Happy New Year!
There were many birds (oystercatchers maybe) on the shoreline on Swansea Bay as the sun set on the 1st day of 2026. I’m not the best bird watcher or photographer I must admit…..
Blackpill on Swansea Bay is a site of special scientific interest, a SSSI. This is because it provides an overwintering and passage site for a larger number of waders, including Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot and Dunlin.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has launched it’s 2026 Big Garden Bird Watch. It’s the world’s largest garden wildlife survey. Every year, hundreds of thousands of nature lovers take part, helping to build a picture of how garden birds are faring. Her’s a video explaining how to take part:
Choose one hour between 23-25th January, find somewhere to count the birds, and tell the RSPB what you have seen by post or online. This gives them an idea of how the birds are faring accross the UK. Full details here: Big Garden Birdwatch