Covering 97 hectares on the northern shore of the Burry Inlet, across from the Gower Peninsula, the National Wetland Centre is one of Wales' most important habitats for waders and waterfowl. The big attraction for birdwatchers is the resident population of little egret, whose numbers have increased from a solitary pair in 1995 to around 400. Winter is the most spectacular season, when up to 60,000 birds converge on the salt marsh and mudflats.
Species include oystercatchers, greylag geese, gadwalls, widgeons, teals and black-tailed godwits. Flashiest of all are the resident flock of nearly fluorescent pink Caribbean flamingos.
There's always plenty on for the littl'uns during the school holidays. Late spring's Duckling Days are filled with downy cuteness, while in the summer months there are canoes and bikes to borrow. There are plenty of hides and observation points, and you can hire binoculars (£5) if you don't have your own.
Approaching from the southeast, take the A484 and turn left onto the B4304. Trains head to Llanelli from Carmarthen (£6.40, 25 minutes) and Swansea (£4.20, 15 minutes); the centre's a 2.5-mile walk from the station.
