Llanelli Wildfowl in Winter…

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on Boxing Day 2004 - Aythya ferina (Pochard)

Between Christmas and New Year we usually visit the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Llanelli and here are some of my favourite pictures from one mild Boxing Day in 2004 and one very icy day in late 2009.

I’ve tried to identify most of the birds, but correct me if I am wrong!

Hawaiian Goose or Ne-ne (Branta sandvicensis) at Llanelli WWT, December 2004 - always welcoming on the paths of the wildfowl centre

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on Boxing Day 2004 - Anser cygnoides (Swan Goose)

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on Boxing Day 2004 - Bucephala clangula (Goldeneye)

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on Boxing Day 2004 - Branta leucopsis (Barnacle Goose)

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on Boxing Day 2004 - Anas penelope (European Wigeon) - always keen to be fed by hand

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on Boxing Day 2004 - a heron seen from one of the hides...

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on Boxing Day 2004 - it's also a great place for lichen...

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on Boxing Day 2004 - looks like Cormorants on the right...

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on Boxing Day 2004 - Cygnus atratus (Black Swan)

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on Boxing Day 2004 - Anas rhyncotis (Shoveller)

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on Boxing Day 2004 - Mergus albellus (Smew)

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on Boxing Day 2004 - Mergus albellus (Smew)

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on Boxing Day 2004

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on Boxing Day 2004 - another Cormorant mid left...

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on Boxing Day 2004

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on Boxing Day 2004

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on Boxing Day 2004 - ash keys...

Lichen on a tree at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre, Llanelli, Boxing Day 2004

Lichen on a tree at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre, Llanelli, Boxing Day 2004 - it's my favourite lichen picture ever and I even used it on Christmas cards!

Then there was the ice in late 2009…

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - Philippine Duck (Anas luzonica)

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos)

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus)

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea)

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - Coot (Fulica atra)

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - Eider Duck (Somateria mollissima mollissima)

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - Eider Duck (Somateria mollissima mollissima)

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - Eider Duck (Somateria mollissima mollissima)

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - Eider Duck (Somateria mollissima mollissima)

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - female Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos)

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - lichen

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - moss and lichen

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - fern

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - teasel

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - lichen

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - reed bed

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos)

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) - always so jolly!

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - Philippine Duck (Anas luzonica)

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - Anas laysanensis (Laysan Teal)

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Llanelli on an icy day - December 28, 2009 - Ne-Ne (Branta sandvicensis)