SN362075

The Gwendraeth estuary is part of the Carmarthen Bay Special Area of Conservation.

Description and habitats

These areas of rocky shore and mussel scars, separated by sandy bays, are at the mouth of the Gwendraeth Estuary on the north shore.

Directions

Take the road from Kidwelly to Ferryside. Just past the cemetery, turn left onto the minor road which is signposted for Carmarthen Bay Holiday Village. After 1.5 miles (2 km) take a left turn to the holiday village. Drive to the extreme west end of the chalets where there is a small car park. Please observe the speed limit in the holiday village and respect the privacy of residents. Alternatively, St Ishmael’s Scar can be reached by driving as far as St Ishmael’s church (SN362084). There is parking near the church and a railway level-crossing at the bottom of the hill gives access to the coast.

Facilities for visitors

There are no facilities for visitors. Part of Salmon Scar can be viewed from the car park but paths beyond this are not suitable for anyone with restricted mobility.

Tips for birding the site

View the scars and the sands from the car park, from the shore in front of the holiday village and from the sand dunes further west. There is a path through the dunes. The waters of the estuary should be scanned for divers, grebes and ducks, ideally on a falling tide. At St Ishmael’s there is a second-world-war lookout. This rather decrepit structure offers shelter for sea watching.

Best seasons

Autumn and winter.

Regular birds

Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Knot and Dunlin are common. Brent Goose, Shelduck, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Turnstone, Bar-tailed Godwit and Redshank are there in smaller numbers. Greenshank are to be found during passage and a few in winter. Little Egret feed here at low tide. Great Crested Grebe, Red-breasted Merganser and Pintail may be seen on the estuary. Large gull flocks in autumn.

Scarce and rare birds

Red-throated Diver, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Scaup and Eider are recorded. Seawatches after storms sometimes turn up petrels or Kittiwakes. Black Redstart and Snow Bunting are occasional along the shore.