About the event

This is the first of two events organised by the Swansea group of the WTSWW for the City Nature Challenge in Swansea.

Whether you're a beginner nature explorer or an expert, you're welcome to this special adventure taking a close look at wildlife and collecting data for science.

Our leaders will be Steve Dixon from Buglife and Matt Cooke from Amphibian and Reptile Conservation who heads Adder Action for Wales as part of Natur am Byth. They'll take us on boardwalks and trails around this stunning bog habitat - an important National Nature Reserve.

We'll be listening to birdsong and spotting birds including Cetti's Warblers, looking at insects, bees, water beetles and perhaps the rarest of all residents of the Bog - the Fen Raft Spider. There are more than 40 different species of spider in the bog but the Fen Raft Spider is the biggest at about 7 cms in diameter!

Orchids and bog plants will be starting to bloom and insects will be on the wing including solitary wasps, Welsh chafers and butterflies.

We'll spend a couple of hours walking, listening and watching - including a spot of pond-dipping - before returning to the Visitor Centre to have packed lunches and short talks from our guides about the history and importance of the site.

When the event is over, you're welcome to continue nature spotting around the reserve.

As we'll be logging photos of species on our phones, ensure yours is fully charged and pre-download the app if you can.

For iphones: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/inaturalist-classic/id421397028

For android phones: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.inaturalist.android&hl=en_GB

What you need:

Bring wellies, a packed lunch and refreshments. Binoculars, a hand lens or magnifying glass will be useful if you have them but not essential. Equipment for pond dipping will be supplied.

Please dress appropriately for the weather forecast for the day

The boardwalks and tracks may be muddy, so not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies and not suitable for children under 5 years old. People under 18 must be accompanied by adults.

The car park is quite small so car sharing is encouraged. If you're coming by bicycle, take care in the lane to avoid fast traffic and potholes.

PLEASE NOTE: Do not use the postcode for satnav directions to the Visitor Centre but please use What3Words instead - ///tent.learn.stages

No dogs except assistance dogs.

Admission to this event is FREE!

Thanks to Buglife for Steven Falk's image of a Fen Raft Spider.