” Ten keen bird watchers, including several new faces, gathered at Kenfig NNR on Saturday 19th October 2024, which was a bright, beautiful and, eventually, very warm autumn morning.

Alan Rosney lead the group, with John Western acting as recorder of the species seen and/or heard.

It was decided to head for Sker Point, where high tide had been at 8am. At Sker, the group was treated to a flock of some 200 Golden Plovers, which were seen flying spectacularly over the sea before landing on the rocks at Sker beach.Also at Sker were good numbers of Oystercatchers, Turnstone and Curlew.

The intrepid participants then headed over the dunes and spent the last hour or so at the now somewhat forlorn – looking hide. The highlight here was a Kingfisher, which flew low over the water close to the hide and perched on a nearby post, much to the delight of those present.

It was a very enjoyable and productive bird walk in near perfect weather. 

The full list of 46 recorded species is as follows:-

Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Great Crested Grebe, Woodpigeon, Water Rail, Coot, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black – headed Gull, Lesser Black – Backed Gull, Great Black – Backed Gull, Cormorant,  Little Egret, Heron, Red Kite, Kingfisher, Kestrel, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Cetti’s Warbler, Long- tailed Tit, Goldcrest, Wren, Starling, Song Thrush, Redwing, Blackbird, Robin, Stonechat, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting.”