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Overview
Kenfig National Nature Reserve is a huge coastal dune system near Porthcawl in Glamorgan, South Wales. The nature reserve has a 3 mile storm beach, rolling dunes and a mosaic of wetlands including Kenfig Pool which is the largest natural lake in South Wales. The reserve hosts a number of species and some very rare and endangered plant life.
Birds
Notable Species
Kenfig can be noted for having a wide variety of bird visitors because of the variety of environments found in the reserve. In the winter birds such as the Meadow Pipit, Stonechat and Merlin can be found as well as the Hen Harrier and the Short-eared Owl. In the summer Whitethroats, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Willow Warblers are very numerous in the sand dune areas.
Rarities
Kenfig Nature Reserve has been known to attract some of the rarer species of birds, birds such as the Little Whimbrel, Pied-billed Grebe, Barred Warbler, Little Bittern, Red-necked Grebe and the White-winged Black Tern have all been recorded at Kenfig in the past and present.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Tundra Swan,Pink-footed Goose, Common Ringed Plover, Little Bittern, Pied-billed Grebe, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Laughing Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Whiskered Tern, Barred Warbler, Sedge Warbler,
Other Wildlife
Kenfig has a healthy population of rabbits which were introduced to the reserve to help cut the grass down to help the uncovering of sand dunes. As well as the typical rabbits and foxes Kenfig is host to a vast variety of insect life from butterflies to dragonflies and bees. A rarity found at Kenfig is the Great Crested Newt
It is also the place to see endangered rare plants including the Fen Orchid which Kenfig claim is their most important rare plant, other plants include the Marsh Helleborine and the Stalked Puffball
Site Information
History and Use
Areas of Interest
Kenfig Pool is a 70 acre freshwater lake making it the largest natural lake in South Wales it is mainly rainfall fed and therefore unpolluted. The water is relatively low in nutrients and these lack of nutrients makes conditions difficult for algae to grow and the water remains clear with these conditions many of the plants that grow in the lake are rare.
Access and Facilities
The whole site is open to pedestrian access at all times.The reception is open 2-4.30pm on weekdays and from 10am on weekends.The site and car parks are open all year. The Reserve Centre toilets are open during office hours seven days a week. Dogs must be kept under close control at all times and their mess cleared up. Dog wardens patrol the site and issue fixed penalties to offenders.
Directions from the M4: From junction 37, drive towards Porthcawl (A4229). At first roundabout take 3rd exit and drive through North Cornelly (B4283). When out of the village turn left at the first crossroads. The car parks are on the right after about 1 1/4 miles. If you reach the golf course, you have missed the turning.
Contact Details
Tel: 01656 743386
Fax:01656 743386
External Links
Content originally posted by TheBirdGarden
