Squally weather blows rare gull-billed tern off course to WWT Llanelli
June 2012. Birders are flocking (Why do birders always flock? Why don’t they migrate, slime or even ponce?) to WWT NationalWetland Centre Wales at Llanelli to see an extremely rare gull-billed tern who has taken up residence.
It is thought the recent squally weather has blown the bird off course from its usual summer haunts across Europe.
This is only the second record of a gull-billed tern in Carmarthenshire, the first was recorded back in 1996 also at WWT Llanelli. Gull-billed terns breed across Europe in Denmark, Holland, northern Spain and parts of Eastern Europe.
Rarity
Centre Manager, Nigel Williams, commented: “It is exciting to see such a rarity turn up, particularly as this species has not been seen here in 16 years.
The bird is quite happy out on the newly created saline lagoon and has been delighting visitors who can clearly see it from our British Steel Hide. The gull-billed tern also seems to have been adopted by our black-headed gull colony, as he’s taken to roosting with them overnight.”
First published in Wildlife Extra
Nic Slocum
Nic Slocum is an experienced naturalist and wildlife guide and is best known for his escorted tours taking enthusiasts out, both in Ireland and overseas, to view and photograph whales and dolphins. Nic maintains a lifelong passion for using the written word to promote the conservation of our wildlife and wild places and has appeared as an expert commentator on both radio and TV. A zoologist by training, Nic has published articles on conservation related issues in regional and national newspapers. Nic is a director of Whale Watch West Cork.com and Whales World Wide.com
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