On 9th June 2023, I visited the following sites:
Pembrokeshire Coast Path .... Barafundle Bay and Beach and Stackpole Head
Barafundle Bay and Beach is part of the National Trust Stackpole Estate and accessible only by a half mile walk from the nearest car park at Stackpole Quay. It is a stunning broad stretch of golden sand flanked by woodland, dunes and limestone headlands.
After crossing Barafundle Beach, a path leads up through the woodland before emerging on the cliff-top path to Stackpole Head, a spectacular point where the sea has sculpted stacks, caves, arches, inlets and headlands and where Guillemots, Razorbills, Choughs, Ravens and Peregrines breed.
The undoubted highlight of my visit to Barafundle Bay and Beach and Stackpole Head was the significant offshore passage of Manx Shearwaters plus 3 more Choughs.
The highlights during my visit were as follows: Manx Shearwater (at least 100 flying east offshore in just a 5 minute period with an ongoing passage thereafter), Gannet (3), Guillemot (+), Razorbill (less than 10), Kittiwake (1), Fulmar (1), Shag (1), Cormorant (1), Herring Gull, Chough (3), Raven (1), Rock Pipit (3), Meadow Pipit (1), Skylark (4)
Here are some photos from my visit ....
After returning to Stackpole Quay via Barafundle Beach, I drove the short distance to Bosherston Lily Ponds which is also part of the National Trust Stackpole Estate. The renowned water lilies are best seen in June. The marshy edges and reedbeds provide a good habitat for common breeding water birds. Bosherston Lily Ponds is an incredible landscape and one that I had not experienced before.
The highlights during my visit were as follows (heard only records in italics): Blackcap (2 singing males), Chiffchaff (2 singing males), Mute Swan (3 pairs including a pair with 5 cygnets), Moorhen (2), Mallard (1), Blue-tailed Damselfly (c.20), Speckled Wood (6)
Here are some photos from my visit ....
Photo: Bosherton Lily Ponds
Photo: Bosherton Lily Ponds
Photo: Bosherton Lily Ponds
Photo: Bosherton Lily Ponds
Photo: Bosherton Lily Ponds
Photo: Bosherton Lily Ponds
After filling up with petrol in Pembroke Dock (much cheaper prices than at home!), I drove the 288 miles home. This took well over 6 hours due to traffic congestion on the M4 in Wales and at the M4/M5 intersection after the Severn Crossing plus almost continuous stop-start traffic on most of the northern section of the M25. Back to reality!
#DefendNature .... Please help save and enhance our laws that protect our environment and wildlife
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