Kenfig Nature Reserve

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] 🐝

06/08/2026

We are in a drought, a “wild” fire could easily catch on site and cause devastating damage. It is totally irresponsible and reckless to have a bbq/fire in this weather no matter how “careful” you are. Please just think. There are devastating fires happening all over the country right now, we don’t want Kenfig to join them.

We’re disappointed to have found yet another BBQ on site today… this time right next the orchards.

Please, do not bring BBQs into the nature reserve. They are prohibited for a reason. Even a small fire or discarded hot coals can cause devastating damage to wildlife, habitats and the people who work hard to protect this special place.

Please enjoy your visit responsibly and help us keep Kenfig safe for everyone. Thank you.

Olivia
Centre Manager