Kenfig Nature Reserve

03/09/2026

Below is a list of our August sightings on the reserve!

We are a massive reserve with a lot happening, so obviously not everything is included (as that would also be a very, very long list!) but this should give you a good insight into what we see and give you the highlights of what’s been around recently! ☺️

August was a busy month and despite the drought we still managed to have a great month full of sightings across all species! ☀️🐝

A massive thank you to our volunteers who record and update the sightings board 🤩

Comment below any sightings you’ve seen that we may have missed this month 👀

Don’t forget we have a sightings board up in our visitor centre which is updated daily, so if you’ve seen something that isn’t on the board, come in and let us know! 😄

01/09/2026

Calling all (amateur) photographers!

We are planning a 2027 Kenfig National Nature Reserve calendar, the profits from which will go towards managing the Reserve.

If you have photos of birds, flowers, fungi, butterflies, moths, or any other wildlife, or scenic views, or people enjoying the Reserve, please send them in and we will select the best 13 images for use on the calendar. Your name will be on the photographs, but there will be no payment for the photographs.

Photographs must be good quality digital images, in landscape format
Taken on the Nature Reserve
No professional photographers
Maximum of 3 images per person

Please send the images to [email protected]. Closing date for entries 16th September

27/08/2026

24/08/2026

❗️Visitor notice❗️

Sadly due to safety reasons our bird hide has closed. We are currently working to find a solution to this and are actively looking for funding into rebuilding/refurbishing the hide.

We are truly sad to have had to shut the hide but this is only a temporary measure. Apologies for any inconvenience this has caused.

Any further information and updates will be posted on this page.

Thank you for understanding!

21/08/2026

18/08/2026

🚜 Mowing season 🚜

Over the next few weeks, we will be mowing some of the dune slacks and other targeted
areas on the reserve using tractors with a cut and collect attached.

Why do we do this?

We target fen orchid slacks, dune slacks and grassland areas during this mowing season. This is to stop dense vegetation from taking over. It helps to prevent nutrient build-up, succession and dune stabilisation. Mowing helps to protect and preserve low growing, dune specialist wildlife such as the fen orchid which requires an open, short sward. 🌱

Why are we doing this now?

There is a very short time frame in which mowing the slacks can be completed, which is before they flood in autumn and after the seeds from flowering plants have set. Even small amounts of rain can flood some of the areas on the reserve so it’s crucial to mow before the ground gets too wet. ☔️

‼️Please be aware that during this time there will be tractors moving around site‼️

All work has been consented and agreed with NRW.

14/08/2026

This is a stark reminder as to how dry the land is at the moment - yesterday's fire, visible from the visitor centre.

This is a plea to everyone to respect the no fires rule on the reserve.

This includes open fires and barbecues. 🔥

Please do not discard ci******es on site. 🚬

Take all rubbish home with you or discard at one of the many bins on site. Leave no trace. 🚮

*there must be no fires/bbqs in the reserve at all, at any time.*

Please keep our reserve a safe place for everyone to enjoy. Thank you!

13/08/2026

It looks like the heat has been getting to some people…

This is completely unacceptable behaviour. This is a nature reserve, with nationally rare flora and fauna. Not a drive through so you can get a good view, especially when there are plenty of accessible beaches in the local area.

We will be looking into this.

Also as a reminder please NO BBQs/fires on site, there fire risk is extremely high at the moment.

Jasmine
Reserve Warden

08/08/2026

07/08/2026

Our volunteers have been hard at work again this week clearing some more paths around the reserve, targeting smaller paths which we do our butterfly transects on weekly 🦋🌿

Diolch yn fawr to our brilliant team of volunteers, who contribute so much to the reserve ❤️

If you’re interested in volunteering on the reserve please email me - [email protected] 🐝