Swifts seem to have arrived in good numbers over the last couple of days. Birds at multiple locations across Swansea and the Millennium coast. #birdingWales

Sir Haydn and Edward Thomas lead the Quarryman out of Dolgoch. #UKRailways #train #railwayPhotography #steam #photography

Combining birds & trains this morn. Sat at Rhydyronen with a couple of Swifts screaming overhead just before a Sparrowhawk drifted through pursued by the resident Swallow pair. Tree Pipit up at Nant Gwernol yesterday and Pied Flycatchers at Dolgoch again. Wall butterfly on the track! #birdingWales

A few more images from yesterdays (and this mornings) overnight services on @talyllyn.co.uk. Brilliant experience and way busier than I was expecting. Train I was on full to capacity. #UKRailways #train #railwayPhotography #steam #photography

A later start this morning after last nights adventures on @talyllyn.co.uk, but couldn’t miss Dolgoch pulling the UNESCO slate train. Only needed a brief jog to get into position for this one. #UKRailways #train #railwayPhotography #steam #photography

Fantastic atmosphere on tonight’s services @talyllyn.co.uk. First time I’ve experienced a round trip spanning two days! #UKRailways #train #railwayPhotography #steam #photography

Night trains @talyllyn.co.uk. #UKRailways #train #railwayPhotography #steam #photography

Another great day on the @talyllyn.co.uk. Weather changeable but far from the washout we’d feared. Down to Wharf for some food then it’s time to steam through the night. Can’t wait. #UKRailways #train #railwayPhotography #steam #photography

It’s Alf! Running a bit late but day two of the @talyllyn.co.uk 75th anniversary gala is go. #UKRailways #train #railwayPhotography #steam #photography

There’s been some lovely light on the @talyllyn.co.uk today accompanied by a great atmosphere and friendly crowd. Tomorrow is looking a tad damp but we shall persevere. #UKRailways #train #railwayPhotography #steam #photography

Today’s Wood Warbler, singing its heart out up the Dolgoch ravine. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026 #birds

Back to Dolgoch today where the pair of Pied Flycatchers we watched nest prospecting earlier in the month are now bringing food back at regular intervals. Redstarts, Wood Warbler and Spotted Flycatchers also present. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026 #birds

First train of what’s looking to be a lovely day here on @talyllyn.co.uk. #UKRailways #train #railwayPhotography #steam #photography

It’s #FlyDay which gives me a great excuse to share another image from my encounter with this Grey Heron on Cefn Sidan beach recently. #EastCoastKin #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026 #birds #sunset #photography #nature #wildlife #birdPhotography

This weekend sees @talyllyn.co.uk celebrating 75 years since it became the world’s first volunteer run railway, starting the preservation movement that we all enjoy today. There’s going to be trains. Lots of trains. These from yesterday. #UKRailways #train #railwayPhotography #steam #photography

A cheeky post-work twitch to see the Egyptian Goose which has been doing the rounds at WWT Llanelli today. Camera was at home so you’ll have to make do with this phone video. #birdingWales #birdsSeenIn2026 #birds

Treecreepers are nesting in the walls of the Heron Wing Hide at WWT Llanelli again this year. Stand back, give them space and you’ll be rewarded with some fabulous views. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026 #birds

Quieter at Kidwelly Quay yest but still 9 Whimbrel along with Garden, Reed, Sedge, Cetti’s & Willow Warblers. Couple of Whitethroat and several singing Blackcaps. Plenty of breeding evidence inc this Blackbird whose chicks look to be in for a good feed. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026

Quieter at Kidwelly Quay yest but still 9 Whimbrel along with Garden, Reed, Sedge, Cetti’s & Willow Warblers. Couple of Whitethroat and several singing Blackcaps. Plenty of breeding evidence inc this Blackbird whose chicks look to be in for a good feed. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026

A restorative walk out on Cefn Sidan this evening. At least 5 Gannet and 3 Sandwich Tern fishing in the bay plus a couple of small flocks of Sanderling chasing the incoming tide. Highlight though was this Grey Heron hunting for its dinner. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026 #birds #sunset

Always birding. Helped this Jackdaw access an apple core within the stacked trolleys yesterday. Other supermarkets are available. #birds #UKWildlife #birdsOfTheWorld #photography #birdPhotography #wildlifePhotography #nature #birdsSeenIn2026 #birdOfTheDay #black

Spotted this striking Red-headed Cardinal Beetle at WWT Llanelli on Saturday. It certainly stood out amongst the surrounding green vegetation. #nature #wildlife #photography #UKWildlife #wildlifephotography #insect #macro

Always birding. Helped this Jackdaw access an apple core within the stacked trolleys yesterday. Other supermarkets are available. #birds #UKWildlife #birdsOfTheWorld #photography #birdPhotography #wildlifePhotography #nature #birdsSeenIn2026 #birdOfTheDay #black

The Little Ringed Plover yesterday was showing well enough for close observation of its feeding behaviour. One leg outstretched it would tap its foot rapidly on the mud before dipping down to grab some juicy morsel or other. Fascinating to watch. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026 #birds

Four screaming Swifts over Swansea Vale at lunch today plus a Common Sandpiper along the river. Lots of Brimstone on the wing and great to see that the pair of Mute Swans have hatched six (I think) cygnets. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026 #birds

Earlier at WWT Llanelli dipped the Garganey pair but did spot an unexpected female Pintail and nice to see both Little Ringed Plovers still present too. Several Blackcap in full song across the reserve but as ever the Black-tailed Godwits stole the show. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026

Wasn’t expecting to find myself in Pembrokeshire this evening, but some birds you just cannot miss. 4 Dotterel in ploughed field east of Martin’s Haven showed well initially before flying to a corner and hunkering down for the night. #birdingWales #birdsSeenIn2026 #UKWildlife #rareBirdsUK

Enjoyable walk at Dolgoch Falls today. Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers, Garden Warblers, Blackcaps plus my first Spotted Flycatcher of the year. Bonus year ticks in the shape of Swift and House Martin on the drive up. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026 #birds

Back from a few days in Iceland. Working mostly but managed to squeeze in some birding. Seafront in Reykjavik held good numbers of Eider and Fulmar as well as a single Black Guillemot and Glaucous Gull. Great views of a Ptarmigan on drive to the airport. #birds #nature #birdsSeenIn2026

Our annual visit to RSPB Gwenffrwd-Dinas on Saturday. Plenty of Redstarts and Pied Flycatchers present along with smaller numbers of Tree Pipit and Wood Warbler. Great views of Garden Warbler singing near the car park where a Marsh Tit also showed well. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026

Great to see lots of cetaceans today. Four separate encounters with Harbour Porpoise (singles and a group of three), pod of Common Dolphin and finally a mother and calf Bottlenose Dolphin bow riding our boat off New Quay Head. #marineLife #wildlife #nature #mammals #wildlifePhotography #UKWildlife

First boat trip of the year - 5 hours out of New Quay. Lots of Guillemots, Razorbills, Sandwich Terns, Kittiwakes, Manx Shearwaters, Gannets plus a couple of Whimbrel and a Purple Sandpiper. Bonus Barnacle Goose on Cardigan Island. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026 #birds

Low tide sunset from Kidwelly Quay a few days ago. #landscape #photography #nature #skyscape #wales #landscapePhotography #stormHour #sunset #photoHour

A few more images from yesterday’s sunset Whimbrel encounter at Kidwelly Quay. The sun was just hovering above the horizon when these were taken so pleased to get anything useable. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026 #birds

One of tonight’s Whimbrel from Kidwelly Quay. Love having these guys back. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026 #birds

Spent a couple of hours this evening at Kidwelly in glorious conditions. Still present were 3 of @berniebeck.bsky.social earlier 7 Common Sandpiper along with 5 Whimbrel and a a few Greenshank. Spent a nice twenty minutes watching a pair of Lesser Whitethroat but sadly no photos. Yet. #birdingWales

Along Kymer’s Canal a wealth of Sedge Warbler song along with a lone Reed Warbler at the top end and my first Whitethroat of the year. Top find though were two Lesser Whitethroats at different locations, both identified by call from deep within vegetation. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026

A very dull visit to Kidwelly Quay this evening was brightened considerably by the presence of 12 Whimbrel. Not the greatest photo but you get the idea. Very pleasing to share their ID with other walkers. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026 #birds

A dusk visit to Sandy Water Park on Monday found the long staying Scaup still present with a trio of Tufted Duck, but no sign of the earlier Little Gull pair. I was though treated to a close encounter with this Common Sandpiper. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026 #birds

Breaking through the dunes onto Cefn Sidan. I could get used to this as my post-work unwind spot. #landscape #photography #nature #skyscape #wales #landscapePhotography #stormHour #seascape #photoHour

So much birdsong around Pembrey Burrows right now. Sedge, Cetti’s and Willow Warbler most vocal but also heard a couple of reeling Grasshopper Warblers at dusk. Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Goldcrest a great supporting cast. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026 #birds @birdsinwales.bsky.social

Popped in to see the Woodchat Shrike again at Pembrey this eve which was still staying loyal to its preferred bush. Walked out to the beach after and enjoyed quality time with the Sanderling, feeding ahead of a rising tide. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026 #birds @birdsinwales.bsky.social

This Wheatear was doing its best to steal a bit of attention from the Woodchat Shrike earlier. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026

A quick change of plans this afternoon when news broke of a Woodchat Shrike at Pembrey Burrows. It showed beautifully, perching in the open for prolonged spells. Nice supporting cast of Sedge and Grasshopper Warbler on the walk in. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn20206 #rareBirdsUk

The sneaky flock of 18 Eider from Pembrey harbour on Thursday evening. I’d been scanning Whiteford Point opposite hoping to spot them, so having them fly overhead from the direction of Burry Port was somewhat unexpected! #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026 #birds

An enjoyable high tide watch at Pembrey harbour yesterday. c110 Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Common Scoter, 2 Dunlin, c30 Knot, c50 Sanderling, 1 Turnstone, 200+ Oystercatcher. Finished with a surprise 18 Eider overhead flying from direction of Burry Port harbour. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026

Who’d be a bird eh? Sandblasted whilst trying to grab some grub. #birdingWales #birds #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026

A quick stop at Pembrey harbour this afternoon found the Oystercatchers and Bar-tailed Godwits moving with the rising tide. 4 Sandwich Tern were feeding over by Whiteford and I’m 90% certain we had an Arctic Skua heading up channel. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn2026 #birds

Nice views of a couple of Common Sandpiper from the Boardwalk Hide at WWT Llanelli on Sunday afternoon. Walking amongst giants came to mind, even more so when a Little Ringed Plover dropped in also. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birds #birdsSeenIn2026

On the odd occasion the sun has shone this week our garden has come alive with insects. Both a Holly Blue and this Dark-edged Bee-fly were new garden ticks. #insects #nature #wildlife #UKWildlife #photography #bugsky