Its a challenge to get shots of warblers at Kenfig Pool, in the autumn when there are still leaves on the trees, so I was pleased to get a shot of a Eurasian Reed-warbler out in the open.Ten birds in total on a blustery day that wasn't really conducive for counting #ukbirding #birdingWales #birds

Cattle Egret is now a fairly regular visitor at Kenfig Pool, but its always a pleasure to see a breeding plumaged adult such as this bird that spent time on the East Pool Shore and roosting in the west pool #ukbirding #birdingWales

This pair of copulating Lesser Emperors landed right in front of me at Kenfig Pool this morning. Unfortunately they were spooked by a Common Whitethroat leaving me with no chance to get more than this one shot #ukdragonflies #KenfigNNR

Reed Bunting numbers are starting to increase at Kenfig Pool as post juvenile dispersal is taking place along with the first migrants passing through. Not as common as they used to be but still a reasonably healthy population with the biggest counts in winter.

Its always nice to see Sedge Warblers starting to arrive at Kenfig NNR as the breeding population has significantly declined. They will be an almost daily occurence from now until the middle of September when numbers start to drop off.

I love the ethereal light on these Black-tailed Godwits that gives the shot a watercolour look, but no filters were used to create this. Its a regular spring & autumn migrant to Kenfig Pool in small numbers with 14 seen since the end of last week with others earlier in July.

This individual was my sixth Green Sandpiper already this autumn at Kenfig NNR and was easily the most approachable until it departed south after 20 minutes or so. I was very fortunate that it picked a spot that I could see through the reeds for the only usable shot I managed to get.

Common Centaury is a delicate biennial herb that thrives in the dry, sandy soils and dune slacks of Kenfig NNR. It blooms with clusters of small, star-shaped pink flowers from June through September on open ground where it doesn't have to compete with taller vegetation.

I wasn't expecting to see a Little Stint when I went to Kenfig Pool this morning as they are scarce migrants in September never mind July!! The bird was mobile during its brief stay before departing unseen. It was also seen at nearby Sker Pool this morning prior to my sighting.

A busy morning at Kenfig Pool saw a Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Eurasian Bittern, juvenile Yellow Wagtail, immature Marsh Harrier, three Eurasian Teal and two Great White Egrets as well as a Clouded Yellow.

Little Ringed Plover at Kenfig NNR this morning was briefly in and then gone high south east. My first of the year on site with other new migrants in today being three fly through Cattle Egrets and a gorgeous immature Marsh Harrier that spent some time over the west pool reeds.

A very enjoyable and hot morning at Kenfig Pool with 2 Green Sandpipers, Snipe, Bittern, 400+ Sand Martin, 3 Goosanders, Great White Egret, Redshank, Clouded Yellow, Small Copper and Lesser Emperor dragonfly.

Common Sandpiper feeding on the East Pool Shore at Kenfig Pool this morning after the mist had lifted. The unmanaged shoreline is starting to recede nicely, so hopefully another spell of hot weather will see perfect conditions for when autumn migration is in full swing..

The first returning shorebirds have been moving though Kenfig Pool in small numbers over the past week or so with Common Redshank being the most prominent species so far. I like the early morning light on this particular shot which was taken from the East Pool Shore.

Continuing the butterfly theme, I saw my first Grayling of the year yesterday at Kenfig NNR after a blank year in 2025. There is a lot of Sea Holly this year too. Best of the birds was a fly over Greenshank heard but not seen, and my first Redshank of the autumn at the pool.

A sunny but breezy morning at Kenfig NNR produced a Common Redshank; my first of the autumn, as well as an unseasonal Eurasian Teal and confirmed breeding of Tufted Duck. I also saw my first few Gatekeeper butterflies of the year including this one that settled close to me.

Its quite a rare sight to see a Dark Green Fritillary at rest and open winged like this, so I was delighted to get a shot of this one at Kenfig Pool. This is the only species of fritillary that occurs on the reserve these days.

A couple from recent days at Kenfig Pool. My first Clouded Yellow of the year which landed briefly in the car park today and a nice Fen Orchid from a couple of days ago - they don't seem to be very numerous this year with most being rather small specimens except this beauty!

I was pleased to get such good views of this male Cinereous Bunting at Ipsilou Monastery, Lesvos on what was a disappointingly overcast, windy and very cool morning there when many other birders didn't see them at all.

My first Marsh Fragrant Orchid of the year was at Kenfig Pool this morning. Just a single spike, but that smell is just intoxicating!! #orchids #wildflowers

This lovely male Red-footed Falcon was perched up by the side of the road near Ipsilou Monastery, Lesvos. Thankfully, there was no other traffic around, so we were able to pull over and grab a couple of quick shots before it flew off.

There were a lot of singing Eastern Bonelli's Warblers along the Filia track the day that we went up there, but it was very hot and windy so the birds weren't very obliging. Except for this one bird that occasionally came out in the open to deliver its rather nonedescript song.

It's always nice to see a Little Crake and this female obliged at Metochi Lake, Lesvos. It was never close, but unusually spent most of it's time out in the open allowing for nice photo opportunities in the early morning light.

My last visit was back in 2005, but I don't remember Eastern Orphean Warblers being as common as they were this year. I didn't have a camera then, and have always failed on subsequent sightings elsewhere, so I was really pleased to get a shot of a singing bird this time.

I've not seen many Cretchzmar's Buntings in recent years, so it was a real pleasure to catch up with them again during my trip to Lesvos, which was where I saw my first many years ago! This beautiful and very showy male was seen near the road to the Petrified Forest.

A couple of the many European Bee-eaters seen on Lesvos recently. The bird at the top of the shot had just fed the lower one a bee and a gust of wind ruffled its feathers as it settled. The birds were presumably a pair.

We saw some large flocks of Greater Flamingos at the Kalloni Salt Pans on Lesvos with probably five hundred or so being the highest count. They could also be seen in the evenings flying along the coast presumably on migration.

We saw several Black-headed Wagtails on the wetlands around the Kalloni Salt Pans, but nowhere else on the island. They may not be a full species but they are undeniably stunning looking birds.

Black-headed Buntings were arriving in large numbers during the second week of our stay on Lesvos and males could be seen and heard singing all over the island.

I always enjoy watching Little Terns and this bird gave great views as it fished up and down the canal at Kalloni Salt Pans on our recent Lesvos trip.