For once the weekend turned out to be glorious across both days with blue sky, warm sun and a gentle breeze reminding us all that we do get nice weather occasionally. I was on my own for the bulk of Saturday so headed over to Kenfig NNR to see if I could snag a Bittern or two. To my surprise I found water levels across the reserve way higher than I can remember for a good while, with the ‘beaches’ around Kenfig pool completely submerged and some of the paths back under water. Not only did this mean that I was back to taking increasingly indirect detours through the dunes, but it also rendered the reedbed cuttings completely unsuitable for feeding Bitterns. Instead I turned my attention to the gathered waterfowl which was surprisingly varied considering the mild conditions. Gadwall, Great Crested Grebe, Wigeon, Pochard, Tufted Duck, over 200 Coot and three Goldeneye were all present but too distant for photos. Instead I turned my attention to the resident flock of Canada Geese. They often get a lot of stick for being an introduced species in this country but I find them quite engaging.

25572 - Canada Geese, Kenfig Pool
25576 - Canada Geese, Kenfig Pool

One particularly aggressive individual, possibly trying to assert its dominance before the breeding season, also allowed me to add to my occasional collection of “shouting bird” photos.

25577 - Canada Geese, Kenfig Pool

The old barbed wire fences that run into the water at a couple of places around the pool always provide ideal perches for a variety of species, and this visit was to be no exception. Common Gulls and Black Headed Gulls were the most numerous perchees but at the ruined boat house there were also three Cormorants drying their wings in the sun. The lighting was just about perfect (well perhaps a little bright if I am being picky) which allowed each feather to be picked out in detail. Not always an easy feat on a big black bird.

25573 - Cormorant, kenfig Pool

While photographing the Cormorants a familiar song drifted across to my ears. Although I couldn’t locate the culprit flying way above my head its identity is no mystery. It would seem that the Skylarks have started singing again!

The walk out through the dunes was relatively quiet, as was the beach, but on the exposed rocks towards Sker Point Oystercatchers, Curlew and Turnstones were all busy feeding. I took the opportunity to take a shot looking back towards the huge steelworks at Port Talbot. I always find it a remarkable contrast that I can be standing in a huge nature reserve looking back at the temple of Welsh industry.

25578 - Port Talbot from Sker Point

At Sker Point itself a receding tide had revealed the fascinating structures built by Honeycomb worms, a species I have covered on this blog several times in the past. What may at first appear to be brown rocks turn out under closer inspection to be countless hollow tubes with walls only a single grain of sand thick. The worms themselves reside within, safely protected from the outside world at these times of exposure.

25579 - Honeycomb Worms, Sker Point
25580 - Honeycomb Worms, Sker Point

Honeycomb worms are a relatively uncommon species around the UK thanks to their very specific habitat requirements and vulnerability from trampling, burial under shifting sand and storm damage. Therefore to have what appears to be a healthy colony locally is a very nice thing indeed.


16 Comments

Unknown · February 28, 2012 at 9:05 pm

Nice shots! Love the Cormorant, wonderful creatures 🙂

Unknown · February 28, 2012 at 9:12 pm

Great series Adam; especially those worms. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Brian King · February 28, 2012 at 9:28 pm

Beautiful shots of the geese! Great wing shot with the cormorant, too!

theconstantwalker · February 28, 2012 at 9:34 pm

Wonderful images Adam….

Fjällripan · February 28, 2012 at 9:48 pm

Beautiful photos, I especially like the cormorant spreading his wings!

TexWisGirl · February 28, 2012 at 10:01 pm

i like your 'shouting bird' 🙂 and your cormorant is great!

Bob Bushell · February 28, 2012 at 10:29 pm

The Honeycomb and the worms are beautiful creatures. Brill.iant photos.

eileeninmd · February 28, 2012 at 10:31 pm

Cool series, love the geese and the cormorant. And the honeycomb is neat a great place for the worms to hide. Thanks for sharing, have a great day!

holdingmoments · February 29, 2012 at 5:56 am

I think the geese are great too Adam.

I love those shots of the Honeycomb worm structures. Never seen these before.

Stewart M · February 29, 2012 at 8:09 am

Hi there – what’s native these days?

Never seen the worms – must be a great find.

Stewart M – Australia

Mary Howell Cromer · February 29, 2012 at 12:11 pm

That Cormorant image is wonderful!

Indrani · February 29, 2012 at 12:14 pm

The honeycomb is marvels and what a proud display of wings by the cormorant!

Joanne Olivieri · February 29, 2012 at 7:29 pm

Great shots and what a wing span, wonderful capture.

joo · February 29, 2012 at 8:44 pm

Cormorant is so pretty, and I love geese.

Springman · March 1, 2012 at 2:04 am

Sweet series Adam. I noticed when I punched up the picture of the cormorant that you use a FZ28. Awesome fixed lens camera, I use my fz20 and fz35 all the time. No wonder your pictures stand out!

Adam Tilt · March 6, 2012 at 9:52 pm

Thanks all for your very kind comments. Looks the Cormorant is a bit of a hit!

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