Saturday 8th July 2023 - Kenfig National Nature Reserve

 

Kenfig Pool
Yesterday was our final RSPB field trip of  the 2022/2023 season and it was a joint RSPB/Bath Nats trip to Kenfig National Nature Reserve. 29 were on the coach and we were met by 4 more at Kenfig. While we gathered together we noted Swift, Starling, Collared Dove, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Kestrel. When we set off we soon added Dunnock, Kestrel and Magpie and on the lake (Kenfig Pool) we added Cormorant, Mallard, Mute Swan, Little Egret and Great Crested Grebe. We also saw our first Gatekeeper butterfly of the year, more were to follow as the day went on. Lesser Black Back Gulls and Carrion Crow were seen in flight a skipper butterfly was seen next but led us a right song and dance before it settled for long enough for it to be identified as an Essex Skipper. Stonechats and Meadow Pipits were seen in several places but a Skylark proved more difficult to find singing high in the blue sky. Our next sighting was a flyby Swallow, we then arrived at an area of flat grassland in amongst the dunes and here we saw about half a dozen Dark Green Fritillary butterflies and a few Six Spot Burnett moths. We then split from the Bath Nats party who were searching for a rare Orchid while the rest of us were on the search for a bird that had been heard on a recce earlier in the week but not found and as luck would have it I managed to hear the call and zone in on the area where it was and managed a glimpse of the bird but only a few of us saw it, so we waited till it called again and this time some of us had a better view of it in flight but not satisfactory for those who had never seen this bird, it called again so gradually we all moved closer and there it was sat on the top of a shrub a Grasshopper Warbler, it flew to another shrub where Anne was able to get it in her scope where those who had trouble finding it were able to enjoy a great view. A cracking bird and a first for many.

Grasshopper Warbler - Bath Birdwatcher
 While waiting for the bird to show we also found a female Reed Bunting and a Whitethroat plus a flyover Grey Heron. We then made for a rendezvous by the coast and on the way I found a moth I have not seen before and was able to identify it as a Lesser Cream Wave.

Lesser Cream Wave - Bath Birdwatcher
After lunch we scanned the sea where Tom found a Gannet and Black Headed Gulls on the sea. Returning to the coach Blackbird and Linnet were added to the days list plus another moth that Anne found called a Fenland Pearl it appears from my reference books it a rare moth for South Wales. 
Fenland Pearl (picture by Anne Crowe)
The days final sighting was a Buzzard seen from the coach as we drove from Wales into England.

I think we all had a good day with plenty on offer to cover all tastes from birds to insects and plants.

Grasshopper - Bath Birdwatcher

One of many insects we saw on the day but this grasshopper posed nicely for a picture but I am not sure what species it is.

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