Re: From swans to otters - Heaven on Earth in Pembrokeshire

A week was not long enough at this delightful cottage on the edge of Pembroke Mill Pond. The garden stretched down to the edge of the lake, and from the terrace we had close up views of swans, herons, cormorants, moorhens, coots, damselflies, swifts, martins, and ... OTTERS!

A pair of swans with two fluffy cygnets resided in the garden. We felt privileged to be part of their private lives for a week, observing their behaviour and enjoying their antics. Their proper nest was on the oposite bank below a public footpath and protected by netting.

However, dad had his own nest in our garden where his family visited him frequently.

The heron came daily, staying as long as he could before dad swan chased him away

Cormorants did regular flypasts. This was a favourite perch

Moorhens were nesting somewhere

Damselflies were everywhere. Is this a blue-tailed damsel?

Best of all - the otters. There are apparently four of them on this stretch of pond. They graced us with their presence most evenings. My photos are dreadful due to fading light and their speed. These pics were taken a few miles down the road on another lake. I have never seen wild otters before. I was chuffed to bits to see two lots of them!

Out and about and all withinn a few miles of the cottage we saw:

Beautiful wheatears

Stack Rocks, every inch covered in guillemots

Not forgetting the swallow - in the ladies toilet!!

We don't normally re-visit cottages, but will make an exception in this case. Apart from anything, I didn't make it to Skomer to see the puffins, so we will be back!

Hope you enjoyed a bit of our holiday - sorry it's so long!

Sounds like you had a great time Sparrow, fantastic photos i would have been chuffed too to see those Otters.

Wow Sparrow, what a time you've had! Lovely photos all but regular sightings of wild Otters... soooo jealous! The damsel is a Blue-tailed :)

Cracking set of shots!! Each and every one is superb! So wonderful to see wild otters too!

You obviously had a fab holiday, Sparrow. I can tell by your enthusiasm. I really like Pembrokeshire too. I've spent several holidays there mainly walking the coast path. Wasn't so much into birds then but I do remember seeing Choughs at Martins Haven.

I'm very envious of the otters. I've never seen one in the wild. Lovely photos all round. Stack Rocks is well named. Never seen so many Guillemots in one place.

Wow Linda, completely breathtaking !! and what a fantastic account of your week, like you say, Heaven on Earth

Beautiful! Didn't you find a lovely spot! You were so lucky to see the otters, and get photos too. I love the guillemots and the wheatears.

I was going to ask if you had made it to Skomer, a place I should love to visit. Yes, you will have to go back now, if only to go there.

Thank you everyone for your lovely comments.

It was truly a wonderful holiday - without having to make any real efforts to see the wildlife. I am only sorry I couldn't make Skomer. We did go to Martin's Haven where I sat for a few minutes watching the people board the boat and wishing I were with them. It wasn't to be this time, but there will be another time. (The swallow photo was taken at Martin's Haven ladies toilets.)

The guillemots were a complete surprise. I have never seen so many birds perched on one rock before. It is a wonder I managed any photos - exposed cliff top, howling gale and rain, and the army's tanks and armoured vehicles lined up ready to start firing practice. A genuine adrenalin moment!

Fabulous report Linda, don't blame you wanting to return, wildlife on the doorstep. Your photos are fabulous, I love the wheatears and the Guillimots and everything really.

Thank you Judi.

The wheatears were another first for me.

Wow, I think you will have to break the 'no repeat' rule, there is obviously more for you to explore.  Pembrokeshire is wonderful and you are so lucky to have seen wild Otters. I would have to have been dragged away kicking and screaming.  

Caroline in Jersey

Germain

I would have to have been dragged away kicking and screaming.  

LOL Caroline ...... I was!

Beautiful photos Sparrow, wonderful part of the world isn't it, you will love Skomer one day too, look at the colour of that swallow, gorgeous, and otters too, what more could you want.