Trip report: Whiteford Burrows (17 March 2013)

Ten members met in the car park in the pretty village of Cwm Ivy where a Jay, Green Woodpecker and Coal Tits were spotted to give the day a flying start. The weather was perfect being sunny with no wind and, although a little cold, it warmed up pleasantly as the day went on. The descent to the woods turned up a Treecreeper, Wrens, Siskins and Goldcrests. Emerging from the woods on to the sand dunes we were delighted with Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Stonechats. We then proceeded to the beach where there were Sanderling, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, a large flock of Oystercatchers, Curlew, and Common Gulls; spectacular numbers of Brent Geese gaggled away to each other. Lunch was taken overlooking the estuary towards Burry Port and Llanelli with a backdrop of the snow-covered Black Mountain. How lucky we were to be eating our lunch watching Eider and Red-breasted Mergansers with a few Turnstones thrown in for good measure. It was back through the wood where a Raven, Song Thrush and Long-tailed Tits were spotted. The path over the marsh was quite wet but walking under the trees to our ascent up the hill revealed more Goldcrests and Robins. Forty-two species were recorded for the day. Thank you to Roger for leading a perfect birding day.