Weather conditions: sunny, fair, wind direction SW, sea state 2
It was quiet day for Atlantic grey seals at Birds Rock yesterday, although our SeaSeal volunteer spotted one female swimming through the survey area. However, large numbers of bottlenose dolphins were observed, foraging and leaping, further offshore!! Bird sightings included several choughs, gannets and a kestrel!
Weather conditions: overcast, sea state 4, wind direction W
Our SeaSeal volunteer spotted several Atlantic grey seals yesterday evening at Birds Rock, despite the wind and large waves! Two females and a male were observed in the water: scanning and swimming past the rocks. A small group of harbour porpoises were also sighted further offshore! Bird sightings included a peregrine falcon and a kestrel!
Weather conditions: overcast, sea state 3, wind direction S-W
A great day at Birds Rock yesterday with plenty of Atlantic grey seal sightings during the two hour survey conducted. Three seals were observed in the water, bottling, scanning and diving. Another spent some time attempting to haul out onto the rocks despite the large waves washing over them. Excitingly, our Sea Seal volunteer was able to identify three of the four of the seals recorded as individuals spotted at Birds Rock earlier this year! Other sightings included kestrels, gannets and a small toad.
Weather: overcast, wind N, sea state 1
Our SeaSeal volunteer was up early yesterday morning to carry out a two hour survey at Birds Rock. Five Atlantic grey seals were observed bottling and scanning while in the water around the rocks, with a couple looking to haul-out! Bottlenose dolphins were briefly spotted, travelling past the survey area. Three choughs were observed flying around the cliffs, a kestrel was seen hovering above Birds Rock, and fulmars and kittiwakes were also sighted!
Weather Conditions: sunny, no wind, sea state 1
A fabulous morning at Birds Rock, with lots of activity around the cliffs! Eight Atlantic grey seals were seen during the first half of the survey, hauled out in the sunshine and in the water. Five bottlenose dolphins were observed briefly foraging and chasing fish next to the cliffs!! Three kestrel fledglings were sighted flying around Birds Rock, as well as all the usual seabirds: fulmars, cormorants and gulls. Several compass jellyfish were also recorded!
Weather conditions: overcast, light rain, sea state 2, wind direction SW
Despite the drops of rain yesterday evening our SeaSeal volunteer headed up to Birds Rock to carry out a seal survey. 4 Atlantic grey seals were seen in the water, throughout the two hour survey, bottling and diving. There were plenty of fish around and bottlenose dolphins were observed feeding – a mother and calf could be seen chasing fish just below the surface!! There was a lot of bird activity too: gannets and gulls were spotted feeding on bait balls close to Birds Rock and a kestrel flew past carrying a mouse!
Weather conditions: Fair, sea state 4, wind direction NW
During yesterday’s SeaSeal survey, two Atlantic grey seals were spotted swimming past Birds Rock, in choppy sea conditions. There was also a high level of bird activity, including herring gulls nest building, choughs feeding and, at one point, a single kestrel flying past.
Nant Melin downloadable version of this leaflet for printing (109 KB)
Grid References O.S. Explorer map 187 Llandovery. Main entrance: SN729466, Site centre: SN728467
Status The reserve forms part of the Cwm Doethie-Mynydd Mallaen Oakwoods Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
Tenure The site was leased from 1969 by the Trust and subsequently purchased in 1973.
Description
Ancient upland Oak woodland and waterfalls.
The reserve is made up of 2.4 ha of deciduous woodland and about 0.5 ha of rough pasture in the upper Tywi catchment. The woodland lies on the steep Nant Melin valley side, the wet pasture above lying on a much gentler slope.
The Nant Melin stream forms the eastern boundary flowing over a series of small but impressive waterfalls. Above the fence at the western end, the slope lessens, and the habitat changes to pasture, while a small stream marks the northern boundary, with two small fields beyond. Several wet flushes arise in these fields, and flow down to meet other springs which emerge in the woodland.
