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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

After missing it by two very close calls yesterday, I was delighted to refind the Pectoral Sandpiper at Kenfig Pool today after a three hour search... Happily, the bird though very wary, showed beautifully at times before flying off high to the east #birdingWales #UKbirding #shorebirds #birds

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Happy to finally add Garganey to my Kenfig NNR year list today after the first spring for many years without one. Inititally very distant with 14 Eurasian Wigeon, it eventuaally came close enough for a shot #birdingWales #UKbirding #birds #wildfowl #birdphotography

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

A brief visit to Kenfig Pool today saw a couple of Bar-tailed Godwits drop in before the rain but they soon moved on #birdingWales #UKbirding #birds #shorebirds #birdphotpgraphy

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

It was nice to see the first Song Thrushes of the autumn arriving both at Sker and Kenfig Pool. Just small numbers today, but there were plenty of "ticking" Robins from the bushes, a few Eurasian Jays moving & a showy Whinchat which made for an autumnal feel to proceedings #birdingWales #UKbirding

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

This wholly unexpected Red-eyed Vireo was trapped and ringed at Kenfig Pool this morning and is the seocnd record for Glamorgan and the reserve recording area. I had the shock of my life when I saw it staring back at me from the net. Seen by 20+ observers upon release #birdingWales #UKbirding

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I had already left when this Arctic Tern arrived at Kenfig Pool yesterday, so was hoping it would stay around until today. It was a new bird for the reserve year list so I was delighted to see it still present this morning. This moment was the only time I saw it land #birdingWales #UKbirding #birds

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Ruddy Duck was a species I always looked forward to seeing during the winter at Kenfig Pool. Its been 15 years since my last record there due to the cull of the species, but I enjoyed seeing them again in Canada during a spring visit in 2024 #Birds #BirdingCanada #wildfowl #Birdphotography

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I very rarely post shots of birds in the hand, but I have to make an exception for this gorgeous Co mmon NIghtingale trapped at Kenfig Pool yesterday morning; my first for the site & the first there for 33 years!! #birdingWales #UKbirding #birds

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

I wasn't able to get a photo of yesterday's Osprey at Kenfig Pool, so here is one taken in Salalah, Oman in November 2024 where it was a lot sunnier and less windy... #birds #birdphotography #raptors

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Kenfig NNR seems to have missed out on the recent arrivals of Pied and Spotted Flycatchers. Pied is very hit or miss anyway, but we usually get a few Spotted over the autumn, but so far this autumn there have been very few so it was nice to catch up with this bird yesterday #birdingWales #UKbirding

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

A bit of a dreary day that needed a splash of sunshine so here is a Rainbow Bee-eater froom Lee Point, Darwin, NT Australia in September 2022 #Birds #BirdingAustralia #BirdPhotography #Bee-eaters

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Red Knot is one the shorebirds I enjoy seeing most when they return to our coastline. There is a much bigger flock nearby on Gower, but you never get as close to them as the ones at Sker - there were seven present yesterday #birdingWales #UKbirding #shorebirds #birdphotography

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

The bushes at Kenfig Pool have been a bit quiet this past week, but it was nice to see this Garden Warbler that dropped in during a shower yesterday morning #birdingWales #UKbirding #warblers #birdphotography

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

The gusty north easterly at Kenfig Pool brought in another juvenile Little Ringed Plover with both birds present together, and another Common Greenshank in what has been a good year for them. Seven Northern Shovelers and a female Northern Pintail were the best of the rest #birdingWales #UKbirding

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

After several in mid July, we had no Little Ringed Plovers at Kenfig Pool during the peak period for them until normal service was resumed with juveniles yesterday and today. Thought to be different individuals as yesterday's bird was seen heading high towards the coast #birdingWales #UKbirding

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

My first Dunlin of the autumn at Kenfig Pool was a very approachable bird and coupled with the very nice light, I was pretty happy with this shot #birdingWales #UKbirding #shorebirds #birdphotography

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

I spent a pleasant hour with Rhos Williams this morning at Kenfig Pool where the highlight was a rather brief Common Greenshank. I didn't get any shots of it on the ground so look forward to seeing his. A Common Redstart in the west pool was the pick of the passerines #birdingWales #UKbirding #Birds

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Some passerine migrant totals from Kenfig NNR/Sker for 14th & 15th August 2026 - Common Redstart 2, Tree Pipit 28, Grasshopper Warbler 1, Whinchat 1, Sedge Warbler 23, Reed Warbler 17, Garden Warbler 2, Northern Wheatear 2, Common Cuckoo 1 juv, Goldcrest 2,Yellow Wagtail 2 #birdingWales #UKbirding

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I love the gorgeous early morning light on two of the three Black-tailed Godwits that dropped in to Kenfig Pool briefly this morning. Surprisingly given the easterly winds they are the first shorebirds at the pool since Sunday when a lone Green Sandpiper was present #birdingWales #UKBirding

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Nice to see my first Northern Wheatear of the autumn at Kenfig Pool today along with a hunting Eurasian Hobby, two immature Marsh Harriers and four Northern Shovelers of note #birdingWales #ukbirding #birdphotography

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

I'm stuck indoors this morning, so had a quick scroll through some older files and found this shot of a gorgeous adult Slender-billed Gull taken in Oman in November 2024 #birdingoman #gulls #birdphotography

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

A quiet morning for migrants at Kenfig Pool was enlivened by a swarm of Hummingbird Hawkmoths in the flower meadows in the west pool. As the wind died down and it warmed up, they became super active and I managed to get my first photo of one #ukmoths #hawkmoths

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

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

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

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

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

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

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

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.

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

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.

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

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.

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

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.

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

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.

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

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.

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

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.

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

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.

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

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.

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

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..

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

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.

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

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.

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

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.

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

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.

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

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!

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

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.

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

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

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

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.

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

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.

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

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.

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

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.

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

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.

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

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.

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

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.

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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

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.

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