Useful addition? Thursday 18th May 2017

I've always been interested in the weather, (well it is a British obsession!), and have run an electronic weather station for many years, however since moving back to Wales, although the station has been running and recording I've not really done much with the data.

As a consequence I've moved the station to Pembrey reserve where the data collected can be used in a more informative way.

Data capture unit, ignore the readings, it was initializing!

There's always the danger of vandalism but I think we have to be a bit more optimistic and run the equipment positively.

Equipment in place, I think it's high enough! (and yes it actually is vertical! depending on the angle of view)

The station measures, temperature, wind direction & speed plus, rainfall, pressure, and humidity all pretty useful information. In addition I've installed a separate rain gauge which can be checked/emptied manually on each visit.

Rain gauge

The weather was great this morning after the wet of the last few days and there were a few butterflies on the wing, with Small Blue, Common Blue and Dingy Skipper topping the ratings. An interesting caterpillar turned out to be a Six-spot Burnet Moth

Six-spot Burnet moth caterpillar on Birds-foot Trefoil

Something to do on a damp day Tuesday 16th May 2017

I like to keep the information in the shelter at Pembrey Burrows LNR, fresh and relevant.

I thought a few topical posters would be useful, so with no funds to buy anything I've set about making three, one each for Orchids, Butterflies and Sea Mammals.

I'm quite pleased with the result and as they are home produced are more relevant than a generic off the shelf publication.

Despite the damp conditions there was a good steady passage of Swallows this morning, with Gannets feeding offshore, always nice to see.

Don't forget the guided walk 10am on Saturday 20th May.

April & May a few photographs 15th May 2017

A few photographs taken at  Pembrey Burrows LNR from the spring of '17

Green-winged Orchid

Lapwing

Common Morel

Cornu aspersum

Cepaea nemoralis

Theba pisana

Moonwort

Sedge Warbler

Feral Apple!

Dingy Skipper

Sunny Sunday 14th May 2017

At last a break in the weather gave a few millimetres of rain over the last few days and has really freshened the vegetation, another benefit of a change of wind direction, this morning the visibility was superb.

The fresher conditions brought out quite a few bird watchers and walkers (without dogs) who all appeared to want to have a chat which is great.

A nice selection of birds were on show this morning, with the usual Stonechats, Skylarks, and Meadow Pipits the obvious species, but a secretive Shelduck will require further investigation, as will the pair of Common Ringed Plovers I watched on the fore-dunes.

Common Ringed Plover, pretending not to be seen

Butterflies were keeping their heads down with the westerly breeze but Dingy Skipper and Small Blue were on the wing. 

Some unsettled weather in the coming week may make finding wildlife a challenge, but don't forget the ramble with a ranger on Saturday 20th May.