NEVERN ESTUARY INSIDER KNOWLEDGE
A small but highly productive river-mouth
Having risen some 10 miles distant on the northern slopes of Mynydd Preseli, the Afon Nyfer, after a spectacular route through gorge woodlands, eventually reaches the Nevern Estuary, then Newport Bay. Immediately to the south is the high ground of Carningli Common, with its standing stones and hut circles. Crowding in on the north, the dunes are home to the Newport Centaury, a plant first discovered here in 1918, and (in Great Britain) only found here and in Cornwall
WHERE TO WATCH
1
The road may be busy, but the iron bridge provides an excellent point for viewing the narrow, twisting upper estuary, ideal at passage time for Common, Wood and Green Sandpipers, the latter sometimes over-wintering. Grey Herons and Little Egrets fish here, while 12 Spoonbills spent a day here in September 2005. Water Pipits have been reported, but with perhaps no more than 60 over-wintering in Wales it will require careful watching and good luck.
2
By taking the southern shore, the light will be in your favour; at times the scene will be dominated by up to 1,000 Canada Geese. Shelduck will have returned by mid-October from their moult migration, to be joined for the winter by Mallard, Wigeon and Teal, while Goldeneye, Goosander and Red-breasted Merganser are always possible on the open water.
3
Mediterranean Gulls are likely in any month; while the Yellowlegged Gull, a scarce winter visitor to the county, has been reported, so check gull flocks. Waders, mostly from September until March, include Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits, Turnstone, Knot, Dunlin, Redshank and Greenshank.
4
Head for the open shore where Sanderling are likely in early autumn and again on spring passage. Later in the autumn and winter check the dunes for Snow Buntings. With the wind in the easterly quarter a careful scan of the offshore waters may well locate Common Scoter, and Great Northern and Redthroated Divers. Soon after high-water for the estuaryor choose stormy weather for some seawatching at Newport Sands, where Sanderling run on the beach.