Unfortunately I have had to cancel the guided event on Sunday 16th September; I am planning on rearranging the event to a date in October.
P
Friday, 7 September 2018
Tuesday, 4 September 2018
September nature to look for - Tuesday 4th September 2018
September is a great month, autumn in its many guises is getting underway as nature begins to wind down for the approaching winter.
Most of the flowers along the coast are now setting seed, the shrubs and trees are fruiting, many with an opportunity to provide us with delicious food such as Blackberries for a pie, Hips and Sloes to add to alcohol, Elder berries to make that wine [get a good reference book and get making]; remember to leave enough for the wild creatures that will rely on this bounty to see them through the winter.
Birds have long been on the move especially the summer visitors such as Swallows, and Sand Martins. some birds will be arriving from the north to winter with us especially the wading birds such as Sanderling or even the scarce Curlew Sandpiper.
A walk across the dunes at Pembrey Burrows LNR could turn up any odd birds such as Whinchat departing for Africa or an early Merlin looking for somewhere to spend the winter.
There are still some wildflowers in bloom, usually in sheltered spots, including Restharrow and Soapwort; now there's an interesting plant; as it's common name suggests it can be used to make soap; the leaves can be boiled for around 30minutes the resulting concoction can then be used like a mild washing up liquid.
Myself I'm off to my favourite Greek island of Lesvos for another September visit where, hopefully under blue skies and a warm sun, autumn migration will be well underway.
For those of you not joining me, with the changeable weather conditions that are likely to be on the cards make the most of any good days and explore.
Most of the flowers along the coast are now setting seed, the shrubs and trees are fruiting, many with an opportunity to provide us with delicious food such as Blackberries for a pie, Hips and Sloes to add to alcohol, Elder berries to make that wine [get a good reference book and get making]; remember to leave enough for the wild creatures that will rely on this bounty to see them through the winter.
 |
| Elder Berries |
 |
| Sloes (the fruit of Blackthorn) |
Birds have long been on the move especially the summer visitors such as Swallows, and Sand Martins. some birds will be arriving from the north to winter with us especially the wading birds such as Sanderling or even the scarce Curlew Sandpiper.
 |
| Sanderling |
 |
| Curlew Sandpiper |
A walk across the dunes at Pembrey Burrows LNR could turn up any odd birds such as Whinchat departing for Africa or an early Merlin looking for somewhere to spend the winter.
 |
| Whinchat |
There are still some wildflowers in bloom, usually in sheltered spots, including Restharrow and Soapwort; now there's an interesting plant; as it's common name suggests it can be used to make soap; the leaves can be boiled for around 30minutes the resulting concoction can then be used like a mild washing up liquid.
Myself I'm off to my favourite Greek island of Lesvos for another September visit where, hopefully under blue skies and a warm sun, autumn migration will be well underway.
For those of you not joining me, with the changeable weather conditions that are likely to be on the cards make the most of any good days and explore.
Sunday, 2 September 2018
Seeing the wood for the trees, Sunday 2nd September 2018
Well, I'm not looking for sympathy but what a long tiring but great fun and great teamwork the weekend has been... Tour of Britain Grand Depart from Pembrey Country Park, a wheelie great success (get it).
My small part was to set up the nature table in the marquee, and to lead two guided walks, a beach safari and a woodland walk.
It was great to have an interesting mix of people join me for both walks, the strandline safari was tough with little of interest on the beach, just as well I did a recce in the morning, but plenty to see on the way to the beach (it took 30mins to walk from the visitor centre to the beach!!)
I tried to get the message across that the county has so much countryside and coast to explore, with the park being a unique blend of natural and manmade habitats, mentioning the now considered misguided approach of stabilising the dune systems in the post war years.. we are spending so much money undoing all that work, money well spent though (look back through the blog for details)
The woodland walk was a bit "on the hoof" as I hadn't prepped myself (admin error)but we did look at a wide variety of trees including SESSILE OAK, BEECH, ASH, SILVER BIRCH, CORSICAN PINE, HORSE CHESTNUT, GREY WILLOW, POPLAR,SYCAMORE and HOLLY.
Some of the oaks in the park have the most enormous leaves, I think this may be a stress related reaction to the environment look out for them along western ride.
There are two native species of Oak in the UK , Sessile usually a western species and Pendunculate or English Oak, the simplest way to identify them is in the autumn when the acorns are formed, Sessile acorns grow against the twig whilst Pendunculate grow on stems away from the twigs.
Holly is very common throughout the country park and Pembrey Forest, one reason for this is that most of the trees are male and don't have berries so are less attractive as Christmas decorations.
 |
G
(photo Pembrey Country Park FB page)
|
My small part was to set up the nature table in the marquee, and to lead two guided walks, a beach safari and a woodland walk.
 |
| Nature table, the large item on the left is an un identified whale skull |
It was great to have an interesting mix of people join me for both walks, the strandline safari was tough with little of interest on the beach, just as well I did a recce in the morning, but plenty to see on the way to the beach (it took 30mins to walk from the visitor centre to the beach!!)
I tried to get the message across that the county has so much countryside and coast to explore, with the park being a unique blend of natural and manmade habitats, mentioning the now considered misguided approach of stabilising the dune systems in the post war years.. we are spending so much money undoing all that work, money well spent though (look back through the blog for details)
The woodland walk was a bit "on the hoof" as I hadn't prepped myself (admin error)but we did look at a wide variety of trees including SESSILE OAK, BEECH, ASH, SILVER BIRCH, CORSICAN PINE, HORSE CHESTNUT, GREY WILLOW, POPLAR,SYCAMORE and HOLLY.
Some of the oaks in the park have the most enormous leaves, I think this may be a stress related reaction to the environment look out for them along western ride.
There are two native species of Oak in the UK , Sessile usually a western species and Pendunculate or English Oak, the simplest way to identify them is in the autumn when the acorns are formed, Sessile acorns grow against the twig whilst Pendunculate grow on stems away from the twigs.
 |
| Sessile Oak acorns |
Holly is very common throughout the country park and Pembrey Forest, one reason for this is that most of the trees are male and don't have berries so are less attractive as Christmas decorations.
 |
| Holly (female tree) |
Interesting gems to look for are SPANGLE GALLS on the underside of the Oak leaves caused by the Spangle Gall wasp and TAR SPOT on the Sycamore leaves caused by a fungus.
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| Spangle Galls |
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Tar Spot
During both walks we were "buzzed" by a Migrant Hawker dragonfly
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