The bright white plumage of little egrets makes them the most noticeable species. They can be spotted on a daily basis, often bent over a shallow pool, patiently looking for fish trapped by the receding tide, along with their larger cousin, the grey heron.
If you’re lucky you may even see the dazzling flash of electric blue as kingfishers dart past or dive in for prey. They prefer slow moving water where they hunt for fish and aquatic insects.
Lapwing can be seen here throughout the year, listen out for their distinctive ‘peewit’ sounding calls. They also breed here in small numbers and lay their eggs on the ground around the outskirts of the marsh.
Bird watching at Cwm Ivy
We’ve two bird hides at Cwm Ivy, Cheriton hide and Monterey hide, located either side of the marsh: perfect for enjoying the sights and sounds of this evolving marsh, which also forms part of the wider Whiteford National Nature Reserve.