Events

Saturday January 17th 2009

Whitford Burrows, Gower Peninsula. Time once more for our annual fix of Brent Geese, Slavonian Grebes etc. Meet at Cwm Ivy Car Park at 9.00am. Unfortunately this is the only suitable Saturday tide in Jan. and Feb. (10.37am) hence the need to meet a little earlier. It is hoped that we will again have the company of our friends from Gwent O.S.

Wednesday February 4th

An illustrated talk by Club member Dave Rich on "Twenty years of Birdwatching in America". At Penclacwydd starting at 7.30pm. Donations for the raffle would be appreciated. Tea/coffee and biscuits to follow at £1.50ph.

Wednesday March 4th

An illustrated talk by Mr Michael Clark at Penclacwydd starting at 7.30pm. Subject yet to be confirmed but likely to be "The Identification of British Dragonflies".

Tea/coffee and biscuits to follow as usual at £1.50 ph.

Saturday April 25th

Field Trip to R.S.P.B. Dinas Reserve. Meet in the car park at 9.30am for our annual fix of spring migrants, including Wood Warbler, Redstart and Pied Flycatcher. Last year some members were fortunate to locate Whinchat further up the road so maybe we could be lucky in seeing this species too.

Wednesday May 14th

An evening walk for Grasshopper Warblers and other species. Meet at 6.30pm in the free car park turning off at the third roundabout after taking the new Burry Port by pass when coming from Llanelli. From the railway station bridge it is also the third heading away from the Harbour. SN 455004

Forthcoming Events.

A Nightjar evening will be arranged for June or July. Details in the next Newsletter. Also, following the success of the Butterfly/ Dragonfly events at Broad Pool in 2006 and Pembrey Country Park in 2007 it is planned to arrange one this year in Kenfig Nature Reserve.

Any suggestions for Outdoor Events or Speakers for Indoor meetings would be appreciated by Wendell, who can be contacted with suggestions or any further information on 07912 577626.

The Annual General Meeting was held on October 22nd 2008.Thirty seven members attended and no committee members were up for re-election. After the meeting we were treated to the wonderful photography of Mr Melvyn Grey who talked with over twenty years experience of many hours spent watching the Wildlife of the Teifi Valley. We are very grateful to him..

Carmarthen Bay and Estuaries European Marine Site

Anyone who bird watches regularly on Carmarthen Bay is aware of the importance of the area for birds but also of the many threats to wildlife which affect it. 27 Members came along on 5th November to hear Blaise Bullimore’s talk on Carmarthen Bay and its Estuaries. Blaise guided us through the various designations which apply to the Bay principally its status as a European Marine Site and he went on to explain the roles which various organisations have in protecting its habitat and wildlife. He explained his own role as European Marine Site Officer. A lively discussion followed during which members of the audience described first-hand experience of threats to the bay’s birdlife and the difficulties which they had encountered in "getting something done". Discussions continued over coffee. At the end of the evening, Blaise had gained an appreciation of the concern which club members have for the wildlife of the bay and we gained an understanding of how we can translate that concern into action. Whether you were at the meeting or not, it is worth looking at the Carmarthen Bay and Estuaries web site www.cbeems.org.uk

From The County Recorders

Derek Moore and I are in the process of attempting to speed up the production of the annual bird report. In an ideal world all records would be submitted on-line in which case the report would be ready for editing and writing on the second of January but we realise that there are those who prefer to submit written records. It would be a tremendous help if all these could be submitted on a MONTHLY or at least QUARTERLY basis and in any case we would like all records submitted by the END OF JANUARY please. If this could be done there would be no difficulty in producing the report well before the AGM in October.

Some members appear to be reluctant to enter records believing the birds they see to be not rare enough. We would be very grateful to receive records of even common garden birds where they involve unusual numbers, breeding records, or unusual patterns of behaviour. For instance if you have noticed an increase or decrease in the numbers of breeding house sparrows or blue tits over several years, that would certainly be worthy of a report. The moral is, if in doubt put a report in anyway. No-one is going to laugh at you.

Could I please remind everyone to check whether the records you have submitted require a description. The information is on our web-site. Without a brief description the record is in danger of not being accepted.

Please send any written reports for this year as soon as possible to:

Owen Harris
2 Marine Cottages
Water Street
Ferryside
SA17 5SB

E-MAIL This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Phone 01267 267095

Carmarthenshire UKBS Report for September

Highlights

There were a number of sightings of at least one Grey Phalarope between the 2nd and 8th at various points between Pembrey Harbour and the Copper House roundabout in Llanelli. The report of Spotted Crake at WWT Wales, Penclacwydd (17th) was only the thirteenth county sighting since 1969. An Osprey was seen near Loughor Bridge on the 24th. A Cattle Egret was seen on a number of occasions between the 5th and 21st. in the area of Banc y Lord, Kidwelly. A further sighting at Coed bach also on the 21st may have been the same bird.

Carmarthenshire UKBS Report for October

Highlights

Two reports of an elusive Little Blue Heron (24th and 27th) moving between the adjacent sites of Banc y Lord and Coed Bach caused much excitement. Single Ospreys were seen at WWT Penclacwydd (5th) and St Ishmael (8th) where fishing was conducted within sight of two interested Peregrines. A Grey Phalarope was at Penclacwydd on the 3rd.

Subscriptions

Some subscriptions have not yet been paid. They have not been increased this year and are great value, members receiving the Annual Bird Report by post as part of their sub plus the monthly meetings and the support a strong county group can give when matters of environmental importance are discussed in the area.

Please send your subscription and up to date address and email address if you have one to the Treasurer George Causley. Thank you.

We would like to thank Nigel Williams and staff at the National Wetlands centre for the continued use of the building for our Indoor Meetings.

A Happy Christmas to all our Members and good birding in 2009!

NADOLIG LLAWEN.