Wales Nature Week Pembrey Country Park, 31st May 2019

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Outdoor Recreation Service held the first of three events for Wales Nature Week on Friday a little early but designed to link with school half term.

Three moth traps were set in the park and forest, which meant a very early start to recover the traps before daylight.

A good range of moths were caught and shown to a group of 12 children and three adults. As usual the "hawk moths" stole the show with Privet and Poplar caught.

Some of the more interesting moths though included Obscure Wainscot, noted in Carmarthenshire as rare/local, in J S Bakers, MOTHS 2004, the food plant is Common Reed. Others included, Spruce Carpet, Sandy Carpet,  several of the "Minors" aggregate, Puss Moth, Sharp-angled Peacock, Scallop Shell, and both pale and dark morphs of Peppered Moth.
Thanks to Dr Stuart Blackmore for his assistance.
Obscure Wainscot, (Leucania obsolete)

 The afternoon session was pond dipping, with the event sold out, with 10 children and five adults getting their feet wet in search of a myriad of pond life, the best finds were Water Scorpion, and two of the largest Ramshorn pond snails I've seen. (I'll post a photo when ranger Oliver sends them !)
Our next event is a Bat talk and walk on Wednesday 5th June, to book a place please visit

  pembreycountrypark.wales  whats on.

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