Kenfig National Nature Reserve
Kenfig National Nature Reserve, situated in Kenfig (Bridgend) is a great place known for being a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It includes the area of sand dunes and Kenfig Pool.
History
One of the UK's most beautiful sand-dune reserves, it is part of the largest active sand-dune system in Europe. As a thriving town, Kenfig was frequently attacked by Vikings. It was buried under tons of sand during medieval times due to huge storms. As the castle keep rises out of the sand to the north, the only trace of the ancient borough remains.
Nature has been reclaiming the landscape for the past 700 years. Kenfig is the only remaining part of an extensive dune system that once stretched from the Ogmore River to the Gower peninsular along southern Wales' coastline. Glamorgan's largest natural lake is located here, Kenfig Pool, which offers spectacular views across Swansea Bay and the Gower Peninsula.
Plants and Animals:
Fen orchids, Britain's rarest orchid, are found in the Reserve, along with numerous other rare and endangered species of flora and fauna.
Kenfig is home to many plant species, notably the Pyramidal Orchid, Fragrant Orchid, Bee Orchid, Early-purple Orchid, Common Spotted-orchid, Early Marsh-orchid, and Broad-leaved Helleborine. Kenfig's crown-jewel is its Fen Orchid. The Kenfig National Nature Reserve contains more than 90% of the plants in the UK that belong to this species.
Kenfig National Nature Reserve houses more than 90% of the total number of plants of this species in the UK. Special walks are organized in late summer to see Epipactis neerlandica, and Autumn Lady's Tresses bloom on the short grasslands at Sker Point, another rare orchid.
A birdwatcher's paradise, this reserve offers a variety of bird species to see. There are wildfowl all year round at the reserve, which is one of the few places in the UK where bitterns are seen during the winter months. Plovers are sometimes spotted here. In winter, several hundred Tufted Ducks and Pochards can be seen, and a large number of Coots also arrive. There are also many other species in and around the lake, including Mallard, greenshank, Common Teal, Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall, Scaup, Sandpiper, Long-tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye and Smew. Sometimes Whooper Swans and Bewick's Swans visit Kenfig Pool, too. This is one of the best places in Wales to spot these remarkable birds.
Route
There is an official circular route that leads you through a dry dune system that is available year-round. This path is well signposted, with wooden markers placed every hundred yards or so.
There is management in place to prevent dense grassland and scrub woodland from taking over the dunes, which would result in the loss of important and diverse wildlife. It is managed in a way that protects the delicate balance of habitats and where visitors can freely visit without harming anything. The dune systems are difficult for wheelchair users to access despite an encouraging policy of disability access.
Just a few miles away from Swansea, this reserve is a must-visit place if you want to enjoy wildlife and nature.
