Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

They are having a cracking time at the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust, Penclacwydd, Llanelli. Chicks of all kinds and sizes have been hatching out and demanding feeding from visitors walking the miles of maze-like walks. And the arrivals will continue through to the summer months with the ducks having been busy rearing their broods since early spring and now large varieties of geese doing the same and the glorious pink flock of 40 flamingos partnering up for their normal July and August hatchings. Executive board member for leisure services Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “We are so lucky to have this facility in Llanelli. It attracts bird watchers from all over the country and is wonderfully educational for children.” The centre’s volunteers have been busy at weekends providing talks and weekend family fun for visitors ranging from den building, mini pond dipping, craft workshops and flamingo talks. Getting up close and personal with the centre’s flock of Caribbean flamingos and sighting them ...

Llanelli artist and photographer Russ Myners has sent through another update on his work this morning. Russ Myners is a local part-time artist and photographer, outside his 'day job' as a busy Practice Manager. He is also a weekend volunteer working in the grounds at the National Wetland Centre Wales, Penclacwydd, Llanelli. Russ started painting in watercolours around 2005 and has exhibited work at wetland centres both in Llanelli and at Slimbridge. His art and photographic work has attracted interest from the USA, Sweden and India. Aside from painting, Russ also carries out some Life drawing in charcoal and pencil. When time permits, Russ loves to be outdoors with his camera capturing nature as it is. His photography has been appreciated by many people across the UK, and has been commissioned for work on websites, canvass wraps and even digital wallpaper! You can find out more at Russ's website - http://www.russartworx.net Here's his latest news - Just a very quick ...

Nice to see the Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre in Penclacwydd, Llanelli, on BBC Breakfast. Well done to Nigel Williams and the team.

Llanelli artist and photographer Russ Myners has sent through another update on his work this morning. Russ Myners is a local part-time artist and photographer, outside his 'day job' as a busy Practice Manager. He is also a weekend volunteer working in the grounds at the National Wetland Centre Wales, Penclacwydd, and it will be at the centre that he will be exhibiting some watercolour painting and photography throughout April. Russ started painting in watercolours around 2005 and has exhibited work at wetland centres both in Llanelli and at Slimbridge. His art and photographic work has attracted interest from the USA, Sweden and India. Aside from painting, Russ also carries out some Life drawing in charcoal and pencil. When time permits, Russ loves to be outdoors with his camera capturing nature as it is. His photography has been appreciated by many people across the UK, and has been commissioned for work on websites, canvass wraps and even digital wallpaper! The exhibit...

Llanelli artist and photographer Russ Myners has sent through an update on his work this morning -  "Coming up is an exhibition I'll be staging for the month of April at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre in Penclacwydd, Llanelli. This will be a small selection of watercolour painting and photography. More details and an update will follow in a week or two.' Check out the website on - http://www.russartworx.net

BBC News - Thousands of starlings flock to Llanelli wetland centre Tens of thousands of starlings have flocked to a nature reserve in Carmarthenshire, performing spectacular aerial displays at dusk. The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) believes 100,000 starlings have arrived at its Llanelli reserve in the last few weeks to roost for the winter.

Maddy Hatcher is a rare bird. She has ruffled the feathers Carmarthenshire County Council by going into labour at one of their day centres. Staff and visitors to Llanelli Heol Goffa Day Centre thought they had gone quackers when Maddy the mallard appeared and laid six eggs in a land-locked quadrangle. Manager Terry Howells said: "We thought it was quite strange when Maddy first appeared with two male suitors who were chasing her about the garden. "We have never seen a duck in there before because. There is no water or pond feature. Then, within days she was sitting on a nest with six eggs" The day centre is used by 38 users aged 18 to 60 with learning difficulties. They named their surprised guest Maddy. Mr Howells said they decided to call her Maddy - short for Madeline Hatcher - because it seem such a silly place to raise a brood with no water or means of escape. "But there again Maddy is not such a daft duck because she is getting all the food she requires and...