scarce in a county context). Data concerning the status of certain other species are often sparse or absent. Some, like Woodcock, are difficult to survey whilst, on the other hand, others are known to be increasing in both range and numbers (e.g. Little Ringed Plover).

The following account therefore, is partly an attempt to estimate where possible the numbers of breeding pairs of waders in the county. Inevitably this will involve some speculation and a bit of guesswork but information gleaned from the BTO "New Atlas" fieldwork and recent RSPB surveys is incorporated. Some of the species discussed have accompanying maps showing the known distribution on 2km x 2km square (tetrad) basis. These are used only where there is enough information to build up a meaningful picture of distribution, and refer to the period from 1988 to 1993.

Oystercatcher

The only breeding records of Oystercatcher in the county seem to be that of two nests found on the coast in 1969 (Dyfed Bird Report 1967-71). Prior to this none are quoted in the Handlist of Carmarthenshire Birds (1954). Since 1969 both the subsequent Dyfed and Carmarthenshire Bird Reports document no evidence of nesting. There is however, ample nesting habitat and it is curious that the bird does not breed more frequently.

During a survey by the RSPB in 1991 of waders breeding along Welsh rivers, Oystercatchers were recorded nesting for the first time on shingle shoals in both north and mid Wales. A total of 25-29 pairs were located on the rivers Dee, Severn, Fyrnwy (Vymwy) and Dyfi (Dovey). Single, most likely passage birds, were also noted on the Wye and Teifi.

These sightings may be the first indications of future breeding. Just two years later, in 1993, Oystercatchers nested for the first time along the Wye near Hay-on-Wye. Individuals have also been seen on the Tywi over the last two years during spring. If this species' breeding range does spread south, the Tywi shingle banks will offer excellent nesting opportunities.

Little Ringed Plover

The first record of successful breeding of "LRPs" in the county was in 1986 on a shingle shoal along the Tywi near Dinefwr Deer Park, Llandeilo. A pair was suspected of nesting at this site two years earlier but no evidence was ever found. For full details of that first occurrence see NorthR. Matthew's article in the 1986 Carmarthenshire Bird Report.

The population has grown substantially to around 40 pairs in 1992. It breeds mostly along the Tywi with smaller numbers on the Cothi and Bran (near Llandovery).

The sudden rise in the population (in as little as seven years) appears so dramatic that it is quite possible that pairs went undiscovered in the earlier years of colonisation. Breeding may already have been taking place at, say, Llandovery (closer to the species breeding range in Britain) as the Llandeilo birds were moving in. The table below shows the number of pairs recorded each year since 1986.

The RSPB's survey in 1991 of Welsh rivers for Little Ringed Plovers revealed a density on the Tywi of one pair per 1.6km. (The total length of river covered was 56kms and the total numbers of pairs counted 34). This is not unlike the densities that have been found on continental rivers. Furthermore, in 1992 there were two examples of Tywi nests within 30 yards' of each other. If pairs are this tolerant of close neighbours then the Tywi population could double in the not too distant future.

The Tywi is now the most important river for Little Ringed Plovers in the British Isles. Other rivers with sizeable populations are the Usk with seven pairs, the Wye with five pairs and the Severn with about nine pairs - which includes both Welsh and English stretches. It also has added significance in that in Britain it represents a permanent habitat for the birds regularly replenished by river erosion and deposition; this habit of nesting on river shingle is common on the continent. Most of the English population nest on gravel or sand pits and the edges of partially dried-up reservoirs. These, because of changes in vegetation cover and water-levels respectively, are by their very nature temporary sites - forcing the birds to move out after only a few seasons of residency.

The county map shows that 22 tetrads are usually occupied.

In 2007 a UK survey of little ringed Plovers by the BTO revealed a total of 76 pairs on the Tywi and the main tributaries.

Ringed Plover

In Carmarthenshire, Ringed Plovers nest on the shore at Penrhyngwyn (Machynys), Cefn Padrig (near Pwll), Burry Port, Pembrey, Cefh Sidan, Tywyn Point, Fenyside, Llansteffan, Ginst Point and Pendine. The BTO carried out a survey in 1973 and a county total of 13 pairs were located. This compares to a more recent census of 1984 which recorded a total of 27 pairs. The current status is uncertain although a decline, perhaps due to increased disturbance by holidaymakers (particularly at Cefh Sidan) may have occurred. It is interesting that in 1992 two pairs nested on restored wasteground consisting of rubbly soil near Machynys Ponds, and in 1993 at least one pair occupied the stone-strewn site of the former Burry Port Power Station. At least 14 pairs bred on Pendine Sands from Brook village to the Ginst Point area during 1993.

A complete new survey would be useful to establish the species standing in the county.

Golden Plover

Now a rare breeding bird in Carmarthenshire. Ingram and Salmon's "Handlist" mentions records of breeding Golden Plover on the high moorlands west of the Upper Tywi Valley and quote dates from the 1920s and 1940s when small numbers nested. None are now known to breed in the area (parts of which have been covered with forestry plantations in the last 30 years).

More recently there is a record of a pair heard calling on Mynydd Du (Black Mountain) in 1978 (Dyfed Bird Report 1976-81) and rumours of birds in the area persist. There is a chance that Golden Plovers still breed there (if only sporadically) and those uplands certainly deserve further investigation. In fact, a survey by the RSPB of Mynydd Du in 1978 located two pairs. A repeat survey in 1992 found one pair. It is also worth remembering that birds also occur on passage on these uplands.

A sighting of an adult and young chick on Mynydd Llanllwni in the summer of 1992 provided the first definite proof of breeding for at least 25 years. Parts of the mountain had been subjected to limited burning the previous year. This created ideal Golden Plover nesting habitat - the ground consisting of short regrowing heather. It would be interesting to monitor this plateau (and the adjoining Mynydd Llanfihangel Rhos-y-com and Mynydd Llanybydder) to see if the breeding pair in 1992 represent the start of colonisation rather than just a one-off occurrence. A search of Mynydd Llanllwni on 6th June 1993 produced two pairs, both behaving anxiously indicating breeding attempts.

In passing it may be of note that two male Golden Plovers (of the Northern form) were seen on 18th April 1989 on Mynydd Llanfihangel Rhos-y-com - raising the question, were they more than just passing birds?

Lapwing

A fast declining breeding wader. As stated earlier, the major factors implicated (in this part of the country) are the drainage of invertebrate-rich wet grassland and inappropriate (too little or too high) stocking levels on pasture land.

No Lapwings were found during the 1987 BTO survey in the twenty one randomly selected tetrads in the county, although some pairs were recorded at other sites. More recently, the 1988-91 BTO Atlas work confirmed breeding in eighteen 10km squares with presence in an additional five. No Lapwings were found in two 10km squares (SN21 St. Clears and SN22 Llanboidy) and in general none west of Carmarthen. In most squares Lapwings occurred at only one or two sites and these in turn contained mostly one or two pairs. When these sites are plotted as tetrads, the resulting map, because it contains information over six years optimistically exaggerates the final picture.

Seven sites are known to have been vacated since the BTO Atlas work ended in 1991 (these were at or near Llandovery, Llanddarog, Brechfa, Alltwalis, Cynghordy, Llansawel and Blaina). Allowing an average of around two pairs per tetrad (of those known still to be occupied) and taking into account the important site at Penclacwydd (where fifteen pairs bred in 1992) the county population is probably no more than 40-50 pairs.

Snipe

The sound of drumming Snipe is very rare in Carmarthenshire - the bird being far more widespread as a winter visitor. The sparse breeding population is thought to be confined to the bogs and marshes of upland areas in the county. Although recorded in thirteen 10km squares for the Atlas project only three satisfied the criteria for breeding or attempted breeding. The others involved just sightings and were likely to be non-breeders. The uplands of Mynydd Mallaen and Mynydd Du were the areas that held breeding birds over the Atlas period. (Whether they nest regularly at the former location is not certain). An ornithological survey of Mynydd Du by the RSPB in 1992 uncovered five pairs, of which only two were located inside the county (the remainder occurred in Breconshire). The other known records for Mynydd Du are a pair at a bog called Mawnbwil about a mile east of Llanddeusant in 1989 and another pair heard drumming and 'chipping' during the night in June 1993 at Bryn Pwll y Gerwynjust south-east of the Usk Reservoir.

The map shows some Snipe to have been sighted in the breeding season in tetrads containing suitable nesting habitat, e.g. Cors Goch (Llanllwch), Beacon Bog (Llangynog), Rhos Pwll y Gawnen (Trelech), Mynydd Ystyfflau Cam, Llyn Llech Owen and Gweunydd Cochion (Tumble). A nocturnal or early morning visit to these places might reveal the presence of drumming birds and therefore possible breeding pairs- The county breeding is thought unlikely to exceed half a dozen pairs.

Woodcock

For the new BTO Atlas breeding Woodcock were located in only three 10km squares (SN33, 64, 74) with presence detected in six more. Due to its crepuscular habits the Woodcock is much overlooked though still a scarce bird over much of the county. During the Nightjar survey of 1992, Woodcock were heard in the coniferous forests of Caeo and Crychan. Males have also been noted annually on the RSPB reserve at Gwenffrwd (which contains large amounts of deciduous woodland), with four pairs reported in 1989. Other recent records include birds near Meidrim (in 1988), Stradey Woods on the outskirts of Llanelli and from the 10km square SN33 (Drefach-Felindre). Any attempt to estimate the county population is fraught with difficulties. The male may display over several separate woodlands and may mate with up to four or more females so the term "breeding pair" is strictly inappropriate when considering this wader.

Curlew

Curlews in Carmarthenshire are usually found nesting on rough pasture principally at high altitudes (but not the highest) where most of the suitable habitat is located. Some of these sites are common land where the grazing pressure may be less than on surrounding pastures or even absent. This coupled with the fact that these commons retain their semi-natural damp grasslands or mire communities ensures the long-term survival of nesting grounds. Also safeguarded in this way are certain passerine species such as Whinchat, Grasshopper Warbler and Reed Bunting, all known to be generally decreasing in numbers.

Good examples of these common lands include Mynydd Ystyfflau Cam near Rhydargaeau, Mynydd Llanllwni and a large part of the Black Mountain region.

Evidence of a fall in Curlew numbers in Carmarthenshire is perhaps not as marked as it as for Lapwing, though a decline has undoubtedly taken place over the last twenty years. They are known to have been lost from sites at Carmel and Five Roads (due to agricultural improvements) and Cynghordy (due to house construction) in recent years. The switch from hay to earlier cut silage has had a detrimental effect on the bird's breeding success.

Information collected for the BTO Atlas during 1988-91 recorded Curlew distributed on a tetrad basis and the results are shown on the map (together with data gathered subsequently).

This shows the centra! areas and the north and east hold the majority of the birds. A cluster of records (not shown) on the coast and the "Three Estuaries" (Tâf, Tywi and Gwendraeth) refer to non-breeders and passage birds. The districts to the west and south west of Carmarthen town harbour few breeding Curlew. The strongholds appear to be the Black Mountain, the Millstone Grit ridge from Meinciau to Llandybie, the hills above Llanfynydd, the rushy fields east of Capel Isaac and the uplands near the villages of Cwm Duad, Llanllwni and Pumpsaint and near the town of Llandovery.

Most tetrads only posses a single pair (which often range over adjacent tetrads) a few perhaps will contain two pairs and a reasonable estimate of the county population might be 50-70 pairs. More data is required regarding the breeding status of this wader.

Redshank

Redshanks as breeding birds in Carmarthenshire are almost entirely confined to coastal saltmarshes, and very rarely attempt to nest inland. A survey in Britain in 1985 uncovered the following pairs in Carmarthenshire - seven pairs on Pembrey Saltings, 11 pairs in the Penclacwydd - Machynys area and 15-16 pairs on the Upper Loughor (which included the West Glamorgan side).

Numbers are thought to have dropped sharply since that census with fewer pairs noted at Pembrey for instance. A more recent count included 12-15 pairs on the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Reserve at Penclacwydd in 1993, which had a poor success rate due to Corvid predation.

Inland, the only known recent record was of a pair on Mynydd Mallaen in the north-east of the county whose behaviour indicated breeding for the first time since 1977.

A complete Welsh survey by the RSPB was undertaken during the 1991 breeding season and a total of 176-183 pairs found.

For Carmarthenshire the latest survey uncovered two pairs on the "Three Estuaries", three pairs at Pembrey Saltings around 16-18 pairs on the Upper Loughor (which again included West Glamorgan). Some of these results show an overall decrease since the 1985 survey. The Carmarthenshire population seems to total about 20-30 pairs.

Common Sandpiper

Common Sandpipers frequent many of the rivers and streams of the county where the favoured habitat of shingle shoals or boulder covered banks exist. Some pairs also utilise the edges of the Usk and Brianne Reservoirs when water levels have fallen.

Survey work carried out by the RSPB in 1991 of selected stretches of river revealed the following number of pairs.

Because the survey looked primarily at Little Ringed Plover habitat there were pairs of Common Sandpipers almost certainly overlooked. (These were on lengths of river suitable for Common Sandpiper but not acceptable to Little Ringed Plovers). The Tywi had the highest density with about one pair per kilometre. It can also claim the highest total number of pairs (58) on all those Welsh rivers that were investigated by the RSPB. The figures for its nearest rivals were 52+ pairs along 74 kilometres of the Dee/Twrch; 33 pairs over 42 kilometres of the Severn; 27 pairs along 59 kilometres of the Usk and 21+ pairs on 50 kilometres of the Wye. (There are also known to be an extra four pairs on the Tywi in the Rhandirmwyn district emphasising its prominence).

Taking into account other rivers in the county like the Gwili, Upper Usk and Twrch (where birds are regular) the unsurveyed sections and the reservoir sites, the Carmarthenshire population would seem to number around 100 pairs.

The tetrad map showing the species distribution nicely picks out the course of the Tywi and to a lesser extent the upper Cothi.

It is hoped that the above article will encourage observers to record any breeding wader that they might encounter, in particular, species like Lapwing and Curlew (which, as breeders, can no longer be considered as "run-of-the-mill" birds) thus building up a clearer picture of their status in the county.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to the RSPB for using information from their surveys. To the BTO for their tetrad data and to the many Carmarthenshire birdwatchers who gathered it. Also gratitude to Richard Pryce for producing the tetrad distribution maps.

References

Harris, A. Ornithological Survey of Mynydd Du (unpublished) R.S.P.B. Report 1992.

Ingram, G.C.S. & Salmon, H.M. A Handlist of the Birds of Carmarthenshire (1954).

Marchant, J.H., Hudson, J., Carter, S.P., & Whittington, P. (1990). Population trends in British Breeding Birds. B.T.O. Tring.

Tyler, S.J. Little Ringed Plovers in Wales in 1991. A report to the National Rivers Authority. (Unpublished).