Bird Watching (UK)

A superb coastline and a secluded valley

- DAVID SAUNDERS

Turn east near the Coastguard lookout at Rhossili and suddenly you have the cliff path to yourself, or almost. From Tears Point, as the Chough flies, it is four miles to near Port Eynon, along the most dramatic cliff coast in Glamorgan.

WHERE TO WATCH

1 Marvel at Worm’s Head, shaped like a giant sea-serpent and accessible for the energetic for up to five hours as the tide recedes (check informatio­n boards or call at the coastguard lookout before crossing the rocky shore). Guillemots and Razorbills nest and Puffins are still occasional­ly reported.

2

Tears Point for seawatchin­g, especially if prior to your visit strong south-west winds have been blowing. Gannets and Manx Shearwater­s go on feeding missions from the giant colonies on the Pembrokesh­ire islands, while in the early autumn, look for passage skuas and throughout the winter divers and grebes.

3

Peregrines and Ravens are seen along the cliffs but do not neglect the valley for Stonechats and Linnets, a valley which provides good shelter for migrants; scarce visitors hereabouts have included Firecrest, Icterine and Yellow-browed Warblers, Tawny Pipit, Common Rosefinch and Little Bunting.

4

Much of the coast is a National Nature Reserve while a small section at Deborah’s Hole (the Hole being an inaccessib­le cave once occupied by Stone Age people) is owned by the Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales.

Rock Pipits are always in evidence while the offshore stack proves attractive to seabirds.

In associatio­n with

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