In the January 2008 issue of this newsletter reported on the British Trust for Ornithology survey taking place of the waterbirdsusing the Burry Inlet Special Protected Area. The protected site supports many bird species including a peak of over 14,000 oystercatchers in winter. To find out more about the oystercatchers using the site and how they move about last winter 135 birds were caught and marked on the breast with a yellow dye. Subsequent observations from surveyors and members of the public have enabled a picture to be built up on the birds' movements.

In total 60 separate reports of dyed birds were received between November 2007 and February 2008. The records received were biased towards sites most frequently used by the public. Most were received from sites close to the original catch sites within the SPA; others were sighted from the important feeding areas on the Pembrey Coast and 'Three Rivers' estuaries. There was a further concentration of sightings at Blackpill near Swansea and other sightings from Rhossili Beach and Worm's Head on Gower plus one unexpectant record from Dale in Pembrokeshire some 65km away.

It seems therefore that while most birds appear to remain faithful to the Burry Inlet it appears that some move much more widely and this needs to be considered in their conservation.