Crymlyn Burrows SSSi, Neath Port Talbot - 12/3/2016

Saturday 3rd March was a bit of a dull, cloudy and chilly day, but we decided to get up early and go out exploring anyway. We visited one of our favourite nature spots Crymlyn Burrows to see what we could see.

Crymlyn Burrows is a SSSI area and lies between Neath Port Talbot and Swansea - There is a salt marsh, sand dunes, woodland and access to Swansea Bay - it is an awesome place to spot wildlife and this is what we discovered on that day...

The tide was in, which pretty much covers most of the reserve. In the distance is Baglan Energy Park  and the hills behind are Margam.

The first bird we saw was a little egret stalking the water's edge for food. I have never seen one in Crymlyn Burrows before, a very beautiful bird. (Photo credit: @Danturner23)

Seeing the tide was in we were unable to walk through the reserve. Instead, we followed the path than runs around the outside of the burrows where we started spotting plenty of birds:

Jay (you can just about make it out, sorry about the bad photo)

Blue Tit

Carrion Crow preening each other on nearby lampost

A pair of greylag geese in the distance.

There were lots of buzzards around and we found this pellet on the ground, full of small bones and fur.

One of the beautiful buzzards circling above.

There was plenty of fungi and plants around too, including this old turkey tail fungi...

...and this earth star fungi that was hidden in rotting wood.

Lots of gorse was flowering, brightening a rather grey day.

Continuing on the path we realised they were felling quite a few trees near the cycle track. I have tried to find out what is happening, so if you know I would be interested if you got in touch. There are lots of birds around this area...

Goldfinch

Dunnock

Good to see these new additions to the reserve, bins for litter and dog mess.

We made our way pass the new university and headed towards the dunes.

Another new addition were the signs to show the area is a SSSI with a few rules about protecting the habitat and vegetation...

...and warning sign to say 'Do not disturb the birds' - lets hope people read and respect these signs. We also noticed a new boardwalk had been laid to give people better access to the beach.

On the beach I couldn't see any birds to start, then I saw a small movement in the pebbles. There were infact lots of ringed plovers and sandlings(?)

Near the shoreline were oystercatchers.

Ringed plovers and sandlings(?)

Also lots of black headed gulls.

Lots of flotsam and jetsam washed up the beach, including this life ring...

...and creepy dolls head!

There were lots of mermaid purses on the beach. They are egg sacks, but not sure if it's from a ray, shark or skate?

We also found this huge bone, any ideas what it is? 

After walking awhile along the beach we made our way back over the dunes and into the burrows.

Here we start seeing more birds including a male stonechat...

...and here's the female stonechat looking rather plump!

A skylark in the long grass

A rook stalks the dunes.

Skylarks forage in the seaweed left from the water from high tide.

Some pretty, colourful turkey tail fungi on a nearby log.

The male stonechat is joined by a male reed bunting.

Crossing a very muddy river (there are car wheels in the water, acting like stepping stones...but it still gets very muddy)

A black headed gull on the mud. It's loosing its winter black head and will be left with a small black splash on it's head in the summer.

Close up of the male reed bunting - a very striking looking bird.

The burrows looked a lot different from when we came in the morning, the tide was now low and this revealed more plants and wildlife on the reserve.

A redshank wades in the water.

A flock of rock pipits were in the tree.

Back at the car we realised there was a lot of litter thrown in the trees, luckily we had our litter picking stuff in the car...

...so three bags later, it looked alot better :)

Crymlyn Burrows is one of my favourite places to visit, you are guaranteed to see lots of wildlife any time of year and whatever the weather is. It's important we protect such a valuable habitat and hopefully the new Swansea University will too.

Click here to check out my other blog from 

Crymlyn Burrows last year. 

Valentine's Day at Margam Park, Port Talbot

It seemed like forever since we had been out for a walk and seeing that the sun was shining on Valentine's Day we decided to go to one of our favourite places: Margam Park.

Margam Park is a 1000 acre country park situated in Margam, two miles from Port Talbot. The park is perfect for a relaxing day out offering history, wildlife and wonderful scenery. There is ample car parking and plenty of information plaques and maps to help you find your way around the park. 

We arrived at about 10.30am, parked in the main car park and paid at the kiosk (car parking is £4.70 per car). It wasn't long before we were greeted by a robin and blackbird. We made our way towards the Orangery and looked up to the clear blue sky to see what we thought was a buzzard...upon closer inspection through the binoculars we realised it was in fact a red kite. It was the first time I had ever seen a kite around these parts.

The cheerful robin.

A small section of the car park and the car parking kiosk.

Walking towards the orangery, passing an information plaque. 

A close up of the red kite (taken on Dan's camera).

Once through the gate the first thing you see is the Monastic ruins, these date back to 1147 and were once part of the Cisterian Abbey. Passing the 18th century orangery we made our way to the huge tree which was used in the TV show 'Da Vinci's Demons'. I am not sure what type of tree it is so if you know please comment at the end of this blog.

The abbey ruins with Margam Castle in the distance.

The Orangery on the left and the abbey ruins on the right.

The big tree with the abbey ruins behind.

From here we made our way up to the fish pond where we were greeted by geese, swans and mallard. There were a group of people using the lake for their remote controlled boats and I spent a few moments feeding the birds (with duck & swan feed, not bread!). 

Very rowdy white geese

A swan came to greet us, with mallard and Canada Geese.

Me feeding the swan

The birds didn't seem too bothered by the boats

We made our way back to the main path up to Castle and saw a few birds in one of the nearby trees, there were lots of chaffinches and a single nuthatch. We continued walking up to Margam Castle: a 19th Century Grade 1 listed Tudor Gothic building, built by Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot in 1830. It looked so majestic with the blue sky behind it.

Chaffinches singing in the trees (photo by Dan Turner)

Nuthatch

Beautiful Margam Castle

Once we reached the main entrance to the Castle we couldn't resist going in and admiring the Gothic architecture inside. The staircase is mesmerising, but unfortunately the upstairs is off limits to the public. I have done a ghost walk in the past and was allowed to explore more of the castle...believe me, it's a lot different at night and not for the faint-hearted.

The main entrance of Margam Castle

The regal staircase and Gothic architecture

Once outside we were treated to the sight of some fallow deer running in and out of the woodland and a buzzard was perched in a nearby tree waiting for it's dinner. We managed to get quite close to it and Dan got a great pic with his superzoom camera. We took one step too close and then it flew off.

Fallow Deer.

Buzzard (photo by Dan Turner).

We then made our way to the castle's courtyard where you will find a cafe, toilets and starting points to some of Margam Park's walking trails. Lots of sparrows were in and out of the cracks in the walls, no doubt making nice and cosy nests for breeding time. After a quick toilet break and a nice chat with a man representing the RSPB we continued our journey around the park.

Sparrows in cracks of the cafe wall.

A look back at the Castle and the RSPB stall.

Next, we headed towards the new pond, passing the narrow gauge train (it wasn't running that day). There were a number of birds on the lake: Canada Geese, Mallards, Moorhens whilst a Cormorant sat still on the jetty waiting to spot some lunch. We usually see herons here, but none today.

The path up to the lake with the train on the left.

Canada geese and mallard.

The cormorant waiting for his lunch.

Margam Park also has a farm trail, where you will find turkeys, goats, rabbits and chickens - a great little trail especially for children. There are also bigger farm animals in nearby fields like pigs, cows, Shetland ponies, etc...

The entrance to the farm.

Turkey.

A friendly goat.

From here we made our way to the small nature reserve that was created for local wildlife. We saw a few birds including blue and great tits. A lovely little walk through with plenty of things to explore including a pond.

The beginning of the nature reserve.

A blue tit.

After the nature reserve we made our way into the deer park which was just to the left and through a gate. We couldn't see any deer but we did see a stunning buzzard hovering above, we followed a path deeper into the park and once again were greeted by another buzzard. This time it was sitting on a fence and quietly we approached, managing to get a good photo.

The deer park.

Buzzard flying above (Photo by Dan Turner).

Buzzard on a fence (photo by Dan Turner).

We walked deeper into the park and saw four red deer, they looked stunning complete with fully grown antlers. They posed for a pic and then they were gone, back into the ungrowth. After a quick refreshment stop we followed the path around the park which eventually reaches the Pulpit Stone.

The pulpit stone is an observation platform with a stone monument, it was erected in 1998 to acknowledge the Princes Trust. It is the highest point of Margam Park with fantastic panoramic views of Kenfig Sands, the Gower Peninsula and even Somerset.

Red Deer herd.

The pulpit stone.

The scenery is wonderful up here.

Our walk continued heading East along the path, passing a beautiful raven along the way. The path that we followed is part of a trail called 'St Illtyd Walk' (a 64 mile walk which starts from Pembrey Country Park) - Over to the left we saw a head pop over some hedges and realised there was another herd of red deer.

Raven.

The trail from The Pulpit Stone.

A signpost with direction.

Red deer.

The path takes a left turn and we past some curious sheep, to the left we noticed the rest of the herd of deer. We decided to have another rest to see if we could spot any hares (apparently they are seen up here) and enjoyed the views.

Curious sheep.

Deer herd.

Hare watching.

Unfortunately, we didn't see any hares so we made our way through a wooden gate and down a steep path. On the way we past a huge tree that was growing through the wall, it was full of life with small birds but we couldn't get any pics as they were so fast!

The descent down.

The tree growing through the wall.

We finally got back on a main path and looked to the right to see a gate which said 'zig zag trail' and 'Cym Philips' - Cwm Phillips is a valley and I guess the Zig Zag trail is one of the cycle tracks. Instead of going through this gate we headed the other way until we got to another wooden gate that takes you back into the main park.

The gate leading to Cwm Phillips Valley.

Silhouette of trees in the fading light.

It was now late afternoon and the sun was starting to set so we decided to call it a day and made our way back to the car, passing the castle as we went. Near the car park we noticed some cherry blossom trees with some small birds flying in and out. We went to check it out and were pleased to see a number of blue tits. After a successful six mile nature walk we were pleased to see the car!

The castle on the way back to the car.

Blue tit.

What a fabulous Valentine's Day it was. Couldn't ask for more and the weather was lovely. Margam Park was voted 2nd in the nation's People's Choice for best park* (part of the Green Flag Awards scheme) and you can see why. It is a place you can visit throughout the year,,,check out theses photos from when I visited in the snow: Margam in the snow

Further Information...

* Story from the South Wales Evening Post about Margam Park winning the award.

For more info on Margam Park check out their website!