Tide and nature combine for a spectacularly free event late afternoon on Sunday, September 27 with one of the highest tides of the century.

Photographers will be at the ready from Pendine to Penclackwydd on the Loughor Estuary and all points in between from 5pm, to capture some magical images.

Anyone who captures a stunning image is invited to send their pictures electronically to marketing@carmarthenshire.gov.uk marked in the subject bar as ‘High Tide’ and the pictures will be credited and feature in a special Discover Carmarthenshire page.

Carmarthenshire executive board member for leisure services Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “Carmarthenshire has a small but spectacular coastline with cliffs, castles and great swathes of sand and dunes to capitalise on this natural phenomenon.

“No matter was the weather, stormy or calm, rain, dark cloudy sky or sunset hues, the late afternoon super tide guarantees spectacular photographic possibilities,” said Cllr Gravell.

Popular locations for dramatic shots will be Pendine, Laugharne-with the sea lapping at the castle’s foundations; Llanstephan with its Castle, Ferryside, St Ishmaels, Cefn Sidan, Pembrey and Burry Port Harbours, Pwll Bach, Llanelli beach, North Dock and Lliedi Haven and all stretches of the Millennium Coastal Park.

Penclackwydd’s Wildfowl and Wetland Trust Centre promises to be one of the best locations of all. At this time of year there are tens of thousands of migratory birds in the Burry Estuary. They will be pushed towards shore by the advancing monster tide.

Twitchers are getting the binoculars ready to witness spectacular sights and sounds at the Wetland Centre as the advancing tide pushes the birds closer to view.

With the first September 26-foot plus tide, huge numbers of birds are expected to gather in front of the British Steel hide at the Wetland Centre in Llwynhendy.

Nigel Williams, Centre Manager at WWT Llanelli said:“High Tide Watch was one of the real highlights of their events calendar and was one of his favourite times.

“The big tides combine with peak autumn migration and it’s a huge spectacle for the visitor. We have hundreds and hundreds of birds gathering in front of the hides and you get a real close-up view of many different species.

“We have birds that have spent the summer with us getting ready to leave, birds stopping off to feed en route to their destination and even birds that are coming to spend the winter with us here in Llanelli”

The high tide attracts many species of birds with waders and ducks being plentiful in numbers. Sighting highlights from previous years have included kingfishers, little egrets, black-tailed godwits, greenshank, knot and curlew.

And you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy the event– it’s suitable for everyone and families are also welcomed.

Nigel added: “You don’t have to be a birding expert to enjoy the High Tide Watch, there’ll be an expert guide on hand to point out various species of birds and help you to identify them. It really is a magical sight watching the whole landscape flooded with birds and it’s a chance to see the reserve at its very best.”

They were organising a high tide watch buffet for families who wanted to come and visit the event but recommended advance booking and because of the expected popularity. The buffet will be served from 6.30pm-7pm.